Gear Assembled

2/29/16

I started with a 4 person tent - thinking big and I wanted leg and gear room.  Found it on Woot, I think.  If someone wants brand name, let me know.  Wasn't very expensive, maybe $100.  I found the matching foot print for $30 on Amazon.

I've added a tarp and some tent pegs.  Also some line, 2.5 mm or so, and some light weight carabiners for easy attachment.

I splurged on a 3.5 inch sleeping pad with some R value -- REI on sale, maybe $130.  I got the long model, it might be fairly wide too.  I'm a side sleeper for the most part and I don't hit the floor when I tried it in the house.  Good night sleep will make the trip work well.  Tossing and turning will sour me on the whole thing.  I found a pillow on Amazon that have a soft cover and inflates (update, seems to auto-deflate a bit too!).  Should be ok as long as it's not too inflated.

I got a butane single burner stove and a cute minimal cook kit to match.  A case of fuel too, which Asian markets sell for a couple of bucks a can.  Supposed to get 1.5 hours per can.  How many meals is that? 

I found a table that is pretty trick, with a cloth top and instant setup.  It has two levels and drink holders below the surface.

I have a tripod chair around here somewhere.  The table is a bit tall and I'm not sure the chair would be comfortable with the table.

I don't have a cooler yet.  As for food, I'm thinking simple meals.  Eggs and hot links! Maybe sandwich stuff for lunches.  I've never eaten a lot of breakfast, so no plans for that for the moment.  But a cool drink during the day seems like a good idea. 

I'm not expecting a lot of cold weather and thus while I think a tea kettle would be a good idea, I'm not sure it's needed for this trip.  If evenings are cold, a hot drink would be a nice idea.  Instant Oatmeal might work too.


Water -- maybe grab a case every few days or just refill at camp grounds.  I'll play this by ear too.  Cooler might mean ice and is probably a good idea.  Local shopping is kind of interesting.  I can see a pan fried steak at the end of the day.  Might need a fry pan for that.  I'm keeping a look out for kitchen stuff at the local resale shops!

I also bought a hammock.  Woot again and it was about $30.  I think it might be better for camping in the woods and not at KOA.  We'll see.  I can see hanging it in NC under the house for a relaxing lay about.  I got one with an integral mosquito net -- bugs be gone!  A suspension kit is probably a good idea.  I have some stuff, climbing webs and the odd carabiner, from my rock climbing days.  I may use that for the initial go.

There are probably a few other items.  I'm be talking about this stuff as I use it.  Drop a comment if you have questions and I'll try to address them.

Just ordered a full size micro USB keyboard for the tablet.  A foldable full sized micro USB KB seems not to exist.  Blue tooth yes, but I'm trying not to drain the tablet battery.  The KB will require some power, but it should be one less thing to charge.

I bought a 4 port high output car charging port.  I'm hoping that things will charge as I drive along.  Also seems like a lot of the KOA campgrounds have power at the tent sites, so may bring along a power strip and some USB converters.  They sell 5 port high output ac powered usb charge stations.  Might be on the list at some point.

5/30 update

I got a softsided fairly large cooler from Costco.  I'm planning on putting that in the passenger foot well.  It has the easy access port on the top, so I can grab stuff on the fly without stopping.

We also have a very soft sided insulated bag.  I'm going to put the fuel canisters in it.  They have the warning about 140 degrees.  I'm hoping that the insulated bag will avoid that issue.  I may toss in an ice pack too.

I'm trying not to over think a lot of stuff.  I can get things as I need them.  Since I am not planning monster long drives, I'll need things to do, so a bit of shopping can fill that in. 

Where's the app that lists all the driving ranges?

Rich