{"id":4805,"date":"2019-03-21T04:22:00","date_gmt":"2019-03-21T11:22:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/forestcamping.com\/blog\/2010\/06\/11\/good-nights-sleep-means-good-time-camping\/"},"modified":"2019-05-12T09:20:18","modified_gmt":"2019-05-12T16:20:18","slug":"good-nights-sleep-means-good-time-camping","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.forestcamping.com\/dow\/suzi\/good-nights-sleep-means-good-time-camping\/","title":{"rendered":"Good night’s sleep means good time camping"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Speaking as someone who has been camping for a long while, a good night\u2019s sleep is essential to enjoying any camping adventure.\u00a0 From buzzing bugs to an inadequate sleeping bag, there are a number of factors that can keep a camper from a good night\u2019s sleep.\u00a0 So what is a novice camper to do?\u00a0 Element important for a good night’s sleep are a good bed roll or sleeping bag, comfortable surface to stretch out on, adjusting to the quiet, darkness, and bugs. Here are some thoughts that should help with all these elements.<\/p>\n

Sleeping bag or bed roll<\/h2>\n

First, if this is your first camping adventure, and you don\u2019t want to buy a sleeping bag until you have decided if camping is something you might do again, consider borrowing or renting a sleeping bag.\u00a0 You might want to use an old sheet and make a \u201clining\u201d for your borrowed bag but that\u2019s up to you and your sewing skills.<\/p>\n

An alternative to a borrowed or rented bag is a bedroll.\u00a0 I find a bedroll well-suited to summer tent camping when temperatures are relatively warm throughout the night (tip: If you find nights nippy, don\u2019t strip down to the buff. Often just one extra layer is all you\u2019ll need to be toasty warm.) and my tent offers good protection from inclement weather.\u00a0 Plus a bedroll is easy to make from the stuff you already have.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s how: Lay a blanket flat on the floor and spread a similar size sheet on top of the blanket.\u00a0 If twin size blanket is used, fold in half or in thirds if double size is used.\u00a0 Roll it up from short end and use a string or rubberband to hold it together.\u00a0 When you get to camp, unroll and fold one end under so the bed roll is as long as you are tall.\u00a0 If you are hiking into a campsite, roll your bedding the long way, fold in half, and use a string or rubberband to tie the ends together so you have a donut that can be carried by slipping over your head and one arm.<\/p>\n

Comfortable surface<\/h2>\n
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Have you heard the story about the Princess and the Pea<\/a>?\u00a0 You\u2019ll have a better understanding of the Princess\u2019s discomfort after sleeping on the ground.\u00a0 If the campground doesn\u2019t have the tent pad, be sure give the ground under your tent a thorough inspection for little rocks and large pebbles and remove each and every one.\u00a0 And, trust me, you\u2019ll find more while sleeping.<\/p>\n

From air mattress to sleeping mats, there are a number of things you can use to minimize those lumps.\u00a0 Personally, I would get off the ground all together and go for a cot but it is a sizable invest and I know I\u2019ll be camping again.\u00a0 If you aren\u2019t sure about the whole idea, ask your sleeping bag source about borrowing something to lay under their bag.\u00a0 You could also go with what you have on hand: an extra blanket, pine needles or a couple of beach towels, anything that\u00a0 offers some padding.<\/p>\n

So quiet<\/h2>\n

One might think the forest at night is really quiet but it can be anything but silent.\u00a0 Not noisy like boom boxes and train whistles, although these sounds are possible, but noisy with the sounds of nature.\u00a0 You won\u2019t believe how loud an amorous frog can get!\u00a0 Ear plugs are good if you are sensitive to unfamiliar sounds.\u00a0 Or camp near a stream for the \u201cwhite noise\u201d of flowing water.<\/p>\n

So dark<\/h2>\n

Another surprise for the novice camper is just how dark the night is in the forest.\u00a0 Some find the darkness terrifying.\u00a0 A good quality flashlight, kept close, is reassuring and will help reduce the stubbed toes on the way to the bathroom.<\/p>\n

Even experienced campers can be surprised by the swing in temperatures between day time and night.\u00a0 (A thirty-degree shift isn\u2019t uncommon in the mountains west of the Mississippi River.)\u00a0 Wearing a socking cap and socks are suggested to help ward off the cold.\u00a0 Another idea is to eat a little snack before climbing into your bedroll to generate some additional body heat.<\/p>\n

Darn the bugs<\/h2>\n

One last word – mosquitoes.\u00a0 They don\u2019t seem to care if it is day or night, mosquitoes are always hungry.\u00a0 You can apply a mosquito repellent just before you climb into bed or sleep well down and under the covers.\u00a0 I\u2019ve been know to sleep with a bandanna draped over my head.\u00a0 Sorry, but I haven\u2019t found anything more effective then these strategies.<\/p>\n

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