I tried out my new flycreek ul1 this last weekend. Once more the thought processes my brain goes through before I purchase something has let me down. This was by no means the tent's fault.
The last time I was camping, six of us shared a very large tent which was sometimes prone to leaking. We took turns with a foot pump to blow up the air mattress for our sleeping bag.
Our backpack was an automobile made in the early 60's. We went out west to the mountains every summer, usually to Yellowstone.
Yes, I remember feeding the bears ( sorry to say ). Our entertainment on the long drive out there was counting antelope and different state license plates. I would not trade those memories for wealth, health, or love.
I live in the sticks and have a nice area with large rock-ringed fire pit surrounded by trees and several places to pitch a tent. Had a very nice party this weekend with a dozen or so people camping out. One couple ( 20 somethings with two adorable kids under 5 ) came "camping" with their tent on at least six wheels and had to be staked down with 400 ft of electrical cord to my house. I assume that was to keep the refridgerator, AC, lights, and DVD player from being blown over in case of a storm. I could not help but think "this is not camping". Both kids had the cutest little lawn chairs for sitting around the fire but when dad later brought them out a portable dvd player to watch while they sat there, my heart sank a little.
We had an awesome fireworks show. No one got hurt and the sheriff did not show up so all was well. Fortunately, I was inattentive to my jeep as the night wore on, and the battery and the music died. We were reduced to several lawn chairs around a beautiful campfire. Only the sound of wood burning and conversation, I loved it.
After 1,2,......beers and a couple of brats I was ready for bed which brings me back to the flycreek. Please forgive my rambling. The tent is everything it claims to be, in my opinion. It was simple to set up, although I did have to get back online to look at the picture of it again to stake down the fly. But that is just me. Once I set it up I decided I wanted to move it a few feet to a new spot, I just pulled the stakes and carried the whole tent like a paper sack, set it down and restaked it. Weather was almost insignificant, breezy and had some misty annoying rain, but I was totally dry. My thermorest pad was comfortable enough although I did let a little air out twice during the night. Being my first night on the ground I cheated and bought a twin bed cushion thing from wal-mart which I intended to cut to match my thermorest. I got lazy and just folded it in half. That was a mistake.
My problem with the tent ( the real reason for this post ) was getting in and out of it. I am either too fat or too old, but for me it was a hassle. It took all the fun out my having a new tent. There is room between the tent door and fly for your boots, not much else. Should you wake up with a gas problem, by the time you can get out, it will have taken care of itself. I am not berating the tent, only my decision making. I am off to see if I can find where my thought process got derailed.