While getting to your campground may be half the fun, setting it up properly is imperative if you want the fun to continue.
Who wants to crack a cold one after a long drive, but can’t, because you have no idea where a bottle opener is? Who wants to be rooting through bins, looking for a can opener or matches?
You may have noticed I lean towards the uber-organized, anal retentive philosophy at home, (which you can see here, and here and here), so it should come as no surprise that I take that philosophy with me on the road.
Once you reach your actual destination (your campsite), there may or may not be arguing involved as your husband tries to back the Suburban and the cargo trailer into the space.
You may or may not forget which way is his left, versus your left.
You may or may not have differing interpretations of “just a little bit more” and exactly how much more that might be…
You may or may not get a little sideways with your spouse (momentarily…)
If you do, it’ll pass.
Once you are safely parked into your space, you have to survey your campsite. You can’t just start throwing stuff out of the trailer willy-nilly. Markleeville sites have a parking pad, a campfire ring, a picnic table/bench and metal box to keep food.
Yes. If you must get technical, it’s a bear box.
photo credit: dkjd from flickr.com
This is not actually a box from our campground, but it is very similar, just a bit shorter. You have to lock up your food at night to ensure that Yogi and Boo-Boo don’t come through your camp, trying to get your pic-a-nic basket.
Now before all of you camping nay-sayers freak out and say “Oh my Lord! I told you so! Camping! Never! Bears?!!! Ack!” I must say, that in all the time I’ve been camping in the area, I’ve never had a bear come to camp. I’ve never even seen a bear.
I like the bear box because those damn chipmunks, squirrels and blue jays are thieving little varmints and will stop at nothing to get your Doritos.
Anyway, before you can start unloading, you need to decide where the tents are going to go. Tents should be on a fairly flat surface, in the shade if possible, and the area should be cleared of things like sharp sticks, rocks and pine cones. (Duh.) It is perfectly acceptable (and in fact, recommended) that you choose the best spot for your tent. You are older and more susceptible to aches and pains. Kids can fall asleep anywhere, so screw ’em.
Kidding.
Kind of.
Once tent sites have been decided, let the unloading begin. This is one of those times when multiple children really works to your advantage. They can help unload the trailer and help to assemble the tents. (And? If you are an amazing parent like Handsome Hubby, you can actually make this happen in a way where the kids feel lucky to be helping you….) (I’m so jealous of that gift.)
Of course, there will always be that kid who thinks the best job for him would be to hold up this tree right here….
Devin and his friend Michael stayed in one tent. Mitchell and Conner stayed in the other.
Handsome Hubby and I (and Grant) stayed in the big tent. Lovingly nicknamed The Taj (as in Mahal) this tent was handed down to us from my parents. It is a huge, canvas, two room tent that is big enough for us to stand up in. (Because scuttling around, stooped over hurts my knees and back. )
I realized I did not get a full shot of our tent on this trip. This is it in the background from a shot taken in 2006.
We cannot sleep on the tent floor, so we have a queen size air mattress. We keep meaning to get one of those platforms that elevates the air mattress, but haven’t yet gotten around to doing so.
We don’t sleep in sleeping bags. They are not comfortable if you are over the age of 13. We make up the bed with normal sheets and bedding. We bring our pillows from home (body pillows too) and we make Grant a little nest right next to us.
I also cannot stand to be unorganized as far as clothes, sundries, towels, etc. In the “front” room of the tent I set up a table and unpack on top of that.
This was taken from the outside, looking in. (It’s a big tent.)
The view from the tents.
Once tents are up and kids have gone about their business of unpacking and setting up their sleeping bags, it’s time to set up “the kitchen”.
We do not hold cans of beans over a fire and roast hot dogs on a stick.
I have fresh brewed coffee every morning.
Yep. Coleman makes a drip coffee maker that works on a camp stove-top.
Instant coffee? Pah-leeze.
We set up a kitchen (thank you, Cabela’s) that holds our paper products, utensils, lanterns, etc.
My thought on this is that if I want it in my kitchen at home, I will probably want it while camping. I have a can opener, of course. But I also have a garlic press and a tomato shark.
I have a wine opener, but I also bring a wine stopper/vacuum pump up with me as well. Coffee doesn’t taste good out of plastic, paper or stainless steel cups, so I bring a ceramic mug. I bring a few real wine glasses, because plastic just isn’t the same.
Now don’t be silly. I’m not bringing my “good stuff” from home. That is yet one more thing that Goodwill is great for. Not only do I not want take my “good stuff” camping, I don’t want to have to go through my home goods in order to “pack up” each year. Cheapy duplicate kitchen items stay boxed up until ready to go on the trip. It makes camping prep soooooo much easier.
We have a decent set of knives and cutting boards. We have colanders and frying pans and stockpots. We have a basic compliment of spices and herbs.
Handsome Hubby and I both cook, so we do our best to set up a kitchen that works for both of us. Here he is taking Mitchell’s breakfast order.
We think about things like having a box of baby wipes or a bottle of Purell handy. We have paper towels and Windex. (The vinyl table covering gets icky… it is the mountains, after all). If you have it in your kitchen at home, we probably have it in our camp kitchen.
Tarps and E-Z-Ups are essential. Shade is always a good thing. A Husband who knows a bit about knots and basic engineering comes in handy, too.
Camping is about enjoying nature and spending time with family and friends. It should not be about hardship or doing without. Relax, enjoy.
On that note… I am completely at ease, knowing that there are bright, clean bathrooms throughout the campground with flush toilets, hot showers and running water. I can buy ice at the ranger station by the park entrance, I can hike to the pool and natural hot springs and, if so inclined, there are tubs where I can wash out clothes. (I have never been so inclined, by the way.)
