Early-stage prep

Since, thanks to my wilderness-loving husband, we are experienced campers, one would think prepping for the trip would be a snap. Well, yeah, it is. However, as we begin making preparations, we realize that there are some things we don't usually have to take into account. Take our dog, Bowser, for instance. Whenever we take a trip, we arrange for his care at home or a kennel. This time, he's coming with us, since he's going to be part of the girls' security detail.


Because we are going across state lines, we need to make sure all his shots are up to date. We also need to bring his rabies certificate with us, just in case. Not having it on hand is one of those little details that are easy to miss but can quickly ruin a trip and possibly
cost him his life.

We also need to keep in mind that we are essentially two individual teams travelling in tandem. That means that, since Dennis and I are moto-camping, we will carry everything we need on our bikes and must consider each item's usefulness against its weight, bulk, water resistance, and ease of use, independently of the girls. Their team is "regular"-camping, so they can pile whatever they want in the minivan... and be responsible for loading and unloading at each campsite. I'm fairly certain they will pack in a sensible fashion, but....

Packed bike on a camping trip to Galveston

Food choice is pretty basic, with only two criteria: easy to store and easy to cook. We have all the necessary equipment and will mainly carry some staples (coffee, salt, adobo, coffee, oatmeal, dehydrated veggies, COFFEE, powdered milk, etc), but we'll pick up main dish items as we go along. Local grocery stores are interesting to shop and there are Walmarts everywhere. One caveat: no roadkill cuisine!


Food is certainly not a problem. One thing I must point out: although water is usually easily obtainable, we make sure we carry plenty of drinking water with us at all times, both on the bikes and in the van. Each one is responsible for transporting and maintaining our water supply. This is NOT optional or negotiable. Dehydration sneaks up on you really fast when travelling and it can make you very, very sick. No water, no trip.

Now for shelter. Here, we also have two options: tent or hotel. Of course tent is the preferred option, otherwise it's not camping. For this trip, we will be using three tents; one large, 3-room, Taj Majal-sized dome tent for the girls, their faithful guard dog/chaperone, and whatever they deem necessary to haul with them. Dennis and I will use a 3-man dome tent, which allows room for us plus our riding gear. Separate tents ensures the girls will feel independent, yet secure, and the adults will get some peace and quiet. The "Taj Majal" has been thoroughly tested by us and will withstand most of the anticipated weather conditions but this is the small dome's first run. If weather conditions are beyond what we want to endure, then Helllloooo, Motel 6! 

We will also have a 6'-tall, 4'x4' privacy tent where we can change clothes, bathe, or answer nature's call (when facilities are not available) in almost complete privacy. This is the one item of the girls' camping gear that I will make use of. I can rough it with the best of them, but I'm no fool!

I'm not going to list all the gear both teams will carry, since it consists of common-sense items and will just bore you to tears. If you reeeeally want to know what to pack, google "camping list." Go ahead. Do it. I'll wait...... Ta-daa! Now you have a list.


I will be posting photos, videos, and descriptions of any good, bad, or funny experiences we have with equipment, campsites, wildlife, etc.... especially the funny ones! Occasionally, the girls may decide to add their take, too. And, true to form, Dennis will do his best to avoid the camera. 


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