It's Camping Weather!
With this recent taste of warmer weather that we've gotten, it's hard not to think ahead to days where this is the norm. I know many of you are either sick yourself or know someone else who is, but aside from that specific side effect of the drastic change in the weather we experienced, this current weather is pretty nice!
I was recently driving around where I live, and I noticed some signs on the side of the road saying it was 82 degrees outside. That's a far cry from normal, but personally, I love this weather. It cools down to around 60 degrees overnight and stays clear. This is perfect for one of my favorite activities for the Spring. Camping! Who else likes camping? I get it. This is a blog. That's pretty rhetorical, but all the same, being outside can help mood and health, especially in weather like this that promotes longer time spent outside as well as more active time like playing backyard sports, hiking, or other things you can do with your family.
I'm not saying that if you don't enjoy the outdoors that there is anything wrong. And I know not everyone loves being outside as much as I do. But in my opinion, this is the best weather for outdoor activities, especially camping. During the day, you don't have to worry about it getting overly hot with all of your gear either on your back or sitting in a tent, and at night, it isn't getting too terribly cold like it has been in the recent few weeks.
Camping should be something that is enjoyable. If you've only been when it was 20 degrees outside or constantly raining the entire time, then you should really consider giving it another chance and try to schedule a trip with some friends or family in the next few months before it gets too hot. Make sure you have the right stuff. If you aren't a very experience camper, try to make sure you look up some checklists for things you may need. I'll give you a quick checklist of some things I would take, but it wouldn't hurt to look around to see if anything else would help make you more comfortable.
Camping Checklist:
1. Tent
You really don't want some of your first trips to be directly under the stars. The weather can get to be a bit unpredictable, especially in East Tennessee, you want to be prepared for a shower, just in case.
2. Sleeping bags
Some people go with just blankets, and that's just fine. But personally, I would rather have a sleeping bag as well as a light blanket. Here's why. If I am having any type of trouble getting comfortable while I'm trying to go to sleep, I can always sleep on top of my sleeping bag with a blanket over me, providing a good bit of cushion that is hard to duplicate with just blankets. Sleeping bags are also better for cooler weather, and this time of year, the weather may drop seemingly unexpectedly.
3. FOOD
Don't expect to just find random stuff to eat like berries and other fruits and vegetables. Not a great idea. Something may look like a good food choice and turn out to be something totally different, or of course, may just not be ready to be eaten yet. Plus, the chances of finding enough food to sustain you while you're out is fairly small. Even for an over night trip where you may just need about three or four meals worth, I'd recommend you bring whatever you wish to cook in a cooler or in your bag. Of course, the type of camping you are doing will drastically change how and what food you pack for your trip, so be cognizant of what you are planning to do while you're out. Also, do not forget to bring snacks. Little things to eat here and there can help if you're doing more activity than you are used to doing on a regular basis.
4. Water
I would not recommend trying to utilize streams for your water source. The filtering systems and tablets don't typically taste very good, and with the types of water containers now being so insulated, you may just be better off bringing a few thermos filled water bottles for an over night trip. This will add some weight to what you have to carry, but it would be worth it to make sure you don't end up getting sick.
5. A way to start a camp fire
Most camping spots don't have a problem with the campers having a small camp fire. But they can sometimes be a bit of a struggle to start. Do NOT try to bring lighter fluid or gas to start your fire. this can cause explosions or create an out of control flame. I would recommend buying a fire starter log from a convenience store or something along those lines. It's a much safer option.
6. Something to put out the fire with
This could be just a designated bottle you have with you that is specifically for water to be used to put out the remaining embers. You don't want to leave any heat when you leave. Some of the embers that are hot may be reignited with some wind. This bottle can be filled with either water you already have or water from the area you're camping. That's why it should be designated for the fire, so no one drinks it in case that's all you have for it.
These are just a few things I would recommend for a short trip with some friends or family. Of course, a lot of the specifics are up to you, like what tent, sleeping bag, and what food you would like. That's what's great about camping; it's completely customizable to what you want to do. I hope this can help and that you have a great time!