Any Hikers or Campers Out There?

[Natasha]

Well, as many of us continue to enjoy mosquito season, I thought I would try to find some other hikers or campers among y'all.

Any parks or trails you'd recommend, wherever you are? Recommendations for hiking shoes, gear, tents, cooking utensils? A special (good, bad, embarrassing, educational...) hiking/camping/outdoors moment you'd like to share? The floor is yours!

C'mon, somebody, answer or I'll feel all rejected and lonely out here in cyberspace... http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/wink.gif

[judyf]

Natasha,
I enjoy hiking but not camping-I need a real bed, shower and toilet! I limit my "hikes" to about 4 hours so some people would not call me a real hiker. My enjoy Acadia National Park in Maine and Zion and BRyce Canyon in Utah. Acadia has mountain and sea views and nice, quiet lakes to idle the time away. We have taken books and read or napped by these lakes. Bryce has some very interested landscapes(hoodoos). Zion is extremly beautiful. In Canada, Bnaff and Lake Louise and Jasper should be spetacular but when we were ther, it rained or snowed everyday except one(and we went in the end of June-beginning of July).Judy

[emilycat]

Hiking is my all-time favorite traveling activity. My family is very high-energy, so growing up, most of our trips revolved around hiking.
Judy, are you my secret sister? http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/wink.gif I thought it was so uncanny when I read your post, because the locales you listed were all the ones I would have listed. Zion is by far my favorite destination -- it's a hidden jewel of the southwest, and I truly cannot compare it to any other place I've been. I, too, love Acadia, Bryce and Banff/Lake Louise -- the only one I would add is Yosemite, which I've enjoyed a couple of times as well.
I also really enjoyed one that I took down to Phantom Ranch at the bottom of the Grand Canyon and back (you truly cannot grasp the majesty of the place without seeing it from the bottom) but my favorite hike ever was one I went on last summer to the top of a peak in the Bavarian Alps with a black sky (that soon fell out http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif ) and a view of both the Neuschwanstein and Hownschwangau castles. Oh my God. I can't really say much else; it was that amazing. And on that trip, my (ex)boyfriend took a picture of me peeing on the trail. Fun. http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/rolleyes.gif
Not being a hiking buff, per se, I'm not really sure I have many gear recommendations, but I've had my Raichle boots for about 8 years, and I love them!

Natasha, what spurred on this post? Are you taking a fantastic trip in the near future? Can I come?? http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/wink.gif

[KValley]

Natasha and everyone:

I have been without the BB for several days, so beware of my verbosity below- making up for lost time!

One of our most anticipated joys about returning to the Northwest last summer was the knowledge that we would never be more than ten minutes away from a great hike! We are actually camping less because the mountains are so accessible for day trips/hikes- we can leave after breakfast for Mt Rainier and be back by dinner! Same was true for the time we lived in western Colorado- about 60 miles from Utah.

Having said that (and said only with unabashed joy and giddiness- no smugness intended http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif) my love for camping developed while living in southeast Ohio in the mid 90s. We were so centrally located to the Atlantic seaboard and Northeast and we camped throughout West Virginia, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, Virginia, North Carolina. It's hard to pick a favorite, as each place was unique and beautiful. I'd have to give a special nod to Elkins, WV, the Maine coast and the Smoky Mountains.

I returned last night from an incredible camping experience in the Cascade Mountains, only a hour's drive from where I live, but a world away. A group of about 100 women, guests and guides, congregated for a 3 day "Women in the Wilderness" weekend- a series of clinics to prepare you for back-country packing with horses/mules, and/or backpacking. I learned an amazing amount of information and skills: animal tracking, map and compass, using a chainsaw, shooting a rifle, Dutch oven cooking and trail riding- my first experience on a horse in 20 years! browneye was there, too- I learned of the program from a post she wrote on this BB- it was such a kick to meet her!!. I am still processing what this weekend meant to me- learning from other women, seeing and experiencing such strength and confidence- the fellowship of this of active, intelligent, amazing group-WOMEN POWER. It was so cool. http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif

Emily and Judy- showers were not an option and I was pretty ripe when I got home last night, but it's incredibly liberating not giving a thought to your looks. You learn to let go. As long as you are warm and dry (and for me, teeth brushed and clean underwear), who needs to be smelling like DOVE? http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

Honestly though, when DH and I camp we also like to mix in cultural activities or a nice dinner out, if such a thing is possible in the nearest town, but we have never had a problem finding great campsites with hot showers and clean bathrooms. We use Woodall's Campground Directory- all state and private parks across the U.S. and Canada are listed, described, and rated- it's a thick book and has never steered us wrong.

