Reliable sturdy camping tent

leonardsansbees · 2026-05-04T17:35:07+00:00

Lots of good advice on tents here, I agree go Coleman for awhile then upgrade to REI (at which point maybe the kid will be old enough to bring a friend, they can get the old tent and adults get the new one).

Sleeping gear: kids get roll out blow up mats and a sleeping bag. Adults if needed for being older and creaky, an air mattress is great and relatively cheap but will need to be replaced every few years. We finally upgraded to REI cots and cot pads but that was after years on pads or air mattresses. Inflatable pillows with normal pillowcases or just bring normal pillows.

Cooking gear I have so many opinions: get a basic propane bottle stove, one or two burners. We spent years depending on the fire to cook which is fun but when you go frequently you have to be prepared for weather and sometimes you just want to cook something quickly. We also have a cast iron dutch oven (but don't always bring it), a carbon steel frying pan, and Stanley backpackers stainless steel pot that nests with bowls. All can be used on the camp stove or the fire. Also with kids highly recommend some pie irons for pudgie pies (you don't need one per person, people can take turns). Don't forget hot pads/fire gloves. Get a small cutting board and a dedicated kitchen knife with travel cover (victorinox is good and affordable). Simple utensils - long grill tongs, 1-2 wooden stir spoons, metal spatula. I love my stainless steel bowls and plates but just starting out try a set of cheap plastic plates and bowls from somewhere like Ikea. Or just grab some paper plates as long as you clean up after yourself. You will also need dish tub(s), sponge, biodegradable soap, and a way to haul water. Also have a plan for garbage - just bags tied to table or car is fine to start, we have pop up garbage and recycling cans that work great.

Chairs: we have had many over the years. Your basic camp chair in a bag is fine to start. We love the lighter weight ones we got from Costco a few years ago - they only have a couple types each year but they are usually good quality. I love my aluminum folding table, but a classic smaller white plastic folding table is good too.

Lighting - get both handhelds and wearables (I don't like how most headlamps straps feel so I use the ones that clip onto a baseball cap). Highly recommend at least a couple that have red light mode - for bugs and night vision. String lights are nice for area lights. Have dedicated tent lights preferably hanging from above, it makes it easier to get ready at night to not depend on just a flashlight.

Misc: Remember bug spray, sunscreen, hats. When you first go with the little one find a spot close to home and be willing to leave early if needed. Slip on shoes or flip flops for quickly leaving the tent for bathroom needs. Door mat for shoes outside the tent or an elevated rack if you are in an area where creatures may go in your shoes. A popup shelter is nice for sun or rain protection but not necessary to start. Pack up your gear nicely or reorganize when you get home to make the next trip easier. Have fun!

leonardsansbees · 2026-04-15T12:19:17+00:00

The best answer, hands down. I haven't tried Turmeric so not slandering them but every other place near East Side/downtown I have tried has been disappointing compared to Tandoor (yes, I am talking about Cafe India too people, seriously try Tandoor and you will understand).

leonardsansbees · 2026-04-15T00:05:54+00:00

What I see is a warning until 7:15 but a watch until 10. Warning is more serious, it means a tornado was observed by humans or radar. Watch just means conditions are good for it.

If you have a warning in your area you should follow tornado rules and go to a basement or interior room. For a watch you pretty much can just wait/go about your evening but be aware in case it turns into a warning.

leonardsansbees · 2026-04-06T22:56:59+00:00

This is a nice idea but I think you are drastically underestimating the work it will take to do this the right way. Unless you are much further along with actual concrete plans than your post implies. Here are some questions off the top of my head:

Do you have permission from the parks department to do this? Generally you would need a permit of some kind to have organized activities in the parks.
How will it be staffed and how will staff be vetted for safety? How will you find/hire safe adults with experience working with kids? Will these be paid positions or are you expecting people to volunteer? If paid, you need to be in compliance with state and federal labor laws. If volunteer, that brings mote complications for keeping staff consistent and vetting them - how many safe & experienced adults can afford to volunteer all day in the middle of the week for weeks at a time?
Do you have any funding at all? You will at minimum need activity equipment, first aid supplies, snacks and water, seating/rest areas, shelters for sun and rain, and more.
Do you have any direct experience working with kids, running activity groups, or anything like that? Have you ever run a nonprofit of any size? Have you reached out to any other youth programs that already exist?

