Camping Journal

[NDJollyMon]

This is a tip I've always done:

We keep a CAMPING JOURNAL of our travels...

In my personal computer, I keep a Microsoft Word Document titled CAMPING JOURNAL right on the desktop. Each time we make a trip, I add to it. Just quick details on where, when, what happened, memorable things...
I add a photo or two right in the text. You can even have your kids write something they remember from the trip.

I can't tell you how many times I've referred back to it to find a campsite number that was great, or remember the last trip we made to a certain place...

I print off a page, each time I have a full one and add it to the 3 ring binder (with document protectors). We keep it in the trailer...and often read through our camping history and chuckle!

Here's an example of how mine reads:


June 18-20, 2005
The NORTH SHORE ADVENTURE!
Duluth Tent & Trailer Camp, Duluth, MN
Spot # 32 (interior) & #3 (lakeside)

We took off on a Saturday, just the two of us. Headed for the North Shore of Lake Superior for some R&R. Stopped at this place for a night, and liked it. We stayed 2 more nights, but moved to the front overlooking Lake Superior. We used this as home base, and drove up the shoreline each day. We toured the Split Rock Lighthouse, hiked around the waterfalls at Gooseberry Falls State Park, and spent a day in Two Harbors, MN. We spent some time walking the gift shops in Two Harbors, and on Scenic Highway 61. We came face to face with a big deer on the trail at Gooseberry.

At night, the full moon was rising over Lake Superior. It was really nice seeing the reflecting moon and hearing the crash of the waves. Site #3 overlooked the lake. (Scenic 61 was between us) Had a little rain, which ruined my bike speedometer, but the weather was nice for the most part. Very few bugs. As we pulled out of Duluth, we stopped and had lunch with my Aunt and Uncle. We lunched with them at place called The Drydock, and went to their house for desert, and some talk. They have a beautiful view from the house. We ventured further South, to stay at Grand Casino Hinckley few days... (here is where a picture or two would be inserted)

You can add any info in the title you think is relavant....like:

Price
GPS coordinates
Miles traveled
Hookup info
Phone numbers/websites

It really does make a nice memento of your travels.
Enjoy!

[Radio]

back in the good old backpacking days I kept a tiny ring bound notebook on a pocket that rode on my left shoulder strap on the pack. I'd jot all sorts of stuff in there, what I had learned about cooking a certian thing, or what I'd like to try next time I cooked it. Anything I wanted to remember to make the next trip just a little bit better.

I like paper logbooks. You can draw pictures, make lists, write comments, and by the time my Win2K OS has booted, what with all the anti virus and all that running, I would have forgotten what it was I wanted to write anyway!

Radio

[Oakman]

I do basically the same. I like to include a photo of the actual campsite I'm in also. It helps jog my old memory.

On our long trips I actually do a daily log of our activities and take even the most mundane photos. Even a photo of just sitting under the awning at the site most of the day can bring back fond memories. When we get back I put together a photojournal of our trip. During the winter months I look at these journals often.

[rthrbelsewhere]

Here's what we've been using the last couple of years.
Nice little journal:

http://www.hellotraveler.com/detail....amping-Journal

[NDJollyMon]

Very nice!

For computer savvy folks....I bet a CAMPING BLOG would be good. You can start a free one. I like www.blogger.com

[Bikerhen]

What a wonderful idea! I hadn't got that far in documenting our trips as we have just come back to camping after being away from it a number of years. I am going to set that up today and make some notes, before the details become foggy.
I currently maintain a blog and added a camping entry last week, from our trip to the International Plowing Match in Teeswater, Ontario. Over 2000 RV's in the RV city.. what an amazing experience.
http://www.bikerhen.blogspot.com

Thanks for outlining how you document your adventures, everyone.
Dot