Sunday, February 26, 2012

Helping River Damsel plan a camping trip

I think I'm coming back to life! Slowly but surely I'm staying awake longer, eating solid foods and reading blog posts again. In the spirit of camaraderie, I'll be passing on some tips to The River Damsel on her planned camping trip to River X this Spring.

Camping is one of best ways to thoroughly enjoy the outdoors. It can be done indoors as well, but it loses something in the process. The difference between a great outdoor experience and a downright disaster can sometimes be just a matter of careful planning. I can't take all the credit for many of the tips I'm offering. Many people have suffered so you may enjoy a safe and enjoyable trip.

1. Don't leave it to anyone else to remember to bring toilet paper. On that occasion that you might have a digestive disruption, a wadded up map of your destination will do little to make your trip enjoyable.

2. Bring several changes of underwear. Just in case you didn't heed #1.

3. Make a list of things you'll need, well ahead of time and add to it as you go. Make sure you have all items checked before you head out the door. I forgot extra clothes once one trip and was forced to buy some horrible campground tourist t-shirts to get by for three days.

4. Bring plenty of "fire starters". Unless you've gone all electric camping, you'll need a way to start that Coleman stove, lantern, campfire and your medical marijuana.

5. Bring enough cash to pay for a motel and food just in case of really bad weather that you're not prepared to stay out in.

6. Don't hide the last Snickers bar in your shorts...you WILL have visitors in the night. (some of you may choose to ignore this one.)

7. Bring along one of those fold up camp silverware thingies. You know the Swiss Army Knife  of eating utensils that has a fork, knife and spoon. Someone almost always either forgets silverware or doesn't bring enough. Either that or don't complain about eating beanies and wienies with you fingers.

8. Don't wear bacon grease to bed. It might not attract a bear, but that obnoxious guy in the next tent loves bacon!

9. Smile and enjoy that fact that you're in the outdoors and living in such a beautiful country. 

Enjoy your camping experience Emily!
Posted by Howard Levett at 4:41 PM
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6 comments:

  1. I already gave her one I learned many years ago.

    Mark

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    1. Mark, I'm sure it will be, uh...useful.

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  2. Mark's advice was that the blanket should go inside the sleeping bag instead of the top. Got it. Now for your advice, Howard...#1 is always "covered" as I carry it on every fishing trip, but I will still bring #2 for after I come face to face with that bear! (I'm assuming that I make it out alive). My river dunks have prepared me with #3. : ) No worries on #4,5,6. Ummm...I like finger food. :p AND probably the most helpful hint of all is #9. Is it the obnoxious guy who snores? No worries, then. He probably can't smell, either! No bacon grease. Check!! Thanks, Howard...you are a true friend for looking out for me.

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    1. Underwear and toilet paper...let nature handle the rest buddy.

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  3. Those are some pretty good tips for sure, but so what if I like Bacon...Give me a break!

    Thanks for sharing.
    Passinthru Outdoors Blog - Sharing the Passion

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  4. Oh Jim, I guess I was trying to be funny, but it even put me off a bit. My wife says if a bear tried to steal my bacon that her money would be on me over the bear. I would wear bacon cologne if they made it. My favorite dessert at Denny's is the anything chocolate with bacon sprinkles.

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