Emily! Brendan and I visited friends in Bavaria a few years ago- after reading your post, I had to pull out our trip photo album to look at our pictures of Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau and the German & Austrian Alps. What fairy tale surroundings! I ache to return...One thing that impressed me so much about Germany and Austria was the tremendous amount of people- Austrians and Germans- of all ages that were out walking, hiking, biking- it was so inspiring!

Natasha- a few essential items I have gathered/learned about from camping:

Mosquito repellent: Cutter is my choice. I was introduced to Cutter while living in Africa, where remaining free of mosquito bites was a major health issue, not just avoiding an annoyance. Of course, we also took an oral prophylactic. Cutter and DEET are the most effective topical repellents available. Also, Avon's Skin So Soft contains a chemical that is an effective mosquito repellent and nice for more sensitive areas (your face, neck) where a stronger repellent is uncomfortable.

Plastic storage bins We keep all of our camping gear in Rubbermaid Roughneck storage tote bins. It makes loading up so much easier, our stuff stays together and DRY! We have a 28 gallon tote that is long and shallow for blankets, pillows, clothing. We use deeper 20 gallon totes for cooking supplies and camping gear. Everything goes back into the totes clean and restocked at the end of the trip and we never have to scramble around looking for our supplies when we are ready for the next trip.

Polypropalene or polyester thermal underwear- these have saved my skin when mountain temps drop at night, or in hiking when I get hot and sweaty on the way up, but cool off on top or facing the wind coming down- the synthetic material wicks away that sweat. Same said for thick hiking socks with synthetic material- no cotton.

Wool sweaters- I have a couple of Columbia wool sweaters (80 percent wool, 20 percent nylon)- they are quite thin, so layer very well and are easy to tie around my waist when I heat up. I also take a thick wool Ecuadorean sweater for those cozy evenings by the campfire or chilly mornings or freezing nights!

Nylon pants with detachable legs I'd live in shorts if I could, but it's not always practical, nor is hiking in shorts always a good idea. I have nylons pants that convert to shorts- not waterproof, but a good windbreaker and loose enough to allow for layering. My favorites are an REI brand, but I've also got my eye on a pair by Columbia. I also have a pair of cotton pants/shorts that are a bit "dressier".

PS 200 Stretch Polar Pile This is a new one to me- something that I learned about over the weekend. It's the latest in thermal layer technology and the outfitters who lead our program swear by it- many have converted their staff clothing to PS 200. It doesn't absorb water, very warm. It should be available at sporting/camping stores- I'm going to check REI.

Polar Fleece- what could be more comfy and versatile!! Land's End has made a bundle off of me...

Neck gaiter for cold weather hiking. I don't mess around with a scarf anymore. I have a Polar Fleece neck gaiter that I can cinch up over my mouth and ears if need be, and I don't have to worry about tucking in loose ends of a scarf.

Waterproof jacket and pants Not water-resistant, but waterproof, meaning the seams are sealed. Goretex. There is nothing more miserable than being wet while camping and I have learned the hard way. Even in warm weather, damp clothing can ruin your mood. How snug as a bug in a rug was I yesterday when the skies opened up and dumped all over my waterproof jacket and pants (Northface and Columbia, respectively). I was actually glad it rained- made for the complete camping experience!

I've finally found a brand for hiking boots that I love, after years of working my way through many brands. I have odd feet- short and wide. I'm now sold on Merrell's!

Thermarest Self-inflating Mattress stores under the bed, rolls up very thin for packing, makes for a great night's rest.

Next on my list to get is a small headlamp- no more messing around with a flashlight. I love the idea of having my hands free.

