Just back from our first (local)camping trip of the season

[kaguilbeau]

And I have some questions. Can't remember which of you posted these topices on another thread (Clkelly, auntie, bradybz12 maybe)

Anyway, - we took our bikes. And it rained and rained. I remembered reading about the shower caps to cover the bike seats. Also, someone suggested the Glad brand (or another brand) of cover like is used for plated food. Is this really waterproof? I might be able to see the shower cap being waterproof, but just wondered about the saran wrap type thing. Needless to say, I didn't have either and didn't ride bikes much at all this weekend.

We left our site for about an hour and walked to my SIL camper for a meal. Decided to leave the dogs inside the camper. We didn't have neighbors on either side of us, so I felt any barking wouldn't be disturbing. Well, the oldest went wild and tore up the screen door. So, I'm back again with the question about how I can safely sedate this dog so he doesn't become destructive? I'll go ahead to tell that it rained alot that night during the night and we lost power. Couldn't sleep with the door open (and the screen door closed) because the mosquitos would come in - and the dogs would go out the self-made doggie door! We had a prior dog that would also go wild when left alone in the camper. Crating would keep the dog from being destructive, be he would really really yelp and bark then. We can't all ride bikes at the same time because of this. Two of us ride, and the third stays behind with the dogs!

Last question. While we do have a 5th wheel, we also bought a tent to use some and to take with us when we go to FW in December. Three of us will use the tent and four will sleep in the camper on the FW trip. Anyway, I tried to imagine if we would've been using the tent this weekend. I would have wanted a pop up clothes hamper in the tent. Since the tent is big enough, what about some type of folding clothes rack to hang damp towels or clothes on. Any ideas on this?

 

[des1954]

We put small trash can bags over our seats & tie-wrap them. Never thought about the shower caps. I'll have to get Al to get me some when he's at PORS in May. Confusious say: "Why buy when get for free!"

 

[kaguilbeau]

I'll have to get Al to get me some when he's at PORS in May. Confusious say: "Why buy when get for free!"

Oh, I agree! I've seen them at hotels in the past but not lately (or at least not in the budget hotels I've been staying in!

 

[fldisneyfamily]

The Glad dish covers, saran wrap type, are waterproof. We use these to cover our dispatch radios on our motorcycles during the summer rainy season.

 

[mrsscooter]

I know what you mean about the dog situation, but we had finally decided after many trips that the dog was just better suited at home or a kennel. I know it sounds mean, but beleive me, we wanted to have our dog with us, because he was part of our family, but it finally became un-enjoyable. So, we either had a friend keep the dog, or have someone house/dog sit, and at one time or another, we paid for a kennel. Our four legged furry family member has sense left us, but we now have a beagle, that we have had since a puppy and he loves to camp. It is like night and day! I wish you well in whatever you decide to do. By the way, good idea about the shower caps for the bike seats. I will have to share that with the hubby!!!

 

[2goofycampers]

Talk to your vet, there are many versions of puppy prozac and he can help you find the right one and the right dose.


As for damp clothes we usually bring a rope and do a redneck clothes line somewhere.

 

[ScrapperBelle]

Hi! I was just wondering where you camped at? We recently bought a 5th wheel and I'm trying to find some nice local places for a few short trips before we head out for the Smokies this summer!

We are very familiar with the Mississippi State Parks (we're only a couple miles from the state line), but not so much with any Louisiana parks. We don't have to have anything fancy, but I do want clean and safe. We also have a 16 y/o son, so some activities/recreation facilities would be nice.

The rain was really something this weekend. It would rain really hard, then just drizzle for a really long time, then we would have a torrential downpour, then the sun would come out, then it would all start over. Kudos to you for toughing it out and having a good time anyway!

Our dogs are another reason we are wanting a few short trips. We have a corgi mix and a dachshund. They are small are easily controlled, but we live in the country and they aren't used to close neighbors. I worry more about them barking a lot than tearing anything up. I think they would be fine to leave in the camper, but you never know. I have been letting them go out with me and spend an hour or two at a time in there and they have seemed to enjoy it. I think we will try to take them one at a time (my mom always keeps them when we go away, so no probs with leaving them anywhere). Then a trip together, just to see if any behavior probs we have are better or worse when the 2 are separated or together. If we had behavior probs, I would probably consider the "doggie prozac" if we didn't have a really good place to leave them. I would always leave them with my mom before going that route, but I understand that is not an option for everyone.

