What five things do you like to have when... - Wild Texas Forums: Parks, Travel & Recreation

campermom · 05-25-2006, 10:05 AM

....you are camping. Not the major things like, food, tent, clothes, the obscure, frequently forgotten items that make camping easier or more enjoyable.

1. electric blankets in winter
2. bungee cords, lots of them
3. dominoes ( they wont blow in the wind, can get wet, and kids can play)
4. travel journal
5. :rolleyes:

Shannon · 05-25-2006, 11:44 AM

Great thread idea, campermom!

Bird field guide (for identifying birds we might not ordinarily see at/closer to home.) It's easier than trying to make a mental note of what the bird looks like and remembering it until we get back home. (We can't draw, and even when we try, even Audubon himself wouldn't be able to make out what we'd observed from our chickenscratch!)
Hand lotion -- after washing off the bug spray, sunscreen and dirt/dust, lotion is a nice treat to feel somewhat human again. UNSCENTED if you're in bear country and/or your camping partners aren't keen on smelling gardenia/lavender/etc. throughout their camping trip with you.
Reading materials -- Almost never really read more than part of a paperback or a magazine, but it's nice to have something for downtime. That said, sleep usually comes easily when camping due to the day's activities and peaceful lullaby's of birds, crickets, owls and such.
Marshmallows -- I can't remember the last time I roasted marshmallows, but I know I wasn't even a teenager yet so by most standards that was forever-and-a-day ago. I need to pack some on my next camping trip, whenever that might be!
A travel pillow -- I need good neck support and always forget to find a nice small travel pillow. Thus, I invariably complete camping trips with a crick (or two) in my neck. I try to make a soft cushion for my head with a soft canvas duffle and spare/dirty clothes inside for padding, but it doesn't quite cut it.

For me, a camera and travel journal are must-haves.

Turn Key · 05-25-2006, 11:44 AM

Assuming DW and Tilly are already there, I want the following:
1) Digital camera, bird books, binoculars and notebook (Bundled these because they all go together)
2) Pair of FRS radios (Saves a lot of hollering when I'm backing the "5th" :laugh: )
3) Hiking staffs
4) Firewood and BBQ "stuff"
5) DVD's and CD's
I work with a "check list". Saves my poor, tired brain from having to remember everything :rolleyes: !

Happy Camping!

Shannon · 05-25-2006, 11:51 AM

Oooh, I forgot the hiking staffs! Ever since my knee surgery that's become more of a "MAN, I wish I'd remembered to bring..." item and less of a "It might be nice to have..." item. My knee's well mended and all, but it definitely complains more frequently and more loudly than my 'normal knee' when hiking these days.

I haven't been hiking since we got our mountain bikes, but a mountain bike would definitely make a camping trip even more fun for us, now. That way we could explore some trails on 2 wheels and others on 2 legs and see a little more of the park that way.

Turn Key · 05-25-2006, 12:17 PM

Quote:

Ever since my knee surgery that's become more of a "MAN, I wish I'd remembered to bring..." item and less of a "It might be nice to have..." item.

Yep, I know the feeling. I keep ours in the trailer most of the time. One less thing I have to think about and they're still there if we need them while at home.

Happy Camping!

campermom · 05-25-2006, 02:38 PM

The staffs are part of the essential gear. If not being used for their primary purpose, they can be used as a lightsaber, a boat oar, a gun, a bow ( must find arrows around site), and other things a 6 YO can dream up.

The lotion is a nice idea. I usually have some in the toiletry kit ( the nice smelling kind so you can smell civilized ), but don't usually bring it out til shower time.

The camera is a given. A scrapbooker is lost without photos. As for the pillow, I usually use a rolled up Old Navy logo fleece hoodie. The hood comes in handy in colder weather, while in the sleeping bag, cover your head but not the face. That's a whole 'nuther thread..."Can you sleep totally enclosed in a sleeping bag or do you have to have your head stick out?"

The bird book is a great idea. The in-laws have one in their kitchen for those yard birds. Learning to identify never seen birds would be fun for the kiddos (and adults).