Also, I'd like to get hiking poles. Recent studies have shown their effectiveness in hiking- certainly for stability, but it's been shown that hiking poles also increase aerobic output and efficiency- they make for a better, more effective workout.

Had enough? I'd also love to hear about anyone else's gear discoveries and recommendations!

Julie



[This message has been edited by KValley (edited 06-25-2001).]

[KathrynY]

Wow, Julie! Lots of great information above - perfect for a novice hikers like me http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/wink.gif.

judyf - we are "day hikers" also. I'm with you on real beds, showers and toilets! I do love being outdoors, though.

DH and I just got into hiking last summer, and were fortunate enough to spend a week in and out of Acadia National Park. I learned the difference between water-resistant and WATERPROOF on that trip! We are slowly stocking up on quality gear from the REI outlet web site. For now, we mostly hike on sunny weekend afternoons at a local state park, which does not require a lot of advance planning.

[SusanT]

My husband and I do a lot of car camping. He would love for me to backpack but my knees just aren't up to it!

For those in the Southeast US, Big South Fort National Recreation Area in East Tennesee is a real gem. It's an enormous park with great hiking trails. All the scenery of the Smokies without the crowds. It also has a great campground.

Another great Southeastern campground is Ft. Pickens at Pensacola Beach Florida. It's part of the Gulf National Seashores. Great campground - beautiful beaches. The Blue Angels are based at the Navy base a mile across the bay from Ft. Pickens. If you're lucky, they'll be in town and out practicing during the morning. This park has a short hiking trail but of course, you can walk for miles along undeveloped beaches. It's great for birdwatching.

We also camped in Acadia a couple of years ago. Beautiful park!

[KValley]

Oh, LG- I love your story! I'm giggling away- thank you for sharing with us- I am CERTAIN you are not alone!! C'mon- there must be other camping diaster stories out there in BB-land!



[This message has been edited by KValley (edited 06-26-2001).]

[Kristilyn1]

Here's another vote for Rubbermaid containers! No animals in your food, you can leave them outside/inside whatever you need.

I have a pair of Merrell's myself and as much as I love them--I have to put in a word for Ecco's. These little known shoes from Denmark (they are made all over the world, but all factories owned by the parent) and you will pay about $200-$250 for a pair of boots--but you won't own a more comfortable shoe.

I love to camp and have done a small amount of hiking--though with our two small children who are too small to hike and WAY too big to haul--we haven't done much in the way of hiking over the last few years.

Love to hear about anyone's hiking experiences though--these kids of mine WILL eventually grow bigger!

Kristi

[LGBurns]

Oh, this post is painful for me. I want to be a camper and hiker but unfortunately, I remember little from my days as a six-year-old tagging along with my family. I do have a funny/embarrasing camping story to tell:

BTW, you know I like you guys if I am telling you this story--it still hurts my ego. A few years ago my then boyfriend (now husband) and I travelled out to California so I could show him all my old haunts. My husband had never been camping and I really wanted to give him a great California camping experience. I asked my mom (who I thought at the time was a good source since she and my step-father go camping and hiking all the time) for a good place to camp at Point Reyes. She said she didn't think there was any camping in the park itself but knew of a campground in town nearby. So, we decided to go to SF for the day then drive up to Pt. Reyes in the evening and camp. Well, as we were driving into Marin, I wanted to get firewood so we stopped at a grocery store, but the only firewood they had were Duralogs. Yes, I bought a Duralog (oh the shame) thinking, "well, it lights in a fireplace why not in a campfire." Hoo boy. We got a bit of a late start out of SF so by the time we got to the campground the sun was going down. It turned out to be a horrible KOA, with people packed in, with trailers and TVs! (I never understood the point of bringing a TV camping, hello). My husband called it the Joad's Campground. It was too late to go looking for a better camping place so we were stuck. We found a spot less than 3 feet (it seemed) from two other groups, one with a tent the other with a camper. The Duralog never got bigger than a blue flame and reaked of chemicals--not the cheery campfire we were looking for. After a very restless night with people talking and coughing, etc. inches away from our tent, we left to campground to go hiking in Pt. Reyes. Of course, as we were checking out we saw a huge stack of firewood for sale. Then at Pt. Reyes we discovered that they have beautiful hike-in camping less than 1/2 mile from the beach! Needless to say, my husband will not trust me to plan any further camping trips.

