What is a summer without camping? And what is camping without a pop up trailer? I'm not sure either, but I think it is still camping, maybe with just a tent. That's the way my family did it anyway when I was a couple years younger. Usually we just backpacked, so we really had no choice in the matter. But these days it's a bit harder to get kids interested in backpacking. Maybe I just didn't have a choice when I was a kid. Anyway, my wife convinced me that a pop up trailer would be just as 'out there' as a tent, except a bit better in the rain. Maybe a bit better all around, actually, now that I've tried it. Yes, we are now the proud owners of a slightly used but mostly mint Coleman Sea Pine, and we had her out on the maiden voyage this last weekend.
It was a great trip, and I have to admit that it was a lot more fun than setting up two tents and flopping around on a thin foam pad all night. We had a furnace, hot water, a refrigerator, indoor and outdoor gas stoves, a king bed, 4 sleeping areas, an awning, etc. etc. I'm not used to all these ammenities, but I can say it was a treat. Everyone slept well, ate well and had plenty of room to call their own. The Sea Pine will be out again in just 2 weeks when we go over to the coast for our trip to Fort Flagler on the Olympic Penninsula. We'll be there for 5 days, and this year we aren't worried about rain, thanks to my wifes persistance.
