Tent Camping

[Rides 2 Far <rides2far@juno.com>]

!After > the ride the rain began to hit and I saw the water creeping into
the > front of the tent.All I can say is if I did this 
> every weekend I would definitely investingooseneck,possibly 
> w/small LQ.

Alicia, 
As someone who does this a lot, and has still failed to get a gooseneck,
can I tell you how I stay dry?  First, forget the tent.  I hate tents.
Learned that in my college backpacking class.  If you're going to stick
with the tent the best advice I ever got for tent camping was to use a
Igloo cooler for a suitcase.  They float and at least you'll have a dry
change of clothes.

I pull a 2 horse trailer.  When you get there just drag the mats out the
back, flip them over and sweep.  You now have a porch.  Sweep the inside
well and put your cot on one side. (hope you're short like me so you can
climb under the partition easily.  Sweep out the feed trough and put your
suitcase up there. If it's just you there'll be room for your food on the
other side from your cot (just bend over under the partition to grab
things. >g<  To be really luxurious, I bought an $18 tarp with poles at
KMart.  It's freestanding, but pretty useless that way since it blows
down.  Instead, put it over the top of the trailer, anchor it with the
ropes on one side, then pull it out tight and use the poles with
guidewires to set up a really nice porch.  Set up a card table with a
complete kitchen. Make sure you do it on the side with the escape door so
that if it's rainy you can come and go without getting wet.  For your
horse just run a picketline off the back of the trailer to a tree.  Total
cost of the ENTIRE customizing your rig for endurance package: about $25.

I've recently been pulling a big 3 horse aluminum slant that my brother
bought.  Yes, it's nice to be able to leave it packed between rides, but
I'll be returning it soon and had to make a decision whether to get rid
of my 2 horse that needed paint...or add on to our house.  Let me see...I
went to 11 rides this year.  22 nights in a trailer...(O.K. an extra 8
for the PAC but that was an exception).  If I had a trailer payment that
would be pretty darned expensive accomodations.  I decided to repaint the
2 horse and I'll be back to slumming it soon.  Sure makes it easy to get
the the better parking spaces though. >g<

Angie
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