Travel

 In a couple weeks, I'll be joining my husband's family on their annual family camping trip...It's huge-the WHOLE family goes a couple hours North to a campground and brave it in the big outdoors. I hear there's a shelter (which will be a life-saver if it rains). I like being outdoors-even the bugs (well the friendly ones) don't bother me...but just haven't done much camping.

It'll only be for the weekend though so I'm likely to at least survive. Has anyone else been camping? Care to share some tips..funny camp stories....what I should pack...anything would help!

For starters-I found this awesome accessible tent! It even has a room to park your chair while you sleep:-) Can't justify the purchase for our once-a-year trip, but it's cool!

It's called a Eureka Freedom tent.

I have always been a happy camper...and wondered if it was one of the things I would have to give up now that I'm in a chair.  They make accessible tents?!!??  Good news.   Guess you'll have to camp more than once a year to justify the purchase.  Kentucky is full of great places to camp.  Especially Carter Caves !!!  They have everything from primitive to cottages.  Even have a golf course.  Bring your horse, of course....lol.  Actually I don't know if they have stables at the State Park but Olive Hill is definately a horse oriented community.  Wonder if paraplegics can ride horses.....???

Jane asked: I wonder if paraplegics can ride horses?

JANE, THE ANSWER IS YES, WITH A LITTLE HELP FROM THEIR FRIENDS!!!!!!!    

Sometimes I watch one of the two Canadian Televison Channels I can get. They had a piece about a horse back riding academy near OTTOWA that specialized in working with paraplegics who wanted to ride horses.The way it was done was so smooth that they must have had it down to a science.

A lady who had paraplegia said that it not only help her breathing, it also helped some waht with loss of bone density, one of your concerns.I would imagine if theyre doing it in Canda, they`re doing it in the US also. You might want to check if its available in your area. 

Ollie

Your area is practically the horse capital of the world, Jane. You should look into that. I know there's all kinds of horse farms and stables and ranches and whatnot near you. Sounds like an idea to at least look into and consider..

 

Kara

That Eureka Freedom Tent looks awesome. I bet if you bought it,You would have to go camping frequently so as to justify the expense.I`d say go for it!Maybe that line will work with your husband. Good luck.I know that I can`t sell  that line to Mrs. ollie when i see stuff in Cabela`s & other catalogs  that I literally drool over.Mrs. ollie`s idea of camping is driving around to various malls in a vehicle at least 8o feet long, equipped with a/c, full entertainment package and  has enough room to sleep a small army and ALL their gear and has a small warehouse built in to accomodate all her purchases. Oddly enough, Mrs. ollie has never wanted to go camping with me in just tent & sleeping bags. !                  

I would suggest you bring bug dope( insect repellent) with you. It`s always a good idea to have a poncho or other raingear with you.Another item you`ll want to bring is waterproof matches.You want to keep the matches somewhere readily accessible at all times.

PS. Murphy`s law states or at least ought to state that : When camping, you`ll never find your lantern or your matches where you thought you stowed them when you need them most- it`s raining like heck, getting dark quick and your`e both cold and hungry.   ollie

I think Mrs. Ollie and I seem to have alot in common-lol! Perhaps we should switch camping partners..because a trek around the mall sounds like a good time! 

Bug spray is definitely going on the list...as is some serious sunscreen. I feel like such an idiot because I got totally fried this weekend at a softball game (watching not playing!) and I'm in a wedding next weekend!! I almost always remember sunscreen but forgot this time and am paying now! I've tried all kinds of weird home remedies because I'm desperate for it to go away-tonight I tried dabbing it with vinegar...so tomorrow at work-I'm just going to look around as if I didn't hear when people say, "do you smell vinegar?" LOL!

Back to the campin...

I think we'll see how this time goes-we'll bunk up with another tent hopefully and maybe then I can convince Mr. KaraSwims (heehee) that we NEED a tent of our own!

 

I've been camping twice since I "got hurt" right before my 12th birthday-both times I was so so miserable, truely hope I never got to go agian!  Not an outdoorsy kind of girl..