Showing posts with label tricks. Show all posts
Showing posts with label tricks. Show all posts

Prepping for Yellowstone

We are leaving on our big teardrop camping trip to Yellowstone in just over a week. Just before a big trip, I will do a thorough search of the teardrop trailer to make sure we have everything on hand before we hit the road. During the process, I'll keep a piece of paper handy for writing down things we need to get or do.  Some of these list items are not what you would normally expect, but turn out to be good teardropping tips.



So far, the list reads like this:

1. Cut two flat pieces of wood to fit in by the propane tank

I'm looking around for some flat wood that we can use to prop up the tires if we happen to be parked on uneven ground. These are especially helpful when leveling the teardrop trailer for sleeping. I want them to tuck nicely away in the galley.

2. Don't forget the extra keys!

We pack two sets of teardrop keys and two sets of car keys. One is always in my pocket or backpack and the other is stashed in the center console of the car. On the teardrop keychain is the door key, the galley key, the key to the hitch lock and the key to our bear-proof ice chest lock.

3. Make room for bedding

Since we are camping with some friends who will be flying into Jackson and sleeping in a tent, we have to bring along their bedding. I am trying to get it all to fit in the storage space underneath the bed. This also includes their pillows and towels.

4. Fill up the garbage bag bag

We have a small nylon bag that holds plastic grocery bags that we hang under our camp table and use for garbage. We have a tendency to forget all about this handy little bag carrier and find ourselves "borrowing" plastic bags from the local grocery store.

Camping Takes Practice

At the beginning of the camping season, my husband and I seem to have to learn everything all over again. Over the winter, we get a little complacent when it comes to preparing for summer and fall camping and our first trip out into the wilderness is usually an experiment and an example of what not to do.



Camping actually takes some practice. You don't go out on your first camping trip as completely prepared, expert campers. Even if you are an expert camper. You make mistakes (like forgetting the propane tank connectors!), lose things, break things and forget things. Items coming out of winter storage are sometimes broken or need replacing and the teardrop trailer will sometimes need some repairs or updates.

On our first trip out this year, we had to make a stop at the big box store to pick up some of our favorite foods and coffee we had forgotten to pack, and we also decided to stock the teardrop sleeping area with some extra lamp batteries and extra headphones for the iPad. With each trip, we will be more prepared, but we will also find additional items that we could probably use on our trips.

Make your first camping trip of the season an easy trip close to your home, preferably close to a town. This will allow you to work out the kinks and run into a store for supplies. Also, be sure to bring a small notepad or your iPhone or iPod for making lists on what you will need to get or bring on your next camping trip. By the time summer is at its height, you will be an expert teardropper.

Photo by Laura Gilmore/Flickr