OT Going Camping

In a Dodge Durango. Way out to the Shenandoah mountains. Right next
to some waterfalls. Gang of fellow nerds and my little one.

"Learning Richard" <learningrichard@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1152909462.539250.157330@75g2000cwc.googlegroups.com...[color=blue]
> In a Dodge Durango. Way out to the Shenandoah mountains. Right next
> to some waterfalls. Gang of fellow nerds and my little one.
>[/color]

As a veteran of hundreds of nights camping the thing that worries me the
most is having a little one get lost in the woods or run into trouble near
water, so keep an eye on him/her! I've found that if the little one has a
safe, fun, and comfortable experience, then they will love the outdoors as
much as I do.

Have a safe trip!
--

Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)

On 14 Jul 2006 13:37:42 -0700, "Learning Richard"
<learningrichard@gmail.com> wrote:
[color=blue]
>In a Dodge Durango. Way out to the Shenandoah mountains. Right next
>to some waterfalls. Gang of fellow nerds and my little one.[/color]

Have a great trip.



Those mountains are beautiful...


--

Scott in Florida

"Learning Richard" <learningrichard@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1152909462.539250.157330@75g2000cwc.googlegroups.com...[color=blue]
> In a Dodge Durango. Way out to the Shenandoah mountains. Right next
> to some waterfalls. Gang of fellow nerds and my little one.
>[/color]

One word...

Takemewithyou!!!!!!

In article <ClWtg.10064$PO.8539@dukeread03>,
"Reasoned Insanity" <mintclovers@@yahoo.com> wrote:
[color=blue]
> "Learning Richard" <learningrichard@gmail.com> wrote in message
> news:1152909462.539250.157330@75g2000cwc.googlegroups.com...[color=green]
> > In a Dodge Durango. Way out to the Shenandoah mountains. Right next
> > to some waterfalls. Gang of fellow nerds and my little one.
> >[/color]
>
> One word...
>
> Takemewithyou!!!!!![/color]

He's got his kid with him, he don't need another.
--

Ray O wrote:[color=blue]
> "Learning Richard" <learningrichard@gmail.com> wrote in message
> news:1152909462.539250.157330@75g2000cwc.googlegroups.com...[color=green]
> > In a Dodge Durango. Way out to the Shenandoah mountains. Right next
> > to some waterfalls. Gang of fellow nerds and my little one.
> >[/color]
>
> As a veteran of hundreds of nights camping the thing that worries me the
> most is having a little one get lost in the woods or run into trouble near
> water, so keep an eye on him/her![/color]

Thankfully for her, Mommy makes her very prudent and cautious.
Should've heard Mommy the day we were jumping off of a little ... oh,
1m high little wooden fence.. Never mind that SHE's about 1m high
still.

(That's 39.4 in, numbskulls)
[color=blue]
> I've found that if the little one has a
> safe, fun, and comfortable experience, then they will love the outdoors as
> much as I do.[/color]

I'll never forget the day she picked up a centipede, put a leaf over it
in her tiny hand, and walked around with it all day so "it could
sleep". Well, for about 90 mins... then she just put it down and let
it run away.
[color=blue]
>
> Have a safe trip![/color]

I just got a Samsung sph-a920... razor rip off with all the camcorder
and mp3 player gadgets... and the husky air compressor/power
generator/inverter/jumper/bread slicer thingy that cranks 8 amps... I
could bring a laptop for dvd's... hmm

[color=blue]
> --
>
> Ray O
> (correct punctuation to reply)[/color]

