Going camping!

[uscmatt99]

My family and I have been habitual travelers for the last 10 years or so, mostly visiting international destinations and hitting up every continent save Africa and Antarctica, for now. Times have changed and we will probably be home-bound in the Midwest (by choice) for the next several months at a minimum. We’re very lucky to have a ton of natural beauty in the great state of Michigan and we’ve been taking advantage of the natural beauty all around us.

As a tween and teenager long ago I hiked a camped a ton with the Boy Scouts and separately with my dad and friends. That pastime went to the back burner as my school, career, and our growing little family moved to the forefront. Time to shake off the cobwebs and go camping! We booked a campsite in northern Michigan near Mackinaw City and just bought a bunch of camping paraphernalia to keep my wife and kids comfy for our first adventure. Equipment has definitely advanced over the last 20 years

Anybody else into camping on TRF? Would love to hear about your experiences and any tips you’ve picked up

[TheVTCGuy]

Take me with you

[ct.matt]

Check out outdoorgearlab for awesome reviews on camping essentials if you're still amassing camping gear. Order as much as possible from REI for free returns/exchanges if things don't work out.

Off the top of my head:
- Invest in a good comfortable sleeping pad, especially if you're car camping and have room in the car.
- Solar showers are great, we bring them camping. Make sure your soap and shampoo are 100% biodegradable
- Don't keep any food or scented stuff in your tents, bears will wan to come check it out
- We love our made-in-the-US Yeti cooler, keeps ice packs frozen for days on end even in the summer daytime heat in the Sierras

[CamSLC]

I go quite a bit here. I like to find a space with water to fish and paddle board during the day, but that often means bugs so getting a good deet free repellent is important. Also get headlamps for the whole crew.

Don’t bother being a gourmet chef the first few times out. Simple is more fun, you’ll figure out what packs in and out well for you quickly. Brats, s’mores, and a big container of potato salad is easy. Doing dishes should be minimized.

Enjoy it! It’s such a great way to build memories with the fam that doesn’t cost a lot.

[Cazador60]

Beautiful pics CamSLC. We just got back from camping in the High Sierras at 8000 ft. My son is camping with friends in Zion right now. We love to camp, fish and hunt.

[BNA/LION]

Originally Posted by uscmatt99

My family and I have been habitual travelers for the last 10 years or so, mostly visiting international destinations and hitting up every continent save Africa and Antarctica, for now. Times have changed and we will probably be home-bound in the Midwest (by choice) for the next several months at a minimum. We’re very lucky to have a ton of natural beauty in the great state of Michigan and we’ve been taking advantage of the natural beauty all around us.

As a tween and teenager long ago I hiked a camped a ton with the Boy Scouts and separately with my dad and friends. That pastime went to the back burner as my school, career, and our growing little family moved to the forefront. Time to shake off the cobwebs and go camping! We booked a campsite in northern Michigan near Mackinaw City and just bought a bunch of camping paraphernalia to keep my wife and kids comfy for our first adventure. Equipment has definitely advanced over the last 20 years

Anybody else into camping on TRF? Would love to hear about your experiences and any tips you’ve picked up

Tips on things to Bring: Matches, lots of Beer and Booze, nice air mattress and pillow, TP, water and Steaks, corn on cob, beans and Serious breakfast food - eggs, bacon, sausage, coffee, etc.
My max in a tent is 2-days. Have FUN!

[gnuyork]

I miss the days of back country backpacking and camping my my friends. Good times.

[Baco Noir]

I backpacked in CO for 20 years when I was younger, but now I don’t want to carry 70 lbs on my back at elevation anymore. We wanted to spend more time outside, so were getting up early on the weekends (5 AM-ish) to go hiking/fishing, but had to drive 1-2 hrs after breakfast and often times by the time we got to the lakes, it was hot out and we had missed the morning hatch/fishing. So we bought an RV last month so we could camp by the trailheads for an earlier start. So far just a couple of shakedown trips to test out systems (no trailhead parking) as we are getting ready for trip to MT to visit my wife’s family and AL to visit mine - my mom turns 90 in Oct and dad turned 92 last May.

While I loved waking up by an alpine lake at 11,000 ft above sea level when I was younger, I’m loving waking up in new places and having a shower and nice dinners now too.

[DonRickles]

Originally Posted by Baco Noir

I backpacked in CO for 20 years when I was younger, but now I don’t want to carry 70 lbs on my back at elevation anymore. We wanted to spend more time outside, so were getting up early on the weekends (5 AM-ish) to go hiking/fishing, but had to drive 1-2 hrs after breakfast and often times by the time we got to the lakes, it was hot out and we had missed the morning hatch/fishing. So we bought an RV last month so we could camp by the trailheads for an earlier start. So far just a couple of shakedown trips to test out systems (no trailhead parking) as we are getting ready for trip to MT to visit my wife’s family and AL to visit mine - my mom turns 90 in Oct and dad turned 92 last May.

