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Camping Swanking - June 28 - July 3
I'm breaking this out of the general 2007 swanking thread because a camping excursion requires a little more planning and prep.
Specifically, the campgrounds in Sequioa/Kings Canyon that take reservations start taking them less than a week from now on February 7. There's only two that take ressies, but that leads me to believe they are among the more popular camgrounds ... and are that way for a reason. In any event, all other things being equal, I'd prefer to have ressies than not. Still, I will gladly defer to the knowledge and experience of people who have camped in Sequoia, and if first-come, first-served campgrounds are more desireable ... we can certainly go that route a bit more spontaneously. One caveat to that, though ... is that you can't save campgrounds for people who aren't there. So in a situation (such as the one I envision for this swanking) where some people start out on a Thursday, but most come up for the weekend ... it would be difficult for everyone to get camp sites near one another. Just sayin' Here's a handy map of all the campgrounds and where they are, with some info below on the various amenities and logistics. Someone mentioned an affinity for Sheep Creek in the 2007 Swankings Thread. Dorst and Lodgepole are the two that accept reservations. So, let's pick the date, and otherwise get the ball rolling. Especially if we determine that ball needs reservations. And let's determine that real soon, eh? Ah, waking up in the woods to the smell of coffee and hot bacon! :coffee: Swanky Camping!! |
ooo Camping!
Any weekend but the last weekend in April and first weekend in May work for me. |
I'll bring a pen to ward off mountain lions.
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As far as saving campgrounds.....ythe first person to arrive just pays for them all, puts the little sign on the post and maybe a chair or something in the camp. That should be enough to save it.
As for campgrounds, Dorst and Lodgepole are in Sequoia rather than Kings Canyon and Sequoia is always MUCH more crowded (which I why I usually camp in Kings Canyon). Last weekend of April is Coachella and is out for us. Lashbear wil be here in April, so we can't go camping when he's here. |
First weekend in May for us too!
(And like iSm, I prefer reserved sites, but I'll go along with the majority decision. :) ) |
If everyone feels most comfortable making a ressie than we have the three to choose from. Dorst in Sequoia (higher elevation than the others and it will be COOOOLD at night); Grant Grove (nice area, a bit lower but nothing great or; Cedar Grove - Canyon View. I've only stayed at Sheep Creek in this area and it is LOVELY! I like being in a canyon with the Kings River rushing by and Zumwalt Meadows an Muir Rock just down the way. However, the canyon dead ends, so you don't have as many places to go - driving. Hiking is great and horse back riding is close by. It is also a bit warmer in the canyon than it is at the higher elevations and early May can still be a bit icy.
Of course, I've camped in actual snow in Sequoia proper in April. Nice way to chill with wine if there's no river nearby. I've also seen bears in all of these areas. They start at the higher elevations and work their way to the lower ones as the year progresses, but bears will be bears. |
Oh jeez, I gotta get me some camping gear! Luckily, already got the cot as a guest bed (if you don't have one of these, ya gotta get 'em... it's a folding frame, like the chairs, and on top of the frame is a zip pouch to hold a very thick inflatable mattress :) LIke a real twin bed, almost.
Need a tent though, LOL. Maybe I should look into one of those fancy ren-faire dealies ;) j/k. |
I won't be joining since I'm already committed to a Yosemite trip around the same time, but for those who haven't been, keep two things in mind:
1) You have to keep all your food in bear lockers so don't go crazy with what you bring, particularly if you're going to pack in the maximum people per campsite. Not all of the campgrounds have overflow community lockers you can use if you have too much (I don't recall Grant's Grove having any). 2) Grant's Grove I liked because it was relatively easy to get everywhere else of interest but other than a couple big trees there really isn't much right there (and I find big trees to be the least interesting part of the scenery around there). It does, however, have a full ranger station and a large amphitheater hosting (even early in the season, I presume) ranger programs. So overall we liked it and it wasn't a problem going without a reservation since we made sure one person in our party arrived early to stake out some space. That said, if you're going to need more than two campsites it can be difficult to find that many really nice ones consecutively (though you really only need one and the rest are for sleeping). Also, I notice that iSm is presuming that someone else in the group will be getting up early so he can wake to the smell of coffee and bacon (I'm always an early riser when camping so I never wake up to the smell of food). |
Um, no ... I was advertising the smell of bacon and coffee to entice others.
I would be shocked if anyone woke up before me in a camping situation. I'll likely have been for a hike in the forest, then back at camp making coffee and bacon before another soul wakes up. |
that works for me. I usually sleep in on camp trips. just remember:
bacon, crisp coffee...strong and black as coal bears...try not to piss any off before I wake up or at least make sure theyre fed and in a good humor. be forwarned: Jack is NOT a morning person :coffee: I'd love to attend. I'll leave it to you folks to pick where and when and endevour to be there. |
We've always stayed in the Grant Grove area. I wouldn't mind a change of scenery, but neither would I mind the familiarity. As Alex said, it's relatively central and easy to get places and we found a good variety of hiking around it. And having the full ranger station right there was a definite plus.
I think I vote for no reservations, mostly because, if memory serves, the large group sites that are reservable are the dullest, most featureless camp spots. We can do better just grabbing our own. |
Ok, I'm good with grabbing our own ... but I would like a fairly pretty camping location ... with the paramount concern being things of beauty and interest reasonably nearby or get-to-able.
Let's narrow dates by a process of elimination. zapppop and I are not available the weekend of either June 2 or June 9 (we'll be at a different National Park). |
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I can't believe he posted those ancient pics! Hello 1997! :blush: I'm not even in the pictures, but I'm embarrassed by my bad framing and low-res scans. Just remember what download times were back in the late 90's. Anyway, I concur with GD - Grant's Grove is great and I'd be fine with a new spot as well. I've never been this early in the year so I have no clue what crowding would be like. |
When I was up there last it was in the same timeframe and while the Grant's Grove filled up pretty good (definitely get someone there early if you want consecutive sites) I don't think it completely filled. That probably changes the closer you get to Memorial Day though.
I liked the spots over by the stream that runs between the campground and the ranger station/amphitheater/restaurant/showers. The sites in the rocks looked cool too, but probably not so much when it is still chilly. |
I'll have to find/scan/post pics from Sheep Creek and Zumwalt. It's magical. But, I really LOVE the water.
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I definately prefer the valley with the river right there, the granite cliff faces, caves, and zumwalt. Maybe we'll be lucky and they'll do another controled burn again - hiling at night through a red glowing path was awsome.
Must hunt for pictures |
Photos on the way.
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Those must have been from €'s stint as a Tijuana police officer.
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Cool - where did you find all those?
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On the shared drive.
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I think this link will work but if you'd like a slideshow of my general photos from the area (no campground photos) taken May 2005, here are 85 or so.
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Great pics, Alex. I didn't notice the date on your post and I thought it was much later than May. Things look a bit dryer than they normally do in May. Although, it does very from year to year.
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Assuming the exif information in the photos is correct most of them were taken May 25 which is later in the month than I thought it had been.
It was beautiful weather (though still cold at night) but the river was still running pretty full. |
Oh? Dare I ask which ones were especially avatarish?
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Oh, that was also the trip Chris saw his first "Large Black Dog" in the forest. It was running.....fast. Luckily it was running away from us because it wasn't a dog. |
We spent 5 days one July during which there were still large snow drifts all over the place.
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Yeah, that's why the higher elevations are a bit more of a crap shoot early in the year. You never know just how cold it will be. My brother said it has been unusually cold this year - and he's lived in the Sierras for 30 years.
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Yes, I saw that puppy. Cute little thing. ;)
I've seen quite a few bears in my time. The later in the year it is, the hungrier they get, it seems. |
I should find some of my Sequoia pics videos at my uncle's place.
Oh, and yes, I had a bear in my camp, as captured by my uncle at the site next door... |
My SIL's friend came home to a full-grown bear staning on it's hind legs in her kitchen eating ice cream with his paw straight out of the container.
Bear had no manners! |
Haha! Classic!
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I like my pavilion because it doesn't need guy wires on the outside. (And it's been through a storm, so this has been tested.) Fewer people tripping over people at night. And the spokes in the hub-and-spoke design make a shelf of sorts. Or closet rod. Man, I want to take it camping again.
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So ... is May too early? Would it be too cold?
If not, the weekend of May 12 looks promising, except that the 13th being Mother's Day might be problematic for some. The following weekend, of the 19th is the weekend before Memorial Day. So if neither of those two mid-May weekends will work, I think we're looking at either the June 16th weekend (which ironically includes Father's Day, possibly a problem for some) or the following weekend of the 23rd. And then we run into 4th of July problems after that. I've added a poll to the top of this thread. Please vote for any dates that work for you. . |
As well as deciding when, we must also decide where. I'd like to camp within reasonable distance of most of the stuff we'd like to most see and do.
Here's a decent listing of hikes and points-of-interest in Sequoia. The things that sound most interesting to me are Moro Rock, some Sequoia-filled forests, Tokepah Falls, and maybe a hike up to Alta Peak. Is any of that stuff near Sheep Creek, or should we be looking closer to Lodgepole? . |
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I've done Moro Rock and some of the major Redwood sights on my way out though -since those are rather close to the roadside. I still think Kings Canyon is a better place to make camp, from a lounging perspective. |
What happened to the first weekend in May as an option? I think that was the one that worked best for us.
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Clarification, please. But, assuming people meant what they posted, I left the first weekend in May off the poll. For now. |
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In the meantime, I also voted for Mother's Day weekend. Either of those are perfect timing. |
fixed.
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And, as of now, Cinco de Mayo weekend is in a three-way tie with two weekends in mid and late June.
Howzabout we let the poll run thru February ... and if there's still no decisive winner ... we'll have a tie-breaker question!! Is the end of this month ok to set the date, or is that too late for people's fast-filling Springtime calendars? |
If it goes into June, and I'm welcome, I might be interested (I have to work one weekend in June but don't know which yet).
