Trip report and need a little pep talk...

[pk1023]

Hey all,

Just back from our Memorial Day camping trip. Left on Saturday, back here by 6 Monday. We have a 2013 Nomad Retro, which is quite short at 20 feet. It's alright for the 4 of us with 2 boys 8 and 6. We tow it with our Nissan Quest minivan, which does fine but is also a daily driver.

So we're from Indianapolis and we knew we wanted to camp this weekend most of the spring. We wanted to go to south of the state and watch the race, but we were too late in booking and EVERYTHING in the state parks were booked.

We settled on Caboose Lake which is a good size campground right off I-65 in the north of the state. We had heard about it at the sport/boat/travel show. They have a huge slide, wanted to do that.

Here's where I need cheering up. The first day was okay, took 2 hours to get there, 1 to setup and stabilize. Then we did the slide and other activities, but it WAS BONE COLD on Saturday. Super cold, so we didn't really have much fun, we were mainly cold. We did cook out for dinner and even made cinnamon rolls in a camp oven, that was a blast.

But, unlike the county campground close to our house or the state parks, everyone at this campground seemed to be seasonals or passers through, no one really to talk to.

We woke up Sunday and toured a near by Dairy farm we had wanted to for a long time. Got back to camp around 2 and conked out.

Then came the rain, it rained till 6:30 PM, we spent from 6 till 7 trying to decide whether to pack up and go home.

We feel like we've become experts on making due in the rain. We have board games, etc, but this is the 3rd time it's rained in the last three trips and it's been cold.

We stuck it out and went out to dinner at Arni's Pizza, one of our favs. Then we woke this morning and packed and left in thE RAIN again. It rained all night and most of today.

So I am feeling dejected. Like we'll never have good weather.

I also feel like camping is really just more rules.

You can't walk here, you can't do this. We hear of people doing ATVs, going hiking, doing all kinds of fun things, but it all seems like stuff we dont' have access to.

We thought that camping would be a good starting point for new adventures, things that you couldn't do from a hotel. But more and more we're finding it's just that much more packing.

I feel like we could have done everything we did this weekend from a hotel just as easy.

What are we doing wrong?

[Handbasket]

As far as the bad weather, "Manure occureth." You may want to research forecasts online right up to the last minute, and either shift you plans or your take-along wardrobe.

As far as lack of activities, consider adding nature studies... bugs, plants, trees, animals, rocks, the sky. IMO, that was one of the big pleasures of camping when I was growing up, and made for some wonderful interaction with my parents. The equipment to start can be minimal... a few identification books (check used bookstores & online), some collecting jars, maybe a hand lens. Astronomy for those clear nights... all you need is cheap binoculars and a planisphere (under $20). If you find you like it, you can hook up with a local astronomy club. There's more opportunity for good parent-child interaction than on ATV's.

Jim, "Mo' coffee!"

[RGar974417]

Make your plans way ahead of time instead of at the last minute.Go camping during the week instead of the weekend.If you come in on a Sunday and leave Wednesday or Thursday you will have an easier time getting a reservation and you won't be crowded.Also check out Forest Service Campgrounds and COE campgrounds for more options.Look on the internet for things to do in the area you're going to camp in.Yeah,camping in the rain stinks,but that's why we have alcohol!

[sdianel_-acct_c]

Holiday weekends are not good weekends to camp unless you have reservations.
What we've learned:
1. check the weather 10 days ahead before we make reservations. If it's going to be cold or rainy, we postpone the trip if we can.
2. Make reservations at a park where there are things you and the kids like to do.
Don't get discouraged. Some camping trips end up just like yours even with lots of planning. We just try make the most of it and watch movies or play games. I'll bet the next trip will be the best one ever! Start planning it now!

[4aSong]

Thats_Ok wrote:
My advice to you my good friend:
Give it time
Try to go on less busy times of the season if possible

RVing is hard work if you look at it that way.
I'll bet next time out you'll have nothing but joy.
Just remember "stay relaxed...remain calm"

x2

Definitely go during the less busy time of the season, just remember memorial weekend and summer vacation just started for many as school is out.

Keep in mind what Thats_OK said, stay relaxed, remain calm.

The next time will be much more enjoyable.

When we camp rain does not stop us from enjoying the GREAT outdoors, just dress appropriately and enjoy. Also we keep many games available and a warm cup of coffee always warm us up.

Not every camp trip is the same, just give it some time and you will find what outside nature has to offer.

[hmknightnc]

Don't give up. One problem you had this weekend is it is the busiest camping weekend of the year and you apparently picked the wrong type of campground. Plan a long weekend someplace close, get reservations a couple weeks early. Go and plan to do nothing but relax. Not having a schedule to worry about makes a huge difference

It gets easier. We spend most of our camping days doing Horse Shows (around 60 nights a year) and carrying tons of gear to support up to a dozen horses and at least that many riders (Imagine that zoo). It was chore getting ready several years ago. Now we can be off in a manner of hours. If we just decide to get of town, we can leave in less than 30 minutes. You'll figure out the routine that works for you and it will get real easy.

[five_er]

My daughter fell off her bike last year and didn't get back on all year, she said she hated it. This year I watched her get it out of the shed and she's not gone a day without ridding it.

Don't give up and let some bad weather or bad park turn you off. It'll turn around but you have to keep at it and learn when to go or when to stay. We will cancel if the weather looks bad, simply put it's often not worth it. Also you will learn what parks to go-to that suit your style. When you find one you like then don't be afraid to keep going back. I used to goto the same park all the time. got to the point where the same bunch of RVers would show up each weekend and we all got to know one another and stuck together. It just takes time.

[deleted-2]

My advice to you my good friend:
Give it time
Try to go on less busy times of the season if possible

RVing is hard work if you look at it that way.
I'll bet next time out you'll have nothing but joy.
Just remember "stay relaxed...remain calm"