Camping in the Not-so-deep Woods, an Urban Experience

Illiniwek Forest Preserve, Illinois

I awake on the eighth morning of my Mississippi River camping trip to birds singing and rich river smells drifting into my camper from my open side and back doors. The light is soft, the sun not yet having breached the horizon. Out my window, I see the muted, rippling reflections of the Mississippi's current as it flows downstream from the locks and dam just up the river. Night still puddles within the leaves of the trees. I am not camping in the deep woods, though, perhaps not even in the not-so-deep woods, although there is a pocket of deeper woods across the road--or highway, I should say. This is my first experience of urban camping, and you know what? It's surprisingly enjoyable.

The trilling morning song of the birds is punctuated by a steady orchestra of traffic sounds: the brash bray of a motorcycle, the deep growl of trucks, the whine of car tires on pavement. After a while the traffic noise ceases to intrude; after a while the urban sounds are just a cacophony that drifts to background chatter. A new and recognizable sound emerges in this urban orchestration--a Canadian Pacific locomotive pulling its train past the campground, the brass of its horn and the tympani of its wheels on the tracks. The deeper bass of a barge horn floats across the river, and now that I am listening for the urban-morning sounds, the steady drone of RV air conditioners add to the morning's urban symphony. Yes, indeed, welcome to camping in the not-so-deep woods!

To pinpoint my experience, I am camping at the Illiniwek Forest Preserve on the Illinois side of the Mississippi River, near Moline in the Quad Cities area, across the river from Iowa. This forest preserve consists of 174 acres of woods and river frontage, including a campground. With hiking and biking trails, being linked to the Great River Trail, having both modern and primitive camping, and picnicking and a boat ramp, the preserve has something for pretty much anyone wanting some outdoor experience. This morning my wife and I watched a pleasure yacht leave the river's lock and head downstream. Yesterday evening we walked the shoreline road and saw a half dozen anglers happily fishing. One guy with a grin held up a sack o' catfish when we asked him how the fishing had been. A steady flow of bicyclists on the river trail require us to keep an eye out for riders so focused on keeping their pace that they get a little crazy. It's a hot summer July day, and this urban forest preserve is definitely fulfilling its mission: "to connect the community to nature through land preservation and recreation as well as administering educational opportunities."

Finishing up my third day here at the preserve campground, I ask myself, "How enjoyable is this urban camping experience?" I mean, last night before going to sleep, I looked out the window and saw a police car stopped on the campground road, talking to somebody. On the other hand, yesterday we also saw three children blissfully riding their bikes around and around the loop, just as happy as wrens flitting from branch to branch. I think this is one of those "Is the glass half empty or half full?" moments. The wooded forest preserve is just across the road, and the hilly woods are deep and lush and beautiful--once you get across the road, dodging 55 mph traffic. The traffic on the trails is regulated, one-way travel--one direction three days a week, the opposite four days a week, this probably mostly due to bicycle traffic and the attempt to lessen collisions. 

A pocket of wild at Illiniwek Forest Preserve

With 2.6 million monthly users, the website Treehugger emphasizes "Sustainability for all." The website's article on urban camping mentions a variety of forms of urban camping, from protest "camp-ins" to stealth camping to sanctioned events and spaces. Urban "camping" could include both the homeless and the houseless--those who are living on the streets or those who are living along the streets (in camping rigs). I'm focusing on two other aspects the article mentions: camping to connect with nature, and "urban campers look[ing] for a place to get away even when they don't have the time to travel to get away." Urban camping, really, is an extension of the philosophy that green zones should be a part of cities. Urban campgrounds provide the opportunity for some to interact with nature for more than an afternoon or a day. In a sense, urban campers are like those opossum, coyotes, squirrels, deer, and raccoons that live in fringe zones of wilderness in cities. The animals move back and forth between two environments, living in the transition zone. Urban campers don't experience the best (or most extreme) of both environments, primeval nature or posh hotels; they do, however, have a blended taste of both worlds, and that is a unique experience. Is it a form of glamping to be camping and to have a museum or theater or a fine restaurant nearby? The urban camping experience is a unique opportunity . . . or a great incentive to move on to more wild climes. You could very well see eagles fishing the Mississippi here at Illiniwek Forest Preserve, but you won't see wild bison grazing, unless the Buffalo Bridge Foundation has its way about the life of an I-80 bridge.

