Monday, July 17, 2006

camping the amy way

I've said it before, I'll say it again. I hate camping. I hate everything about it. If I had to say what I hate most it would be that it is impossible to feel clean while camping. Second runner-up in my hate list is the hundreds of spiders crawling all over me while I sleep. The list goes on and I could rattle things off without even thinking very hard.

(maybe you've noticed?) I'm a positive person. It is not in my nature to rattle off lists of things I hate. I would much rather rattle off lists of things that I love (and show you pictures).

Being a positive person, I try to spin negative situations (like turning myself into a real live version of the Peanut's character Pigpen.)

It took some work, some creativity and lots of packing but here is what camping the Amy way looks like...











I have lots of ideas already on how to make next year's trip even better. Who knows...someday I might even learn to love camping as much as Rich does. Until then, I will keep my complaining to a minimum and do whatever I can to make it as enjoyable as possible.

p.s. I sent out an email to all of those who requested instructions for the money book. Be sure to check your bulk or junk mail folders because it might have turned up there. If you didn't get it, just send me an email (amy@inspirecompany.com) and I'll get them out to you.

36 comments:

Mel said...

For the first 16 or so years of my life, we camped for almost every vacation. So, for the last 24 years or so, I've avoided camping like the plague - for all the reasons you mentioned and more (I would add claustrophobia and difficulty dealing with heat to your list). Oh, and my refusal to sleep on the ground.

But dayum, if the way you camp doesn't almost fun! I would TOTALLY camp out if I could have a BED in my tent (and an air conditioner). What kind of set-up is that? A possible trip is looming (in 2 weeks) and if I have to be in a tent, I want a bed (hubby will happily sleep on the ground).

Anonymous said...

Amy, that is SO funny!

Anonymous said...

How cute are you? It has to have been the most beautiful camp site ever! I have never been camping and hope to never go, but with 3 kids, I'd say it's probably inevitable, so I can take a cue from you and make it pretty at least!

Anonymous said...

Oh, that is funny!! I hate camping, but might rethink it if I had a camp site that pretty. So cute!!

I received the email from you today. Thank you VERY much!!

Maija said...

You are so funny, Amy! I completely understand! My hubby and boys love camping so I made a compromise.
Check this out:http://maigirlz.typepad.com/.shared/image.html?/photos/uncategorized/pict0079.jpg

Anonymous said...

Amy, you have redefined camping! Wonderful, wonderful!

Lilli in Vancouver said...

Oh Wow! I've never seen anything LIKE this!

Looks like a lot of planning, but you've obviously made it your style. Whatever it takes to make you go and be (happy), right?

Hmm, makes me want to think more out of the box for our next camping trip
:)

dogfaeriex5 said...

i am right there with you sister, if it isnt in a rv or logde, it isnt camping in my book! but i do not mind sitting around a nice campfire....
~k

Anonymous said...

Oh goodness I think I may be the only one who likes camping here! In fact I'm heading off to Cornwall, South West England in 5 days time. I do understand the feeling of never being quite clean though. We had the same feeling when in Yosemite last year. It's easier if the ground is grass. But, having said all that I am still totally inspired to make our little pitch as pretty as I can, having seen yours.

Debi Ward Kennedy said...

You know,Amy,I see the beginnings of a BOOK here:'Inspired Camp Decor','Camping the Inspire Company Way',or something like that.You could lead legions of women out of their camping phobias...

(And to think my husband and kids used to smirk at me for filling empty food cans with wildflowers for the table in our campsites... Harumph.)

Anonymous said...

If you've gotta tent camp, you have it down - the prettiest camp site I've ever seen. Love the sink set up too. Personally I'm done with tent camping. Motorhoming is the only way to go for me.

Sandy

Anonymous said...

Oh, I love it! Like a portable B&B -- too cute!

~Kelly

I need orange said...

I couldn't agree more. I hate being dirty and sticky -- especially when it's bed time (you forgot to show the all-important *shower* part of your camp?).

I love your camp, especially the pink rug right inside the tent. That made me laugh out loud.

-- Vicki, who recently was somewhere where relatives were camping, but who stayed in a hotel and visited the campers during daylight, pre-mosquito, hours, only.

Anonymous said...

