DZ Camping Escapade - Questionaire #1

[Perceptor]

There has been some interest expressed - perhaps jokingly, perhaps not - periodically, for a Deadzone Camping Trip.

Because I haven't nearly enough insanity in my life right now, I'm going to make an attempt to feel this particular idea out. Which, of course, means that I need to pester all y'all for some information. Question Time!

1) Leaving logistics out of it, are you interested in a DZ camping trip?

2) If so, how far would you be willing to travel to get to such a gathering? By what means would you be willing to travel that distance? (drive yourself, fly, teleport, etc...)

3) Would having an airport within one hour of the actual camping location affect your decision, and in what manner?

4) What time of the year would you prefer to have such a gathering in? What would work best in your schedule, and how flexible are you about that?

5) How many days would you be willing to come play, and what days of the week would work best in your schedule?

6) What sorts of amenities do you require in order to get dragged out into such an experience? What would you merely prefer but can do without if need be?

7) What sorts of camping equipment can you supply for yourself, and what would you need provided for you?

8) Would you be willing to share your camping equipment with folks who have a longer answer for the latter half of that previous question, rather than the former?

9) Finally, knowing how far you're willing to travel is all well and good, but, if you're willing to do so, I need a starting point to plot a general area that I need to concentrate on finding in my quest to find a location that is convenient to the greatest number of us. So, yes, I'm basically asking you where you live, or at least a major landmark close enough to where you live to give me a place to plot your individual travel radius. (if you aren't comfortable posting this here, but want to provide an answer to me privately to plot this mess, then PM me with your answer.)


Once I have all the data folks are willing to provide, I'll see if such a gathering is really desired, is feasible, and start crunching numbers on stuffs.

If it works out, I actually have access to a private campground in a state park. It's secluded - which means we can be as loud and nutty as we desire, has it's own swimming pool (a real pool with showers and changing house, not a pond), a mess hall, and has private cabins (okay, basically four walls, concrete floor, and a roof with frames for cots - nothing fancy, but precludes the need for tents if that's so desired). Of course, that would require that everyone travel to the St. Louis, Missouri area of the country, which is quite a haul for many folks.

Of course, that's provided that folks are even interested at all. Lemme know and I'll do my best to orchestrate, if possible.

[Long Haul]

1) Yes. It's the logistics that get in the way.

2) I'm willing to fly, so just about anywhere in the U.S. However, the likelihood of me doing this in the next year is LOW.

3) It would affect it positively.

4) No preferences, but as stated above, if this happens in less than a year, I'm unlikely to be able to make it.

5) Uncertain at this point. I'd try for a full week, though (although in this case, working with a major US holiday, like the 4th, makes life easier for me as I don't have to spend as much of my personal leave time).

6) Toilet paper. Water to shower with. Erm. Food. Alcohol. The last two (and the first one, really) I can provide myself.

7) I can provide a tent, sleeping bag, and... the usual little bits, like plate and forks and first aid kit and stuff. I'm not sure what else is required.

8) My tent is designed for two people, but it's a tight fit. If anyone's willing, I can share.

9) Southern Maryland.

[Holi]

1) Very interested.

2) I'm… reluctant to fly, but would if I had no other way to get there, as I can't yet drive myself.

3) That affects it neither negatively nor positively, really.

4) I would really rather not try to go camping in the summer for various season-related reasons, unless it was still very early in. I and summertime mix like oil and water. But if summer is the only feasible time for it to happen, I'm more than willing to deal.

5) However long it lasts. So long as I know when it's happening so I can give appropriate parties the heads-up, I'm good.

6) So long as there are showers and toilet paper (I can bring some myself if I have to), I'm fine, really. Swimming pool is a fine bonus.

7) Sleeping bag (I have a surplus of them, really, so if anyone needs to borrow, just say the word), a fairly decent-sized tent if it hasn't gone missing on me, camping chairs, I can bring. I don't know if I have any lanterns or such anymore, though I know I used to. I can get things like bug spray and a first aid kit if I have to.

8) The tent I have, if it hasn't gone away, has two relatively spacious "rooms" – it fits two adults to a room with space to move about and could probably squeeze three – and I'm more than willing to share. As mentioned above, I have lots of sleeping bags available to me, and I've four or five camping chairs.

9) West Tennessee.

…Did I miss anything?

[Wedge]

1) Oh yes very much so.

2) Well, if I could secure bus tickets, I'd be willing to go as far as I have the money for.

3) It doesn't affect my decision in any way.

4) I'd say mid-spring for spring breakers. Or after June. Probably won't be able to do until I'm actually done with school. So, don't mind me too much. I can always wait for a next get-together.

5) Ohhh as long as it's going to last ^^

6) Toilet paper. I'd love a computer, but I can do without XD

7) I have a big family tent somewhere in the house, I can also bring flashlights, sleeping bags, or food.