Here in Iowa, and I believe this to be true for much of the United States, the land has been "civilized" by human beings. Some scientists suggest that our modern era be named the Anthropocene Epoch, which a Britannica entry describes as "characterized as the time in which the collective activities of human beings (Homo sapiens) began to substantially alter Earth’s surface, atmosphere, oceans, and systems of nutrient cycling," the last meaning how biological life (matter) cycles and recycles in a sustainable manner. I think our "pockets" of nature, even if they are tiny pockets like here in the Midwest, are important reminders of how the world must be to maintain its sustainability, how the earth should be so it doesn't erode away, how the water should be so it is drinkable, how the air should be so it can be breathed healthily. People need--and the planet needs--the deep woods to be healthy, but the not-so-deep woods are also needed in this Anthropocene Epoch, both as reminders and as sustainers of life, as reminders of the "default" setting of the laws of nature. And it's also important to remember that when we consider nature's default settings in terms of geological time, it's not essential (to the laws of nature) that human beings be included in that resetting to reestablish balance and sustainability. Just ask the dinosaurs. 

Trying out solar panels as an Iowa state park

To experience the laws of nature swinging along on their own without the cosmetics of humankind--that's one reason why I bought a solar package option for my Airstream Basecamp. With the solar option, I can still use my trailer and many of its options of convenience, yet get a bit deeper into the woods . . . or maybe that's not accurate. I won't get any deeper into the woods; I'll still be in a small pocket of nature unadorned by humanity. However, that pocket will be a bit deeper, a bit more wild, a bit more reminiscent of the primeval. Why not just go backpacking? Why not just take off into the Alaskan or Canadian wild? I don't have a completely satisfactory answer for those questions, just an honest one. I have a "getting-older" physiology, I have a family and responsibilities, and having bicycle camped a bit, I've discovered that I'm not extremely motivated to experience "roughing it," or at least not much or not for long. My blog isn't called Green Goddess Glamping for nothing. The name isn't just about a camper we once owned. The name also refers to the comfortable, stress-free integration of camping with nature, of recognizing nature within us by experiencing and celebrating nature outside of ourselves. For me, camping in Midwest primitive campgrounds is an opportunity to intensify my contact with nature, as the Treehugger article referenced earlier observed, but not having to travel far away for the experience. Right now for me it would seem unnatural to leave behind wife, kids, and grandkids so that I could have a grand experience of untrammeled nature, even though my wife and I have invested in a fine piece of equipment for doing so (pause while I glance out my window at my camper in the driveway). My wife has also recently affirmed that the time is coming, but in the meantime, thanks to the foresightful people who have established these pockets of nature within the fabric of our society, pockets of nature that allow me to get away from it all . . . sorta.

My wife is working today online, outside this morning and inside this humid afternoon, and she expressed exactly what I'm feeling: "Hey, I can look up from my work and see the river." For many people, that's what urban camping is, an opportunity to look up from the workaday experience and see the sky, the water, to stand upon earth in the shade of a sycamore. It's a chance to connect with nature. Is it Denali National Park or the Pacific Crest Trail? No, and it's not even Iowa's Pikes Peak State Park, where I was camping a little over a week ago and had the chance to see the beautiful Bridal Veil waterfall, which was only a quarter-mile hike from camp. I'm camping in this little pocket of nature-left-alone, surrounded by the Quad Cities with a population of almost 400,000 people. My glass is half full, though. My little travel trailer is comfortable, the views are interesting and varied, and my wife Sandy has driven up to spend three days with me, an added treat on my seventeen-night Mississippi River camping tour. If I were alone, I'd be spending every morning on my bicycle, exploring the Great River Trail. Yesterday Sandy and I hiked some on the preserve trails, and once again I was impressed at how little distance one must travel from the landscaping of humankind in order to feel the over-arching, quiet yet powerful omnipresence of natural law. Green zones are good for the environment and good for our souls. 

Would I prefer camping in the deep woods rather than the not-so-deep woods? Yes, indeed! Just the other day I shared with Sandy some images of the Grand Tetons. Wouldn't it be great to go there? And one day we will. The deep woods are infused with the deep silence of nature--and are, of course, never completely silent or still on the surface, thanks to blue jays squawking or the scrabbling climb of a squirrel up a tree. Even with its casual noises, though, the deep woods exude that deep, abiding being of existence, the sense that nature is singing and dancing to its own song, and that it is our song, too, and would we please join the dance, our dance? The answer is yes. Even in an urban campground, we can hear the song of existence. If we cannot hear it, it's because we have forgotten how to listen, or because we've become distracted. Even the urban woods help remind us of our legacy, of our birthright, of our true nature. My glass is half full, and the nectar is sweet.

Subscribe--Follow by Email

* indicates required

Email Address *

First Name

Last Name

Click to learn more

Keeping Warm (but Not too Warm) When Sleeping in Our Camper

My wife and I have been using Sea to Summit Traveller sleeping bags for several years now. I've used mine longer because I originally bought it for bicycle camping. These small, lightweight bags work great for us--first when we owned our tiny trailer and now when we own our Airstream Basecamp. 

