1st time TRF AND Camping!

[grizintx]

We had some sound issues with some high-school kids a couple years ago.  Me, not being the confrontational type, decided to wait it out.  However, a neighboring group of much larger barbarian-types politely asked them to observe friendly camping protocols.   Smiley    Crisis averted...




Me thinks he is talking about me and my clan.
Good times.

[Lady D1]

Camping is something we have thought about doing but have been unsure of.  To start with I was not sure that I wanted to bring my daughter with me when she was younger but now, I am not as concerned as she is getting older.  And now we only live about 45 minutes away (which is great cause we can go much more often!!)

Is is possible to just visit the campground to check it out at the end of the day/evening to get a feel for the atmosphere?   Then I can decide if it right for us or not? Or if it should be an adult only camping trip.  Another newbie camper friend will be there for AHE, so am thinking we might just join in the fun as that sounds like THE weekend to be there.

I am an avid camper anyway so equipment wise I have more than enough. 

And to be clear the $20 fee is per car for the entire weekend?

Thanks in advance for your answers.  I do so love this forum.

[ragged tiger]

If you decide to camp in the main area, my recommendation would be to arrive as early as possible, on Friday.  The campground can get pretty crowded by late afternoon.  The charge of $20 per car is good for the entire weekend.

[Laird Fraser of Lovatt]

Lady D1, there are family friendly areas of camp and some that you REALLY need to be 18 or older  The atmosphere is always great...  groups of very friendly people having a good time.

[Medieval Woodsman]

Loki has been mention twice in this post.  Can someone tell me about this Loki.  I assume that it is a mixed drink of some kind and would like to know the ingredients.

[Rani Zemirah]

If you search the forum for the term, you will find a few threads on the making of this strange and wonderful beverage...

[Lady Kett]

Info on Loki also abundant in the Crafts forum!

[KiltedPrivateer]

To be a little more specific on the family vs adult question:
TRF has what they call a "Quiet Camping" camp ground which I believe most would consider to be the "family" camping.  I personally have never been in this camp site.  Its a long drive (Incredibly long walk) to the main gate and it has a notoriously loud beast that rolls across its border at 2a or 3a in the morning.  But it sure does have some beautiful trees.

The general camp ground can be compared to a little island comprised of many different countries.  Every weekend, the same countries can be found in the same area of the island.  Some of these areas are very welcoming to strangers in that they will be happy to share their ground and let wanderers pitch a tent.  Others are happy to let you stop by and socialize but expect you to move on eventually.  Of these groups, some are very family friendly.  Young children in ages from near adult to still in diapers barely walking suckling on the b {Huh, aint much difference between a toddler and most adult rennies}.  Anyway, others are more R rated, which can range to general language heard in camp to the elusive bare breast so a slew of other adult past times.  Its not too hard to figure out where these areas are, and if you're staying with veterans and you wish to avoid these areas, they will be fully capable of steering you clear.

My point here being that the camp ground is not a "dangerous" place, but you just can't trust everybody all the time.  Our daughter, now four years old, will be making her third year of camping at TRF.  Our clan would be one of the types considered family friendly.  Our members are really good about looking after each other and the children.  The TRF camp grounds are generally a safe place for families with children BUT that safety comes with camping with others.  I highly recommend pitching in with a clan like McLot in order to be sure that you're in with good people that will keep the trouble makers out.  

And the campground is accessible at all times throughout the weekend.  A sharp left turn after exiting the faire will lead you directly to the general camp ground where you can walk around and meet the locals  

~KP~

[Lady D1]

To be a little more specific on the family vs adult question: . . .

~KP~

Thank you very much,  this was exactly the type of information I was looking for.   

[ataraxy]

We've just booked plane tickets to Houston (from Maryland [already saw Wine and Alchemy this year at MDRF] and Missouri) and will be at TRF for the first time ever Halloween Weekend! We will be camping and are very much looking forward to it, but it is going to be a challenge to bring everything we need for camping by plane!  I've read the camping threads here and am still somewhat confused where to camp and where not to camp.  We will be getting there noonish on Friday, so hopefully we don't accidental set up somewhere that belongs to the regulars!

