Another great small storage solution is plastic pencil boxes. I use one for silverware, one for spices, one for bottles of medications, one for travel size hygiene items, one for batteries, one for condiment packets, and finally, one for snacks like meat sticks jerky, granola bar, fruit cup. They all stack really nicely in your tote.
Although I have stuff organized & categorized in totes (pantry food, electronics, kitchen, tent stakes & lines etc), I also have one smaller tote with my "Immediate Essentials" so I don't have to pull everything out right away & rummage through several totes just to get started. This "Essentials" tote has the picnic tablecloth & clamps, washcloth, hand sanitizer, paper towels, water bottle, a travel-size insect repellent, coffee supplies & one of those Jetboil-style stoves for a quick cuppa joe, a few snacks to munch on while I set up, a little firestarter kit, and my dog's tieout, bed, and food & water bowls to keep her occupied & out of the way while I set up. I unpack that tote first, then my camp chair & table. Since I am an older solo female, and setting up camp can be a little strenuous, I now have an organized place to sit & relax with a drink & snack whenever I need to take a break during or after set-up.
I love your personality and the organized thought process behind your presentations. These videos are super helpful and informative. I’ve been solo car/tent camping for over a year now. I feel so strong, independent, smart and badass! Thank you for taking the time to make these quality videos! You’re a pleasure to watch!
Hey! I just stumbled on your channel and am amazed you don't have more subscribers. You are a great speaker, super informative, the videos are filmed and edited so professionally. I think you are going to be the next big hiking channel! Great job. 👍
Indeed, I was also surprise about not many subscribers. The girl looks very well and video is good. Love the content. Perhaps, there is some certain marketing tips in youtube that people do not know?
Great videos! Thank you! My hacks: pre-scramble your eggs and put them in ziplocks. I found the plastic egg holders can get messy and they take up space in the cooler. Also: for a weekend camping trip, premake your bacon at home and put in a ziplock or container. Just a thought.
I've never tried to pre scramble the eggs, but sometimes I do cook the bacon at home and just store it in the cooler. Makes things so much easier at camp!
Great idea! I also pre-cook the breakfast sausage, ground beef (to add to chili can). I also make a very rare tri-tip at home, slice it thin then just reheat it for camp dinner. It is then brown and ready for steak sandwiches or burritos, etc.
Hi Amanda! I just want to say that I love your outdoor spirit of adventure! I am a 67 yrs. somewhat young woman who started back solo car camping & painting 2 years ago in CA.I plan to do a few trips this summer also.Some of your great ideas I have already implemented but these are videos are so helpful for encouraging others to be kick-ass too! I would love to be able to afford a Yeti but they are pricey! I invested in a 3 fold 4 inch pad last year that has made my sleeping sublime! I love my solar lights from Big Lots too! One of my fav breakfasts that you may want to try and maybe share is Grits, cooked with milk, shredded maxi cheese, with green onions and crumbled bacon on top, I also tuck in an egg, near the end, till it hardens up somewhat! A good power breakfast.Two years ago I added in hiking poles after an incident.I can't always count on my stability these days. I too bring a rug for outside of my tent, have my Coleman stove, a super awesome Costco tent purchased when my sons were younger, and a wooden folding table. I will add the collapsible water jug before I go this year!! Keep up the adventures girl and stay safe!
That breakfast with the grits, cheese, green onions, and bacon sounds awesome! I like to put green onions on just about everything haha A good sleeping pad makes a huge difference when it comes to camping! Glad you found one that you like. I love the idea of a rug outside of the tent too! Thanks for sharing your car camping setup. I hope you're enjoying the Summer! 😁
I can’t wait until my boyfriend and I have enough $ for a jeep and a house to store these bins! Right now we have to make smaller bins and unpack them after camping season. Still helpful though! Any sort of container for stuff while camping helps so much!💚
Hey! I’d love to hear about precautions you may take as a woman camping alone. Also, how far in advance you plan your trips if they require reservations.
I've had some other requests to talk about camping alone, so I will add that to my video idea list. Thanks for the suggestion! For most of my car camping trips, I typically don't plan too far in advance unless I want to camp at a popular campground like in a national park, for example. In general, if I want to camp in a popular area, I would start thinking about it a few months in advance. All campgrounds seem to have different rules and reservation windows. Sometimes you can book campsites 6 months in advance, but I never really plan the far ahead. There are a lot of free campsite available as well. In this particular video, there was no reservation and it's all first come, first serve. That's usually what I try to find!
A Flores I heard something of value, about solo female traveler, and that was, “ always enter back in your vehicle at the passenger side. That way it looks as though there’s a driver.” 👍 Don’t dress provocative, drink too much, carry pepper-spray on your 🔑 keychain and park headlights facing out.
