When I camp I like as many creature comforts from home as possible. Even though I enjoy tent camping and camping in our pop-up camper my dream is to have a class A motorhome so that I can sleep in total comfort on even the coldest and rainiest nights.
Since that isn’t in my budget, I do the next best thing and use air mattresses while camping. It’s as close to my bed at home that I can get without actually dragging my bed from home to the campground; and since my king size mattress doesn’t fit in the back of my Ford Explorer it has to stay put.
I own two air mattresses, an AeroBed and a Coleman. Both work great and are comfortable but they have one big difference.
The Aerobed pump needs electricity to inflate it; something I didn’t think about a couple years ago when we took it on a camping trip and had a campsite without electricity. There my husband and I stood wondering how we were going to inflate our mattress. We had a popup camper at the time so you might think it was no big deal – that we could just sleep on the mattress in the camper even if it is a thin one that isn’t as comfortable as the air mattress. That would have been fine except we had taken the original mattresses out the camper and left them at home (had taken them out when we cleaned the camper and forgot to put it back in). That meant finding a way to inflate the air mattress or sleep on particle board.
Luckily the camp hosts had an inverter (a handy little gadget) that they let us use it to inflate the air mattress. Then we only had to look like fools while we maneuvered a fully inflated queen size mattress into our pop-up camper (no easy feat).
The very next week after we got home from that camping trip I took myself to the store and purchased a Coleman outdoor air mattress along with a hand pump so that we can sleep in comfort with or without electricity when we camp.
While air mattresses add an extra level of comfort to the thin mattresses in popup campers, I think they are essential when tent camping. An air mattress keeps you off the ground and is comfy so a person can get a good night’s sleep after enjoying a day of outdoor activities and fresh air.
And an air mattress on a cot is even better because it’s much easier to keep dirt from feet and the floor of the tent from joining you in bed.
Have you ever played ladder golf? It’s a great camping game and also a great tailgating game.
You may also know it by the name blongo ball, hillbilly golf, hillbilly horseshoes, bolo toss, lasso golf or ladder ball, tailgate golf, testicle toss, redneck golf, dingle balls, Chinese golf, monkey golf, monkey balls, beer nutz, or laderbolen.
Our family calls it blongo ball because that’s the name on the box of the set we bought although sometimes we call it…um……testicle toss – but only in adult company. The kiddies know it as blongo ball or ladder golf and as a really fun game.
It’s my favorite camping game and I’m pretty good at it if I do say so myself. One of the reasons I love it so much is that it’s a game pretty much anyone can play and is a great family game, making it perfect for family camping trips.
A ladder golf set consists of two ladders and 6 bolas (two balls-usually golf balls-securely connected with a piece of rope between them; think of it as a piece of rope with a golf ball dangling from each end). Each team gets 3 bolas and there’s 2 colors of bolas in a game so it’s easy to keep track of which ones belong to which team.
It can be set up on a concrete or asphalt surface, on a gravel surface, or on grass. Although it’s preferable to have a flat surface we’ve played it on uneven surfaces at many campgrounds. It just adds to the fun and challenge of the game.
It’s played by teams taking turns throwing their bolas at the ladder. Points are scored for getting the bolos suspended on one of the three rungs. Typically, the top rung is worth 1 point, the middle rung is worth 2 points, and the bottom rung is worth 3 points.
I don’t know if playing “take away” points is common but that’s how our family plays it and it works like this. Opposing team members throw at the same ladder, taking turns throwing one bolo at a time. The opposing team member will sometimes use the strategy of trying to dislodge the opponent’s bolo to take away their score instead of trying to score themselves – usually when the other player will have enough points to win the game if their bolo stays on the ladder. Trying to dislodge opponent’s bolos is my favorite part of the game (I’m evil that way).
Whoever gets to 21 points first wins (at least with the version we play). We also play that a person has to score exactly 21 points. If they get more than 21 during a round, then they lose the points from that round and have to try to get to exactly 21 points the next round; although we only use that rule when it’s all adults playing. When we play with the kids it’s 21 points or more to win. And if the kids are younger and just learning the game, the adults have to adhere to the “exactly 21 points” rule while the kids use the “21 or more points” rule to make it a little more fair for them and to give them a chance to win.
There’s lots of different ladder golf sets available. Most of the ladders are made of either plastic piping (if it’s not the same type of PVC piping used for plumbing then it’s very similiar) or wood. Most of the bolo sets are made with rope and golf balls although a few sets use plastic balls or have monkey fist knots on the end.
And there are also soft balls available so that it can be played indoors during the cold winter months or on those rainy days when everyone is bored.
If you only get one outdoor game to play while camping get ladder golf. It’s my number one pick.
If you do buy the game, don’t buy the cheapest plastic one you can find because all it takes is one ill placed throw and the plastic ladder will crack and break. I highly recommend BlongoBall. It’s the set I’ve had for 3 years, have used a lot, and is still in great condition.