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I'm reviving this thread because I think we need to plan.
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Funny you bring it up, I was just looking at camping stuff at the store Friday.
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I'm glad someone revived this. I kept meaning to ... but I don't want to do anything more to jinx my bad leg. I can barely walk again. Planning a camping trip is right out ... but if it's planned by others and turns out to happen, I would very much like to go if I am able.
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Yipes. Lemme know when. Luckily, I am one person, and don't require much outside of space for a sleeping bag. ;) I just have to make sure that this doesn't interfere with other plans and/or school crap.
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pleasegodnotinapril
toobusymyheadwillexplode |
Do I have to do everything around here????? ;)
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We're not going, but we're hoping for not-the-weekend-of-May-19.
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There was no clear winner in the poll ... so it's a three-way tie (oooh, with 2 votes apiece) between May 5 Cinco de Mayo weekend, June 23 weekend, and July 1 Steve's Birthday weekend.
What do we do for a tiebreaker??? Feats of skill, I hope! |
oooh, June 30 is a Blue Moon.
not that it means anything, but I do like a good full moon when camping |
I am now on the pick a date and if I can make it I will side of things.
Life is on hold until the playoff schedule is released. |
Oooh! I like the June 30th Blue Moon idea. :snap:
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I like the June 30 blue moon as well.
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i will gladly be overridden, but I really HATE camping past memorial Day. The crowds are horrible and there are CHILDREN (gasp) everywhere and it's noisey as heck. It totally cramps my Nature Girl act.
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I'm sort of in the pick-a-day-and-I'll-try-to-go camp.
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Can the poll be reopened? I don't think I was able to vote. Or maybe I did and just don't remember.
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I've reopened it.
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I'm fricken exhausted! ;)
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I went for July 1. Only because it's the only thing that looks reasonable on my schedule (a.k.a. it's between summer sessions and I don't think I have plans for that particular day)
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Ok, I'd like to take Cinco de Mayo weekend out of the running please. I'm performing a wedding that Sunday (in the Arcadia Suite at the Grand Cal, btw, with reception to follow at Club 33, of all places).
So, pretty please, one of the other choices of weekend. |
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:p |
Shows you how much I follow hockey these days.
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If someone will come up with a date that makes mostly everyone happy, I will get things rolling. But, I just can't bear to deal with the date decision. Just tell me when we're going and I'll plan.
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Well, can't do May 19/20, that weekend's taken, and mother's day and father's day always have potential conflicts, so...
I'd say Cinco de Mayo or any of the later dates would be good. Probably not too late though as the weather.... ugh. |
Just some advice from my experiences with another group of camping friends and our repeated attempts to get weekend trips scheduled.
A date will never be reached by committee. Somebody just needs to stand up and say "This is the weekend I will be there, I've reserved two sites [if reservations have been made], hope to see you there." |
I agree with Alex - however, I'm in no position to make such a decision. If I looked at every weekend on the calendar (pretty much between here and the end of the year) I'd say I could do none of them.
If someone threw down a date then it could be made to happen. On that note, might it be too late to get any of the aforementioned dates? If I remember correctly, many campsites at more touristy destinations, such as Sequoia and Kings Canyon book up kind of early for weekends during the nice weather months. |
(Bangs his head on the wall) Why oh why do I have to live on the other end of the country I'm going to miss all the swankings!! :(
And now I fel like Don Music on Sesame Steet banging his head on the piano - "I'll never get it right! NEVER! (Bang) NEVER! (Bang) NEVER! (Bang) |
Hahah, OMG, I totally forgot about that character! Classic!
Cinco de Mayo is only 3 weeks away. If folks can do it then, let's do it then, if not, let's scratch it off the list so at least we've narrowed it down! |
Ken and I need to wait until at least June now, due to finances.
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I've already elminated Cinco de Mayo. I'm performing a wedding at the Resort that weekend, and it's also the weekour our fellow swanker, Snowflake, is in town.
How's June 23rd weekend? Hearing no grevious objections to that weekend in the next 48 hours, I nominate our LoT Secretary of Dynamic Activity Planning to see what can be done about setting it in stone. |
Isn't Moonliner in town June 23/24 weekend?
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Really???
Actually, I just looked at the poll, and the June 30-July 1 weekend is winning by a landslide. I take that back about June 23 ... because the entire point of the poll was to find a clear winner. Until recently, everything was tied tightly. For some reason, June-July got a slew of votes since then. So ... The poll winner - absent any fervent objections - will be decided after this weekend. April 16, the votes will be tallied and the Secretary of Dynamic Activity Planning will be asked to make arrangements! BTW, I did not vote for that weekend ... but I'd LOVE to spend my birthday Swankamping with you guys! |
Well, by some strange fat, I have no overnights scheduled for June 30 weekend so I can even go. It's late in the years and that sucks, but we'll see what we can do.
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Is it the chicken kind? Or the kind you get liposuctioned?
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LOL! Leave me alone.
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OK. I really want to stay at Sheep Creek, but since they don't take reservations I don't want to risk it. So, we're probably going to go with Dorst in Sequoia NP. That weekend is available and, as soon as we get a confirmation on who is going and how many cars/tents we will have, I can make areservation for us.
See, I like this part of the planning. ;) |
Me, with the Sydney Opera House tent. 1 car that I can fit others in (gas-guzzling Ford Explorer)
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Hmmm.... Count me in, mostly. It will be just before the end of the first session of summer semester, though I think I can pull it off, since my classes are Human Sexuality and Business Law, and I can handle two finals. Egads I loves me some Business Law!
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I love campin like a fat kid love cake
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Sounds like a very fun trip and a very fun swanking. I'll be there in Spirit. I'll be the :tiki: shaped totem pole! :) |
Chances are pretty good that we (Susan and I) would go. However, what little energy I have remaining at the moment can't even begin to fathom our camping excursion Memorial Day weekend (Portrero War), mcuh les anything in June.
However, we would probably be up for using Susan's van for the excursion which would allow us to transport other persons and cargo. But don't ask me about it for at least a couple of weeks. |
Incidentally, this is the best deal I've seen on a tent so far. Not that there aren't cheaper, mind you, but not at that size.
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Oh, but would Babette be able to make it? ;) |
Count me in for a car and a tent (which I still have to buy). And for some serious competition with Disneyphile in the "campsite decoration" competition. :evil: I just picked up a 10x13 sun shelter, so I'm part way there :)
Will this be the swankiest camp ever, or what? |
I want to go too!!! I can take the Mini up there, but it won't fit anything more than one other person and our stuff. How much does reserving the space cost?
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Camping spaces cost next to nothing, but the space is limited. I don't know what the particular restrictions are in Sequioa/Kings Canyon ... but there's usually a 2-car per space limit, and there might even be a limit on how many spaces we can reserve.
Not sure. Not Afraid will let us know the low down. |
We await your widom, oh mighty one!
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:) Oh, and Yes Katiesue... Frontliner and I will be in town June 22-25th. (Did I mention the 25th is my birthday?) |
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Soooooo Campgrounds in Dorst (reservable in Sequoia)) are $20 per night with a maximum of 6 people at each site. Most have restrictions for 2 cars and limited automobile space. The smallest parking space seems to be 24 feet (back in only) but some are larger. I have a PDF of the campsite map and, in the best of all possible worlds, we would be able to get sites next to each other. But, we'll have to see when we actually get a number of people/cars/tents. That's actually the first bit of information we need to decide on after we nail down the date. |
Put me down, pretty please!
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We also need to think about car pooling as much as possible. Those with large(r) vehicles should probably look to adding passengers who will chip in for gas. Of course, we bring so much **** with us, we need the entire car. ;)
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Well, the date seems pretty darned nailed. I know I said we'd keep the poll open till Monday, and we will. But with Moonliner now confirmed for the June 24 weekend, and the June 30 weekend leading in the poll by 2-to-1, I think that it's clinched for June 30.
As for waiting for people to chime in with an "I'm In" ... I say to hell with that. Lemme run thru this thread real quick, count up the people who expressed interest ... and let's just reserve space for that plus 5. |
I'm in - just need to double check with the boss but it shouldn't be a problem. Happy to drive and or carpool/pay for gas with anyone.
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I need the number of cars - that's most important. ALSO........are we just doing Friday and Saturday nights? Are people going to make the 5 hour drive after work on Friday? How about days off? Take off Friday or Monday?
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I'm going up Thursday, with any other advance scouts who want to be Frontiersmen!
Ok, by my count, we have about 20 swankers interested. I think, at this point, it's better if they opt out specifically or - - for purposes of simply reserving space, we will assume they're in. Ok, there's me, Not Afraid, €uroMeinke, blueerica, BarTopDancer, Gemini Cricket, Ghoulish Delight, Cadaverous Pallor, Disneyphile, Frodo Potter, Morrigoon, Chernabog, Capt Jack, katiesue, Kevy Baby (and Gus Gus, I assume), NirvanaMan (and Babette, I assume), maybe zapppop and possibly even the likes of Alex Stroup. |
Should we start another, definitive poll? (oh Moderator :evil:)
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Cherny and I are discussing being tent-mates and carpoolers, FWIW.
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If we end up with two much space reserved, we can always either cancel one site .. or spread out a little and each pay $2 more a night. Ooooooh! Break the Lashbank! I almost think, at $20 per nite, we should purposefully get more sites than we need just so we can have more parking spaces! Carpooling is going to be difficult, what with all the sh!t we are each going to bring for 2 or 3 days in the woods! |
Do we want to stick with getting a few individual sites, or do we want to get a group site?
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Group sites are for minimum 20 people and all are sold out for that weekend (at least the reservable ones are).
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Rats.
I think if we were going to add a day, might be better to add Friday to improve our chances of getting adjacent sites. |
Yeah, but we don't want group cites (those are usually less nice). We want regular campsites. Just, ya know, a bunch of them. 4 or 5, I reckon.
