Please, someone help me pack…
June 27th, 2009 at 10:24 am by The Rothblog under Entertainment
So, when it comes to camping, I’m a huge chicken. Just thought I’d get that out there. The idea of things that I dislike (spiders, snakes, bees, whatever…) being able to share my sleeping quarters is a concept I’ve never been able to handle. However, I really like live music, so I’m heading to Rothbury – any sleeping that I actually do will be done in the “comfort” (?) of my Vue.
With that in mind, I have no idea what to pack. I’ve been through the list at the festival website, and thus far I have procured one (1) item – a water bottle. Now, I understand that water can get you through many things, when all other supplies have been depleted, but I also like to eat. Not just for the life-sustaining nourishment it provides, but I actually like to do it. What are my food options going to be like? Should I plan to pack food for most of my meals? What kind of suggestions do you have?
Also, I go back and forth as I contemplate footwear. My metrosexual tendencies just keep surprising you, I’m sure. Tennis shoes, Birks, or Barefoot? Or a combination? I am going to be doing work while I’m there, which means plenty of running around, so the tennis shoes are a good plan. But when it’s break time, and I am enjoying some music, I want to be barefoot. But there’s been rain in the forecast off and on, so…
Lest, I forget, we’ve got our Rothbury section set up now at woodtv.com. We’re hoping to give you a good feel of what’s going on all over the festival grounds, and not just musically. So if you can’t make it, or you want to see what you’re missing, this is the place you’ll want to be.
Anyway, share your tips. Lord knows I need them. And feel free to say hi. I’ll typically be hanging back by the soundboard, likely easy to spot – just look for the tired, malnourished, barefoot guy holding his tennis shoes.
Tags: camping, packing, rothbury, woodtv.com
Glad to see Umphrey's McGee and Keller Williams added to the
The water bottle is a good start. You may want to take some water to put in it. I like the BIG water jugs. You can get ‘em at the grocery store. You can use them to fill up your bottle and to brush teeth, wash up, etc.
As far as food goes, that is really personal preference. If you don’t mind cooking (which I do mind), take along a little stove or pre-make some sandwiches or whatever you like. You will definitely need a cooler to keep your drinks/cold food, well, cold. If you don’t like to cook, wash the dishes, etc, you can just take a few snacks (i take trail mix, chips and dip) and then buy whatever else you eat from the vendors. The vendor food is fairly reasonable. It may be $5 a burrito, but it will be an amazingly good giant burrito.
Take both pairs of shoes. I always take a few different ones. You’ll be prepared for whatever weather comes your way and if you get blisters in one pair, you can switch to another or go barefoot.
You probably need to bring a chair and maybe some sort of shade too. I hope this helps.
Twitter: @tiffanydelane
Give me your ticket…You have no survival skills and don’t deserve it!!!…
you need to find your self a good woman
Luckily, I do have a good woman – she’ll be staying home with our 13-month old
Thanks to those of you who’ve been helpful!
Why not hire a babysitter or take the baby to grams and gramps.
TAKE THE WIFE TO THE CONCERT.
A pillow just in case you get some sleep. Bug spray the critters will be looking for a free meal. Sun tan lotion in case the sun is out. Toilet paper, you never have enough. And my daughter says peanut butter and bread, just in case, you never know when you will need something to eat. Enjoy the concert.
Sun can be brutal. Bring lots of water (drink it!), sunglasses, sunscreen (use it often!), wide brimmed hat, lightweight shirt that covers shoulders (the vented Columbia sport/fishing type shirts work great!), jeans, although a little warmer, will help keep the skeeters from sucking your blood dry! During the day, Croc-type shoes/sandals are great–LLBean has Coastal Clogs that work well for male/female more reasonably priced than Crocs, very comfortable, support, protection. Bandana ($1 @ Dollar Tree) works well as head cover, head band, dip in cold water, tie around neck to cool off, bring several. Weather can be very unpredictable, check forecast, can be 40’s-mid 90’s, often with high humidity, but can also be FABULOUS! Food: baggies of granola, cheese sticks in cooler, apples, baby carrots, nuts. As another suggested, bring your own TP; also, PB and bread is good snack. Avoid salty stuff–no pretzels, chips. Ice may be at a premium. Small, small town, few resources, 15 minute drive to next small town. Be courteous and respectful to the local folks if you want this festival to run again. This is a quiet peaceful area. We don’t mind company, just be a good neighbor. Pick up your own trash and pack it out. Like the Scouts–leave no trace. Ticks are already out this year–daughter picked one up this week. “Inspect” yourself daily–they often migrate to “private” areas, too. Look up how to correctly remove them so you don’t leave their heads behind in your skin. Use insect repellant. If you have time, check out some of the delightful local attractions: New Era–Country Dairy (best fresh milk and ice cream–heavenly, great pies and sticky buns), Trailside Inn–excellent turkey dinner platter and often fresh fruit shortcakes or pies; Rothbury–Morgan’s Kountry Kitchen, great food and prices; Montague–Villa Venafro–good Italian food and prices, soups, antipasti, entree’s, Daily Special is often good bet; Montague–Lipka’s Drugstore–great ice cream, old fashioned soda bar, sodas, sundaes, very family friendly, cute, also now offers sandwiches. Montague–Dog ‘n’ Suds with delicious coney dogs and root beer floats, Papa’s Pizza–forever good and classic, Gary’s Restaurant–excellent family dining, lots of choices. Of the eateries mentioned, only Venafro serves alcohol. Remember, it’s quiet in town, make a disturbance and you’ll get picked up–by the police. If you have time, in Montague, drive all the way out Old Channel Trail to Lau Rd to another public park–Medberry Park (maybe Medbury). It is right next to the White Lake Channel pier from White Lake into Lake Michigan. The views are spectacular! Sugar sand beaches. Beautiful! Cool, clean refreshing freshwater Lake Michigan–HUGE! A quaint view of the White Lake Lighthouse. Great fishing! It’s a beautiful area!
