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It has been said over and over that a good nights sleep can mean the difference between an enjoyable camping trip rather than the desire to find the nearest motel and getting a day park pass. Let me send along a few pointers for your approval.

The night before you've decided to go on a three day campout is not the time to make

that decision. It has to be, at least, several weeks before. Unless you go with a person that spends a great deal of time in the outdoors It can almost be guaranteed that you will cut your trip short and vow never to go again. I have gone on many of these where I agreed to go with a friend that called at the last minute, and have regretted it every time. Although it has to be said it gives you some bragging rights later in life to tell your children and grandchildren How you spent the night along the Rio Grande river in sleet, hail and twenty eight degree weather . How you lay shivering in a tent in a pair of shorts and tee shirt when the day before it was ninety eight and sweltering. Of course they wont believe you so take a camera and a notebook to document the trip.

Find out the weather conditions of the area you plan to inhabit. Call the Park and ask

questions about the weather, if there is any construction or restrictions. You wouldn't want to take uncooked food only to find that there is a campfire ban. Is the terrain rocky, marshy, loaded with pricklypear with little or no shade in the surrounding area. Are there hurricane or gale force winds expected for that local.

In areas with abundant sunshine your tent can become intolerable during the day and evening. The fly sheet can be utilized for shading the tent from rain, sun, and wind. In a warm climate it can be used for addtional cushioning under you sleeping bag. Is the opening of your tent facing the breeze or away from it? It would be disasterious for your campfire to be directly in front of the opening with a lovely breeze wafting every bit of smoke into the tent entrance. Little things can become major so take a tip from me. I love the smell of wood smoke but when everything you own is permiated with it, if you are sensitive the smell of old smoke can be pungent and non conducive to sleep.

If it is cold or wet weather a damp sleeping situation can make for a miserable night. Refer back to the night along the Rio Grande river. Large black heavy duty garbage bags can be used to slip over your sleeping bag to prevent getting soaked, or your body for that run to the toilet, It also

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