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Oh, coolness :)
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Ken and I are definitely in - we'll be driving up early Friday morning. :)
One car between the two of us (yes, I bring a lot of crap, and I won't block the windows while driving). And our tent takes up about 8'x14' of space when assembled. (Not sure how large the sites are.) So, if we have to get our own due to space, we're not opposed to paying the full $20 per night. :) |
Hmm... no electricity to the campsites. Guess I shouldn't invest in the pre-lit tent eh? ;)
Note to self: pick up solar lamps... and some garden fencing ;) |
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(Wait, I shouldn't be telling any of these trade secrets, lest I blow the competition for us.... hmmmmm. ) |
Muahahah! I know all your trade secrets, woman!
(Of course, that's not gonna help me much, as you've pretty much locked up all the best (worst?) stuff) |
Plus, we now have the Cadillac of camping stoves/grills. Everyone will bow to our superiority of roughing it! :p
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Actually, what we'll be doing is lining up to use it :D
Of course, in addition to worrying about decorations, I have to worry about what I'm going to be decorating. So far this is the price leader for what I'd like. Oooh, or this nice little set. Dang, that's good for the price :) |
And you thought geeks only put LED fans in their desktops...
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Never having been there before, my guess would be that best spots - - no other features being known - would be those with naught between them and Buds Creek that runs through camp. 57 thru 60 look like a nice grouping that fits the bill. Can you reserve more than one site at a time on that website?? Dates we'd be looking at are Thursday, June 28 thru Monday the 2nd (even though most people will likely leave Sunday, it's best not to commit to bugging out by noon that day.) |
FYI-ALL.
ISM is going to pop by our house on his way to the Mouse this afternoon. We're going to go through the reservation site with the map and choose probably 5 (maybe 6) sites to reserve. At least we'll have that part down. Then I can start thinking about food! |
Might anyone be willing to leave at around 1:30 or 2ish (or whenver I can speed over there by) on Thursday? I have a class that runs until 12:45 in the afternoon... Please, please, pretty please!?
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We have camping sites!!!!!!
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Woot! We have five campsites along the shady side of Dorst Campground's Fashionable Loop E.
There's room for 20 people ... so the first to chime in with a definite committment of money will get the prized spots at the Swankamping of the Century. The camping fee is going to be $50 per person. Payment to :iSm: will guarantee your spot on the tour. There's also a $20 one-time National Park entry fee per vehicle. Oh, and whatever you'll spend on vittles, camping gear, and camp decorations. From our campground, there's a wonderful hike to the Muir Grove of giant Sequoias ... far more secluded and intitmate than the more touristy groves near parking lots and vending machines. Also accessible from our campsite is a shorter hike to Little Baldy, an exposed granite dome with a panaramic view of the Sierras. We're planning a day trip to nearby Kings Canyon, and other adventures are possible to Crystal Caverns or Tokopah Falls. Besides the optional adventure excursions, there will be plenty of lounging at the swankiest camp west of the Mississippi, gourmet camp cookouts, and bonding sessions around the campfire. The campsites are available starting Thursday, June 28, and people are free to stay through and including Monday night, July 2. Roughing It - - the Swanky Way. LoT CampOut. June into July 2007! |
$50/person???
Wow... camping sure has gotten expensive! I'll need to sit a little bit on this one before I can make a final decision on it - though I'm pretty sure I'm good to go. |
Well, seeing as that's the time of year I make my most money, I'll be passing this trip by... have fun, though :)
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It works out to $10 per person per night.
Sure, not everyone will be staying all those nights ... but it's cheaper for those that do.;) We had to book all the campsites together to guarantee our block of consecutive sites. It wasn't easy finding and booking five adjoining sites for a weekend in the summer splendor of Sequoia. (btw, this is iSm browbeating you about money from Not Afraid's applaptop.) |
Like I said, I'm 99.9% sure I'll go, but I just need to estimate my bills, tuition, etc, between now and then. I didn't realize the Sequoias went up to $40 a night for a site (presuming 4 on each site)... I'm just experiencing sticker shock is all... This better be swanky.. ;)
The other thing I need to know is whether anyone will be leaving not quite so early, so that I can join them. That's probably as much a deciding factor as anything else. |
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$50 swanking? There'd better be appletinis involved ;)
Hmm... note to self: find plastic martini glasses |
Oh ****, then I'm easily down. Plus, I checked everything out - affording it, plus food, etc should be fine.
Mark me down, dammit! I wants my spot! To note, I've never owned a tent... Wait... maybe I still do from Grand Canyon.. Anyhow, I don't think I've camped under any kind of cover in 10 years. I prefer the stars.... :) I should see about that GC tent. |
Count me in!
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SQUEEE!!!
(And no, I didn't know what "squeee" meant until this very moment...) I really can't wait..... TOO MUCH FRICKING FUN - That's what this trip will be! |
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We're in but we're just doing the weekend. Don't know how the cost to each person will shake out if people come and go. Makes me glad I'm not playing accountant on this one :)
Of course we'll just leave Kevy with the bill, right? ETA - I work that Saturday. I've gotten so used to not working weekends! :( :( :( We'll see if I can pull a day off but I'm already piling up days off... |
Day off! This one will be worth it!
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We're still definitely in. :)
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What if a person wanted to visit? I live about 2 hours away, can't camp overnight, but would love to say hello for the day!
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I'd love to join you all but it probably can't be done with me doing five days in Yosemite over Memorial Day.
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Dorst Campground Map
Here is a map of the campground. The sites we have reserved are 121 through 125. We're near-ish to a creek and near to one of the hiking trails. AND, there no one across from us. We had a bit if challenge finding 5 sites that were close to one another. Our only other option was 129 and the other outside sites near by, That loop seemed very crowded and there is no restroom nearby. In order to get consecutive sites and days, we needed to block out all sites for all days. That's why there is the same per-person charge for everyone - regardless what days you decide to go. And, if you only want to come up for a night or 2, do so. We just need to monitor the parking situation. |
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And, bring a sleeping bag. I'm sure you could bunk with someone for a night. |
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If there are still slots available as the date approaches I might, but at this point I couldn't commit to it.
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If I get the tent I'm looking at getting, I'm sure you could stay with Joe and I
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So, I'm wondering if you guys'd like to take the campsite decorating one step further... like each site being themed around a different land? I know Kevy's got the serious Renaissance pavilion/fantasyland thing going, it'd be cool to continue that. Just a thought, if you guys would like to go in that direction.
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I have a great idea for Tomorrowland - I just don't know if I want to cart a bunch of crap. I've gotten pretty stealth with my camping supplies.
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I hope that if we just show up and camp without decoration we will still be allowed to hang out. I promise to restrain myself from destroying the plastic flamingos :D
To me, a tent, a campfire, and a sleeping bag are the images that evoke "camping", and that's what I want to experience. If my schedule allows me to go, that is. :( |
I probably won't be there so my comments have approximately zero weight but keep in mind that all of the other people in the campground aren't looking to find Disneyland-in-the-Mountains.
Go too far and they'll find you more annoying than amusing. You don't want to end up in the pariah category with the people who leave their RV generators running all night. |
I'm kind of in the NA boat on this one. I was thinking more along the lines of candles and what-not. I tend to be a minimalist with goods (ie. Sleep outside instead of tent whenever possible), so I'm hoping to keep it that way. ;) At least for myself.
Plus, as Alex reminds us, we do have to be mindful of the other campers. |
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I could go Adventureland or Main Street with my stuff. |
I'm not going all Disneyland with my camping decorations ... and it should be pointed out that camping decorations make no noise and - except for potential battery-powered xmas lights - won't be a visual nuisance either.
People coming to Dorst campground may be looking to get away from newscasts, traffic, and civilization ... but they have no reasonable expectation of getting away from people. There are 200 fairly close-together campsites there. I daresay, though we will attempt to be respectful of our neighbors, our group of 20 will be far more of a nuisance in general loudness of mirth than anything even possible via fun camp decorations. In any event, we have five consecutive campsites which span one entire stretch of a Loop, and no one is across from us. If we make our main social center towards the center of our fiefdom, and concentrate our decorations where we ourselves can enjoy them ... we will keep our noise pollution to a minimum and keep our decorations invisible to all but deer and bear. But don't feel you have to participate in decorating madness. We are out to have fun. And this is fun for some. Your milage may vary. |
Actually, you might all be spared the sight of our lawn flamingos - turns out we put them in storage, way in the back with the wedding decor. I don't think I'm that adventurous to pull 'em out just for this. :p
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This sounds like fun, except for the strange decor ideas, and would be a good way to celebrate my birthday if I were in CA.
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anyone bringing pets?
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I had considered it, but pets can't (and shouldn't) be left unattended, and I thought having my dog along would really put a cramp in being able to do all the great side trips :ism: talked about.
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excellent point.
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I'm bringing goldfish.
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The way I feel about the decor thing is that, people can decorate if they want to. I think it would be fun and amusing as long as it is not to disruptive. But, decor is certainly not mandatory to be included in the trip.
I like to be excessive in the food department, so I probably won't do anything special for decoration. Food, however, is a whole different story. And, given Charles' reaction to the wire cage, I'm disinclined to bring him along. Besides, he'd make some tasty bear food and that would just be sad. |
I'm not against bringing him if other folks are already going to be bringing pets, I just didn't want to be the one to initiate such a thing, and be the only one, because then it's more of an imposition, IMO. If others are already bringing pets, then the worries about doing things where he can't come would be eliminated and I might consider it.
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The decor thing is just supposed to be for fun. |
This is my own concept for the "food thingie".
Breakfasts shoule be big, excessive and include bacon. Lunches should be on our own and should be packable. Dinners should be a group effort. What we should probably do is divide into "meal teams" and do the group thing that way. I'm a pro at gourmet camp cooking, so I'd be more than happy to coordinate overall menu planning as well as organize a meal or 2. |
Excellent. Yeah, I was starting to think about supplies and it occurred to me it would be helpful to know which resources would be shared, and which needed to be acquired.