I JUST discovered you as I'm getting ready to camp for the first time with my best friend. We've done camping trips in the past, but never just the 2 of us so we are trying to figure out how to prepare so I'm binging your stuff. You're awesome! Thank you for this!!
Nice! These videos are really helpful. I am building a list of all the things to bring for my wifes birthday camping weekend. Seriously, THANK YOU! So helpful.
i’m just dreaming of calmer days when summer is here, my boat is on the water and everything i have in my bin right now can be transferred to the boat. i’m excited to try your camp nacho recipe. i keep that thought in my heart and it keeps me hopeful 🙏☺️ edit: oh my gosh pancake mix. why haven’t i thought of bringing that boating? you’re a wealth of great ideas
I've been daydreaming of warm Summer weather and carefree days outside too! Glad you got some tips from this video - you can never go wrong with pancakes for breakfast!! 🥞🤗
i know this video is really old, but is there anyway you can remember where this spot is?! it looks lovely. I'm a female that enjoys solo camping, i'm so glad i found your cahnnel.
Hi! Just discovered your channel today and I love all these tips and hacks! I actually discovered camping later in life. It is hard to find people to camp with, so I don't camp nearly as much as I would like. I am impressed that you are brave enough to camp alone. Not sure I could do that! Thanks for the great content!
Your videos are great and have been super helpful to me as I took up more car camping last year! I have a clear food bin now! Your food bin is magical-you just kept pulling endless food out!! Great job! Thank you!
Hello, came back to comment on this video. My Grandaughter and I went camping and want to say thank you for all the help with organizing. Purchased silicone reusable bags. Totally worth the purchase. Also froze water and had the extra water. Once again, thank you so much we really appreciate all your tips. Gma & Squeaker campers 💖
Hi I think you are awesome I don’t think I would ever be able to go camping by my self I will be looking at your video’s Be safe and have a great time camping
For things like that hot sauce cap where you have tape on it for a potentially long period of time, try gaffer tape, which doesn't leave a sticky residue like duct tape. I become aware of it a few years ago and use it on everything now. Great content on your channel! I'm doing research before our next family camping trip to fix the unpleasant aspects of past trips and your videos have been helpful - thanks.
Watching your videos helped me prep so well and our first camping trip was a success! Love your videos, you’ve got best practical ideas and great advice!
Check out the Rubbermaid Action packer 8gal. You wont have to buy a new one every year. It stops you from hoarding...….. and it doubles as a chair, table, cutting board and can be stored on the roof while traveling without water getting in. My girl and I love them and store every camping need in just 2 of them.
We recently bought a 55 quart costway fridge. We also bought a 12v deep cycle walmart battery for $75. It runs for a little over 4 days on 1 battery charge. It charges overnight with an amazon basics battery charger. These things make a huge difference especially when your camping with multiple people and kids. Having cold food is a lifesaver. We have a harbor freight 100w solar kit to keep the battery charged if we are boondocking.
Thank you Amanda for all of your wisdom!!! Going on my second camping trip of my life in a few days and I’ve been ferociously consuming your content for tips and tricks and just to feel prepared and confident! I appreciate you 🙏🏼
Start out small, . Like pick some local parks to go or pick a local KOA to start with. They have everything all tidy for convenience but you’ll have some neighbors. This helps me with the Stranger jitters. Staying a few nights helps me disconnect with the driving into the unknown aspect, and familiarized me with my camp set up. After that, you will know if you like camping alone or around others. It worked for me. The more you go, the more comfortable you get.
I only just found out that they have camping at State Parks! If I would of known sooner I would of been there all the when my kids were younger... I'm just going to use a tent and I'm trying to put together a small list of what I absolutely need. I was going to call the star parks around me and find out the details and I'm figuring I need to reserve a spot? I'm going to have my 20 yr old daughter drop me off and pick me up
The front seats in your Xterra will completely fold flat to give you more room, and don't forget about the storage under the trunk and the glove box over the primary one. Also depending on what year your Xterra is, you may need to change the rad preventatively. 05-09 had faulty radiators that would mix trans fluid and antifreeze destroying the trans, and a $100 radiator fixes that
Just discovered your videos because was looking for dehydrated food recipes. I just love all your videos! You have awesome topics and great locations! Such a great bubbly personality and down to earth! Keep up the excellent work!!
Just found your channel! I'm going to do my second solo "hot tent" camp out to see the Geminids Meteor shower this week!!!! I'm excited and nervous so I turned to RU-vid to get some inspiration!! Thank you for this video: My camping stuff is NOT organized so this helps!!!! I'd love to know where that dispersed campsite was in case I ever get out that way!! Thank you!!
I’d love to see a video on how you wash pans/dishes when car camping. I feel dumb not knowing how to do this, but I’ve always relied on disposable dishes and I’m trying to get away from that.
