Well, sorta.
I have to say that I that with great regret, I took our campsite apart on Tuesday.
However, I 'tented' from Friday through Tuesday morning in our tent. It was Amazing. The quiet, the solitude, and the peace was extraordinary.
😞😞😞
I needed to rotate the mules to that pasture for a few days. Plus, it was supposed to rain and be quite windy on Tuesday night.
I surprised myself by being able to take it down and put it in its tiny carrier bag without any cussing and refolding this time!
This is a shot of it partly taken down. The folding and rolling is the tricky part. [Almost as tricky as putting it up but I am getting better at it.]
Tah Dah! Everything fits into a tidy carrying bag.
I can drive the 4 wheeler back there, I could drive the car, but most of the time we walk. That is, unless I am carrying everything in one trip.
One day I may have this all figured out and take a 'real' camping trip somewhere. But I am enjoying this for a few reasons.
Minimal gas cost.
No camping fee.
I can walk home to cook.
I can walk home to make coffee.
If things aren't going to plan, I can
go home.
I could put a fence around the tent and little site to keep the mules from exploring the tent and taking it apart or...trying out the hammock.
My next camp out is going to be with me taking the Subaru and setting up a bed in the back end.
IF the gas prices ever come down or I can afford to take an Adventure Vacation I wouldn't mind camping from the car for simplicity. There is even a pop up tent addition 'thingy' for the back of vehicles like this 👇
These are all wish list items to do things on my 'wish' list.
Those wishes include.
Hiking the Ice Age Trails in Wisconsin.
Exploring the State Parks along Lake Superior.
Exploring State Parks in both WI and Iowa.
Just these goals/wishes could keep me busy for a few years.
Things I need to learn before embarking on a trip like that.
Camp cooking.
Uffdah.
How about freeze dried camp meals? Do they even taste good?
I have been so lucky to find so many scenic things to see not more than a 10 minute walk from my own back door.
I want to thank my son and daughter in law for giving me one of their tents. It has opened up such a new and incredible world for me.
The joy of being immersed outdoors all night is fantastic.
One small step at a time.
For the moment, I am content to hike locally and camp here at my place.
Very soon though, I am going to book a campsite at the Kickapoo Valley Reserve. That was the one thing I wanted to accomplish this year.
Forgive me while I try to catch up to anyone else's post.
Have a day.
I'm going to get ready for Thursday night's partial lunar eclipse.
I have a rain jacket that fits into a nice little pouch - except that I can never quite get in back in the pouch! Miriam is generally there to rescue me! Otherwise it might never find its way back into the pouch again.
ReplyDeleteI have emergency rain ponchos in most of my backpacks, they come in handy too. I also have raingear because hiking in the rain is sometimes fun.
DeleteWhile I loved sleeping in a tent, I didn't love camping out. Maybe it was the circumstances of that particular occasion.
ReplyDeleteHaving said that, I am now remembering, wilderness camping in Algonquin Park for four or five days. I was quite young, and it was a good experience. The later experience wasn't so wonderful.
I'm up for anything outdoors, that is just how I am these days.
DeleteYou re always prepared. Lori
ReplyDeleteProper Preparation Prevents...well, disasters.
DeleteEven if you never get to those places you want to camp at you have got a wonderful wilderness right where you are.
ReplyDeleteI do, but I do want to explore some before I leave this earth.
DeleteLooks beautiful; like gorillas in the Mist. For cooking and camping: crack your breakfast eggs into a baggie ahead of time, that you keep cool in a cooler. Won't have to worry about accidentally smashing eggs on the way! Some military surplus stores have assortments of dried meals. Try a few at home first. Linda in Kansas
ReplyDeleteCooking is not my forte. I will probably try heat and eat dried meals. Coffee is a must though!
DeleteI am enjoying your activities! Great fun.
ReplyDeleteMy kids canoe camp all the time. They freeze dry foods. They are gourmet cooks, too. I don't do it. I will look forward to your reports!
Ready to eat meals is my preference. Cooking is not my forte, especially at a camp! I'll see what happens and how brave I'll get!
DeleteThis is awesome! I started backpacking and over-nighting just in the last 5 years (and I'm an old guy), so late in life, and I love it! Nothing beats sleeping outdoors. Sometimes I just put a tarp down and "cowboy camp" (no tent), other times I use a tent. Usually no rainfly required in the desert. My hiking buddy has a Subaru and he and his wife car camp all the time.
ReplyDeleteI used to ride on Wagon Trains and I slept with a slicker on the ground and my saddle blanket as a pillow. If it was rainy, I slept under someone else's wagon.
DeleteI normally don't put up the rainfly but toss an old sheet over the top opening of the tent now to keep out the night dew.
I love sleeping out.
Looks peaceful and your dog is so cute.
ReplyDeleteThanks, he was tired!
DeleteI think your home campground is perfect! I think your list of reasons it is great is right on - especially the part about coffee. Your photos speak to the beauty of your own backyard.
ReplyDeleteI do love our forest. Not quite back yard as it is a nice walk from the house. Far enough that I can't just run into the house for this or that.
DeleteJust right.
This made me smile the whole way through. That first photo, awwww! Looks like a wonderful camping weekend.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad. I love having different experiences and this extended stay in the woods was perfect and a great learning experience.
DeleteThat pop-up car extension reminds me of an indoor type play house/tent I got my kids. It folded down by twisting/bending/cursing into a circle carrier. They enjoyed it for many years.
ReplyDeleteKVR camping would be good for someone who knows all the good spots, like you. Campfire cooking isn't hard when kept simple.
Awesome black & white tree photo!!
I have a three sided pop up thing that does that and after cursing it a bit, I've figured it out.
DeleteI am thinking about KVR, but first I want to try sleeping in the car with the dogs before I do that. It will have to be a cool evening.