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NEXT UP...

No. 71 on my 101 in 1001 list is to go camping which, as you might imagine, is not a strong suit of mine. In fact, I really only want to go if it looks something like this...
I won't hold my breath ;) Have any of you been (and enjoyed!) camping? Teach me your ways! 

*all images by Sarah Kehoe

30 comments:

(Eileen) a creative day said...

I like camping... only when its by the lake or ocean and I bring my blow up mattress and wine :-)

Unknown said...

i'm not a camper as well

Unknown said...

As a girl raised in Idaho, I have to say I've done my fair share of camping! I love it...it is soooo fun...if you can, bring an air mattress for the tent...definitely helps, especially if you are camping for more than a couple of days. Bring a jug of water (use for toothbrushing, facewashing, etc...unless you're at a place where tap is available. Just enjoy the beauty of nature...and keep the bug spray on! Bring some good drinks and stuff to roast on the fire. www.styleoyster.blogspot.com

Lisa said...

No matter what, check the weather before you go to bed. Being woken up with a huge storm in the middle of the night not only takes the fun out of it, but it's dangerous.

Camping can be fun! Just be prepared! Pack smart - it's not just having the right things, but being organized and knowing where it is!

Anonymous said...

I would not peg myself as a camper (more of a city girl shopper), but I fell in love with a guy who is big on camping and so I've become a seasoned camper, at first unwillingly, now willingly. He first introduced me to it by getting me some North Face/EMS gear, saying he thought I'd like the activity more if I had the right outfit. Damn right. Smart man. Now he jokes that "my transformation" is complete because I celebrated my 25th this year with friends and family camping... and it was my idea :)

The key to having fun camping, especially the first time, is to go with someone who has done it before, be prepared (it's always colder in the woods than you think and having a sleeping mat is key) and suspend your everyday reality a little. Get comfortable wearing the same pants for a few days and getting a little dirty. It's well worth it. There's something awesome about no cell phone service and rising with the sun. Have fun! And get in touch if you need campground recommendations, I've been to so many good ones in the NYC area and in the Adirondacks.

Stephanie said...

I don't do camping. Unless it's like this - check out feather down farms. You will love it. You get the camping experience but on a farm, and most importantly, there is a bed and a toilet. And each tent sleeps a few - make it a girls weekend and bring some wine and relax. Close to nature, but not sleeping on it.
www.featherdown.com

Cerrissa said...

Just the other day my BF asked when we could go on vacation... and by vacation he meant camping, which is not my idea of vacation because, like you i'm not very experienced. To me it seems a bit more stressful than relaxing-- will I get eaten by a bear? will it rain? I have to pee in the woods?! He allayed my fears by saying to always check the weather before you go, we would go to a campsite with bathrooms, and don't leave food out to attract animals. I guess I'm recommending to go with someone who has experience camping and start with baby steps to getting back to nature :)

Anonymous said...

Haaa. I don't think I'd be a very good camper. :-/ These pics make it look fun though. xo

Goldylocks and the Barrows said...

Pack for all weather types just in case. Don't bring clothes you mind being ruined... it can happen. Bring a case of bottled water, a good book, sunscreen and good shoes for walking/hiking.
And make a menu before you go for each meal and plenty of snacks.
The most important thing is your attitude. If you tell yourself you will have a good time, you will. If you have any reservations before you go they will come out.

Kellie said...

I am not an outdoorsy girl at all & all I can say is go camping where there are porta potties. The peeing in the woods part was my least favorite.

Unknown said...

We love camping by the beach, in an RV....for two nights at the most. Other than that, we'll take a resort with poolside service!

xx The Sunkissed Sisters

www.etsy.com/shop/sunkissedsisters

Unknown said...

We love camping by the beach, in an RV....for two nights at the most. Other than that, we'll take a resort with poolside service!

xx The Sunkissed Sisters

www.etsy.com/shop/sunkissedsisters

Alexa said...

I am not really a camper, but I've been a couple of times, and the best is sitting by the campfire with a glass of wine and good friends. Nice to be in nature!

Portuguese Prepster said...

I have irrational fears of bugs so camping might not be for me. Unless it's in someone's backyard with lots of wine included!

Maca said...

I actually like camping. It took me a while but for me it was all about managing my expectations. I have to say I draw the line when the bathroom is a shovel! :P

The Everything List said...

a few years ago i did camping on the beach one night. it was fun but i still prefer to have normal bathroom facilities.

http://lachapstickfanatique.blogspot.com

Tiffany Leigh said...

I love camping and have been going since I was a little girl! Not to sound all hippy dippy, but you really do come to appreciate and feel connected to your natural environment. Cooking over the campfire makes it all complete!

Grace said...

