While we don't have a polar vortex outside, it's still been chilly at night--usually about 30-35 degrees. Since this is much colder than we've ever gone camping in with the kids, it's been hard to get my nerve up and give camping a go. It's especially frustrating because the afternoons have been so beautiful and warm about 65 degrees. Big Brother was actually the one who thought backyard camping would be fun--"I know where we can camp AND had a bathroom!" This actually sounded like a great idea because if we realized our gear wasn't up to the weather, I'd rather be 50 feet from the backdoor and not 50 miles. So yesterday at dusk, we set up the big tent (our 4 person one as opposed to our 2 person Hubba Hubba).  

We are borrowing a Thermarest from my mom, who actually doesn't remember that it's hers at this point, and I have an older 3/4 length one from over 10 years ago that was a gift. A few years ago, I picked up one on my own at an REI sale but it got a burn hole on one of it's first trips out when Jose took it to BeerFest. I tried patching it once but used the wrong material that turned out to be porous. On our trip to REI yesterday, I picked up some specific Thermarest patches but it hadn't dried in time for us to head outside (*update on the patching--the kit has, so far, been useless. The patch curls up around the edges and the glue gets everywhere. I'm on my third attempt and it's involving duct tape). Instead, I brought out our  two newer Cat's Meow sleeping bags to use as a mat for me and I slept in my older (12 years) Cat's Meow. The boys both had their wonderful Deuter Little Star and Starlight bags, Big Brother on the longer mat and Little Brother on the shorter. 

The boys were thrilled to be outside in their sleeping bags and for a few minutes, this is what it looked like inside the tent: 

But then they quickly calmed down to this: 

And within about five minutes, they were silent. I was so proud! I, however, lay awake until about midnight. I was surprisingly comfortable because I had my cheapo airline u-shaped pillow that I picked up on my way to somewhere and have hated carting around ever since. This might actually work out well as a camping pillow. I was hyperaware of every movement and noise the boys made. I worried about them being too cold or uncomfortable or having to wake up to pee as the temperature dropped. When I checked my phone around 11:30pm, it said it was still 50 degrees but about to get to 36 within the next few hours. 

I tossed and turned, Little Brother fussed in his sleep a few times, Big Brother was silent. At some point, Little Brother sat up and said "Mama, I'm cold" so I scooped him up into my bag and took over his 3/4 Thermarest. The sleeping pad made a HUGE difference in my warmth. The sleeping bags just didn't cut it as insulation. Since we had the extra bags, I used them as additional warmth because Little Brother was flailing around in my bag and it was difficult to keep us both covered. An extra bonus was when Little Brother's diaper leaked and he ended up soaked. I took his pajama bottoms off and kept the diaper because I didn't have an extra in the tent. Big Brother, on the other hand, stayed snug in his bag, he never woke up except once to pee, and he never complained.


Of course, Little Brother was the first to wake up around 7am with a loud "IT'S MORNING NOW!" Big Brother stayed cuddled up inside is bag but awoke with a smile. We didn't stay in the tent long, it was nice to run back to the house for a warm breakfast and the heater. This was the perfect way to figure out what we still need to be happy campers. I was surprised at how comfortable we all seemed, however I don't think we can try to share two pads for the three of us longterm. The pillow is coming with me camping forever now. I'm also rethinking my original plan of using the smaller tent and stuffing us inside instead of carrying the extra weight for more room. The morning was pretty foggy and the bags that had been touching the tent walls were soaked. I realized that if we want to bring our gear inside during our tent AND be comfortable, the Hubba Hubba isn't going to work. Also, I don't plan on bringing three sleeping bags just for myself but I'll be using one of the newer bags because the older one has been pretty compressed and probably isn't as warm anymore. It will be good to have warmer nights during our Whine & Chocolate epic bike adventure. 

I just asked Big Brother what he thought about camping and he did say that he was "sad that no one was cuddling" him and that he had been cold but when I asked if he wanted to camp out again tonight he lit up and said "YES!" Pretty soon, we're going to be pros! Next step will be how to fit all this stuff on the Mundo and keep it upright! Even though I didn't get much sleep last night, I'm surprised that I'm not actually tired (I think I'm usually more tired and sore when I sleep inside). We'll see how it lasts throughout the day it's probably good that we're having a quiet day anyway. 

My big goal this year is to go on our Whine & Chocolate epic bike adventure in summer--Eugene to Vancouver with a side trip to Victoria. We'll be moving slowly with low-mileage days and plenty of rest days and detours. However, it will be quite a trying journey both as a solo parent for many weeks (although we won't be alone for much, if any of the time) and constant every day riding with kiddos in unfamiliar territory.

To help minimize the shock of the trip, we are continuing to practice with overnights as often as we can. I want to make sure our gear is useable and functional, that we're not over- or under-packed, and that we know our limits. I'm only planning 30-40 mile days but with a loaded bike and kids, it could sometimes feel like a double century.

One way I plan to practice touring is by having our bike "kit" packed at all times and ready to roll at a moments notice. We have most of the gear we'll need but are still looking into a few things such as a sleeping pad solution for the boys, cookwear, and wool clothing for me. I have come up with a list of things to gather. Let me know what you think and if there's anything I'm missing or you think is superfluous.

Whine & Chocolate epic bike adventure gear list (edited additions in italics):



Clothing:

Me--tights, pants, skirt, short sleeve, long sleeve, 2 socks, jacket, gloves, gaiter, hat, rain gear, off-the-bike shoes

Boys--thermals, shorts, long & short sleeves, jacket, gloves, gaiter, hat, rain gear, sunglasses, off-the-bike shoes



Kitchen:

Bowl, mug, spork each, knife, wooden spoon, ladle, cutting board, 2 pots, skillet, stove, gas, windblock, lighters, towels, spices, oil, baggies, foil, food stuffs, scrubbie, Hydroflask & Klean Kanteen bottles, cloth produce bags



Toiletries:

Toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, Dr Bronners soap, sun block, Chapstick, hair ties, pStyle-like device, bug spray, baby wipes, towel



Electronics:

Phone, charger, lights, light charger, batteries, headlamp



Tools:

Multitool, pump, tubes, duct tape, zip ties, oil, wrench, patch kit, chain tool, lock, tie downs/bungees



First aid:

Band aids, ice pack, tweezers, scissors, gauze, bandages, aspirin, kid pills, thermometer, nail clippers, Rescue Remedy, antihistamine, Traumeel



Sleeping:

Sleeping bags, pads, tent, pillow for me



Toys:

Books, dinosaurs, Star Wars toys/cars/something little that they can play with for hours, notebook, color pencils/pens



Food:

TBD although lots of chocolate is a given!