Duct Tape- Cause You Just Never Know

Last weekend, Russ, Aiden, myself, and our friends Nate and Kim, went camping up in Andover, Maine. (It sounds really good when you put in the Maine accent.)

We have come away from this camping trip with my lessons, and would like to share our lessons with you.

#1. Always pack Duct Tape. As Denise said, "You never know when you might need it."

#2. During a hail storm, always keep your kayak tied down.

#3. During a hail storm, stay in vehicle as stated in tip number 2, as you watch your kayak fall off your vehicle and take out your driver's side mirror.

#4. Pack a spare key in your pocket, so when your dog locks you out of the car during the said hail storm, you can enter your vehicle.

#5. It is not recommended to run in hail storm with shorts on. It hurts.

#6. When a nice lady offers you her pop up as refuge, take it.

#7. After the 20 minute hail storm, erect as many tarps as you possibly can.

#8. Be prepared to do laps around the campgrounds in your car. Hint- Pack many soothing CD's. And take pride as you make your tenth lap knowing that all the onlookers understand why you just keep driving around and around.

#9. HINT- Buy a mo-fo of a tent that will accomodate a pack or play or better yet, a full size crib so your 16 month old cannot figure out that when he or she walks up, he or she can roam the tent and party all night long.

#10. On the off chance that your 16 month old thinks it is 7am, but it is 1:45am and wants to get his or her day started, prepare a bottle before bed and prepare the car as a spare bedroom for a parent to sleep in as well as the mentioned 16 month old to sleep in.

#11. When scouting out a campground 6 months ahead of time, read the Farmer's Almanac. It may help when you pack.

#12. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO BATHE A CHILD IN A RUBBERMAID CONTAINTER at the coin-op showers without help. The end result is a big bruise on the head, a screaming toddler due to the cold bath and bump on head, and you will be soaked. Just bathe the kid at the site- boil some water and mix it with cool water. That is much better.

#13. Bring a dog with you so your child can chase it down the camp road, over and over and over and over and over again because the ground will be muddy and the lake will be frigid and most activities won't last very long...but dog chasing can just go on and on.

#14. When getting into a kayak for the first time in three years, have someone else hold the kayak steady, or you will surely get wet as well as have onlookers snicker and snort.

#15. When attempting to take a shower after the cold dip in the lake, prepare for teenagers chatting non-stop about how good strawberry cheesecake is and how much longer they are going to be in the shower. Example, "Are you almost done?" "I could be in here forever. Let's stay in for 5 more minutes." "Have you ever had cheesecake?" "No, but I bet it is so good." "It is really good---I love strawberry cheesecake." "Tell me what it is like."

#16. Remember the Benadryl. It comes in handy when your 16 month old is attacked by killer mosiquitos!

#17. Bring your ipod with the ifart application. You will never laugh so hard in your life, especially when the neighboring camper is dealing with hose problems to their camper. And the other neighbor is using their protable potty on the other side of it. It is sort of ironic.

#18. Bring a screen room and put it under one those many tarps. You will thank us later when you are dry and not bug bitten.

#19. Repeat reading of #18. We strongly recommend listening to it.

#20. Always go camping with friends. Because when it sucks, at least you are with them, and you can all complain together and find the joy of friendship even when you are cold, bug bitten, hailed upon and packing your wet gear.



Those are our top 20 tips. We hope you enjoy your next camping experience.