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I cant even commit yet and Im getting very excited about this
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Keep in mind the relatively limited food storage space (though it'll help if it turns out you don't completely fill your five spots).
I don't konw about that camp specifically but when we were up in that area the rangers were real pains about proper storage. |
Me too (the excited part). Probably more so than I ought to be, but it gives me something to look forward to when I'm bored, which is approximately Monday through Friday.
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There will be one bear box for each campsite and we REALLY want to use them. There WILL be bears (not to mention pesky other varmits). I'll try to find the dimensions of a camp bear box, but keep in mind ALL items with a scent need to go into the box. That includes toiletries, food, spices, soap, etc. You CANNOT keep any of this stuff in your tent unless you want company) and you risk a bear break-in if you keep stuff in your car. They have incredible senses of smell.
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Question: Citronella candles too? I'm guessing they only repel insects...
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ANYTHING with a scent must be stored.
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Didn't mean to imply that the rangers were wrong to be pains about it, just that even if you're willing to take the risk the rangers will probably be a problem.
Don't know what the drinking is like in this group of people but that was a big source of trouble on our last big group. Everybody who drank brought the normal party quantity of beer for a four day party and there wasn't room left for food. |
OK, this was harder to find that it should've been:
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I don't think I would based on this: Quote:
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Too bad LashStoat isn't going to join us.
"Rob! Cut it out!" ROBERT! OMG! |
Never seen the warning in California but did in a New Mexico campground that you should avoid having sex as that can attract them as well.
So no orgies. |
I guess the orgy tent can stay at home then.
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If we don't store the alcohol, we could wake up to this:
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As far as non-likker drinkies, does anyone else like Kool-Aid? Oh, what are our water resources, anyway? |
We will need to bring our own drinking water. There is water for doing dishes available, but it is not potable.
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I'm going to start a working list:
Supplies: Charchol Lighter fluid or Starter Drinking Water Meal ideas: Breakfasts: Scrambled Eggs Cheese Chopped veggies Bacon Tortillas Salsa Dinner: Kabob meat (beef/chicken/lamb/fish) - pre marinated Chopped veggies Couscous or pre-cooked rice Caesar Salad I'm hungry! |
I'm bringing Sharky to keep the bears away.
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Is there still room at the camp grounds or should this late comer count herself out?
And if there is room left, should I plan on hitchhiking or could I grab a lift with a swanky camper? |
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ferget it. Im out ;) (j/k) |
If anybody has room for it there is a fair amount of money to be saved by hauling in a supply of fireword rather than buying it at camp or the park stores.
Actually, do they allow campfires in summer? I know some campgrounds don't. |
Actually I am probably a no-go at this point. My summer is already super crazy. EH can have my spot if she so desires.
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I'm pretty sure we have plenty of space for all, aren't we at about 2 people per camping space at the moment?
The more the |
Oh, and NA... if that bear gets in our stuff, he'll probably end up more like this:
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At this point, anyone who wants to go can go. We have 5 sites, each can have 6 people and 2 cars. I don't think we're at any risk of running out of space yet - and there may be a chance of getting one additional space IF we need it.
Carpooling will be a must, though. And, food consolidation. |
Yeah, the food's gonna be the big thing.
Pasta might be a good idea for at least one meal, because it takes up hardly any space dry and we don't have to store the drinking water we cook it in. BTW: I can bring at least some of the charcoal, we have quite a bit at home as we hardly ever barbecue. Do the sites have grills already? I forget. Otherwise, is someone already bringing a grill? |
Just a thought: should we get a new poll going, or an evite, to get an idea of who's going? Evite might be more flexible as people change/make up their minds... (wish vB had polls where you could change your answer)
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Yeah, we need to talk equipment too.
How many stoves do we have and who has large pots and pans? I actually have a really large stock pot and 2 fanastic iron skillets - one with a grill bottom. I'm thinking about getting a dutch oven as well. One large plastic salad bowl would be good (I only have ceramic). We have more than one French Press and a tea kettle we always bring. We also have a 2-burner stove. And, I'd prefer it if we didn't use paper plates. If everyone brings their own place setting/plate/cup we would be better campers. |
Quick question. If I can make it (working it out with the boss) I can only take Friday off meaning going up on Friday and back on Sunday. Is this ok?
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No WAY, Morrigoon and I were finally planning on consummating our friendship among the redwoods. OK, that's it, I'm out. ;) (Actually tho I did fool around with someone on the last camping trip, and I highly recommend it.... quite interesting out there in the woods, you just have to watch out for men in hockey masks with machetes) Also, the whole bear box thing, the camping trip I went on to Dorst was a sober trip, so we didn't have any alcohol space issues in the bear box. The bears came every night -- once to try and get into the bear box, and once when (as morrigoon said) a bear came REALLY close to this guy's tent and obliterated his backpack to get at an apple he left in there. He came out of his tent, saw the bear, and banged pots together and it scared the bear off REAL quick. Scary tho. The sites we went to had a grill and/or a firepit for each site (I can't remember if it is AND or OR, or if they were combined into one thing). There were restrooms for every number of sites (maybe it was like one restroom for each 10+ sites??). And you park the car like right near the tent sites, so it isn't like there's a lot of schlepping. There are no showers that I know of there. We had to drive to a different area to use showers. I did bathe in a creek once that was near the campsite, and it was so cold there I almost became a woman temporarily. Yes yes, I set myself up there. :P |
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Sex in the woods is the best!
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Yay - now back to the boss negotiations. I'm out the week before for Madzers graduation and our trip to Nashville already. Eh it's just work they'll be fine without me.
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I have extra pots & pans, but they're not the over-the-campfire variety. However, I can bring them for use over a camp stove if someone would like me to. Are we going to start keeping an itemized list of who's bringing what? |
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Once I tried to get a boyfriend to be naughty in the woods. And he insisted that someone would walk by. And I insisted that we hadn't passed anyone in hours and would be fine. He relents, we begin...and someone walks by. That put an end to outside antics. Ever again. Not very adventurous, that one. |
Yeah, experimental evidence suggests that it isn't immediately fatal in New Mexico either.
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evite, probably
Put an "ask guests to bring something" list up once we figure out what our needs are. |
Don't have sex at the bottom of a dry creek bed. Not that I'd know anything about that or anything but ermm it's not comfy. (I think I still may have bruises from 1983 - well if it were me of course).
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Great. The day after the Swanking I'm gonna be seeing News reports about a bear attacking a bunch of naked people who were having sex in the woods. "Sidecar's" have now been banned from National Forests...
:p |
What? You're staying home?
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I would like nothing better to go. Just on the fence about it right now.
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Blankets are good for sex in the woods. Up against treetrunks is damn hot, but can be a wee bit uncomfortable (only afterwards, if everyone's otherwise enjoying themselves).
Oh, and sex in the woods is sooo much better if someone walks by. :iSm: You all have fun planning out all the minutia ... I'm going to spend my time finding someone to have sex with me in the woods. |
So, I get stuck with the minutia because I already have someone to have sex with me in the woods?
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Oh, I wouldn't put it quite that way. Perhaps Chris comes up short in comparison to the nearby Sequoias, but I wouldn't call it minutia exactly.
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LOL!
OK. Here's a ready-made camping equipment list. At least it is a god place to start until we figure out how to work off a shared document. |
You mean there's an inflatable chapel? I know we'll be there on Sunday, but I think our souls are safe if we skip services.
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Inflatable chaple. Inflatable furniture. We'll just get you an inflatable boyfriend to go with the theme. ;)
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Good. At least he won't be shy about having sex with me in the woods.
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For the sake of ease (and avoiding popups), here's the text version of that checklist (edited down since I don't think any of us are bringing little ones who need toys):
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NA - our new gas stove/grill has interchangeable tops - there are burners, grills, and griddles, making for a very large cooking surface (about 12" x 24"). We're happy to share it for cooking the group meals - we can get all of the main course on it, leaving any sides to other cooking methods (if cooking simultaneously). The tops are non-stick, so clean-up is fairly easy. :)
Also - put us down for bringing an ample supply of bacon-wrapped asparagus skewers for dinner on one of the nights. I'll even prep them at home in advance, so they're ready to throw on the grill. :) |
I'm going to work on getting an interactive spreadsheet on line. This may take some time to organize and I have to do it with a PC since the program isn't compatable with a mac. :rollyeys: But, I'll get there. That should make it easier IF I organize it well.
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DP, can you find a picture of your fabu stove on line?
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Also, I discovered something awhile back that makes washing dishes a LOT easier - put liquid dish soap in a spray bottle, and top with water to dilute. Spray the dish, wipe and rinse. :D I love my spray bottle "dishwasher". (And Dawn is the best for greasy surfaces.) I highly recommend folks to bring one to make their lives much easier. :) |
Find one of teh free Wiki sites and cretae a wiki page for this trip then anybody you give the password to can update or add.
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And after we've done all the organizing for this trip, we can either go camping as planned ... or we can invade and occupy a small country.
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Or create that highly anticipated commune....
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I'm only participating in planning since I'm probably not going. If I were going my planning would be:
1) Say "Yeah, we'll be there." 2) Several months later: "when was that trip again? This Saturday? Oh." 3) Night before: I should go buy some groceries...I"ll just get them on the way out of town. 4) Pack in the morning I depart just picking random camping stuff out of storage. 5) Have a blast even though I find out I forgot the sleeping bags, eating utensils, and clean socks. To get you started here is a Wiki for it with the above supply list (though if you're really going to take all that crap you might as well just stay home and have Safeway.com deliver some citronella candles). Use it if you want. The password to make changes is 123456. |
Please, take lot's of pictures, and have a swankin' good time :)
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EH1812 - Yes! Please come along!!!
Also, I think we should start the list, but divy it up closer to the time. We could also have a general "food fund" where people pitch in, and 1 person buys. Cooking shifts rotated. /whistles |
If anyone has a water filter (like this) it can cut down on the amount of bottled water you'd need to bring. Just make sure it's rated to filter out giardia.