Splendid campsite, Amy! The table is adorable!

Anonymous said...

i would say that camping amy style looks delightful! such a pretty campsite :)

laura said...

oh my, you are a riot! I have never seen such a setup and I love it! I'll be showing my DH this post because I WANT one of those sinks and a REAL bed and not sleeping bag. Dang. You know how to camp.

amy said...

hello, friends. Here is a link to the gourmet camping kitchen

http://www.target.com/gp/detail.html/601-4104126-0020912?asin=B000E0G8Z2&AFID=YahooSSP&LNM=B000E0G8Z2|Deluxe_Gourmet_Camp_Kitchen&ref=tgt_adv_XSY10001
and here's the raised airbed...

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/pod/horizontal-pod.jsp;jsessionid=TACOGL42HOO0NTQSNOISCNWOCJVZIIWE?_DARGS=/cabelas/en/common/catalog/pod-link.jsp_A&_DAV=MainCatcat20075&rid=&indexId=cat20146&navAction=push&navCount=2&parentType=index&parentId=cat20146&id=0009095&_requestid=44259

Nel said...

Oh my gosh you call that camping lol. I also hate camping but my camping never looked as pretty as yours - and my bed is always on the ground. Much prefer the seaside retreat.

Waterfall said...

Hm, so I guess that means you and I will never, ever, EVER in a million-billion-trillion years go on a three-week backpacking trip together.

Glad you were able to make the best of it. Your camp looks pretty cozy to me!

Waterfall said...
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Waterfall said...
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Junie Moon said...
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Junie Moon said...

I adore your idea of camping. You have ideas I never considered--such as a real bed. Wonderful! As soon as my husband walked in the door, I came back to your blog to show him your campsite. He hates camping as much as you do but now I can envision ways of helping him enjoy it. Thank you so much for sharing this.

~~~Francy~~~ said...

First thanks much for the instructions. Can't waite to make one for my daughter.

I think I would like camping your way......IF there is a bathroom close to where the tent was pitched sans the spiders.

Best part of camping is the food. My husband and his twin do all the cooking. YUMOOOO the food just tastes better when it cooked outside.

Again thanks for the instructions.

Francy

Anastasia said...

how adorable!! u have the right idea of camping in style!
you are too cute!!!

Anonymous said...

That is the best camping set-up I have ever seen. I am like you, I dislike camping with a passion. I did it as a girl scout and vowed to never do it again.

Your hubby is fortunate that you are willing to camp out of the love for him. And if I had a set-up similar to yours, I may consider it myself!

Anonymous said...

That isn't campinp... its your own B and B!!! I'm not a camper either, but your way makes it tempting...

Anonymous said...

Ok - I might consider camping if I could go with you. This looks beautiful and not at all like the refugee camps I usually see. You have such a way my dear!

A bird in the hand said...

Now that's the way to camp!

I have the exact same table and chairs in blue (Restaurant Côte d'Azur)!

Anonymous said...

Yeah -- that's nicer than most hotel rooms I've stayed in. I want to camp the Amy way instead of the Andy way from now on.

Liquid Sky Arts said...

This camping set-up is so genius! :)
I love your sink!!

Haust said...

It is totally amazing! I would LOVE to camp like this! :D

fredsworld said...

WOW! This is the only way to camp, have you sen my camping pictures, this was our first time but like you, it had to be stylish and comfortable...what do you think?

Anonymous said...

Ooo, ooo, I'm so excited!

I love "camping-the-amy-way"!!!

I'm an Amy too! And my idea of roughing it is going to a hotel with polyester blend sheets! But I love nature.... And I want my kids to experience camping.... I finally feel like maybe we can!

Oh my! This opens up a world of possibilities!

Anonymous said...

Very cute, but what do you do about rain??

I usually camp in the Rockies and it usually gets so rainy and/or windy that it would blow away your cute kitchen.

j said...

Hello! I bookmarked this post years ago because I loved the photos of your campsite, and it seemed like a very good way for me to describe to boyfriends what exactly camping with me might have to entail. I was wondering, the photos are gone from the post now, but would you mind terribly sharing them with me in some way? Either via email, or a link to an album, anything. I just loved them. :-)

Thank you,
Jenny
jennyuj@gmail.com