all members ~ old and new! Please toke some time to introduce yourself here so we may get to know each other and share our interest in camping

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Just exploring groups on care2; recently got interested in camping, as my son has joined Boy Scouts. We're headed to Lassen this summer (kind of ambitious, I think, for someone who's gone tent camping exactly twice, but I'm looking forward to it).

Any tips?

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Hi all! I'm Delaney. I was a Brownie and a Girl Scout and grew to love camping. Yes I am a woman who loves to camp! So much so in fact that even as a divorced mom with daughters (2 and 4) I bought a cabin tent and shared my love for the great outdoors with my little girls. They grew to love it as well and have numerous fond memories of the woods and the wildlife we encountered over the years.  My older daughter now has four children of her own (3 boys and a girl) and is passing on that love to her children as well. Over the years we've tried different kinds of tents, a Pop-Up Camper, and a Travel Trailer. Personally I think I liked the Pop-Up best of all. It was a combination of both worlds and even our cat enjoyed being able to lounge on the big bed surrounded by windows to watch the world. Now my younger grown daughter and I are are about to embark on the path of becoming Full-Time RVer Artist/Crafter/Writers. I guess it is a passion for nature that makes us love it so. What incredible inspiration nature has been for us and always will be.

Delaney

www.GaelicKnotStudio.com

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The Smokys are beautiful. My daughter and I lived in Pigeon Forge for two years prior to moving back to Michigan to care for my 91 year old mother. We woke up every morning to a view of the foothill across the hollow from us. Absolutely breathtaking. We worked out in The Glades, an art/craft community near Gatlinburg, and had the pleasure of those winding mountain roads with their amasingly scenic vistas around every curve on a daily basis. It's no wonder Smoky Mountain National Park is one of the most highly visited in the nation, 

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Hi all!  I'm Rachel.  Did someone say Smokey Mountains?  Oh I love those mountains.  I've been camping there for my entire life.  I went there every summer as a child with my family, then as an adult almost every summer.

Thanks for this group!  I love camping!

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Welcome to the group! Yes, we did mention the Smokies!

It sounds like you know them well. Do you have a favorite place to camp there? Or some special spot you found and would love to share? I think we're all ears, ah eyes.

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Cades Cove!  An 11 mile loop of wildlife sanctuary, and  a primitive place to camp - no showers LOL...but so natural.  Near Townsend TN.  A must to visit.  

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We made it as far as Townsend. It started pouring half way there and our windshield wipers decided to quit on us. Thank goodness for Rain X or we'd have ended up off the road. It poured the whole day so we turned around and headed back, slowly.

Every one says Cade's Cove is fabulous and we really wanted to see it. Next time!

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Hi; I'm Sally and I love camping. I've been doing it all my life. As a matter of fact I'm leaving for Mount Baker, WA this afternoon.

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Hi Sally!

Welcome to the group. Hope you have a fun weekend. We'd love to hear about it when you get back.

Happy Fourth of July Everyone!

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I have loved camping since my first trip to the Blue Ridge Parkway with my parents when I was 10 years old.  I have since passed my love of camping and nature on to my 10 year old son.  Camping is my Great Escape!!!

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http://www.nwf.org/backyardcampout/

Check it out!!!

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Lassen was fantastic. It's kind of weird to go from "this is my third time EVER to camp in a tent" to "just spent a week camping and hiking on an active volcano!" but it was great. Didn't see any bears, but got some good photos of deer and may have heard a bear on my way to the comfort station one night. (Seriously - but I was so tired that the quiet chuffing didn't seem a threat - just a reminder that I might want to go back to the tent for a flashlight. The next day, we were told that a bear had been sighted in our campground loop that night.)

If you're interested in photos, see http://hollyjahangiri.ning.com

That backyard camping event appears to be over. Wish I'd heard about it sooner - looks like fun. I like camping in my own back yard. I'm still not entirely sure I see the appeal of sleeping in a tent (although if I can ever get myself comfortable with the idea of ultralight backpacking, maybe... it's hauling all the STUFF that seems to defeat the purpose, but I'm still not convinced that I might be able to live without half the STUFF I haul).

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Hi everyone,

I found some really good deals on camping gear at this site

http://www.basecampsupply.com

Dino

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I am lifetime camper- now have been camphost, state park volunteer! Hooked!!! Future full-time RV'er!! (am also a hardcore lake rat- love boating)

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