Definitely, bring you own toilet paper…Lysol disinfectant wipes may be a good idea. Ear plugs may help you sleep better. Bring plenty of water for your drinking, cooking and sponge bath. There are water stations at the fest site, but you may have to walk a ways for it
Last year I brought way too much food. This year, I will bring food for breakfast and have plenty of healthy snacks throughout the day. Then use the vendors for dinner.
As others have said…wide brimmed hat, sun screen and bug spray. Though last year I wasn’t bothered by a single bug, I’ll bring it anyway.
Bring a large wide bucket, like an ice bucket for beer and pop, for standing and bathing, washing dishes, etc. Disinfectant wipes are very helpful when cooking at camp. LOTS of water – large 2.5 gallon jugs are cheap and go a long way. Bring a towel to cover your cooler, your ice will last a lot longer. Garbage bags / Shade umbrella or hat / hand sanitizer / sunscreen / bug spray (though last year the bugs weren’t bad at all) / blanket for sitting and watching bands / sandals and sneakers. Best foods from last year at camp were pre-washed green grapes and apples, and pre-made (at home) tuna salad. Very quick, cold, and oh-so-good. Mac & Cheese (easy) or any pasta. A lot of dinners I ate inside the venues. It’s a long haul back to camp, you’re not going to want to hike all the way back to eat. Make sure you have a backpack for warm clothes if you go to the festival grounds during the day when it’s hot – much easier to throw on a sweater and jeans from your pack than heading all the way back to your tent come sundown. Flashlight – it gets very dark in Sherwood and in the camp area.
Take toilet paper, just in case. Bungie cords usually come in handy. A rain poncho is a must. Sunscreen and insect repellent supplies are always good things to have along. The best recipe I have is to take aluminum foil (heavy) and place ground chuck, chopped onions, potatoes, carrots, tomatoes, and some favorite spices (salt/pepper) and wrap them up well with two or three layers of the foil; place into the camp fire coals for a good while (over 30 minutes), turn over and continue to cook for 15 more minutes and you have a yummy meal with little work. I learned this in scouting. Don’t forget your favorite pillow.
Forgot to mention, Gold Bond Body Powder. You can avoid a discomforting festy experience by keeping your “man parts” and inner thighs cool and dry.
carbolic soap to wash with – keeps the bugs off and is a natural deodorizer. DO NOT WEAR FLIP FLOPS. You will be hobbled quickly, wear something with a strap across the back of your ankles. Stash some TP somewhere on your person at all times. A little flashlight on a key chain – essential for checking dirty portas in the middle of the night. 2 pairs of sunglasses – you will leave them somewhere stupid so you’re going to want a back up pair. Wellies or something for when it rains. Socks for the Wellies. SUNSCREEN. Earplugs and sleep meds for the long nights, and a sleep mask. Second the gold bond. We never take much food – takes up a lot of room and the concessions are open late/early and fairly reasonable.
Some of the posh things I’m bringing because I don’t have to travel so far – shower tent with two shower bags. Solar panel and battery pack. My own porta potty with gel bags. EZup with fairy lights. A few lanterns. Rolly cart for trucking water and ice from the trucks to the camp site.
I’m really curious about the “solar panel and battery pack”. I’m an audio taper as a hobby, and have a nice supply of rechargeable batteries all ready and charged for my recorder – but the thought had crossed my mind to try and run it using solar, but I couldn’t find enough info.
What kind of things are you using solar for? I’m quite intrigued…
Killer advice in these posts. TP is indeed a must. Last year, they were REALLY GOOD about cleaning the port-a-john twice a day, and in the morning, they’ll have TP (and good TP at that!). However, at night, YOU ARE ON YOUR OWN. Above all, DO NOT FORGET A HEADLAMP. The only thing worse than seeing the nastiness that may be lurking in a port-a-john, is NOT seeing it.
Sandals, or anything with a piece of plastic that goes between your toes, are a deathtrap. I’m gonna wear my chacos during the day, and my Merrells at night. I think Merrell even has a booth set up, so maybe I’ll score some free swag like last year.
As far as sleeping is concerned, there is NEVER not music playing–it’s always coming from somewhere. By the end of the day though, you’re so exhausted, it usually just becomes white noise and you sleep pretty well. If you’re worried, bring earplugs.
Gold bond powder is a MUST. I recommend baby wipes too, if you don’t feel like paying for a shower. Swamp butt is no laughing matter.
There’s so much more to be discussed, but I’m sure it’ll be covered. Above all, the most important things that I personally am bringing are glowsticks and a shark costume. I’ll see you at Sound Tribe.
Dave. We will be having 3 recess ares this year and yes there will be swag! Come visit us during your stay and enjoy playing outside games and earn some cool stuff.. Make sure you wear your Merrell’s when you visit!
Come visit the Merrell Recess areas when you are there. We will be having bicycles that act as chargers for your electronic items. Also wear your Merrells for comfort during the week!
If you’re a coffee drinker, take paraphernalia to make your own! I’m quite certain the only good coffee at Rothbury last year was at my campsite!
all good advice…my group has reservations so we can sleep and rest. make sure footware is broken in and extra socks! wet socks = blisters
Good home page. Also shown up correct in my new browser HandWeb.