Camping essentials. NO, but they are our must haves when camping.

[john59]

I am posting 2 pictures of "Never leave home without them'. These are really non-essential to your camping experience, but they are our essential goodies.

They are LAMPS.

DWs favorite is a rechargeable Colman Lantern. She can actually read a book at night, outside of the 5r. She also uses it to navigate around campgrounds at night, if she is walking Toby the Camping Doggie. She does not like flashlights. We carry 5 flashligths on board and it seems like we have a hard time finding just one.

My favorite is a rechargeable 2 million candle power lamp (actually a spotlight). If the conditions are favorable, a 1/2 mile is doable. Typically I spot within a 1/4 mile range. You see so many more game / wild animals at night, then you would see in daylight. CAUTION: Be courteous, never shine an occupied building. Check local laws for spotlighting and also check the GAME LAWS for the state or locality. Play it safe. While spotlighting, never, never have a sporting firearm in the car or anything that can be interpreted to kill a game / wild animal. Not even unloaded, in a case in the trunk of a vehicle. You Could be fined uder the GAME LAWS and possibly lose everthing used in the illegal act, like your sporting firearm, compound bow, the spotlight etc. and your vehicle. O U C H ! !

NOW--------WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE NON-ESSENTIAL or MUST HAVE ???????? I may plagarize your must have.
john

PIC OF LAMPS BELOW

 

[Bearikens]

I guess our favorite and also non essential item would be our toaster oven. We have several items that are a tie for second...the bug zapper, the electric coffee maker, and the microwave. We love the toaster oven to make toast, bake pizza, bake cookies, broil and bake meat (chops, roasts, etc).

 

[StregaLuna]

My slowcooker is invaluable! I love being able to prepare a meal before we head out to enjoy the sites, coming back in the evening to find dinner ready to eat!

 

[2goofycampers]

Brita water pitcher. Bailey has to have good filtered water to drink. The coffee also tastes better.

 

[bigredbill]

Sadly, our must have is a kid corral. I have an eight panel corral that I sit up under our awning to help contain my very curious one-year old. We put several toys in there for her and she can sit and play and have room to move around, while we can relax in our chairs and chat. Otherwise, someone is always on "baby-duty" and having to chase her around the campsite, keeping her from going out into the lake, keeping her from walking out into the road, etc.

I have actually seen some families use a leash system on their little ones with a screw-type stake that some pet owners use to tie up their dogs. Compared to that, the corral doesn't sound too bad.

Please don't judge me. I just get tired.

 

[CAFarmerGirl]

good beer
good coffee
milk and honey (to go with coffee, for me only...dh does black)

hmmm...actually, I guess those fall under essentials...

We always have games, books and balls in the RV for the kids. I can't think of anything else!