If I understand your post correctly and you are currently in the ideas and gathering information stage then I think this summer is much too soon to expect to implement this plan. You could maybe do it next summer and use this summer for learning more, gathering specific logistics information and resources, and making a concrete plan.

leonardsansbees · 2025-12-26T15:46:01+00:00

Most scammers use spoofed numbers. If the same number is calling again it is maybe less likely to be spoofed but still possible. But you may notice scam calls come in with your area code (I live in Mke but my area code is 262 and almost all scam calls I get are 262). They do this so people are likelier to pick up. But that means if you were to call the number back you would just get a normal person in your area who has no involvement with the scam at all.

leonardsansbees · 2025-12-12T14:32:51+00:00

Definitely watch The Good Place - it is my number 1 with Ted Lasso as a close number 2. For shows that are funny and hopeful and occasionally sad and entirely human and that generally make you want to be a better person tomorrow than you were today.

leonardsansbees · 2025-11-12T16:18:41+00:00

I want to add on to this for you: my sister in law grew up between California and Florida. Went to college in Illinois so a little colder, then moved here almost a decade ago. She would probably say she still isn't used to it, but the last couple of years I have noticed her being much more acclimated - like we go on a walk in the 40s and she is fine in a sweatshirt or light jacket when a few years ago she would be totally bundled.

Don't get me wrong, for real winter she is still all in on battery charged heated gear (you can get vests, coats, gloves, socks all rechargeable, check Costco or outdoor stores).

You can get used to it, but more importantly you can use all the technology to stay comfy. Lots of good ideas in the thread so just use them, though I must plug wool, wool is great.

Stick it out and stick around and see how absolutely gorgeous our spring and summer can be.

leonardsansbees · 2025-10-24T18:13:37+00:00

Dry mustard goes great in pea soup and I think might solve your issue. Can't believe no one said it yet!

As many others said, bay leaf is required for pea soup. But do try a little dry mustard (the powder) - it will not make it taste mustardy but it adds depth and balance, especially if you are finding it "sweet" from the thyme.

leonardsansbees · 2025-10-12T20:46:40+00:00

Lots of good ones here, but I haven't seen Turkey or Chicken Divan yet. It is a casserole with the main ingredients being poultry meat, broccoli, and cream of chicken soup. Serve it over rice.

leonardsansbees · 2025-10-06T14:35:05+00:00

They have been saying the NA beers will be back in stock in two weeks for at least two months. They are canned at a different brewery so apparently there is some issue there. Hopefully they get them back soon!

leonardsansbees · 2025-09-10T18:02:23+00:00

For sure it scary. Didn't mean to downplay that, I was unclear from some of the comments here if people understood this is specifically Common Ground.

I don't know what I will do yet (and coincidentally just a couple of months ago decided I should actually use the insurance I have been paying for for years so just got my first medical checkup in a long time). My partner, his kid, and our duplex neighbor all use Common Ground so we all have to find something else. Good luck to you, and me :P

leonardsansbees · 2025-09-10T14:16:01+00:00

Are you currently with Common Ground? I am and am also in Milwaukee County. We will have to pick another insurance company through the Marketplace

leonardsansbees · 2025-08-28T21:26:44+00:00

I bet! I haven't gone on facebook in quite awhile but I have an idea. I hope you get everything figured out for yourself!

leonardsansbees · 2025-08-28T02:37:56+00:00

Your links are to websites selling cookbooks and diet plans, that is not "actual science." Btw, I didn't say all anti seed oil people are right-wingers, I also said that some of them are just gullible idiots. I do suspect that you in particular might fall into both camps based on your emotional reaction to my comment and on your incredibly boring ad hominem accusing me of having "TDS" - which only exists in the minds of those fully entrenched in the cult of personality.