"Learning Richard" <learningrichard@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1152934442.113091.108510@m73g2000cwd.googlegroups.com...[color=blue]
>
> Ray O wrote:[color=green]
>> "Learning Richard" <learningrichard@gmail.com> wrote in message
>> news:1152909462.539250.157330@75g2000cwc.googlegroups.com...[color=darkred]
>> > In a Dodge Durango. Way out to the Shenandoah mountains. Right next
>> > to some waterfalls. Gang of fellow nerds and my little one.
>> >[/color]
>>
>> As a veteran of hundreds of nights camping the thing that worries me the
>> most is having a little one get lost in the woods or run into trouble
>> near
>> water, so keep an eye on him/her![/color]
>
> Thankfully for her, Mommy makes her very prudent and cautious.
> Should've heard Mommy the day we were jumping off of a little ... oh,
> 1m high little wooden fence.. Never mind that SHE's about 1m high
> still.
>
> (That's 39.4 in, numbskulls)
>[color=green]
>> I've found that if the little one has a
>> safe, fun, and comfortable experience, then they will love the outdoors
>> as
>> much as I do.[/color]
>
> I'll never forget the day she picked up a centipede, put a leaf over it
> in her tiny hand, and walked around with it all day so "it could
> sleep". Well, for about 90 mins... then she just put it down and let
> it run away.
>[color=green]
>>
>> Have a safe trip![/color]
>
> I just got a Samsung sph-a920... razor rip off with all the camcorder
> and mp3 player gadgets... and the husky air compressor/power
> generator/inverter/jumper/bread slicer thingy that cranks 8 amps... I
> could bring a laptop for dvd's... hmm
>
>[color=green]
>> --
>>
>> Ray O
>> (correct punctuation to reply)[/color][/color]

It's the experiences like the one with the centipede that she'll remember,
not the gadgets. Have a great time!!!

--

Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)

"Learning Richard" <learningrichard@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1152934442.113091.108510@m73g2000cwd.googlegroups.com...
[color=blue]
> I just got a Samsung sph-a920... razor rip off with all the camcorder
> and mp3 player gadgets... and the husky air compressor/power
> generator/inverter/jumper/bread slicer thingy that cranks 8 amps... I
> could bring a laptop for dvd's... hmm
>[/color]
Well, be sure not to forget the most important stuff like toilet paper and
moisture wraps otherwise you'll be really "roughing it". Enjoy yourself.
mark_

A few (20?) years ago my wife said she'd love to go camping as long as
she could plug in her hair dryer. Thus the motor home. Since sold.

I'd love to go with you Richard. Loads of fun even with the kids,

My dream for last several years is to go to Northern Nevada in a motor
home and spend a few weeks around some of the hot springs. There is
some beautiful country up there and is a LONG way to town!

have fun lucky dog!

Ron

"ron" <really [email]good@serviceu.com[/email]> wrote in message
news:AF9ug.172432$F_3.103799@newssvr29.news.prodigy.net...[color=blue]
>A few (20?) years ago my wife said she'd love to go camping as long as she
>could plug in her hair dryer. Thus the motor home. Since sold.
>
> I'd love to go with you Richard. Loads of fun even with the kids,
>
> My dream for last several years is to go to Northern Nevada in a motor
> home and spend a few weeks around some of the hot springs. There is some
> beautiful country up there and is a LONG way to town!
>
> have fun lucky dog!
>
> Ron[/color]

I spent the day a Cub Scout camp climbing tower today. We only had about 50
climbers last weekend, that number rose to about 100 climbers ages 6 to 10
years old today. Today's biggest challenge was staying hydrated in 98
degree heat with high humidity for 10 hours.
--

Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)

Learning Richard, 7/14/2006,4:37:42 PM, wrote:
[color=blue]
> In a Dodge Durango. Way out to the Shenandoah mountains. Right next
> to some waterfalls. Gang of fellow nerds and my little one.[/color]

Shenandoah Mountains? Surely you mean the Blue Ridge Mountains. And
when you approach them you will see why they are called Blue Ridge
Mountains. Make sure you hit Skyline Drive. And if you are close
enough Luray Caverns is worth the visit also. Are the falls Overall
Run Falls?

