Tent prep for christmas!

[photogal06]

You MUST post a photo of your Fiesta when you're all packed and ready to go! I can't wait to see it! We have that same car (in blue, just like in your sig), and I think we must look hilarious when we all pile in for a weekend trip. We are 3 adult-sized people (dd is only 13 but is 5'7") and two 85-lb dogs, and when we add in a weekend's worth of stuff, we are packed to the gills. It is fun though! What sort of bike rack did you find for it? I would love to find one that holds 3 bikes, but I'm afraid that's asking too much of such a little car.

And don't worry about all the little things you have yet to do...they seem like a lot, but you have time to knock them all out before your trip.

 

[Tented1]

YEAH! I do have company! You've improved my spirits so much! I can just see it, your family of 3 and the dogs! We have 5 outside dogs but they've never been in the Fiesta (mine is actually grey).
My DD9 is also tall for her age at 4'10".
The bike rack is a Bell three bike trunk rack. I will definitely post pics of our trip laden Fiesta! LOL's! I know I'll get it all together (fingers crossed). Thanks for the support!

 

[4kids4karen]

be sure you have something under all air mattresses as cold air seeps through from the ground and although you are toasty warm in the covers you will find you are freezing from underneath!!! I've learned when I was still tent camping that putting a really good 20 degree sleeping bag under me made all the difference in the world as well as a tarp under the air mattresses!!!! Even in summer the ground can chill ya but it is a welcome cooling!!! I'll be leaving just as you get there! trying the cabins this time instead of bringing my camper. Gas has gotten to be so expensive its cheaper to just fly! and I've always wanted to try the cabins! Have a magical and warm vacation!!!

We are a boy scout family. DH and my boys who hiked the appalachian and we camp often.

In the wintertime you need to put a barrier between you and the mattress (in addition to the mattress and the ground) as the air in the mattress will never warm up and will actually suck the heat from you.. We used foam sleeping pad when we camp in the winter. We also use hand/feet warmers in our sleeping bags. You just need one (or two depending on how warm you like to be) tucked into the very bottom of the sleeping bag to make your sleeping bag toasty.


Also, I have a Eureka Copper Canyon and love it. Our boy scout friends do laugh at it. They call it Karen's Castle as they use very small dome tents for their camping. But if we are at a camp site and not hiking I want comfort. I have never sealed the seams, no need with this brand tent. There is a difference between a quality tent and a walmart tent. We purchased ours from Bill Jackson's in Clearwater, FL. These B&M store do not usually have knowledgable trained staff. To tell you there is no difference between their stuff and Walmart just means they carry cheap stuff in their own opinion.

 

[Tented1]

We are a boy scout family. DH and my boys who hiked the appalachian and we camp often.

In the wintertime you need to put a barrier between you and the mattress (in addition to the mattress and the ground) as the air in the mattress will never warm up and will actually suck the heat from you.. We used foam sleeping pad when we camp in the winter. We also use hand/feet warmers in our sleeping bags. You just need one (or two depending on how warm you like to be) tucked into the very bottom of the sleeping bag to make your sleeping bag toasty.

Also, I have a Eureka Copper Canyon and love it. Our boy scout friends do laugh at it. They call it Karen's Castle as they use very small dome tents for their camping. But if we are at a camp site and not hiking I want comfort. I have never sealed the seams, no need with this brand tent. There is a difference between a quality tent and a walmart tent. We purchased ours from Bill Jackson's in Clearwater, FL. These B&M store do not usually have knowledgable trained staff. To tell you there is no difference between their stuff and Walmart just means they carry cheap stuff in their own opinion.

Thank you for the advice.

When we got the Copper Canyon up I fell in love.

My packing space will be tight but I'm going to definitely bring something to put between the mattresses and the ground and heated mattress pad for DD9 and electric throw to put under our sheet between us and the air mattress.

A miserable camping experience is SO bad and a good one is SO great. Even though I've never had boy scout experience my motto for camping is BE PREPARED.

 

[Tented1]

I've never owned a "fanny pack" (i sure dont need to draw attention to that area or my waist) but after reading a DIS tip thread I realized we needed them

Found a great waist pack this evening in Wal-Mart with 2 bpa free .5 liter drink bottles and a good sized compartment as well as a smaller size. $9.97 in the camping / sporting good section "Outdoor" brand.

 

[englishteacha]

We have a Copper Canyon 1512. Great tent. You'll love your 1312! We also got ours from the outlet. We have a minivan and we fill it to overflowing when we go camping. I can't imagine camping with a Fiesta!

 

[Tented1]

Thanks for the tent support! I read about the Copper Canyon here on the boards and I'm so glad I found the Eureka outlet! Your tent must be huge!

I never appreciated how easy it was to camp when I could just throw everything in the back of my truck. Camping Fiesta style is certainly a hurdle that will call on our ingenuity. I plan to use space saver type bags for our clothes, pillows, and cover. I know others on the boards have mailed some of their gear to the fort but this would be an avenue of last resort for me.

