[Paddlewise] Rick's Tent

Well, Rick, it looks to me as if you need at least three or four tents to 
meet all those needs :)

When you start talking four-season camping, you can add a couple of hundred 
dollars more to the $100-150 (less if you're lucky with a sale) you could 
spend getting a nice, comfy tent for this trip that you could use with DW 
(who doesn't sound as if she's all that interested).

I wouldn't want to let the youngsters use a $400 tent - isn't it amazing the 
way they can break things and then have no idea how it happened?  When my 
kids were young we had a resident ghost who did all the mischief.

Here's my suggestion: 
narrow all these choices to about three

make a list of the pros and cons 

and what you really think you should have. (like LOTS of NO SEE'UM MESH)
    (don't get a tent without NSU mesh....if the specs don't mention it, ask).

See which factors turn you on - I think two doors is nice (Eureka Apex2 XT 
e.g.), especially for two people, but also for increased ventilation.

and which tent you will REALLY like the looks of.  Picture yourself getting 
back to camp, tired and then think which of the tents lifts your spirits.  
Kinda like women or cars.....(I can't believe this "feminist" actually said 
that!)

IMO opinion vestibules won't be so critical for this trip which is mainly car 
camping.

Buy a some (ab $4) seam sealant (Marts have) and seal all your seams in your 
back yard and let the tent dry.....the sewing machine pin pricks leave a 
gazillion tiny holes

Another thing, you might find that at "your" age comfort becomes slightly 
more important....so a nice mattress important (now we can start a 
Therm-A-Rest vs. inflatable (with innner springs) mattress thread!)

Follow Dave's advice and realize that you'll probably go thru coulda, woulda, 
shoulda, but then you can always give this to your daughter when she gets 
older..

after you get back, you can start looking for a lighter, tighter, dearer 
brand tent that will be better for kayak camping and taking on airlines.

can't wait to see what you choose.

sandy kramer
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