"Learning Richard" <learningrichard@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1152909462.539250.157330@75g2000cwc.googlegroups.com...[color=blue]
> In a Dodge Durango. Way out to the Shenandoah mountains. Right next
> to some waterfalls. Gang of fellow nerds and my little one.[/color]


Shenandoahs? Excellent place to go. If you like waterfalls, go see Dark
Hallow Falls. I believe it's the closest falls to the trail - a little over
1 mile round trip. If you're in for a harder hike, White Oak Canyon. If
you're camping/backpacking, DON'T PUT THE FOOD INSIDE THE TENT WITH YOU! It
has (or used to have) the largest black bear population in the country.
Hang it from a tree. I've backpacked for short 2 - 4 day trips there
before. Beautiful country. Bring a camera.

Have fun and come back with some good stories!

-Dave

"Dave L" <davelieuREMOVEME@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:_4adnfMvPsVMnCHZnZ2dnUVZ_q6dnZ2d@comcast.com...[color=blue]
>
> "Learning Richard" <learningrichard@gmail.com> wrote in message
> news:1152909462.539250.157330@75g2000cwc.googlegroups.com...[color=green]
>> In a Dodge Durango. Way out to the Shenandoah mountains. Right next
>> to some waterfalls. Gang of fellow nerds and my little one.[/color]
>
>
> Shenandoahs? Excellent place to go. If you like waterfalls, go see Dark
> Hallow Falls. I believe it's the closest falls to the trail - a little
> over 1 mile round trip. If you're in for a harder hike, White Oak Canyon.
> If you're camping/backpacking, DON'T PUT THE FOOD INSIDE THE TENT WITH
> YOU! It has (or used to have) the largest black bear population in the
> country. Hang it from a tree. I've backpacked for short 2 - 4 day trips
> there before. Beautiful country. Bring a camera.
>
> Have fun and come back with some good stories!
>
> -Dave[/color]
Great advice! Even someone who has a vehicle parked nearby should not leave
coolers or food visible inside the vehicle, as bears do not have a problem
smashing a window in to get food.

Even when there is no local bear population, having food or other smellables
inside the tent is a bad idea as it will attract other critters, like
raccoons.
--

Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)

"Ray O" <rokigawaATtristarassociatesDOTcom> wrote in message
news:5f85b$44bc03a1$44a4a10d$28844@msgid.meganewsservers.com...[color=blue]
>
> "Dave L" <davelieuREMOVEME@yahoo.com> wrote in message
> news:_4adnfMvPsVMnCHZnZ2dnUVZ_q6dnZ2d@comcast.com...[color=green]
>>
>> "Learning Richard" <learningrichard@gmail.com> wrote in message
>> news:1152909462.539250.157330@75g2000cwc.googlegroups.com...[color=darkred]
>>> In a Dodge Durango. Way out to the Shenandoah mountains. Right next
>>> to some waterfalls. Gang of fellow nerds and my little one.[/color]
>>
>>
>> Shenandoahs? Excellent place to go. If you like waterfalls, go see Dark
>> Hallow Falls. I believe it's the closest falls to the trail - a little
>> over 1 mile round trip. If you're in for a harder hike, White Oak
>> Canyon. If you're camping/backpacking, DON'T PUT THE FOOD INSIDE THE TENT
>> WITH YOU! It has (or used to have) the largest black bear population in
>> the country. Hang it from a tree. I've backpacked for short 2 - 4 day
>> trips there before. Beautiful country. Bring a camera.
>>
>> Have fun and come back with some good stories!
>>
>> -Dave[/color]
> Great advice! Even someone who has a vehicle parked nearby should not
> leave coolers or food visible inside the vehicle, as bears do not have a
> problem smashing a window in to get food.
>
> Even when there is no local bear population, having food or other
> smellables inside the tent is a bad idea as it will attract other
> critters, like raccoons.
> --
>
> Ray O
> (correct punctuation to reply)[/color]

Well said. I spoke with a couple guys who slept in their car on Skyline
Drive. Windows cracked and a bear came up to the car when they had food
inside. Bear ran off when the car was started.