While I loved waking up by an alpine lake at 11,000 ft above sea level when I was younger, I’m loving waking up in new places and having a shower and nice dinners now too.

Looks like the perfect size camper for my wife and I!!! Can you share some details? MPG, Upfront cost....etc???? So nice!!

[Baco Noir]

Originally Posted by DonRickles

Looks like the perfect size camper for my wife and I!!! Can you share some details? MPG, Upfront cost....etc???? So nice!!

2020 Tiffin Wayferer 25QW - gets about 14 mpg doing 70-75 with no tow vehicle. The 2021's are being built with a composite floor, which lightens the coach and gives another 250-300 lbs of cargo carrying capacity. They are built with really nice interiors (more weight) than Winnebago and other competitors so they are pushing the weight limits once you get people, gear, food, and fluids loaded, but the 2021 seems to have improved. We just pack light and don't travel with a full tank of fresh water - so far so good.

[Duey]

Drinking Georges De Latour Private Reserve out of a plastic no spill sippy cup - Now That's My Kind of Camping

[royerlich]

Camping near the dead sea

Sent from my SM-G980F using Tapatalk

[Dubshack]

I grew up camping in the sierras in California. We were almost always in an RV or trailer.

More recently I just spent 4 days at Jalama beach on the California coast for the first time. Beautiful spot.






Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[AzPaul]

If you're tent camping, always nice to have something to wipe your foot on before going inside. It can get messy in there quick.

[Baco Noir]

Originally Posted by Duey

Drinking Georges De Latour Private Reserve out of a plastic no spill sippy cup - Now That's My Kind of Camping

Some sacrifices had to be made when we went with a Class C rather than Class A RV!

[dba]

Originally Posted by Baco Noir

While I loved waking up by an alpine lake at 11,000 ft above sea level when I was younger, I’m loving waking up in new places and having a shower and nice dinners now too.

Agreed. There's something to be said for a comfy bed and a decent shower each day.

[uscmatt99]

Originally Posted by TheVTCGuy

Take me with you

Paul you're always welcome. I'll let you borrow a USC ballcap or sweatshirt, your choice

Originally Posted by ct.matt

Check out outdoorgearlab for awesome reviews on camping essentials if you're still amassing camping gear. Order as much as possible from REI for free returns/exchanges if things don't work out.

Off the top of my head:
- Invest in a good comfortable sleeping pad, especially if you're car camping and have room in the car.
- Solar showers are great, we bring them camping. Make sure your soap and shampoo are 100% biodegradable
- Don't keep any food or scented stuff in your tents, bears will wan to come check it out
- We love our made-in-the-US Yeti cooler, keeps ice packs frozen for days on end even in the summer daytime heat in the Sierras

Great minds think alike! I ordered everything from REI except for a hatchet they didn't have in stock. Outdoorgearlab is quite helpful given the plethora of options out there. My wife has never been tent-camping to my knowledge, and my 2 boys are softies, so we're going to have to ease into this activity. I got an self-inflating sleeping pad that fits 2 adults with side bolsters that should just about approximate a Four Seasons bed for my wife and me The kids will have to suck it up on the cheap thermorest type self-inflating pads.

Originally Posted by CamSLC

I go quite a bit here. I like to find a space with water to fish and paddle board during the day, but that often means bugs so getting a good deet free repellent is important. Also get headlamps for the whole crew.

Don’t bother being a gourmet chef the first few times out. Simple is more fun, you’ll figure out what packs in and out well for you quickly. Brats, s’mores, and a big container of potato salad is easy. Doing dishes should be minimized.

Enjoy it! It’s such a great way to build memories with the fam that doesn’t cost a lot.

Great piece of advice regarding the headlamps, I have one, and just ordered a couple more for the kids. We have some compact but powerful CREE LED flashlights as well. We've also got DEET products to the max as we dayhike a fair amount around here. I agree regarding the food, nothing fancy. We will have a grill that sits over either the campfire or a little fire-safe, as well as a 2-burner propane camp stove. Basic cook kit and dining kits for everyone too. Worst case scenario my picky 7-year-old will have to survive on S'mores alone, which he would do daily if it was up to him.

Originally Posted by BNA/LION

Tips on things to Bring: Matches, lots of Beer and Booze, nice air mattress and pillow, TP, water and Steaks, corn on cob, beans and Serious breakfast food - eggs, bacon, sausage, coffee, etc.
My max in a tent is 2-days. Have FUN!

