Am I Over planning/ packing?

[Greenepona]

I have set up my tent up 2x now and am a bit concerned. Both times it has blown over. Pulled up its stakes an blown over. Could it be the stakes I am using the standard "L" shaped ones that came with the tent. Or is it just the ground? Its rained here quite a bit so it is a bit soft. The larger Screen tent has pulled some of it's stakes each time and tilted...

I leave in 11 days so I could use some advice.

 

[Tri-circle-D]

I have set up my tent up 2x now and am a bit concerned. Both times it has blown over. Pulled up its stakes an blown over. Could it be the stakes I am using the standard "L" shaped ones that came with the tent. Or is it just the ground? Its rained here quite a bit so it is a bit soft. The larger Screen tent has pulled some of it's stakes each time and tilted...

I leave in 11 days so I could use some advice.

This is not good.

I suspect it is your soft ground.

The coquina pads at the Fort are very firm.

When I need to, I use tent pegs that look like this:

They are made by Coleman. They cost about $5 a pack. They have them at Target, K Mart, Sports Authority, and such. I drive them in with a regular claw hammer, and they won't pull out until you pull them out. And that will take some effort.

I would say that these would be a good investment for you.

TCD

 

[mikeymouse1]

Hit the store when you get there and get your dry goods there so you dont half to hall them. A bag of charcoal is the same size as a suit case. I also agree with TCD a big rug to cut down on the dirt. And the fan probably wont get used in Dec.

 

[mikeymouse1]

If you have a hitch rent a trailer and bring even more!

 

[Greenepona]

thanks TCD! I will pick some up tonight! our trip is just over a week away and I am so excited!! I hope to see some DIS'ers there. We will have our Green ears out!

Mikey Thanks for the info! we will probably hit up walmart on our way right before we go to check in

 

[DebbieT11]

One thing that was a lifesaver when we used to tentcamp on a motorcycle was a small electric skillet... I think 10" x 10"? Plan your meals around the "one pan" thinking, and you'll save a LOT of space. Or, if it's in your budget, a small microwave... but the electric non=stick skillet was really really versatile. We'd often add a small hot pot for warming soups, coffee, hot chocolate, tea, etc... Here's an example of our menu for a couple days using it...

breakfast -
fried bacon, grilled bagels and scrambled eggs, coffee
fried egg sandwiches on bagels

dinner -
grilled cheese and tomato soup
chili and oyster crackers

supper -
chicken stir fry
spaghetti and meatballs with sauce

Hope this helps! Don't forget there are tons of crockpot menus available too, but for us, and our level of "no patience", the electric skillet worked really well.....

 

[Greenepona]

We made our site marker!

Alright. I have slimmed down the list significantly.. We decided to only eat breakfast at the site - Cereal and Bagels. We will take uncrustables into the park with us. That change alone cut down the list a bunch.

We got a tent from my folks, its a 1980's Hillary cabin tent. Its awesome. The stakes TCD mentioned work wonderful. it's 11x9x7 so its plenty big for the double high coleman mattress we picked up.

I now have 2 questions though -

Screen House - How should I attach it to my tent? I know the older canvas tents can be dodgy about things touching them sometimes. (note the purpose of the screen tent is to keep shoes/ clothes dry.)

We did the online check in friday 10/22. Does this help our chances with our site request? We requested be close to the comfort station-I hear site 1501 is pretty nice

thanks everyone!

We are looking forward to our trip in just 4 days!!