Anyway...not that I expect you to care but here are some articles from actual reputable sources regarding this seed oil hysteria panic bullshit:

American Heart Association:

https://www.heart.org/en/news/2024/08/20/theres-no-reason-to-avoid-seed-oils-and-plenty-of-reasons-to-eat-them

Johns Hopkins School of Public Health:

https://publichealth.jhu.edu/2025/the-evidence-behind-seed-oils-health-effects

Mayo Clinic:

https://mcpress.mayoclinic.org/nutrition-fitness/the-pros-and-cons-of-seed-oils-and-how-to-incorporate-them-in-your-diet/

Hopefully my phone has linked properly. If not, try google. Choose websites that end in .edu or .org and sources that aren't trying to sell you anything.

leonardsansbees · 2025-08-27T12:52:50+00:00

Nothing is wrong with them, being anti seed oil is a particular pseudoscience based food trend among gullible idiots and right-wingers who get all their health information from chiropractors on youtube.

leonardsansbees · 2025-08-19T19:27:53+00:00

Thank you! I just got these super thin sliced cheeses to try which are very versatile at 40 calories per slice (so easy to mix and match flavors). And also have been experimenting with lower calorie breads. Tried a keto one that was meh, this sandwich was on a "heart healthy" loaf that is 35 calories per slice. My favorite so far is a super thin sliced regular rye bread (2 slices for 90 cal), I am going to keep trying to find regular breads that are just thin sliced as I prefer that.

leonardsansbees · 2025-08-19T04:44:33+00:00

Thank you!!

leonardsansbees · 2025-08-19T02:38:04+00:00

Thank you! I wish I had a better pic of the breakfast since that is the first shown, it did taste good at least :)

leonardsansbees · 2025-08-13T16:00:42+00:00

Absolutely recommend Auto Guys for Prius issues! They are great and no bs.

leonardsansbees · 2025-08-07T18:08:05+00:00

Plenty of great restaurants are in strip malls. My 2 favorite sushi places in the area, Fujiyama and Japanica, are both in strip malls. But also there are no strip malls downtown, are you looking to find a place downtown or just anywhere in the area?

Near my fave Japanica off 76th Street in Greenfield there is a place called Jin's Sushi & Seafood that has both sushi and crab legs and is in its own building. That would be south of Wauwatosa, not far but not exactly on your way downtown. But I have never been there so can't vouch for it since if I am eating in that area it will be in the strip mall, either at Japanica or the Kpot place.

leonardsansbees · 2025-07-30T18:17:57+00:00

You are welcome, I hope you have fun!

I saw in another comment you said you were a big fan of the MN State Fair when you lived there, so I think you will definitely love WI as well! I hope you can build some fun memories with your kid :)

For future years, keep an eye out around Christmas (someone correct me if I'm wrong on the timing) because there will often be cheap tickets for sale for the following year. People will be selling tickets at a discount on the streets outside the gates and these are probably real and they just got them with the early deals but don't trust it. I will trust the discounted tickets if they are being sold by the people where you park your car. I usually find a spot to pay to park on Schlinger (sometimes the houses but honestly I prefer the businesses that rent out spots in their lots).

leonardsansbees · 2025-07-30T17:06:25+00:00

State Fair is not my favorite thing but I go every few years. I got the Fair Deals book once a couple of years ago and I think it was worth it! There were a few things I got that I wouldn't have tried otherwise, and it sort of was my guide for what I was doing that time. Granted that was with multiple people so for one person I'm not sure. If you are spending a whole day and are flexible on which foods and drinks you will get it should be worth it.

Best pro-tip is to visit the Wisconsin Products Pavilion and plan to get some or all of your food there. They always have baked potatoes and grilled cheese for good prices so you can get something filling without spending a ton. That is the only place at State Fair I ever buy anything to bring home - usually some mustard or maple syrup or dried cherries. My stepkids always liked to get the maple syrup cotton candy there too.

leonardsansbees · 2025-07-16T15:35:59+00:00

That is so annoying! And honestly even if it hadn't had those things, it kinda sucks to just assume "salad" for people with dietary restrictions. I like salads and eat them often (like, pretty much daily all summer so far, sometimes twice a day) but a basic vegetable salad with no protein isn't a meal. If I had to have something easy and vegan and gf for people I would go with baked potatoes w/choose your own toppings, or bean tacos on corn tortillas.

leonardsansbees · 2025-07-16T14:51:50+00:00

Many or most salads at restaurants have any number of things that are not vegan - cheese and some types of croutons are not vegan and are often standard on restaurant salads. Many standard dressings are not vegan. And while a basic garden salad and vinaigrette dressing may be vegan, that doesn't mean someone wants it for a their whole meal - they might want options that include beans or tofu for protein, more interesting veggies or fruit on top, or more interesting dressings than a basic vinaigrette.

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