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Well, the more I think about it, the easier I want to make it. So, I'm thinking group breakfasts on Saturday and Sunday and group dinners on Friday, Saturday and maybe Sunday. The rest of the time, we can wing it. Otherwise, I'm not going to have any fun. And, I want to have fun.
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OK. Let's start here:
Who is coming? What day(s) are you going to be there? What time are you arriving? What time are you leaving? Do you have a vehicle? What shared major kitchen equipment do you have? (Stove. cooler. big stuff) |
Yikes! 180 posts and they all seem to be in this thread!
My thoughts:
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This is my personal guide to fun. Lots of planning and preparation weeks beforetime. Then stop. Stop for at least a month, more if you can. Forgetaboutit all.
Then, maybe a week out, consult the plan again. Go buy everything you need and pack it up. Too much planning ruins fun. Not enough planning ruins fun. I think we are having the requisite spurt of planning now that ressies and dates are all settled. It will calm down in a little while ... and come the end of June, the adventure will seem spontaneous again! |
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Anyway, our prospects for attending, even weekend only, are waning. We've both been piling up in the time off department, especially considering the 2 weeks we're taking later this year. |
Eh, a LoT can happen in 72 days.
And there will be subtle and not-so-subtle reminders on a frequent basis that this is going to be the biggest, most historic, likely swankiest LoT event ever. If you ultimately can't make it, we'll miss you terribly. But I'll believe that when I don't see it. And we could always resort to making Staff attendance mandatory. |
Oh, I do hope you guys can still come!
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Does CP really not get any two consecutive days off?
We are going to be there Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday ... there's no rule that overnight visitors must visit on the actual weekend. Then, of course, there's that late-season flu pandemic that always strikes in late June. ;) |
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It's about a 5-6 hours drive.
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Ken came up with an awesome idea during dinner.... about dinner (and breakfast):
5 campsites = 5 "hosted" meals (2 dinners/3 breakfasts or vice versa) Once everyone picks "campsite partners", then those 4-6 people can coordinate a group meal for everyone and host it at their site for that morning/night. The advantages:
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Oh my gosh this is so tempting.
I am planning to Greyhound out to San Antonio sometime in June (I am thinking about moving in with a friend out there...another story for another thread). What if I did that in late June and use a "Discovery Pass" to come out to Cali for camping? A ccouple questions: 1. Would you be willing to have me come out for this? 2. I would have no camping supplies with me whatsoever. Would anyone be willing to share? 3. Should I just "Forget it" and come out another time? I ask these questions since I am new to several of you and I have no idea what your comfort level is with me. |
Bill & I are tentatively in. We'll be more definite in a couple of weeks.
We may need to carpool up with somebody; our largest car is the Mini. I have a lot of camping crap, including a smallish Colman campstove and a Colman lantern. I also have a large canvas tent that is older than I am (but still in good shape). I also volunteer for cooking duty. I have lots of camp cooking experience. Smores. We must have smores. |
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For anyone interested, here's some pics of the campground that I found online:
  Oh... And I also have 2 large ice chests. |
If I end up driving, I do have an Explorer Sport. What that means is that I have only 4 seats - 3, if you take mine out of the equation. My car is better suited for folding down the back two seats and hauling big stuff, like big chests, for other people. Or at least that's what I've done in the past.
FYI, that is. :) |
Visible mojo to JWB for the pics. I looked all over and couldn't find campsite pics!
So the box'll fit approximately 5-6 filled paper grocery bags. |
I added a table to the LoTwiki to track who and when people plan to be there
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Wow, I'm already listed and I didn't do a thing. When the time comes, will you also please indicate which camp items I'm bringing (and, ya know, um, buy them for me)?
Oh, and if anyone wants to eat when it's my "team's" time to feed us all .... well, some cooks better join my team. ;) |
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Whether I am there for the swanking or not I have an idea. Each Campsite becomes a team. Sometime during the week all the campsites compete against one another in a wacky Olympics sort of thing. You know like Three legged races, egg on a spoon relay, trivia challenge, watermelon seed spitting, horseshoes & hand grenades (oh wait did I say that? LOL)
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Re: Transporting items.
Has anyone considered maybe renting a small uhaul or trailer? Then everything, or most everything can be loaded and transported easy. Thoughts? |
Im working feverishly to get everything coodinated to attend (vacation time, dog sitting blah blah). I have a half ton PU that we can easily load a pretty good amount into and since I have to come in that direction anyway, you can feel free to load me up for a caravan up. just an FYI
a trailer would be a royal PITA (IMHO) |
No trailers. I'm putting my foot down.
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From what I hear about the long and winding road, trailers would not be such a hot idea anyway.
Let's just stick to our vehicles ... some of us, including yours truly, have the type better suited for cargo than human transport. It would add inconvenience to departing but assist in general travel if those cars (cough*gas-guzzling-SUVs-or-trucks*cough) could be loaded with junk, while more passenger-oriented cars be loaded with folks. Technically, my car seats four ... but won't hold four people's camping loads no way. The backseat passengers would, in any event, be uncomfortable after Hour Two. Would it be better to transport 2 humans with 4 people's stuff, or 4 peoples with 2 persons' junk? While we're at it, let's get totally ahead of ourselves and start planning what we are going to wear each day! |
Can people just commit to what days they're going to be there first?
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NA! Hurry up so I can use the lotwiki!
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Ok, it was just a suggestion. Having 12 cars full of stuff and people is alot when you could have 6 cars of people and 1 small uhaul of stuff. I was trying to contribute.
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Post 229 above.
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Cindy and I will be there Friday -- it's best that we dont get there Thursday nite and set up camp at nite, cuz that would suck donkey balls in the dark. Or dark donkey balls. Either works.
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There hasn't been a post in this thread for 6 hours! What's going on?!?
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OMG!! OMG!!! You're right!
We're wasting valuable planning time! In fact, I think I'l already forgotten what I'm going to pack. :eek: |
You rang?
j/k |
I just want to tell you both good luck. We're all counting on you.
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Cherny, do you like gladiator movies?
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The craving is strong, so how about I upgrade myself to 80%. I'd be on my own though, in a rental car, and unable to commit to specific days until much closer to then.
So still the case that if it fills up I'm out. |
There's room for what, like 4 people per site? That's 20... pretty sure there'll be room.
If anyone's interested, I found some additional photos of the campground here. |
Tecnically, there's room for 6 people per site. So we can have up to 30 people there!
Problem is, we can only have 10 cars. People and tentspace will not be an issue. Merely how many cars we can squeeze into. That's where we must economize as much as possible (in addition to squeezing all our foodstuff and other scented supplies into those tiny bear boxes) So, we can have as many people as we can imagine ... as long as they hike into the Sierras and don't bring any food. |
LOL.
Well, I think we save some space by virtue of the idea of each site "hosting" a meal, because then we're not loading up on supplies for too many various meals each. Of course there is still lunch and snacks to be considered (as well as libations ;)) But seems like we've got quite a bit of room. |
think there will be any opportunities for fishing anywhere?
(or am I alone in that?) |
According to this, if you want to fish for the sake of fishing there are good pleasant spots but if you want to actually catch something worthwhile then it's not a great area.
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I think there are - but from what I recall the opportunities for catching might be a different story. Then again, the group I was with didn't seek anything out.
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Please fish and catch us some trout. Be sure to get up at 5 am to get the big ones, bring them back and have them cleaned so we can have trout and eggs for breakfast. Yum.
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Oooh, definitely yum!
Back to thinking about camping! |
Ewwww, trout are the American cheese of fishes. Sure, you'd eat it if starvation were the alternative but that's about it.
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/sigh
ok, so no fishing. (mostly after adding up the license/day use/tackle yada yada) I guess the group deer hunt is out too then, huh? ;) |
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I would suspect deer hunting is out - amongst the vaguely Disney-loving crowd (cough*Bambi*cough).
And it has been brought to my attention that some might not know that :iSm: means me, iSm. So, for clarification: if you'd like to reserve your spot on the LoT Sequoia Excursion of Swankamping ... send $50 per person to iSm, PayPal accepted (PM me for a target email address). |
Um, Ken and I still need to be added to the table on the Wiki -
Friday (arriving late morning), Saturday, Sunday, Monday (leaving early evening) Thanks! :) |
I'm not sure ... but I thought the purpose of the wiki was that everyone is free to add information as they wish.
I'm very tech-challenged ... and my wiki information was preloaded, so I'm not sure how it works. But if it isn't intuitive, then I would think its purpose is defeated. In any event, we should get rid of that poll stuck to the top of this thread, and replace it with a link to the Wiki page. |
It keeps asking me for a password. :(
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I think Alex set up the password as 123456.
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The password is 123456.
I'll quickly convert the table to some friendlier Wiki code rather than the somewhat daunting HTML that is currently in there. |
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That said, trout is one of my least favorite fish, simply because it turns bad (IMO) so quickly. The only alternative for most is to have smoked trout, and having grown up on a river with parents that offered to smoke everyone's catch of the day... smoked trout stands proudly as one of the few foods that on smell alone can induce nausea for me. But fresh trout, grilled and seasoned lightly. Wow. |
I grew up fishing. I've eaten trout less than 30 minutes after it was caught.
There is no stage of death when trout makes good food. |
Ive always been more of a catfish guy myself, but fish in general = :snap:
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Except for sturgeon I tend to find most fresh water fish generally unpalatable (trout, bass, catfish, etc.). But trout is the only one I'd rather skip a meal than eat.
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Thanks for the help! :blush:
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I've never had trout before at all. I've only had salmon and catfish and love both...oh and mahi mahi is not bad either.
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I'm in with the "trout is nasty" category. And I like fish.
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I love trout. But, I love food in general.
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For those that met Kara and Tracy at my NYE party, you may get the pleasure of meeting them again in Sequoia. :)
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I hate anything that swims. :( (Actually, it just grosses me out.)
