Camping this summer [Archive]

evergree

02-15-2009, 09:31 AM

I know it's kind of early to start thinking about the summer (wind chills 21 degrees out right now) but I would love to try and plan a family camping trip, much like the ones we used to have at Pere Marquette (sp?). Having the new puppy has gotten me outside quite a bit more and walking through the trails around here is giving me the itch to do something like this!

Also would anyone be interested in attempting the hike at johnson's shut ins hike again? I think we have a much better chance of making it if we go a little more prepared this time. We could also maybe split it up into a 2 day hike and stop for the night halfway or something?

Let me know of any weekends you guys are free and maybe we can set a date/reserve a couple spots at the state park! I'm pretty much always free on the weekends.

Old Cedar

02-18-2009, 07:50 PM

March 15th
March 28th
April 18th 25th
Any weekend in May or June or July!

Erica is also offering use her grandmas farm, they have a house in case of inclement weather. Other ideas have been a float trip!

jonfrost

02-23-2009, 08:41 AM

Sounds great to me. Mariana and I have been wanting to hike the Elephant rocks and Johnson Shutins area. It is in my 500 places to see before I die book, and its so close to us. Yeah, we could try that 15 mile hike again - I almost killed Paul and Heather, they're just more resilient than I imagined ;-) It was quite nice really for me, except toward the very end. I heard that eagle scouts do that hike to prove they are finally men. We did an amazing job really considering that we didn't get started until about 1 in the afternoon.

I have also really been wanting to rent a sail boat, maybe on Lake Carlyle or Mark Twain lake - wherever they rent them. Would be cool if we could all have fun on it and that way it will be cheaper too.

April and May and June look open - the earlier we schedule the better. Thanks.

Anonymous Guy

02-23-2009, 11:16 AM

I'd be up to trying camping again, however the last few times have been really bad - even at Piere Marquett. it was a hot night, and I ended up TRYING to sleep in the van with a few mosquitoes - while the rest of my clan were in the tent. Ended up staying up all night

A cooler time of year would be better.

Or, as an option, I could bring 2 insulated ice chest each with a frozen core. I would have tubing instersperced in the ice, and a small batter powered circ pump. The tubing would extend to an insulated sleeping bag with tubing on the inside. A flow control valve would control temperature.

Using the bag R-value, and assumg an air infiltration rate, a total heat gain/hr can be determined, which would then determine the amount of ice required, since we know the heat of fussion for ice. If you could get a full 7 hours from the system, life would be good.

Anonymous Guy

02-23-2009, 11:17 AM

jonfrost

02-24-2009, 12:28 PM

Great, and those of us who learn to sail well will be henceforth known as great seamen.

evergree

02-24-2009, 08:10 PM

Haha great to see we're getting some dates out there. Do you think it'll still be cool enough for you in April? We could shoot for a first date of the 15th or 25th. Then if all goes well plan some more dates around that?

I'm also free in March so if anyone would want to go maybe mid march I'm down. I know that may be a bit short notice so if no one else can make those dates I understand :-)

jonfrost

02-26-2009, 12:51 PM

Mariana and I are considering going on a trip this weekend actually - maybe Arkansas or southern IL. Haven't looked into it much yet though.

evergree

02-27-2009, 09:52 PM

This weekend as in like right now? That might be a little short notice, haha. But if you guys decide to go next weekend I'd love to tag along. I'll have to bring the puppy if that is okay. He does great in the car though so I can handle long drive with him. :-)

jonfrost

02-28-2009, 09:03 AM

Sounds good as we ended up staying in town this weekend. We'll start planning this weekend for next week. Ideas? Maybe southern IL or maybe Elephant rocks in Southern Missouri? We've also been wanting to see Lincoln Library in springfield, IL if you'd be up to that. Or maybe somewhere deep in the earth or a few miles up in the atmosphere - the sky is the limit... well, so its pretty limitless actually.

I've been wanting clams for my pond and the state conservationist said I should just look for them along lake shores around the midwest and bring them back to my pond... so i'll be on the lookout wherever we go this year. Who else wants to join us? Master Guy, Monsieur Willheilm, Hilarious Heather and company, Hungry Happy Heidi...?

evergree

02-28-2009, 02:35 PM

Colleens family drove up to the Lincoln Library not to long ago. they said it was a great place to visit so I would be down for going up there. Only problem is we can't really camp out in the library and I don't think they would let me puppy in. But maybe could just leave him at a campground with our stuff somewhere near it? I don't know of a ton of camping places in southern Ill but that or Elephant rock would be a lot of fun! Maybe we could hike through the woods and come across some random caves to explore!

