camping/test run?

[JohnnyGutz]

I've got a bad bad itch to GET OUT into the world lol. This august I'll be alone for a month. i think that's the longest time ive ever been completely alone in my entire life. ( i really have no friends anymore and i live with my mom and shes going out of town to visit my sister for about 4 weeks. I'm going to go crazy lol. talk about codependent lol <br /><br />so i was thinking of taking a test run ...or maybe just a vacation? haha. but either way i think it would be a good test for myself to see where i'm at with the whole thing.. <br /><br />so i was going to go out and buy one of those truck tents because i have a truck and some awesome person suggested i give those a try as an alternative to selling my truck so i figured i could kill a few birds with one stone. i'll probably get the truck tent, a gallon or two of water. and food to last at least 2-3 days. a fishing pole. pack some clothes up. some blankets, some bug spray.a disposable camera&nbsp; and hit the road.. <br /><br /><br />Anyone up for a weekend getaway? i live near Chicago , i have to still think of where I'd like to go camp out at. ( i haven't gone camping , officially, since i was in boy scouts about 15 years ago. but i'm thinking somehwere in illinois or around wisconsin, indiania, michigan, somewhere within 3-5 hours of where i'm at now and preferably the nicest scenic location. (No i am not going to go camping in jellystone in the Wisconsin dells :| EVER AGAIN LOL ..bad memories there. ) so yeah.. if anyones interested in joining, and going to be or are in those areas. that would be cool. it'd be nice to have someone to share that with. as long as youre not insane or going to steal my stuff.&nbsp;<br /><br /> LOL i tried to post this and i got an error saying <br /><div class="errorMsg" style="text-align: left;" align="center">"<br />Error: You must remove the word "shit" before you can post this message."<br />because originally the word "stuff" was that word Bahahahaha but apparently posting it this way allows it to be in there.. anyway .. god i am easily amused. </div>

 

[katelyn]

http://www.fs.fed.us/recreation/map/state_list.shtml/<br /><br />don't forget to get your access pass, it's free and you might be able to use it at forest service parks/campgrounds for a discount

 

[VanTrekker]

<p>Hi!&nbsp; Do it!&nbsp; Get out of the house, go camping, and have a good time.&nbsp; You should make time to have fun.<br /><br />I know from experience that a break is good for you.&nbsp; I'm staying at my Dad's house (in his driveway).&nbsp; His health is getting worse and he's getting more dependent, confused, and sometimes mean.&nbsp; It wears me out, big time!&nbsp; A couple days away per week is a blessing for as long as&nbsp;it's possible.&nbsp; <br /><br />Enjoy the heck out of&nbsp;a little break.&nbsp;&nbsp;I hope nobody steals your stuff.&nbsp; With this group, at least we're trying to get rid out our stuff instead of accumulating more.&nbsp; *smile*&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <br /><br />The cuss word blocker&nbsp;must be a new feature.&nbsp; I thought I remembered swearing a little in the past but oh well... must have&nbsp;been in my own blog.&nbsp; I tried to post the sh**&nbsp;word and it wouldn't accept it.&nbsp; It didn't like the f word either.&nbsp;</p><p>Well, I hope nobody steals your "baktag"&nbsp; (prounced "Bock-Tog!"... That's Klingon for the "s.h.i..poop" word.&nbsp; There must be one of those darn Federation language translator algorithms in the forum software.... I didn't think they'd be invented till at least the 23th century.&nbsp; Let me check with the linguistics officer...&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <br /><br />Have a good one!<br /><br />"Van Trekker" aka Brad</p>

 

[Rollin]

I grew up in this area and used to love going there in the summer.&nbsp;<br /><br />http://www.nps.gov/indu/index.htm<br /><br />Make sure and visit Mt.&nbsp;Baldy<br /><br />Another cool place to check out in the same area.<br /><br />http://www.nps.gov/indu/planyourvisit/bcvc.htm<br /><br /><br />

 

[JohnnyGutz]

haha, i went to indiana dunes in boyscouts, its one of the last places i remember going with them actually. it was probably the coldest, windiest day ever too . we all took sleds out there.. half of us lost them. most of us werent prepared for that i dont think lol. but i tought about checking it out again when i considered this trip i want take <img src="/images/boards/smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle">

 

[Rollin]

Yeah it's a&nbsp;totally&nbsp;different place in the summer. Reminds me of the&nbsp;gulf&nbsp;of mexico.&nbsp;&nbsp;<br /><br />If you go that way make sure to steer clear of Gary, In.

 

[VanTrekker]

<p>ROFL...&nbsp; <br /><br />I'm seeing someone from Gary, Indiana right now and have been there&nbsp;a number of times... It&nbsp;can&nbsp;be&nbsp;a very&nbsp;rough town, particularly close to the expressway on both the north and south sides.&nbsp; It's a place where you do not want to street camp... <br /><br />On the upside, if you are passing through, check out Broadway Barbecue or King Gyros (both on Broadway Street).&nbsp; Both places have fantastic food but go there during daylight hours....<br /><br />VT</p>

 

[JohnnyGutz]

Yeah i'm from the chicago area (northwest of the city) and i wont spend too much time in the northwest part of indiana.. and i definitely will probably never opt to camping in urban areas. i will always probably go to the country, national parks, public lands for camping and traveling locations. i have no desire to stay in urban spots.. although i will definitely spend time in them during the days and what not, as a tourist i suppose, would be the best way to put it. especially along my drives to my&nbsp; more secluded destinations.

 

[yesican]

The UP of Michigan on Lake Superior is awesome.&nbsp; The Porcupine mountains and all the rest areas&nbsp;are great...Then go to Mackinaw island or cross the Mackinaw bridge and take the highway that hugs Lake Michigan down to Traverse City...AWESOME...Then take 72 into Leelenau County and visit the lighthouses and the Sand dunes of Leelenau and Benzie Counties.&nbsp;&nbsp; SWIMMING is awesome in the area...crystal clear lakes and Lake Michigan is almost bath water (at least compared to the glacier areas here in Alaska).&nbsp; If you got the money, take the Ferry over to Wisconsin and then head back to Chicago.&nbsp; If tight on cash, just take the highway out of Benzie county and go south till you hit Indiana...Easy drive and some beautiful sites.&nbsp; That would be a great trip if you've got the time and money...Just going up to Lake Superior in the UP would be fantastic.&nbsp;<br /> Once you take that first trip, you'll realize how easy independence and traveling really is...just get out of your comfort zone and you'll see a whole new world!<br />Rae

 

[katelyn]

@yesican, i love the Lake Superior campgrounds! that's where I spend my summers, and the fall. the pictured rocks lakeshore is open year round too. I'm just waiting to get tires on my van then i'm heading north<img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle">&nbsp; And Mackinaw City is a great place to be a tourist.&nbsp; <br />&nbsp;&nbsp; @Johnny, definitely go to the UP if you can, you won't regret it<img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle">

 

[Stillwater]

^^ Loved the Apostle Islands Archipelago NP ^^

 

[yesican]

I'd love to be a camphost in the UP of Michigan, Northern Michigan,&nbsp;or Northern Wisconsin...Its such a great area and only a days drive from Chicago.<br />Rae

 

[yesican]

I'd love to be a camphost in the UP of Michigan, Northern Michigan,&nbsp;or Northern Wisconsin...Its such a great area and only a days drive from Chicago.<br />Rae