PDA

View Full Version : Things I learned at the Summer Solstice 2004


BradfordBenn
06-20-2004, 11:27 PM
Well after not camping in over 15 years I learned quite a bit during the camping trip for the summer solstice. So in some random semblance of order are some of the things I learned as a returning camper new to motorcycle camping...

[list=1]
It is fun!
Don't bring the large folding Lazy Boy chair with the foot rest, it won't fit neatly on the bike
It is possible to get a Wiggly sleeping bag into a stuff stack and compress it to half its size
Remember to purchase food on the way INTO the campsite
A tent that was right sized 15 years ago seems awfully small now. I got my money's worth though cause it was $20
Before you put on the straps and bungees to the load do an idiot check
Earplugs are also good for other people who snore
Apparently I snore some nights but not others
It is possible to put up a tent inside out
It is nice to have a "gear" tent to store stuff in
It might be good to have a travel eating utensil set, but it does you no good without a plate or food
Don't let Lorezapam cook beans, he cooks them toooooooo long
You can put your towel over the top of your tent to dry out
Carry a hammer/mallet to stake your tent down
I packed tooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo much stuff
No one is going to care if you wear the same clothes two days in a row
Bring a bath towel, a clean up towel, a hand towel, and just some shop rags
Look out for tree roots when placing your tent
Gravel roadways suck on an RT
Bring maps, and batteries
Always change your socks
Bring a drinking cup/mug
Don't try to heat PopTarts over a barbeque even if they are smores flavor (I learned that one at home)
[/list=1]

So what have you learned? What would you share with a new motorcylce camper?

Off to read Bob Woofter's book, I wonder if he is giving a seminar this year.... drat should have paid attention last year.

RebeccaV
06-21-2004, 07:05 AM
Brad,

For never having been moto-camping, you did great!

I'm looking forward to seeing how you refine your gear and packing. It only gets easier and more fun.

kbasa
06-21-2004, 09:36 AM
Make sure your ground cloth doesn't extend out from under the tent. It'll catch water and make a nice lake while you're sleeping.

dzimbric
06-21-2004, 06:47 PM
Originally posted by KBasa
Make sure your ground cloth doesn't extend out from under the tent. It'll catch water and make a nice lake while you're sleeping.

I put mine inside the tent.

1. If my tent does leak it keeps my gear seperate from the wet.
2. When I go to pack I just pull it and all of my gear out the tent door. No more stooping and crawling around.


Best lesson learned
1. Don't let the kids camp out the night before, I found they had ripped the tent and had to do a duct tape repair before I left.

2. And never ever step on your glasses after you have put on your helmet. I had to ride fairly blind and couldn't make out the GPS after dark.

3. Don't sleep by people who snore, they like to blame it others.

Thanks Lorez for fixing them Saturday morning. I knew all those instrument tech skills woiuld come to good use.

:clap :clap

oldcarkook
06-22-2004, 08:05 PM
I learned that driving a 53 year old truck 900 plus miles in two days to and from Pennsylvania is a L O N G trip after the eighth consecutive hour of windshield time.

I learned that New York City is beautiful in the early sunlight when viewed from the Statue of Liberty Park in New Jersey

I learned that the flags are still at half staff in respect of the death of President Regan.

I learned that the Park Rangers that oversee Liberty Park have a real soft spot for 53 year old US Forest Service trucks - enough so that they removed the barricades to let me drive up and photograph the truck in the pedestrian’s only area.

I spent the weekend going to and from a show in Macungie, PA in my '51 Huckster. No bike time this month and next month - it's all reserved for my first passion of vintage trucks and cars! Ho humm...winter's coming and I will soon be back on the bike!


Here's a couple of non-BMW photos:
In front of the flags with the Statue of Liberty in the background
http://www.oldgmctrucks.com/photos/StatueOfLiberty_June212004.jpg

On the show field on Friday:
http://www.oldgmctrucks.com/photos/Kooks_1951_GMC_Huckster.jpg

username
06-23-2004, 09:46 AM
brad - #9 is my absolute fave. photo? :D

BradfordBenn
06-23-2004, 06:26 PM
Originally posted by username
brad - #9 is my absolute fave. photo? :D

Nope, the delete button works well to hide incriminating pictures :p