I am surrounded by ocean water and beaches. What dictated where we went on the weekends was based on the tide level and lunar positioning. Spiny Lobsters would stay hidden if the moon was bright. Also, there were seasonal fishing and known fishing holes. For example there were only certain fish that could be caught from one season, and were off limits the very next.Gazing up at the sky at night can be very peaceful and relaxing but I like to have a little protection against rain and little critters. Besides, it is not like I can see the sky when my eyes are closed and I'm sleeping! I still get some star gazing in but then after I am tired I retreat to my tent to get some shut eye. Another benefit of camping without a tent is that I imagine your pack would be incredible light!! I know when I go camping the tent is always one of the largest and heaviest items.
Going camping every weekend must mean you have become quite experienced at it. Did you have a favorite location during those times or did you prefer to try out as many new camp sites as you possibly could? I suppose where you live and what is around you might play some role in that.
Aha...I loved the story...kinda like something from a journal.Most of the time when we went camping we slept out under the stars. If it was supposed to be a rainy weekend , we stayed home. I had a nice air mattress that I would huff and puff and blow up, and it fit in a space under my sleeping bag so that it didn't slide away. My mom always brought along her hammock and she set up her sleeping bag in that, and Daddy and I would put ours on the ground close by.
After the campfire died down, and we were ready to turn in for the night, then I would burrow down into the sleeping bag and just lay there and watch the stars until I fell asleep. Of course, when there were mosquitoes, that didn't work so good, and then I buried my whole self down into the sleeping bag, and killed any skeeters that managed to get in there with me.
That's why you should use the zipper on your tent door to make sure no little buggers come into your tent while you're sleeping. I don't know about you but that would startle the living hell out of me if I woke up and found some unexpected company in the tent.I am surrounded by ocean water and beaches. What dictated where we went on the weekends was based on the tide level and lunar positioning. Spiny Lobsters would stay hidden if the moon was bright. Also, there were seasonal fishing and known fishing holes. For example there were only certain fish that could be caught from one season, and were off limits the very next.
My dad and older brother were the actual divers (hunters) and I was the gatherer of the rocky shoreline. I've written several threads on the types of urchins and sea snails that I use to pick off the rocks. Can't have a main course meal without its side dishes.
Neat, definitely a feature I will have to keep an eye out for next time I buy a new tent or when I start writing reviews. I can sometimes get really stuffy inside especially during summer camping with multiple people in the tent and it would be nice to half a roof to let some cool air in.Both. My backpack tent comes with a fly [roof covering] that can be removed. The roof of the tent is fine netting - keeping the bugs at bay but allowing me to lay in a comfy sleeping bag and gaze up into the skies until I fall asleep. Great on moon lite nights and even more so when the sky is pitch black and the whole firmament is an array of wonder. Shooting stars skim through the atmosphere in an instant and if you are attentive you can see those bright light movements of the satellites as they make their way around Mother Earth. Ya - I can see it all now.
High end range tents do not require a fly. BUT they are great to reduce the rays. If a tent requires a fly it should be right to the ground. If the fly has a bonnet move to the next one for better protection. I can easily show examples but I wouldn't want the manufacturer to come after us.That's why you should use the zipper on your tent door to make sure no little buggers come into your tent while you're sleeping. I don't know about you but that would startle the living hell out of me if I woke up and found some unexpected company in the tent.
Neat, definitely a feature I will have to keep an eye out for next time I buy a new tent or when I start writing reviews. I can sometimes get really stuffy inside especially during summer camping with multiple people in the tent and it would be nice to half a roof to let some cool air in.
I like that open shelter, I never really go inside my tent during the day unless it is raining but that looks like something everyone could just gather under during the day and socialize for some time when you need to get out of the sun (or rain for that matter).
and a Sun/Rain Shelter Tea Lake Algonquin Park
In the early part of the season I use a full kitchen shelter, later, when the bugs are down considerably I sometimes just use an open shelter.
Usually I just tie one of these cheap types of tarps between a couple of trees with some rope, steel poles just seem like too much work to me. Although I guess it would make it easier for getting the tarp at just the right level.The thing is, there are numerous quick set up shelters that one can purchase. In the picture I'm using steel poles [because I'm residence for awhile] but sometimes I just use tent tension lines. [But the campers who have knot skills will suggest some great alternatives.]
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