My wife and I have a long standing policy that we do not "Do Rain". Meaning, if it calls for an extended forecasts of a steady downpour every day then our campsite will consist of a Marriott or something similar or we will not go at all. There have been a few group campouts over the last few years (mostly Full Moon Bus Club events) that I have skipped and for good reason, photos of the events show everyone huddled under tarps with their kids. I don't find that to be fun at all. What is the point of camping with kids when its pouring rain outside? I'd rather be at work....

That being said, I would like to mention that it practically rained here in the NE from April to October. Every campout I did this summer had some rain of one form or another. I've done 9 camping trips since May. The rain, however, was always either a late night shower, a quick thunderstorm or a morning downpour with afternoon clearing. Things like are manageable and to expect perfect weather in the NE is unreasonable.

So for me, some rain is definitely doable but the 24 hour downpour is not something I want to camp through. I have friends with 1000 square feet of tarpage and build tarp villages but going back and forth in the mud from the camper to the tarps is not enjoyable.

Bryan

-----Original Message----- From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of Rocket J Squirrel Sent: Sunday, October 11, 2009 6:24 PM To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM Subject: [NVC] Do you like camping in the rain?

Begging forbearance from the Moderators and members o' the list, this appears to be a quiet Sunday afternoon so I'd like to ask a camping question, with no specific Vanagon content.

For a few weeks my son and I have had plans to go camping next weekend. The extended weather forecast for that weekend has shifted from cool but sunny to kinda rainy. "Showers" is the word they are currently using. 60% chance of precipitation, mid 60s (F) in the day, 40s at night.

The temps are fine with us, but we are a desert people, having come from SoCal, and in my experience camping in the rain is messy. Mud all over the darn place, a simple trek to the privy involves specialized foot gear, rainproof clothing, funny rubber hats and bumbershoots if feeling particularly British or silly. Stuff dripping all over the place. And mud . . . did I mention mud?

How do you folks feel about camping in the rain? Any tips for keeping the inside of the van dry and clean?

-- Mike "Rocket J Squirrel" Elliott 84 Westfalia: Mellow Yellow ("The Electrical Banana") 74 Westrailia: (Ladybug Trailer company, San Juan Capistrano, Calif.) Bend, OR KG6RCR