Fall 2020 is Panhandle season for My Exquisite Florida! We’ve just returned from a four night trip camping in our pop-up at a private campground in Port St. Joe, and in a couple of weeks I’ll be leaving for a two week romp based out of a tent in two different state parks. While we were packing up for this short trip, I thought to myself – yet again – how nice it would be to have a checklist so that nothing is forgotten. You’ll find that list at the end of this article — well, no, actually, you won’t find a checklist. It’s more a list of things for you to think about so that you can create your own checklist, because it will be your trip you’ll be packing for, not mine!
It has been quite a while since we used the pop-up, and so we set it up a week in advance to make sure the A/C worked (this is the most important factor for Steve!) and that we had everything we’d need for our four nights away from home. Each time we use the pop-up, we make an improvement to our kit, so each time our trip is a bit more pleasant, a bit more effortless. For this trip, we added a BAL Light Trailer Leveler. Leveling the pop-up from front to back is very easy using the tongue jack, but we have never leveled it from side to side before. I’m here to tell you, the BAL leveler makes it easy, and I sleep much better when my head is at the same level as my feet. We also added a folding 6-foot table. I am so glad we did! The extra space was really nice! We used the picnic table provided by the campground for eating and our folding table for food prep and clean-up.
One of my favorite parts of camping is cooking on our Coleman stove. We’ve recently replaced the gas stove with a propane stove, and I’ve got to say. . .that thing heats up FAST! I will never part with my gas stoves (I actually own 3), but I’ll be packing the propane stove from now on. It eliminates pumping up the tank to build pressure and fiddling with the lighting lever. With this one, you screw on a small propane tank, turn it on, light the burner, and away you go. It also seems to heat more efficiently – I had to keep turning the burner down to make sure dinner heated without burning.
For this trip, I planned a menu in advance and did my cooking at home. I knew that we’d be worn out after full days of kayaking and hiking, and I thought it would be nice to have home-cooked meals that I could simply reheat. For the first night, we had planned to grill white pizza (using naan), but when we arrived, there was only a community grill, not individual grills on each campsite. Because we were still unpacking and it was getting late, we decided to griddle-grill sandwiches for dinner instead. Grilled ham for Steve and grilled pimento cheese for me — simple, filling, and tasty! We never did make the pizzas, and we are looking at a portable x-style grill for the pop-up.
- 2 coolers: 1 for food, 1 for drinks and extra ice. This is really not necessary, except that I really like my drinks iced well. Cold is not enough for me…there must be ice, and lots of it, in my glass!
- Food: Do you prefer to cook at your campsite or eat out? Do you want to cook from scratch or bring meals that you’ve prepared at home? Are you a simple eater or do you like to go all out when you’re camping? Make sure you have what you need when you arrive at your campsite, because shopping at camp stores can be expensive. Don’t forget things like salt and pepper, creamer and sweetener if you’re a coffee drinker, marshmallows if you’re a hot chocolate drinker…
- Water filter: You might want to bring a short line of hose with an inline water filter. Or a Brita-style filter. Please do not buy bottled water.
- Portable toilet, chemicals, toilet paper: we really like this for midnight potty needs. We did not use it on this trip because the campsites were close together and afforded no privacy, but where we can arrange privacy it is wonderful to be able to stay on our site instead of having to schlep to the bathhouse in the middle of the night.
- Pots, pans, utensils: Every family will have different needs in this area; I’d suggest staging each meal to make sure you will have the tools you need. Don’t forget things like tongs and spatulas! But also try to select items that will serve more than one purpose. For example, I use a small saucepan instead of a kettle because it is more versatile, and I use my tongs for stirring in addition to lifting.
- Plates: I bought a set of bowls that can be covered by their matching plates. It seemed like a good idea at the time, and I will continue to use them, but I’m adding an extra set of mugs for breakfast oatmeal because the bowls are so large.
- BAL Leveler (permanently stored in pop-up)
- Stabilizing Jacks (permanently stored in pop-up)
- Ground Covers: (permanently stored in pop-up, but this may change) We found ours at Aldi; they were very inexpensive. I did not think they would work to keep sand and dirt out of the pop-up but I was wrong! I loved the result! We only used one although because they were so inexpensive we bought 2. Next time I may use one under the picnic table.
- Canopy: On this trip, we could not get the canopy fully extended, so we did not use it. It was sorely missed on the second day of our trip when we ate breakfast in a mild drizzle. I have another canopy that is pretty reliable and you can bet it will accompany me in the future. Canopies are nice for shade as well as protection from the rain. It also sort of visually delineates your space and creates a separate “room” for you.
- Bedding: permanently stored in pop-up. Although we have a luxurious blanket, we will probably add a thermal blanket since we woke up to unexpectedly chilly weather during this trip.
- Sunscreen and insect repellent: these are mandatory on ANY Florida trip! This time I made my own insect repellent with Florida beautyberry, but we never needed to use it. I can’t wait to try it out.
- Toiletry bag: This is another item that will differ from person to person. Mine includes toothbrush in a holder, toothpaste, floss, mouthwash, soap/shampoo bar, conditioner, lotion, Q-Tips, hair bands, antiperspirant, comb and brush. I no longer need tampons but those were once an important part of my bag. I don’t dry my hair when camping; I just put it in a pony and off I go. Don’t forget towels!
- Clothes: Another highly personalized area. I pack a change of underwear and socks for every day. Usually one shorts/pants less than the number of days we’ll be away, and one top more than the number of days we’ll be away. Next time I am adding a long-sleeved t-shirt and sweatshirt-hoodie. I also bring more bathing suits than any normal person needs because I live in them. You may need belts, jammies…you do you. Just think it through. Do you camp in a northern clime? Jackets, gloves, and hats might be necessities.
- Shoes: I have my hiking boots, kayak shoes, sandals, and a pair of walking shoes/sneakers. It seems ridiculous to take so many shoes but a girl’s gotta do what a girl’s gotta do.
- Mobile devices and cameras: I am helpless without my phone, so I pack a ridiculous amount of converters and chargers to make sure I can always check in! Chargers for the car, chargers for the pop-up, chargers with multiple plugs. . .and my camera battery requires its own charger, as does my fitness tracker. So much for unplugging!
- Lantern/flashlights/headlamps: I prefer my Coleman gas lantern to the Coleman propane lantern, but again, you do you. We used to have some magnetic lights that look just like an on-off switch, but the batteries died in storage, so we used a mini flashlight for light in the pop-up. We also have a battery operated lantern that has two different light modes. I had packed headlamps because they are nice to have in the early morning when you don’t want to light up everyone’s morning before the sun is up, but we did not use them on this trip. I’m a very early riser when camping, so I’ll always have one with me.
- You’ll want a laundry bag.
- Do you want to take an umbrella or rain poncho? Having the proper wet weather gear can really increase your enjoyment of your trip.
- Do you regularly take prescriptions or supplements?
- Emergency Contact: you’ll want to have an emergency contact person at home. Carry that information with you at all times. Also leave a copy behind in your tent or camper. Leave a copy in the car, too.
- Insurance information
- Travel documents
We hope this has helped spur your thoughts as you prepare your own checklist. You can purchase checklists on-line, but I honestly think everyone’s list should be individualized. Each family has its own preferences and opinions about what’s a necessity and what’s a luxury, after all.
What’s on YOUR list? What have I forgotten here? I’ll be packing again in a couple of weeks so your suggestions may be just