Feel free to comment, or not. But thought I'd share our experience last night. For those who may have opportunity to do, or create something like this, well ... here's an alternative!
Not real sure if you can call this camping or not, but it's definitely "sleeping under the stars".
We're always looking for something that's a little unconventional and doesn't cost a fortune. Ever since we've moved to our current home (about 4 years now), we've not done a lot of public or private campground camping, but sure have enjoyed the benefits of "country living". We've done a lot of "driveway camping" in the camper, enjoying our own amenities right at home, swimminng pool, fire pit, and lots of country roads for bicycling, even a river not too far away for using the canoe.
We do take the camper "out" when there's somewhere we really want to go to, need to, or an event we want to attend. But the quiet and solitude of country living -- right at home sure can't be beat.
Here lately, it's been sooooo hot in Indiana, we've not wanted to sleep in the camper. Running the air conditioner in the camper ... well ... we're paying for the electricity at home (it's NOT included in the camping fee! ... if you know what I mean). And the inside of the house (as large and nice as it is) just isn't the same as sleeping "outside".
Well, we have this fabulous front porch (actually, a side porch and a back porch too. But the front porch is the largest. On occasion, we've pulled a mattress from one of the beds, threw it on the front porch and slept out there. Looking for ways to beef-up the front porch, I did some internet searching and stumbled into a category called "sleeping porch". An instant idea was born! Using concrete blocks as a base and 2 old doors from a remodel some time ago as a platform ... well ... guess where we slept last night!
There again, not sure if you can call this "camping", but Oh was it wonderful being outside and the benefit of a soft bed with a roof over our heads! This really brings back memories and feeling of our pop-up days!
DutchmenSport
2005 Chevy Silverado 3500 Dually Duramax 6.6L V8 Turbo
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Northeast Outfitters Canoe
looks nice! i wish we could do that. we have a large back deck we could use that is facing the woods. unfortunately, the bugs and the heat (100 degrees yesterday) and the humidity are also back there. not a chance! we shall stay inside, where the a/c can almost keep up with the heat, and no bugs, and it's dry. it is absolutely miserable out there.
1999 Winnebago Minnie, 29', Triton V10, mostly stock. So far...
How fun, and a great way to save money yet still have family bonding time doing something different!
I have the best memories of family vacations at the beach when I would put my air mattress out on the porch to sleep. How wonderful to doze off listening to the waves and seeing the stars over the ocean!
Me, my hubby, and our new pup, a mini dachshund named Fred
2008 Keystone Cougar
2001 Chevy 3500 Dually 8.1L Vortec
I don't know if it is camping or not but when our daughter and her family lived in a sigle family home rather than a condo, our SIL would set up the tent in the backyard and they would sleep out there. The DGKs loved to do it, and it was family time with no TV, phones or electronics. Looks like fun to me.
"I travel not to go anywhere, but to go. I travel for travel's sake. The great affair is to go". R. L. Stevenson
Understand how you feel. For years DW has been saying how she likes our place better than CGs. Recentlly I've realized what she has been saying. We have a view all the way around our house that rivals any at any CG we have ever been. I cannot hear or see another neighbor. I don't have to listen to their stereo, smell whatever they're burning in their campfire, have them cutting across my campsite, listen to their screaming kids, listen to the thunk, thunk of a cornhole game until wee hours of the morning, etc. Some folks may enjoy all of this. To each his own. I like the privacy and, although I can hear the highway, the peace and quiet. Gary
Sleeping out doors, under the stars was a very common way to beat the heat back in the 30s and 40s when the average home was not air conditioned. My parents OFTEN slept in our back yard on cotts or simply throwing a mattress on the ground. As kids sleeping on the front porch of our suburban home was considered to be a special treat, usually reserved for when company was staying over. Of course in THOSE days temps almost NEVER stayed above the 80 degree mark over night and now days often doesn't even drop out of the 90s in town. Brings back some very nice memories though. Never considered it a "camping" experience though but then most of my camping occurs as part of an extended trip to new and exciting places. Stay at local campgrounds only a few times a year and it's mostly a social event.
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