[Bonny Pearl]

We've just booked plane tickets to Houston (from Maryland [already saw Wine and Alchemy this year at MDRF] and Missouri) and will be at TRF for the first time ever Halloween Weekend! We will be camping and are very much looking forward to it, but it is going to be a challenge to bring everything we need for camping by plane!  I've read the camping threads here and am still somewhat confused where to camp and where not to camp.  We will be getting there noonish on Friday, so hopefully we don't accidental set up somewhere that belongs to the regulars!

By the time you arrive most, if not all, the clans will have already established their borders.  You shouldn't have any issue finding a spot. 

Welcome to Texas and TRF! 

[Sir Smithwick]

I do have a map of the camping area.  If some one could explain how I can insert the image to the form I would appreciate it because I am having no luck so far.  On a happier note it is a definate that our group will be down Thanksgiving Weekend.  Heres hoping for decent weather.  There is an outside chance that I might make it up late Sat. for AHE but we will see.  Hope the weather starts to get cooler for those camping  opening weekend.    

[KiltedPrivateer]

We've just booked plane tickets to Houston (from Maryland [already saw Wine and Alchemy this year at MDRF] and Missouri) and will be at TRF for the first time ever Halloween Weekend! We will be camping and are very much looking forward to it, but it is going to be a challenge to bring everything we need for camping by plane!  I've read the camping threads here and am still somewhat confused where to camp and where not to camp.  We will be getting there noonish on Friday, so hopefully we don't accidental set up somewhere that belongs to the regulars!

As Bonnie said, you won't have to worry about where to setup.  I would recommend camping as far south as possible (Low numbered parking rows - we use the parking rows as our delimiters).  Also, I don't know about other clans but ours if pretty good about taking in gypsies and providing at least a tend and air mattress.  What camping gear did you plan to bring with you?  Perhaps someone from one of the groups that will be out AHE weekend will be able to help you out with what ever you lack.

[ataraxy]

I'm bringing a tent large enough for two people and some blankets.  My gf will be bringing minimal camping supplies because she wants to avoid the $50 charge for checking a bag round trip.  Can't say I blame her.  I have all the typical camping gear at home, but when flying, it's not really worth checking things like air mattresses because it costs more than the replacement value for the items.  We'll probably have only minimal food supplies, since, again, it isn't really feasible to travel with pots and pans and we will only be camping two nights anyways.

[Aiacha]

I do have a map of the camping area.  If some one could explain how I can insert the image to the form I would appreciate it because I am having no luck so far. 

If you have a photobucket account, you can upload the map to your photobucket account, then you would post the link to your picture inside [img ]here[/img ](remove spaces).  I say photobucket because I find it very forum-sharing friendly.

I'm bringing a tent large enough for two people and some blankets.  My gf will be bringing minimal camping supplies because she wants to avoid the $50 charge for checking a bag round trip.  Can't say I blame her.  I have all the typical camping gear at home, but when flying, it's not really worth checking things like air mattresses because it costs more than the replacement value for the items.  We'll probably have only minimal food supplies, since, again, it isn't really feasible to travel with pots and pans and we will only be camping two nights anyways.

I suggest you hit a grocery store when you get close (there is a Brookshire Brothers grocery store right down the road in Magnolia, and a Walmart a little further in Tomball), pick up a cheapie cooler and go with lunch meat and peanut butter and jelly.  There is a Quickie Mart on site where you can buy hot coffee in the morning if you need the pick-me-up juice to survive.  And if you wind up hooking up with a group, it's possible that they will feed you as well, but best to be a boy scout and be prepared 

As for me, the cool morning has really given me a mental boost!  This week I'll probably work on going through my camping supplies and packing up totes to get ready to head out there.  In a month