bill,

On May 21, 2008, at 9:47 PM, Bill Shawley wrote:

> So...  We're thinking of camping out this weekend with my 2 year
> old.  The low on saturday is forcast for 46.  I don't have much
> experience with camping, well sober camping.  How cold will this get
> in the van?  I have one of those Coleman CAT heaters but I won't run
> it overnight, only in the morning or I guess if I woke up cold.  We
> plan to bundle up and use sleeping bags, maybe everyone on the
> bottom bunk.  Could use some collective group wisdom here....  I
> realize it is all relative.

it's been a number of years since my kids were that young, but my
girlfriend (now wife) and my two small (5 & 8) daughters
camped in a westy in north dakota in sub-zero weather numerous times.
like you, we had no heat at night.  we all four
slept in that small westy bed under (and over - cold creeps up from
the bottom) lots of blankets and were warm.  everyone
had a good time and saw it as an adventure.

getting up in the morning was the worst part.  i'd get up turn on the
heater and jump back in bad.  a bit later my girlfriend
would get up, go out, and build a fire - usually in/on the snow.  the
kids looked forward to weekend camping and were
crushed if i said it was too cold.  i usually would not go if the low
was gonna be -20 F or lower.

r

Ron Tipton
uther@dragonhome.org

Go to work
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