People are often surprised to learn that I tent camp and that I have for years. My beloved and I camped well before children. We could take an hour to throw a cooler, one bag each and two sleeping bags in the car along with a book or two for me and hiking boots and we’d be gone. Our resting place included a tiny two-person tent that had us, thankfully, squished up into each other because back in those days, that was fun.
Sadly, those days are gone.
I’m not sure how or when we became the campers that must bring (all) the comforts of home. Is it age? Is it those kids? Why can’t we rough it like the good old days?
Happily now, we have the means to provide endless camping necessities currently required (well, I guess desired).
They’ve been replaced with air mattresses, children and a large car. We’ve replaced our simple hard-boiled eggs and cereal bars with full-on meals complete with rubbed lamb chops. We now bring two tubs of food that we haul back and forth from picnic table to car to keep the critters and bears at bay. We also have two coolers; one for beer and one for refrigerated items.
The simple days of throwing a few things in the car and going are gone. We now have to bring everything on a trailer. A TRAILER. That ain’t right! We can’t fit everything into an SUV! That is sad. If you have to bring a trailer you might as well have everything you desire, which means now we have the ability to bring more.
Yes, my name is Julia and I live in the South. We own a trailer.
My husband had resisted the trailer but in an effort to never use the car top carrier again, he relented. He was praising me for my brilliance and was happy with this decision until the tire on the trailer blew on the way home on a trip and all of our camping belongings were left on the side of the road on a Monday night. Just primed and ready for camping supply thieves.
There are other things that we bring for our comfort. One is a chef. I know, this probably isn’t realistic for everyone, but it sure helps. In our case, luckily, I happen to be BFs with a chef. I know. Clever, right? We also need plenty of extension cords. We have to have some way to power the fan, electric blanket (if needed) and charge the electronics. In fact, next time we may bring a power strip. This trip we found the kid-sized fold up chairs useful as foot rests, so next time in addition to the 4 chairs for each of us we have 2 extra ones to rest our weary feet.
I don’t feel guilty about the little pleasures we bring camping. I like to think of it as nature’s way of letting me in. Nature wants me to feel happy and comfortable. She wants and needs me to to be on-line.
Nature loves me. And I love her back.
About Julia Roberts
This is how we camp: We own a 1995 park model 40′ camper. It has stove/oven, full sized fridge, bathroom that has tub/shower, could sleep 10 if needed. It stays permanently on a lot at a campground right on the river. Oh, we also have tv with satellite (I can’t miss my baseball games). It’s our home away from home, even though we mostly camp on the weekends. We also have an awesome Lime Green golf cart that we tool around the campground in.
Oh Renee, if I wasn’t married already I might marry you.
You are my kind of camping girl!
Twitter Name: juliaroberts1
Trust me, it’s the only way I’ll camp now. We did the tent, then graduated to a motor home, now we are in the big time!! And sorry, I’m married too. If you lived up here in Indiana, I could hook you up with a sweet campsite at our campground.
Ah…if only!
Twitter Name: juliaroberts1
okay this has nothing to do with anything but where did you get those shoes?! They look just like a pair of flats I got from Payless like 7 years ago that I love to death and can’t stop wearing even though they are gross and falling apart. I need to find a replacement!
Twitter Name: MBonn
Well…those are some Guess flats – like little tennis shoes. Maybe Guess still makes something like them. I do love them AND they are comfortable. (I kinda hate to tell you that)
Twitter Name: juliaroberts1
Great article.. we left the tent behind 3 years ago and went with the popup camper. And yes, we still bring a truck load of “stuff” to go along. I spend a 1/2 day getting ready for a 2 night trip and then another 1/2 day unloading it all again. Oh well, the price of “relaxation”… I will pat myself on the back that I haven’t yet given into the temptation of a television in the camper, although I do carry my INTERNET.
A fellow camper friend did bring a TV once because of a big game and so I have to admit a TV was on our campsite. Also, movies on the computer…but that is more a necessity when it rains!
And you’re right…the price of relaxation is great!
Twitter Name: juliaroberts1
My husband is dying for our family to go camping, but I fear with a 1,3, and 5 year old I would be hauling WAY too much stuff along with me for it to even be any fun. Most of our time would be spent packing or unpacking and I’m just not into that.
It does sounds sort of fun, maybe once the kids are a little older…but don’t tell my husband I think that.
Twitter Name: themommytherapy
It was actually easier when they were little! We brought a pack n’ play for our girl (we started camping when our youngest was 8 months)…plus if you camp with people with young kids – their kids watch yours! It’s perfect…
Twitter Name: juliaroberts1
Sounds like us! Before kids I remember sitting against a log because we did not have chairs. We left Friday after work because it only took 20 minutes to get everything in the car; a VW rabbit. The kids are gone now and we still tent camp, but start packing at least 2 days prior because of all the creature comfort supplies needed. But so much fun!
This is fabulous. I am so jeally of that trailer. And yes, I watch Nascar, ain’t no shame in my game.
P.S. The internet should be enjoyed everywhere, even camping.
Twitter Name: Zakary Woolley