Lisa - like I've already posted on Jenn's thread, I too, am concerned about all those 16oz disposable L/P tanks filling landfills. So where-ever possible have replaced the disposables with a regular 20# re-fillable tank (also use a little re-fillable 5# tank). Still have a couple of the disposables tanks in reserve stand-by just in case I run out of propane. Dish washing: a lot of C/G's, like those run by the Army Corps of Engineers, some state parks and have even seen them at a couple of K.O.A.'s, - have dish washing stations - usually located close to the restroom/shower areas, where there is a large community sink (even with hot water), and you can take your dishes & pots & pans, scrub them clean and tote them back to your campsite. Now, when I'm in an area where no such facilities are provided, I do like Jen ... help some of the close by vegetation with the dish & rinse water. AND, I only use 100% pure soap for dishes, like Ivory bar soap. Fish cleaning: campgrounds that are located close to fishing areas, quite often will provide fish cleaning stations (just like the dish washing stations), and have special trash cans just for the entrails from the fish cleaning. In the case where I'm in more remote areas and no such facilities are provided, here I take the fish cleanings and dig a nice hole close to some nice tree and bury the stuff; a real nice treat for the tree! Canoe anchor: there was an older house that was being demolished in town and I got three or four of the old timey window weights that were used in house construction years ago. These are cast iron weights and since the weight is a tad too heavy for what I like, had a local welding shop cut the weight in two making the weight just right for what I do with my canoe. Here I connect a foot long piece of chain to the window weight and then tie the anchor rope to the chain. Just right for holding the canoe in ponds, small lakes and such; and for the rivers that are moving right along, perfect for dragging and slowing the canoe down as I fly cast my way along. Dale

Kathy ~ when you talk "cabin tent" I'm reminded of an old timey canvas "wall tent" I had many years ago. Now the thing had a ceiling height of something like 7' and there was plenty of room, but it was a heavy bugger and it practically took 6 men and a boy to set the thing up! It was like a major military operation going anyplace with the thing. I guess my point here is bigger means more weight (even though the newer materials are lighter than the old canvas) and more time to set up and maybe even more tent area for something to go amiss. What I like to do mostly with a tent is to make an overnight canoe/fishing trip down river. My main base camp is now a popup camper (tent trailer) so the tent is secondary. By the way, quite often I will pitch the tent next to the popup for storage, to get camping gear out of sight, like lanterns, fishing equipment, ect.. I'm 5' 11" and like y'all, I like to be able to stand up in the tent. Now I like the size tent I presently have and the previous one, too, which was the exact same size - 9' X 9' with a 6' peak. Pleanty of room for two people and their gear (and I should think for one little person, too). And it's an easy job of setting up and taking down. The present tent is an Eureka "Sunrise 9", I bought it a couple of years ago for $160.00 and they paid the freight - (www.vtarmynavy.com) This is an excellent summer tent in that it has great ventilation - and I've been caught out in some hard rain and it has nary leaked a drop ... that's around the windows or anyplace else. The previous tent, same size, 9' X 9' with a 6' peak, another dome style tent but it did not have the windows the present Eureka Sunrise has. But none-the-less, it was an excellent tent and I had it for a few years - also, some hard rains, but no leaks with that one either. Now I bought this tent from K-Mart - called "Northwest Territory". The tent was on a 30% Labor Day sale, regular $79.95 and I got the thing for less than sixty bucks, tax included. What's important is that tent does not owe me a dime, it was well used when I got through with it (but I also take care of my gear). Since your not going to use a tent all that much, I don't see how buying a K-Mart or Wal-Mart tent will be all that bad. Consider this, I know for a fact if you bought a tent from our local Wal-Mart and it leaked, or anything other was wrong with it, they would take it back and refund your money in a flash! I see our local Wal-Mart has tents on display and if I remember right, they were something like $59.95 for about the size I'm talking about. Bottom line: your not going to be using the tent all that often. AND, when you are using it, you'll be out doing things and the only time you will be in the tent is for dressing and sleeping. I'd vote for the Wal-Mart special. When you and DH begin planning to climb Mt. Everest, we will worry about finding you a tent with all the whisles and bells ... THEN. Good luck, Dale

I tent camp on the average about 20-25 nights a tear and have experience with a few types and brands of tents. Good quality car-camping 3 season tent: Eureka Timberline 3 and 4 man tents are incredibly solid and long lasting and parts can be obtained if needed. Most BWCA outfitters and scout troops own these. About $200, but roughly 10-12 lb weight, not good for long distance carrying. Available at on line stores like campmor. Basic backpacking tent: Eureka Apex 2XT series, with twin doors, twin vestibules, and pay extra for the aluminum poles. The cheaper fiberglass versions will break. A good summer, late spring, early fall tent, roughly 7 lbs. about $149 at on line stores like campmor. Fiberglass version goes for $89 on line at times. Lighter weight backpacking tents: I have a Big Agnes Sunnyside 2 sold by REI that is still going strong after about 100 nights of camping. A pity they don't make my model anymore, because it was great. Zipper may be near the end though when a Cub Scout tore into one night in a panic. 6 lbs. summer, late spring, early fall tent. GoLite brand has been the choice for several I know as they upgraded. Not cheap, at $300, but at just barely 3 lbs it makes a HUGE difference for old hikers like myself on 50 mile 6 day trips. Summer, late spring, early fall tent. If price is no object, I agree with some of the other brand selections above. If you are on a tight budget, have some time before you need it, and have a friend in scouting, there are some great tent deals they can get at ScoutDirect that the rest of the public does not have access to. Get out there and have fun! Laundryvet

Hey joanie. We have the Big Agnes insulated air mattresses. They are fantastic and very comfortable. They are the size of a qt bottle and are easy to blow up. They are very tough and as I said I have used mine almost every night in camping set ups for months and it has no leaks or problems. I will link below to the ones we have. I hadn't thought about the truck windows having screens to that would be great. A small fan would help to move the air. You would definitely need a canopy of some kind. We got one at Dick's Sporting Goods. It is easy to set up and very sturdy. Gives great protection if it is raining. We have even pulled it over so that it is 1/2 over our tent front and we can then get in and out without getting wet :) I haven't cooked on open fires for all meals. Just an occasional cookout. We have a 2 burner propane stove that I love. I can make pancakes and coffee and great dinners with it. We have a camp fire only for warmth and ambiance. We have a folding table and set everything up the minute we get to camp and then we are done for the time we are there. We have one cooler and restock often from the grocery. When I am on the road with my bike it is a whole different setup . I have a tiny campstove and we use a picnic table if there is one or the ground if there isn't :(. I have a one person tent that is very light. I still use my Big Anges though..it is never far from me ! If I can help with any other ideas let me know. I love to camp !! c Here is a link that might be useful: Big Agnes air mattress