Camping Foods (Gray, Damariscotta, Allagash: mattresses, living, shop)

[Maineah]

Originally Posted by AustinB

The wife and I just don't go camping. It never seemed to be much fun. The last, and I mean last, time we went camping, the coyotes circled the tent from 10 at night till 3:30 in the morning. Turn on the flashlight and they would shut up. It wasn't fun. Had to go back to the house to get some sleep.

A clip of 9mm sprayed in the general direction of the coyotes tends to quiet them down for the rest of the night and maybe even several more.

[starwalker]

Originally Posted by Maineah

When we set up a camp we have all kinds of good stuff. Electric lights, CD players, chemical toilets, cooking tables, all the pots ,pans and utensils of home, hot showers, comfortable cots, bug tents, you name it! It still only takes us an hour to set up camp for weeks! We don't want to leave because we don't miss a thing! There's no need to be miserable to get back to nature.

With all due respect, I would not call that camping... nor do I call what my folks did with their Winabago camping. Not sure what TO call it... but I have to laugh because for over 10 years of my life, raising my kids, day in and day out electric lights, hot showers, chemical toilets were not even a part of life at home! So to me, eschewing such "luxuries" does not constitute "being miserable" at home or away from home in a tent in the woods. It's all a matter of personal preference. I do like to have a tent and prefer that inside the tent stay dry... and I usually do take some food and a way to make fire with me, but that's me.

I do agree that one of the wonderful things about living in Maine (at least where I do) is that it is not necessary to travel long distances and make major excursions to commune with nature.... though it is always nice to spend time far enough away from home that a little planning and hauling along some supplies is appropriate.

[Maine Writer]

Originally Posted by RANGER.101ST

coyotes+tent or tent+any wild life= unhappy camper.this bubba dont do tents any more.lay on the ground,damp,skeeters,raine,sleet,snow,zipper breaks,no im good ill sleep in the camper or just go to camp and fire up the propaine lights.

I don't do tents either. We have a camp but we don't go camping (until now). We're staying in a bunk house the first night and a cabin the second. I would have stayed in a tent for the kids but I'm thrilled that I'm not! Taylor on the other hand, wouldn't mind living on the Allagash with a canoe and tent. The wilder and rougher for her the better.

I've already put out the word on cell phones, iPods, Game Boys, etc. NO.

Thanks for all of the suggestions! We are definitely having chop suey one night. We'll have boon's key lime pie and Peachie's cinnamon rolls on a stick. If it's going to rain I'll take everything for soup and I'll make rolls in the Dutch oven. We'll have "old fashioned" pop corn popped in a pan with a little oil (no Jiffy Pop smoke, thanks for the warning). I'm so excited! Even our the-moose-will-trample-me girl in the group is excited now!

[AustinB]

Originally Posted by Maineah

A clip of 9mm sprayed in the general direction of the coyotes tends to quiet them down for the rest of the night and maybe even several more.

I would have loved to have had a gun that night. Who would have thought that just 1/2 mile back in the woods, on your own property(skinny lot) none the less, you would need a gun for protection.

Our idea of camping is now unlocking the door to the camp, and placing all but one beer in the fridge, and then sitting back to relax. Watching the loons raise their young and schmoozing with the eagles is nice on the week-ends.


Oh... food is take-out or the occasional grill, or going to varios restaurants in the area.(some are much better than the others... nudge, nudge...)

[Maineah]

Originally Posted by starwalker

With all due respect, I would not call that camping... nor do I call what my folks did with their Winabago camping. Not sure what TO call it... but I have to laugh because for over 10 years of my life, raising my kids, day in and day out electric lights, hot showers, chemical toilets were not even a part of life at home! So to me, eschewing such "luxuries" does not constitute "being miserable" at home or away from home in a tent in the woods. It's all a matter of personal preference. I do like to have a tent and prefer that inside the tent stay dry... and I usually do take some food and a way to make fire with me, but that's me.

I do agree that one of the wonderful things about living in Maine (at least where I do) is that it is not necessary to travel long distances and make major excursions to commune with nature.... though it is always nice to spend time far enough away from home that a little planning and hauling along some supplies is appropriate.

To each his own! I'm not going to argue with you but just because you lived off the grid without any superfluous amenities doesn't mean my version of camping isn't camping!! I don't enjoy using a log as an outhouse, not showering or shaving for several days, eating food out of a can, wearing dirty clothes for days, etc. These things make me uncomfortable. I do not wish to be uncomfortable at home or while "camping" and have purchased the items necessary to ensure I do not have to do without in "the wild"

[ekh32]

not sure if this was posted, but get one of those iron grilled cheese makers. You can make toasted sandwiches in them or make cherry pies. white bread, buttered with cherry filling out of a can, or any other type of fruit filling. sounds weird but they are really delicious.

[Maineah]

We used to rough it before we knew any better. No one from the Camping Association of America ever came around and awarded us for having minimal camping gear and eating road kill rabbits roasted on the truck jack rotisserie. To me camping is not survival school it's living somewhere else as a base so you can pursue recreation oppurtunities in that area. Whether you do it in a van, tent, camper or RV it's really all the same. If you want to try gathering nuts and berries to live on go for it! It's all good. Me I prefer cocktail hour with a variety of deli coldcuts and crackers with my cheese and wine. Then maybe a T-Bone steak with carmelized onions and peppers in a mushroom sauce, reflector oven biscuits, a nice salad and a good after dinner drink ...maybe some Bailey's Irish cream in a paper cup!! That's camping MY way!

[ndewitt84]

My family usually prepares some macaroni salad or patato salad the day before and store it in large zip lock bags in the cooler. That could make for a nice addition to your trip.

[Maine Writer]

Originally Posted by ndewitt84

My family usually prepares some macaroni salad or patato salad the day before and store it in large zip lock bags in the cooler. That could make for a nice addition to your trip.

That's a great idea to go with our lunches! Thanks!

[Moxie]

Yes, being in Maine we get all the wonderful out doors, but with camping I really love coming home to my bed! I appreciate all those things that Star did with out as well. My humble house ends up feeling like a glamourous spa after roughing it a bit!

And I am going to make American Chop Suey for the kids in the very near future. Send any more recipes my way!