 

[Tented1]

HELP ME DECIDE:

I found the roof top carrier I was planning to buy substantially less than what it is direct from the manufacturer. It's on an auction site and is listed as new open box. This would save me about $90

Should I buy it from the auction (buy it now) seller (who has an excellent feedback.rating) or get it from the manufacturer?

Thoughts?

 

[bama_ed]

HELP ME DECIDE:

I found the roof top carrier I was planning to buy substantially less than what it is direct from the manufacturer. It's on an auction site and is listed as new open box. This would save me about $90

Should I buy it from the auction (buy it now) seller (who has an excellent feedback.rating) or get it from the manufacturer?

Thoughts?

Buy it now. If you got good pix to see the item online, can verify the condition, and the seller has a good rating, I say go for it.

Some items I would not buy online (just me, I'm sayin') if I can't touch/feel/handle item. Especially those that have a "consumable life" (once you use it up it's gone).

But I have bought used smart phones, etc on ebay with good luck. Things that "don't wear out" can be bought used for substantial savings. I like buying used hardbound books to replace the paperback books I love. The pages turn with no problem.

Bama ED

 

[Tented1]

Buy it now. If you got good pix to see the item online, can verify the condition, and the seller has a good rating, I say go for it.

Some items I would not buy online (just me, I'm sayin') if I can't touch/feel/handle item. Especially those that have a "consumable life" (once you use it up it's gone).

But I have bought used smart phones, etc on ebay with good luck. Things that "don't wear out" can be bought used for substantial savings. I like buying used hardbound books to replace the paperback books I love. The pages turn with no problem.

Bama ED

Thanks bama_ed! I'm an ebayer too. I also check out shopping goodwill . com where I got a great Sony digital camera about 3 years ago.

 

[Tented1]

Bought it! The seller has sold 1800 + items and has a 100% feedback rating.

Somex's just need a little confirmation.

Another thing done for trip. BAM !

 

[angelmom27]

Thanks bama_ed! I'm an ebayer too. I also check out shopping goodwill . com where I got a great Sony digital camera about 3 years ago.

What? There is a goodwill store online? Oh I have to check this out. Thanks for the tip.

 

[Tented1]

What? There is a goodwill store online? Oh I have to check this out. Thanks for the tip.

YES! And the purchases go toward mission related services, unlike eBay.

The Sony digital camera I purchased (I'm now looking for a newer 1) came in the original box with the cords and user manual.

http://www.shopgoodwill.com/

I also previously bought a beautiful vase and was recently outbid on a Bose iPhone / iPod music dock, a Nikon coolpix camera, and an iPod shuffle.

 

[FortForever]

YES! And the purchases go toward mission related services, unlike eBay.

The Sony digital camera I purchased (I'm now looking for a newer 1) came in the original box with the cords and user manual.

http://www.shopgoodwill.com/

I also previously bought a beautiful vase and was recently outbid on a Bose iPhone / iPod music dock, a Nikon coolpix camera, and an iPod shuffle.

Wow! Thanks for this info. I had no idea Goodwill was online.

Glad you made your eBay purchase. I got here to late to throw in my two cents. That was a no brainer for a seller with excellent feedback and an item you were going to purchase anyway.

I'm looking forward to seeing your packed Fiesta. I love packing, and a packing challenge. When my kids were young (5 of them) we camped often. Before we got our full sized van, it was a challenge to pack in a mid sized car. Even with the van, I had to have things organized and packed properly.

Now, it's just DH & I when we camp. We have a mini van so packing is not as much fun anymore.

 

[Tented1]

Wow! Thanks for this info. I had no idea Goodwill was online.

Glad you made your eBay purchase. I got here to late to throw in my two cents. That was a no brainer for a seller with excellent feedback and an item you were going to purchase anyway.

I'm looking forward to seeing your packed Fiesta. I love packing, and a packing challenge. When my kids were young (5 of them) we camped often. Before we got our full sized van, it was a challenge to pack in a mid sized car. Even with the van, I had to have things organized and packed properly.

Now, it's just DH & I when we camp. We have a mini van so packing is not as much fun anymore.

I'm looking forward to seeing my packed Fiesta too! LOL's!

Im eagerly awaiting my eBay purchased rooftop hatchbag so I can finally see how much it will hold!

 

[Tented1]

PAID! Ressies and tickets!

Hatchbag rooftop carrier looks great! 15 cf storage space!

1500 loop request with reasons why need specific site.

READY! Getting READY!

 

[bama_ed]

Tented1,

I am glad that eBay car carrier purchase worked out for you.

Have a great trip.

Bama ed

 

[Tented1]

Tented1,

I am glad that eBay car carrier purchase worked out for you.

Have a great trip.

Bama ed

Thanks bama_ed!