Lessons in "Rolling with It"

So, here we are, 14 days from departure and we are finally accepting the fact that our amazing rooftop tent is not going to arrive in time for the trip. BUMMER! We're still super-excited to get our SkyCamp when we get back; we're just sad not to have it for this trip. We knew from the beginning that this was a possibility, and we had a backup plan just in case, but we were really hoping the stars would align on this one. Oh well. Given how much we're going to have to readjust and go with the flow during the trip, we're considering this good practice in figuring out how to make things work.

On to Plan B!

Our world-class accommodations will be...drum roll, please...a ground tent!

We're going with an REI "Kingdom" tent which has both a detachable "garage" and a screened-in front area.

Our top considerations in choosing a tent were:

• Ease of set-up/breakdown: We are not staying in any one place longer than 2 nights, and we will often be making camp after a long, adventure-filled day, so the less mental and physical energy we have to spend on sleeping quarters, the better. This tent has "hubbed" aluminum pole assemblies, which are much easier to deal with and, *bonus,* no fiberglass splinters! We're going to do a few trial nights here in our backyard to get it all figured out and practice the set-up and breakdown.
• Water protection: As much as we'd like to pretend that we'll have 8 weeks of perfect weather, it's likely that we'll be camping in the rain at least some of the time. This tent got great reviews, even in really nasty weather, so we'll hope for the best. If we get wet, we'll deal. It won't be the first time
• Space/privacy: 4 people. 8+ weeks. Enough said. The ability to divide the tent into separate areas for gear, sleeping, changing clothes, hanging out, etc., is a real plus, especially when traveling with a teenage girl (Julia just turned 13!). We're pretty used to traveling and staying in close quarters, but it will be nice for all of us to have at least some privacy when we need or want it.

Once we got the tent and accessories, we were a bit concerned about space. With all the time we'll be spending in the car, we definitely don't want to be packed in like sardines, and we'd like to be able to see out the back window as we explore different areas of this gorgeous country.

Huge thanks to our friends the Jassie family for lending us their rooftop carrier! 

We did a quick trial, and it looks like we can fit the tent, accessories, all of the bedding and sleeping pads, and a few other things on the roof, leaving enough space in the back of the car for clothes, camp stove, cookware, and other miscellaneous gear. We've gotten pretty used to traveling light, so I think we're going to be okay. 

The kids are now out of school, and it's time to really start organizing, finalizing lists, packing, and preparing. Stay tuned for more updates, please cross your fingers that we don't run into any other "plan B" moments, and wish us luck as we enter the final countdown.* 

 *cue Europe music video...or Geico commercial?