Livin in a tent

[Ms.Frizzle]

ROFLCOPTER! Thanks for all the stories guys, I had fun reading them, and sharing them with my peeps. And thanks for the tips too, I'd rather know what to expect than be surprised later!

 

[PineappleMama]

We had a blast camping this weekend (campsites had fire ring, covered picnic table, bbq grill, electric and water so not exactly roughing it) and me and DH were talking and I said "Good to know that if we ever remodeled or something that we could hack, even enjoy, camping until we were back under a roof.

You should keep a journal of that month... be something really nifty to pull out in ten or twenty years.

 

[StupidBird]

Sounds like an excellent situation. Having spent a few summers in BSA camps, here are a few ideas:

The tent - as big as you can, since you're not moving it. About a foot above the rainfly, rig a blue tarp to block the sun - it will stay a bit cooler, last a little longer, and cut some of the summer storms. A scrap of carpet at the door to wipe feet, remove shoes. Keep boots and shoes out of the tent, makes the floor last longer. Of course, don't set up where water will puddle! If using an older tent and you think the floor leaks, add a plastic sheet that is bigger than the floor to make a water proof bowl out of the bottom of your tent. Another option is to set up tent on a platform of pallets. A bigger scrap of carpet under the tent over the pallets makes more comfy. If using a cot, pad the floor under the cot legs if the tent has a fabric floor.

One or two solid footlocker type bins - check seals. Moisture and bug proof, and a clasp/lock to keep out interested parties - many clever tree rats, mice, etc....even if you never put food in there.

Bugs. If you find a really cheapo mosquito net army surplus style, wrap the bed up and the breezes can blow through the open tent without being awake all night being eaten alive.

Don't be too surprised at all the things that show up to investigate: I've met a deer mouse, raccoon, random dogs, a skunk. And lots and lots of spiders. Probably slept through others.

The journal is an Excellent Idea!

 

[lone oak]

we camped in our yard for over two months with 3 kids in feb and march. ordered new mobile home, when it was due to be here in three days old mobile home left, it rained and the ground got real soft so the new home sat stuck in the neighboors yard for over two months. things became real simple and i found i had lots of time on my hands so i built a place to cook out of blocks that was left from old home being moved, found a old tub and hung sheets around it and heated water on my block stove". just reverted back to ways people use to do things...i cooked, washed clothes, everything outside and sat and looked at my new home sitting in the mud and kept thinking we were going to camp for just three days to a week..how hard could it be.

 

[theghostandmrchicken]

Make sure you have a few tarps to keep the sun from beating on it and the rain off.

I know tents have a rain tarp, but once you scratch the fiber the water will leak through.

 

[dewey]

Quote:
Wow, that's just incredible. You should write a book about the experience. Really you should.

OP, I've camped a lot with just a bedroll but never lived in a tent (although I've lived in RV's that weren't much bigger, lol). If I was going to be using a tent as a bedroom for a long time, a decent air mattress and a foam topper would be on my list of must haves.

And I wouldn't watch any scary movies.

 

[homemakerjulie]

We have lived as hobo's a few times. For about two months in a small tent, and then inbetween places again in a tent, but only for about 2 weeks. And you can get internet in a tent

, on your phone, or if you happen to be close enough to a house with wifi that isn't password protected, or at like McDonald's!

We have lived semi hobo/hobo for a total of about 1 and a half years over the last five years. We are more settled now. It's nice, but the hobo life is so very simple, you can't get lost in the trappings of modern life, it's nice, and simple. Sometimes I miss it, other times I really enjoy my A/C

.

Julie

 

[CoyoteMagic]

Yup! Just me an my dog. We were homeless living in nowhere AZ. I had a part-time job at a convience store. She kept the coyotes away from our tent at night even though she was terrified of the dark. Lived there for about 6months, until it started to turn really cold.

Just make sure you can move indoors during periods of heavy rain and storms.

 

[Ms.Frizzle]

Yeah, the reason I'm going to be outside the majority of the time is because my friend's parents are doing remodeling on the house, and there is simply no place for me to really live. I get food and a bathroom to use though. : ) I wish I could bring my dog, but since I'll be working a lot, it wouldn't be fair for his parents to watch him all the time. Being that it is WI, rain is somthing I'll have to worry about.

 

[Boyd]

http://www.willyourememberme.com/yurtcamppage/foldingyurt.html

Check this out

I saw this and thought of your post here.