[Natasha]

Guys,

Thanks so much for all your responses! And LGBurns, thank you for sharing! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

Looking forward to "talking" more about hiking and camping adventures when I get a bit more time ... http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/eek.gif

Have a good day!


[This message has been edited by Natasha (edited 06-27-2001).]

[SusieO]

Originally posted by SusanT:
We discovered at our last camping trip that some raccoons know how to open coolers!

I discovered this on my only camping trip. They can also open plastic containers inside the cooler!

[browneye]

Just have to chime in with my $.02.

I've hiked, backpacked and camped since age 10. My first experience was a 1 week packing trip into the Alpine Lakes Wilderness in the Cascades of Wash. I was 10. Hooked for life. The camp supplied the pack horses and we hiked along on foot. Since then, I've done backpacking trips, day hikes, and even car camping as well. My first husband did not enjoy that kind of recreation, so I did cut back for a few years, however my NEW DH has also grown up backpacking, hiking etc, so we have had a blast doing all sorts of backpack trips as well as day hikes! We own horses and have done day rides on trails and are fixin' to work up to packing in!
I second KValley's description above of useful items.
In addition to those, may I recommend, mostly for hikers:
Be prepared!!!!
-When hiking, always take a good trail map of the area you are hiking. Green Trails maps are excellent!
I could tell stories that would exhaust the capacity of this BB, but I don't have time!
Know basic first aid. I can't tell you how many times I have attended to wounded folks we met along the way- from minor wounds to those who had to be airlifted out. I am a nurse, which comes in handy, but everyone who ventures out hiking in rugged areas should have basic knowledge of first aid. A sprained ankle can be very dangerous in the mountains!

That's it for now.

[LGBurns]

Okay, now that I have recovered from revealing my deepest, darkest camping secrets (thank you for your gracious responses), I am determined to become a better camper. My family used to camp all the time, and my husband and I have the desire, which has to be half the battle right? So, I'm here to ask--any recommendations on places to get good beginner info on camping (I have already printed out your great list of recommendations, Julie--thanks!)? I'm looking for recommendations on equipment (like tents, etc.), recipes of what to cook, what to bring, what to watch out for, etc. There's got to be a web page or a book or something out there. Any thoughts?

P.S., I'm not a complete novice. I spent a whole weekend at the Rainbow Gathering in Arizona (now THAT was an experience) where I had no showers, toilet or running water (we had to hike in 10 gallons of water) and my tent leaked the entire weekend. And I went on a cross-country road trip which was camping most of the way (although we ate on the road and mostly just pulled in to sites late and night and pulled out early in the morning). Just had to redeem myself a little. http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/wink.gif

[This message has been edited by LGBurns (edited 06-27-2001).]

[browneye]

LGBurns:

Here is a link to a site that includes gear information, help for beginners, tips, frequently asked questions about camping, etc. Also links to campground information.It is quite informative.

http://camping.about.com/travel/camping/cs/advicetips/index.htm

[SusanT]

We discovered at our last camping trip that some raccoons know how to open coolers!

[Gina O]

Hey all! I finally make it back from my travels, then the boards start acting up!

Any way, my XH and I did quite a bit of hiking and camping so learned tons about gear and the importance of weight. Meaning, every single ounce in your pack makes a difference. The lighter the better. A great resource for information on products is Backpacker Magazine. Each year they publish a gear guide that has tons of good info. I buy most of my stuff at www.campmor.com (http://www.campmor.com)

Some of my favorite products are:

boots: Timberland Eurohikers, mine are 8 years old and still going strong

pack: Mountainsmith, very durable. My XH used his for 3.5 months in Nepal and it help up great.

stove: Peak 1 Feather 400 White Gas stove. I am not a huge fan of propane because of all the fuel containers to dispose of. I have used this one for 7 years, never had a problem and it hold enough fuel to usually get me through a weekend without refilling. XH got this, so I just bought a new one.

sleeping pad: Thermarest is a must have. Comfy, easy to use, small and light.

