Welcome Jenn! I'm also a "Jen"! I can't wait to get out camping. It won't be long now but I'm disappointed to not be out there now! It's supposed to be rainy for days around here but so far has held out! All I've got to say is after we decided not to camp this weekend it better rain A LOT!

LOL, I know what you mean. It is supposed to rain all weekend here too, but my BF keeps trying to "trick" me into going camping. I don't have proper rain gear yet so NO WAY!! I actually went to REI again last night and bought some more gear, I can't get enough of that place! I also bought a book that has over 650 places to camp in WA state. I can't wait to start exploring!

Hello fellow Washingtonian,
So we have temps in the 60s during most of Feburary, now rain in March. I know we need the rain desperately, but I want to get out!
As soon as temps hit 60s again, I'm going to Fort Canby state park, never been to that part of Washington coast.

My new gear is a cooler and single burner propane stove. The practical stuff :)

Hey herb! I've been to Fort Canby, it's awesome. I have stayed in Ocean Park which is halfway up the Long Beach Peninsula. Beautiful at Fort Canby, great lighthouses, and check out the Lewis and Clark Museum while you are there. I haven't camped there yet, but definitely will. I just got a single burner propane stove too. Can't wait to try out the new stuff. I hope the rain doesn't last too long either. drought-schmout. (just kidding). I'd love to hear some of your favorite camping recommendations around here. Been to a few places, but love to hear other people's favs.

I haven't been to a lot of exotic places, just Nisqually entrance of Mt Rainier, Olympic Peninsula.
Lake Quinault is nice though, you can drive to the northern coastal beaches from there. Also Hoh rainforest is worth the long drive to get to.

Well, here in Pennsylvania, it has been raining every chance it gets, and cold, too! Miserable is just too nice a word for our weather! Haven't had much snow, just cold and wet!
I think you'll find a single burner stove won't be enough for camping out. By the time you get the coffee hot and perked, and set it aside to cook yer eggs and bacon, the java will be cooled off too much to be enjoyable!
One time, for my fishing trips, i bought one of those little single burner propane stoves, with the slanted slide in area for the tank! All that thing did was set there and burn for a half hour, and didn't get a pan of water hot enough to make instant coffee! My friend, with his gasoline stove had water boiling inside of 10 minutes!
A lot of newbie campers get the shudders when they hear "gasoline stove"! I've used them for years, and never had a problem with them! And, with the new unleaded gasoline, you won't have to buy that expensive Coleman Fuel for it! Just go to the local gas station and fill your metal can! An old steel thinner can will suffice! it'll last a whole weekend! We always used Amoco Hi-test for ours!
A nice thick foam pad to use under the bag will be enjoyable! You don't want to be finding any rocks under yer bag after you get settled in!
In case you decide to get a bit more involved in camping, i have drawn up plans for a kitchen box, which i'll send free. It can be built to fit in yer trunk, tent trailer, or pickup. I'll need an e-mail address.
by: Rustyj

On the stove, it all depends on what kind of camping your doing. Jennmonkey mentioned elsewhere contemplating some backpacking. Most of my camping is on a motorcycle, some in a car. On the bike, I use a single burner Coleman Dual Fuel 533 stove (gas), and actually we manage fine. For backpacking there are even smaller single burner stoves available. When we go in a car, we use a dual burner propane stove, and I'd agree if you can manage the weight and space, it has definite advantages. Occasionally, we've used both to have a total of three burners, and/or used a portable grill.

I personally prefer a propane stove to the gas stove that I usually use, and prefer two burners to the one that I usually have available, but what can be carried depends on how one is camping, and we always manage fine with what circumstances dictate.

I definitely bought the single burner with backpacking in mind. I do plan do get a double burner for car camping, but can only afford so much at a time. My friend has the same single burner I have and it works great. It was kind of a pain, but we made breakfast and coffee for 4 on it. I have seen those double burner coleman stoves for relatively cheap, so I might invest in one of those. Oh yeah, thermarest is my camping dream come true. Now for the sleeping bag (see my other post). Still debating, but I am broke so I got awhile to still debate:) Thanks everyone, Jenn

Dear "CAMPERLESS" in SEATTLE....
Don't worry, rain will disappear and warm, summer, blue skies will prevail! Going back out this weekend. Supposed to be 77 degrees in Southern Utah this weekend.
AS the one campfire said to the other, "I'm Stoked!"

Welcome, jerry
sorry, just in a goofy mood today..... :)

I'm trying to keep my kitchen stuff simple, since the camp kitchen can eat up lots of money. I got the propane stove for tea and to warm some water for clean up. The rest I'm cooking cave man style, over an open flame, or in foil.
Didn't spend a lot of money on cooler, since I've had cheap coolers that have kept food refridgerator cold for a week. I just freeze a gallon milk jug to solid ice.
Sleeping bag is a North Face Cat's Meow, awesome bag. Also have a Termarest.
Tent is REI Half Dome, very highly rated.

I'm jealous of all you folks who can go camping so early in the year. I live in MA and have to wait until June for the youngsters to get out of school, not to mention the weather warming up. Maybe someday I'll try winter camping, but not this year (decade)!

But I most definitely have the camping bug!

I, too, am itching to go camping. This week-end we'll be at Ga Veterans State park (never been there before). Monday we head out for East Bank at Lake Seminole near the GA-FLA line. Have been to East Bank before. It's a clean COE campground.

The thunder is ROLLING & the rain is falling here in central GA today. Hope things change by Saturday!!

GET THE CHEAPEST GEAR AT WWW.EVERYTHINGOUTDOORS.BIZ

Yes, "CHEAPEST" is a good description. Of the quality, that is.

TP
Wonder if Welsh ever heard that there are laws concerning False Advertising?

"GET THE CHEAPEST GEAR AT WWW.EVERYTHINGOUTDOORS.BIZ"

Welsh has the Backside T-2 Tent priced at $219.30

Outdoor Sporting - has the Backside T-2 Tent priced at $187.95
http://www.outdoor-sporting.com/products/13125.htm

Long Distance Biker - has the T-2 for $184.50
http://www.longdistancebiker.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=1122

Gear For Camping - has the T-2 for $184.50
http://www.gearforcamping.com/The_Backside_T_2_p/20021.htm

Landing Fish - has the T-2 for $184.50 also.
http://www.landbigfish.com/tacklestore/showcase.cfm?PID=986

A little False Advertising coming from Welsh wouldn't you agree?

Yeah, but Welsh is catering to a clientele that demands SERVICE, not just a big-box low price. Check out the slingshot and bb-guns in the "hunting & fishing" section. I'm still puzzling over what game he's hunting - grasshoppers?