Good stuff people.:yes:

4everfrio · 05-25-2006, 02:59 PM

Five things, five things, you are asking alot. A pack rat has nothing on me!
So, here are a few of my favorites.
A 12volt air compressor. It is a life saver when repairing bicycle tires and float tubes.
A 12volt air blower.(i guess you call it that) for airing up floats and mattress.
Parachute cord. It has a 1000&1 uses.
A headlight. Invaluable when setting up in the dark.
A good can opener. Not some cheap dollar store special.

I could go on and on. I also make a list for the trip. It drives my wife crazy. But, I rarely need anything after arriving at camp.

Turn Key · 05-26-2006, 07:37 AM

Quote:

It drives my wife crazy...

I don't have to worry about that. DW has her OWN lists

!

Happy Camping

ploddinTod · 05-26-2006, 11:53 AM

1) Spare batteries
2) Sunscreen/Sunblock
3) Asprin, ibuprofen, etc
4) Antibiotic cream for minor cuts and scrapes

I like the headlamp idea. I even use mine for household chores in dimly lit areas, like the attic.

Also the hiking staff can act as a weapon to ward off hard charging javelinas and the like.

Or it can simply be used to move itzie bitzy spider's web from your forehead. Or hopefully before it reaches your forehead.

The making of a list comment is a good one. Then you can make copies to have available for your next trip.

kath · 05-26-2006, 04:00 PM

we tend to go camping with as little as possible
but i have to say these things

1. a oven mitt ( seems like im always forgetting it)
2. the firewood ( 1 outta 3 times we forget)
3. a battery operated fan( since we tend to camp in non electric sites, cant live without it in the summer time
4. Spare batterys!
5. cant think of anything else LOL im used to roughing it and you can always make do with whats available. the truck is usually packed with camping gear all yr round anyways, the basics atleast hehe

as in the time we forgot the fire grill, not at a state park but private one with no fire rings, well luckly we were camped by a lake, flat rocks can really be handy

DALEoutside · 06-06-2006, 10:44 AM

1. unscented baby wipes: essential for cleaning up little hands, but also refreshing grown up faces on super hot days. Also great for wiping down the tablecloth before a meal.
2. tweezers: obviously for splinters, but sometimes find other uses
3. duct tape: just as useful sometimes as those essential bungee cords
4. pack of cards: gotta love 'em for those lazy evenings
5. bug catcher: If you don't camp w/kids, insert your own essential here, but for us this is a biggie. Captures unusual flora and fauna, plus bugs, moths, lizards and frogs. Hours and hours of fun!

DayTripper · 06-06-2006, 06:52 PM

Most of my essentials have been listed already, but here are a few I didn't see.

1) My ancient, battered, and coffee-stained coffee pot to put on the open campfire to get that good cup of coffee I can't seem to get anywhere else;
2) A bandana. It wipes away sweat, dries wet hands, cools my neck when dipped in a cool Hill Country stream, doubles as a mitt for picking my coffee pot from the fire, and performs myriad other duties.
3) A good hat or cap. Besides providing shade in summer and holding in heat in winter, it makes a good swatter for pesky insects.

Turn Key · 06-07-2006, 10:17 AM

Quote:

2) A bandana. It wipes away sweat, dries wet hands, cools my neck when dipped in a cool Hill Country stream, doubles as a mitt for picking my coffee pot from the fire, and performs myriad other duties.

Didn't think to mention this one. Keep about a half dozen in the trailer and have another dozen or so at home. Handy little buggers

.

HAppy Camping!

dwalsdorf · 06-07-2006, 05:15 PM

My fav:

Foil
Plastic trash bags
dish drying rack
tiny hang-up "lamp" for tent
a GOOD camp chair--lounger, preferably!

oops, almost forgot--Yard Guard

07-16-2006, 08:59 PM

this poses some what of a dilema as if one is camping or hiking there is the small detail of carried weight versus actual enjoyable usage of such items. the hiking staff is definetely a must.
next would be a harmonica, whether for personal enjoyment or sheer aggrevation of fellow campers.
then a small lightweight hatchet, gerber and fiscars both offer a composite handled german steel model
lets see thats three, dominoes are a good time passer; stainless steel is both weather proof and can be used as small throwing objects in dire situations
and finally a personal hydration bladder saves space and is generally in its own carrying unit