Hey Mellow (or anyone else) :)

[STScott]

Seeing as I am brand spanking new to camping I need some (lots) of advice....I am heading down to Corpus for a TWT Pie Run in March and am leaning towards staying at a KOA for a couple of days (want to do some sight seeing).

I have a tent but need a sleeping bag and pad.....any recomendations would be much appreciated....both on the sleeping stuff or places to camp in that area.

Thanks,

Scott

[motomac]

Scott, check out motocampers.com. A lot of us are on that board also and there are many threads on sleeping bags and pads.

[Mellow]

Seeing as I am brand spanking new to camping I need some (lots) of advice....I am heading down to Corpus for a TWT Pie Run in March and am leaning towards staying at a KOA for a couple of days (want to do some sight seeing).

I have a tent but need a sleeping bag and pad.....any recomendations would be much appreciated....both on the sleeping stuff or places to camp in that area.

Thanks,

Scott

Yo Scott...

go to campmor.com, lots of stuff there. I'd get at least a 20 degree down sleeping bag, will be warm and pack small.

Then, go to walmart and get a small air mattress there or Sevylor one that has been discussed here and at motocampers is a good one.

Are you planning on going to the 2/2 campout at Lake Tawakoni State Park? Even if you don't camp there, you'll be able to see a lot of different gear.

[Rick Gibson]

The cowboys just used their saddle for a pillow and layed on the dirt.:D

[Lost Dutchman]

I tried that - burnt the back of my head on the muffler:p:

[STScott]

Yo Scott...

Are you planning on going to the 2/2 campout at Lake Tawakoni State Park? Even if you don't camp there, you'll be able to see a lot of different gear.

I would like to but right now I am working weekends (Thu-Sat 6a-6p, every other Sunday 6a-2p) so I will be at work.

[uptoblackwood]

Seeing as I am brand spanking new to camping I need some (lots) of advice....I am heading down to Corpus for a TWT Pie Run in March and am leaning towards staying at a KOA for a couple of days (want to do some sight seeing).

I have a tent but need a sleeping bag and pad.....any recomendations would be much appreciated....both on the sleeping stuff or places to camp in that area.

Thanks,

Scott
Scott,

I just did the Corpus Christi area over New Years....

Here's the thread with images:

http://www.st-owners.com/forums/showthread.php?t=33550

Forest

[STScott]

Scott,

I just did the Corpus Christi area over New Years....

Here's the thread with images:

http://www.st-owners.com/forums/showthread.php?t=33550

Forest

Cool!! I take it you would recommend this park over the KOA?

[uptoblackwood]

Scott,

There are quite a few state parks in that area. They all have nice facilities...but reserve a camp site in advance. The snow birds are in the area in force. Many campers, trailers and motor homes....

Parks...

More primative but nice on the beach:
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/findadest/parks/mustang_island/
http://www.wildtexas.com/parks/padre.php

Very close to town:
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/findadest/parks/lake_corpus_christi/

There are more....just use the Texas State park site and select the Corpus Christi area, or use the www.nps.gov site for National parks and monuments in the area.

Forest
Forest

[Mark]

If you're camping and you haven't before remember that many KOAs include breakfast... :)

Mark

[ParkerBill]

Seeing as I am brand spanking new to camping I need some (lots) of advice....I am heading down to Corpus for a TWT Pie Run in March and am leaning towards staying at a KOA for a couple of days (want to do some sight seeing).

I have a tent but need a sleeping bag and pad.....any recomendations would be much appreciated....both on the sleeping stuff or places to camp in that area.

Thanks,

Scott

I would highly reccommend one of the Therma-rest brands of self-inflating sleeping pads. They are more than just an air mattress (which by the way, do not insulate very well from the bottom) because they not only self-inflate, but also have an insulating component inside them, yet roll up fairly small (depending on the size you buy). I've used the standard model Therma-rest for years for camping, including winter and high-altitude mountaineering trips, and they work great.

I use The North Face (TNF) sleeping bags and I would reccommend a synthetic type of bag since down, while a bit warmer and more compressible (but not by much anymore--the synthetic bags have come a long way), is pretty much useless if it gets wet. Synthetic bags, even if wet, will still insulate you. As to temperature rating--well, that's a personal comfort level thing, but one tip, most brands tend to rate their bags as warmer than most of us find them to be. Another tip, if most of your camping is going to be in warmer climates consider getting a bag rated a bit less warm and carry a silk liner (adds about 10 dg) and/or carry a pair of synthetic long johns to stay warmer. Also, wear a watch cap or something on your head at night and you will stay warmer--lots of heat loss out the head.

The moto-camper forum has lots of great info on these things and many other camping related items.