I've been camping...it's alright, haha! I do enjoy just pretending to be in Moonrise Kingdom and making s'mores, though.

Anonymous said...

I love camping! Definitely take an air mattress (a big double bed kind). Ask if you can borrow a little gas stove for making eggs and bacon for breakfast. Block ice keeps a cooler colder longer. Skip the makeup, rock the sweats/shorts. Bring a flashlight and your own toilet paper even if you're staying somewhere with a plumbed outhouse... I usually pack WetOnes too, incase they don't replace the soap quickly. S'mores make it all worth it!

Anonymous said...

I love camping! Definitely take an air mattress (a big double bed kind). Ask if you can borrow a little gas stove for making eggs and bacon for breakfast. Block ice keeps a cooler colder longer. Skip the makeup, rock the sweats/shorts. Bring a flashlight and your own toilet paper even if you're staying somewhere with a plumbed outhouse... I usually pack WetOnes too, incase they don't replace the soap quickly. S'mores make it all worth it!

Anonymous said...

You just gotta go for it, pack the lululemon or target layers put your hair up with a huge headband and snag the bug spray!

Megan @ From Megan, With Love said...

i'm like you! butttt.. i've been forced on a few camping trips and have survived ok. make sure you bring bug spray, face cleaning wipes, comfy clothes, and some alcohol of your choice!

genevieve zoe said...

i love camping! it's a blast if you do it right!
1) go with people who WANT to have a good time. it's all about attitude when you're dealing with the elements.
2) make sure you bring the right clothes, and more often then not, this means layers! in the northeast what starts off as a hot a sunny day often ends chilly and rainy.
3) make sure you bring a flashlight, or even better a headlamp, for walking around your campsite at night (and bonus! many campsites have regular toilets and hot and cold water now!)
4) your favorite beer and s'mores gear. you'll end your trip on a high note!

have fun! check out some pics from a recent camping trip i did here: http://cestlavie-ver.blogspot.com/2012/08/girls-gone-wild-sort-of.html

Emily @ Little Bits of Delight said...

My favorite camping tips:

Air mattress = totally worth looking high maintenance
Dry shampoo = a godsend!

And this one - pre-make a special breakfast ahead of time to impress the heck out of your camping-mates. I love to make lemon-ricotta pancake batter (recipe from williams sonoma) ahead of time, then fry 'em up in the morning. Delish!

Have fun!

Laura said...

Oh my gosh, these camping pictures are adorable!! I actually completely and totally love camping, we went all summer long growing up all over the midwest! My advice: lots of hot cocoa and smores ingredients, and cozy comfy fleece and blankets for the fire at night. Fall camping is the best! Oh, and if you love wine- they make wine glass holders that you screw into the ground that hold your glasses up!

Peaches Burlap Sack said...

This post made me laugh out loud as it brought back memories of my husband and I camping. Long story short, it poured down rain and our air mattress was "floating" we had so much water running under the tent. It felt just like a water bed! Needless to say, we haven't been back.

Melissah said...

I love camping but the 5 star kind. We have lots of upmarket camping here in Australia :- proper beds, flushing loos, stylish bathrooms, timber floorboards, waterproof canvas & stylish restaurants. If you are not a fan of roughing it this is a perfect solution. I am sure you must have them in the States too.
x
Melissah from Scrapbook

Shaleesa Mize said...

As a child, my family took annual camping trips around the northwest (places like Wyoming, Montana, South Dakota, etc). From this experience I have probably some of the best childhood memories, especially with my brother who is two years older than me. Driving along the VERY long roads in the middle of nowhere, we would play in the camper (possibly illegal?) and make faces out the window at people as they drove by.

Some of the craziest things happened while camping also, including being evacuated during the fire in Deadwood, South Dakota, where we had to stay in a Red Cross Shelter. We had very scary people banging on our door and running up and down the halls crying. So my mom and dad decided to put us back in the car after midnight and we ended up sleeping in a parking lot.

So, basically, what I am trying to say is, camping brings some of the most memorable experiences, even if they seemed awful or boring or whatever at the time.

I am really excited that I ran across your list! I am a list-maker myself, and I think I will try this as well :)
Thanks!

Katie said...

If traditional camping isn't your thing, I would check out 'glamping'. It looks like a blast. Basically it's 'glamour' and 'camping'.
http://www.linternaute.com/voyage/expert/52383/quand-le-glam-rsquo--s-rsquo-invite-au-camping---le-glamping.shtml
(Sorry, the article I read was in French, but you can translate it!)

Anyway, best of luck with that list. You've actually inspired me to make one of my own!

Unknown said...

What we have here is one reason we go on family camping trips every year. It's just so much fun The only problem we ever had was how to fit everyone in the campervan brisbane.