The Sea to Summit website describes the Traveller sleeping bag as follows: "This aptly named sleeping bag and down blanket is the traveler's best friend. Whether you are on a summer bike tour, or a hut trip, or couch surfing, or simply stuck at an airport or ferry terminal, the Traveller unpacks from an almost impossibly small compression sack to reveal a rectangular sleeping bag which can also unzip to form a quilt."

Using two sleeping bags is how my wife and I sleep in our camper. This provides us with individual flexibility during the night to regulate our warmth. Our older Traveller bags were advertised as good down to 45 degrees. The new bags on the website can be bought for 30-degree and 50-degree tolerances. We have bags for colder weather and usually take them along with us in cold-weather camping for emergencies, but we've found that our 45-degree bags are usually fine inside a trailer with a heater. If we get a little cold, we usually bring along an extra blanket later in the camping season. We do like how the bag can either be used as a bag or a quilt. 

One thing that is also good is that the bags come with both a compression bag and a storage cell. The compression bag squeezes the sleeping bag down into a really small size; however, we have always used the storage cell--a zip bag roughly a foot by eight by five inches. The bag  is tucked away much more quickly, doesn't need time to decompress, and can actually function as a pillow for the back when we are sitting in the little camper to read or type, for instance.

A Sea to Summit blog article explains the versatility of the bag pretty well. I have packed the bag into its compression sack and then taken it while traveling by plane, using the bag in a motel room. I've also used the bag on Amtrak when traveling the Zephyr route over the Rockies in the winter. Mostly, though, the Traveller allows my wife and me to avoid SOS (sleeping bag overkill syndrome), or in other words, we don't get too hot when we use the bag. I usually use my bag unzipped as a quilt. My wife keeps the end slightly zipped up so that she can keep her feet warm in the little end pocket the bottom zipping provides. Her method also lends itself to sliding into the bag and zipping up if it gets cool during the night. 

I can speak mostly for my bag, which has held up well over the years--bike camping, tenting, and also tiny trailer camping. Sometimes I've even used the bag on the sofa while watching TV. I wash and dry the bag at home; it's held up well with no rips or zipper malfunctions. 

Even in small travel trailers, some folks like to make up a bed and keep it made all the time. We regularly convert our bed to a bench/table configuration during the day for either work or meals, so having these bags which quickly stuff into their storage cells are for us a convenient solution for converting our tiny trailer space for different activities. Based on our experience, these sleeping bags have been practical and reliable. They've helped to make getting ready for bed at night a no-fuss experience. When we think about our sleeping bags, we usually have warm (but not too warm!) thoughts. Sleep long and prosper, fellow campers!

Subscribe--Follow by Email

* indicates required

Email Address *

First Name

Last Name

My First Siting of a MeerKat Tiny Camping Trailer in a Campground

2021 MeerKat (in University of Iowa Hawkeye colors)

I'm here at Pikes Peak State Park in northeast Iowa, camping in my new Airstream Basecamp and learning about "little" campers instead of "tiny" campers. I recently published an article on my neighbor's tiny tent-trailer and was feeling pretty satisfied with my camping and writing experience. Then as my neighbors and I were sitting around their campfire chatting, the husband suddenly points and says, "Look! A MeerKat!" 

As the beautiful little yellow and white fiberglass camper pulled into our corner of the campground (three tiny/little trailers together!), I felt the beginnings of a dream coming true. For the last couple of years I've wanted to write about the MeerKat. To me, the simple, elegant lines and composition of the camper just shout out that the MeerKat is a classy, well-built tiny trailer. And now a beautiful yellow and white model was pulling in, pulled by a Toyota RAV4 Hybrid XLE! Lucky me!

Dan and Holly Berkowitz

Dan and Holly Berkowitz bought their MeerKat from the San Diego company, which according to Dan, is owned by Little Guy trailers. They've owned it less than two months, having had it shipped to them from the factory and picking it up in June. "It was delivered to us in a Walmart parking lot when it arrived on a trailer pulled by a pick-up. We just had to hitch up and be ready to go," said Dan. 

This is the third trip the Berkowitzes have taken, one that is exciting with their new trailer, but also one that stirs up treasured memories. "We haven't been here for many years," Holly said. "The last time we camped here was with our kids when they were this tall," she added, measuring waist high with her hand and smiling sweetly.

Dan provided some information about the MeerKat 5x9 trailer. The units used to have sliding windows, but evidently they became hard to stock at some point. The company began building the campers with push-out windows, something Dan likes much more because they can be open when it's raining. They unit also comes with a small awning that attaches with a keder rail. An extra that can be purchased is screened room siding that attaches to the awning, providing some protection from insects. 

Some MeerKat Eye Candy

Beautifully finished interior

A lively yet elegant seating/sleeping area

A door-side view with awning and pop-up extended

They are happy with their trailer, and I was happy to see that when a rainstorm hit our campground, Dan and Holly chose to drop their pop-up standy top, choosing the more sealed option of having the riser down. It's great to have options. Even though they are new owners, Dan and Holly have figured out one of the basic organizing configurations for tiny trailer campers: three bins in the car (food, pots & pans, and sundry), plus a cooler. 

