FlyingJ

No matter what kind of tent you get, as long as you take good care of it you should be able to get a few solid years of occasional use out of it. The most important things for prolonging life are to make sure it is COMPLETELY dry before you pack it, and to not leave it in sunlight (whether set up or packed) any longer than necessary (don't leave it in car/truck for the 10.5 months a year it isn't being used!). It doesn't hurt to throw a tarp or groundcloth under it even if it has a good floor, just to help prevent punctures. Just about anything that Wal-Mart/Target/Bass Pro, etc. sell should meet your needs. They sell the large dome or multi-room deals that don't totally break the bank and you should be able to count on them lasting for at least a few years of random usage. I second Skybytch's comment about Coleman. For my previous job I spent two to three weeks a month camping over the last two years. About half of that time, when weight wasn't a concern, I used my Coleman 3 person tent that I've had since 1997 and it is still in great shape. Be good to the tent and it should be good to you! Killing threads since 2004.

Yup, I made an overnight decision to leave my career and life in NYC to spend a year with AmeriCorps. Turned out to be two years and in the end had opened my eyes to a whole new career field. Now I'm working in wildland fire full time and have left the office life behind. I just wish I had found out about it sooner! Killing threads since 2004.

Someone gave my cousin a t-shirt from this place and I thought the "saying" or whatever you would call it on the back was pretty cool. The text is below: LovethisLife… is about celebrating the moment and that we’re not guaranteed or owed another day and how cool it is that what we hide can actually be the fuel towards our glory and that it’s not so bad being proven wrong LovethisLife… is about welcoming the blind turn and the possibility that there’s no such thing as coincidence and that empathy is incredibly sexy and that it’s never too late to pick up a guitar or a paintbrush or to make an amend or to make a new friend LovethisLife… could be about rekindling a past flame or igniting a new one or shapeshifting from a dreamer into a doer or savouring the caress of a love long gone LovethisLife… means whatever it is you want it to mean because LovethisLife… is a celebration of you and your path LovethisLife… ‘cuz it could go at any second you rock. Killing threads since 2004.

So Robby - did you decide on a Macbook vs. Dell? I've spent the last three days playing with my brother's Macbook and I'm totally sold. As soon as I can piece together the money I'm there! Killing threads since 2004.

Some kind of cream sauce would hit the spot. Something nice and rich! Killing threads since 2004.

Me too. Recently is about 6 years ago, but I started branching out. I've found out that I like such oddities as broccoli, and gasp...pickles! I'll try pretty much anything. My willingness occasionally makes me a bit of a guinea pig. Today my brother and I were the ones that had the honor of trying out the "fart inducing candy" my uncle gave my grandparents for Christmas, along with a package of stink bombs and a plastic finger that when pulled makes a fart sound. Unfortunately the candy didn't live up to its promise (at least not yet, about 6 hours later). Killing threads since 2004.

Just keep watching! Killing threads since 2004.

The promise of a new pair of White's smokejumper wildland fire boots for me. It's gonna' be a whole new world to have a pair of boots built for my feet and able to be rebuilt infinitely. Oh, and a pair of Bose ear bud headphones. They sure beat the $.97 pair from Wal-Mart I've been using! Merry Christmas everyone! jason. Killing threads since 2004.

Try www.kayak.com for flights. My last two trips I found them to have cheaper flights than travelocity or expedia. edit: spelling Killing threads since 2004.

Oscar the Grouch Killing threads since 2004.

This cartoon someone posted a couple years ago broke the ice with my mom... Killing threads since 2004.

I second that. Good views from the air AND the ground. Loved waking up to the foggy sunrise in the mountains. I took the attached pic through my open tent door before crawling back into my sleeping bag to wait for it to warm up another 20 degrees. Killing threads since 2004.

Attachment NSFW I love my family. My grandfather just sent me this email forward. My search didn't produce any results so hopefully it's not a repost. -------------- Hey Guys, I got a new set of Wiper Blades on my car. I think they might be too big because they hang over the edges a little, but I don't care, they work great and I would have to say that they are the only blades I have ever had that I actually like to watch working. Call me crazy, but lately I have been driving around non-stop with them on. I've even been pulled over and the cop asked to go for a ride so he could watch them work. They were outrageously expensive, but safety is my main concern and like I said, they work great. Let me know if you would like a pair for your car for Christmas. Killing threads since 2004.

Oh yeah, me too! The benefits and flex spending of my new job to start on Jan. 1. I SOOOO can't wait to chew on the right side of my mouth again!!! Killing threads since 2004.

I've always been incredibly impressed with Theodore Roosevelt. I don't necessarily love everything he did as POTUS, but am totally in awe of the man in general. I have never read about anyone with the kind of energy and "get up 'n go" that he had. The most impressive thing to me in regard to his presidency was his conservation efforts. He put aside more than 230 million acres for conservation. I remember reading a quote somewhere that said the amount of land he set aside was about the same as the land contained in all of the east coast states, from Florida all the way up to Maine. Killing threads since 2004.

Oh boy...you ain't kiddin'. Killing threads since 2004.

I do too, in general, but for some reason I've grown incredibly tired of it for Christmas dinner. Probably just because it's the exact same thing every year. I prefer to change things up! Killing threads since 2004.

No bonus for me technically, but I am happy to have just started a new job. Because I was working out of town when my first paycheck arrived in the mail it finally just hit my bank today, on the same day my second paycheck hit the bank via direct deposit, and the second check had 60 hours of overtime on it! Kind of feels like a bonus! Killing threads since 2004.

A fondue meal for us. Couple different kinds of meat cut and divided up, everybody takes their time around the table cooking the little pieces a few at a time. Makes for quite a long meal with lots of conversation. I'll be honest that I've been sick of it for the last few years, but it still makes for a great family meal. Years ago we started with cheese and ended with chocolate, but we now skip both of those and just go for more meat! Killing threads since 2004.

bounce...from last year. I like this one - always good for a laugh. I don't think I've seen it posted this year. Killing threads since 2004.

hehe...seems like that would be a pretty good NYC vs. Jersey comparison too, right down to the "bon jovi" tattoo. Killing threads since 2004.

Been a long time since I restocked as I've been moving around a bunch. At the moment: bottle of Glenlivet scotch bottle of Armagnac (forget the brand, but mmm...tasty) bottle of Maker's Mark And probably a six-pack or so of Shiner. I'm still excited about having constant access to Shiner Bock. I haven't even gotten started thinking about restocking the harder stuff yet! Killing threads since 2004.

The person I spoke with said she really enjoys working there. We had a few short conversations. She was kind enough to stay on the line with me while my brother worked out some things on his end so that we wouldn't have to spend another hour trying to get through. Killing threads since 2004.

Wow - this should be used as an advertisement for getting your rigger's ticket! Killing threads since 2004.

Rosie O'Donnell is a lesbian. Think about that. Where is the "whole body shudder" icon when you need one! Killing threads since 2004.