Truck Camping

[Treble Bolt 1,122]

So, because my job has really been tearing me down (mentally), I decided on a whim that I am going to not only go to MLP-MSP, but also Midwest Bronyfest. However, being a brony without IRL brony friends, and a husband who is a big closet brony (and thus one con was enough for him), I am deciding to truck it alone. However, hotels are extremely expensive when all by myself, and I not only feel awkward, but also very unsure of the idea of rooming with strangers for everyone to get a discount on overall cost (maybe after the first day if I make friends, but that's just not practical). On top of that, the hotels that are available for Midwest Bronyfest are expensive! I am just not a hotel-y kind of person anyways....I would rather camp out.

Camping would be a good thing considering all campgrounds open Memorial Day weekend (Midwest Bronyfest is that weekend and MLP-MSP is in June). But I also know, EVERYONE and their brothers are going to take the family out for the first summer camping trip and I really don't want to compete with late night shenanigans of screaming kids and yapping dogs in an overflowing campground . Plus, in places like Kansas City and Minneaoplis, campgrounds are not found in the cities, and those that are I believe are strange (isn't the point to camp out in nature...you know, away from city life? ) not to mention expensive and usually RV only (I'm a tenter). So if I want to camp out, I'd have to travel out of the city, and after the night concerts that may go into the early morning hours, I know I wouldn't to drive to a campground, sleep for a few hours, and then go right back....leaving all my camping stuff completely unattended on top of that.

So I thought of combining the two problems into one solution. Camping in my pickup! I have a topper for our bigger pickup and since it's just me, it won't be too difficult. I actually plan to do this for my trip up to Fargo for my steam engine stuff (I will also be alone on that trip since it will be a week long).

I am used to camping, so sleeping arrangements and stuff will not be too difficult. Parking laws, and vagrancy laws can be researched. The biggest thing I worry about is getting a shower. I could ask someone to use their shower at a con, but that would be awkward and I am not counting on it. I know I could use truck stop showers, but so far, my research has turned up potential truck stops as being nearly an hour away from the cons! So....has anyone ever done this?  What are your thoughts on this idea?

 

(I actually wasn't sure where to put this topic)

[simba86 1,541]

We usually sponge bath or use baby wipes and then wash our hair with a bucket or a jug of water, works even better if you have a sink to use

[FlutterHigh 81]

Here are my thoughts

1- if there area says no parking for more than 8 hours don't worry have 7 hours of fun than get to your truck to move it to a separate parking area

2- It's by law illegal to tow a car/truck with a person in it for safety reasons so the 8 hours don't apply if your inside your vehicle

3-If your inside your vehicle in a spot for more than 8 hours or the time specified cops have authority to tell you to move and not tow you since your inside

4-The whole shower thing can be addressed with talc powder and cologne. The talc removes moisture and fights bacteria while cologne just covers any missed areas or areas the talc is not working properly.

5-If you have hair your worried about cleaning best you can do is dry talc powder again lightly combed through your hair. The talc not only removes water it also removes grease you would find in dirty hair. Basically its how you wash a sensitive baby's hair has another word for talc powder is baby powder.

6-Your best bet for food and bathrooms are restaurants not the con food as its overly priced like any event you will attend in your life. Now the bathrooms is your personal preference since bathrooms that are open for 8-12 hours at a time for convention people can get a bit dirty even though they clean them once an hour.

7-For phone charging i recommend the convention center itself unless you can suffice that technology. From experience i only went to the brony con's in Baltimore but they all had outlets with access for people like us to use.

8-Now if your worried about change of clothes well your at a convention so buy as many Pony shirts your heart desires.

9-If you wan't to brush your teeth it only takes 3-5min max so i just recommend putting up with the awkwardness of brushing them in the convention bathrooms

10-Lastly your vehicle is your domain it's only your place to rest your at a convention so remember to have fun and enjoy any event you can.

 

Hope this help's 

Sincerely: FlutterHigh

[Treble Bolt 1,122]

My hair is over 3 feet long, I am not sure Talc will be easy to get out of hair that long. I do plan on baby wipes, and also am working on going the no-poo route for my hair (no shampoo, just apple cider and vinegar...been working wonders and don't have to wash as often). I am not too worried about sweat during the con days...its just the concerts. I really enjoy them