Dan also related some frustrating experiences as new owners of the MeerKat. One realization was that the spare tire is optional. "Who would want to buy a trailer and not have a spare?" Dan asked. Then they discovered that with their RAV4, the front mounting of the spare limited how tight a right hand turn could be--you could execute "a moderate right hand turn." Buying a hitch extender solved that problem. Another surprise was that the door fit so tightly that it couldn't be opened. The Berkowitzes finally got it open went inside, and then realized it was also extremely difficult to open from the inside, especially while experiencing a mild, claustrophobic panic attack! They escaped, though, and then their sales rep led them through the steps of readjusting the door's latch. 

Holly talked about the remarkable glow inside the MeerKat when the roof is raised and the sun lights up their Iowa Hawkeye gold colors. We didn't get to see that during our rainy days, but the glow of proud ownership Holly and Dan radiated was enough for me to reach for my sunglasses. I was so happy to finally see a MeerKat in person. It's a beautiful design that just keeps on pleasing. 

Subscribe--Follow by Email

* indicates required

Email Address *

First Name

Last Name

A Small and Tiny Trailer Get-together at Pikes Peak State Park

Pikes Peak State Park

I'm in the middle of my latest camping adventure, an exploration of northeast Iowa, the "Driftless" region, so called because it was not scoured by glaciers. My solo reconnaissance trip is up to Pikes Peak State Park on the Mississippi River and then down the river, stopping along the way. The last time I attempted this loop trip, a tree limb fell on my tiny camper, the Green Goddess, which ended that trip and initiated my road trip to the Carolinas to get a new roof. I'm sitting in the early morning light at my second stop of the trip, and I can't wait to share the varied pleasures of my stay at Pikes Peak State Park.

The three and a half hour drive up to Pikes Peak was in the rain, but it was an easy rain that gradually tapered off by the time I reached my destination. Sunday traffic was light except for the interstate highway that connects Iowa City and Cedar Rapids. That was heavy traffic, even on a Sunday. I tootled along, though, having only one odd moment of concern. I was driving in the heavy traffic of Interstate 380N when my navigation hit a dead spot which wiped out the route. I couldn't get the directions back, which was a concern because the screen had indicated that my turn-off was about four miles away. I knew that if I stopped, shut off the car, and then started again that the route would be available or that I could type in the destination again, but I didn't want to stop because the traffic was so heavy. I remembered that my cellphone had been left on the Google Maps destination of Pikes Peak, so with a quick couple of touches to the screen, the phone navigator told me that my turn was just ahead. That was a close call that kept me out of the Cedar Rapids metro area!

The flyer for Pikes Peak State Park says that the park stands upon a "500-foot bluff (1,130-foot elevation) for a breathtaking view" of the confluence of the Wisconsin and Mississippi rivers. The beauty of the area has long led people to dub the region the "Little Switzerland of Iowa." 

Bridal Veil Falls

An extensive set of stairs and boardwalk skirt the bluff

The park brought me some nice hiking through timber, far enough off the way for me to enjoy a respite from the architecture of humanity. I walked several trails, bringing a park map with me after the first hike, which allowed me to move from one trail to another to make my hikes loops rather than having to retrace my steps on the way back. There was quite a bit of wildlife to see as I walked along, including deer with some young bucks with their antlers just beginning to form. There was also varied terrain. The park had to create an extensive, staired boardwalk for much of the early trail to Bridal Veil Falls, due to the steepness of the terrain. The Hickory Trail led me deep into the woods for an experience of what the area was like in its natural state. I didn't get a chance to bike the trails because of impending rain, but there are some trails deeper into the park that allow bicycles.

Usually on my solo camping trips, I just quietly enjoy the silence of nature, not interacting much with my neighbors. Don't get me wrong, I'm not unfriendly or aloof; I just enjoy some time alone. This time at Pikes Peak was different. Among all the huge bus RVs and double-axle trailers and 5th-wheelers, a small but intrepid band of single-axle trailer owners added an unexpected social element to this trip. With shared time by the campfire, chats by the roadside, and tours of our units, a good look at the breadth of the small and tiny trailer industry was on display at the campground. 

Airstream Basecamp

First of all was my Airstream Basecamp. This trip was my first with the Moonshade, and I have to say the design has been well thought with good construction. It went up and came down easily. This is our fifth trip with the Basecamp, and the first long one.

Little Guy Max

The first night the only other single axle trailer in the park was a Little Guy Max, over on the other side of the campground. I didn't get a chance to talk much with the owner but finally met up with her when she was walking her dogs, which was how I learned what kind of trailer she had. I didn't want to walk into her site unannounced to look for logos on the camper, of course, since that would be intrusive. The owner had a nice site, though, with good shade. I would place the Little Guy Max in the same category as my Basecamp, a small or little trailer, not a tiny trailer--which are the next three trailers.

