Ok - you all have great ideas and thank you soooo much!!!

... most are trending toward the tarptent. i'm hesitant. i think because it feels so open. i'm a single girl who camps a bit alone with her dogs.

these below are pretty heavy (and maybe i'm justifying it with losing weight with my pack) ... but i'm hoping for the following:

- it rains 1/2 the time i camp - so big enough to for hanging out in alone with dogs or with peeps.
- space space space, light as i can get without crazy cost

these aren't all that light, but i'm also weighing space & price point (so i wont cry if the dogs rip it ... 2 boy labs)

kelty ouray
rei halfdome
marmot aeros 3p
sierra design anu

thoughts? keep looking? and thanks again for all your help!