@OCJ_Brendan Well, they always say no battle plan lasts beyond the first bullet being fired, so why would this be any different? Heh. First day I actually already planned on setting up my grill and cooking a shitload of hot dogs for anybody that wants one – so I figure that’ll go a long way towards building goodwill amongst my neighbors. Dunno why, but even after watching some of the Gathering vids out there (in which EVERYONE is wearing a backpack), I never considered a backpack. I’ll have to add that to my ever-growing list for sure.

@VeryTwiztidRaven & @Cheshyr Thanks for the further info on the dry ice… I have literally NEVER seen a cooler like you mention in our grocery stores up here. I’m gonna have to do some homework. Sounds like this is a more common tactic than I’d have ever expected.

Very glad I quit lurking and finally posted on here, you guys have been great. Thanks again!

I don’t do “roughing it.” I travel with so much stuff, it ain’t even funny hahaha I’m actually surprised that I camp at all…sheer financial inability to get a hotel and drive an hour per day, every day, was what made me want to camp in the first place. Now, I’ve amassed enough stuff that I can do it reasonably comfortably…but it’s certainly not roughing it haha

-Jules

Before I even start a reply… Goddamn your signature, @psyral-infection – Every time I start to type something, and it’s on the screen, I get stuck watching the time tick until I consciously snap myself out of it. Grr.

I’m getting the subtle hint from @scruffy and @old-mr-dangerous that I’m overthinking shit / overplanning… I dunno, as of right now I’m not even planning on bringing a tent. I’ve got a futon mattress that fits in the back of my SUV with the seats folded down nicely, so with the windows down, I expect to be semi-comfortable with that and not need the added hassle of a tent. I could be very wrong, though.

I do intend to walk the grounds, quite a bit actually. I’m out of shape, more than I’d even like to admit, but walking isn’t an issue – I walk a couple miles a day at work, easy. So that part shouldn’t be too bad. Sunburn’s not an issue, as by July I’ll have my typical base farmer’s tan that never burns thereafter.

Great story, @old-mr-dangerous… I definitely expect to make plenty of those memories of my own, man.

Side note: @scruffy made with the third-person-reference. Heh, nice!

The fact that you itemized the list of stuff you got is friggin’ awesome. Hehe. Reading your review now, halfway through Day 0 and enjoying the hell out of your writing style thus far.

EDIT: Made it to the end… DAMN. Nice work. Makes me look forward to this even more, if that were even possible. I’ll have to keep an eye out for your mailbox and try to think of something out-of-the-ordinary to leave you.

The best thing is if you forget anything or get your hammer for putting in tent stakes confiscated or something shitty some ninja will help you out. If you already have good camping gear or can borrow it this will save you a fortune. Get out your gear and test everything BEFORE you leave to make sure it works.

To avoid spending too much money on going to the gathering, we stock up on things that we will need for gotj gradually throughout the course of a couple months. I always try to find a good deal on some type of sports drink.  For 2012  I bought like  30 32oz Powerades for 80 cents a piece at Dollar General.  Everytime I stopped in there I bought a few and put them in a red rubbermaid tote that I use for dry food when we go to gotj.  Same thing with some nonperishable snacks.  We don’t really feel much like eating when we are camping and partying so we mostly live on a few staple snacks granola bars, fruit, cheese sticks and lots of peanut butter.  

A cooler that says it will keep ice for 5 days in 90 degree weather.  Its a great investment will save you money on food and ice. I also definately suggest freezing different sized bottles of water to help  If you are camping with alot of people who are wanting to cook at your campground, bring two coolers and do the STACK approach. On bottom put your food cooler. You will want to keep the drain plug open so your lunch meat, eggs, hamburger, etc. doesn’t get water logged. On top you can put a cooler that is specifically for drinks, the one you will be opening and closing all day. By putting it on top you keep the outside of the cooler from reaching an equilibrium temperature with the ground, you will keep ice in it longer this way.

Anybody thinks they can just come in and take MY money just so they can go to some queer clown festival has another thing coming!

I have a sure fire way to prevent the gathering flu if anyone wants it.  

Step 1 Aquire trash bags and duct tape (ideally clear unless you are just that gangster…I personally use black ones…)

Step 2 Put trash bag on head.

Step 3 Tightly wrap duct tape around your neck (So tight no nasty gathering air can get in)

Step 4 Enjoy your weekend germ free…