RE: Where is it cool right now?
We live in the mid Atlantic, which is a hike for you, but if you really want cool in the Eastern part of the country without going too too far north, try Jennings Randolph Lake or Deep Creek Lake in the mountains of WV... at about 4,000 feet, they average ten degrees cooler than the surrounding lowlands. We discovered JR Lake last summer, and had a great time. It's about 3.5 hours NW of DC, so it'd be a trek for you, but perhaps someone closer can use the info.
RE: 1st trip with 6 mo old granddaughter - advice please???
Man, I read the Breasts post and fell out of my chair! It's true though, that it does make life easier if Mom is nursing - milk is always sanitary and the right temp. If I were not nursing though, those instant premeasured formula things sound like a good idea. Here's some more:
High chair that clips to the picnic table. Mosquito netting for the pack n play helps to avoid insect repellent. Natural insect repellent such as Burt's Bees for when the baby is in arms. Definitely a baby sling or front pack, or, if baby is sitting up, a baby back pack. Off road jog stroller is a HUGE help (we rented one for a recent trip to Mammoth and took it off road everywhere with my 4yo in it. It made it so we could do all the things we wanted to.
Good luck and have a great time!
RE: How young?
I'm so sorry about the little guy and the body cast. That's terrible. I had a kid with a broken arm recently, and one thing I discovered was that since the last kid was in a cast, they have changed their attitude about it. They now try to get the cast off as soon as possible (I think it was a month before they switched her to a removable one which was pretty easy to handle and with which we could have camped no problem), so maybe it won't be too long before you are out camping again(though I realize this is a much more serious injury). What a bummer when you just got your new TT!
To answer the original question: We took our 5th baby at five weeks old in a tent and had a great trip. I always have a tough time recovering from childbirth, so I was still very anemic and wiped out, so dh and the rest of the crew did ALL the work. I just sat holding my baby. We brought a pack and play with it's own mosquito netting (since you can't put bug spray on them at that age) and she slept there outside for hours, way better than at home. It made me think perhaps the A/C in the house is too much for the little ones. All my babies are happy in muggy summer (Virginia) weather out of doors. A front pack or baby sling is also a great thing to have. DH bought me a camping chair with rockers for that trip too, so I'd have a good place to sit and nurse her. At night, she slept in the pack and play or next to us in the tent on a thin blanket on the ground (after all, the docs do recommend a hard surface for sleeping these days - though I'm not sure that is what they have in mind).
RE: What are your best tips and tricks while camping?
We have a small set of plastic drawers which we store inside, then load in the van or PUP when ready to leave. It holds things like rubber bands, cards, paperclips, sunscreen, bug repellent, toiletries etc. We also keep a couple of small plastic storage boxes full of all the electronics, spare batteries etc. Since many of the items in these need not to be stored at 120 degrees, we don't leave them in the PUP, but store them in a closet in the house. When it's time to go, we just load them up and head out.
RE: So I think it’s time to cut a hole in my camper as well
OK, I'm weighing in as a WIFE type here... Tim, $200 ain't worth your marriage! If Jethro the dealer messes it up, she'll blame HIM (and herself for not letting you do it), and be very apologetic. If YOU screw it up... weelll... the bathtub is not a great place to sleep! :-)
RE: Hybrid for long term living?
Hi Pucka! Welcome to Beautiful Virginia! I'm a CA transplant too. Just thought it was funny that nobody mentioned the humidity factor, which will be rather unpleasant for those unused to it. We camp in a PUP with AC, and it keeps us cool with tents, but the boys may not be all for going outside in August in VA, so it could get a little crowded in there. I'd make sure your campground had a swimming option, so they don't drive you crazy until they go off to school.
Good luck to you. It sounds like a great adventure, especially coming across the country. I'd take the scenic route and arrive just in time to hit Wally World for school supplies and clothes and kick them out the door!
RE: Myrtle Beach State Park
Well, we actually backed in to our site after dark. Lots of trees here to maneuver around. Seafood didn't happen. Ha. McDonalds at 9:30 was a feast! We drove by a "forest" fire or coming near Francis Marion College! Thick smoke. Saw flames. Road detour. Ugh.