 

[BRDof3]

About the only way to keep the dogs from getting destructive w/o medicating them is to get them crate-trained. We have a Shih Tzu and a lab mix puppy. The lab sleeps in the kennel at night, and they both are in their kennels whenever we are all away from the house, so they are used to being there. We spent a week in Missouri recently and they were in their kennels whenever we left the CG, and they never appeared to make any noise, according to our camping neighbors.

That will be harder if they are fully grown and never trained to be in the kennel, but it is do-able and well worth it. When we tent camped the Shih Tzu would bark like crazy whenever we left the campsite if he was simply on the tie-out. He was quiet as a mouse if we kennelled him before we left.

 

[kaguilbeau]

Thanks for the advice on the dogs. We had (until last month) a black lab that was crate trained thanks to my DH being very consistant. She was a very well trained hunting retriever. We had a Tibetan Spaniel (looks like a Shih Tzu) that was very good while camping, made friends with everyone and was so happy just being with us. But since the Tibby died, we have had another Tibby and this Lhasa Apso that just go wild. I think we expect them to enjoy camping as much as the earlier dogs did.

Now that we also have a black lab puppy, I think I'm going to try real hard to teach some obedience and crate train. It's going to be hard for the Lhasa Apso that is probably 3 years old.

We've usually had two dogs at any one time. I made it sound like we had a house full!!

 

[kaguilbeau]

Hi! I was just wondering where you camped at? We recently bought a 5th wheel and I'm trying to find some nice local places for a few short trips before we head out for the Smokies this summer!

We are very familiar with the Mississippi State Parks (we're only a couple miles from the state line), but not so much with any Louisiana parks. We don't have to have anything fancy, but I do want clean and safe. We also have a 16 y/o son, so some activities/recreation facilities would be nice.

Hi neighbor! We are west of Baton Rouge and have camped at Fairview-Riverside (by Madisonville) and Fountainbleu (Mandeville). Those are the only two state parks east of the Mississippi that we have camped at.

This weekend we were at Chicot State Park north of Ville Platte.

My sister is also near the LA/Miss state line north of New Orleans and enjoys going camping somewhere in east Mississippi (Columbia, maybe?)

Coming west of the Mississippi, we've camped at Frenchman's Wilderness in Butte LaRose(this is near the Visitors Center as you are crossing the Atchafalaya Basin bridge). There's the KOA in Lafayette(just off I-10). Going north on I-49, Chicot State Park is south of Alexandria. There are some beautiful state parks in the Caddo Lake and Monroe area, but I've only stayed at Lake Darbonne around Monroe. Those are going to be quite a drive from the southeast corner of the state.

We usually take bikes (or the boat) and find good places to bike ride. What does your son enjoy doing? The KOA has paddle boat rentals, miniture golf, decent swimming pool - but is more pricey that state parks.

I'd be interested in hearing if anyone else has good local camping spots. That might have to be a thread of its on!

PM me if I can help any more.

 

[auntie]

The Glad dish covers, saran wrap type, are waterproof. We use these to cover our dispatch radios on our motorcycles during the summer rainy season.

We use these when we travel with the bikes as well. Have kept our seats dry, if there is a storm while we're traveling.
Once at your site, couldn't you store your bikes under the front of the 5th wheel? I've seen that done quite often. We have a travel trailer, and I've often been envious of the overhead outside storage area that the 5th wheels provide. I would imagine those with 5th wheels don't have to tarp the bikes when it rains. You can always double the glad wraps on the seats if you think the're not heavy enough. I liked that they come in various sizes so as to fit different size seats.

Best to get the dogs crate trained if they are tearing the camper apart, and interfering with your family time. Doesn't make for a fun camping trip, if the dogs are destroying things or unhappy being left alone for a bit. While some pet owners are bothered by the crates, it's been my experience that the dogs actually find comfort in them...going back to their natural pack instincts. We owners tend to project our feelings on to the dogs..when in fact, they don't have any issues with the crates..we do.

