#Anderson Epic Adventure 2017 FAQ: What do you take with you?
In talking about our trips, we often get asked about what we take with us. Being gone for a month and having the right stuff definitely makes the trips a little smoother. I think each year we learn from the previous one and make adjustments. It also seems that as much as you plan for it, there is inevitably something we wish we would have brought. Here are some of the staple items we bring each year and what we brought along with us for this trip:
Camping Gear, Food, Clothing and More!
Because we spend a number of nights camping, selecting the right gear to bring is important. What we bring on our trips looks different than if we are going to be camping in one location for a number of days. If we were doing an extended stay we would bring more pots, pans, larger water jugs, dishwashing tubs etc. Since we are packing up each day on our trips we travel a little lighter.
In this photo we have our tent, which is fairly big, almost too big sometimes on a trip like this but I would rather have more room than too little room. We also have sleeping bags, one for each of us. So far this trip we have not needed them very much as the temps stay pretty warm at night. We also pack a few light blankets for sleeping when it's too hot for sleeping bags as well as pillows.
We always pack our camping stove, something to boil water in and a very large french press type coffee maker. Even on the road, coffee is a must to begin the day. We did bring one pot this year, good for boiling hotdogs and making beans for dinner. One pot sometimes limits your options for food choices at night but it's a choice we make to save space for other things.
Most of the food we travel with you will find in this bag and cooler. Not a large cooler so we have to be strategic about what's in it as well as make daily ice runs. This bag contains snacks, Clif Bars, trail mix, hot dog buns etc. Any other odds and ends we have for snacks or food that do not need to stay cold will find a home in that bag.
Tent, hammock and camping chairs. Tent is a must. The hammock was a gift for Emily for her Aunt Megan and Uncle Dave-packs up small and easy to set up. Last year did not bring camping chairs and it got old really fast sitting at picnic tables. This year we brought two along which so far has been a wise choice.
Clothing, this is a tricky one. Everyone gets one bag to pack their clothes in. We are gone basically 30 days so what to bring? We usually pack a weeks worth of clothes and try to do laundry along the way. Throw in swimsuits (thats another bag that comes along with goggles, towels, etc.) and clothes to work out in and it starts to fill up real fast. What to bring for cooler weather and how much? We each bring 1 or 2 pair of long pants, a sweatshirt and I always bring a stocking cap (yes, they make fun of me for it). Shoes and sandals depending on the days activity and every inch of every bag is filled up!
Other Stuff: electronic devices, power cords, extension cords, mini-fans, activities for the kids (see one of the first posts), and much more! It's amazing all the stuff that we manage to bring.
Where does it all go? All of that fits nicely in our rooftop carrier and back of the vehicle. I take care of packing up the top and Tracey takes care of packing up the back. It's a pretty good system. This is what we have this year and what works for us. I am sure we will learn and make adjustments for future trips.
Would love to hear from others that travel a lot and what you bring along with you - can always learn more and better ways to do things!
Camping Gear, Food, Clothing and More!
Because we spend a number of nights camping, selecting the right gear to bring is important. What we bring on our trips looks different than if we are going to be camping in one location for a number of days. If we were doing an extended stay we would bring more pots, pans, larger water jugs, dishwashing tubs etc. Since we are packing up each day on our trips we travel a little lighter.
In this photo we have our tent, which is fairly big, almost too big sometimes on a trip like this but I would rather have more room than too little room. We also have sleeping bags, one for each of us. So far this trip we have not needed them very much as the temps stay pretty warm at night. We also pack a few light blankets for sleeping when it's too hot for sleeping bags as well as pillows.
We always pack our camping stove, something to boil water in and a very large french press type coffee maker. Even on the road, coffee is a must to begin the day. We did bring one pot this year, good for boiling hotdogs and making beans for dinner. One pot sometimes limits your options for food choices at night but it's a choice we make to save space for other things.
Most of the food we travel with you will find in this bag and cooler. Not a large cooler so we have to be strategic about what's in it as well as make daily ice runs. This bag contains snacks, Clif Bars, trail mix, hot dog buns etc. Any other odds and ends we have for snacks or food that do not need to stay cold will find a home in that bag.
Tent, hammock and camping chairs. Tent is a must. The hammock was a gift for Emily for her Aunt Megan and Uncle Dave-packs up small and easy to set up. Last year did not bring camping chairs and it got old really fast sitting at picnic tables. This year we brought two along which so far has been a wise choice.
Clothing, this is a tricky one. Everyone gets one bag to pack their clothes in. We are gone basically 30 days so what to bring? We usually pack a weeks worth of clothes and try to do laundry along the way. Throw in swimsuits (thats another bag that comes along with goggles, towels, etc.) and clothes to work out in and it starts to fill up real fast. What to bring for cooler weather and how much? We each bring 1 or 2 pair of long pants, a sweatshirt and I always bring a stocking cap (yes, they make fun of me for it). Shoes and sandals depending on the days activity and every inch of every bag is filled up!
Other Stuff: electronic devices, power cords, extension cords, mini-fans, activities for the kids (see one of the first posts), and much more! It's amazing all the stuff that we manage to bring.
Where does it all go? All of that fits nicely in our rooftop carrier and back of the vehicle. I take care of packing up the top and Tracey takes care of packing up the back. It's a pretty good system. This is what we have this year and what works for us. I am sure we will learn and make adjustments for future trips.Would love to hear from others that travel a lot and what you bring along with you - can always learn more and better ways to do things!
Other questions? Something you have been wondering as you read through the posts? Please feel free to ask any questions along the way in the comment section and we will make sure to respond!
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