Although, shrimp are an exception, but they cannot be wearing more than their tails. |
oooh, which camp night will we be dining on shrimp?
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Very tempting. ;) |
I'm glad something is tempting. I find the thought of gourmet camp meals for 20 quite daunting.
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Nah, it's easy.
Well, maybe not easy, but doable. |
Can't we just have the whole thing catered?
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Sure. You organize that part, OK?
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Actually, it's a hell of a lot easier than trying to coordinate 15-20 people to bring something for multiple meals, which would create chaos (too many cooks at once), and also leave us with too much leftover food, like a giant potluck.
With the "teams", it's much cheaper too. A really nice meal to feed 20 can be done for around $50-$60, divided by 4 campers, equals $12.50-$15 spent for FIVE full meals. Really not a bad deal at all. :) |
Frankly, it's almost as easy to create a group meal as it is to create the individual meal. Serious savings in time and trouble (and cleanup!)
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You're preaching to the choir, girls. ;)
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Ive created a sticky thread with a link to the Lot Camping Wiki site (which will be updated as time goes on). This is a closed thread for information only. We can still discuss all we want here.
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I served good dinners for more than 20 for a week at Burning Man and we were eating seafood and freshly made ice cream (with no machine) on day 5.
Just takes some thinking. |
I have plenty of menu ideas that I would happy to share, but it sounds like Alex has a few up his sleeve as well. Care to share?
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Hmmmm.... I might be tempted to make sourdough pancakes for everyone one morning...
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This seems like an awfully good deal on a tarp ($1!)
And for some reason, this made me think about all that orgy talk from earlier. |
Until you pay $5 in shipping for it. Go to Wal-Mart.
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What tops it? I am actually not one for many sweets... I could picture some butter. Or if I did go sweet - lemon marmalade. |
Great dessert if you'll have campfires going: cinnamon roasted apples.
Just wrap in aluminum foil and toss in the fire for a while. |
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I've been toying with the ice cream idea. After all, I have a bag of dry Dole Whip mix that would be easy to bring. ;) |
All ice cream requires are two coffee cans, salt, ice, milk, flavoring, and duct tape.
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I would love to go but I cant get off the ground. And We have motor home but it needs some work.
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ok, on a more serious note. I would suggest the large aluminum disposables (like turkey pans etc)...a good number of them in fact for use as pots n pans. we would usually bring enough to not have to wash anything but utensils, just crush it and throw it in the recycler. a thought |
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If it helps maintain your image of me, rest assured that even at Burning Man I'm a square.
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Along with menu planning, I think the discussion about tossables vs. cleanables is a perfect subject for this thread.
There's a certain mind-set believing its best to make as little trash as possible and do much more clean-up. And the reverse philosophy is accepted as best by a different mind-set. Let's take the example of paper plates vs. mess kits. If 20 people use their individual mess kits for 8 meals, that means cleaning mess kits 160 times. The alternative being 160 paper plates to dispose of. What do we think works best for the SwankCamp ... and why? |
If I were to show up it doesn't matter what other people bring I will have one plate, one bowl, one cup, plastic eating utensils, and I will clean them as necessary.
I don't see why there'd have to be a campwide policy. |
Pfft, wait till we get to the rules of color scheme clothing allowed.
Swank doesn't happen all by itself. |
I'm in the "less trash is better" camp. No paper plates, plastic utinsils or plastic cups. I think the LoT of us can handle doing dishes. It's not that difficult or time consuming. Why? The world doesn't need more trash. I feel guilty enough when I use paper for the numerous parties I throw. Somehow, in the "wilderness" the reason to use washable items just seems more obvious - but only of you use biodegradable soap.
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But on the other hand... paper plates (paper, not plastic or foam) make good kindling for campfires.
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I don't even use soap. So long as you wash them immediately with hot water everything gets clean enough.
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And, what's a little dirt?
It's good for you. |
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Warning: I turn into old skool nature girl when camping.
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Hell, I've danced topless around a campfire before. (Alphabassetgirl did too. ;) ) Nothing says "freedom" like toasting ones boobs under the night sky.
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ok, Im down with that. time to break out the good china :D
( my 'good china' consisting of mostly wooden items) edit: note to self. bring a camera :evil: |
I'm all the no paper/plastic rule. Good idea.
Now, here's were I publicly ask those attending who might have room in their cars for me, the L.A. resident non-driver. |
I'm going to go out on a limb here with details and wee if we can't do some "match up".
Erica/Audra (HB and LA) CJ / Katie (it's the SD connection) Those us us with larger vehicles are carrying 2 people plus equipment. Chris and I (Volvo Wagon) (Long Beach) T and FP (CRV) (Orange County) ISM (Explorer) (West LA Those with tiny tiny cars Morri and Chernie (Mini or Matrix) (South County and The Valley) JW Bear and Bill (Mini) (Long Beach) Alex is on his own unless we have other bayarians coming. I'm probably forgetting someone very obvious who will now be upset with me. |
GD and CP possibly?
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I'm trying to convince zapppop to go ... and I know he wants to. But if he can't, I'll have room in my car for a passenger. I note that EH 1812 is wiki-indicated for the entire run, which any passenger of mine would have to be.
In fact, even if zapp can go ... it might work out more logistically perfect if EH 1812 rides with me, and zapp rides up and back with someone camping less days. ETA: I'm beginning to understand why all official swankings to date have not been out-of-town events. |
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I am totally okay traveling with anyone who will have me. Thanks for the offers. And a special thanks to those of you who are actually organizing this mad affair!
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I'm happy to drive or not. I've got a civic and you can stuff quite a lot in it. |
Bill and I should be ok in the Mini. I'm sure that we can get all our stuff in it. (We found out just how much a Mini will hold when we moved!)
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If I am able to go and parking space is an issue, I may be able to arrange to leave my car somewhere in the area and get shuttled in by someone already there if anybody were willing.
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Never fear, my capacity to ignore music is pretty limitless. Just in the the context of simultaneously paying attention to a parade and ignoring it (if I happen to be in the area of the parade but not watching it the music does not bother me because I ignore it).
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Traci and Kara are in for this as well. I just had tea with both of them.
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Coool, I'm bringing Laurie.
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hehehehe
I've been playing with the Wiki page and it's now called the sWizzel stIKI Thanks Traci! |
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While everyone should bring BandAids (common sense), Ken and I will have a full-service First Aid system with us should anyone have just about any ailment. (Minus a defibrillator. For that, we have our jumper cables, complete with jeweled nipple clamps. ;) )
For upset tummies, blisters, cuts, scrapes, mosquito bites, headaches, etc., we'll be happy to help out. Just come see us. :) (That is, unless you've fainted, and then hopefully someone can drag you over. ;) ) (I'll add this to the Wiki so people don't have to worry.) |
By medical necessity, expect me to have a healthy supply of Immodium (loperamide).
The question, Dphile, is which of us is bringing the ultimate medicament: Rose Bowl Mix? |
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Aw, c',mon Steph. Your birthday's the day before mine. We could have an uberswantastic birthdayfestivus! In the woods!
And, um, perhaps if JWBear would stop posting so much, I wouldn't have gotten obsessed with cartoon hot gay boys ... hence my new avatar that you will all just have to deal with until somebody finds me a MAN (one who's bad, and not merely drawn that way). |
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does anyone have a coffee pot that plugs into a vehicle power port? Im looking at snagging one, mostly cuz no coffee = bad morning for Jack.
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I have a converter that you can plug into your car lighter and then plug any normal appliance into it.
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French Press, baby!
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I am out for sure. Way to much other stuff going on in June.
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I've gone ahead and committed. Unless parking space becomes an issue in which case I can back out.
Be warned, I'm a minimalist camper. I'll have a tent (which if the weather is good I won't even use), a sleeping bag, basic eating and cooking supplies. A camera, sufficient clothes, a folding chair, and a book. So unless I am explicitly told to bring something else don't expect I'll have it. I'm fine with contributing to communal meals but I don't eat breakfast and won't ever be at camp during the day for lunch. If anybody else from the Bay Area needs a ride I'll certainly have room to bring at least one other person. For paying, I don't use PayPal. Steve, if you're willing to PM me an address I'll mail you a check if that is satisfactory. |
:D
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If it makes it easier for everyone I will sit this one out. You guys need more room to get everyone out there. You don't need to be worrying about me at all.
I'll come out at another time. Why are most of my friends at the entire other end of the cosmos? LOL |
Move to L.A., dude.
Of course, it's traditional for first-time out-of-town Swankers to be hosted to a grand day at Disneyland before anything else. It's sort of our initiation. But don't count yourself out of things just because of space. We have plenty of space for people, just not so much for cars. Besides, I like your idea of three-legged races and such (especially since, budump-bump, I don't need a partner to run a three-legged race). |
:rolleyes:
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He left out the part about having really short legs.
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Someone turned Alex "on" again. ;)
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Glad you love my idea for the Wacky Olympics. The reason why I said what I did is first of all I'd be coming with no equipment. I'd have to share someone else's in a situation where there is not a unlimited amount of room in vehicles for equipment, let alone an extra seat for moi. Aso it might be much more comfortable for me to do a Camping Swanking after a first swanking. this is because I have special needs that might be confusing to people who have not met me in person before. It's not like I am like most people would be coming out there. I can't drive myself and special arrangements would have to be made for stuff like that. I know we could wing it but would that be comfortable to the group at large? |
Thinking of Wacky Olympics, I'm co-chairing an event that has an event like that as a part of it. Secondly, I must have missed the post about three-legged races. Hmmm..
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I can't believe we wend several days without a post in this thread!
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As I hinted before, now that I've said I'll go my interest in planning has evaporated.
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No, no, that isn't it, Alex. It was all of that wonderful weather. Had people outside enjoying it all. :D
{or else like me their computer was being serviced.....or hogged up} |
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Make me feel better about what? I don't feel bad about anything.
