Camping solo

[darthspud]

So I am a teacher and I have 21 days off between when the regular school year ends and when summer session begins... I'm thinking about tent camping at FW this year solo. I've gone solo before but have stayed at Pop and ASMu and was perfectly happy I love not having to co-ordinate schedules making sure something is ok for the whole party I can do what I want to do I am pretty avid camper but I've never camped solo before... has any one done it? I have 2 tents one that I love (it has a built in screen house and its huge) but I cannot put it up by my self (im sure that with lots of trial and error I might be able to do that) and then I have the one that I use when we go weekend camping its quick and easy but its not that big and doesnt have the screen house...

What do people think? What has been peoples experiance?

 

[DisneyBishops]

While camping solo is not as much fun. It has to be easier than bring a large family with you.

 

[phred52]

My experiences camping have always been wonderful.

Sometimes my DH couldn't come at the last minute. I couldn't manage to put up our tent with my pre-school helpers.... Every single time as soon as someone saw us struggling, we had helpers and the tent went right up! To this day my girls still comment about the people who put up our tent when they were 2 and 4 years old. They had no experience with tatoos, and our helpers had more tatoos than clothes that day. Made memories....me for the help and the kids with the tatoos!!

If you bring your big tent, I'm thinking you will have others volunteer to help.

 

[Born 2 Fish]

I'm a solo camper too, Cept my wife and son usually are there.
Okay, so maybe I'm not a solo camper. BUT if they werent there then I'd be solo.
You see, it doent matter if your solo or with folk,,as long as you can fish.

I agree with Fred,,uhhmmm, I mean phred,,I think you could find help with the big tent once you got to the Fort. If no fiends are around at the time, I would think that a CM would help if you ask.

 

[Shasta]

Yep, bring the big tent. There are seldom strangers at any campground. I'd guess the help you need would be with the vertical poles and rain fly and that wouldn't take very long at all. Someone would be happy to help you with that. If you hit a rainy spell and were at the campsite, the extra room would be appreciated.

On a similar note, I do a lot of over night bicycle camping trips and use a hammock. I love hammock camping!!! That is my idea of solo camping.

 

[TheGreatGonzo]

About 80% of my trips to the Fort are solo, it's a great way to go. You seem to get more done in less time and it's really relaxing.
Bring the big tent and a cot if you have one. If you can't find anyone to help just call the front desk and i'm sure they'll send someone to help - or mention that you may need help when you check in. They're usually really great with such things.
Have a great time!!

 

[darthspud]

Ok I think I'm gunna do it... Now to just nail down dates and book a site... any one have any idea as to what site/loop to request for tent camping... in june I'd love to have some shade...

 

[VW camper Dan]

Partial "TENT" loops are only 1500 & 2000
1500 is near 'the action' pools and campfire and trading post
2000 is on the outskirt of the park, but if you're not 'looping' then it's nice, (where I stayed years back)

Take a virtual tour via this pictorial thread and choose your own
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2083091


Dan in NY

 

[5stljayhawks]

The first item you pull from your car is the cooler and ask your neighbors if they want a beer.......

 

[MandMLUVMMandDVC]

The first item you pull from your car is the cooler and ask your neighbors if they want a beer.......

oohhh, yous a smart bird!!! That's good advice I'll try to remember.

 

[darthspud]

The first item you pull from your car is the cooler and ask your neighbors if they want a beer.......

Then I'll make sure my first stop before I check in at the fort is to a packy.. Where's the closest liquor store?

 

[darthspud]

So I think I was able to talk a friend into come with me half way thru the trip... She will be in Boca Raton at a wedding so then I'd only be driving down one way solo and with a friend the way back... I am also looking at maybe purchasing a pop up camper which would be nice but I need to get a hitch package on my SUV

 

[ElementCamper]

Ok I think I'm gunna do it... Now to just nail down dates and book a site... any one have any idea as to what site/loop to request for tent camping... in june I'd love to have some shade...

1500 has more shade in most sites than 2000, I was in 2034 in December and noticed it would have been a 'hot' one in the summer, no shade yet as the new trees have yet to grow. Sites are a little larger and not odd sized in 2000 though like 1500 is.

 

[SandrA9810]

I love the 1500 loop. On two different stays at the fort, I was originaly placed in the 2000 loop. One time they tried to stick me in the site next to the comfort station that was getting redone. And there were work trucks parked on the site.
Second time, I think the other CS was getting re-done and I said NO WAY...
Other times of staying there, I've had to listen to boy scouts in the field behind. Couldn't hear them though while staying in the 900 loop.

I have a fairly large tent, and wind up putting it up on my own. Kari is no help when it comes to doing these sorts of things. And she's no help with taking it down and folding it up, except for walking across it to get the air out before rolling it.
It does take a little talent, but it's probably possible to do it on your own.

 

[ElementCamper]

I camp solo all the time and before buying the T@B I tent camped. I kept trading up tents until I got a two room Eureka cabin tent that's pretty huge. I think the sleeping area alone is at least 9x12 with a screen room attached on the front that is only slightly smaller. I put this up and down by myself, never had to ask for any help. It takes a little persistence and I've found if I stake out the bottom of the tent at the corners it helps a lot!

Now that I'm older, tent camping sort of lost it's allure. I bought the T@B to have a real bed and easier setup. Before at the end of a stay, taking down, drying and folding the tent (provided it's not pouring check out day) and putting everything away could take well up to mid-day. If the tent was wet when I left, it would either have to be put back up again at home to dry or laid out in the garage until completely dry (along with all the other wet gear). Now I can hookup, unplug, crank up the jacks and be gone, all the gear is already inside the camper.

Solo camping is no problem at all if you can't get anyone to go with you, it just takes a little more work. A trailer is not always in everyone's budget, I found it fits my personal needs better now though.