It's been a while my friends...I've missed you!
The start of the school year and the rhythm of routine have been my
focus lately. SO happy to find time to be here in my space with you.......
So..... traveling, sightseeing, exploring this beautiful land of ours, huh?
If you had told me two decades ago when we got married
that at some time in the future I'd sort of consider myself
on expert on camping - - of all things,
or that all of us would have camped clear
across the continent in 41 states and
from the bottom of the Grand Canyon,
to the edge of a glacier, in and around
about three dozen national parks and battlefields
and, of course,
in high style << ahem>> at full service camping "resorts,"
I would probably have assumed
someone hit you over the head with a brick.
I was never a prima donna by any means
when it came to lodging accommodations.
But setting out to travel the open road and make camp in a different
state or national park or forest on any given night ?
Not a life sized picture I carried in my head.
However, my husband and I, avid travelers as kids and
adults, before our own kids came along,
quickly realized that
exploring with the family from sea to shining sea
would not be doable at all,
if not for throwing that piece of rolled up nylon
and a batch of sleeping bags
into the van to cross the country.
Truth is, not only is camping the affordable option
when it comes to travel
anywhere - - -and I mean anywhere because we've done it - -
the advantages of camping and the benefits of travel in this way
simply cannot be lived by staying in a plush Marriott off the interstate.....
Not that that doesn't sound pretty enticing some nights, trust me.
Speaking f which, here's my list of
5 Tips to Frugally Taking That Cross Country Trip
and my column, The Top 5 Ways Changes You
So, whether you've camped as a kid, with your 20 something buddies
years ago before parenthood, as a mom or dad with your own clan,
or never ever ----here's what you need to
make an overnight or a month on the road safe and enjoyable:
The start of the school year and the rhythm of routine have been my
focus lately. SO happy to find time to be here in my space with you.......
So..... traveling, sightseeing, exploring this beautiful land of ours, huh?
If you had told me two decades ago when we got married
that at some time in the future I'd sort of consider myself
on expert on camping - - of all things,
or that all of us would have camped clear
across the continent in 41 states and
from the bottom of the Grand Canyon,
to the edge of a glacier, in and around
about three dozen national parks and battlefields
and, of course,
in high style << ahem>> at full service camping "resorts,"
I would probably have assumed
someone hit you over the head with a brick.
I was never a prima donna by any means
when it came to lodging accommodations.
But setting out to travel the open road and make camp in a different
state or national park or forest on any given night ?
Not a life sized picture I carried in my head.
However, my husband and I, avid travelers as kids and
adults, before our own kids came along,
quickly realized that
exploring with the family from sea to shining sea
would not be doable at all,
if not for throwing that piece of rolled up nylon
and a batch of sleeping bags
into the van to cross the country.
Truth is, not only is camping the affordable option
when it comes to travel
anywhere - - -and I mean anywhere because we've done it - -
the advantages of camping and the benefits of travel in this way
simply cannot be lived by staying in a plush Marriott off the interstate.....
Not that that doesn't sound pretty enticing some nights, trust me.
Speaking f which, here's my list of
5 Tips to Frugally Taking That Cross Country Trip
and my column, The Top 5 Ways Changes You
So, whether you've camped as a kid, with your 20 something buddies
years ago before parenthood, as a mom or dad with your own clan,
or never ever ----here's what you need to
make an overnight or a month on the road safe and enjoyable:
~ 1 ~
Coleman is truly the name in outdoor gear for a reason.
They're not the cheapest, but they are the best.
The small nuances of this personal "cabin"
will keep you protected, dry and warm, be your
sleeping accommodations for ever and here's the thing to keep in mind:
It costs less than one night on the road.
Another Coleman special.
Glacier National Park, 2011
They're not the cheapest, but they are the best.
The small nuances of this personal "cabin"
will keep you protected, dry and warm, be your
sleeping accommodations for ever and here's the thing to keep in mind:
It costs less than one night on the road.
Glacier National Park, 2011
Whatever you do, don't get a lantern that is powered by propane
and uses those old style mantles. Please.
If you already have an older lantern
and you just need the mantle refills....
okay then...... here you go.
and uses those old style mantles. Please.
If you already have an older lantern
and you just need the mantle refills....
okay then...... here you go.
Otherwise, please make your camping trip as convenient as possible with
this new invention called: batteries! Ha
THIS lantern throws 40 lumens of light,
runs 175 hours and uses 4D batteries.
this new invention called: batteries! Ha
THIS lantern throws 40 lumens of light,
runs 175 hours and uses 4D batteries.
It's a must-have!
.......and how cute are these mini Coleman lantern lights too?
We gave these to my husband as a Father's Day gift this year....
LED decorator lights that actually do throw light in your yard or campsite!
~ 3 ~
Nope this one's not Coleman , but I truly love it and Ive had it for eons.
It's warm, water proof and sooooo comfy.
Machine washable too.