Bits of info:
-get good socks especially designed for hiking. I wore regular socks last month while hiking in Rocky Mountain National Park and my feet could feel it after about 5 miles.

-think about where your water will come from and how you will purify it. We always used a Pur water filter, but there are other options such as boiling, iodine, ect.

-did I mention that you will have to carry every ounce that you pack on your back? http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif You'd be surprised by how little clothing you actually need!

-no matter what, pack a first aid kit. And make sure to include moleskin.

I have not done much backpacking lately, but am seriously considering a long day hike across the continental divide in Rocky Mountain National Park next year. I think it would be incredibly cool to hike across the great divide once in my life. Gina

[Natasha]

Thanks for the recommendations and stories! I have not been able to hike much lately, but hope to in the next few weeks (nowhere too exotic, though).

We were camping last weekend, though, and that was quite the experience...if I were to write about it here I would run waaaay over any space limitations, and eyes would glaze over! I plan to make a movie out of it :) It had excitement, drama, romance, humor, feel-good moments...Oh,well. Let s just say that all is well that ends well.

Right now I will put in just two plugs, one for Salomon shoes and one for Gore-Tex socks. Also, the current issue of Backpacker (see http://www.backpacker.com) is the gear issue and has some good food ideas too. Like many of you, I do enjoy that magazine.

[kwormann]

FYI:

1. Raccoons can steal a whole bag of bagels from your table even if you are JUST going to the campstore to buy food

2. Raccoons know how to open a ziploc bag full of bagels

3. Raccoons can smell a banana you had in your beach bag earlier in the day - especially when that bag is in your tent with you.

4. Raccoons can't tell time. They will punch holes in your tent at 2:00 a.m. for banana smell

5. Raccoons don't have reasoning powers. They don't believe you when you tell them the banana smell is from hours ago and the banana is gone.

6. When punching holes isn't fast enough, a raccoon will resort to learning to use a tent zipper, sending its occupants scrambling to the nearest town and hotel!

This all happened years ago on our first trip alone in northern IN....we have had trouble wanting to camp here in TX due to other pests....namely rattlesnakes, black widow spiders, brown recluse spiders, allegators....

[valeriek]

I am a car camper and a day hiker. I have a friend who does the backwoods thing and it scares me a little. I am not hiking 10 miles into the backwoods, pulling my tent off my back and sleeping for the night! This year we went camping in Shenandoah Valley, which is really pretty, but it happened during the week that the pesky storm Allison hit the region so we were blanketed by rain and fog. We couldn't see two feet in front of us and it was cold. Our tent leaked so we ended up actually sleeping in the back of the Four Runner. My BF (who had never been camping) said he was willing to try it again, which surprised me! We also encountered a black bear and her cubs. Luckily we were in the car on Skyline Drive, but it was neat to see.

I live in the city and work way too much (or it least it seems like it) so as far as hiking is concerned, I'm limited to day hikes. Luckily, Washington, DC has some great hiking within a short drive to meet all sorts of needs. I usually look for hikes that are about 4-5 miles. Catoctin Mountain has a nice circuit hike, and the Manassas battlefield has an easy 5 mile loop. I haven't attempted the 17 mile loop out there yet. Seems like an awful long day. The hikes in Shenandoah are accessible, but a little far away and usually packed with other day hikers trying to get out of the city.

There are also several walking trails (paved) that run through Arlington and into Washington. I sometimes just spend all day walking through Arlington National Cemetary. It is so peaceful there. I also like to walk from the cemetary into the city down by the Lincoln Memorial. There is also Great Falls (both on the MD side and the VA side of the Potomac) that offers great views of the white water on the Potomac. The Billy Goat Trail on the Maryland side is a little difficult, but very fun. The W & O Trail runs from Arlington all the way out to Manassas (which I think is about 20 miles long). The nice thing about this one is that it is adjacent to my apartment. My favorite though is the 17-mile path that goes from Mt. Vernon to the Rosslyn neighborhood in Arlington and runs right on the banks of the Potomac.

