I went non-camping this weekend!

[Ivan the Butcher]

A real camping weekend usually includes a tent (or camper), all the normal equipment and a fire with things cooked on long forks.

This last Sunday we skipped church and drove about 90 minutes to Lake Hope State Park and "Un-Camped" ourselves using the kindness of several families from church. The Lodge had a Sunday Brunch that started at 1000, I never done that camping before! Quite tasty! Back at the Best Friend's site, played cards and game, that's normal. About 1900 the 4 families and us, gathered for a pot luck and conversation. The wife and I stayed until 2230 and drove home.

No set up, no clean up, no uncomfortable sleeping, no cold trip in the middle of the night! Wow, it turns out I miss all those things! Labor Day is coming, and I have already started crating up firewood. My plan will be to have a fire non-stop for 3 or 4 days and eat something "fork cooked" at least twice a day!

Equipment sure has changed in 44 years! My wife and I "Car" camped out every other weekend the first summer we were married. We owned a Coleman stove and lantern, a fire grate, 2 sleeping bags and air mattresses and a $7 nylon tent! The kitchen was a cook kit, a cooler (I bought on our honeymoon, and still use) and 2 good 42" long forks. I didn't have $100 is everything. 3 of the 4 campers were over $75,000 plus a truck big enough to pull them!

Things sure have changed since 1974!

Ivan

By the way, How did your outdoors go this weekend?

 

[lihpster]

I didn't go camping, but I bought a $24 twig stove that folds and packs flat. Can't wait to try it out. I have several Jetboils, but the price of them little bottles of gas keeps going up. Still trying to come up with a "cooking fork" attachment for my hiking staff.

 

[THE PILGRIM]

Once up in Colorado my Bride and I camped in a State Park.
There was a large multiple family group at the next site.
They had kids, dogs and cooked a lot of food.
About 10 PM the Ladies and small kids loaded up and headed to the Motel.
My Bride who was on her close to first camp out said, see, that's the way to do it!

 

[KalamazooKid]

I have what we consider the best of both worlds. A luxurious 26' travel trailer with bathroom (only used for showering), two slide outs in the living area, and a king bed in our bedroom. Full pantry in the kitchen for valuable food prep storage.

BUT, we only use rustic state and national forest campgrounds. These are roomy without close neighbors or screaming youngsters. Either located on Michigan trout streams or small uninhabited lakes where fish live. We've never used the big screen TV or air conditioning and do all of our cooking over an open fire or charcoal.

Even beer pong is "rustic" …….. [emoji41]

 

[Rustyt1953]

Ruthie's idea of rustic camping is a queen sized bed.

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

Ruthie's idea of rustic camping is a queen sized bed.

Our current equipment includes an inflatable Queen size bed!

For years we cooked in mostly Dutch ovens or with pie irons (or long forks).

My children all had their first camping trip before their first birthday. Their woodcraft skills still serve them well. My daughter got a summer job as Nature Director, at a camp in the Catskills, because she can light a campfire without gasoline (AKA Girl Scout fire water). She still camps 10 to 15 weekends a year in a 35' fifth wheel camper!

Ivan

 

[LoboGunLeather]

I have what we consider the best of both worlds. A luxurious 26' travel trailer with bathroom (only used for showering), two slide outs in the living area, and a king bed in our bedroom. Full pantry in the kitchen for valuable food prep storage.

BUT, we only use rustic state and national forest campgrounds. These are roomy without close neighbors or screaming youngsters. Either located on Michigan trout streams or small uninhabited lakes where fish live. We've never used the big screen TV or air conditioning and do all of our cooking over an open fire or charcoal.

Even beer pong is "rustic" …….. [emoji41]

I shalt not covet my neighbor's stuff.

 

[Rustyt1953]

Right after we got married we went primitive camping for a weekend with two other couples on a friend's wooded property in KY. Tents, sleeping bags, a grill top over open wood flames, no restroom facilities, a creek for washing up, beverage coolers and food coolers.

After we got back home she asked me if I really loved her.

Me: "of course I do!"

Her: "then don't ever, ever ask me to do that again!"

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

Right after we got married we went primitive camping for a weekend with two other couples on a friend's wooded property in KY. Tents, sleeping bags, a grill top over open wood flames, no restroom facilities, a creek for washing up, beverage coolers and food coolers.

After we got back home she asked me if I really loved her.

Me: "of course I do!"

Her: "then don't ever, ever ask me to do that again!"

My Mom, my wife and her mom were all Camp Fire Girls. I take her to the wood and go camping to show her I love her!

We married who they are, Not what we want them to be!

Ivan

 

[tinkerer]

Spouse and I camped on our honeymoon. Still have the canvas tent, Coleman stove, lantern and Coleman cooler - All still working. Used the equipment thru three kids, lots of campouts.
Haven't "camped" in several years - Age is catching up. Large inflatable mattresses make the ground a bit more comfortable.
Mostly hotel now. Less setup and take down.
And no wet canvas.

 

[Bald1]

Hey Kalamazoo…..that's called Glamping.

 

[Nevada Ed]

Starting today..............
no charcoal is allowed in the Lake Tahoe area, for the rest of the summer
due to fire hazards and the big fire that they had last summer !!

Propane ( no sparks) is ok to use..............

Looks like cold can of beans or a bagged meal, for this years campers.

 

[Dave.357]

We have had 14 campers, this is my favorite
no tires to dry rot .And cost less.

 

[TheHobbyist]

I ended up grilling outside a lot and had some really good food. Steaks, BBQ chicken, NYC style chopped cheese burgers, veggies, smoked pizza, and grilled pineapple with honey and yogurt. Yum.

Fresh air and working outdoors and I was snoozing on the farm for a quick nap a few days. Thanked the vets I know and am related to.

Didn't camp, but have the supplies and land to do so. Some of my best childhood memories are when camping.

Nowadays, I think I'd go the camper route unless it was more then a day or two...then I'd do the tent, which doesn't and does make sense to me.

Few things beat cooking in nature and fresh air. Very few. Enjoy!

 

[KalamazooKid]

Hey Kalamazoo…..that's called Glamping.

I'll admit, it's close BUT …… we've never used the tv or the A/C, and we use the outhouses!!

 

[BigBoy99]

The only camping site at which my wife will consider staying, must have motel or hotel in its name!

 

[BAM-BAM]

When we leave our "Burb of the Burgh"......... the choice is "Lake House" or "Mountain House"!

Mom Dad and I did the camping.... then trailer thing... worked "Summer Camps" for three summers...... like today's choices much better!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[mike4sigs]

We have not Camped in years. We both got tired of packing and unpacking on both ends. So we sold our tents just last weekend.
Thinking we are going to buy Some kind of Camper .