Camping vs B&B - time away

[FrugalTexan75]

HI! I am planning on being moved out of my place and into wherever I'm moving into, by May 29 (Sunday). Once that is done, I am wanting to do the Calgon thing - take a few days off away from the world. Then of course, once I got back, it would be back to the rat race of trying to find a new job.

As I see it, there are two options which appeal to me.

1 - Stay at a Bed and Breakfast in Fredricksburg (a place I've never been, and have wanted to see), San Antonio (lived there for a number of years, but wouldn't mind seeing Riverwalk,etc again) or Tyler (land of Roses), or I even found a Ranch, and one by a lake. For three nights stay, it would run right around $350 - $500 at these various places. Then of course you'd have to add in any activities or shopping I might do while there, as well as eating out. So, 3 nights/4 days could possibly run me up to $600+.
Staying at a Bed and Breakfast is something I've never done before, but have always wanted to try. Of course, since I would be doing it by myself (which really is the whole point of this time away - being by myself) the places have a tendancy to not like single occupancy guests. Also, I in a way, think it would be more enjoyable to experience a B&B for the first time, WITH someone.

2) Go camping somewhere (preferablly near a lake) for 5 nights/6 days.
I don't own any camping supplies, but I do know people who would more than likely be willing to loan me them. I also think my dad would be willing to let me use his GMC so I'd have more room for hauling equipment.
I would be able to pack all my food ahead of time, so the only real expense would be whatever the campground charged for a campsite, gas, and buying whatever food I don't alredy have stockpiled, as well as 5 or 6 fire starter logs for my campfire. So, I think that probably the most this option would cost me would be maybe $200, if that.

My main concerns about camping though is first of all, how safe would it be for me to be camping alone. Also, I'm not sure how good I would be at setting a tent up all by myself.
My main concern about the B&B is how much money it could possibly end up costing. My last paycheck will be June 30. If I haven't found a job by then, that will mean I'll be going into major belt-tightening frugality. If I spend that $600+ on a 3 day revitalization trip, would it down the road mean that I've cut off 3/4 of a month's worth of comfort level? Also, if I did forego the B&B trip NOW, I could possibly still go on it LATER once I had a job again, only just for a weekend trip.

Ok, so what is your advice? Should I go for the B&B trip of 3 nights/4 days, or should I go for the camping trip of 5 nights/6 days?? If you think I should go for the camping trip, please offer me suggestions as to what kind of food I could bring along which doesn't require much in the way of storage or preperation. (I was thinking a lot of Peanut Butter and Jelly sandwiches and a lot of my favorite Granola Bars - but I think five days of just that might get a bit old). Also, anyone in Texas or in nearby Oklahoma, do you have any suggestions as to good campgrounds???

Thanks to anyone who managed to read through all of this, and doubly thanks to anyone who might respond with an idea or suggestion.

Keeping It Frugal In Texas,
Laura

[terry1156]

Wow - those are two complete opposites. My first suggestion would be if you have never camped before, borrow the tent and a sleeping bag and pitch it in your back yard for a night and see how you do. Some people love camping while others hate it and a B&B and camping can be on the extreme opposite on the comfort scale.

[mom-from-missouri]

I agree with Terry. We go camping alot. Both in our RV and in the tent. If you opt for the camping, here are a few suggestions to save you more money.

#1. Take your firewood, or charcoal and lighter fluid with you. If you buy it on site, you will end up paying for the entire tree. I keep my lighter fluid in a old small hard plastic container, in the event of a spill. I have seen firewood go for $35 a bundle, and charcoal for $10 a bag.

#2 Also, your weiner sticks and maybe a toast holder. Sticks and holder are about $1.99 at Walmart. To buy them at the campsite, you may pay closer to $10. Same with bugspray and sunscreen.

#3 Set up your camp while its still daylight. You may get help from nearby campers, and you wont get frusterated and end up at a hotel.

#4Call ahead and reserve your site. Campare rates. I have seen sites as little as $7 per day to over $100. Sites change prices daily if there are events going on-they may raise the price.

