I am going camping at Big Meadow in Shennadoah the weekend of Columbus Day. My huisband and I have not done this camping thing and are going with this other couple that have all the supplies. There are facilities at the site. Any suggestions fo first timers?

We will be doing some hiking at the trails nearby.

Thanks for any input.

Looks like I am following in Sheenas footsteps

Bug Spray!

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Kelly
"Wrinkles will only go where the smiles have been." ~ Jimmy Buffett

Well, from personal experience, I think you should make sure you have either bear safe food containers or rope your food up really high.

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Shoot me up the hill and I'll come off the mountain at my own place.

There ARE bears in Shenandoah.

Bring something warm.

Thanks for the advice - the couple that we are going with are advid campers, but I just wanted to know what I and my husband need to expect -

I've camped the beaches in California and the mountains in Colorado. And, some of the same things apply to both.

The days are usually beautiful, warm and sunny, but night can be frigid (even during the summer!)

Layer it up! Make sure you have a warm beanie hat, gloves, base layers, medium layers and a jacket for at night. Bug spray, sunscreen.l Even with facilities at the site, make sure you bring hand sanitizer and your own toilet paper.

And most of all, have fun!!!!!

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I'm not a native, but I got here as fast as I could

I adore the Bath & Bodyworks scented wipes. They make you feel so fresh and clean even when you are so not!

Make sure you have extra pair of socks, lighter, small first aid kit in your pack for hiking. I like to have that spray on bandage stuff because I am prone to blisters. I can hike "the day after" with this stuff. Beyond that if you are staying in a campground you don't need to worry a whole lot about the bear stuff, just be sure to put your cooler and dry box in the car before you go to bed. Make sure all your flashlights have good batteries etc. I am the queen of comfort so I always use my stuff sack for a pillow, just throw some of your clothes in it. When I am car camping I always make pasta salad in case it is too windy or wet to keep my stove going. It's a little too heavy for packing though. Beyond that, bring the cribbage board or some cards and if you enjoy a drink, bring more than you think. It goes down alot easier around a campfire. I don't know why.

Hi Pandita!

What SkiNurse said about layers; try to make them non-cotton fabrics, too, so that they don't make you cold if you're in the shade. Also, if you're hiking up the peaks (although I think most of the Shenandoah hikes are "down"), it sometimes gets windy there, so even if you're comfortable at the beginning of a hike, bring an extra layer with you so you can hang out at the top without shivering.

I'll post more if I think of anything that others haven't already covered. But alas, I am already late for work and only half dressed....

So I am heading out on Friday afternoon (tomorrow) to SHennadoah. I am excited about our first camping trip. Mr. Pandita is also excited. I will post more how it went when I come back on Columbus day Monday. I will take pictures. I talked with Mr. Panditas friend who organized this and she is excited about this as well. I have packed some additives (alcohol) for the hot chocolate and wine for the evening as well as wam clothes. It will be highs in the low 60s, lows in the 40s. Yes - snow will be coming soon to the east.

Have fun!!!!

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I'm not a native, but I got here as fast as I could

Have a GREAT time!

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Life is not measured by the number of breaths you take
But by the number of moments that take your breath away~

Just got back from camping and had a blast. Mr Pandita now wants to start camping too. We saw a total of three bear while we were hiking on the trails in Shennadoah, very cool. I will post some pics later. We spent three nights in the tent. There was amazing color this weekend. The deer just meandered throught the campsite.
It was so much fun to sleep in the outdoors and hike. I had a great time.

Woohooo! Glad to hear it!

How did the camping go, Pandita???

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Kelly
"Wrinkles will only go where the smiles have been." ~ Jimmy Buffett

Sounds like a fun and relaxing trip! The best of both worlds.

I can't wait to see your pics!

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Life is not measured by the number of breaths you take
But by the number of moments that take your breath away~

Glad to hear you had a good time Pandita!

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I'm not a native, but I got here as fast as I could

Camping was so much fun, Ithink in the summer when we head out to Montana, Wyoming, Utah, and maybe Colorado we will spend two nights camping in some national park. I am attempting to attach a foto of the bear we saw and one of the trails we hiked. It was so pretty, the colors were in full bloom and it was amazing. It was fun to go hiking on these trails. Shenadoah is amazing. Hopefully next summer out west Mr. Pandita and I will have equally as fun

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Those are some great photos.

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Love staying at pocono mountain resorts while skiing PA.