Campfire when alone

[Dakota 1120]

[QUOTE=camperwes413;2489147]

Originally Posted by Dakota 1120

In the 8 years had my camper ... a Toy Hauler, have never once built a campfire as no reason. The camper has an indoor double counter top burner, a convection microwave and an outdoor propane grill.

No logical reason to build a campfire.

[/QUOT

You can have it your way. But a campfire is an awesome part of camping. Get out and sit OUTSIDE.

Just do many other things outside but campfires are not my thing - if you like it - go for it.

[Daebado]

Originally Posted by GL1800Rider

Having a campfire is a great way to get people to stop by your site and say hello, especially if you have a dog. It kind of says Welcome.

I always find it interesting how different we all are. Some camp to be social while others (like my wife and I) camp to get the heck away from everyone and everything!
We want to be as far away from people as we can get. We don't watch TV and leave the electronics off for the most part.

Oh, and the campfire is a huge part of the experience for us. I would build one whether with her or alone. It's one of the reasons I camp!

[5picker]

Originally Posted by timfromma

Not a fan of campfires. They are a PITA. Lighting them, keeping them going, making my clothes reek of smoke, and forcing me to stay outside until it goes out.



I carry small tiki torches filled with citronella oil and use those instead. They're easy to light, put off a nice glow, keep the bugs away, don't stink and can be instantly extinguished when I'm ready to go inside.

Everyone has something.
You don't like the smell of smoke.

My 1st wife had asthmatic reactions to citronella.
We were camped next to a family once with about 10 tiki torches filled with citronella burning all around their campsite and wound up taking her to the hospital. Later asthma tests showed she was highly reactive to citronella.

Ironically, campfire smoke didn't bother her, go figure!

What one person doesn't smell another does and each reacts differently.
You never know...

[oxcamper]

Originally Posted by Letarae

This doesn't really have anything to do with our trailers but I was wondering. For those that camp alone, do you build a fire at night? I sometimes camp alone and will sometimes build a small fire.

I thought I'd do a small survey. Thanks for your input.

YEP!

[NMWildcat]

My wife is the official 'fire tender'. I start it, she tends it with her custom made fire poker made from rebar and horseshoes. We have a fire pit made from an old washer tub. My family has large pecan orchards so we always have good hardwood to burn.
We consider ourselves to be alone when it is just her and I, and we do have a fire every night when permissable.

[SKND]

Originally Posted by Letarae

This doesn't really have anything to do with our trailers but I was wondering. For those that camp alone, do you build a fire at night? I sometimes camp alone and will sometimes build a small fire.

I thought I'd do a small survey. Thanks for your input.

Interesting posts. Thanks for the question.
I agree with one of the other comments. There is something primal about
watching a campfire. I think it's part of our dna.

[Relaxin in the woods]

Fire goooood.

[NJKris]

Originally Posted by Relaxin in the woods

Fire goooood.

Hah! That was great!

[NJKris]

Originally Posted by NMWildcat

My wife is the official 'fire tender'. I start it, she tends it with her custom made fire poker made from rebar and horseshoes. We have a fire pit made from an old washer tub. My family has large pecan orchards so we always have good hardwood to burn.
We consider ourselves to be alone when it is just her and I, and we do have a fire every night when permissable.

Man, that pecan wood must smell so good!!! One of my favorite meat smoking woods.

[Relaxin in the woods]

One late afternoon some years ago we were in a state park in NY that got a lot of first time campers from the city. My 4 year old daughter was playing with a 4 year old from one of those families, and when she saw the parents were having a problem with their fire she cheerfully built one and lit it for them. We only heard about it when she came running back to our site to get the lighter and fluid.

Now she's a teenager who gazes into her iPhone, but she'll be back when she grows up.

[Old School Rob]

Every time I go camping, I have a fire. Doesn’t matter if I’m with a group, or by myself. A fire and a cocktail are the perfect end to the day.

[Brother Les]

camped several times by myself when the DW had to work.
Every time I built a fire in the evening, it would seem that the neighbors would come over and join me to fellowship. Be a friend and it is easy to make friends.

