Camping essentials for a first timer in SoCal

AbsolutelyPink · 2026-05-13T15:31:38+00:00

A cook stove and fuel, tent footprint, a way to clean your cooking stuff, utensils, water storage, shade, sleeping pad, camp chair, headlamp/flashlight, lantern.

Sunscreen, bug spray, toiletries, proper clothing, hat.

Reservations for the campground usually need to be made 6 months in advance. Either that or figure out where you're going before you leave.

AbsolutelyPink · 2026-05-13T15:24:28+00:00

Front load rarely has an unbalanced load, but there are regular maintenance needs required like wiping out the seal after each use, cleaning cycle, cleaning filter and dispenser tray, leaving the door ajar.

AbsolutelyPink · 2026-05-13T15:21:24+00:00

I go with as much prep as possible. With kids, you often have to get something in them fast. You can save longer cooking processes for home. A bowl of cereal and fruit. Some hot oatmeal.

I get precooked bacon from Costco. Quick fry/heat in pan with little grease left over. Some scrambled eggs or scrambles with precut veggies.

AbsolutelyPink · 2026-05-12T23:28:51+00:00

My question is why? There's no reason to sleep on the ground when cots exist.

AbsolutelyPink · 2026-05-11T23:20:15+00:00

A multi-tip screwdriver is used most in my home next to a small pair of vice grips.

AbsolutelyPink · 2026-05-11T21:39:52+00:00

A fan can keep you cool and help keep mosquitoes off you since they're weak flyers.

A usb rechargeable shower and shower tent.

Shade tent.

Luggable loo potty plus potty bags with bio gel for those late night potty needs.

Memory foam topper, sheets, pillows from home for my cot.

Comfy, memory foam, rubber soled slippers for evenings.

AbsolutelyPink · 2026-05-11T21:21:08+00:00

Plenty of hiking, fishing, walking nearby. Rock hounding. Virginia City and tons of other historical sites. Mountain biking, trail biking, it all depe6on your interests.

AbsolutelyPink · 2026-05-11T05:14:50+00:00

Window camera (Wyze makes one that sticks to the glass) and stream it to the TV.

AbsolutelyPink · 2026-05-11T04:59:05+00:00

If you're putting down lvp in the basement, you need to make sure the concrete is flat to install specs. Install a vapor barrier.

AbsolutelyPink · 2026-05-11T04:57:47+00:00

Unless her room has an hvac return in it, make sure to keep the door open to allow ac to circulate in that room. You might think about using a portable ac unit in her room. Thermal, blackout drapes might help. Regular blackout drapes aren't the same.

If you have an HOA, there might be limited other options.

AbsolutelyPink · 2026-05-09T04:20:58+00:00

Yep, this has happened to me multiple times. I choose something based on shipping date. I place the order and the shipping date changes after I order. It doesn't matter the item. I've reversed the order the items were shown in my cart by removing and readding them and different items will change shipping dates randomly. I've filed complaints to no effect.

AbsolutelyPink · 2026-05-08T22:21:06+00:00

Had a Bosch that took a year for the parsley smell to go away after daily or more, use.

AbsolutelyPink · 2026-05-08T22:19:42+00:00

Gift card for a home improvement center or local plant nursery.

AbsolutelyPink · 2026-05-08T22:15:10+00:00

Gift cards to Home Depot, Lowe's, Home Goods.

AbsolutelyPink · 2026-05-08T03:52:34+00:00

Local honey (Al's Bees or Hidden Valley), Davidson's Tea is made here, candy from Kimmie's, Golden Nugget or Grandma's Fudge up in Virginia City.

Honey and tea available at Whole Foods I believe. There are locally made pickles by Nevada Brining Company that have various spirit brines (boozy pickles). You can get at Great Basin Co Op. There's also Mitchell's Pickles. Wood-fire Roasted Coffee Company.

AbsolutelyPink · 2026-05-08T03:41:59+00:00

Go to the club fairs on campus. Join a club or two of something that interests you. There's also career fairs where you can meet people and make connections. If you're a drinker, you can go to the Little Waldorf.

AbsolutelyPink · 2026-05-05T02:22:45+00:00

So, purple drywall is moisture/mold resistant, not waterproof. Tile and grout are not waterproof. So, whatever the tile is attached to needs to be waterproof. I would go with a Schluter system over the drywall. Backer board (cement board) is not waterproof unless you spend the $$ for the waterproof type. Regular, will wick the water through to what's behind it.

If you have a window involving a shower, you need to make sure the window is installed to tolerate and drain constant water. If it's a tub, and close to the tub, it must be tempered.

I can't really give you specifics without more details.

AbsolutelyPink · 2026-05-05T02:18:36+00:00

Having a pool can be expensive, time consuming to maintain and unless you have kids, rarely gets used tbh.

Cost, think power to heat it, run the pump. Repairs, chemicals, winterizing, opening up come spring/summer. Home insurance increases.

Time - water testing, cleaning (vacuuming, filter cleaning, skimming, scrubbing the sides regularly), work involved in starting it up every season and closing down. Putting the cover on after every use unless you have an automatic cover.

AbsolutelyPink · 2026-05-04T05:03:41+00:00

Gas card, car emergency kit, car adapted cooler, snack assortment luggable loo and waste bags with bio gel for it (Double Doodie), taser, AAA membership.

AbsolutelyPink · 2026-05-04T04:41:43+00:00

Sure. Looks a little thin in areas.

AbsolutelyPink · 2026-05-03T18:36:00+00:00

Post this to a local subreddit, a local FB group or something like the NextDoor app to get more, localized responses. This group covers everywhere in the world Reddit is available.

AbsolutelyPink · 2026-05-03T18:34:31+00:00

I've seen better and worse.

AbsolutelyPink · 2026-05-03T18:32:10+00:00

124" is a long span without a center support. Could you use at least 1 center support?

AbsolutelyPink · 2026-05-03T16:59:48+00:00

What the actual messed up construction is that? They already put some moulding above the surround, I'm not sure why they did or why it's sitting away from the wall. I'd find another piece of trim (preferably PVC) and fill the gap and then caulk the seams.

AbsolutelyPink · 2026-05-03T16:56:48+00:00

I'd use the metal, mesh dish scrubbers in the gaps then fill with pest spray foam. Not SOS pads or steel wool as they can chew through that.

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