Some nights I really feel like this sleeping bag is
even more comfortable than my bed!
You might want to pick up one of these sleep pads for added
comfort in those pebble-ish, hard-ish
campsites you'll encounter once in a while.
~ 4 ~
I know, I know, there's an app for that.
I'm showing how old I really am listing these as necessities.
Truth be told, they are.
Two reasons why:
A. What if you <gasp> cannot access the WWW
from some isolated spot?
(These spots do exist.)
and
B. Do you really want your kids to grow up
not knowing how to truly navigate?
We're not talking about possessing the skills of Ferdinand Magellan,
just the ability to open a map,
find your location and get from point a to point b.
~ 5 ~
We've had ours for years. It seems indestructible.
Has wind block "panels" and 20K BTUs of cooking power.
Comes with a hose to easily attach to your mini propane tank
In addition to the above,
here's my list of 5 personal essentials you might like to consider
bringing along on the next camping trip.
Happy Camping!!
here's my list of 5 personal essentials you might like to consider
bringing along on the next camping trip.
Happy Camping!!
Additional posts thus far in my "On the Road Again" summer 2016 travel series~
Descent to the Colorado: 7 Tips for Hiking 5000 Feet and 10 Miles
in 120 Degree Heat to Grand Canyon's Phantom Ranch or:
How to Become a Member of the Elite "Less Than1% Club!"
"Loyal" Five MInute Friday
Descent to the Colorado: 7 Tips for Hiking 5000 Feet and 10 Miles
in 120 Degree Heat to Grand Canyon's Phantom Ranch or:
How to Become a Member of the Elite "Less Than1% Club!"
"Loyal" Five MInute Friday
Top 5 Reasons Travel Changes You!
Wyoming Sunset:
"Happy" Five Minute Friday
5 Movies You Should Definitely See Before Taking That Cross Country Trip
Friends, as always,
Wyoming Sunset:
"Happy" Five Minute Friday
5 Movies You Should Definitely See Before Taking That Cross Country Trip
Please click over to peruse many bloggers' favorites...!!
Friends, as always,
thank you for stopping over and
spending some of your precious time
here at my home on the web!
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so we can be in touch regularly!
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Until next time
~Chris
~Chris
My husband and I want to get into camping and I really would like to get into hard core backpacking! So this are some great ideas for us to get started with! I am sharing this post with my husband!
ReplyDeleteI hope you enjoy, Chasa! It sounds like you might be doing more backcountry, primitive camping than we do...so good luck and have fun!
DeleteI appreciate your visit!
I'm so excited to read this post Chris! We're just talking about getting our gear for camping (I know - now that it's almost October, we finally get bitten by the camping bug!! Ha!). I was actually really nervous about what we need, but you really lined this up for us. Thanks! And also - thanks for linking up with us. Just an FYI, we are now going to be doing our link ups once a month - every last Tuesday of the month, effective immediately. We'll be sure to send out reminders! :) Come stop by at http://www.babystylista.com/ways-to-help-my-child-stay-asleep/. xx
ReplyDeleteThanks Be Balino! I know we've communicated since you commented....it;s been months. I'm loving the monthly last Tuesday link up concept.
DeleteGod bless
We do a lot of camping with our little kids. We make sure to bring lots of plastic bags to contain messes and we bring a portable potty for our little ones to use because getting a 3 year old to bend over and pee in the forest can be tough going! Thanks for your tips. I'll share them with my husband!
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like you're super prepared for the outdoor travels!
DeleteThanks for visiting Sterling!
When we were first married camping was the only way we could afford a vacation. It has been 24 years since I have camped because the last time I remember, I was 8 months pregnant and it was 108 degrees out...needless to say we broke camp and ended up in a hotel. BUT we are taking those wee ones now grown on a family trip this year. I have used every one of those items except the decorative lights...have to add those to the list this year! Thanks for joining Favorite 5
ReplyDeleteDebbie~ Thanks so much for stopping in! I hope your upcoming camping trips are fantastic! I CAN be a wonderful way to travel!
DeletePerfect timing! I will be on a tour through Australia for 4 weeks soon. I'll take a campervan so not actually proper camping but point 2-5 will be very useful. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteEnjoy the trip! I'll be clicking over to read up on your travels! Thank you for visiting!!
DeleteI like those lanterns. Never used one for camping, but maybe it's time to try!
ReplyDeleteWe, too, camped for many miles and on many trips before purchasing one of the lanterns..... They're so practical! And much better now than decades ago when you needed to use those mantles inside! So much easier!
DeleteThank you for visiting!!
Haha I love that you mentioned the addition/invention of BATTERIES! ;-) So true. If you can make your camping excursion easier, why not, right? Great tips!
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely! These "modern" conveniences, right?
DeleteThanks for stopping!!
Everything seems to be very useful, but that last stove won my heart! End if it's indestructible, so much the better!
ReplyDeleteYes! Agreed!
DeleteThx for visiting!!