I have been going camping my whole life. My parents took my sister and I camping ever since we were tiny. I actually don’t think they changed their camping schedules just because of silly things like pregnancy or children being very weak and small and easily chilled. Camping can get cold, but so can life and that doesn’t mean we stop doing the things we love.
I specifically love car camping. I know a ton of people love to go backpacking, and I’m not ragging on that, but for me, the pinnacle of the camping experience is car camping.
Car camping means you bring so many great supplies. I love big coolers. I'm a huge fan of RTIC, a YETI knock off that seems to have just stolen that great technology and priced it a bit cheaper. I usually pack two coolers. There’s a drink cooler and a food cooler. The drink cooler should not run out by the end of the weekend. It’s going to seem excessive, and some of the options are only there for niche cases of someone wanting something oddly specific, but they should still be there. It is totally okay if some drinks don’t get chosen and they sit around until the next trip. As long as all the beer gets drunk. Which it will. The food cooler needs attention and planning, but it’s far less important. You need some sandwich ingredients and some meats to cook. The finer details aren’t too finicky.
Another highlight of car camping is the motivation. The reason you get out there and camp from the car is the vibes. The fire pit, the marshmallows, the time spent with friends, it’s an outdoors experience, but a bit more approachable to the non-outdoorsy folk in your life. Anyone can car camp, and someone’s family probably has an extra tent and sleeping pad if you know some newbies.
Additionally, car camping usually includes the pets. To be fair, some people may go backpacking with their badass dogs, but I have a very little dog. Not the backpacking type. Much more the couch type, but he loves us, so he’ll go where we go, and usually be happy just to be invited. Car camping means Reuben gets to tag along and spend more quality time with us. It seems like he maybe would prefer to be in the warmth of the home, but since he loves us so much, he definitely loves tagging along.
I have a car that is slightly dedicated to car camping. Ellie and I got a rooftop tent that I drive around with all the time. I love the accessibility that it brings. It is very easy to plan an impromptu camping trip. Even if the trip has been planned well in advance, we basically grab the bins and empty coolers, go fill up the coolers, and we’re on our way.
Car camping means inclusion, outdoors, amenities, and a great get away. Camping is good for the soul, and car camping makes it approachable and comfortable. I have more to say about camping in general, but for now I’ll leave it at that. Thanks for reading!
Now I want to go car camping !