I guess I have gotten off subject. I like to get into the mountains and hike, but I like that fact that if I can't get out of the city, I have options close by that offer park-like settings and a chance for me to get outdoors. This city really is a walkers paradise.

[newsomz]

Alright, I know this is an old topic but, I just had to reply.

I don't have all that much information about camping anywhere BUT Florida so, here it is. As for state parks we have some really good ones. I'd recommend Hontoon Island (near Deland, FL), Anastasia (near St. Augustine, FL), Canaveral National Seashore (they have 11 different islands you can canoe to and camp out on), Torreya (about 1.5 hours from Tallahassee, FL), Bahia Honda (in the Keys), and I've heard Myakka River (near Tampa) is really nice. As for gear I have a Camptrails backpack that I really like. Also, I have an REI backpacking tent that is awesome!! (check out rei.com (http://www.rei.com) and rei-outlet.com (http://www.rei-outlet.com) . Also, Target carries Coleman brand products which are pretty nice and fairly inexpensive (I have their sleeping bag). Well, those are my suggestions for Florida. Hope you can make it down here.

Carrie

[workinprogress]

LGBurns, your story reminded me of the last time my DH and I camped at Pt. Reyes. We had cleaned up from dinner, the sun was long gone, and we were playing cards inside our tent when we heard a strange dragging noise just outside. We opened the flap and saw a raccoon dragging DH's daypack away from our site! DH tried to shoo it off, but the stubborn critter just glared at him. Next thing I knew, DH and the 'coon were playing tug-o-war with the daypack! DH ultimately won (he was just a tad bigger, after all - LOL!), but the raccoon was so annoyed he paced and chattered outside of our tent for the next ten minutes or so. He REALLY wanted that daypack, even though there was nothing in it but sunscreen and water bottles. Maybe he was planning a little family trip of his own!

[BethH]

Fun to see this thread resurface. DH and I are big campers/backpackers/canoers and love it all. We just went on a kayaking trip down in the Florida Bay the 21-23 of Dec. We stuffed all our gear into a tandem kayak and paddled 8 miles out from Key Largo to North Nest Key in the bay (not bad - only took 3 hours) and then camped on the beach of, basically, our own island. The weather was sunny and warm -- very fun.

I'm telling this story because there were mice on the island that would come out at night. Our last night, we were sitting on the island's dock, enjoying the evening when we hear our trash bag we had hung in the tree start rustling. DH went to investigate, but before he got there a little mouse popped out and began scurrying away with a feta cheese wrapper (OK, I admit to being a little bit of a camp gourmet -- Note: greek spaghetti with tomatoes and feta tastes fabulous in the woods!) DH threw sand at the little mouse, which left his prized feta behind. We just stashed our trash in the kayak and went to bed. The next morning we found holes in our completely empty dry bag from where the mouse (mice?) had chewed through the thick rubber bag. We think the mouse did this out of spite as that bag had held our clothes -- no food had ever been in it -- and it was laying wide open in the sand.

Ahhhh...nature. ;)

As far as gear recommendations go...we especially love our thermarest mattresses, North Face tent, Sierra Designs sleeping bags, fleece pants for those chilly nights and mornings, our MSR Superfly backpacking stove (never tips and always starts easily), lightweight stainless steel cookware, unbreakable lexan french press -- vital to my camping happiness, Smartwool socks, Merrill boots, Patagonia capilene t-shirts for wicking away moisture on hot days and Patagonia's quick dry shorts -- worn daily on the 5 day backpacking loop we did after our wedding in Idaho last summer! Yes, that is right--we went backpacking for our honeymoon! :o

Just in case anyone is from the area and is looking for an absolutely delightful backpacking trip -- try the Toxaway - Alice Lake Loop in the Sawtooth National Recreation Area near Ketchum, Idaho. Fabulous! :p

[JenZen]

OK, I couldn't resist replying to this thread.

I admit that I'd like to be doing more camping and hiking than I actually get around to doing, but they are my favorite activities.

I love the Ice Age Trail here in Wisconsin. Great day hikes, and more than likely, you won't see anybody.

As for wilderness camping, my family has been up to the Sylvania Wilderness Area in Michigan quite a few times. You have to canoe into your sites. There's a bit of portaging involved, but the trails are great. We did see quite a few people on the lakes, however.