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I didn't think so. Really, it was a bit sarcastic. But, I thought I'd rib blueerica a bit. :D I think she experienced a bit of awful weather...won't go there....her little adventure....yikes! Really, though, I enjoyed the weather. Friday late afternoon, when it was pouring, hailing {sp?}, thunder and lightning-ing, and the Boy was peeking through the blinds I told him to just open them wide up and we could enjoy it. He was surprised and we did. |
Alas, I normally like the weather... I get to stay in, not be lost anywhere.... ;)
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That sounded like a bit out of a horror movie....just don't look in the back seat!!! :eek:
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Maybe we just said all that needed to be said for the time being :)
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Oh, except I should say this.
I was toying with going but as I was folding my comforter that I have on my bed, lovingly carressing it's folds, I realized, I can not take this to go camping. I take this everywhere. I fold it up and sit on it {to smash the down and fit better} for our trips. So, if I had given the impression that I was considering it {because I was on another thread} I am now not. :( I will miss the hikes, the fun, and most definitely participating in the cooking. |
you and your comforter are welcome none the less Im sure
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Thank you. :) {I'll admit, that isn't the response I was expecting...more like 'A comforter toting gal like you just wouldn't fit in anyways'....} |
What we can't bring comforters? What about my feather mattress?
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We're bringing Ken's old down comforter for our bed. Nice and warm and snuggly! :D
Then again, we also bring a queen sized air mattress with portable frame, so we bring regular bedding instead of sleeping bags anyway. :) |
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Who said anything about not bringing comforters? I expect most folks will bring their most comfy, cherished, heirloom comforter to sleep snooky in their tents with.
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Really? In the middle of the summer? Isn't a sleeping bag enough? |
Yeah, I'll barely even bring a sleeping bag. But if someone does want a big blanket there's no reason they couldn't.
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I think we will be feeling out of place with our small tent, slef inflating camping pads and North Face Mummy Bags.
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If weather isn't great then I'll have a small tent and a sleeping bag. if it is fine then I'll have a tent that doesn't leave my trunk and a fleece sleepsack in which I'll just sleep outside on the ground, no pad (before going to sleep I'll throw a couple hot dogs on top of a neighboring tent so that when bears show up they'll be too distracted to eat me).
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In all seriousness, Alex. Bears are going to rummage through our campsite at night. Are you not concerned about sleeping outside where they will, at the very least, snif you at close range to see whether you are alive or if you are meat?
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Not really. If they had any interest in eating people, do you think tents would stop them?
When it comes to getting hassled by wildlife the bigger concern would be raccoons, which can be very aggressive. |
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:eek: :eek: Okay, I think it would scare the carp outta me. I've heard of them sniffing up the tents and that is bad enough but smelling me right on, agh! |
Well, think of it this way......the Bear/Alex meet will make for great stories.
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Honestly, assuming it didn't actually eat me how cool would it be to awake at 3 a.m. to a wild bear sniffing you? The momentary terror would be so worth it.
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You'd better bring 2 sleep sacks, because one may end up wet with pee.
Speaking of pee.......nevermind. Everyone does NOT need to know this. |
There are always two sleep sacks in the trunk. But I suspect I'd be really tempted to try and pet it. Or at least make sure it saw the hot dog on the next tent over.
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Soooo, Alex is sharing a campsite with who again? :)
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My last trip up to the Sequoias, I slept outside. One night, it was storming, so I went into a tent, only to have someone take video of a bear in my campsite during the wee hours of the morning. The bear did some gruesome things to a couple of small critters, apparently, but didn't bother any of the humans. And yeah, I'd sleep outside again, though I'd probably prefer it if someone else were sleeping outside in the vicinity. :) I'm bringing a 2-person pop-up in the event of rain. |
Oh, and if you see a bear, just be able to make a loud noise ASAP. They can be aggressive, but if you let them know you're in charge (a.k.a. big and loud) they tend to run off.
It's really not a big deal. Besides, being in a tent only puts a little less than a millimeter between you and the bear. It'd be like a gift wrapped snack for good 'ol Teddy. |
Apparently I'm sharing with blueerica.
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You kids have fun w/that... I'll be in my tent.
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And seriously, if I don't find a tentmate to aid in my insane bearnightfrights, I'm not even going.
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Maybe Cherny will invite you into our tent... you can keep him from trying to repopulate the planet with me :)
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I thought Laurie was going?
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Geesh. People scared of little ol' bears...... :p
Now, insects.... that's another story. And believe me, if I come into contact to an insect, the whole mountainside will hear the screams. :( I have a very serious phobia, but I survive. If anyone should ever see something crawling on me, just brush it off, and tell me I had a fuzzle or leaf or something. Otherwise, my skin will crawl for a good 24 hours, let alone I won't be able to sleep. |
You realize that now everybody will spend the entire weekend brushing you and saying things like "that was the most legs I've ever seen on a leaf!" and "I didn't know fuzzle has pincers!"
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:D (kidding...mostly) |
Oh man, I need to spread some mojo around before giving any more to Capt Jack
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Okay, I get the idea of making noises to scare them off.
And, I thought of you, Disneyphile, when there was a big giant mosquito right outside my front door last night {I also do not like bugs and will see/feel them everywhere once I've seen one....summertime, fleas, freckles, PITA}. True, I shouldn't be too afraid of bears. My s-i-l chased off a bear that was getting into their food supply during the night. Scared the kids she had with her senseless. {have they gone back? no.} BUT my idea of the tent is that the bears are not stupid. Sure, they can get into anything, tents, cars, etc. But, they know better. I think they feel what ever is out there in the open is for them. Something that always stuck with us was seeing a motorcycle with a big bite taken out of its' seat. Why? Did they person have food under the seat {a secret compartment?} are a very bad case of gas? Hmm...{it was so like 'Where's the cream filling??} OH and, anyone see the film about the guy who was mauled up in Alaska with his girlfriend by the bears? It was a very interesting movie and the talk here about no sex made me wonder if that could be what did them in? {no conversation value here unless anyone also saw the movie.....:D } |
I'm going to be really disappointed if we don't see any bears.
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when my brothers and I were kids, my dad would take us camping a lot. one year (in the Sequoias no less. I do believe it was even in the Dorst campground) our camp was raided by bears. they very expertly opened each and every cooler, ate near the entire contents (leaving us with nothing more than pancake mix and a few mint candies)
my dad aparrently discovered them during the raid and shined a flashlight on them. this alone made the pair run off. the bears are undoubtedly smart enough to know when the jig is up, but I for one will not be sleeping outdoors. the image of being sniffed/sampled in my sleep is enough to make me want that scant few mm of protection the tent will afford. trust me, the mole we discovered under the tent and the deer that chased my brother and I were by far more frightening. |
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LOL I never am. When we go to Yosemite they always say there are bear sightings but I never do. I look out in the meadows during our morning drives and nothing. I know I am being unrealistic, all of these years and never a sighting or a report of injury.... {moles are really scary! Gophers, too!! Big teeth!!} |
My Bro and SIL live just outside Yosemite. A neighbor of theirs came home to find the side (kitchen) door of her house open. She positioned her car so that her headlight were shinning into the kitchen door. There was a bear in her kitchen, standing on its hind legs with the freezer door open, a tub of ice cream in its arm, scooping ice cream into its mouth.
My worst wildlife experiences have been with rodents. |
I've never had a bad wildlife experience, they're all cool. And that includes the time we realized we were in a small lava tube belonging to a cougar, climbing a big rock and finding out that the whole thing was essentially a giant anthill, a bald eagle eating my hosts' cat, and waking up to rattlesnakes in places they shouldn't be.
The worst thing that could happen is you die. And I've never heard any dead people complain so I just assume it isn't that bad. Sure, some people complain about the dying part, but they're just whiners. |
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something hits the tent that sounded like a pine cone falling out of a tree. then another, then another and another. I open the window flap and shine my flashlight outside. for as far as the light would shine (it was one of those big cop-type maglights, so it went a considerable distance) were, from what I could see, kangaroo rats or some other vermin all running in one direction. almost like a lemming migration. they were crashing into everything, bouncing off the tent and trees, knocking everything in the campsite around and making a rukus to beat the band. needless to say, wifey was freaked out beyond all consolation. I have to admit it was pretty F'in strange. a minute later, theyre all gone and its dead silent again. she insisted we leave that morning and was well packed and sitting in the truck by the time sunrise came along. needless to say, that was the last camping trip for her. |
My worst nature experience (that I can think of right now) really wasn't all that bad. On my last trip to Utah, I went out to Antelope Island. It was a beautiful day, when we decided to walk up... Oh, I forget what it's called Bison Point, or Ridge or something. Anyhow, there were a few gnats, but nothing to worry about. As we ascended, it got worse, but... we were getting so close! The view was supposedly breathtaking, so gnats... pshaw! They were nothing compared to what we thought we would see. As we get to the top, the gnat situation was bordering on unbearable, the view was so-so (probably because we were spending our time swatting at the gnats sticking to our sweaty necks) and the way down was steep and awkward with grandmas and grandpas trying to make it up the steep and thin pathway.
Once back to solid ground, we cleared as many of the gnats off ourselves as we could, got into the car, spent the day elsewhere on the island, went home, took a shower and... AAAAAAAAAAACCCCCKKKKKK!!! Gnats going down the drain. Which meant gnats in my hair all day. And really, gnats aren't all that bad. But, now I've gotta go jump around the house because I feel gnats all over me again. |
N.A. - firstly, I am gratified and relieved you will be standing watch over our campground all night - - for that is the only time you are likely to see a bear.
And, alas, Laurie can't go. So if neither zapppop nor Gemini Cricket are up for it (and can get a retail/restaurant weekend off work), I'm seriously not going. It's not bears I'm really frightened of (but, yeah that 1 mm of tent nylon is to protect ME from seeing them, not them from getting at me). I had a very scary episode the last time I went camping. Freaked me and my girlfriend out. We almost abandoned our campsite and everyone in it to be butchered by something evil and supernatural ... but instead watched over the campsite till dawn from within the safety (and escape-readiness) of our vehicle. I won't be tent-sleeping alone ... ever again. |
this will be my first camping trip "alone" as it were (even though I'll be far from alone). alone as in no family or other heavily armed members of a party to assist in the event of the unforseen UFO/mutant martian bear attacks.