Viking 9.0 TD Express 

The next rig to pull in was a tiny pop-up trailer, a Viking 9.0 TD Express, which I profiled in my article "Care for a Tiny Teardrop Tent Trailer Walk-through?" I had never had a look at a tiny pop-up, and this pop-up was really more like a hybrid because it was mostly a hard-sided unit. I was pleased to see the thoughtfulness that the Coachmen company had put into the unit. It's easy to put up and down, and the inside area provides a comfortable layout. I also have to mention the graciousness of the Viking's owners, Brian and Michelle, who answered all my questions and invited me to their campfire for some lively conversation.

T@G Boondock

Adding to our little trailer convention was the arrival of the famous T@G tiny teardrop, this one being a Boondock edition with a rear galley. The owner had taught extra college classes during the pandemic and had used the extra money earned to buy the camper. I've lost this fellow's name, but I do want to report that he has extensive information on trout fishing in this area, including a website, Facebook page, and YouTube channel. Links are available at his website, Trout Fishing in Iowa. The site includes some great chronicles of trout fishing--and some great photos!

MeerKat 

Variety was the theme of this little trailer get-together because the last tiny trailer to arrive was the innovative and unique MeerKat, a tiny fiberglass trailer with a pop-up roof module to make it a standy. I'll be featuring this trailer in an upcoming article, but this colorful unit really added to our impromptu convention. Dan and Holly were on their third outing, and I have to say that they just couldn't stop smiling. 

All these trailers epitomized why little and tiny trailers are so popular. The ability to tow with a smaller car and not having to also invest in a tow vehicle was a big factor in the buying process. A lower price tag was another factor for their decision to go small. Even my Basecamp with its hefty price tag is still the least expensive of the Airstream line. Two of the trailers were bought used from owners who had camped with the units only a few times. This mirrors my purchase of the Green Goddess, which was bought used from owners who had traveled with it only once--back from the manufacturer to their home. 

Every camping experience is unique, but with this one to Pikes Peak, it was easier to identify the unique qualities. This park provides some vistas not easily found in Iowa. Those long perspectives from a bit of height were a welcome change from rolling hills and flat plains. This stop was a people stop, though; that's especially what I will remember. There was a camaraderie among us as we prepped our trailers and campsites for an upcoming storm. There was a collective joy in the sharing of our individual enjoyment of our small units. Less weight and size but more adventure! I'm glad to be a part of the camping community, and especially the community of those who choose to go the small and simple way.

Subscribe--Follow by Email

* indicates required

Email Address *

First Name

Last Name

Care for a Tiny Teardrop Tent Trailer Walk-through?

Coachmen 2020 Viking 9.0 TD Express 

So here I am camping at Pikes Peak State Park in Iowa, and in addition to the usual 20-30 footers and the RV buses, I'm happy to say a number of tiny trailers have also arrived in my campground neighborhood. One of them is a tiny tent trailer, although it might be more accurately called a hybrid tent trailer because the unit is mostly hard-sided. It's a light, functional unit--small yet packing a surprising number of camping comforts, including an air conditioner, propane heating unit, and a refrigerator.

Brian and Michele Tapp bought the unit and have owned it four months, connecting via Craig's List with its original owner. The Coachmen Viking 9.0 TD Express weighs a little over a thousand pounds, so the Tapps can tow it with their Honda CRV. This is their third trip; their first a time together was with friends at Yankton's Lewis and Clark Lake. They felt the Viking camper was an opportunity to try out camping without an initial big investment, especially since they didn't have to buy not only a camping unit but also a tow vehicle. 

In addition to not having to dish out a lot of cash for their almost-new camper (used only four times by the first owner), they also didn't have to invest in a lot of camping equipment. They were able to use a lot of their tenting equipment they had purchased the year before, and also since Brian enjoys pre-game tailgating parties, some of that equipment proved useful. 

Michele said that their friends tend to fall into two categories when they say they've bought a tiny trailer. One group says, "Good for you!" On the other hand, there is the other group of friends that says, "What! Are you crazy?" 

Brian and Michele's motivation to buy the Viking tent-trailer came from several sources. One was Michele's camping life as a kid, which began when she was ten years old and her dad rented a Starcraft tent trailer and headed out with the family. Her dad then stepped up to a "pull trailer" and then a 5th-wheel. When Brian and Michelle were married, the family celebration centered around a camping get-together, which consisted of families tenting, pulling up with their campers, or renting cabins. "Let's get the family together and go camping," was the celebration theme.

