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It seems that the RV is out of the question this year. Okay. I do have a tent, but it isn't good for much. It certainly won't do for that desert, nor the wind. More... there are now many things I have to reconsider. I do have camping kit, from a minor burner stove to water containers and some other things. But everything I had sort of taken for granted is no longer available. Which means sitz baths, figuring out food and storage for it, to... who knows what else. Yes, complicated.
Now, I do have a lot of gear. But the tent is what is bothering me first and foremost. There is a BMan tent guide, and I am sort of going to be playing off that. I had thought to buy a more superior tent, but that solution would both be much more expensive, the tent would sort of be ruined, and I am not sure it would be any more successful, save against the wind, than what I have, in dealing with the heat and dust. However, with the suggestions given, I will need to stop in at stores and look at what they have. Though... hmm... Walmart doesn't set them up, not the big ones. To find a two room tent, or three room where I can just use two, will be a trick. I am looking at a couple, this one and this one. It depends on if they can be shut to just two rooms though... and how many mesh vents they have that might need to be tended... I don't know about insulation this time/year... Just don't know. Of course, about these tents I know nothing, to date. So...
Food, the next item... First I will need coolers. I have several standard ones. They suggest some Xtreme coolers. I am thinking what I have plus one of those, in a smaller size, and mostly for ice. I do believe I will be going with mostly MRE's and a can of freeze-dried beef stew. No, not gourmet, but I've... had worse. I simply don't have it in me to set up more than that, most likely.
As for the rest? Well? I simply don't know. There is a guide for what to take, as well, plus a day pack picture adviser. The paradigm has shifted so radically and quickly that this will simply have to be a snapshot of a thing and it will work out as it does. I can handle the heat so long as I have a time to cool off. There it is called nights, and they won't just be cool they will be out and out cold. This will be a bit tricky. But then it was going to be from the start. I'm just... trying to figure the shift. Oh, as I wrote, I figured this might be a possibility, a strong one, but until something is certain it is difficult to wrap the mind around it.
D.C. is thinking about renting a vehicle and meeting me there. I think that is... unwise. I have the tickets, so we would have to meet before the main gate. He probably has the theme camp bona fides. It requires a lot of luck and some intense planning, plus puts two vehicles out there, looking for parking and... I think it would be both less expensive and simpler to meet at his place and drive from there, since he doesn't trust his vehicle for the drive. We will see on that, too. Yeah, well... We definitely won't be tourists this time around.
Oh, I have no real way to bring my bike, without an expensive attachment to my vehicle... Ugh! Not like I am sure I could have used it much. I haven't been biking. Hmm, we will see.
No problem, just something looking for new solutions. Life. And it is coming up quickly. Later.
Sorry. I am chagrined that I did not at least do a rough estimate based upon some assumptions, in order to realize sooner that an RV was going to suck more gas than I could reasonably muster this year.
ReplyDeletehere is a link that I hope will lead you to an image of the Costco carport that I intend to buy (provided they are still in stock when I get there). Anchored with rebar against the wind, I propose setting up tents (and other camp gear) inside.
I have a large cooler of the sort you linked to. No wheels but about 80 quart size IIRC. If we situate the food in smaller clean containers inside the large cooler and avoid dropping or spilling anything into the ice, the meltwater can be reused for drinking water. I also have a 5 gallon insulated water container of the sort used by construction crews. This can serve as an icewater dispenser.
Regarding the tickets, if that was the way to go, I'd be looking to have you mail it to me to avoid missing each other at the gate or other rendezvous. But I think what we're discussing can work.
When I was looking at rental vehicles I also looked at Amazon for bike racks. There is one for around $39 bucks for a single bike.
Here: Allen Sports Ultra Compact Folding 1-Bike Trunk Mount Rack
Okay, what is the floor dimension? I am thinking, if you get that, I might attempt to get a ground cover of some sort..., since I won't need a new tent, or at least look into a partial one, mats, something. Even in the shower corner. It would be nice to step out and not be in dirt.
ReplyDeletePacking will be tight. Just water is huge. Throw in even a couple of chairs and a table, then my gear even if I go light... Plus I am still wanting to take the good gas can. Not sure I can get the grill in. But we will see. It would be nice to have that there at night, for fire if nothing else.
As to the bike rack... I'll order it, give it a whack, but I'm not sure it will work with my bike. Not sure what difference the bigger bikes bring to the game regarding racks. On the other hand, not much risk and if it works I can possibly do a bit more with the bike... going places that are a little less traveled, observed, and quiet until I get my nerve back on it. Says it's a dirt bike but dirt bikers say not to try it in real off-road conditions or you'll lose some skin and teeth, the bike is mountain in looks/name only. So... Perfect for the playa though.
Oh, I've tentatively signed up to be a greeter the 28th, from 16:00 to 20:00, though I don't have to stay the whole time. I am hereby formally inviting you. I do believe it will be a blast, and a good way to wash the taint of virginity away, and relieve the trauma. ??? Teh golden invitation(tm) is on teh way. :p Jez, don't keep your eyes peeled for... all I'm saying there.
I think we are going to have a blast. I'm just warning you, now, ahead of time, don't get your hopes down. *laughs*
Cool. I was thinking of a big tarp to serve as a floor. The dimensions are 10' x 20'. Let me get to Costco Thursday (right before I am paid) to make sure they are still in stock first.
ReplyDeleteIf you can fit the grill in your SUV on the first leg, we can surely move it to the trailer for the second leg. But without a pile of steaks, it might be less essential. I'm thinking for fire/ambience my cast iron chiminea may serve better (and is smaller). A few bags of charcoal and a few bundles of firewood and we'll have all the evening warmth and ambiance we need.
We will have a blast, yes! This little setback will not ruin our burgin experience. :)
Actually, in some ways, this will be more interesting. Less isn't always more, but there are elements. The thing with the grill is that I would want to put it together, to make sure everything works. Then try it a couple of times. The space problem is more that, unpackaged and constructed... it gets tricky. Just in the box I could strap it to the roof. I'll be thinking on it.
ReplyDeleteI had been thinking to go a bit pricier on things, from tents to sleeping bags, etc. But I think, from what I am seeing, that isn't the way to go. At least for BMan. Unless of course you bring an RV. More expensive than at first considered... a true luxury. Cheaper to rent, and locally (Reno), a consideration for the future.
Oh, I also have several types of salt replacement drink mixes to try, so don't worry about that. Berry, lemon, and something else, of several types... More than we need as is most likely. But pickle juice would still be good. For more than one reason, considering the pickle juice guide guy. Heh. Hey, I wonder if the one might fix the problems of the other a bit? Interesting, being that I do use pickle juice to eliminate dehydration symptoms quite successfully.