Another Newbie from Washington

[tianac2]

Sort of. I'm a transplant from SoCal, but hubby's a native!

I stumbled upon teardrops about a year ago and thought that they were totally adorable, and didn't think much of it beyond that. Then, hubby and I had been thinking about camping, but we don't have any of our own equipment (because we always just borrowed from family, but now with the kids, that won't work any more). So, we started looking. The challenge was that our 6 year old has a severe mosquito allergy - I mean, seriously! She doesn't stop breathing, but she got bit once on her foot and the whole thing swelled so bad that we couldn't get her socks on her! So, what ever we do camping-wise, we have to try to mosquito proof as much as possible. So, this meant getting a decent sized tent either with an attached screened in porch, or getting a separate screen house.

So, I revisited teardrops and got to thinking. We drive to SoCal every year to see my family for Christmas (because its massively cheaper than flying), and man it would be nice to just hitch up the tear and be able to sleep comfortably somewhere along the way without having to stay at a way overpriced motel along I-5 in the central valley just because its the only thing within a hundred miles....Plus there's all of the obvious benefits of camping with a tear for just general camping trips.

So I started obsessing. There isn't much on this website (or any of the other major teardrop sites) that I haven't read. I've talked about them so much that despite never having done any research on them, my husband, 2 sisters, and a friend at work are now practically experts as well. They all know the difference between a Kit, Kenskill, Benroy, and why a Campster 12 would be great, but completely impractical for my tow vehicle. I am also apprised of exactly what is on Craigslist in every state in which I have family (because they've all agreed to get it and store it for me if I find one near them).

We're not completely decided on build vs. buy, although if we buy, we want basically just a shell so that we can build it how we want it.

So, look forward to hearing from me a lot, because I am NEVER afraid to ask questions!

Nice to meet you all!
tianac2

[Dean_A]

Hi and welcome. when you do find your tear, you might want to think about replacing the window screens with no-see-um netting to keep any nasties out.

[dreadcptflint]

Hi tianac2,

It's great to see you. Don't be affraid to ask some of the builders. There are a few manufacturers in the NW that could also help you out. I look forward to seeing your camping set up since my wife and our little dude is a little sensitive to skeeters as well.

Matt

[Miriam C.]

to the playground Tianic2.

Hope you talked to the allergy specialist about that one. Skeeters love me so I doubt if I would live through an allergy that swelled me that bad.

I built mine so I believe anyone can. Just takes time and a bit of money. whatever you do be sure to get lots of Cause Aunti's bubble oil is driftin off center again.........

[Cliffmeister2000]

Welcome! I didn't see where you were driving to California from, but I assume southern to central Oregon, if the Central Basin is 1/2 way. We found a nice place in Bishop we stop in. It's not so much as far as scenery goes, but we often land there at 9:00 or later at night, and leave again right after breakfast. It's right on the highway at the south end of town. Can't remember the name, but it's really well signed.

[tianac2]

Auntie M - Will do! We're (hopefully) picking up a trailer this weekend. We're just deciding on which one that we found for under $100 on Craigslist we want....And as soon as its home, I will post, I promise!


Cliff - We're actually just on the Washington side of the Washington/Oregon border, so half-way is about an hour north of Sacramento or so, but somewhere in the Central Valley is where we tend to lose steam.

[cdfnchico]

We just got back from a 4th of July week long trip. The first morning ...my foster son whom we had never camped with got up and he had been bit like 36 times above his shoulders...really pathetic looking! We had sprayed them all with off..and they all slept in the same tent...but man! they liked him! So I ran into Greenville and paid premium for one of those new little OFF Personal Repellant Fans. Hung it in the side tent...ran two nights on each refill and set of batteries and it worked like a charm!

[tianac2]

We just got back from a 4th of July week long trip. The first morning ...my foster son whom we had never camped with got up and he had been bit like 36 times above his shoulders...really pathetic looking! We had sprayed them all with off..and they all slept in the same tent...but man! they liked him! So I ran into Greenville and paid premium for one of those new little OFF Personal Repellant Fans. Hung it in the side tent...ran two nights on each refill and set of batteries and it worked like a charm!

We looked into getting her one of those! The only reason that we didn't was that it seemed bulky to make a 6 year old wear....but hanging it in the tear is a whole other idea entirely....Thanks!

[Cliffmeister2000]

Auntie M - Will do! We're (hopefully) picking up a trailer this weekend. We're just deciding on which one that we found for under $100 on Craigslist we want....And as soon as its home, I will post, I promise!


Cliff - We're actually just on the Washington side of the Washington/Oregon border, so half-way is about an hour north of Sacramento or so, but somewhere in the Central Valley is where we tend to lose steam.

If I had read the title of your post, not just the content, I bet I could have figured that out!

[BillandMarijo]

Welcome to the forum.
Enjoy!
Bill and MArijo