Have You Ever Been Camping?

[phanomouse]

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[phanomouse]

I have been going into the backcountry since I was young. I backpack weekly now. I teach outdoor recreation at the Univ of Utah (usually two courses a semester). Right now I am teaching Winter backpacking and Avalanche Saftey. Can't say that my day job it too happy about my hobby but it keeps me relaxed and keeps the creative juices flowing so they can't complain. Just this past week I was camping in 120" base of snow and over the course of the weekend it snowed 15". I love camping and would bet my life that I could change the minds of 90% of the people here that want nothing to do with it. I say that because I do it with 50-60 prissy sorority girls, frat boys, stoners, and the socially challenged every semester I teach. If I can get girly girls to have a good time without modern conveniences then I am sure it can be done with anyone.

 

[UrsulasShadow]

I grew up camping, and DH and I did a lot of camping before the kids came along. We even took the kids camping with us several times, until we realized how much WORK it is to camp. We spent the entire time cooking and cleaning and trying to keep the kids from being burnt in the fire or run over in the road. It became too stressful for us, and we stopped enjoying it. So we not vacation in a hotel room or apartment-type arrangement.

We might try camping again when the kids get a little older, and more independent.

denae

Oh, I agree, camping with babies and toddlers is really way too much work!

We had a travel trailer for those years, which was much easier.

 

[mom2boys]

We camp. As a younster, my family had a camper on the back of a pick-up truck - until my brother & I outgrew sleeping on the folddown kitchen table. DH & I spent 6 weeks tent camping our way across the U.S. & Canada before the boys were born. Now that our boys are old enough to help, we spent a couple of weeks this past summer & the summer before. It has allowed us to do much more traveling than we could have if we were paying for hotels. We also move around a lot - we rarely stay more than one or two nights in the place.
I do cheat a bit. While the "men" set up the tent, I get dinner started. In the mornings, they usually have camp broken by the time I get back from showering and drying my hair.
We choose our camp grounds carefully. Goods Sams are our first choice. KOAs are good too. Both have clean restrooms and well maintained facilites - usually with swimming pools. State & national parks are also a good choice. But you have to do your homework on the facilities. We get a hotel if the forecast calls for rain. We also get a hotel every few nights to give ourselves a "break".

 

[mickeyboat]

Another thing about camping. We must not be choosing the right campgrounds. When I camped as a child (in the woods of MN), the campground was always quiet, the campers respectful.

Now when we camp (and we have tried both state parks and private campgrounds), campers use it as an excuse to party! People come in and set up camp, loudly, and at all hours of the night. Even when the campground policy is to close at 10PM, they let people in after midnight who spent two hours setting up their tents and blowing up air mattresses.

Huge groups of people camp together, and hoot and holler and drink all hours of the night. Now I am all for a good party, but I do it knowing I need to respect my fellow campers.

Denae

 

[luvwinnie]

We have a 30' motorhome...no roughing it for us! We love it because it allows our bulldog, WInnie, to travel with us and I HATE sleeping in a bed so many others have slept in. ICK!

 

[sha_lyn]

I love camping, DH OTOH hates it. When DS was little we were in Yguides/trailblazers and camped often, even backpack camping a few times.
Now camping for us is usually at Pagan gatherings/festivals. DD is in Gril Scouts and I surprised at the camping restrictions they have until they are cadets or Srs. Boy scouts/Y guides can start backpack camping really young.
DD's troops idea of camping is a lodge iwth heat/air plumbing, bathroom and kitchen LOL. DS doesn't like to backpack anymore. I want to take DD backpacking this spring before the weather gets too warm

A few yrs ago we bought a camper because DH said he would/could pull it behind his truck and we could go camping as a family. Well the camper never left the gated comunity it was in. Heck I couldn't even get him to drive the 45min to go up there more than 2-3 times a yr. We ended up selling it.

I've thought about getting a pop-up but really all I want is a small trailer to haul and store the camping gear in. I don't mind setting up the tents, but I have to be able to find them in the basement first LOL. DH keeps moving stuff around and we can't fiond anything when we need it. If I had a small trailer to store the gear in my problems would be solved.

 

[DisneyAddict_M]

I went once. A couple of years ago with my ex-boyfriend, his family and my brother (my brother is married to ex-bf's sister). It was tent camping and soooo much fun. I didn't think I'd like it at all, but I had a blast! It doesn't get any better than peeing in the woods and not showering for 4 days.

 

[Goofyluver]

Uh, no! Outside is dirty! With bugs and creatures and stuff....

 

[dreamcometrue]

we camp every summer! We live in California and camp near the beach. It never rains. The worst it gets is an overcast day here and there, but usually it clears up! I am not a huge fan of it but the kids and DH love it! I won't go unless there are flush toilets and hot showers! We have considered buying a Fifth Wheel trailer in the future!

 

[LisaNJ25]

We have also gone a few time... we suually go rafting also. I am going in June with my GS troop.

 

[Fairy Dust]

What a gorgeous photo - thanks for posting them!