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Camping On My Mind

I want to go camping SO. BAD.

I’m pretty sure that it’s not a great idea – hard, flat surfaces aren’t sitting well with me lately – but I may give it a shot anyway, because I love spending a couple of evenings eating hamburgers in the woods so much that it may be worth a little back pain.

Now, I’m quite specific about the kind of camping I like, and the kinds of stuff I like to bring. For example, I prefer the presence of a relatively nearby bathroom to the totally rural thing, and insist upon the close proximity of a water source that offers rafting and tubing (we like the Delaware Water Gap for these reasons).

And with regards to packing: yes, yes, you need things like sleeping bags, and lanterns, and presumably a tent, and firewood…but it’s the fun little extras that I think make a night battling the bugs worthwhile.

In other words, these are My Kinda Camping Essentials:

Freixenet Champagne (delicious and cheap enough to drink in bulk while you “help set up the tent”)

Teva Mush sandals (great for river-rafting purposes if you’re similarly averse to mud and stones)

Jawbone JAMBOX (we have one that we use constantly, and my dad just bought one for an upcoming camping trip; these wireless speakers are THE BEST)

Dr. Bronner’s Lavender Hemp Pure-Castile Soap (smells great; can be used head-to-toe; vegan and biodegradable)

Retro webbed lawn chairs (I’m picking up a couple for our roof regardless of whether or not the camping thing happens)

Aerobie (obviously)

What’s your favorite totally unnecessary thing to bring camping?



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  • Adeline

    Ok that vegan and biodegradable soap suggestion is genius. I’m all environmental-things crazy, but stupidly never thought of that before.

    I always bring smores material (of course), even better bananas with Mars bars to wrap in tin foil and melt together, and candles. They make night-time even prettier, and double up as insect repellent if they’re made with citronella oil.

  • Anonymous

    bananas…with…mars bars…WHAT?!
    talk about genius.

  • Anonymous

    probably the french press coffeemaker.. or perhaps headlamps (flashlights work just fine, but the headlamp is much more convenient

  • Adeline

    It’s so good I don’t know why I had to wait 20something years before discovering it.

    I want some now.

  • http://catnipsprettythings.tumblr.com/ Jeanine Marie

    Did you camp in Southern California when you lived there?  My only experience has been the desert and the mountains. I loved it.  My ex-boyfriend, his brothers and his dad took care of everything. I was the queen!

    We took guitars and played until the ranger told us to quit.

    Aww the good times.I am dying to try camping here in New England.I do not mind “going like the bears do” if there is no nearby plumbing.  
    I bring too much stuff but my must haves are BUG SPRAY, sunscreen, hat, dry shampoo, toilet papers (ha ha) and a good pillow.

    Notice however is better when you sleep outdoors. The food and coffee taste amazing and sex ……..  so fantastic.  ; )

  • Anonymous

    i went to joshua tree once with a big group of people and loved it, although it definitely felt like the setting for (and probably has been the setting for) a slasher movie.

    try the delaware water gap! we stay at dingman’s campground and go canoeing or rafting with kittattiny.

  • Roses

    Just got back from camping in Cape Cod (totally recommend btw) and although it was…interesting…setting up tents in the pouring rain with no light Friday night, I loved getting down and dirty (muddy to be exact). I had, however, forgotten my makeup bag and had to have my friend, who left the city later than I, go to my apartment and get it for me…cannot live without makeup, camping or not :)

  • http://www.alwaysorderdessert.com/ Alejandra Ramos

    I’ve never been camping, save for one 5-day music festival with my church youth group when I was in high school (it was AWESOME–but there were showers nearby). But just wanted to pipe in that I LOVE Dr. Bronner’s! I actually use it every single day. It’s my go-to soap. My favorite is the almond, but I also love the original peppermint because it’s so refreshing and tingly–wakes me right up!

  • http://twitter.com/srouser Susan Rouser

    Freixenet is basically my favorite thing ever. My friends and I call it Frex and buy it by the case. It borders on unhealthy.

  • Anonymous

    the peppermint is sitting in our shower right now :)

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