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DEL.ICIO.USTake a break without breaking the bank on a camp-out
How do you get away from it all on the cheap?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Nothing makes you feel like you need a vacation more than knowing you can’t take one. With gas prices what they are and the costs of air travel soaring higher than some commercial jets, many of you have said traveling right now is out of the question. Still, everyone needs a break now and again.
So what’s a cash-strapped, oil-dependent Georgian to do? Unless OPEC members suddenly get misty for $15-a-barrel oil or we all learn to apparate like Harry Potter, travel costs aren’t going to wane any time soon. But we are fortunate to live in a beautiful part of the country, where the great outdoors can be enjoyed many months out of the year. If you can wrap your head around camping as a vacation, then you’ve got a world of holiday options right here in your own backyard.
Other than summer camp and a couple of Girl Scout outings, I was never really a camper in my youth. I began to realize the value of the tent and sleeping bag when I was in college. It was among my college friends that I truly learned to camp - pick a site, build a fire, pitch a tent, etc. I also learned how NOT to camp. Best lesson learned: Never go camping in the north Georgia mountains in late November with only a windbreaker, a light sleeping bag and a bottle of Old Crow.
Today, my husband and I like to go camping a few times a year. We usually camp as “old school” as possible with three young kids in tow; meaning we opt for tents, but we stay in state or national parks with well-defined camp sites. (The wilderness is not quite ready for an overnight with the Still girls.)
If you’re not into sleeping on the ground, many state parks offer basic cabins for a small fee. Or you can bring a pop-up camper or RV to any number of public and private campsites. This adds to your costs a little bit, but will still be far less than flying and staying in a hotel.
Not sure you will take to camping or aren’t ready to invest in the equipment upfront? Some businesses like REI, campsites and camping organizations will rent tents, sleeping bags, camp stoves and even RVs.
So tell us…would you be a happy camper on a camping vacation? Where do you prefer to camp and why? Share your favorite camping stories or scare us with your nightmare adventures. Even if camping’s not your thing, we’d love to hear your alternatives for inexpensive vacation ideas around our region.
Permalink | Comments (10) | Post your comment | Categories: Southeast travel
Comments
By jb
May 7, 2008 7:51 AM | Link to this
We love to camp, and it’s a fantastic and economical way to vacation with kids. Kids love the whole thing -tents, campfires, the woods,etc. So many of our state parks offer hiking trails, lakes, pools and other amenities like bike trails and horseback riding -there’s a lot to do. I think it’s incredibly important to instill a love for the outdoors and a respect for nature in our kids. It’s also very relaxing to hang out in some comfy camp chairs by the campfire after the kids are asleep with some wine or beer!
By Motorcyclist
May 7, 2008 9:04 AM | Link to this
A couple of times this year I will hook the little pop-up camper to the motorcycle and head to the mountains. Maybe ride up the Blue Ridge Parkway and on up to the Adirondacks. At 40 MPG, no problem. It is good to get away from Atlanta’s idiots in the 4 wheeled vehicles yakking on phones for a few days.
By Oooohhhh
May 7, 2008 10:00 AM | Link to this
It’s also very relaxing to hang out in some comfy camp chairs by the campfire after the kids are asleep with some wine or beer! And then snuggle up with your “honey-dip” in one sleeping bag (or maybe two put together) and get a lil sneaky-freaky!!!!! lol
By JJ
May 7, 2008 10:03 AM | Link to this
I love to camp, but don’t get the opportunity to do it often.
I am planning a trip to The Hike Inn up around Dahlonega in July.
Has anyone been? I hear it’s a five mile hike to the Inn, and they feed you, and there are rooms there too to spend the night. Then you hike back out……
If anyone has been, I would love to hear about it……thank you.
By Sandy
May 7, 2008 11:36 AM | Link to this
The Hike Inn is wonderful. The hike up is beautiful, passing through a variety of mini-environments. It’s mostly uphill to the Hike Inn (and mostly downhill on the way back!) but the climb is gentle and not too difficult even for beginner hikers.
You get a room with bunk beds and paper and door to an adjoing room that you can unlock if you’re with family or friends. The walls are paper thin, so be prepared to hear your neighbors snoring.
The bathrooms and showers are in the next building, but there are covered porches/walkways and the bathroom is heated, the showers are clean, and the water is luxuriously hot.
The next building is the kitchen/dining room and the meals are served family style and they are unbelievably delicious. Only take as much you can eat (you can always go back for seconds) because the Hike Inn cannot tolerate waste, and the volunteer cooks only get to eat after all the guests are done, so try to leave them a little something!
When we went, on a Saturday night, there was a duet of blugrass musicians, and they had extra instruments, so a couple guests also joined in. We had a great time.
There’s also a game room in the next buildind, and we played cards and trivial pursuit until bedtime.
Be sure to attend the daily tour to see how they dispose of waste. You don’t want to miss the worms!
By JJ
May 7, 2008 12:11 PM | Link to this
Sandy Thank you. You stated you get a room with a bunk bed and paper. What “paper” do you get?
I heard about the worms. There was a write-up on the Hike Inn in a recent Southern Living magazine. They say if you do some volunteer work there, you can stay for free.
I am looking forward to this. Thank you so much for the info……
By JT
May 7, 2008 1:02 PM | Link to this
One of our favorite destinations is Unicoi State Park. Not really roughing it since they have modern bathhouses, but the area is ideal for first timers or novices. Nice lake to swim, fishing,hiking and a great/cheap breakfast buffet at the Unicoi Lodge. Going tubing down the Chattahoochee and visiting nearby Helen will appeal big time to the kids(adults too)! The summer brings several Bluegrass bands to a small ampitheater for nighttime entertainment. Cool temps at night and a roaring campfire in a tranquil setting all for about $12 a night. The key to this or any other campout-air mattresses!
By JJ
May 7, 2008 1:36 PM | Link to this
JT I love the Unicoi Lodge. They have rooms with lofts for the kids. I took my daughter and a friend for her birthday and we had a blast!!!
By thailand travel
May 7, 2008 7:43 PM | Link to this
Nice story Thanks!!
By Barry Blakely
May 20, 2008 12:31 PM | Link to this
Considering that I’m in the RV rental business, I’m sure that anyone reading this would say that I’m obviously prejudiced and just trying to sell someone a “bill-of-goods”…but, I’ve also been an RV-er since 1981! My kids have grown up traveling in motorhomes. I’ve never had to worry about the voice screaming in the back seat about having to go to the bathroom…and of course, that’s right after passing the exit on the freeway. I’ve never had to worry about finding something besides fast food at the next exit to eat because I have a full kitchen with me. I’ve never worried about being tired, as I could just pull over at the next rest area and take a great nap. I don’t worry about unpacking the car & putting stuff in the hotel room…and then doing it again a day or so later to leave. And, my stress level is much lower when traveling in an RV.
GAS…the major fear today…NOT AN ISSUE. The family Durango gets 17 mpg and the motorhome right at 8 mpg. But, we eat an average of two meals a day in the motorhome or at the campground and save more in food cost, than we give up in the mpg issue! It’s not always the cost of gas…a trip in an RV does not have to cost any more than flying some place, staying in hotels, renting a car and eating 3 meals a day (and snacks) in restaurants!