8) Always willing to share!

9) Central Illinois!

[Thundercracker]

1) Leaving logistics out of it, are you interested in a DZ camping trip?

Oooh, yes! Sounds like fun!

2) If so, how far would you be willing to travel to get to such a gathering? By what means would you be willing to travel that distance? (drive yourself, fly, teleport, etc...)

I'd be willing to travel about anywhere stateside. Out of country will be trickier. My car probably won't make it a long distance (that and I don't like driving long distances), but I would be willing to fly, take a bus, or carpool.

3) Would having an airport within one hour of the actual camping location affect your decision, and in what manner?

It would probably increase my chances of being able to make it.

4) What time of the year would you prefer to have such a gathering in? What would work best in your schedule, and how flexible are you about that?

Summers work best for me, especially next summer (before I start college). But I'm pretty flexible.

5) How many days would you be willing to come play, and what days of the week would work best in your schedule?

Probably no longer than a week. And I personally would prefer that time included a weekend, but I'm flexible there too.

6) What sorts of amenities do you require in order to get dragged out into such an experience? What would you merely prefer but can do without if need be?

Toilet paper, food, water, a sleeping bag, and my writing notebook (heh heh) are necessities. Wouldn't mind some way to access the Internet (yes, I'm a junkie), but if that's not feasable I can do without.

Also a necessity that most people might not think about -- a phone number where people back home can reach me. Call me paranoid, but I'd like to know family can get in touch with me in an emergency. I do have a cell phone, but don't know if it will have coverage wherever we're going.

7) What sorts of camping equipment can you supply for yourself, and what would you need provided for you?

I can bring most everything I need -- sleeping bag, first aid kit, bug repellant, eating utensils, etc. I even have a tent that can sleep up to four people.

8) Would you be willing to share your camping equipment with folks who have a longer answer for the latter half of that previous question, rather than the former?

As I said, I have a tent I'd be willing to share. Also extra sleeping bags if people need them. I'd also be willing to do some shopping and bring some of the food and/or cooking utensils for the trip.

9) Finally, knowing how far you're willing to travel is all well and good, but, if you're willing to do so, I need a starting point to plot a general area that I need to concentrate on finding in my quest to find a location that is convenient to the greatest number of us. So, yes, I'm basically asking you where you live, or at least a major landmark close enough to where you live to give me a place to plot your individual travel radius. (if you aren't comfortable posting this here, but want to provide an answer to me privately to plot this mess, then PM me with your answer.)

I live in Idaho, about an hour's drive from Boise.

[Mirage]

1)Yes, oh yes!

2) With enough warning, I am willing to fly; however will drive provided I can make it one-way in a day. Which for me driving equates to a 13-14 hr stint at the wheel.

3) makes little difference.

4) Honestly? I like camping in the fall. The weather’s better, the bugs are less, and the scenery is prettier. However, it is usually a busy season for me. My vote is for spring or fall; summer can be dealt with, but as with Tai, the sun is not my friend.

5) Up to a week, including the weekends on either end, so really 10 days I guess.

6) Um, a place to sleep that is dry and not stony, a fire pit, and bio-waste facility that I don’t have to worry about falling into. If we’re gonna go a week, access to water to wash off with would be nice. I’m not too picky; I once camped at Gettysburg for 1 1/2 weeks with the mud over a foot deep in places, and the Port-a –Sans a mile down the hill. Though I’d prefer we didn’t have mud and a hike to the facilities. On that note…more than one facility would be a good thing.

7) I don’t have much in the way of camping gear anymore. However, I will bring the basics-sleeping bag, blankest, first aid, whatnot- a camp stove, and various cast iron cookery. Toilet Paper and water. Everyone should bring toilet paper and water.

8) Yes.

9) West TN

[Dead End]

1) Yes

2) It depends on my situation at the time. Within a days drive would probably be fine.

3) Flying in will depend on my income situation at the time.

4) Not tick season.

5) Very up in the air, since I have no idea where I'll be working and living by the time this comes around, or what my schedule will be. Weekends are probably a better bet.

6) I'd rather not sleep on the ground, as I'm getting old enough that I don't tolerate bad night's sleep any more. Other than that, I'm used to roughing it at camp-outs, hunting camps, cabins in the far north...

7) If coming from home, I can provide my sleeping bag & bedding, possibly an air mattress, a camp stove, a large sharp knife, flashlight, etc. Sorry, don't have a tent. If coming from some remote contracting location, my backside and the large sharp knife. I'd need everything else.

8) The camp stove is obviously for the use of the cooks.

9) I normally live in southern Louisiana; Right Now, I'm contracting in the Bay area, California. Who knows where I'll be in 6 months.

[Eye-fire]

Sadly, unless someone actually has invented a teleporter, I will never be attending.

I happen to live in South Africa, and Unfortunately have neither the resources nor the time to go on a trip like that.