When car camping, with natural soap, some hot water, allot of reused water, and a thing to hold the soapy grey water. When backpacking I use dirt/sand to get all the stuff off and dry it out. Then when I get to a water source I rinse allot. I am not worried about dirty water because when I use it I am boiling water.
I use my largest pot for the soapy water and a storage bin for the clean water. You need a sponge, a small bottle of dish soap, and a towel. It’s so easy!
I finally figured out a great solution for this. A huge collapsible dog bowl and a scrubbie from the dollar tree. I keep dawn dishsoap in one of those salad dressing squeezable holder and my scrubbie in a reusable silicone baggie. Works great best drying towel is from Harbor Freight in the auto section. They are a gray and come in a back of two. Best towel in the world. I use them in the kitchen, wash cars. Insanely awesome for drying.
Hi, What are some items you bring with you for safety. I travel alone and have never had any problems with strangers but my family get all freaked out when I tell them that I’m going camping. As for spices, I use a pill box to stash spice. Like the 7 day pill box. Works great!
Just Started watching your videos and I'm now going through your playlist. Wonderful tips and suggestions. I would love to see how you pack your vehicle with so many bins and how its organized. Cheers.
Thanks so much for the great advice and helpful tips! My partner and I are going to be car camping in the coming week in North Carolina for about 4 days. Never done it before so any help is good at this point!
Going camping for the first time with friends but we’re renting a cabin . I think tents are more fun , maybe next time ! Anyway, I found your videos trying to look up some tips and hacks ... you Rock ! Very clear and simple ... I’ll keep checking your channel . Keep up the great work! Thank you!
Hi Amanda! Just wanted to say thank you. I am new to camping and your videos are sooooo helpful. We r my 2 kids for their first time car camping this weekend! I'm excited and nervous!!
Your video is awesome! So informative and I truly appreciate everything you do for other campers, especially the new ones like me and my wife. Keep the info coming in. God Bless🙏🏻
I would love to see your car all loaded up ready for your adventure. Last summer, I started sleeping in my RAV4 when camping instead of pitching a tent but I still hate my system; still bringing too much stuff. So I'm looking on RU-vid to get organizational tips from others. I have never been in an IKEA! The closest one is 2hrs away from my home. The only time I see one is when I pass by it on most of my camping trips. I hate to shop so would never stop on my way to the Sierra but maybe I'll make a special trip sometime Thanks for the ideas
Thank you. I’m following your lead on many things. I haven’t been camping in a few years. I haven’t been backpacking since the 90s. With this COVID thing my girlfriend suggested camping over hotels or motel 6 at mammoth mountain. I went a bit further with coastal camping at Big Sycamore Canyon and Joshua Tree. I’m going to try once a month. Maybe Death Valley and Mojave in the near future. If they won’t let us go to Disneyland, we’re going car camping, y0! Thanks for all the hacks, advice and cooking suggestions.
Love it! The only thing is bear-resistance is on my mind. I'm thinking this looks tidy and ant and mouse resistant for example but wonder about bears and other large animals (food, toiletries). Not meant to freak anyone out! Just still sorting out how best to store food and toiletries when there is any bear risk...when there's too much of it to wanna put it all in little bear canisters or hung up in the trees. I know cooking and eating far enough for sleeping area is helpful too.
Oh yes I was wondering your cooler that says yeti on it I noticed that there is no ice in there how long does it keep it cold and how do you keep it cold
Do you have any tips for a month long cross country trip? I have specific diet needs: GF, non-dairy, and want to balance buying sundries on the road vs bringing with. I’m really trying to wrap my head around how much to bring without overpacking. It’s like packing clothing-we need a capsule collection wardrobe of food items. Lol.
just started camping and i like those stash bags i have lots of gear and just started using it luv your videos good little hacks i do get stuck on the meal thing also iam getting a collapsable wagon ....
Thanks so much Amanda. Going car camping in WA state with my 2 boys after school is out. I am so looking forward to it and your videos make sure I'll have what I need. I don't know if I should bring briquets if I have a small propane stove. Or just use wood? We will be cooking hot dogs and smores over the fire.
Hi I've just stumbled across your channel also I love it thank you so much and I've subscribed too I'm from Australia my husband and I are planning to go camping i can't wait I love it 😊♥️
If you purchase the small kid lunch size milk substitute you won’t need to refrigerate them, so it’ll save you space in the cooler. I use them to make my lattes on the road or if my kid wants some cereal. Don’t have to worry about the milk going back. They come in individual orders small 6 packs
The bin I use for food is about 23 inches wide, 12 inches high, and 14 inches long. The smaller bin that I use for my camp kitchen cooking gear is about 16 inches wide, 12 inches high, and 10 inches long, but I've been thinking about getting a slightly larger bin for this. Both of these bins are easy enough for me to pick up and move in and out of the car. I don't want the bins to be too big that I can't lift them myself! Hope this helps!