My story in the Shenandoahs - I was backpacking with a friend in the winter
around '91 - '92 (December or January). We leaned our packs outside of the
tent against a tree and had a plastic bag we used for trash from dinner (add
water to freeze dried lasagna, etc). About 9pm we heard rummaging outside
our tent and poked a small flashlight out, only to see 2 glowing eyes
staring back about 20 feet away! Fortunately it was "only" a bobcat and not
a bear (probably hibernating). We kept a candle lantern on for the next 4
hours and no sooner when it was blown it, the bobcat came back. Picture 2
guys in the mountains, during winter, hanging our backpacks and trashbag at
1am! lol

-Dave

"Dave L" <davelieuREMOVEME@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:avOdnT-22tRalyHZnZ2dnUVZ_oudnZ2d@comcast.com...[color=blue]
> "Ray O" <rokigawaATtristarassociatesDOTcom> wrote in message
> news:5f85b$44bc03a1$44a4a10d$28844@msgid.meganewsservers.com...[color=green]
>>
>> "Dave L" <davelieuREMOVEME@yahoo.com> wrote in message
>> news:_4adnfMvPsVMnCHZnZ2dnUVZ_q6dnZ2d@comcast.com...[color=darkred]
>>>
>>> "Learning Richard" <learningrichard@gmail.com> wrote in message
>>> news:1152909462.539250.157330@75g2000cwc.googlegroups.com...
>>>> In a Dodge Durango. Way out to the Shenandoah mountains. Right next
>>>> to some waterfalls. Gang of fellow nerds and my little one.
>>>
>>>
>>> Shenandoahs? Excellent place to go. If you like waterfalls, go see
>>> Dark Hallow Falls. I believe it's the closest falls to the trail - a
>>> little over 1 mile round trip. If you're in for a harder hike, White
>>> Oak Canyon. If you're camping/backpacking, DON'T PUT THE FOOD INSIDE THE
>>> TENT WITH YOU! It has (or used to have) the largest black bear
>>> population in the country. Hang it from a tree. I've backpacked for
>>> short 2 - 4 day trips there before. Beautiful country. Bring a camera.
>>>
>>> Have fun and come back with some good stories!
>>>
>>> -Dave[/color]
>> Great advice! Even someone who has a vehicle parked nearby should not
>> leave coolers or food visible inside the vehicle, as bears do not have a
>> problem smashing a window in to get food.
>>
>> Even when there is no local bear population, having food or other
>> smellables inside the tent is a bad idea as it will attract other
>> critters, like raccoons.
>> --
>>
>> Ray O
>> (correct punctuation to reply)[/color]
>
> Well said. I spoke with a couple guys who slept in their car on Skyline
> Drive. Windows cracked and a bear came up to the car when they had food
> inside. Bear ran off when the car was started.
>
> My story in the Shenandoahs - I was backpacking with a friend in the
> winter around '91 - '92 (December or January). We leaned our packs
> outside of the tent against a tree and had a plastic bag we used for trash
> from dinner (add water to freeze dried lasagna, etc). About 9pm we heard
> rummaging outside our tent and poked a small flashlight out, only to see 2
> glowing eyes staring back about 20 feet away! Fortunately it was "only" a
> bobcat and not a bear (probably hibernating). We kept a candle lantern on
> for the next 4 hours and no sooner when it was blown it, the bobcat came
> back. Picture 2 guys in the mountains, during winter, hanging our
> backpacks and trashbag at 1am! lol
>
> -Dave
>[/color]

I've seen several tents shredded by raccoons at our local Cub Scout camp.
Cub Scouts are in 2nd through 5th grade, so Cubs and their parents are
usually not very experienced campers. By the time they become Boy Scouts,
they are camping every month and are a little more adept at protecting their
food.

During our first trip to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, one of
our campsites was loaded with blueberry bushes, and most of the trees were
damaged or blown down in a huge storm they had in 2000. Since this was only
our second night out, our food pack probably weighed around 80 pounds and we
were up until midnight looking for a tree with a branch sturdy enough to
support that pack. When we finally got the pack hoisted up, the tree leaned
over and the pack ended up about 6 feet off the ground. We decided to hang
our pots and pans on the pack so it would make noise if something disturbed
our bear pinata. Luckily, our food was undisturbed in the morning.
--

Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)