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Camping Way Out West
Sep. 17th, 2012 07:57 pmThird Best Buck In The Bay rodeo for me, first time I got to camp it. Some random thoughts and observations:
Plan to rock the Old West/vintage look. Got a lot of compliments and The Boys looked so handsome. Special props to Bryan for his Kid Curry re-creation. http://www.flickr.com/photos/70104978@N00/sets/72157631562758425/
(I, on the other hand, need to drop some ballast!)
Pack a rake and a broom. They put us out in a dusty cow pen and it would've been nice to be able to rake some of the cowpies out of the way before pitching my tent. Thanks to Jo for helping me shake out and fold things during tear down.
Try to remember to pack an extra fleece jacket or sweatshirt in a big size - someone will invariably forget something and get cold. Not that anything I have might have fit Jo, but he didn't have a coat and it gets chilly that close to the coast at night.
You CAN wrap an RV in fake plastic barn siding and stick fake cacti on it and win best decorated camp. My tent is still prettiest, though. Impressed the RV and dome tent crowd a lot.
Check for gaps that need sunscreen. I though the bandanna covered more of my chest than it actually did.
Kevin and Andy will always bring more food than the entire group can possibly go through, but Kevin and I both had a few digestive issues Saturday evening. Some carrot sticks or fresh fruit would have been a good option.
Offer to make Saturday dinner in camp - the vendor they chose for the $20 steak dinner was disappointing. (The $10 chicken dinner on Sunday was much better).
Bringing one's own water means not having to buy it from the vendors. I don't mind supporting the vendors, but it adds up fast. Having a stash in my tent leftover from Mists Cynagua war meant people could grab bottles or fill their own.
Bring more cash than you think you'll need - the gay rodeo folks sponsor lots of charities and they're always collecting for various causes.I tossed $20 to a campmate to support her AIDS Lifecycle ride and got a useful and colorful turquoise bandana out of the deal. (She's a nice lady and she's doing a good thing. Click on the link if you are inclined to make a donation.)
Beware the Liam-Neeson-only-cuter bartender and order a beer instead of a gin and tonic: I think he waved the tonic bottle over the party cup of gin and ice he passed me.
Learn to two-step properly before next year! I'll happily waltz with Kevin any time, and we did some swing, but we haven't made two-step work and it can't be THAT hard. If I can swing, I should be able to freakin' two-step.
Look for a compact solid fuel backpack stove. Bryan brought one to make coffee and chili with in the morning and I was impressed with it.
As usual, met some great folks, got to admire horses and cowboys, hang out with friends I don't get to spend nearly enough time with and do some dancing.
Plan to rock the Old West/vintage look. Got a lot of compliments and The Boys looked so handsome. Special props to Bryan for his Kid Curry re-creation. http://www.flickr.com/photos/70104978@N00/sets/72157631562758425/
(I, on the other hand, need to drop some ballast!)
Pack a rake and a broom. They put us out in a dusty cow pen and it would've been nice to be able to rake some of the cowpies out of the way before pitching my tent. Thanks to Jo for helping me shake out and fold things during tear down.
Try to remember to pack an extra fleece jacket or sweatshirt in a big size - someone will invariably forget something and get cold. Not that anything I have might have fit Jo, but he didn't have a coat and it gets chilly that close to the coast at night.
You CAN wrap an RV in fake plastic barn siding and stick fake cacti on it and win best decorated camp. My tent is still prettiest, though. Impressed the RV and dome tent crowd a lot.
Check for gaps that need sunscreen. I though the bandanna covered more of my chest than it actually did.
Kevin and Andy will always bring more food than the entire group can possibly go through, but Kevin and I both had a few digestive issues Saturday evening. Some carrot sticks or fresh fruit would have been a good option.
Offer to make Saturday dinner in camp - the vendor they chose for the $20 steak dinner was disappointing. (The $10 chicken dinner on Sunday was much better).
Bringing one's own water means not having to buy it from the vendors. I don't mind supporting the vendors, but it adds up fast. Having a stash in my tent leftover from Mists Cynagua war meant people could grab bottles or fill their own.
Bring more cash than you think you'll need - the gay rodeo folks sponsor lots of charities and they're always collecting for various causes.I tossed $20 to a campmate to support her AIDS Lifecycle ride and got a useful and colorful turquoise bandana out of the deal. (She's a nice lady and she's doing a good thing. Click on the link if you are inclined to make a donation.)
Beware the Liam-Neeson-only-cuter bartender and order a beer instead of a gin and tonic: I think he waved the tonic bottle over the party cup of gin and ice he passed me.
Learn to two-step properly before next year! I'll happily waltz with Kevin any time, and we did some swing, but we haven't made two-step work and it can't be THAT hard. If I can swing, I should be able to freakin' two-step.
Look for a compact solid fuel backpack stove. Bryan brought one to make coffee and chili with in the morning and I was impressed with it.
As usual, met some great folks, got to admire horses and cowboys, hang out with friends I don't get to spend nearly enough time with and do some dancing.