[Jay2504]

I have a fire whenever possible. Alone or not. We got a propane fire pit that is perfect for long trips. For shorter, local trips I always take wood. Jay

[pgandw]

Usually not when I'm camping alone. I'm usually too tired in the evening from the day's activities when by myself. But we always have a campfire - conditions permitting - when DW is with me. She loves to poke the fire, and keeping her happy is important.

In Colorado, we average not being able to have a fire about 50% of the time. So I bought her a propane fire pit. She refused to use it because there was no playing with the fire to do. So I just make sure we have firewood and starter available, and am up to date on the day's fire regulations.

Fred W

[BehindBars]

Originally Posted by pgandw

Usually not when I'm camping alone. I'm usually too tired in the evening from the day's activities when by myself. But we always have a campfire - conditions permitting - when DW is with me. She loves to poke the fire, and keeping her happy is important.

In Colorado, we average not being able to have a fire about 50% of the time. So I bought her a propane fire pit. She refused to use it because there was no playing with the fire to do. So I just make sure we have firewood and starter available, and am up to date on the day's fire regulations.

Fred W

I understand your wife’s refusal to use a propane fire pit.

I derive pleasure from the wood fire experience. It’s not about “playing” in the fire, there is a constant mental, strategic activity in maintaining the fire, like spotting air flow problems, rearranging logs for the correct air gap to improve combustion, making sure no orphan logs lie outside the main heat circle, etc. The fire takes on a life, too, from infancy, on to the most productive hours, them to old age and death. Well maintained fires made with good firewood don’t smoke (much). A propane fire might offer warmth, but for me it would be no more interesting than watching a fire on a television.

[5picker]

Originally Posted by BehindBars

I understand your wife’s refusal to use a propane fire pit.

I derive pleasure from the wood fire experience. It’s not about “playing” in the fire, there is a constant mental, strategic activity in maintaining the fire, like spotting air flow problems, rearranging logs for the correct air gap to improve combustion, making sure no orphan logs lie outside the main heat circle, etc. The fire takes on a life, too, from infancy, on to the most productive hours, them to old age and death. Well maintained fires made with good firewood don’t smoke (much). A propane fire might offer warmth, but for me it would be no more interesting than watching a fire on a television.

This is another topic that everyone has 'their' thing.

In 50+ years of camping, we ALWAYS have/had fires.
As the firewood became more regulated and my back got older, we decided to purchase a LP firepit a couple years ago and give it a whirl. (see my earlier post in this thread for a photo)

I was somewhat skeptical at first as I was always the fire starter/tender but I must admit, once the lava rock gets glowing red and the flames get to 'licking' each other as they swirl around the bowl, it is just as mesmerizing as the wood fire and there is zero effort. More time for this...

WAY better than watching on tv!

As an example... we had a BIG day yesterday away from the R/V and got back just aafter dusk. We were tired but wanted a nightcap and a little relaxation/unwinding before turning in for the evening. I turned on the LP, clicked the igniter and Wala!
Had a drink in my hand in 3 minutes, watched the fire for about an hour and we were both mesmerized into la-la land. I turned off the knob and went to bed. No fuss-no muss and goodnight!

[Jaymax]

Oh yeah....I always have to have a fire whenever possible.

[MaineCampingFan]

Yes, absolutely. Along with a Captain Morgan's Special on ice. Look....I didn't split, stack, season and haul that wood for nothing!

[NMWildcat]

Originally Posted by NJKris

Man, that pecan wood must smell so good!!! One of my favorite meat smoking woods.

What I find funny is using actual pecan wood, there isn't a distinct odor like there is with wood chips and pellets used for smokers. Go figure! Maybe our trees here in NM are just boring

[aceinspp]

Originally Posted by 5picker

This is another topic that everyone has 'their' thing.

In 50+ years of camping, we ALWAYS have/had fires.
As the firewood became more regulated and my back got older, we decided to purchase a LP firepit a couple years ago and give it a whirl. (see my earlier post in this thread for a photo)

I was somewhat skeptical at first as I was always the fire starter/tender but I must admit, once the lava rock gets glowing red and the flames get to 'licking' each other as they swirl around the bowl, it is just as mesmerizing as the wood fire and there is zero effort. More time for this...


WAY better than watching on tv!

X 2 just got love it. Later RJD