"Sometimes I joke that growing up is just building your own prison out of things you love, but that’s of course exaggeration—it’s more like sacrificing your own freedom in exchange for things you think will be worth it: pets, kids, a consistent roof over your head, maybe some plants to nurture."
Thoroughly enjoyed your insights on camping with a child. We just got back from a week-long camping trip on the coast with the 6 and 10-year-old grandkids. I spent summers camping with my mom and siblings. Nothing better!
We went through a tent crisis this summer and upgraded tents. Our energetic sleeping preschooler was threatening to kick the middle, and only pole, over of our tipi tent with his nighttime acrobatics.
Just spent last weekend car camping with the family, four of us in our REI Half Dome 4 (including a cot for my wife!). It was tight, but it still works for now. Unfortunately, my friend ruined it by bringing his North Face Wawona 6 for him and his son, which is basically an RV without wheels or electric. The envy was real. But we made it work, and dammit if that tent didn't keep us dry when a torrential downpour came through, sending rivers of mud through the campground and around our tent. Thank god for CBD + THC gummies.
While I too dream about the days of getting up and going out, I'm okay with building the kind of prison where my tiny cellmates wake up beside me in (and out of) sleeping bags with a woodpecker banging around in the background and that rainfly-filtered light giving a glow to it all. We're super lucky, dude. And yes, take that pack 'n' play and whatever else you need to make it work. None of us are winning any dirtbag fashion shows.
Nothing wrong with a Dad Tent. Kind of like transitioning from your two seater beat-up Jeep to a Minivan with swivel seats - darn comfy, and they'll get you out there.
Well written, and thanks for inviting us for a peek at your new stage of life.
Hilarious and on the money, Brendan. Even MSR’s in on the joke. Habispace!! My kids have both reached their maximum height and left the house, so their parents’ latest makeshift sleep setup only weighs 400 pounds, bolts to the bed of the pickup and pops up almost as automatically as the incredible scissor work from some of the kids’ old books. Also bought a new ultralight backpacking tent, which doesn’t get out as much as the transformer truck topper.
I'll admit this stopped me for a while:
"Sometimes I joke that growing up is just building your own prison out of things you love, but that’s of course exaggeration—it’s more like sacrificing your own freedom in exchange for things you think will be worth it: pets, kids, a consistent roof over your head, maybe some plants to nurture."
Thoroughly enjoyed your insights on camping with a child. We just got back from a week-long camping trip on the coast with the 6 and 10-year-old grandkids. I spent summers camping with my mom and siblings. Nothing better!
Thanks, Rob! Glad you had a fun trip with the grandkids
We went through a tent crisis this summer and upgraded tents. Our energetic sleeping preschooler was threatening to kick the middle, and only pole, over of our tipi tent with his nighttime acrobatics.
hahaha tent pole goes down and you basically have a family bivy sack
Just spent last weekend car camping with the family, four of us in our REI Half Dome 4 (including a cot for my wife!). It was tight, but it still works for now. Unfortunately, my friend ruined it by bringing his North Face Wawona 6 for him and his son, which is basically an RV without wheels or electric. The envy was real. But we made it work, and dammit if that tent didn't keep us dry when a torrential downpour came through, sending rivers of mud through the campground and around our tent. Thank god for CBD + THC gummies.
While I too dream about the days of getting up and going out, I'm okay with building the kind of prison where my tiny cellmates wake up beside me in (and out of) sleeping bags with a woodpecker banging around in the background and that rainfly-filtered light giving a glow to it all. We're super lucky, dude. And yes, take that pack 'n' play and whatever else you need to make it work. None of us are winning any dirtbag fashion shows.
Nothing wrong with a Dad Tent. Kind of like transitioning from your two seater beat-up Jeep to a Minivan with swivel seats - darn comfy, and they'll get you out there.
Well written, and thanks for inviting us for a peek at your new stage of life.
Hilarious and on the money, Brendan. Even MSR’s in on the joke. Habispace!! My kids have both reached their maximum height and left the house, so their parents’ latest makeshift sleep setup only weighs 400 pounds, bolts to the bed of the pickup and pops up almost as automatically as the incredible scissor work from some of the kids’ old books. Also bought a new ultralight backpacking tent, which doesn’t get out as much as the transformer truck topper.
Nailed it.