Backyard Camping

jkjenn

I have been sick for 2 weeks with a terrible sinus infection and in particular, the last few days, it has been worse. On top of that, we went straight to summer this week and my home a/c has had some issues. So, I stead of paying weekend repair rates (I am cheap and have been too sick to deal with repair) I have been backyard camping this weekend.

It has been great. The a/c has kept up with near 90 degree temperatures and moderate humidity. It has given Rocky more time to adjust to T@b life, and me a chance to appreciate my T@b and what it would be like to spend longer periods of time in it. When I go camping, I don't spend tons of time inside, so it has been nice to see what it would be like if I had to spend long periods of time for various reasons. One perk has been the good TV reception I get with my $11 antenna at home.

I recommend people try to do this one weekend a year, even if you have had your T@b for a while. It gives you time to rethink how you do stuff and store stuff in the ease of your driveway with all resources at your disposal.

Nomad

I spent the first week in my brother's driveway on my way out headin south. A day or two doesn't get ya into the groove and a sense of things unless all you're going to do is short weekend trips. And you need to pretend the house with all the conveniences isn't there. It really took me a month to get organized and comfortable once on the road. And there's a difference between being organized for campsites and boondocking.

Nomad

And Jenn - hope you feel better soon!

kybob

What type of television antenna do you have?

jkjenn

PXLated said:

And Jenn - hope you feel better soon!

Thanks!

kybob said:

What type of television antenna do you have?

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004Y2898U/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

jkjenn

PXLated said:

I spent the first week in my brother's driveway on my way out headin south. A day or two doesn't get ya into the groove and a sense of things unless all you're going to do is short weekend trips. And you need to pretend the house with all the conveniences isn't there. It really took me a month to get organized and comfortable once on the road. And there's a difference between being organized for campsites and boondocking.

I agree. Still looking to strike the right balance between what to carry in the TV vs. T@b. When I am just sleeping overnight, it is a real pain to pull everything out especially if it is raining out. Yet, the 2 bins I travel with take up too much space in the TV. Perhaps the answer is to make better use of the roof rack. If I didn't have so much photo gear, it would be so bad. It is the lighting gear that takes up the space.

Pxlated, do you keep the rear seat in the JK up or down? On one trip, I took it out altogether.

Nomad

I find there's actually more space available with it up (could be an illusion). I keep my photo gear, guitar, general stuff in the back seat area and all the camping gear (generator, visor, rug, solar lights, tools, etc) in the rear. A bunch of misc. stuff is under the seats. The Zamp is in the back seat area also - find it easier to get at and stow there.
Photo gear - When I switched to digital I also ditched 65% of my gear. I travel light. Even ditched the big heavy camera body system for the compact, mirrorless Sony A7. - Found that that 65% represented only 10% of my shooting. I'm no longer prepared for "anything" but I no longer care because I'm not lugging all that extra stuff around :-)

jkjenn

PXLated said:

I find there's actually more space available with it up (could be an illusion). I keep my photo gear, guitar, general stuff in the back seat area and all the camping gear (generator, visor, rug, solar lights, tools, etc) in the rear. A bunch of misc. stuff is under the seats. The Zamp is in the back seat area also - find it easier to get at and stow there.
Photo gear - When I switched to digital I also ditched 65% of my gear. I travel light. Even ditched the big heavy camera body system for the compact, mirrorless Sony A7. - Found that that 65% represented only 10% of my shooting. I'm no longer prepared for "anything" but I no longer care because I'm not lugging all that extra stuff around :-)

I agree, last year I reverted to the seat up with the photo stuff in the back seat. I have also paired down on stuff I will travel with this year. Ideally, it would be easy to pull over and go right to sleep, with little to no impediment. I might also switch from Rubbermaid bins to those big, strong Ziploc storage bags. Storage bins are easy but take up a lot of space.

I was ready to ditch the off camera lighting gear and then I was glad I had it with me last summer. I could have shot HDR, but this took me no time, at all, and it was pretty good SOOC. 

https://www.facebook.com/jenngroverphotography/photos/pb.123558397670145.-2207520000.1431271985./1019648688061107/?type=3&theater

I might get there. I usually have a hi lift jack under the back seat.

Nomad

Cool - Almost has an HDR look.
I leave my T@B pretty much ready to use, don't store anything in there that needs to be removed so I can be ready to climb in and camp within 5min of unlocking the door. On the way south last year I did a lot of one-nighters. Saw something I wanted to shoot, found a relatively level spot to park right there and on to the next in the morning. Only unhooked if there were several things I wanted  to shoot so it'd be a 2-3 affair. This trip back has been a whole different ballgame with the weather. One night shot now in 18 days. Things to shoot everywhere if it'd dry up.

ChanW

Beautiful truck... Mine's only got a little less paint than that. :-)

Nice work Jenn!

Nomad

Love old trucks - Shot this one in a steady drizzle - It wasn't really threatening when I set up - It's why I no longer shoot when it looks like rain...

jkjenn

The place I shot the truck was a little creepy...as in FLDS type of creepy. Oddly, I have never seen anyone shoot it before even though it is in a general.area with a lot photographers. I was just out scouting and came upon this.

Nomad

I try to get out where there are no people. Had a guy trip into my tripods as I was two hours into the shoot - pretty hard to line up the multiple exposures after that.
Cattle and horses have gotten in my way a couple of times also.

Kats

jkjenn, may I make a suggestion to help with those sinuses? I've had chronic sinusitis and wicked bad allergies to pollen for over 30 years. Get a bottle of ALKALOL (NOT alcohol, but ALKALOL) and the little rinse cup that comes with it and use it 2x a day. It makes a big difference. Also, shower and wash your hair before you go to bed at night until that infection clears up. Here in MA it is just a miserable tsunami of pollen.

ChanW

Heh. I used to get sinus infections often. Then used an old cure... did a snort of fresh squeezed garlic juice once. 

Just as described, It blew the top of my head away for about five minutes, but I haven't had a sinus infection in 25 years since.