#5 You may want to see about buying a camping membership. I bought mine with KOA and got a good deal-I got a free night camping for buying it, then everytime I stay at a KOA campground, I get a discount. 3 Nights of camping paid for my membership, which was/is still good for more camping. They also have a book that shows all their campsites. Some libraries have a copy of this that you can look at.

#6 Take you food with you in a cooler. The stores at campsites charge an arm and a leg.

#7 State parks and national parks offer the best "quiet" camping.

[Susapalooza]

Laura, I really loved family camping when I was a kid I've never camped alone...but it sounds so appealing. If you go on a hike in a national or state park, it won't hurt to let the ranger know where you'll be. If you're isolated, be prepared for emergencies such as poisonous snakebite or the appearance of bears. You may also want to consider carrying a legal means of personal protection (whatever's permitted in your area).

Here's a general site on personal safety by the Kingman, Kansas, police department. You might want to look under the "Recreational Safety" section: http://www.cityofkingman.com/safety.html

For a USDA article on food safety while hiking or camping: http://www.fsis.usda.gov/Fact_Sheets...ting/index.asp

Whether you choose the B&B option or decide to camp, have a wonderful time.

[skipper]

If it were me I would hold off until I found employement I would take my trip just before my start date so that I could be rejuvinated for the rat race of a new job. My choice would definately be the BB but I am not into camping its just to much work and not enough vacation for me

[kashi]

Some campgrounds have camper cabins. That might be a more appealing option for you if you are wary about the tent, but it will be more expensive than tent camping (though less expensive than the B&B).

I've only stayed at a B&B once, and there was a single woman there who had been there for a couple of days. I think she was just as appreciated as everyone else. In fact, she was one of the most interesting people to chat with during breakfast!

In my experience, camping for 5-6 days is too long (even with other people). Unless you're staying at a place with showers, you tend to feel dirty and unkept after a couple of days. Definitely bring some pepper spray to fend off any beasts (or strange men). I think if you stayed in a populated place (and did car camping as opposed to hike-in camping) you'd feel pretty safe, but it may not be the quiet and relaxation you were hoping for if there are tons of people in the campground. Also, consider your sleeping materials. Last time we went, we brought a blow up mattress because we were car camping and didn't have to lug it into the backcountry (yes, lame, I know), but it was the best night's sleep I've had camping. Several nights of sleeping on the ground or on a thin camping mat will make for a painful back if you aren't accustomed to it.

I think mom from missouri has some great suggestions about camping!

Could you combine the two ideas? Camp for a few days and then spend one evening in a bed and breakfast? Or stay in a cheap hotel for a couple of nights and finish out the trip in a bed and breakfast? Since B&Bs are usually so expensive (but oh so nice, especially if your room has a jacuzzi and fireplace), it might be more frugal to just spend one night.

I wanted to add that I agree with Terry, if you plan to go the camping route, definitely practice setting up and tearing down the tent before you go.

[FrugalTexan75]

Thanks everybody for your comments and suggestions. I have been camping before, not a lot, but enough to know that I do enjoy it. I don't own any camping gear myself because everytime I've gone I've either gone with a large group where I was able to borrow from other people/share tent space, or with my family.

I would definitely get my food and other supplies ahead of time. I wouldn't want to spend more than I had to.

I have looked into the possibility of a cabin on a couple different campgrounds. The ones I've found so far have been about the same as a inexpensive to middle hotel ($30 - $50/night). I would definitely be doing car camping and not hike-in camping - that's something I've never done before, and wouldn't want to start it alone.

I will definitely check out the websites on safety. Thanks!

The reason I want to do this before I actually get started on looking for a job, is because RIGHT NOW I am really feeling like I need this time away, and I don't kow how long it will take me to find another job, or how fast it would start. I also don't want to wait till too late in the season when it gets too hot.

Thanks again everyone, you have all given me food for thought.

Keeping It Frugal in Texas,
Laura

[marjorie]

If you're looking for some more immediate relief, KOA is offering free camping for May 13 at a number of locations. I haven't camped before, but one of the options offered for the location I chose was a Kottage. Heck, for free it's worth dragging the "kids" (20s) to try it once. If it works out I could see more summer weekends away than would otherwise be possible.