[Paddlewise] Shelters (but not tents)

Rick posted:
>"Hey", everyone.  I've reduced my participation to lurking for most of this 
>year... work and family issues have totally taken over my
free-time, with no end in sight.  My boat hasn't even touched water this 
year.  :-( <

Excuses! Excuses! What are you, a golfer? :-)  So, don't cut the lawn; or 
don't clean the car;  or don't do something in order to make up some time to 
go paddling.

>Anyway,  my girls are now both teenagers, and the things that didn't used 
>to be an issue for them are becoming issues.  Mainly, creature comforts 
>while camping.  Camping out of kayaks or canoes has become out of the 
>question (according to them).<

Yeah, my girls were all ready to go canoeing in the Deer Group this past 
July, but didn't want to forgo certain amenities in the end, so we went to 
Bamfield car-camping instead, staying at Pachena Bay Campground. I had to 
buy a new tent - one with a middle wall (my four-person mountain tent is too 
small, and not private enough, you know). Got an 8-person for the four of 
us, and there still wasn't enough room for clothing, hairbrushes, and Barbie 
Dolls. But, hee hee, we did hike part of the very muddy West Coast Trail - 
and did they get wet! and dirty (very traumatic, apparently, t-hee). Well, I 
had to carry the 12-year old over the biggest, deepest ruts.

>They are still interested in car camping, but they want me to try to do 
>something about the sun, rain and bugs.  I wish I had that sort of power, 
>but the best I can do is buy a canopy/shelter/gazebo type of thing with 
>no-see-um mesh and removable sides for rain protection.  It needs to be big 
>enough to get a picnic table under.  I've never even been under one, much 
>less own one.  To that end, before I start my research... actually, I 
>suppose this "is" starting my research .... can anyone comment on the good 
>vs.. the bad, features, brands, etc.  Any and all info is much 
>appreciated.<

I told the family I'd get one of those gazebo things too, but the best one I 
could find for our purposes was a basic gazebo, to which one purchased 
separate fly, netting, etc., and even a whole tent kit if desired - it was a 
bit pricey given I was purchasing a new tent too, so we put up with bugs at 
the picnic table, though I did put up a 30 x 30 rain tarp (yes massive, but 
were super dry during the downpours, and as it was a white tarp, so wasn't 
so gloomy underneath). The gazebo is by Canadian Tire, so not sure of an 
equivalent product state-side.

Funnily enough, to the chagrin of my family, I bought a screened gazebo upon 
my return from camping to use as a spray booth in my back yard for 
spray-painting all my house/room doors ( I'm switching from previous 
oil-base to acrylic (I'm a fussy renovator). A quick shot of repellent 
pre-painting, and look ma, no bugs).

I tried bringing my kayak along to Bamfield, and did have opportunity to 
paddle around Cape Beale (my fav spot for getting pounded in rebound waves) 
but in the end, it didn't work out (trying to combine solo day-kayaking 
while on family vacation). I did get to play in the surf out front of the 
tent, and taught my 10-year old daughter to surf a 100 pound Nordkapp with a 
big bladed paddle. Amazing. My younger daughter is a total jock. I'm glad I 
impressed her with the need to hug the deck if she flipped in order to avoid 
a spinal/head injury. I should have, in retrospect, got her to put on her 
bike helmet - then again, perhaps kept her out of the surf zone. A sleeper 
wave crept in and I lost grip of the stern of my kayak as she sped away. My 
life flashed before my eyes (or, at least, hers). She was pummelled 
sideways, but obeyed her dad, kissing the deck, and coming out unscathed. 
Wow! she exclaimed, then deferentially hinted that maybe she should, "head 
back to the tent to play Poly-pocket dolls; thanks Dad, it was fun." Great 
eh (?), now I'm trying to kill my family. Well, we won't do that again until 
she's a bit more ready with an appropriate sized craft.

Now, if I can just get these renos finished, I can get a few more gales in 
while it's still blowing hard out there this season. Happy paddling. Stay 
safe.

Doug Lloyd
Victoria BC
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