When we were here last (fall) there were a few Pavillion rides at Broadway...is that where Hard Rock Park is? I bet it is. We like to browse around there...so will see it. Don't have any kids with us but will check it out! Yeah....a week away from work!!
Yup, there sure are a lotta trees there. I am still sporting a small dent in the back of my van where it had an up close and personal encounter with said trees. Still, it's a beautiful park! Have a great time.
RE: Has rise in gas prices caused you to decrease your camping?
The gas prices sure changed my summer plans. I was thinking of doing the cross country trip to see my folks in CA, but when the gas prices skyrocketed, and I added up the price, and then my parents offered us miles enough to get three free plane tickets, and I already had miles enough for two more, we decided to fly. I'm sort of bummed though because I have wanted to drive across with the kids for a long time. I still want to do it, but not this year. Besides, I want to trade the PUP for an HTT before we take that trip, and that's definately not in this year's budget.
RE: Turn off da flashlight fellas!
Oh you guys are so funny! At least, in a tent, the camper doesn't rock!
I had a boyfriend many years ago who used to say... it's not a spectator sport fellas, keep it to yourselves! Think there's a lot of sense in that.
RE: New to RVing
Congrats! That's the TT we would like to buy later, when we have the budget for it! Have a wonderful time with your new toy. I like the white myself!
RE: From tent to pup to rv now back to tent
We are "discussing" ditching the PUP and going back to tenting for a while for money reasons. Price of gas is one reason, but kid in college and termite damage to the stick and brick house is another. We need the capital tied up in the camper. I asked DH for a last trip in the PUP for mother's day, and we'll make up our minds. I really don't know how I feel about it.
In the long run, though, we are sure, when money allows, that we'd like a hybrid TT. It has all those sleeping outside type benefits, plus it's decent work wise.
Good luck and let us know how it goes readjusting to tent living. We are very curious for obvious reasons!
Rain is the part that worries me most.
RE: 1st Baby - Need Camping Advice
We've camped through the infant years of the last two and had a great time. Biggest helps:
1. like they said.. Pack and Play with a mosquito net over top(I found mine at Burlington Coat Factory, in the baby depot). Our babies slept better with that set up out of doors than ever at home. The net is a good deal if you camp where there are bugs, because you aren't supposed to slather the little ones in insect repellent. Sun shade too, if there are no trees.
2. Super gate and a tarp. This is for the next year, when they get to where they want to roam around eating dirt and magic mushrooms. The super baby gate comes in six sections and makes a huge playpen area. You put it on a tarp so the kid stays cleanish, and toss toys in there and he can hang out with you under the trees but you aren't worried about him eating poisonous leaves.
3. Battery operated baby monitor, so you can be outside sitting by the campfire far enough from him not to wake him (we have a PUP, so sound's and issue).
4. Battery operated noise maker. NICE! Especially when the next campers over are having a party... baby is not the only one who sleeps better.
5. High chair that hooks on to the picnic table and hangs off of it. These are so cool, and you can use them anywhere. Much lighter and easier to bring along.
6. baby sling up to about seven months, then a baby back pack. These are easier than a stroller.
7. When they're not tiny anymore, Burt's bees has an organic bug spray that I use. You have to use it more often than the strong stuff, but no worries about evil ingredients.
Hope it helps... have fun!
RE: Anyone camping for Mother's Day? WHere?
Sherando lake for Mom's day for me, but not on this weekend because Grandma, who's also mom, lives with us, and we thought it was not nice to leave her alone, so we'll go the following weekend, and stay home with her for the actual holiday. I don't care, so long's I gets to camp before the weather gets hot.
RE: Whats in a name??
Pretty boring here... I'm Cynthia Catherine, I sometimes go by Cyndi and sometimes by Kate, so online I stared going by Cyndikate. Usually, it's original enough that I can get it. Fun topic. Thanks to the OP for bringing it up!
