Let The Countdown Begin!

[JackGonzo, MD]

Not sure how feasible it is Breandan but I feel like things like this are exactly why there are parents/in-laws to look after their grandchildren

[Rani Zemirah]

Hard to arrange 3-4 days away when they're just 6 months old, though, especially if there is nursing involved.  My daughter was 4 before my mom would agree to keep her for more than just a few hours, and she was (and still is) my only option... 

[eldatari]

definitely important to set up in person, in a stress free environment, in daylight (as anyone who watched me and Mitch meltdown at a Sherwood work day can attest!)

I reccomend the new 'cabin' style tents- they are huge, have straight walls, and set up pretty easy.

My husband and I have a cabin style tent and love it!  It does take a little practice getting it set up and two people is preferable.  The poles are color coded to make it easier to identify where they belong.  It has two rooms and is very spacious.  It did cost a little more but to us it is worth it to have the room.

Sandrine, as far as set up goes, if you are camping with McLotofus there are usually plenty people around to help you get your tent up.  I know last year I helped with three different tents.  If I am there I will be happy to help.

[JackGonzo, MD]

Hard to arrange 3-4 days away when they're just 6 months old, though, especially if there is nursing involved.  My daughter was 4 before my mom would agree to keep her for more than just a few hours, and she was (and still is) my only option... 

Huh, guess I'm just used to my sister who always has my nephew with my mom and dad lol

[Blue66669]

I've seen a few of those, and they look pretty cool, but I've never set one up.  I can set up my 10 x 12 dome by myself in about 15-20 minutes, including tarp, rain-fly and stakes, and my whole camp takes less than an hour.  My daughter has a backpackers tent that she can set up all by herself, and she keeps saying she wants her own tent this season... but I'm thinking that might change once we get there.  9y/o is still a bit young...  

See, that's why I just blackmail the menfolk into settin up my tent LOL!

[Breandan]

yes, but you possess boobie-magic

[Rani Zemirah]

My 10' x 12' dome tent has a 6ft center height, and there is room for my queen size air mattress, my daughter's twin size air mattress, a camp chair, a small tv tray type table and a gear bin, and I bring an 8' x 10' and a 5' x 7' area rug to cover almost the whole floor with.  There is a wall I could put up, but it's just a thin piece of nylon that hangs from toggle hooks, so I don't bother.  There is plenty of room for the both of us to get dressed at the same time, so it works for us, but I kind of like the look of the new cabin tents, and they could be made to look pretty cool inside with all sorts of decor options.  I'd go Gypsy, but that's just me...    LOL  Maybe when this one wears out I'll look into one of those!  (I've had it for 10 years now, though, and it's in almost perfect condition...)

Oh, and Sandrine, as soon as you roll into camp there will be folks asking if you need help, because that's just how most of us are!  When I started setting my tent up I suddenly had a line of people helping me unload, carrying things, unfolding tent poles, pounding stakes... and basically letting me just direct!  It was very sweet... and it worked the same way in reverse when it was time to head out.  Some amazing people at TRF... and most any other Faire you get to, I would imagine!  

I've seen a few of those, and they look pretty cool, but I've never set one up.  I can set up my 10 x 12 dome by myself in about 15-20 minutes, including tarp, rain-fly and stakes, and my whole camp takes less than an hour.  My daughter has a backpackers tent that she can set up all by herself, and she keeps saying she wants her own tent this season... but I'm thinking that might change once we get there.  9y/o is still a bit young... 

See, that's why I just blackmail the menfolk into settin up my tent LOL!

Ahhh, I know better... you BRIBE them!!!     

[JackGonzo, MD]

blue's...amplitude... are not bribery, it's subtle persuasion

[Rani Zemirah]

Aaaaahahahahahaha!!!  He said subtle... and Blue... in teh same sentence!!! 

[Laird Fraser of Lovatt]

ROTFLMAO! 




57!

[Blue66669]

HEY PUNKS!!! SHUT THE EFF UP! I'm a delicate freakin flower.

[SandrineDeLaTombe]

Sandrine, as far as set up goes, if you are camping with McLotofus there are usually plenty people around to help you get your tent up.  I know last year I helped with three different tents.  If I am there I will be happy to help.

Thanks!  I'm sure there will be no shortage of help being offered and given. I think I almost have my best friend and her boyfriend talked into coming down with us for AHE, so I may be getting a bigger tent than originally planned.

[SandrineDeLaTombe]

 There is plenty of room for the both of us to get dressed at the same time, so it works for us, but I kind of like the look of the new cabin tents, and they could be made to look pretty cool inside with all sorts of decor options.  I'd go Gypsy, but that's just me...    LOL  Maybe when this one wears out I'll look into one of those!  (I've had it for 10 years now, though, and it's in almost perfect condition...)

Oh, and Sandrine, as soon as you roll into camp there will be folks asking if you need help, because that's just how most of us are!  When I started setting my tent up I suddenly had a line of people helping me unload, carrying things, unfolding tent poles, pounding stakes... and basically letting me just direct!  It was very sweet... and it worked the same way in reverse when it was time to head out.  Some amazing people at TRF... and most any other Faire you get to, I would imagine!  

Did you say your tent was a Coleman brand?  It's great that it's held up for this long.  I hadn't thought about decorating the tent inside, but I'm totally looking for a pirate flag to put outside!

[Rani Zemirah]

HEY PUNKS!!! SHUT THE EFF UP! I'm a delicate freakin flower.

Of course you are!  Even cactus flowers are delicate and beautiful... you just have to watch out for the sharp pointy things!  lol 


Yes, Sandrine, my tent is a Coleman, and I've had it for right at 10 years now, and it's been very well used, with a few 2-3 week back-country expeditions and many, many weekends at the lake, in all kinds of weather, and a couple of weekends of Faire camping, as well.  Original poles and material are all still intact and in excellent condition, and the floor is good, also.  It has the plastic coated nylon mesh floor, and it's great.  It weighs about 15lbs, so it's not a back-packing tent, but it continues to serve us well, and I like it! 

For the inside of our tent I bring the pretty rugs, the gorgeous comforter and my regular bed sheets, so it feels like home, and the pretty candle lanterns and a few other little things to make it more like a Gypsy tent, but if it had straight walls I could hang the cool cotton tapestries to make it feel more like a Gypsy tent, also...  Of course, everyone would like to have a period pavilion, but since that's a huge amount of money to lay out for Faire camping it just doesn't happen very often, so I try to do what I can to carry the feeling of Faire back into the camp.  I even stay in garb of some sort most of the time, although not always laced into a bodice!    heheh 

[Blue66669]

I'm thinking I may line my tent with blankets this year. I REFUSE to freeze again!!!