That's it! We're hittin' the road!

FINALLY! Found the PETT Portable Toilet at Cabela's yesterday so now we can hit the road! We're loading up everything to take our Virgin Voyage and try it all out to see how easy it is to set up the Northern Breeze tent, side tent, etc. Jack's getting groomed today and Furminated for summer (he has a LOT of hair, being a Sheltie)

Tomorrow we'll head out for the Bluebonnet Trails in Texas. Bluebonnet's are the state flower and bloom only in Texas (we tried to grow them in Arkansas and they wouldn't grow - all my Texan friends there did too with the same results.)There's a saying there somewhere....

Anyway, don't know how long we're going to be gone - 3,4,5 days or something like that...our Winter Texan friends (snow birds) all leave here April 1st and we want to do a farewell party and see them off.

We just need one more thing - a quick cover over the galley if we don't want to use the Northern breeze. Don't know which one I want, but I want quick, lightweight and easy set up for short people - Evan or anyone else - suggestions please!?

 

I've been looking @ this one for light weight, quick & easy " Sun Shade " to keep in my car.
KELTY CAR TARP
http://www.rei.com/product/808944

It's set off to the side of the vehicle in the photo, but it should cover the hatch (open galley), which would allow you to stand & cook, with a small portion for two persons to sit (as it angles to ground stakes), in the shade.

L.M.

 

Looked at the Kely tarp via the REI website.

"Comes with 2 DAC DA17 poles for standing tarp and 1 spreader pole for car attachment point; also includes stakes and a Nite Ize® Figure 9™ adjuster

The versatile Kelty Car Tarp can be attached to other structures as well"

To view attachement on the REI site, move your curser over the vehicle. To the right will pop up an enlarged.

Appears there are guy lines to most likely attach to the vehicle mirrors. As how the car spreader pole attaches is not visible. Which creates difficulty visualizing attachement to the 550 or 560.

Linda,
Have you practiced putting up the Northern Breeze prior to your trip? My son and I practiced in the tuck under garage, which was an experience. Not enough room width or height.

Mastering set up should be fairly easy with 2 people after a couple times. The difficult part is determing how to fold so will fit into bag.

Jean

 

L.M - thanks, but as of now I don't think that's what I want, just have to investigate it more...will ck. it out when we get back.

Jean - Yes, we had the man at Cabela's set it up for us - he was very reluctant, but I told him I didn't want to pay that much money for something that might not work for me, so he and Bill did it with a bit of help from me. I saw that it was pretty easy and we'll be setting it up TONIGHT! We (I) decided that since it's only 2 hrs. away from us (Inks Lake State Park) that we might as well go on tonight because Sat. & Sun. are booked. We'll try to get one if a cancellation happens Sat. morning and extend, but there's no reason not to go on tonight. So I'm getting off the net and quit talking about camping and will be GOING camping. Should have internet at this park by the water with water and electricity, kayaks and paddle boats for rent and many other amenities. This is a very favored park and the sites are pretty large from what I remember (last time I was there I was 16 and now I'm almost 63!) But the website shows lots of pretty pics! See ya'll later gator!

 

Just an additional " FYI "

The 9 x 9 is not as sturdy, but it wieghs less & was much, much easier, to set-up. I pop the top off & roll it up, " IF " the wind picks-up... ?

L.M.

 

We have a 10x10 Shade Tech by Quick Shade that we paid $69.00,we got it at Modells and it works great.

 

We just purchased this REI Alcove Shelter, and set it up in our driveway for the first time tonight. It sets up very easily, one person can do it it under 10 minutes. We are very impressed so far, seems to fit perfectly (10x10), has all the features we want, along with the REI guarantee. We got it for a reasonable price with a 20% off coupon and free shipping, for being members. There are also wind walls available separately. Looks like a good alternative to our Northern Breeze when we aren't concerned with bugs or inclement weather.

http://www.rei.com/product/794290

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eg0-WwO4tzc


see photos of our shelter in the photo gallery under REI Alcove Shelter

You can also go to the REI site, and look at the reviews for the shelter, the first review has a photo of the shelter set up over a Teardrop.

 

We've got the Tailgator - which is lightweight and quick to setup.

 

Evan I like the looks of yours- can you tell me where to get it and how much ? Thanks!

 

Linda, if you want to see photos of our shelter, I just posted them in a fb album, for yours and Evan's eyes only!

 

McNugit,
How do I access your FB page?

 

You can get the TailGator for $114 @ Amazon.com
http://www.amazon.com/Tail-TailGat...KZ7G/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1300942673&sr=8-5

You may find it for less if you look around too...

 

Evan,
I did as much research as time would allow but didn't find it anywhere else-I like the looks of this set up and it sounds easy, so I ordered it on Amazon this morning. Wish I had it today - we're headed to Inks Lake State Park for our Maiden Voyage for a few days. It's about 2 hrs. away from us. Bill's gonna love this! He's not overly fond of the Northern breeze - thinks it's going to be too hard to put up, says he thinks it's going to take 3 people - that after he helped set it up at Cabela's. But I was there too and realize it's no biggy - bulky a bit, but we can handle it too!

 

go to my facebook profile, and click on the REI alcove album that is posted on my wall.

 

Linda,
on the northern breeze - we found it much easier to set up if you put the clips on the poles before you raise it up. then you do not need to be stretching to reach them.
Have a wonderful time.

 

Evan,
What are you using to keep the legs down on your Tailgator? Some type of weights?

 

It comes with the weights.

 

Thanks - haven't received ours yet...