Another motivation for buying the tiny camper was the COVID-19 pandemic. What happened was that in order to be safe, Brian and Michele decided that they could visit by camping near where the parents lived. "We could be camping and outside, and they could come and see us" during the pandemic. 

Notice the "hatch" pneumatic struts for raising and lowering

When Brian and Michele bought the trailer, the original owner provided them with a list of links to research online about the tiny trailer experience. Funnily enough, one of the links was this blog, so when they pulled up at Pike's Peak, they saw my Airstream Basecamp and my white Nissan Pathfinder. Brian told his wife, "I think that's the Green Goddess Glamping blog's rig!" Talk about serendipity! Since we've introduced ourselves this trip, we've had some good chats, shared some fun stories, and I've had a chance to get a good look at their tiny hybrid tent-trailer. 

It has every bit as much room as my original tiny "standy" RTTC Polar Bear, and with some modifications, it might even have a bit more room. Tiny trailer camping and even camping with slightly larger "little" trailers (such as my Basecamp) always is a matter of personal preferences and trade-offs. This YouTube video link provides a short walk-through of the Viking's set-up. Contrasting the Viking with my Polar Bear, I'd say the Viking is a touch bigger (especially if Brian and Michele modify the bed to add a table and storage much like the Polar Bear's). The unit is also lighter, even with the refrigerator and propane heater. The Polar Bear will probably be warmer in cold-weather camping, is a bit more secure from the elements, and also doesn't have to be raised or lowered to be used. This is definitely a plus when on the road, and you want a quick stop for lunch or a porta-potty break. 

Since both Michele and Brian are still in their active work years, the little trailer they've bought seems ideal for their current needs. It stores in their garage and can be pushed in by hand. It was not a large investment, and it provides them with a chance to see if camping is something they really want to continue. For me, I was really caught up by the ingenious engineering of the tiny tent trailer. I'm sitting in my little Airstream Basecamp right now, which is a big step up (or bigger step up) from my bicycle camping or my tiny trailer camping days. I'm very comfortable right now--but, wow! I really like tiny trailers. They are really the epitome of "less is more," and Brian and Michele's Viking TD Express is a great example that comfort can be a simple thing.

Subscribe--Follow by Email

* indicates required

Email Address *

First Name

Last Name

A Rainy Little Travel Trailer Basecamp

In the early morning rain . . . I'll continue loading up the rig.

My wife and I have flirted with naming our new Airstream Basecamp--Stella Luna or Moondance--but somehow we just keep coming back to the Basecamp. Our first tiny standy trailer was the Green Goddess, so why hasn't a name stuck for our Basecamp? I think it has something to do with why we bought the Basecamp, a "little" trailer, and sold our RTTC Polar Bear, a "tiny" trailer. We wanted something small but with just enough extra room so that we'd be more comfortable on a day with bad weather--wind, rain, snow, heat or cold . . . or bugs. We wanted to be able to establish a basecamp, so we bought a Basecamp. And it appears I'm going to need it for my next trip because of all the rain. Thanks, tropical storm Elsa!

My last trip to Indian Lake Campground was cut short because of severe thunderstorms. I came home after a particularly wild night of intense wind, lightning, and pounding rain. Thankfully, the possible hail didn't manifest. The current forecast for the next ten days indicates a chance of thunderstorms for nine out of the next ten days. Perhaps because Elsa is to the south, my trip to the north forecasts fewer rainy days, six out of ten. Let's hope! At any rate, here are some photos of my basecamp campgrounds for the next two weeks. From there, I'll bicycle (bringing my rain gear) and drive to explore the area and other campgrounds--weather permitting. And if the weather's too extreme, I'm bringing books, laptop, and a thumb drive full of movies. With the Basecamp's extra space and big front window, I shouldn't have to worry too much about cabin fever. 

Now let's get down to my itinerary. I'll be spending quite a bit of time along the Mississippi River, mostly on the Iowa side but with a few days on the east bank in Illinois: Pikes Peak State Park, Bellevue State Park, Illiniwek Forest Preserve, Shady Creek Recreation Area, and Geode State Park. I'll establish my basecamps in these campgrounds and then explore. All my stops will be for three or four nights except the last, which will be for two nights.

Pikes Peak State Park, photo Lisa Rogowski

Bellevue State Park, Dyas Unit, photo Jeanie Stephens

Illiniwek Forest Preserve, photo Colin Ramsay

Shady Creek Recreation Area, photo Nicolas Eventide

Geode State Park, photo Erin Aguilera

All these photos were taken and posted on Google Maps recently, within the last three weeks. I have linked the photographers. What I'll be seeing when I head up should be interesting, though, but the good news is that the weather forecast still predicts less rain than here in southeast Iowa. A couple of hundred miles can make a difference. 

My challenge today will be to complete a few tasks in between the rain storms--if there are any breaks in the rain. Flood warnings are posted for our area--not for my neighborhood, though. If I have to, I'll head out in the rain and finish up when the showers are lighter. I hope to catch some time between storms, though, to keep the camper drier. 

