Car Camping For The Young At Heart

It's great to go camping when you're young. Kids don't even feel the minor discomforts of camping on a ground cloth (ground sheet) or a tarpaulin. And young adults think it's luxury to sleep on a camping air mattress or a foam hip pad.

When I was a kid camping out I didn't even know these things existed. Well, I did know about the rubber inflatable mattresses, but they were too bulky and heavy to put in a backpack. So I roughed it. And it was fun.
 
It is a whole new ball game, though, to make yourself comfortable at camp when you are older and less fit. Those bones may have better padding, but they want more comfort as well - especially when it's time to climb into a sleeping bag for a good night's sleep.

When you're youthful and enthusiastic, you are delighted to chuck your sleep sack on the ground and drop off to sleep. As long as there's something waterproof above and below you, then you will be fine.

But we middle-aged campers weigh more than we did as kids, unless we are very disciplined (or lucky). And we have been sleeping on comfortable top-quality mattresses at home for years. We have come to expect those little 5-star luxuries like hot running water and nice clean toilets.

If we're going to camp outdoors ever again, then it will have to be comforable as well... Even in some canvas camping tent.

Now we both know you're not going to get hotel style room service while you're out in the wilderness or even at some camping ground. But with a little pre-planning, we can make out outdoor camping experience a pleasant and comfortable event.

Since we are adults and have motor cars, there is little need to hump a backpack unless we really enjoy such exertions. So instead of hiking to our campsite, we go car camping instead.

We senior citizens just need a decent-quality tent to keep out the wind, the sun and inclement weather like rain or snow. And being grown-ups we like to have a nice thick and comfortable mattress between us and that hard cold ground.

A decent-quality sleeping bag or a down feather quilt from home will keep us warm while we snore contentedly. And if we have spouses or partners to share our sleeping space, then a double sleeping bag is great. Otherwise you can zip two single sleeping bags together... as long as they are the same design.

Some single sleeping bags will be marked Left or Right, so check at the store when you buy. A Left-side bag will only attach its zip to a Right bag (or vice versa). So you need one of each.

If you intend to cook at camp, be sure to plan your meals beforehand. Keep the menu simple, and only bring the food you need. An ice-filled cooler will keep the perishables safe for a day or two. And simple meals can be heated on a single burner stove. That's why camping folk call them one-pot meals.

You can eat simple one-pot meals for a while, but eventually you're going to crave fancier food and drink to break the monotony. Rather than eating fast food from a burger joint or a greasy spoon, can I suggest you eat something completely different from  what you've been living on for a while... Some fresh food and vitamins would be good. 

Make it a point to pick up some fresh vegetables and fruits and make yourself a decent salad? I like starting with tomato and cucumber; Lebanese cucumber is especially good. Add a boiled egg, a little cheese or canned tuna and you have a pretty-well balanced meal. Other vegetables just add color or interest to the eye.

If your campsite doesn't have picnic tables available, you will need to bring some folding table with you - for food preparation and for dining at meal times. You can also play cards or write letters on the table. Bring enough folding camp chairs with you as well. They are comfortable, lightweight, and cheap to buy.

A commercially-run camping park should have clean toilets and hot showers. Some forest camping sites may only have cold showers, or just toilets. So check what's there before you decide.