I can hardly wait! :D Quote:
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I like what the Ranger told us about bears before we went hiking in Denali: "Prey runs. You don't want to be prey. Stand your ground, be big and be loud. " |
Bears are also very lazy. They're kinda like giant cats.
On my last big campout up in the Angeles Forest, we had two of them wandering our site during the day. (It was a group campsite, but most of the group wasn't there yet, so there was a lot of open space.) We sat back, and watched them. One tried to look in the dumpster, but then couldn't get it open, so just wandered off slowly. The other sniffed around an empty picnic table, and then decided that was too much effort, so just flopped to the ground right next to it to relax in the shade. It laid there for about a half hour, occasionally cleaning itself, and just hanging out. We were about 30 feet away - it would glance at us from time to time, but couldn't bother getting back to its feet until it found interest in something else to do. |
yeah, thats been more like 90% of the bear encounters Ive had as well.
"ooh a bear!" "whats it doing?" "not a heck of a lot" "kewl!" |
iSm... I want you to go, and if it means sleeping in a tent, then by golly I'll do it!
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Yeah, we can't celebrate iSm's birthday w/out iSm!
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Yeah like that's going to happen. LOL |
Can someone add the bear box dimensions to the wiki? I know they're in this thread somewhere, but damned if I can find it...
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Note to self: buy bear suit. show up unexpectedly. scare people.
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You decide to do that, you pm me.
That I would show up for. :snap: |
Dude, Target has a bitchin' tent on sale right now, has a screened-in porch attached and everything: http://www.target.com/gp/detail.html...sin=B000E7ZK2M
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Wow this board sure has a lot of bears. :) I just realized!
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For the life of me I can't think of a reason why a porch on a tent would be useful.
Though I am still pissed that Lani and I managed to lose (likely by leaving in a rental car) our very expensive two-person, four-season tent a few years ago. Though for car camping the $40 Coleman from Wal-Mart has served us well since. |
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You fight the good fight Euro ;)
I think I've decided on a tent, but it's not the one I linked. Saw one I liked at Walmart for $67. |
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I've never been camping where anyone ever spent a moment in their tent before bedtime that didn't involve changing clothes, grabbing some needed item, or fvcking.
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I'm pretty sure the function is to eliminate the need for a screen house to eat in. At least that's how the picture kind of illustrates its use.
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I've been trying to search through these pages but been haven't able to find what I'm looking for with the rather limited time I have unfortunately due to my hellish job. Would someone mind recapping real quick what the decision is? It sounds as if a decision has been made, but perhaps I am mistaken.
When/Where? I'm all about the camping. Been forever since I've done it. I'll make the dough-boys, just like I used to back in Boy Scouts. |
The Wiki knows all. (Well, almost all. I don't think it knows which brand of hotdogs bears prefer, you'll have to ask Alex).
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Bears prefer Alex's hot dogs
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And if you are too lazy to wiki linky, the lowdown is - we have 5 campsites at Dorst Campground in Sequoia National Park, from Thursday, June 28 through and including Monday, July 2 (hmmm, why does that date ring a bell?)
We have room for 10 cars and potentially 30 people, but we're going to settle on 20 (unless more than that want to go). It's a $50 buy-in, whether you are coming for 2 days or all 5. At this point, we have plenty more room for plenty more people. We are planning fun activities - everything from cool hikes, cave explorations, a voyage to Kings Canyon and perhaps even wacky three-legged races (pants optional, NirvanaMan!) - that everyone will be free to choose from as they wish. Spots in Swank Camp are reserved by sending yours truly $50 per person, via check, money order or PayPal. It's going to be a blast. [/summary] |
Oh, and add your name to the Wiki (password is 123456) so we know you're coming and what days you'll be there.
Food will be decided upon when we know who is camping. |
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Fixed.
OMG, Not Afraid caught me in a typo! |
We are on the border of running out of parking spaces!
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Gemini Cricket and zapppop have been uninterneted for a while ... but in speaking with them, I don't get the impression Gemini Cricket is too keen on this ... and while zapppop wants to go, I'm not sure he'll be able to. Oh, and NA's pals who just joined LoT are coming, so that's two more. But roughly I think we are just about where we thought in terms of numbers. And if we go over by a car or two, we'll just have to work out better carpooling arrangements. |
Missing from the list now - and interesting in going - are Kara / Traci and Kevin / Susan. We probably need to start a carpool list going next then get food plans going.
We can probably fit at least one additional person in the Volvo and, in a pinch (and I do mean pinch) 2 (depending on the size of their gear). Two of the vehicles are Minis - which is great. They will offset our other behemoths. The trick will be to match travel dates with locations, car size and gear. |
Since I'll likely be unable to help in the carpooling department if people are giving up space to passengers, I'd be happy to haul in foodstuffs if given shopping lists.
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Alex, are you driving the peddle car? ;)
Civics are relatively small as well. |
Well, I'd say I'd really really really really really like to go. The job/housing flux is such a factor right now.
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A car will have to be rented that weekend. Either I'll use it to get there or I'll leave it for Lani and use the Civic.
But if it is just me and my minimal camping gear, I'd be able to haul a lot of stuff (half a trunk, the entire back seat, and the front passenger seat if need be). No probably not everything (especially perishables that would have to be put in coolers) but a fair amount if it would help anybody. (And the people getting their before me would obviously need to eat for a day anyway). |
I can't wait to go camping. Well, I'll have to. But I can't wait.
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We need Bornieo there in a bear suit. Hell, I'd even pay for the suit rental! :evil:
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I really really really really want to go...
But that is a very profitable time of year for me. |
But you could be back in time for the clean-up Fourth of July weekend, er, um, middle-of-the-week.
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After all the bug talk~
Sitting watching 'Night at the Museum' I feel something on my arm. I think it is just a hair but look over and it is a pincher bug!!! :eek: I brush it off but then realize the little sh!t will be crawling around the floor so I find it and throw it out. Then, while sitting here at the computer, a spider runs across the desk. :eek: Quickly thinking I capture it underneath my glass coffee cup. I may or may not let it go. |
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LOL Oh, okay. :)
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Okay...that's enough. Stop trying to scare the living daylights out of Disneyphile. LOL She deserves better.
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I'll keep you guys up to date on it...but I am not sure if I would have enough green to make the scene out there. We'll see.
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My imagination works overtime. What concerns me is that any scent will attract everything {I use unscented deodorants/soaps/lotions} but what about bug repellants? And, a worker at Camp Curry told me that if I smoked in my car it would kill the odors from our barbecue....just an idea.... |
then we need to add 'fly swatter' to the stuff to bring list
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Millions of people camp in the Sierras every summer. Exactly two of them are eaten by wildlife.
This year that will happen on June 16. So you'll be perfectly safe. |
Alex, while I don't think it will prove practical for people to relay their grocery orders to you ... perhaps you could be in charge of bringing wood (which we would all contribute to the price of), and be the official firewood transporter for this excursion.
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That might be a better idea but it suddenly occurs to me that what I was suggested would break the Zeroth rule of group camping:
Rule 0: You never, ever, rely on one person to bring all the food. If you do that person will invariably flake out, flame out, or otherwise expire in transit leaving you with nothing to eat. |
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We have one of those electric ones. We call it the Redneck Tennis Racket. :evil: Fun for everyone! (Yes, it's a battery-operated bug zapper that looks like a small racket.) |
FYI - Re Food stuff.
In 3-Rivers there is a small Mom/Pop market that was really good. Then down the hill there are Markets within an hour drive. So, a run down a few times for supplies isn't impossible! :) |
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(yes, I like MRE's. I think it is the high amount of salt in them.) |
even if theyre terrible Ive lived on worse things for weeks on end. a couple days wouldnt kill me.
and yeah, Im a horrid salt fiend myself. |
Wow I have never seen one of those MRE things before, pretty cool!!! The food looks like your typical microwave food.
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I won't stand for such a thing during our camping trip ....
... but it sounds perfect for the one or two meals zapp and I are going to miss down at Phantom Ranch (where the nearest store is two miles - - straight up!) * * * * * Alex - yeah, I'm aware of the zeroeth rule ... and so I wouldn't put the entire firewood burden on you. But I think we would be willing to risk putting a vast part of it on you, seeing that - if you flake or flame* - we can always get firewood in the Park itself, or make an emergency run to the foothills for it. * I wouldn't suggest flaming with all that wood in the car. |
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we can do 'bug shots'!
bzzzzzzzt! ok, everyone take a drink! |
Zeroth Rule doesn't apply to firewood (especially in areas where it can be bought easily). Just food.
We did that once and the guy who was supposed to bring the food didn't show up until a day late. He didn't seem to see the problem with that. |
Spam Spam Spam Spam Spammity Spam Spam Wonderful Spam Wonderful Spam!!!
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I just pictured combining the two and half of us coming home hungover with waffle patterns on our faces.
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(Yeah, while the button's depressed, don't touch the mesh. Ken experimented with that and found out the hard way. ;) ) The coolest thing though - the bigger the bug, the bigger the blue flash. The thing puts out some serious mini lightning with a loud "zzzzzt!" It's worth using just for the light show. :evil: |
Aww! This sounds like such fun I'll have to pitch my tent!
And by tent I mean Hotel in a neighboring city. Ally + severe allergies + fear of snakes + fist sized insects + general foo foo girliness = the indoor type. :( |
I knew it... walmart.com HAS removed items from its tent listing. I was in the store the other day and they have (the tent I'm thinking of getting), which is NOT on their site, AND they have a Coleman tent that's $5 cheaper in the store (where there is no shipping charge either!)
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