This is my trip here at the outset, pulling my Basecamp to keep me dry. I'll post to keep everyone updated during my trip--and, yes, I'm hoping for some spots of good cellphone reception! I have lots of books and a new sleeping pillow for our camper, so I'll have inside and outside activities ready to go. I'm looking forward to some time out and about where I can rest, hike, bicycle, write, read, cook, and just generally enjoy life on the Mississippi River. 

I'm ending with a link to a short, beautiful poem by Langston Hughes, "The Negro Speaks of Rivers," in which he references the Mississippi River. As you can probably tell by now, I'm excited and inspired.

Subscribe--Follow by Email

* indicates required

Email Address *

First Name

Last Name

Five Things You Need When Camping: a Found Article

Photo by Steve Russell, Kansas, December 2020

Usually I write these blog articles, but occasionally I find them. The nucleus of this article I found in a Facebook camping group post . . . which was found by that member from a Tearjerker post . . . and perhaps or probably that post was based on being found somewhere else. So what are these five things needed when camping? Dry sleeping? Clean water? Toothbrush? Read on and find out!

Here's what was posted on the Tearjerker website and then re-posted on the FB camping page: "I often see the question from new owners, 'What do I need?' Having just completed the 60th night of my first trip as a solo, middle-aged female traveler, I have a list of what I found very helpful."

1. Flexibility: Things will not always go the way you expect. Whatever it is, it’s all good.
2. Patience: You will have to wait for any number of people or things; take a deep breath or twenty. Oh, just go ahead and start your yoga practice now.
3. Sense of wonder: Leave the campsite; wander about the place, learn to identify things.
4. Simplicity: Things need attention. The fewer things you have, the less time you will spend attending to them (and you can go kayaking, hiking, SUPing, birding, etc., see #3).
5. Gratitude: you are so very lucky to be able to live like this. Never forget your incredible good fortune. Smile at everyone!

The key point expressed is that whatever kind of stuff you bring along when you camp, be sure to also bring the right attitude. That's a pretty abstract pearl of wisdom, though, so the specific five suggestions certainly provides focus.

• Flexibility
• Patience
• Wonder
• Simplicity
• Gratitude

The first two qualities, flexibility and patience, seem to go together. Leaving our safe, cozy little space we call home certainly brings change and challenge. We need the ability to adapt to change yet also need the patience to sometimes just hunker down and wait a while to see how things shake out. We can also pair wonder and simplicity because these are also reactions to the world around us. We need to keep alive our ability to be "wowed" when we view a spectacular sunset or wake up to the silence of a new morning. We need to be able to feel wonder at how different yet the same as us the lives of the ancient Anasazi were when we visit Mesa Verde National Park and see the cliff ruins. Feeling wonder, I think, means we have to keep it simple. Simplicity means valuing the basics and not getting too caught up in the drama. Lastly, we need to feel gratitude not just for what we have; we also should feel awe and be grateful for having the capacity to experience wonder and gratitude because that means we aren't too caught up in ourselves. 

Henry David Thoreau emphasized the need for simplicity in his essay "Economy" from his book Walden. This is an interesting essay because it's not about money, or it is, but in a backwards way from how we normally consider the word--and Thoreau wrote about a century and a half ago! Thoreau said that possessions drag you down. Be rich in time, not dollars. Be rich in freedom, not possessions. Be rich in the wonder of the world, not resigned to working like a beast of burden so that you can own a lot of stuff--and a place to keep all that stuff. 

Living in a small space, whether it is a little camper or Thoreau's cabin on Walden Pond, provides an opportunity to discover what is truly important--and it's not stuff, folks. As the saying goes, "The most important things in life are not things." It's our integration and appreciation of life. The outer depends upon the inner. Camping can help us discover and be comfortable with our place in the world. It can provide us with a sense of belonging, that nature is not only around us but also within us. There are no barriers to the open heart. 

Perhaps ultimately "glamping" is not a function of outfitting but of perspective. When John Muir took his blanket, notebook, loaf of bread, and skillet off into the wilderness, he certainly was appreciating the glamour of camping. When we read his writings, we feel that even now over a century after he trekked his treks and wrote about them. I'm glad I found this little online post about five things we need when camping. After all, our brief time here in the world is just one extended camping trip, isn't it? Enjoy the view, love our traveling companions, and find enough inner peace to appreciate and celebrate as we live our lives. We sit around the campfire and enjoy the light and warmth. The light and warmth of the campfire--now or ten thousand years ago--what does it really matter? We are all sojourners in time, and the flickering light of the campfire is as old as creation.

