Camping Essentials

Hey Travelers!

 

Let’s take a moment to get real about my blogging experience thus far. Initially I wasn’t sure how this was going to work out. I work full-time and have a moderately busy schedule already. I have to admit though, I’m really getting into this. I genuinely enjoy writing and blogging has sort of taken me back to my writing roots. The fact that I get to share my passion for photography and desire to travel is just an added benefit. I’m learning a great deal about blogging, branding, online marketing, etc… and I have a deep sense of pride, commitment, and obligation about The Wearied Traveler. I intend to see this through — where ever this may take me and I sincerely hope you’ll join me on this journey. Now let’s get to business!

 

In the previous post, we discussed Father’s Day travel gift ideas for your wearied pappy. I decided to call Sr. and share an idea with him on writing about camping. We’re all in luck! Dad shared his top camping essentials and I’d like to share them with all of you.

 

This is sad and slightly shameful for me to admit, but I haven’t been camping in nearly 20 years. Oh my gosh! I just realized how old you must think I am, but please believe it’s still very firm, taut, and pulled together in all the right places — I’m just saying. The point is that I do have a camping background and come from a camping family, and I kind of miss it. In my early childhood to the beginning of my teenage years, I went camping with  the family every year, 2 to 3 times per year. And we were real campers. Not the glorified “glamping” all amenities included type of camping that goes on today. It was about being outdoors, being with family, and having a good time. Camping for us came around the holidays; Memorial Day, Labor Day, and sometimes Independence Day. My family had some sort of camping time share and we frequented KOA camp sites where we would kick off the camping season each year, in addition to camping at the local grounds of the nearest amusement park. For us, it was a family tradition that started after the passing of my paternal grandmother and unfortunately, has declined and become less favorable as a family vacation over the last few years.

 

Now the clan has opted for more luxurious vacations that tends to come when you no longer have young children to entertain and have money to spend, like cruises. After a trip down nostalgia lane, Sr. and I (and the damn dog, of course) decided that we would go camping, next year when he comes to visit, and I’m thrilled!

 

The Essentials

Bar the obvious gear, like tents, you’ll need a few things while camping to aid in your goal for a relaxing trip.

 

1. Tarp — This was the first thing my father suggested when I asked him what he thought every camper should have. It really didn’t dawn on me that a tarp would be so important, but it does make sense. I’ve seen tarps in my camping history used as shields against rain and the harsh sun in the summer. However, my dad suggest a tarp underneath your tent. This is, in essence, your foundation. It will help protect the actual bottom of your tent from the cold, wet ground.

 

2. Lantern — You don’t want to be in the dark do you? We used lanterns often for the middle of the night restroom trips. The campgrounds I frequented as a kid had facilities with showers and restrooms, but if you prefer to pop a squat by the nearest tree, do you!

 

3. Extension Chord — The campgrounds also had small electrical boxes that each site could connect to. How else do you intend to plug in the electric griddle for pancakes, bacon, and eggs in the morning?

 

4. Sleeping Bag — Okay, this one is obvious, but lets talk about it anyway. Sleeping bags are a good investment regardless if camping is a frequent past-time. I know a few travelers who keep a sleeping bag in the trunk, just in case. If you are camping, having a sleeping bag will be much more comfortable and will also protect you from the cold that is sure to set in overnight. I, however, am going to trump my father on this one and say lets just upgrade to an air mattress. Why not? We have an extension chord that’s tethered to our power supply. Sleep in style with a nice air mattress and spare your back the agony of an uncomfortable sleeping surface. I’m going to go ahead and say that if you are of a particular age group and getting up off the ground takes you like a minute or two; you might want to go with an air mattress. No shade.

 

5. Sweats — This is simple. In the daytime you wore shorts or dressed according to the weather. At night, you wore sweats. Despite listening to Tina Turner’s rendition of “Let’s Stay Together” around the campfire and drinking Martell, the temperature drops at night and you will get cold. You will be glad you have a pair of sweat pants and a jacket to slip into during the evening. Thanks Dad!

 

6. Flip Flops — Do not forget your flip flops. Period. Providing that you have access to showers (why would you camp where there isn’t) and assuming you’ll be applying soap and water deep down in the cracks, you’ll want to make sure you have flip flops for showering. Think gym showers. You certainly will not want to put your bare feet on that type of surface. I hear athletes foot is pretty nasty. I would not know, because I have a pair of flip flops.

 

7. Cooler & Ice — Essential for keeping your eggs, milk, hot dogs, etc… cold. You get the idea here. I would recommend spending a little time and doing the research to find the cooler that offers the best food storage option and keeps ice from melting for as long as possible.

 

8. First Aid Kit — My Uncle Bubble always kept a first aid kit in the camper, according to my dad. By the way, does your family have a Uncle Bubba? I feel like every Mid-western family has a Bubba somewhere in the lineage. We have a Bubble actually, not a Bubba. Get yourself a first aid kit and protect you and your family from those scrapes and bruises that are sure to happen.

 

What do you think of my dad’s list? Is there something you would include as a camping essential? I actually like this list and will keep it in mind when I prepare for camping.

 

So we know the story of me not taking enough vacation. You can catch up on all the tea here! I am now at a point (again) where I am going to have take a day or two off or I will not accrue any more time, so I thought I’d write this post, then actually go camping. It’ll be fun to get the guys together for a fun filled weekend camping. Or, pack up the damn dog (shout out to the damn dog) and our stuff and hit it! Either way, I plan to go within a few weeks. I’ll be sure to post about the gear I select and the campgrounds. I’ll take some good photos too!

 

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