Need help with a family break in run/camping

[Huhwhye]

Appreciate any help I can get on this matter.

I've been with my wife for 4 years.  We have a 2 year old daughter.  They have never been camping.

I need to plan a trip to break the family in.  Now I can handle anything, done some off the most backwoods roughing it imaginable.  I don't think my family can handle that.

I am thinking a 3 day 2 night kind of trip in central or southern Cal.

Issues:

1. She wants to be able to shower.

2. Toilets must be available

My Ideas:

Setting up basecamp in a state run campground with showers, picnic table, fire pit, toilets, etc. etc.  Do day trips, fun runs/picnics from basecamp.

Any suggestions on this?  I'm planning on buying some gear to make her more comfortable.  Any suggestions on wife comfort gear also appreciated.

Thanks,


David

[Toymin8r]

When she wants to shower, point to your bottled water.

When she wants to use the toilet, point to the nearest tree.

How hard was that?

[gtoyonrocks]

It sounds like your in for a good time. It sounds to me like you need to make sure that she has a good time this trip or it maybe the last one. Good luck to you. I would definately recommend a state park of some sort. There are a lot of really nice ones in SOCAL.

[kneedownnate]

You can get a setup that's like a big black water bladder like you find in camelbacks and hiking packs.  You fill it with water and hang it where it'll get light throughout the day so the water warms up, then set up the hose where she can grab it to spray herself off.  You can also get a wrap around shower curtain in case she's modest, but where's the fun in that 

[brainlessfool]

Appreciate any help I can get on this matter.

I've been with my wife for 4 years.  We have a 2 year old daughter.  They have never been camping.

I need to plan a trip to break the family in.  Now I can handle anything, done some off the most backwoods roughing it imaginable.  I don't think my family can handle that.

I am thinking a 3 day 2 night kind of trip in central or southern Cal.

Issues:

1. She wants to be able to shower.

2. Toilets must be available

My Ideas:

Setting up basecamp in a state run campground with showers, picnic table, fire pit, toilets, etc. etc.  Do day trips, fun runs/picnics from basecamp.

Any suggestions on this?  I'm planning on buying some gear to make her more comfortable.  Any suggestions on wife comfort gear also appreciated.

Thanks,


David

hotel

[BLACKDOG]

Definitely lean toward state parks with those requirements.

[junya92toy]

Back pack in 3 days, stay for 2 weeks and live off the land.

[1972TLC]

i don't understand women that can't camp like normal human beings.

i'm a chick. i have a great understanding for wanting to be clean and fresh and whatever but seriously. you can't go two days without a shower? cry me a river!

women who refuse to camp with their friends and more importantly, their spouse/boyfriend/sig. other unless there is a toilet stall and a shower says one thing. they don't want to camp with you because it's more important to them that there be a lousy shower head and a pot to piss in.

nice to know some metal and a pile of ceramic is more important than a weekend+ with you, enjoying the nature/wild/bonding romance whatever that could be experienced if they camped like they're supposed to. 

[junya92toy]

Im going to print out everything you said and frame it on my wall.

[Tool Pimp]

http://www.elmonterv.com/ 

[junya92toy]

You know its too bad you dont live in oregon I know a sweet little lake that has a free campground, kinda remote and has bathrooms.

[1972TLC]

You know its too bad you dont live in oregon I know a sweet little lake that has a free campground, kinda remote and has bathrooms.

what lake joo talkin bout willis?! not that i care about the toilets. just curious where you're located. 

i'm so lame (and underpriviledged as a kid as i didn't go camping much because *cough*mom hates it*cough* (weird how that relates to this thread no?!! lol)) the only lake i'm familiar with is Hag Lake. i've never even been to detroit lake. 

[spongebob]

So true. Me n my old man tent camp, no showers, no makeup and definitely no hair dryer... lol. We have quite a few children in our group, too. I think they enjoy not having to take showers more than some of the adults. A State Park with good trails near by  good luck

[junya92toy]

Its called elk lake, right above detriot oregon. Sometimes its full and other times its almost empty of campers. And its only like 1.5 hours from portland so thats nice. And of course if you get there and it does have a lot of ppl, you can always go find a place off a old logging road.

[1972TLC]

Its called elk lake, right above detriot oregon. Sometimes its full and other times its almost empty of campers. And its only like 1.5 hours from portland so thats nice. And of course if you get there and it does have a lot of ppl, you can always go find a place off a old logging road.

nice. i'll have to check it out this summer

[junya92toy]

I tried to make up there a few weekends ago but there was still a lot of snow.  You should get a map too, someone removed the signs for it. Unless you know where to go like me, it might be hard to find. You got a landcruiser I take it?

[swapped89]

i don't understand women that can't camp like normal human beings.

i'm a chick. i have a great understanding for wanting to be clean and fresh and whatever but seriously. you can't go two days without a shower? cry me a river!

women who refuse to camp with their friends and more importantly, their spouse/boyfriend/sig. other unless there is a toilet stall and a shower says one thing. they don't want to camp with you because it's more important to them that there be a lousy shower head and a pot to piss in.

nice to know some metal and a pile of ceramic is more important than a weekend+ with you, enjoying the nature/wild/bonding romance whatever that could be experienced if they camped like they're supposed to. 

