Camping at a bluegrass festival

[DrGuitar1]

On Labor Day weekend just a few days back, my wife and I decided to attend the Delaware Valley Bluegrass Festival in south New Jersey. They had some great bands including Del McCrory and Ricky Skaggs with Kentucky Thunder. The weather was nearly perfect camping weather; mid-70s days and high 50s nights.

We had a great time. However…

As I just started my 69th year of life, I came to the realization that I no longer like camping in a tent. We have previously owned a motorhome and a trailer/camper, but those two (more comfortable) modes of camping have moved on to other owners. And although we were definitely not roughing it (13’ octagonal x 7’ tall tent, 10 x 10 popup, camping carpet, our own popup shower, good coolers, camping stove, two recliner chairs, cots with 4" foam padding, and much more), the setup and break down nearly broke me down. I think we are going to have to find a new camper of some sort if we plan to continue to camp at these festivals.

Anyone else feeling similarly?

[Mike_R]

I agree that is a bunch of work. I am glad you got to go and enjoy an otherwise ideal weekend!

[Bhive]

Since you’ve done the camper in the past, you know there is still a lot of work to get a camper all set up, but when you are done you have a solid roof over you head, a better bathroom and shower set up, etc…

My wife refuses to camp without a bathroom. On a boy scout trip with my son, we got in a situation one night with a minor flood. I was lucky to have a tall air mattress to sleep on because the water came into the tent about 2 inches. That was my last night in a tent. I started taking my camper when we did scout trips. The kids need to have the tent experience. I’m done with it.

[sideshow]

Both have their advantages. I went from Tents, to Pop-up to a Van and a Class A for a while. Honestly, we miss the Van. It is all about being free and the “trip” or experience I guess. With the Van we had 20 mins of set up, so much less to fail and yea you are treated like a human being and not a tractor trailer when you want to park. Yea tent camping is a bit rough as we age. Pop up trailers are not my thing as the world is not “level” LOL. I def will not go back to a tent. Lots of RV companies are starting to listen to customers and are going smaller. Yea the comforts of home following you down the road is def addicting. Over all it comes down to are you happy with whatever set up you choose and can not wait to head out again sooner than later or are you bringing extra “Bengay” with you each time.

[BanJoe]

Two years ago was the last time my wife & I loaded the canoe & paddled back to one of our favorite Adirondack back country campsites. This time we wondered, “Where will we be when we realize we are too old for this?”
We’re 71 now and haven’t been back. Same goes for bluegrass festivals.

I read an article about the Kruger Brothers where they said “Ours is a soft seat audience. When they come to see us perform, they prefer to be sitting in a soft seat in an auditorium.”

Yep.