Saturday, April 4, 2015

Prepping For Rolex


Our tickets came!!!!!  I'm so excited!!  :D  It's getting closer and closer.  So we bought a tent (our old one dry rotted) on sale before Christmas.  It is an Ozark Trail tent that came as a bundle deal with an air up queen mattress, two sleeping bags and four folding chairs.  The tent is huge!  It's way bigger than I thought it would be.  We've been meaning to set it up since we got it, but due to the weather we haven't had a chance to (too cold or rainy).  Until this weekend that is!!!

Looking in the window.  That is a queen sized mattress.  You could put three in there!

 Zoomed out from the window.

 One of the doors.  There is another on the opposite corner.

 From the side.  The other side looks like this too.
Also those are two of the chairs and a fold up table mom is letting us borrow.

Here is a video that I found on Youtube where someone did a walkthrough of theirs.  It's really cool.

If you can't see embedded videos, click here.

It was actually really easy to set up.  All the poles just unfold and snap together and everything is color coded.  We learned a few things about setting it up (read the directions folks!) that will make it much easier than it was today.  Really the hardest part is just hammering in the ground stakes and that's only hard because you're bending over or squatting haha. I really like it!  So as part of our prep work we're going to sleep in it tonight in the yard.  :D

One of the really neat things about it, that I don't think they showed on the video is the bottom, sides and top are all one piece that hangs suspended from the pole framework, then that blue rain sheet goes over the top of the poles.  The roof of the actual tent is screen for air flow or you could leave the rain sheet off and be able to see the stars from your sleeping bag!!!  I'll have to get pictures or video of us disassembling it tomorrow so you can see it.  It's hard to describe, but it's so cool.

Other than that I've decided not to take Jackal.  I think taking him out of state for his first camping trip is just asking for problems.  It's a really long drive too and having to stop for potty breaks would have us getting there after dark.  The other thing is not being able to take him into restaurants or the shopping area at KHP.  They have a humane society dog sitting booth, but I'm too scared to leave him with a bunch of strange dogs.  I have NEVER left him anywhere and he would be an anxious, barking, crying mess if I left him.  I want camping to be fun for him, not stressful.  So as much as I want to take him I don't think it's fair to him.  They also require a current Rabies, DHLPP and Bordetella (kennel cough) vaccine.  I don't believe in over vaccinating.  He is current on rabies, but I'm not giving him the other two at his age.  He's never had a kennel cough vaccine and I don't want to give him one.  That also makes me paranoid about leaving him around a bunch of other dogs I don't know (remember he's never been boarded or anything, he stays with my parents if I'm gone).  He also hasn't lost all of the extra weight yet and I'm afraid he'll get too hot or too tired being gone all day.  Once we are in the KHP we can't leave because the tickets do not allow reentry!  So anyway that probably just sounds like a bunch of excuses, but in my gut I know it's the right thing to do.  I know my personality and Jackal's personality and we just won't do well getting separated in a place like that.  Neither one of us would be happy or having fun.

Now my last question is for all of you who have met fellow bloggers before.  How did you meet up?  Did you exchange cell phone numbers and call when you got there? Did you set up a prearranged time and place to meet?  Did you just wander aimlessly around through hundreds of people and hope you recognized someone you've only ever seen in a photo?  I appreciate any help!  I'm looking forward to meeting all of you who are going to Rolex!!!!

27 comments:

  1. I've connected with a lot of blogger's through facebook...so usually we end up just exchanging cell #'s whenever I go to big horsey events. Enjoy Rolex! It's a blast...I really wish i was going this year!

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    1. I think that's the route I'm going to go. It seems the most popular option. I wish you could go this year too!!

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  2. That's an awesome tent! I hope that you have a great time.

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  3. That's an awesome tent! I hope that you have a great time.

