Ian and my 2 year anniversary is coming up on August first. We're going to spend it in Lincoln City on the coast. We looked at bed and breakfasts and found them adorable, but too pricey for our taste. We didn't have any luck finding hostels, so we've decided on camping. We're going to invest the money we would have spent on lodging on a test and sleeping bags. I've already found some great deals on Amazon. I'm excited. Ian and I never like to spend much on where we're staying. Better to spend it on doing fun things.
I'm thinking Devil's Lake State Park. But, if anyone has experience with camping in that area, let me know. Also, I've never purchased camping gear for myself before. The only brand I'm really familiar with is Coleman. So, any feedback there would be rad, as well.
Lincoln City has a lot to do: whale watching, beach, hiking, wine tasting, micro breweries, glass blowing and art galleries galore. It should be a blast, and it's only a little over 2 hours away.
I'm going to keep this short, because I am sleepy. It turns out that there's really no chance of me getting the fourth off or even out early, so I'm feeling dejected. Tomorrow's post will include a revised draft of the short story, though; I'm going to make sure that happens.
Good night!
That sounds like a lovely anniversary. I wish I could offer some camping advice, but I've never been camping, so... Dominic and I have figured out that for our anniversary we are going out to dinner and then to see the final installment of Harry Potter. You better believe that we will be wearing our matching Deathly Hallows shirts, too.
ReplyDeleteI think that sounds like a awesome anniversary. I will ask Bruce if he has any thoughts on what kind or brand of tent he prefers. Can't wait to read the story. Get some sleep
ReplyDeleteAh, well, I could go on for hours on camping gear.
ReplyDeleteIt all depends on what you plan to use it for, and how much money you want to spend. For things like tents and sleeping bags, I would stay away from Coleman. It's very low quality stuff.
My suggestion would be to go to REI and talk to the people there about what you plan to use your gear for. Looks like there are 3 REI stores in the Portland area, including one right in Portland, which is probably a giant store. Check out their website at rei.com.
For both a tent and a sleeping bag, the main considerations are how hot, how cold, how wet, and how many people. On the tent, be aware that all tents, no matter how expensive, leak in the rain eventually. Be sure the fly extends almost all the way to the ground. (The fly on a tent is a second layer held above the main tent to repel rain. The main tent should not be waterproof or it will be stifling and infinitely humid.) It never does on cheap tents. On the sleeping bag, the main choice is between down and dacron. Dacron is more or less waterproof but bulky. Down is super efficient, super compressible, but is worthless when it gets wet. Also if you get down, be sure it's 100% goose down. Well, I could go on for a long time... As for brands, I would limit it to REI, NorthFace, Sierra Designs, Marmot, Feathered Friends, and maybe Kelty. Some are very expensive, though. (Also there are a couple of others that specialize in backpacking whose names I forget.)
Also, you will need some kind of pad under you, and there are myriad choices there, too, including airbeds. Ask at REI.
Also, REI is somewhat pricey; some of the stuff can be gotten cheaper elsewhere.
Oh, one more thing. I don't like camping on the beach. Sand gets into everything, and it's invariably uncomfortably humid at night.
Thanks, Peter! We already (briefly) hopped into REI yesterday and plan to do so again. It's near Oasis. I was planning to gather information from them and then buy the stuff online to save money. I don't think we're looking to spend a lot of money this time around (though we want the stuff to last, too) because I'm not sure how much time we'll have to use it during the season... We already have an airbed (not yet used!), so that is the ONE thing we do have. I'll keep you posted.
ReplyDeleteSleeping bags: how cold and how small are the two main things that will effect your price. Since you're probably not going to be winter camping, I think its fine to look at coleman Its easy to make a sleeping bag warmer (just add a fleece blanket), so its really how compact you want it to get. All sleeping bags are going to have a temperature guarantee, don't bother to look below 32.
ReplyDeleteSince you are going to be camping at the beach (and it will invariably be windy), I'd make sure you also check out how many places you can anchor your tent to the ground, and the type of stakes used. And a large rainfly is nice, but also I'd invest in a tarp to put under the tent to protect you from morning dew/wetness from rain. Also be aware of set up - how complicated it is, how many poles, ropes, etc.
If your willing to spend a little more, REI products come with a lifetime guarantee. But if I was you, I'd buy a cheaper tent, see what qualities you like, don't like and such before investing in a higher quality one.
Good Luck! (sorry this is so terse sounding, I had a nice one written out and my internet freaked on me)
Don't believe the temperature ratings on sleeping bags, even from reputable sellers, among which I would not count Coleman. Those ratings might be correct for mountain climbers in top physical condition, but not anyone else. But, if you are only going to use the gear in warm places that don't get cold at night (like always below say 4000 feet elevation in the summer), then you don't need a fancy bag.
ReplyDeleteBut, nearly all fancy bags can be opened up and used like a comforter. Also, down has a hugely wider range of temperatures it is comfortable in than other materials.
In general, you get what you pay for. For example, tents that are easier to set up cost more.
Also, for decent quality tents, REI actually is usually the most economical. If you're only going to use your tent once a year, and you're sure it's not going to rain, then it doesn't matter what you buy. If it rains, you will sorely wish you had bought a good tent.
One other point: a 2-man tent sleeps one comfortably. a 3-man tent sleeps 2, maybe. Even if you're a couple.
I guess I should add one more thing. I've been buying this gear for many years, working my way up in quality, eventually realizing I should have bought the good stuff in the first place.
ReplyDeleteBut, if you figure you might never use the gear again, then go for the cheap stuff. There's no point in spending a lot of money on something you never use.
For buying stuff mailorder, usually the best price and low shipping charges are from Campmor, in, of all places, NJ. For certain things, try Sierra Trading Post, a liquidator (sign up for their e-newsletter which gives free shipping every tuesday, and big extra discounts), backcountry.com, and moosejaw.com.
ReplyDeleteI know this is a late post and you might not see it, so I'm going to email it to you, too. I say, start with a cheap tent.
ReplyDeleteWe bought an expensive REI brand tent in the 80's (almost $300 at that time so it would probably be double that now, just a guess). It only lasted a couple of years and then the fabric started shredding. I replaced it with a cheap $35 Hillary tent from Sears. Have had it for about 10 years, during which time it's been used far more than the REI tent ever was, and it's like virtually brand-new.
The main body of the tent is waterproof, very waterproof as we've been in rain with nary a drop inside the tent. The very top of the main part of the tent is just mesh with a small rainfly that just covers the mesh open, and a tad more, to keep the rain out. This means we always have good circulation so condensation inside isn't usually a problem. If it's particularly moist/muggy, the door has several ways to open it, while keeping the netting intact to keep critters out, to get a bit more airflow.
The floor of the tent is a heavier material so we don't need to bother with a tarp under the tent. The tent is very lightweight and rolls up into a small stash bag so it would be a good backpacking tent as well.
For sleeping bags, unless you're seriously going to do backpacking, I'd just get the regular old sleeping bags to start with that you can usually pick up for about $20 each. Get some that zip together as this really helps keep you both warmer (and friendlier, too). Throw in a blanket for more warmth, just in case, and you're good to go.
We also bought expensive, down mummy sleeping bags in the 80's and paid big bucks for 'em. They were never as comfortable to sleep in as the good old-fashioned kind with flannel lining. Yes, you want the down or Dacron type if backpacking but, if car camping, not needed.
Well, that's my take after 35+ years of camping experience, for what it's worth.