(Originally Published in July 2014)
The first thing I did when I learned the stars had aligned and I would be heading to the LOCKN’ Music Festival in rural Virginia, in early September, was check the line-up. Man, my first festival would be a doozie – The Allman Brothers band (on their farewell tour, no less), Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, the Chris Robinson Brotherhood, Umphrey’s McGee, and a host of other acts would be playing over four days. Equally important as the tunes was the totes. I’d be car camping. What should I bring…?
It had been years since I hiked and camped with my father along the Florida Trail or tented with my wife at Fisheating Creek Campground. Suffice it to say, my camping supplies were long gone. But I had a good idea what I’d need.
Using Google and keyword phrases like musical + festival + car + camping + supplies, and – Voila! – I hit the mother lode.
Sure, I’d need a tent and a sleeping bag. maybe a hammer for driving stakes (though I hear the Virginia State Police have viewed hammers as “weapons” and banned or confiscated them in the past). No open flame of any kind, so no fire-making accessories or tiki lamps.
But our SUV will be stocked to the gills nonetheless.
In no particular order, I’ve gathered such things as bamboo posts, stakes and rope to hang the tapestries my ride is bringing; and a folding chair and blanket for the actual shows.
I’ll also bring my dayglow, Gaastra Sails backpack, a water pouch and a couple extra carabiner clips, my Panama Jack wide-brimmed hat, sun glasses, bug dope (that’s not contraband, is it?), and a head-lamp for night-time gettin’ around.
Practical me knows I have to bring toiletries and some semblance of first-aid supplies. Someone told me to bring a few pair of shoes, and flip-flops, and clothes I don’t mind getting muddy. Weather should be sweet, but I bought a few cheap ponchos anyway.
And being true to my tech side, I’ll bring a few tech products to augment the experience. I landed a BlackFire Clamplight Mini that can be clamped almost anywhere; an 808 Audio Canz Bluetooth speaker for portable tunes in the tent or elsewhere; and a killer portable power source for my iPhone: The NewTrent Powerpak Extreme NT120R waterproof, dirt proof and shock proof portable battery. It’ll deliver like 12,000 mAh of power to my phone. That’s geek speak for getting 42 hours of additional talk time, plus a load of video, texts and social media uploads before the PowerPak loses its life.
I’m certain I’ll call it a night before the Powerpak does.
All this packing, I’m just to wonder if our SUV will carry all our stuff. We may just need a semi…