The bottom line, if you know what you need in order to be comfortable (and bring it) camping is one of the best vacations you can take. A Sunday afternoon through Friday morning? $132… Total. Gas there and back? About $250 (We drive a Suburban and pull a trailer a total of 1,000 miles.) Food? We were going to have to buy that anyway. A 5 day, 6 night vacation for a family of 6, (plus an extra kid) for less than $400?
Beat that.
I dare ya.
I bow to your superior organizational skills!!!
We currently tent camp, but we usually go with my sister who has a huge camper – so she takes all of that and we just take – us. That’s nice, too. 🙂
And you’re right, you just can’t beat the cost!
Four hundred dollars?
Unbelievable, cuz it looks like the Best Camping Time Evah.
Can’t I just show up at your site and hang?
I would be useful, keeping bees and dragonflies off’n your Doritoes.
You & I could camp together! I thought I was the only person that camped this way. I have everything you ever need in bins ready to go. Uber tents & bedding, tarps, screen tents, perfect lounge chairs, even an oven! The fun part for me is setting up the ultimate campsite and then thoroughly enjoying it. ~ Robyn
Oh wow – – – you are SERIOUS tent campers!!!! That’s some really cool camping gear you’ve got.
We USED to do the tent thing – – – but I got SOOOOOOO tired of packing all that “stuff” for each trip – – – even if I kept it all together, it was still a pain.
So – – – we “graduated” to the pop-up camping world.
Love that.
BUT – – – if someone else (like you) will do all the WORK of packing/setting up the whole tent camp, then I’ll be glad to be lazy and just enjoy it.
Hehehehehehehe
I have not camped since I was a kid with my parents and this post brought back so many memories! We were no where near as organized as you & HH, but we loved every minute of it!!!
Thanks for sharing your fun with us!
~Becca
Wow, look at that kitchen set-up, I love it! We actually trailer camp, but you still have to be organized. I’m with you, if I want it at home, I’ll want it camping 🙂 Looks like so much fun!
Boy Viv, I could learn a few hundred things from you. This sounds like a wonderful time if done right. I have a husband who LOVES camping and I’m sure our son will follow. I need to step up my game. Looking forward to hearing more.
Amen, sister! We are slowly acquiring our must-have camping gear because it is a tradition to go every summer at our house as well. LOVE that! My next big purchase will be your awesome kitchen get-up because I SO need one. And while getting the stuff is expensive at first in time it is SOOOOO worth it. A one-time purchase, people! I love tent camping!
You are so funny! I can’t believe you have a kitchen! And I thought we were organized campers. Wow!
I would consider going if you did all of that for me! You’re one of a kind!
We have that same camp kitchen too!! Love it. Our campsites look very similar. Except we ditched the tents a couple years ago for a camp trailer and we dont camp in campgrounds. We like to be as far away from other people as possible!
Now you are one serious camping family, but at some point I don’t think that is camping anymore! I am impressed because that is really home away from home! You are so super organized I don’t know how you do it. AMAZING!
Hope you guys had a great time, looks like you did. I love the comment about the son who felt it was his job to hold up a tree!! Crack me up!!
Hi. I have a blog at http://www.picturecamping.com where I feature people’s posts about camping, and I would like to send my readers your way. Of course I would give you credit for quotes and would link back to your site.
Thanks for considering this,
Jean B. in SC
Oh, this brings back so many good memories to me. (Just not our pseudo camping trip of a couple weeks ago). Your little camping area looks so much like where we go almost every year (not this year 🙁 ).
One thing i love from past trips are the times the kids brought their friends. The kids are entertained and it’s so fun to get to know the friends.
Girl, you are crazy organized! And what is a TOMATO SHARK?
I wanna go camping!
🙂
hey, lady. too tired to read this with the attention I’d like to give it…so in the meantime…
an award? for you? yes! Come pick it up over at LLOL
You make me feel like we can DO this! Now where on earth would I store everything….
I’ll be there next year. You can pull me in the back! I’ll even bring my own coffee. Looks like a mighty fun time.
Okay, that’s my type of camping! That camp kitchen looks neat! We usually use the picnic table, I will have to show the Hubs.
Glad you are back!
LOL! Okay. Glad I waited until I had the time and energy properly to read this post. A garlic press on a camping trip. Only you,Vivienne…I dunno… it’s so much (insert whining) wooorrrrkkkk…. love your comments about how kids can sleep anywhere and screw ’em. I know you’re not kidding… 😉
The only thing we need to improve our camping is the bed. We have a blow up mattress, but it’s one of those low ones. Next time we go, we’re gonna get a big one and then our camping will be complete. 🙂
I am SOOOO coming camping with YOU! I’m in love with that Coleman coffee pot and the kitchen is freakin’ fantastic! I’ll be visiting Cabelas.com soon. 🙂 Looks like sucha leisurely way to spend a few days.
This actually all looks very fun AND functional. The only thing is, if I was to do it with my family, could we take YOU along to organize it???
Being the mom means I would have to be in charge of all you just said, and that makes me tired just thinking about it, lol.
Beautiful pictures though, and has me pining {{almost}} to try camping without the cabin. {{not really}} I really like sturdy shelter and private toliets…sorry, I’m a priss:(
Love it! I am so excited to go camping now…I can’t believe summer’s almost over and our family hasn’t gone yet!
Your camping area is beautiful. . I’d love to go somewhere like that. We used to camp a lot when the kids were younger and we had a small pull behind. WE and the kids loved it. I dont think I was as organized as you were though, although, we did carry all the essentials to be comfortable..it was so hot one summer we put a small ac unit in the window of the tent.