 

[kaguilbeau]

Best to get the dogs crate trained if they are tearing the camper apart, and interfering with your family time.

I'm on this tomorrow! Ran in the house from work today just long enough to place two BBQ chicken lunches that I held onto so we could have them for supper before leaving again for soccer. It the two hours I was gone, 'someone' jumped up on the snack bar (which is counter height), knocked off both dinners and helped themselves. We had egg sandwiches And a very mad DH because it was my fault I left the dinners on the counter!

 

[auntie]

I'm on this tomorrow! Ran in the house from work today just long enough to place two BBQ chicken lunches that I held onto so we could have them for supper before leaving again for soccer. It the two hours I was gone, 'someone' jumped up on the snack bar (which is counter height), knocked off both dinners and helped themselves. We had egg sandwiches And a very mad DH because it was my fault I left the dinners on the counter!

Get another crate for DH while you're at it....
Maybe if he helps train the dogs...he'll have better dinner selections!
Sounds like you need a visit from the Dog Whisperer..

 

[ScrapperBelle]

Thanks for your answers! We'll probably stick to things on this side of the Mississippi. We are very familiar with both Fountainbleau and Fairview since we only live about 30 miles away from them. We go shopping and out to eat a lot in that area so we are very familiar with it.

DH actually did some repair work in both of those parks last summer. We tend to prefer going north or to WDW on our vacations, but one (possibly both!) of those parks may be a good choice for a short 1 or 2 night trip!

Our daughter and her family only live a few miles from Jellystone in Robert. DH did mention that park as a possibility. It is nice and has a lot of activities/amenities...but it is always so crowded!

The Monroe area wouldn't be too bad a drive for us because we could just head up I-55 to Jackson, then take 20 through Vicksburg and on to Monroe, but if we're gonna take a 4-5 hour trip we could go anywhere from Gulf Shores to Destin, or north Alabama. That's really our preference. We love the lakes and mountains with the beach being a close second.

I agree that we need an entire thread for this subject!

 

[kaguilbeau]

The Monroe area wouldn't be too bad a drive for us because we could just head up I-55 to Jackson, then take 20 through Vicksburg and on to Monroe, Where are you? I was born & raised in Washington Parish.but if we're gonna take a 4-5 hour trip we could go anywhere from Gulf Shores to Destin,Do you camp when you go to the beach? We've only camped at Henderson Beach in Destin. Just wondered about other options or north Alabama. That's really our preference. We love the lakes and mountains with the beach being a close second.

I agree that we need an entire thread for this subject!

Now, to make a call to the Dog Whisperer!

 

[ScrapperBelle]

I am in Tangipahoa Parish, but right on the line with Washington Parish. My son goes to school in Washington Parish and we go to Franklinton for grocery shopping, drugstore, small errands.

We just bought our 5th wheel, so we haven't camped anywhere yet. We are familiar with the Mississippi parks because my inlaws have a motorhome and they used to go pretty frequently and we would drive up and spend the day with them. We also accompanied them to the Smokies a couple of times. We stayed in a hotel and they stayed in the MH, but we spent most of our time hanging around their MH!

I have been looking online at some of the campgrounds anywhere from Gulf Shores to Destin. I found a couple that look really nice. Of course the nice ones have some shocking prices as well! I don't mind if it is really nice, clean, and up to date. We will probably wait until late fall or even early spring next year to head that way. DH doesn't like the beach and DS could care less about it. They would MUCH prefer heading to Alabama or Tennessee.

Good luck with your doggies!

 

[uprivermama]

Just another idea, I don't know how much floorspace your rig might have, but in our 5er with the slideouts on both sides, we end up with a fairly open area inside. We found a small enclosed pen which is bigger than a crate, made of plastic (so is very light), and can be configured in different ways (i.e. a hexagon or a rectangle depending on your needs). We have two mini doxies which don't mind the crates, but this gives them a little more space and the ability to play together a little bit. Lots of room for their snuggle blankies too. Anyway, I know these can be found at major petstores or online. Last piece of advice--don't get a metal enclosure for small dogs. It's VERY heavy and they just don't need that much "security".

Good luck to you!