RE: Training---Cats
A few years ago we worked with a very effective dog trainer by the name of Miriam Fields-Babineau here in Virginia. She really helped us with our chow mix, making it possible to keep her rather than have her put down (the dog was dangerous to other dogs - we had rescued her but she came with baggage). It was not cheap but was definately worth it. One of her most popular books is "Cat Training In Ten Minutes." She was a very effective dog trainer, so I would presume she knew about cats as well... It's worth knowing about this trainer and her books for dogs too. She taught us to use a dog head halter (she has one of her own design which works terrifically). With a less dangerous situation, one could learn all one needed to know from the book. In addition, she's just a nice lady.
Here is Miriam's Website: miriamfields.com
RE: A Woman`s Issue
Seems from reading the answers here that it really depends on each couple's situation... I would love to give my PUP the TLC you give your trailer, Tuck, but with 6 kids and a part time job, it's all I can do to get it registered and pay the insurance on it each year. I do understand pride of ownership and protecting your investment.
So I had two thoughts about the whole thing. The first is about my FIL who lived with us for the last 9 years of his life. The dear man was useless with any domestic chores. MIL did EVERYTHING for him. We forgave him, though, because we all understood it was the result of many many years of working long hard hours as a bartender, and a salesman on the side, making minimum wage overall, to keep food for eight kids on the table. MIL was used to no help at home because they could never afford for him to BE home. When he was home, he tried to focus on the most important duties... the kids. So, my rambling point is just this. Old habits die hard. If your husband was used to working long hours, even though he isn't still, he may just not have the sense to realize how unfair he's being, or he might feel unskilled in domestic matters and like he'd just be in the way. I'll bet if you bring it up gently, so he doesn't get defensive, he'd be open to pitching in.
The second thought I had was this. Nine years ago, my husband nearly died at 37 and left me a young widow with four kids. By the grace of God and with the help of some very good docs, he is well and not dead, and we added a couple of bonus babies to our brood! Life is good. It taught me not to sweat the small stuff.
As for how we split the work, it depends on who's idea the trip was... since it was usually mine, I try to do as much as I can, and I often go without him too as he's not as fond of RVing as I am, but he does pitch in when asked, and does many of the outside maitenence chores that I'm not expert in.
RE: If times get tough?
On the one hand, I am with the posters who say once the kids are out on their own, they need to be on their own. On the other hand, if there were a catastrophy, I know my parents would be there for me, just as I would be there for them. We actually practice what we preach. 13 years ago, we build a house with an apartment so that my in laws could come and live with us. My FIL died a happy man surrounded by love and grandchildren in 2003, and my MIL is still with us, very healthy and going strong. Today is her 84th birthday! So this has got to be a two way street. We are family. We all do what we can for each other. I was tremendously grateful to my own parents who paid one month of last year's college tuition for my daughter, but I never would have asked them or expected them to do that. It had to come from them as a free gift because I had no right to it. If everybody uses that set of principles, I don't see a conflict. It's when that sense of entitlement sneaks in that you have an issue.
So the answer to the OP question is... depends on the circumstances (which seems to be pretty much what everyone is saying).
RE: Million dollar question...
We are soft mattress folks, so we put a foam pad on top of the camper mattress. That is covered by a king sized sheet, as much to hold it in place as anything else. We use a top sheet, with opened out sleeping bags on top of that, but the kids just use sleeping bags. They shower at night before hopping in so we don't bother to wash them too often. After all, this IS camping, so our standards are not so high. The thing about the sleeping bag comforters is they help with the condensation issues.
RE: 11mo old in bottom bunk - bed rail options?
Hey triumph guy,
We have a couple of hinged wooden baby gates that mount to the walls with hardware. The one side swings out and the other latches, but when you don't want the gates there, you can slide the hinges off their mount and put the whole thing away. They are adjustable as far as width. The only question I wonder about is whether they might be too tall or short for the space, or not wide enough (though different widths are available). I have a think about nets and babies. I am always worried they'll wrap their fingers in the net and get the circulation pinched off. Probably not likely to happen... the worrying thing goes with being a mom I guess.
Take care,
Cyndikate
