About packing/camping

I recently read a friends' blog in which she discussed preparing and packing for a move, her husband, as mine, is not really into packing. I thing it's a genetic thing.

It was all well and good for me, as I packed things when we moved the way I wanted to (control freak) in a organized, easy to unpack (OCD) way. It all worked out.

Last year, when Billy saw my camping list, he thought I was going overboard. "All you need," he said, "is hot dogs and some buns." My question to him was, "What about the mustard? Onions? Knife to cut the onions? A cutting board? Plates? How are you going to cook it? Do you have newspaper and matches to light the fire? Do you have propane for the barbecue? Are you going to turn the dog with your fingers, or do you need a utensil? You can't eat on the nasty picnic table, you'll need a table cloth, what about napkins? (I know you are infamous for mustard leakage) How are you going to keep the hot dogs and mustard cold until you eat them? You'll need a cooler and ice. What about something (uh, non alcoholic) to drink? Water? Pepsi? Cups? Are you going to wash the plates and cups? Because if you are you'll need a kettle, soap, a washtub, water jug, sponge and a dishtowel!"

And that's just for damned hot dogs!

The fact is there is a lot of preparation for camping unless you want to be constantly running to the not so convenience store to pay for overpriced items Good planning makes for a good, easy going fun trip. No worries, no running to the store, no suffering without some extra conveniences. I like planning and packing. I like having everything we need in a simple way. It bugs me if we forget something however small, (uh, like the cooler full of food... that's another story...) best to be prepared...

Don't get me wrong, we don't travel with the kitchen sink by any means. We're actually fairly basic food and personal item wise. A radio, some CD's, a cell phone charger and an electric blanket is the extent of our luxuries (yes we have a mini fridge and hydro...) Okay, okay, we're spoiled rotten, and might as well be at the Holiday Inn... yay for Mom's pop-up!

There have been many times in my life, that I camped with no more than a tent, a blanket, a package of hot dogs and buns, and a cooler of beer... I prefer these days much more!

Looking forward to Friday!