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    1. Thank you!! I'm really pleased with the tent. I was nervous buying it, but I haven't regretted it! It was sooooo easy to take down today too. There was rain coming so I wasn't able to get video of the process but I can try again another weekend. :)

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  4. That tent is amazing!!!! I would have done the same re: Jackal. I think your decision is a wise one, given the environment and that this would be his first time camping.

    When I've met bloggers, we've exchanged e-mails and/or cell phone numbers. FB has been sort of the "gateway" for blogger meet ups for me. :)

    I hope you have a truly wonderful time! Will look forward to reading all about this adventure!

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    1. Thank you for saying that about Jackal. I feel like it's the right decision, but I still felt bad for deciding to leave him home. He will be much happier at home.

      There is a Rolex FB meetup page so I'll probably use that and private message everyone with my number. :) Thanks!

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  5. How exciting! I wish I could go to Rolex this year.. If I go, I would plan on emailing/facebook messaging any blogger who is going there and asking for their number so I can call them and meet up.

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  6. I am jealous. I am sure that you will have a fabulous time! And the tent is great.

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  7. Love the tent. I need to get some new fold up chairs. All of mine either broke or rotted. When I've met bloggers I either exchanged mobile phone numbers or pre-arranged a place and time to meet.

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    1. I was really happy it came with four chairs! We put two in the tornado shelter and two with the camping stuff. They are definitely handy to have around. When mine break it always seems to be the seat separating from the arm. I like to curl up in mine though hehe.

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  8. What a sweet tent! Looks about like ours and while we originally thought it'd be too big, it's turned out quite nice for us......LOTS of wiggle room. ☺ I think you're making a good decision all the way around for Jackal....momma knows nest after all. ;-) Have fun!

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    1. Aww thanks. I felt bad changing my mind about Jackal, but I know he'll be happier at home. :) I'm glad your tent turned out nice!! We don't have kids, but with the dog it will be good to have the extra room. Also if I take it horse camping it will give me room for horse gear. :)

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  9. I have a 10x10 Coleman tent that I absolutely love and yours looks so much more awesome!

    You should be able to go to your car and then back to the grounds, I think you can even leave and come back. I know I sent back and forth from the grounds to my car almost every day (shopping!) both times I went to Rolex. Wish I could have gone this year, unfortunately we were holding off because of the possibility of our move and now it is happening so no vaca for me. Maybe we can meet up in another year or two!

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    1. Thanks! Our tent is 14x14. :)

      That's good to know about being able to go to the car. I'll definitely have to ask when we get there because on the ticket it says once the ticket is scanned you can't use it to get back in. It may be something new they changed this year. Did yours have a bar code on it?

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    2. Oh and forgot to say I'm very sad you can't go this year, but we will definitely figure something out in the next year or so. :)

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  10. That's a really nice tent! Have fun at Rolex!!

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  11. That tent is huge! It's like a house. Jackal will probably be happier at home and you'll get to enjoy yourself more without having to worry about him. I'll be at Rolex too. I'd love to meet up with people though I have done zero planning around this. What's the facebook group called?

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    1. It's called Rolex Blogger Meet Up. I'm pretty sure you'll need an invite to join. I'd be happy to do it if you message me on Facebook. :)

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  12. Great tent! Will be our 2nd time at Rolex - we will be there all day Friday and Saturday. Last year, we were living in KY and I arranged to meet one blogger at our barn - we went out to dinner that night. Other bloggers I met - we ran in to each other while shopping at the vendor village. Have a fab time!!!

    Last year, they took our tickets when we entered but I think they stamped our hand or gave us a wristband (can't remember) but we were able to go out to our vehicle and get back in.

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    1. Good to know about being able to go to the vehicle!! I hope I get to see you at Rolex!!! I'll be there Saturday for sure and possibly on Sunday. We have to drive all day Friday, but if anyone plans a late dinner we might be able to make it to that. :D

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  13. that tent is flipping amazing!! haha y'all are gonna have a blast - please take sooooooo many pictures so i can live vicariously through you :D

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    1. I will take lots and lots!!!! Gonna take the GoPro too. :D

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