ROAD SENSE
Car camping shows no signs of fading away.
There are more than two dozen groups to get like-minded campers to get together and explore new destinations.
The campsites have also increased in number, it’s amazing how one country road in Tanay is literally lined by campsites – all of them offering the same river as the major attraction.
Car camping is not new. It’s a step up the camping experience but this one brings the vehicles into the picture.
Some cars – like vans – have been converted into sleeping quarters with a corner for cooking. Other vehicles are part of the camping experience – as a solid base to attach camping gear, like awnings which can become sitting areas or sleeping quarters with the new attachments offered by Overland Kings.
On the vehicle roofs, tents can be installed to provide very comfortable bedrooms with windows. For those who prefer to be “grounded,” a car can be the “wall” to attach the strings that will keep a standard tent steady. Or, the vehicle can shield the tents from wind and rain.
You get what I mean. In this form of camping, the car is part of the whole experience.
It’s amazing to see the people who have become serious car campers. The most active group I’ve seen is the Seniors Car Camping Plus of about 20 active members who bring along family members and friends. They are now preparing for their second anniversary and the group chat page has been alive with the conversation on food assignments, games and prizes, talent show, even decorations!
I am a member of this group and even if I have no time to join the camping activities – which happen at least once to twice a month – I follow the conversation because it’s like participating in the fun.
This is one group where organizing an event starts from a remark which is dribbled around, and before the end of the day becomes a camping activity complete with a date, campsite location, departure time and meeting place. Upon arrival at the campsite, camaraderie and experience comes alive!
Documenting their experiences through Facebook posts are Nida Bernardo, also known as “Lola Camper” (with husband Lolo Camper Lope); and Bodjie Rivera, who appears to be the unofficial leader or secretariat of the group.
While each family sets up camp, with senior members showing an adeptness that defies their age, others help in putting the common areas in order – the kitchen and dining tents.
The stuff around the camp shows the variety of camping gear that are now available in the market – power sources, rechargeable fans, coffee makers, fairy lights, cooking ranges, grilling stations, shower rooms, bonfire trays. The list is long, and will tempt the avid campers to spend more.
Joel and Overland Kings
Car camping has also been made quite popular and exciting by Overland Kings headed by Joel Conrad Pedro. The company is not only into outfitting vehicles for the outdoors, it is now well-known for setting up a complete camp which includes gourmet dining.
In its 38th camp event this year, Overland Kings set up the Isuzu D-Max Camp in Sagada on Aug. 21-23 with Sarsa Executive Chef Kim Yumol and Baguio Mountain Man Chef Chavi Romawac and his wife Millie.
It was more than heart-warming to be welcomed to a rain drenched camp by a dining table with place cards for each camper, and a menu that played with our names. Mine read: “Kansi Colmenares, a slightly sour soup of beef shank, bone morrow, jackfruit and batwan.” Anjo Perez’s food item read: “Pinikpikan Perez, a traditional comforting soup of native chicken with watercress and chayote.”
Small details like that put “style” into time in the pine forest. Overland Kings thought of many small details that made that Sagada camp quite unbeatable – until Joel thinks of something new. My tent which was an attachment to an awning, had a cot with air mattress, desk and chair, fan, lights, foot rugs, and bedroom slippers. In the makeshift showers were water heaters.
Uncle Peter and his camp
When they are not out camping, the campers participate in car shows that invite them to set up camping gear that they actually use outdoors. An exhibit held by Street Show Garage yesterday, Aug. 31, showcased various overland and offroad vehicles, many of them set up for camping. One setup was that of my friend Peter Gaw, who displayed his Suzuki Jimny with an awning and an igloo-shaped tent which was furnished with a bed sofa, chairs, tables, fans. Outside was the kitchen with a range, griller, coffee maker. Helping him put that all together was Lawrence Dy, a camper who has helped organize several camping groups. Always seen with Peter and Lawrence at the campsites is Joey Ong. The three are like the three kings of car camping.
How can anyone even think car camping will fade into hobby history? As long as there are people like the senior campers (Bodjie, Nida and Lope), Joel and Overland Kings, Peter, Lawrence, and Joey, and Isuzu Philippines whose vehicles are icons of the outdoor lifestyle – car camping will be here to stay.