Subscribe--Follow by Email

* indicates required

Email Address *

First Name

Last Name

A Classic 1976 Rambler Peanut Renovation--Beauty Restored

1976 Rambler Peanut

I have an online friend who recently sold her RTTC Grizzly tiny trailer and bought a used classic trailer, which she intends to fix up. She picked up her 1975 Trillium "for next to nothing" and wants the refurbishing to be "a wonderful distraction for me from everything that I am dealing with" in her life right now, including health issues with a family member. The idea of buying a fixer-upper and making that trailer shine again, with that golden aura of classic trailer dignity, I find fascinating--something I might do sometime in my life.

And, no, this article isn't going to be about my friend's Trillium renovation; she's not far enough along of the fixing-upping yet. Therefore, I'd like to introduce you to another small, classic trailer renovation, completed by Michelle Lynn, who renovated a 1976 Rambler Peanut travel trailer. Prior to renovating the peanut, Michelle bought a Victorian farmhouse which she also renovated (and continues to renovate). She shares her lifelong passion of making old things new again on her website My Country Farmhouse. Enough background, though--let's ramble on over to Peanut's renovation.

"As I sit here in Peanut writing this I cannot believe how well this renovation turned out. All 9 feet by 6 feet of her has been updated and I couldn’t be happier. When I first saw the ad online, I was over the moon that it was only posted within the hour and that only a few short hours later I would get to see her and purchase her."

Interior colors, finish work, and curtains when originally purchased

"The exterior was in decent shape. There is the usual wear (dents and scratches) and a couple little holes but nothing that stood out as “too much to handle”. The electrical had been updated, and there was a fairly new plywood floor down. The interior was dark grey and the fabric was sad and outdated. But this little girl had so much potential."

Providing new framing for enclosing the bathroom space, laying down new vinyl flooring, and providing white paint and trim for the cabinetry really spruced up the interior. What was once a functional space became a living space that not only kept out the bugs but also was uplifting. 

Michelle's before and after (and during) summary article on her blog provides all the great details of her work and accomplishment. Scrolling down all the blog posts, there are also other articles detailing the refurbishing work. I'm not going to duplicate Michelle's blog article here, but I do want to provide enough satisfying and titillating images and details that you'll perhaps go to her blog and enjoy some more eye candy and details about this fixer-upper project. If not, then there are some great photos that follow!

Another kitchen view, including the new refrigerator, 

The costs for purchase and renovation were modest, considering the current price of little travel trailers. Michelle wrote: "For a grand total (purchase $3500) this Tiny Peanut has cost me $6179 and I am okay with that. This is by far my most favourite renovation of all times. This compact cutie is my dream space and a bucket list item and I did it (with a bit of help from my dad who loves to build)."

Staying pretty much within budget, Michelle did spent a bit more than expected for her Home Depot refrigerator. She also have to invest in about $400 worth of tools, but those can be used for future projects, too. Managing to get all her required fabric free from work saved Michelle a lot of money, between $500 and $800, she estimates. 

So now, a few more photographs, or as Michelle relates, The Moment We Have All Been Waiting For.

Over the years, the trailer had previously been remodeled, mostly by taking out original features that the trailer had possessed when new. "I knew right away," Michelle wrote, "that the bathroom and the fridge / shelving unit needed to go back in. The original 1976 Rambler Peanut had them, and it didn’t feel right not putting them back. There is ample floor space in this tiny unit and that addition didn’t detract from that. It might actually feel bigger in there."

She details her costs for the renovation, which provides some interesting insights into the process. Michelle was lucky to lower her costs by getting for free her fabrics, which were remnants from her workplace that had been unused for years.

• Accessories and Decor: $303.57
• Lumber, Tools, Paint: $639.50
• Fabric and upholstery: $1291
• Fridge: $212
• Hitch lock, Trailer cover, Tire covers: $232
• Toilet: $154
• Total: $2678.07

One experience that Michelle had during the renovation was that very few surfaces were square or even, which meant she had to learn to work with the reality rather than the clean precision of pure mathmatics. She also received help from her father, especially for the framing and work with the electrical and propane systems. Although she doesn't mention it, it appears that the portable camping toilet installed is a Thetford brand. 

Michelle plans to post to her blog when she goes camping with the Rambler. A great deal of her renovation was during the off-camping months, and there were also comments on the blog posts about work stopping because of bad weather. "The next Peanut Blogs will hopefully come from the road as soon as we get to travel," Michelle writes. "Until that time I will use her as my office space when working from home and guest space for anyone who wants to try her out." 

I hope Michelle gets to go camping soon so that we can see some photos of the Rambler out in nature. It's a beautiful trailer, and spending some time reading through Michelle's blog posts as she and her father renovated the trailer was a great, inspiring way to pass some time. I'm sure, though, that it would be a lot more fun spending some time camping in "Peanut"!

Subscribe--Follow by Email

* indicates required

Email Address *

First Name

Last Name

Click to learn more