Well put

[spongebob]

what lake joo talkin bout willis?! not that i care about the toilets. just curious where you're located. 

i'm so lame (and underpriviledged as a kid as i didn't go camping much because *cough*mom hates it*cough* (weird how that relates to this thread no?!! lol)) the only lake i'm familiar with is Hag Lake. i've never even been to detroit lake. 

That stinks, my daughter grew up without her dad around, we went 4wheelin, campin and fishin, just me her and Smith & Wesson... now she's 20 and got her own 4wd... too bad I don't know how to work on cars... that's one thing I guess she'll have to rely on a man for... hey I gotta get grandkids somehow...

[junya92toy]

what lake joo talkin bout willis?! not that i care about the toilets. just curious where you're located. 

i'm so lame (and underpriviledged as a kid as i didn't go camping much because *cough*mom hates it*cough* (weird how that relates to this thread no?!! lol)) the only lake i'm familiar with is Hag Lake. i've never even been to detroit lake. 

I just read the whole thing, that sucks. I know tons of small lakes and bigger ones that are fun to check out.

[kneedownnate]

Here you go man  http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/guide-gear-pop-up-shelter-with-solar-shower.aspx?a=612929&pn=1

Check out all their sale stuff and sign up to get notices of sales.  They have some super cheap stuff, currently including some nice $80 rapala rods (one of my favorites) for $20!

[V-Man]

Appreciate any help I can get on this matter.
I've been with my wife for 4 years.  We have a 2 year old daughter.  They have never been camping.
I need to plan a trip to break the family in.  Now I can handle anything, done some off the most backwoods roughing it imaginable.  I don't think my family can handle that.
I am thinking a 3 day 2 night kind of trip in central or southern Cal.
Issues:
1. She wants to be able to shower.
2. Toilets must be available
My Ideas:
Setting up basecamp in a state run campground with showers, picnic table, fire pit, toilets, etc. etc.  Do day trips, fun runs/picnics from basecamp.
Any suggestions on this?  I'm planning on buying some gear to make her more comfortable.  Any suggestions on wife comfort gear also appreciated.
Thanks,
David

   You got any couples you hang out with that would share the cost of a three or four room cabin?


Get another couple or two in on the trip...Book the cabin( this is great because most cabins are off the beaten path), the kids and women can hang out at cabin/beach/playground or go to town if they don't want to wheel.  Maybe take the wife and kids for a short day trip off road, pack a lunch etc.  I could give you the website of a great place, but I think Ontario may be too far for you... .  But it's got great wheeling( there is nothing but old mine/logging  roads, Ski-doo trails etc.  Plus a nice beach, day trips to a pile of walking and fishing locations.

The cabin could help you ease them into the camping thing... Hell we started with a tent, but only sleep in it at field day( Hamradio event) and then got a Tent Trailer, but Karen's cool with just driving off the road some were and going to a lake.  I've even taught her to not pee on Poison Ivy

[V-Man]

That stinks, my daughter grew up without her dad around, we went 4wheelin, campin and fishin, just me her and Smith & Wesson... now she's 20 and got her own 4wd... too bad I don't know how to work on cars... that's one thing I guess she'll have to rely on a man for... hey I gotta get grandkids somehow...

  Sounds like your the type of "lady" that asks a guy to do something for her or suggests something and we all just smile and say "Yes Mam". Because we got a load of  for any woman 
with the confidence to try, admit when or if you need want help..  

[spongebob]

Oh yea... I've needed help plenty of times... actually admitting it, well that's another story 

[1972TLC]

   You got any couples you hang out with that would share the cost of a three or four room cabin?


Get another couple or two in on the trip...Book the cabin( this is great because most cabins are off the beaten path), the kids and women can hang out at cabin/beach/playground or go to town if they don't want to wheel.  Maybe take the wife and kids for a short day trip off road, pack a lunch etc.  I could give you the website of a great place, but I think Ontario may be too far for you... .  But it's got great wheeling( there is nothing but old mine/logging  roads, Ski-doo trails etc.  Plus a nice beach, day trips to a pile of walking and fishing locations.

The cabin could help you ease them into the camping thing... Hell we started with a tent, but only sleep in it at field day( Hamradio event) and then got a Tent Trailer, but Karen's cool with just driving off the road some were and going to a lake.  I've even taught her to not pee on Poison Ivy

Good ideers right there!!

[V-Man]

Good ideers right there!!

Which one the cabin, or not peeing on poison Ivy?

[RICHARDS91]

You should check out Dinkey Creek, it's by Shaver Lake, They got flushing toilets,showers at the little store, and some great trails (Swamp Lake,Dusty Eirshm) around there, good fishing at Huntington, Courtwright, Wishon. Look it up!!!

[1972TLC]

Which one the cabin, or not peeing on poison Ivy?

all of it.

[jrock]

 

[V-Man]

all of it.

 ok here some thing else Don't BURN patches of poison Ivy because the the smoke if inhaled can have the same effect on the lungs, as the plant oil does to the skin...  That could mean .


But off topic...A Travel Trailer works out good too, because you can take the "washroom" with you and it's got a shower if you have power(Generator/ shore power). Plus it's private so only you are using it, and there's no walking to it at 2am with a kid in the dark.. only to find it closed   .  

[sparkys83yota]

The way i got my wife to enjoy camping trips was to let her do some of the wheelin. It was a little scary at first but it worked. Good luck