Thinking about next year....

    I suppose the eternal camper in me is already thinking about next year.  So as I do, I'm wondering if I should go to my usual campsites or do I branch out and try something new.  It's not that I'm unhappy with my current selection.  But you know how  it is- the allure of the possibility of something shinier and newer is calling.  And I'm tempted.  One place I am looking at is Burke Lake in Fairfax, Virginia.  It's almost 2 hours from me, but I think worth the ride.  I've been there before- my family camped there when I was a kid.  And I've always wanted to go back.  Plenty of things to do- from fishing to disc golf to hiking and biking.  Plus a 218 acre lake to kayak.  I could definitely spend some time there.  
    As I think about new campsites,  I realize a campground doesn't need much to please me.   As long as there is a place to hang my hammock and launch my kayak, I'm good.  I don't need lots of amenities.  Water and electrical hookups don't matter much to me.  How's that for camping simply? But given that criteria, almost any campground would suffice.  But yet there are still some I like better than others.  The campgrounds which have managed to allow more access to nature unspoiled seem to have more appeal.  Adds a pure and simple beauty that just can't be replicated by anything that humans can create. 
     It's not just camping simply.  It's kind of like stepping back in time, when things were simpler.  Yet harder because there weren't all the conveniences we have now.  And when you do without them, you learn to have a new appreciation for them when you return.  That's what camping simply does for me.     Something to think about as I begin to make selections for next year.

Any suggestions? 

Last camp?

     I went camping about two weeks ago.  I thought it would be my last camp of the season.  But I am actually planning on camping out for a weekend in about two weeks.   It'll be a little cold, but my Ozark Trail tent should keep me warm.  That was one of the things that surprised me about my Ozark Trail Tent this last time.  I expected to be pretty cold, but it was surprisingly warm.  Warmer than my last tent, which is even a little smaller.   This time I camped out in the woods on a private farm.   So much better than camping at a campground if you can do it.    Of course,  some people are telling me I am crazy to be camping so late in the season.  But I'm not one to rest in the comforts and luxury of home.  Truthfully, I like being outdoors.  Which is why I like camping so much.  And why I could never do RV camping- it doesn't really have the same connection to nature that tent camping has.  And when I have a tent and other equipment that offers me some real protection from the harsher elements of nature, why not?   Of course, it's only fall, and it's not like Delaware has the coldest weather by any stretch.  Nothing at all like fall or winter in the mountains.  We won't have snow for another couple of months actually.  So it's not as crazy as some people want me to think it is.   Especially considering how much warmer my Ozark Trails tent keeps me.  So I'll keep you posted on my next rip.  Unfortunately it's at a campground, but at least I'll get ot be outdoors.

Tent's up!

   So I got my Ozark Trail tent up with no problems.  It's even easier to set up than I first thought.  Now I can let it air out for a bit.  I know I'm probably talking a bit too much about my Ozark Trail tent,  Perhaps I'm a little bit like a kid at Christmas with a new gift.  Can't wait to try it out and tell everyone how much I like it.  But isn't it nice to be able to find things these days that you can't help but rave about instead of constantly wishing you had bought something else?   That doesn't happen to me often.  So hats off to the people who make Ozark Trail tents.  I'm definitely a fan. 
    Of course I'd like to see how my Ozark Trail tent holds up to rain, but so far it's been pretty dry.  I did hose it down with the water hose, and it held up fine to a steady blast of water aimed at it.  didn't blow over, and no leaks. Woohoo!
    Next I'll be getting my camp stoves out to clean them and make sure everything works.  Getting the tent and the stoves ready are pretty much the main tasks I do ahead of time.  Everything else I put together the day before I leave.   More about that later.

Getting the gear together

I'm going camping next week, so it's time to get out my new Ozark Trail tent to air it out and make sure everything is ready.  I usually try to get all my gear together and set them up a week or so before I camp.  I've found this eliminates most unforeseen problems.  Even though my Ozark Trail tent is brand new and shouldn't have any problems, I still want to get it out and set it up just to make sure there are no glitches.  Ozark Trail makes a great tent, but you never know when something might go wrong.  That's one reason I bought the Ozark Trail tent- I like it's durability.  But even the best, most durable tents won't last without ptoper care.  I intend to clean it inside and out after I set it up.  I am taking my older Coleman tent, even though I will be primarily using my Ozark Trail tent.   That way I can put anything that I don't want to get wet in the Coleman to keep it dry.   (I don't use a conopy- just my sleeping tent.)    Okay, time to go set that tent up.   Happy camping!

My new Ozark Trail Tent

I am an avid camper. I usually camp at least once a month from March through October. On my last camping trip I felt the need to replace my current 3 person tent with a newer one. After shopping many sources, I was impressed with the value and features of one made by Ozark Trail Tents. It was similar to what I already had, but appeared much roomier. It features DryTek fabric to make sure rainwater doesn't soak through. And I like the DryGuard floor design which elevates the seams to minimize leakage problems. Though the directions for my Ozark Trail tent recommended 2 people to set up, I set it up in less than 5 minutes by myself.   I like that a lot.   When setting up your campsite, the more time you can save, the better. Compared to my old Coleman tent, my new Ozark Trail tent has more headroom, and more usable floorspace. Plus there were several storage niches that were definitely more usable and out of the way than in my old tent. I know it's probably not for the professional camper, but for the amount I use it, I know it will last me a long time. Needless to say I was impressed with my new Ozark Trail tent. It's not as expensive as some other brands, but it's a good value.