I did one night in Yosemite in a cabin, that’s all there.
No one is saying always go camping. Just that it’s good to have different experiences. I camp probably 10 nights a year. But I can’t remember the last time I went camping when it was colder than 50 or hotter than 90. And I certainly don’t camp in the rain.
Well yeah I know. Ive had those experiences and truth be told am quite envious of people who don’t get bothered by the crawly and bitey things and “things that go bump in the night” because I’m sure it’s a really tremendous experience otherwise.
But we are what we are and inveterate city people here, where the climate is a lot less suited to camping, often find the very idea slightly absurd. You have to be really ok with getting soaked through to your skin in a muddy field here.
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Yea I get it. I feel the same way about cruises and that was before COVID.
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Oh no, let’s not get onto that topic. We know where that leads.
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I’m not much of an outdoorsman, but I do love the social aspect of camping. I never camped growing up, but in college our fraternity did a Labor Day trip to the rifle river in mid-Michigan. It was like Mardi Gras on the river. Booze weed and women. It was always a blast.
While I’d probably enjoy the backwoods camping/hiking, that’s not going to happen with 3 small kids. We bought a travel trailer a few years ago and try to take it out at least once a month in the summer. I like campgrounds with decent amenities for the kids. Playgrounds and swimming are high on the list. It’s a great way for them to play with other kids. So of course this year has been rough. We are going to give it a shot this coming up weekend. I’m hoping the outdoor nature of it will help mitigate any COVID spread.
I’m still sort of impressed by the economics of some of these campers. I paid $20K and got a 30 foot trailer that sleeps 9 (realistically about 4-5), a full kitchen, 2 fridges, etc. Sure, maybe it’s lower grade stuff, but I’ve had it for 4 seasons now and it’s still in excellent shape.
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lol, this gives me flashbacks to SERE training. Used my rain poncho as the tent. Sleeping bag was standard military issue cloth, and of course it fucking rained. Everything was soaked, I was cold and miserable, and that was only the first half. The other 3 nights (for the “evasion” portion) we were on the move and there was no camping anywhere.
As for food, a small plastic jar of peanut butter is my best friend while hiking/camping, and one I missed dearly on the camino because the heathen Euros don’t eat it, for some reason. It is such good energy, along with chocolate, if you just need a quick snack or pick me up.
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That’s a big trailer!
We’re looking for something smaller. Probably a 25’ Jayco as soon as they come back in stock.
We did find a truck yesterday, so that part is solved.
I’m just going to camp camp for a while, but I’ve been thinking about options and am now leaning towards small truck camper.
Yeah, the bunkhouse floorplan for the kids was a big reason for it. I initially wanted a 5th wheel but they were about 10k more for a similar plan. Some of it was inexperience too. Once the kids are grown, I will definitely want to down size for ease of travel and parking. There are just some places this thing can’t go.
We’re looking at a Jayco 224BHW:
Though Jayco has a new line coming in a month or so that might fit us too. Not much info on the web yet, but it’s called the Jay feather micro.
Not necessarily camping related but would like to hit the Boundary Waters eventually in it. I had been searching for a kayak that was in stock and decent all spring. The company I had been hoping to order from based on their customer service reviews and lifetime warranty had huge issues with shipping and processing this spring and originally said they would have some models back in stock around May 20. I checked their site a few times a week and finally got to order one yesterday. I was worried about ship time but got an email that it shipped today already and is set for 3 day UPS. Fuck yeah.
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Nice! Hoping for a robust trip report. I’m looking into fishing kayaks (early stage analysis) and Vibe hits a lot of my lists.
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Boundary Waters will be awhile but I’ll be recrationally going with my dog and/or fishing to area lakes and rivers. I have been a member of their owner’s group on FB and their customer service is top notch (other than the Covid issues this spring). Lifetime warranty for original owners also.
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Not a kayak, obviously, but I can highly recommend one of these if it’s just for fishing:
I have the 10’ with 2 seats for me and my daughter. I bought it used and I think it was built in '99 or something and it’s still in almost perfect shape. Can highly recommend, and they hold their value. I think I paid $2,000 for it and the trailer a few years ago. I could sell it tomorrow for $2,500.
Also nice! I will check it out. You mention a trailer, do you think I can lash it to the top of a Subaru Outback?
If you gonna buy an RV, do NOT get it at Camping World. Customer service is non-existant once you drive off the lot. I’ve heard stories of people dropping off RV’s for warranty replacement and CW not even looking at the RV for 2-3 months let alone fixing it.
My friend has one of these and I’ve fished in it. It’s great.
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It weights 150 lbs, so you could, but you’ll need help doing it. And check the roof rack limits.
I’d definitely look at getting a trailer, something like this would work:
https://www.harborfreight.com/1195-lb-capacity-48-in-x-96-in-heavy-duty-folding-trailer-62648.html
Though I’d probably get a flatbad trailer with a wood deck. That’s what I have, and it has some additional wood to cradle the pram.
Alternatively, I fished out of one of these for 20 years:
https://bucksbags.com/pontoon-boats/
And that will easily strap to the top of your Outback.
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Heard some horror stories about camping world. I’m steering clear.
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