New Equipment Field Test

So how did the inaugural trip go with the new equipment?

The tent went up relatively quickly, even with the rain-fly and the main pegs installed. I was a little apprehensive that the heavy rain would get the better of a new tent--I hadn't had time to seal the seams--but after two nights of downpour we didn't notice anything coming into the tent until we were packing up to leave. I noticed a couple of small wet patches--not enough to call them puddles--on the floor. It could have been caused by the cot being pushed up against the fabric or because I hadn't got around to pegging the rain-fly--mental note for next time.

Rebecca Spit, Quadra Island...looking across to Cortez Island

The tent came down easily and I even packed ALL the parts back into the carry-bag, which is a first--every other tent I've ever owned refused to pack down small enough to be re-packed completely--usually the poles and pegs would be in separate--and looseable--bags.

The LED light was cool but a tad fragile--the clip to attach it to the ridge is quite flimsy and I manged to snap one of the clips off--I can probably rig-up a Velcro work-around, not a big deal. It was handy having a light source in the tent regardless.

The MEC bags were great--warm enough for Mary and not too warm for me, but very cozy. Mary opted for the mummy style, I went for more of a barrel style--reflecting our personalities, I guess...

The cots were great! A good investment, I think. Very well made and confidence inspiring--the frames are steel with a heavy duty polyester fabric--the unfold in seconds with no 'assembly required'--the downside is that they are quite heavy, but for car-camping, definitely worth the weight and space.

The other unnecessary, but quite cool piece of gear didn't make it in time from the supplier for this trip--a folding Coleman 'kitchen'--I really hate taking up the picnic table space with all the cooking paraphernalia, so having the kitchen will eliminate all that clutter. I tried it at home and it sets up quickly and packs into itself--the top folds and acts as the carrying-case--nifty design. The other thing I like about it as that it is at right height for working, whereas I feel like I'm stooping with a picnic table--no big deal, but just something else that makes the experience that much better. I am looking forward to testing it in the field, so to speak.

So all the new equipment seems to works as expected and we are looking forward to getting back out there is  the spring!

On the Road Again...

Tsa Kwa Luten Campground, Quadra Island, BC

So... after the short ferry ride from Campbell River "nous sommes arrive" on  Quadra. Louis Vuitton (aka Lewis) -the zippy mini Aussie pup, two tons of gear and hopeful aspirations intact,  we set up camp at Tsa Kwa Luten campground, adjacent to the lovely First Nations lodge and just around the corner from historic Cape Mudge village. With rain clouds looming, we launched the first erection (so to speak) of our Coleman six-man tent. Merv was fast on the task and managed to wrangle the beast into submission in about 15 minutes or so. Tons of room inside for the fold out cots and two folding camp chairs, which were pressed into service for ceremonial video watching later that evening. The new sleeping bags offered coziness galore and Lewis soon found himself snuggled in and snoring happily to the tune of BJ Thomas' classic "Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head."

Next morning the skies had cleared somewhat and we headed off  for our ritual hike at Rebecca Spit Provincial Park followed by a tasty lunch and refreshments at the Heriot Bay Inn (HBI.) Colourful locals provided great eavesdropping fodder, as always, and historical photos, charts and posters advertising upcoming musical festivities made for charming décor. A quick shop at the local grocery and we headed "home" to our trusty Coleman tent.

So why are we OFT'ing?

So before we get into describing out first tenting experience for almost ten-years, it might be useful to explain WHY. When we sold the Class-B, which was great except when we putting serious wads of cash into keeping it on the road, we went through a period of mourning that maybe we were done with camping forever.

The Big Lebowski being 'attended' to...

We couldn't really justify 'investing' in another RV, and besides, I don't have the patience and inclination to fix things--it's not my bag; I don't like it--I have a great respect and admiration for those that do.

Other options were considered, which didn't requite a degree in automotive engineering such as a hard-sided tent trailer--but that meant having to store it somewhere and still having to deal with the 'systems' in the unit, such as hot water, heating, refrigeration, axles, wheels, and so on.

Obviously any vehicle used for car camping can fail, but if it is in regular use as a daily family/commuter vehicle and serviced accordingly, the chances of breakdown are that much smaller.

Even with a tent trailer, there is still stuff to go wrong--not to mention the set-up, tear-down and towing. I spend a lot of time on the road and it never ceases to amaze how many towed 'things' are lying crippled by the road side with a failed wheel bearing or flat tire usually accompanied by a forlorn family staring at it hoping for a miracle, or at least for the tow-truck to arrive. Soon. Please.

The other part of this dilemma is to some extent ethical--can I really justify 'recreating' in a vehicle that consumes two to three times as much natural resources as a relativity fuel efficient car/truck? I don't pretend to be an environmentalist, but the irony of heading off to enjoy 'nature' in a twenty-year old V8-powered RV is inescapable. I clearly still drive a vehicle regardless, so much more commentary from me is bordering on hypocritical, so I will leave it at at that.

So that brings us back full-circle to Old Farts Tenting--we really missed not camping this summer--my job takes me all over Vancouver Island and I really started to feel we were missing something when I visited campsites during my work.

The upshot is that I see this as a bit of an experiment to see if two old farts and their zippy dog, Louis Vuitton, can get as much fun and satisfaction out of (almost) back-to-the basics camping as with a fully-equipped Class B RV.

New Gear for OFT'ing...

Yes, so off we ventured for trip #1 of the OFT experience...


With Subaru Forester packed to the gills with the"bare necessities" we headed to Quadra Island--one of BC's northern Gulf Islands. Quadra has held a place in our hearts for many years with or without "The Big Lebowski" --our term of endearment for our ill-fated Class B.


Good gear seems to be the secret to OFT'ing as our various maladies (sore backs, bones and bums) deter us from hitting the ground with a meagre sleeping bag and a smile as in days of old. We have invested in a 6 man 10'x12' tent that you can stand up in. It even came with a cool LED light. We also splashed out on 2 folding camp cots which flip out in no time flat with no assembly required. The latest addition to the arsenal were two lovely sleeping bags from MEC. Very reasonably priced and the scrunch up nicely into their stuff bags. So, it's all systems go...

Back to the basics...kind of...

Well, it had to happen...we decided to sell our Class B motorhome last summer as we experienced the final straw--on a last trip of the year trip planned for Thanksgiving on Quadra Island, British Columbia, the windshield wipers gave up the ghost in the middle of a torrential downpour. Fortunately we were near enough to a Canadian Tire store that we managed to limp in to get the wipers fixed, but as lovely and helpful as the CT staff were and usually are, the novelty of sitting in the waiting area with a box of take-out fast food, our skitty mini Australian Shepherd, Louis Vuitton, and watching really bad daytime TV wore off quite quickly--needless to say the trip did not materialize and we went home, quietly cursing.