If you've car camped before, feel free to skip this entry, but if you've never done it, I really recommend it! I'd never been car camping but was intrigued when Iain suggested it. Here's a few observations I made:
CAR CAMPING IS VERY SOCIAL
You're outside, a few feet away from the campsite next to you. Your car is right there. There's public showers and bathrooms. There's no internet or electricity. And there's children everywhere. On paper, car camping sounds like my own version of hell. But I totally loved it, and I loved it for all of the reasons I thought I'd hate it.
CAR CAMPING IS LIKE LIVING IN ONE BIG COMMUNITY
Okay yeah, the sound of whining 4 year olds at 6:30am reaffirmed my decision to stick with cats, but it was also like, "Ok, I guess it's time to wake up now." The camp woke up together - you can't sleep in when there's only a few layers of nylon and canvas between you and the people next door. We also went to bed at the same time. By 10:30pm, everyone was quiet -- you'd walk around the camp and see people with lanterns reading in front of their tent, or enjoying a glass of wine. You'd hear parents reading to their kids. You went to bed looking at the stars, and you woke up to birds and sunlight. You put on your shorts and tshirt, unzipped the tent to walk outside and make coffee. You'd look over and the couple next to you was doing the same thing. You'd nod hello, maybe say something like, "Looks like another gorgeous beach day!" and then fix your breakfast. It was sort of like being in a commercial for orange juice.
CAR CAMPING IS TOTALLY RELAXING
During the day, we'd go for hikes or swims, then come back to the camp to make dinner. We'd sit in front of our tent with some drinks and people watch (there's LOADS of people watching). You had nothing else to do -- there's no TV. I totally admit it, this was one of my initial concerns: "What the hell do you DO?!" The answer is "Nothing." and that's why it's such a perfect vacation.
THERE'S NO FACEBOOK AND SEEK WHEN YOU'RE CAR CAMPING
The first day, I was frantic because their advertised wireless internet didn't extend all the way to our tent. I figured out where their internet lounge was, and took my laptop over. On the third day I decided to take an Official Break From The Internet (a withdrawal akin to giving up smoking). I was really getting into the whole vibe of camping. By the fourth day, Iain was going online more than me. I'd lost all interest.
CAR CAMPING VARIES IN LUXURY
We thought we were livin' it up in our 6 person tent, but we soon found out that our tent is the equivalent of the middle class starter home. You've got the lower class - the backpackers with their tiny two-person tents that you crawl in and out of. Then there's the mansions -- these are like houses made of canvas. They're huge and require separate trailers to lug them to the campsite. They were really amazing. They have shelves and tables and wardrobes. I'll post some pictures (though the pictures don't do it justice. Some of these tents housed Mom, Dad, 3 kids, a kitchen, and all of the toys and clothes.)
CAR CAMPING IS CHEAP
$32 a night. Not bad in a recession!
Some thrilling pictures of our camp:
Other people's tents:
