Camping: The Good, The Bad and The Diva

For the past 12 years our family has gone camping; generally once a month from May - September. We camp the south and central Puget Sound, Eastern Washington and the Olympic Peninsula. This year, with soaring gas prices, we plan to camp fairly close to home, within a 60-70 mile radius of Seattle.

One of our long-time favorite sites is the Dungeness Recreation Area near Sequim, Washington, home of the John Wayne Marina, the award-winning seafood restaurant, "The 3 Crabs", and the Sequim Bay State Park. The Dungeness Recreation Area is the gateway to the Dungeness National Wildlife Refuge.

In the early morning hours-- 6:30/7:00 a.m.--you can walk around the campgrounds and mingle with deer, rabbits, horses and birds. Even on a cloudy day, this campsite always has something special to delight your senses.

What do you look for in a camping experience: fresh air, peace and quiet, solitude, fishing, boating and hiking? After years of camping, we realized that peace and quiet are sporadic, and there is little solitude unless you go off the beaten path to more primitive campsites such as South Fork Hoh or Mowich Lake on the Olympic Peninsula. http://www.nwsource.com/outdoors/camping/

What we do find, and what keeps us camping year after year, is a lot of fresh air, plenty of hiking trails and depending on the campsite you choose, there's ample boating and fishing, though there are many regulatory conditions. (See the Fishing in Washington Rules Pamphlet.) https://fortress.wa.gov/dfw/erules/erules/index.jsp

We enjoy the opportunity to connect with each other, sharing meals together, swapping stories around the campfire, and the sights and sounds of nature. Beyond connecting with our own families, it is refreshing to socialize with fellow campers and get back to basics. Children and adults ride their bikes, campfires crackle and sweethearts, young and old, walk hand-in-hand. And if you want to see a dog show, go camping. I have never seen so many breeds outside of a dog show than I have seen at campgrounds.

And, for me, there is nothing better than sharing the great outdoors with future generations.

Campgrounds are not immune to rowdy behavior. At least once a season, we encounter the occasional rude and selfish campers who blast their music at all hours and have drinking parties. You should know that you don't have to suffer a stressful, sleepless night. Just like when you're at home, you can dial 911 and report disorderly conduct and violations of the noise ordinance.

If you can not pick up a cell phone signal there is usually a pay phone near by, or contact the camp host. Fortunately, most campers abide by the rules posted at check-in stations.

Always keep safety in mind.

• Use good judgment and lock up any valuables.
• Use the buddy-system when hiking and take along a compass and whistle.
• Always tell someone your destination and when you plan to return.
• Use the appropriate safety equipment for the recreation of choice, i.e., biking helmets.

While I consider myself a basic camper with basic needs; my sister Charmaine requires much, much more. Charmaine is what I call a high-maintenance camper.

Not only does she pack lavish accessories, she usually brings extra chairs and an extra tent or two for unprepared drop-ins who decide they really would like to try camping. While extra gear is nice, and very considerate, it presents a transportation nightmare. Even with her Honda SUV, an additional rig is needed to haul some of the overflow. It takes a family effort to get her all packed and unpacked.

Once we arrive, we all set up our 86-year-old mother's tent, and then set up our individual campsites. My tent is easy-to-set up with two people, but I've learned to set it up by myself. There is something liberating about being able to set up your own campsite. When all campsites have been setup, a group of us gathers to help Charmaine finish unpacking and set up her cabana and tent; each takes four people.

When her tent is assembled, the area rugs are laid: a 5' x 7' with a 3' x 4' area rug on top of it. This year's tent décor consists of two matching chairs, with end table; one corner table, with candelabra; her cot with contrasting bedspread, accent pillows and throw. Her décor is completed with accent baskets in the corner. And when everything else is set up, it is time to hang the chandelier.

It doesn't take long for people to walk by and take a double-take. Then they bring other people to look. I must admit, her tent is a showcase.

If you are a new or inexperienced camper, you can check with a local outfitter for a list of supplies. But you may find that you buy more than you actually need for a comfortable camping trip. I'd say you should first determine how much comfort you want. Decide if you want to sleep in a sleeping bag on the ground, or on a cot or air mattress? What kind of lighting do you want? Do you plan to cook over the open fire, or use a propane cook stove?

For my camping comfort, I bring a good-sized, four-season tent (12' x 10'), stacked-twin air mattresses, with sheets, blankets and pillows, a good reading light, portable toilet, tarps and door mat. In addition, I like a well-stocked and organized campsite. (See Camping Checklist.) To keep my campsite organized, I use a seven-drawer chest.

Camping supplies range from the very basic to the elaborate. It is easy to over-shop. If you are not careful, you'll spend so much money on camping supplies you won't have enough for gas, food and camp fees. Shop wisely.

Happy Camping!