Great tips! I'm guessing we will do a hearty breakfast (who doesn't like eggs?), light lunch snacks, and grilled goodies for dinner every day. Some Rose and Moscow Mules to round things out

Originally Posted by Baco Noir

I backpacked in CO for 20 years when I was younger, but now I don’t want to carry 70 lbs on my back at elevation anymore. We wanted to spend more time outside, so were getting up early on the weekends (5 AM-ish) to go hiking/fishing, but had to drive 1-2 hrs after breakfast and often times by the time we got to the lakes, it was hot out and we had missed the morning hatch/fishing. So we bought an RV last month so we could camp by the trailheads for an earlier start. So far just a couple of shakedown trips to test out systems (no trailhead parking) as we are getting ready for trip to MT to visit my wife’s family and AL to visit mine - my mom turns 90 in Oct and dad turned 92 last May.

While I loved waking up by an alpine lake at 11,000 ft above sea level when I was younger, I’m loving waking up in new places and having a shower and nice dinners now too.

That is an amazing set-up you've got there. I've never really considered the idea of RV-ing as we are mostly city travelers, but it sure looks appealing and so convenient, a great way to maximize one's time in the outdoors while minimizing transit times.

Originally Posted by AzPaul

If you're tent camping, always nice to have something to wipe your foot on before going inside. It can get messy in there quick.

Making a note right now to pack up the microfiber cloths! Knowing my kids it will be a lab experiment within hours of setting up their tent, which is why we got 2 small tents instead of one for all of us to jam into.

[roadie1]

I just returned from a two week 4200 mile trip to Wyoming and Colorado in my 4x4 Sprinter. More glamping than camping! Wife and daughter stayed home. Jut me and the hound! It was great! Did some trail running, hiked a couple 14’rs. Also saw some cool wildlife! Had lots of beer and grilled a fair bit!









Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[SPMN]

Originally Posted by Baco Noir

I was going to recommend buying a few boxes of wine, removing the cardboard and just going in with the space bags! I suppose your way is a bit more refined!

[SPMN]

Seriously though, just keep it simple. Definitely bring stuff for s'mores, but hot dogs, hamburgers, chips, baked beans, things like that are what camping is all about. There's nothing worse that hauling in a bunch of stuff that just needs to get washed.

[ct.matt]

Originally Posted by roadie1

I just returned from a two week 4200 mile trip to Wyoming and Colorado in my 4x4 Sprinter. More glamping than camping! Wife and daughter stayed home. Jut me and the hound! It was great! Did some trail running, hiked a couple 14’rs. Also saw some cool wildlife! Had lots of beer and grilled a fair bit!



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

We've been thinking about a Sprinter van build. Do you have solar panels on your roof and did you go with a bathroom/shower or without? We're ok with outdoor showering and digging holes but I have seen some super cool setups with shower and rv toilet inside.

[Baco Noir]

Originally Posted by SPMN

I was going to recommend buying a few boxes of wine, removing the cardboard and just going in with the space bags! I suppose your way is a bit more refined!

Back in the backpacking days, we’d share carrying alcohol and of multiple varieties. One to two people would usually carry 2 bottle of wine poured into plastic Nalgene bottles to reduce weight, while someone else would carry a plastic bottle of Jim Beam with powdered lemonade mix for pseudo-Lynchburg Lemonades over the weekend. Whoever wasn’t carrying the alcohol, carried the 1/2 & 1/2 and butter up to the lake and put it either in a snow bank or in a nearby stream to keep it cold for the morning coffees and for cooking sauces over the weekend.

[roadie1]

Originally Posted by ct.matt

We've been thinking about a Sprinter van build. Do you have solar panels on your roof and did you go with a bathroom/shower or without? We're ok with outdoor showering and digging holes but I have seen some super cool setups with shower and rv toilet inside.

200 W of solar on the roof. Full wet bath with shower. I would not have a van without a full bathroom. Espar diesel heater. I’ve done a lot of upgrades as well.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[uscmatt99]

We made it! Had two great nights in a campground just outside Mackinaw City. I chose this place on the recommendation of a friend so that we had bailout options for food and supplies. It was great for that, but we also decided that next time we are going to a place that doesn’t allow for those big camping trailers and RVs. We were two little tents in a sea of Jayco trailers


Mackinac by uscmatt99, on Flickr


Mackinac by uscmatt99, on Flickr

The forecast changed to rain, and we decided to modify our plans and head to Mackinac Island. So we packed up and booked a couple nights at a charming little hotel with a bed, sofa bed for the kids, and a coffee maker. This place is beautiful, a few pics from our walk last night.


Mackinac by uscmatt99, on Flickr


Mackinac by uscmatt99, on Flickr


Mackinac by uscmatt99, on Flickr


Mackinac by uscmatt99, on Flickr


Mackinac by uscmatt99, on Flickr

[Baco Noir]

Good call. I never liked tent camping around RVs.