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.