Camping

[PrincessPerky]

I have never in my life been camping but, so far renting a tent site looks a lot cheaper than a hotel.

Does anyone have any knowledge of KOA campgrounds or actual camping in a tent experience?

Do you think it is possible with a pregnant lady a 1 year old and a 3 year old? (and a cranky sleepy wonderful man .)

Is there anything in particular I should look for to make it cheaper/easier on us?

Do tents come big enough for all 4 of us? (not trusting my 1 year old or 3 year old in a seperate tent!) The only picture I have in my mind of a tent is of the ultra tini kind that says 2 person and means 2 tiny 100 lb people.

[jmjj215]

B/c you have little kids I'd recommend the two-room tents. It seems when you camp w/ little ones and you're all in the same room they just don't seem to understand that it's time to go to bed! It's play time.

The last camping experience with family I had there was a huge windstorm and our tent came down during the middle of the night - 3 times.

The next day when we were out sight-seeing we came back to our campsite and a lodgepole pine and fallen on it length-wise. One suitcase was upright and now looks like a V. I was just so thankful nobody was in the tent when it happened!

We stayed in a motel the rest of the trip This was in Yellowstone by the way.

[kashi]

Camping is great, but you might want to try it once before you go on your trip. Borrow someone's stuff and try it out. Yes, you could get a tent that fits four. How pregnant will you be when you go on your trip? Sleeping on the ground (even with a camping mat) can be pretty hard on a normal body, much less a pregnant body.

I've camped in a KOA in a tent and in a camper cabin. Both were great (though the camper cabin was more comfortable, since it has actual bunk beds to sleep on). Definitely bring a cooler for food, sleeping bags, something to sleep on (camping mats, blow up mattress, etc), and firewood. Baby wipes are good to have on hand to clean up with, but I'm sure you'll have plenty of those with you!

[PrincessPerky]

Thanks for the advice/warnings

We were plannning on testing it out in the backyard first, figure out the worst kinks 7 feet from home rather than 7 hours .
I will be 7 or 8 months pregnant, I know not hte best time to go on vacation much less camping! but not really to many options for the budget.

[shawni]

I would definately do a search in the area you are visiting for campgrounds. Many of them now have cabins or trailers you can rent. It is not as cheap as tent camping, but definately cheaper than a hotel and probably more comfortable for all of you.

[mbhunter]

My wife grew up camping. I didn't. I agreed to go on a camping trip.

We had a "three person" tent that made me so claustrophobic that I freaked out.

Well, on the way home from that camping trip we ran across an Ames that was going out of business. We got a very nice 8-person for $135 (25% off). This one has a ton of room and you can stand up in it without much trouble unless you're extremely tall (we're not). Plus, there are extra rooms that can be "zippered off" for kiddies. We went on a camping trip the following year and this one worked great.

Air mattresses are nice to have so that you don't kill your back.

John

[PrincessPerky]

We went looking into tents yesterday, I found a couple with the room options (sleeps 7), I think we will be getting one of those. It was about 140 we also saw some almost the same that were like 240 for similar demensions, any idea why so varied a price?

I got DH a bit more excited about the prospect, they have 'little mini grills'! Like the size of a briefcase, and then the propane. He was getting into 'stuff' which I am glad for the enthuseasim, but trying to save money here! Ah well. Still debating.

I am worried about space, we found out yesterday that three carseats will fit accross the back of the car (need that in October) but the trunk isn't growing any, and camping stuff will take up a lot of space!

[jmjj215]

I know the material can play a big factor in price. Some tents are built (and priced) to survive in a warzone. Others are so cheap you can practically see through them.

[PrincessPerky]

hmm don't need a warzone, but I also don't need peeping bears .

[jodi]

When we go camping, I bring along the air mattress - we have a big enough tent to accomodate it. I would definitely think about that being prego.
My in-laws always used to rent a cabin for a week at a state park during the summer. It was great! It had about 4 or 5 beds, a kitchen, working plumbing - all for a little more than $100 or $150 a week (can't remember exactly). DH wants to take our son camping this summer and I think that may be the way to go for us.

[mom-from-missouri]

you will also want to get a big plastic tarp-set that down then put you tent on it--keeps the sticks from poking thru, and keeps the floor of your tent dry. check out where you will be camping to make sure they allow tents--yellowstone doesnt anylonger due to bears--we were there last year and stayed in the rv-same with the tetan mountain range. but grandcanyon did allow tents. some tent camping is seasonal--due to what animals are having their young at the time. We use a couple of big rubbermaid rainproof containers. one has the camping stuff, and the other the food-keeps it dry if it rains. we also dont use suitcases--too hard to back--everyone gets a backback or duffle bag as they can be stuffed in the vehicle easier. plus they can double up when hiking. we keep our food and clothes that we are not using in the vehicle also-keeps critters away, and the tent less crowded. take rope-you can hang dry towels, swimsuits and such just string it from tree to tree

[mom-from-missouri]

another thing you may want to check out is renting a camper, or a motorhome. since the gas prices have risen, people are not renting them as much and the prices have dropped. my cousin rented one last week for $75 a day plus had to fill it back up. they give him free milage. you have your own kitchen, bath...be a lot easier on a preg woman! motorhome goes where you go. camper stays there. you could even drive to pgh, and rent a camper there when you got there. just an idea you may want to check out. you would want a campsite with full hookups-electric, water and sewer.