July 4th Fireworks at Buffalo Springs Lake in West Texas

[JerryJ]

Got everything legal on my Prius (license and plates ect) just in time for a 4th of July test camping trip.  I was able to find a parking spot directly under the exploding fireworks.  Outside air temp was 95F, I was nice and comfy inside on my air mattress with the AC set to low 70s.  

Here's a video of a portion of the fireworks show through the Prius hatch back 

And here's a video of the fire it started a few dozen yards uphill from my camping spot 

Had to find a new parking spot to allow fire fighters to put out the flames.  Definitely an exciting test camp!  Two weeks till the Prius title and my new license arrive in the mail, can't wait to get on the road!

 

[tx2sturgis]

I'm guessing that is the 3rd of July fireworks...I rode over to Plainview yesterday (3rd) and watched the fireworks, and the same thing happened....the field caught on fire...now this is the 'pros' doing this!

 

[JerryJ]

Yeah, they do fireworks at Buffalo Springs on the 3rd and Lubbock on the 4th. Still waiting to sees if Lubbock is actually doing them, they postponed the parade till Sept!

 

[tx2sturgis]

There are not many people on the forum from our area, out here in the flats....I know its off topic but I have room for you to park (for free of course) for a day or two if you need to head north, and of course Lake Meredith has free camping although you might need to call them since things may have changed recently.

I'm in Tulia, 75 miles north of Lubbock. If you want to circle the wagon here, just send me a PM.

Lake Meredith info:

https://www.nps.gov/lamr/planyourvisit/camping.htm

 

[JerryJ]

Thank you, mighty neighborly!  I'm planning on spending the next 4 years visiting every state for at least a month.  Right now this heat has helped me decide to go snowbirds style, visiting northern states in the summer, then back down south for the winter.  I appreciate the offer, might just take you up on it!

 

[tx2sturgis]

Heading into Northern NM, like the Carson National Forest near Angel Fire, this time of year would be my choice, it will likely be cooler than the northern states right now. Certainly Colorado's higher elevations will be cool, but might be crowded as well. 

At any rate if you decide you want to camp here, let me know.

 

[VanFan]

Welcome!  I'd like to hear more about your Prius set up, if you get a chance.  We tried to camp at Buffalo Springs once, but there was a car or boat show going on (can't remember which), and it seemed crazy crowded.  I think we ended up in a motel that night.  What I do remember fondly from the trip was the windmill museum in Lubbock.

 

[JerryJ]

My setup is a work in progress, this was my first time out.  Here's what I working with at this point:

I'm using a Coleman slim twin air mattress, which fits on the 60% side so I can leave the single rear seat up if it works best that way for me, and an Intex queen size air mattress that fits with both seats down if I want more room.  [font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]I have a dom[/font][font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]e tent that just fits the [/font][font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]quee[/font][font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]n size [/font][font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]mattress for times I want/need to sleep outside the car (some campgrounds don't allow sleeping in a car[/font][font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]). I have your standard camping foldable chair, and a folding table.[/font]

I have an Alpicool C20 compressor fridge, and a 100w Renogy solar panel kit keeping a 35ah battery charged to run it so I don't have to leave the Prius in Ready mode 24/7 to keep food fresh.  The entire set up cost just a bit over $400, doing the math for ice + gas to get ice + wasted food floating in melted ice water, this system should pay for itself in about 10-12 months. I have a single burner propane attachment for cooking, and am still considering some 12v appliances. Pot, pan, plastic plates bowls and cups, small cutting board, and utensils. Spray bottle for cleaning with vinegar and water.

I have a solar shower bag and tarp, and a Luggable Lou on a 2.5 gallon bucket.  I'll be trying various hygiene tricks I've read about here, and find true showers when I can (I don't need real showers daily, or even weekly, but I can't give them up altogether).  The shower tarp can be used as an awning when attached to the car.

I made blackout press-fit inserts for all rear windows using two layers of Reflectix with a single sheet of Coroplast in the middle, and black felt on the outside.  I'm using a c-channel type curtain rod that fits wedged into the front ceiling handles, allowing a blackout curtain to drape behind the front seats when they are forward. I have a small USB 12" fan to push air under the curtain for circulation.

Safety kit, medical kit, tools, ropes, hatchet, mallet, duct tape, and 12v air pump. Rain suit, various flash lights and a head light, USB battery back ups, 

And the most important item of all, a couple of pool noodles (dozens of uses)!

 

[tx2sturgis]

And the most important item of all, a couple of pool noodles (dozens of uses)!

Yes, and I planted a whole bunch of pool noodle seeds, next spring I should have a 'bumper' crop!  (see what I did there?)

 

[JerryJ]

Ah, harvest time, when the pool noodles are waving in the wind, and the kids are sprinkling Ramen seasoning in the pool!

 

[tx2sturgis]

Yeah and I see what you did there!

Last night I rode over to the local fireworks show here, and wow, the local fire department put on a helluva show...best I have ever seen in a small town. When I got back to the station, across the highway at the meat plant, the family that owns it were having a great time setting off some more big poppers and boomers, and amazingly, there was a group over at the cemetery putting on another fireworks show for hours...I could see all of this from my front porch...so I popped open a beer (or two) and enjoyed the show!

 

[VanFan]

My setup is a work in progress...

JerryJ:  Thanks for the description!  I have a few more questions, but I think I better move 'em to the Hybrid section.  Hope to see you there.