summer adventure

This summer, we decided to car camp while circumnavigating Lake Michigan. I grew up on the shores of Lake Michigan, and we never tire of it. It's also cooler than most places in July.

We set out in our RAV4 which was slightly worryingly not stuffed to the gills. Every day, it felt a little surprising to note that we had not missed anything. We never did. Our previous overnight trips had informed us well + the weather was pretty supportive too (though we did weather one tree-felling thunderstorm).

Our camping set-up currently consists of:

Our sleeping situation:

• a BAM bed platform
• two sleeping pads - no sore hips or shoulders with this addition
• a mattress cut to shape 
• a set of sheets 
• a sleeping bag
• our pillows from home
• two fans powered by a jackary
• lights + cord to charge while driving - we kept these in the pouch
• four window screens + a windshield protector
• two folding stools

Our garage area:

• two bins from target slide under the bed platform + hold:
• two chairs
• hammock + hanging straps - not necessary, but fun
• kitchen supplies- folding sink, bowls, mugs, dishsoap, towel, washcloth
• clothes line + a few clothespins
• lighter
• bike helmets, panier, chargers
• food

Behind the front seats:

• shoes, rain coats, umbrella, book, notebook, tiny watercolor kit
• clothing + toiletries
• small towels (which dried hanging over our headrests)
• fanny packs hanging behind our headrests to hold our phones + keys at night
• extra water

Our set up each night is quick + easy. We move our seats forward, put the screens on the windows, move our clothing + toiletries to the front seats, put the jackary on the armrest, set out our stools, assemble the back portion of the platform, fold the mattress down, move our pillows + put the sunshield in the windshield. It takes less than five minutes.

In the future, we may decide to get a one burner stove, but for now we are happy to eat things like yogurt + bananas, deli potato salad, chicken or sushi. We had a stash of bobo bites (our go-to hunger buster) + never stressed about food. Grocery stores were always close by and a good breakfast burrito, wood fired pizza + goat's milk ice cream are part of the adventure too.

Regarding cost: we bought these things little by little over time. We first camped like this overnight with a pair of window screens + the mattress. Once we knew we liked that (we were so stoked!), we invested in the platform. A year later, we discovered that fans + another pair of screens would keep us more comfortable. We took advantage of sales + spread out the cost. The cost of Airbnb's would probably pay for this in a couple trips. It's also a lot cheaper than a mobile home or van. 

One of my favorite things is realizing how little I need. That is adventure to me, and it is incredibly freeing!  :)

Love,
Jane