If you haven’t already booked your camping dates for 2010, now is the time to do it.
People reserve the best sites at popular campgrounds seconds after they become available to reserve with some campgrounds accepting reservations a year or more in advance. And when I say “seconds” I mean that literally. I know many people, myself included, who go online or call to book a site at the exact date and minute advance reservations are accepted at favorite campgrounds.
Even though it may already be too late to get the very best sites at some campgrounds, it is still possible to get great campsites at national, state, and federal campgrounds that are not only spacious and have great views, but are are often half the price (or even less) than campsites at private campgrounds (although there are tons of great private campgrounds too).
Not sure where you want to stay this year or what campgrounds are available where you plan to vacation?
To find out what other people think of a campground you are thinking about staying at, check out the RV Park Reviews website. It has almost 90,000 user submitted reviews of campgrounds in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Another good source of campground reviews and opinions from people who have stayed at them is the RV.net forum. Scroll down to the “Locations” section. The “RV Parks, National Parks, State Campgrounds & More” section has over a half millions posts in it where people have shared their opinions.
If you want to browse available sites at campgrounds in the United States and Canada, check out the Reserve America website. They process over 4 million campground reservations a year for thousands of public and private campgrounds (although not every campground uses this reservation system).
To make reservations at any of the federal recreational facilities in the United States, visit the Recreation.gov website.
Personally, my favorite campgrounds are state campgrounds.
Why?
- They are reasonably priced (up to 75% less per night than some private campgrounds)
- The campsites are bigger than those at most private campgrounds and ironically, they campsites at the state campgrounds I’ve visited at much more private than those are privately owned campground.
- There is lots of space for roaming and exploring. State campgrounds are typically located on just a small portion of adjacent state owned land that have some or all of the following: hiking trails, biking trails, swimming, cross country skiing, ATV’ing, horseback riding, educational programs, boating, fishing, playgrounds and more.
Wherever you decide to camp this year whether it’s a federal, state or private campground; or even your own back yard; have a great time!
Are you in the winter doldrums and anxiously waiting for camping season to start? If you live in a cold climate like I do and the idea of winter camping in the snow is not appealing, then you may be dreaming of warm summer evenings sitting around a campfire enjoying s’mores (yum!).
Instead of sitting at home waiting for camping season to start, head out to a local camping show to check out the latest in campers and camping gear, and to chat with fellow campers. It’s a great “one stop” place to find your next dream camping unit, get some great deals, find new gear, get info on campgrounds, check out towing vehicles, and get tips and ideas from camping enthusiasts just like you while strolling though the exhitibition buildings and arenas where many of the shows are being held.
Just like January, February and March are the prime times for people to head south for a winter vacation, those are the same months that are prime time for camper shows. I go to at least one show every year and always come home feeling excited about the upcoming camping season because I always find a new piece of gear to try out or get a great tip from someone I met at the show.
Did you know that many of the people working at the shows are not the regular staff salespeople for the camping companies but are their customers who are very knowledgeable about camping and who are helping out during the show because extra people are needed to help the thousands of people who go through their camping units or who stop at their booths each day during a show? They give practical advice and honest feedback about the camping unit or gear they are assigned to because it’s something they already own and use.
And if you haven’t yet experienced the fun and joy of camping, it’s a great place to go and look around to help you decide if it’s something you want to do (and I highly encourage you try camping at least once or twice; it’s truly hard to describe and is something best experienced).
To find a camping show in your area check local newspapers, watch for ads on television, use Google to do a search such as “Wisconsin camping show,” or check out the websites below that have listings of numerous upcoming camper and RV shows.
While almost all the big shows charge an admission fee, many have discount coupons on their show websites; some offer free admission on certain days with a donation to a local food pantry; and some offer discounted coupons through local radio and television stations (call and ask or check out the “deals” or “marketplace” section of their websites).
If you are looking for a vacation that won’t demolish your budget, try camping. Campground fees are cheap with some parks charging $10 or less a night for a campsite; plus it’s a great way to connect with nature and spend quality time with family and friends or just spend some quality time with yourself enjoying the outdoors.
You don’t need a big fancy camper. In fact, you don’t need a camper at all. There are many good quality tents available on the market that are reasonable; plus with an air mattress, good quality sleeping bag (or just blankets and pillows from your own bed at home) you’ll almost feel like you are at home in your own bed.
If you are new to camping and want to give it a try, borrow equipment from family or friends the first time to make sure it’s something you’ll enjoy; or check Craigslist or your local classifieds for gently used camping gear.
Besides the campsite fee, you’ll need money for firewood, and of course you’ll need food and beverages. But you can make all your own food over your campfire which won’t cost you anymore than eating at home and there’s nothing quite as tasty as food cooked over a campfire.
Give camping a try. I think you’ll like it! I love it!
available so that it can be played indoors during the cold winter months or on those rainy days when everyone is bored. 
It’s the set I’ve had for 3 years, have used a lot, and is still in great condition. 