I'd love to help you hunt for clams! Do you have to keep them in a bucket of water during transport? Or can you just throw them in a bag and they'll be fine? I've never really tried to hunt for live clams.

Are you stocking your pond with fish as well? Maybe we could go do some fishing and throw them all in a bucket to relocate into your pond, haha.

jonfrost

02-28-2009, 06:24 PM

Yeah, have to keep them in a bucket of water... lakes might still be frozen over right now though - so we'll do that later.

I'm thinking it will be too cold to camp next weekend as well, so maybe just a day trip Saturday. We could pick you up at 7am Saturday morning and be in Springfield around 9:30am probably. Sounds great, we'll have to research what else is in town to see/do. And definitely stop in Litchfield for some good desserts.

jonfrost

03-01-2009, 06:28 PM

Mariana said she'd be up to camping even if it gets down to freezing. We could look into getting a yurt as well. Doesn't cost much more, and they're fun - very mongolian.

evergree

03-01-2009, 08:19 PM

I'm down for camping if its close to freezing as well. Or we can always just drive back saturday and spend the night hanging out with my father and erica saturday night. I know they're not wanting to come camping, my father has to work the home show and I'm sure Erica is busy.

Yurts look awesome! But from what I was reading they seem pretty expensive...

jonfrost

03-02-2009, 08:35 AM

Let's camp then. I've slept in 10 degree farenheit weather before and its not too bad. Just need to bring an extra blanket, and then if we're still cold we can just wear our coats. The hardest part is having to get up to use it at 2am - it really wakes you up and often becomes a spiritual experience, especially under the stars when there are deer (buffalo in the badlands) walking around your tent.

Let's research campsites around springfield.

jonfrost

03-02-2009, 09:40 PM

Looks like the State Park nearby springfield opens at the end of the month for camping - I emailed the park director to see if we could camp there now anyway. Looks like great weather this weekend actually. Tremendous warmup expected.

We can read some Abe Lincoln writings and discuss WWAbeDo if he were president now... and in a way he is because his life is still informing our decision.

jonfrost

03-03-2009, 10:08 AM

The state park director responded saying they don't allow camping until April 1st.
But I found this Hostel that is in an ideal location downtown, just 2 blocks from Lincoln's home: YWCA Hostel
* 421 East Jackson St. (62701)
* 217/522-8828, Fax 217/522-8820
Vintage building in Springfield's downtown historic district. Newly renovated, across the street from the governor's Mansion; two blocks from Lincoln's Home, Old State Capitol, Illinois State Museum, State Capitol, and Dana-Thomas House (Frank Lloyd Wright). Three blocks from the Amtrak station. Kitchen, spacious gymnasium, heated pool and meeting rooms available. We welcome seniors, adults and students. Rates $15.00 per person.
I'd bet they have plenty of room this time of year, and its cheap!

evergree

03-03-2009, 10:38 PM

Hmm, sounds like a great place to stay! My biggest issue is the little child (my puppy) that I need to take care of. I need to find a place that welcomes dogs or a camp ground where he can stay with me. I can't leave him at home alone for a day unfortunately so I may have to pass on this trip. Or I could drive out there separately and then drive back Saturday evening.

jonfrost

03-04-2009, 07:22 AM

I bet we can see it all on Saturday. Many places probably aren't open Sunday anyway. Let's just make it a day trip.

Maybe we can hang out at your place Saturday night and play cards. See you.

evergree

03-04-2009, 06:48 PM

Alright that sounds great to me. I think camping will work out much better in April. It seems as though most camping sites don't open until around then anyways

jonfrost

03-08-2009, 04:01 PM

We ended up staying in springfield last night when we learned that there was a big horse show at the State Fairgrounds all weekend. It was fun, and my favorites were the Bohemian Gypsy Pony's: www.gypsypony.net

Looks like we may try another trip the last week of this month. Thinking of Southern Missouri and Arkansas. best,

hfrost1989

03-31-2009, 07:57 PM

So anytime in April or May would be great for me except weekend of May 9th cuz thats the baby shower. And then towards the end of June or the rest of the summer I could make it, although if you do lots of hiking I could meet up when you guys do the camping part.

evergree

03-31-2009, 08:37 PM

I'm glad you guys had a great time and stayed out for the horse show! I'm sorry that I couldn't make it out there but I am definitely down for going camping at any point from here on out. I'll be checking the board a lot more so I can keep up to date on trip plans and everything. Maybe we could put them into our new weekly news letter as well?