While there, I discovered how naughty red squirrels can be. We tied our food up in the tree with a thin rope. Those buggers climbed down the rope, chewed a hole in our waterproof bag and sampled everything. I mean everything. Hot chocolate, buns, oatmeal. I think they ripped open bags just out of spite. Needless to say, that sort of cut our trip short a little.

I also love hiking out East. Virginia Blue Mountains, Vermont Smuggler's Gultch, etc.

[MrsReber]

DH and I have been camping a few times. We camped twice in the Blue Ridge Mountains of VA. Beautiful! The first time we camped at the Peaks of Otter. It was so quiet there. There are hiking trails all over the parkway, too. The second time, I had a bad ear infection so we had to stay out of the mountains (ouch!). We found a little campground with a lake. This one had showers and all that fancy stuff! We normally don't camp with those things!

We also went camping on Assateague Island in MD, which is beautiful. We opted for the ocean side campsite, just one dune away from the ocean. We slept in a big screen tent as the weather was beautiful. The ponies come and join you on the beach and go in the water. We really want to go back there. I highly recommend it. They have a national campground and a state campground. You have to make reservations early if you want to camp in the state park as they have hot water showers and bathrooms. We stayed in the National park - port a potties and cold water showers only (hey, we're tough!). Actually, I just didn't call early enough to reserve in the State park. It's very close to Ocean City MD, too, which is a nice town to see.

We also have 5 acres of land in VA. We want to put a cabin on it someday, but for now, we just set up the tent and camp out. We have electricity and a well (cold water only from a pump!). DH hooked up a stereo and a lamp to the electricity. It was kind of funny. Big spiders out there, though! I had to laugh, DH was so scared of them! He was beating them with the can of bug spray rather than spraying them. They probably wouldn't only gotten angry if he sprayed them!

[Natasha]

Thanks for reviving this thread! I enjoy reading all your anecdotes.

No camping for us for a few months, but we are planning a 5-day camping, hiking and canoeing/kayaking trip in Algonquin in Ontario, Canada next summer. We also plan to do some more hiking through the woods during the winter (which will, among other things, allow me to hone my navigation skills), as well as snowshoeing! I'm looking forward to all of it!

I am currently expanding my gear collection to deal with all kinds of weather conditions. Two of my Christmas presents were jackets that will be perfect for different activities, including a 3-ply GoreTex XCR jacket (which I can really use)! I also plan to purchase some Gore socks as I understand they're a boon when you're stuck trekking through a downpour. I need a new pair of Salomon shoes too. :o The cost of gear really adds up!

[JenZen]

Mrs. Reber.

Wow! I went to college just 30 minutes from the Peaks of Otter. That was the first mountain I've ever hiked, and the first time I could see that far from every direction. I know exactly which campground you're talking about, too.

Also, I was just on Assateague Island two years ago. Unfortunately, we decided to camp during a nor'easter, so it wasn't that pleasant. Lots and lots of memories, however. :) I've never in my life been happier to get into dry clothes. In fact, that trip was what convinced me that WalMart tents aren't the same as a waterproof Kelty tent. I feel much wiser after that experience. :)

By the way, I went to school in Virginia. Where is your property?

[MrsReber]

Jen- a nor'easter at the beach is not a good thing!! We were there in June of 2000- it was so perfect and beautiful. 4 days of sunshine so we were quite warm, but we took refuge at some great little lunch spots and ate plenty of ice cream!

Our property is in Drake's Branch (right outside of Keysville). So quiet and pretty there. There's about three restaurants in the whole town of Keysville! It's funny because we're saying how nice and quiet it is and the people who live there are saying "oh, it's so built up!". It's about 30 minutes from Farmville, which is such a nice town. We really love it around there.

The peaks of otter was such a beautiful spot! We weren't exactly prepared for camping. We brought the tent just in case we decided to camp out. Well, we froze that night! We ate at the restaurant by the campground- it was a rather nice place and we were all dirty from our campfire- and a wee bit tipsy from the vodka we brought along! It was a fun trip, though, and we have some great memories to look back on!