New Awning

One of the options we did not get when we bought the camper was an awning. The manufactured awnings were nice but too expensive for our budget. We are used to using a tarp when camping and my thought was to adapt a tarp we already had to serve as an awning.

My first attempt at an awning last summer was simple but not effective. I had resolved to come up with a better solution.  In addition, camping in  Minnesota in the summer requires protection from bugs for camping comfort. Depending on the season, no-see-ums, mosquitoes, gnats, deer flies, horse flies, yellow jackets can take a lot of pleasure out of being outdoors. We are not fans of chemical repellents, although they can be necessary.

So the idea became to make an awning and screen room to attach to the camper.


I did not need to reinvent the awning- I just copied what was already out there. The first step was to create a framework to hold the tarp and support the insect screen.

I installed some awning track on the wall of the camper.

I used marine bimini top hardware to attach some poles made out of electrical conduit to the camper and to each other to make the framework. The nylon bimini pole ends fit perfectly into the conduit. The conduit is cheap and easy to work with.



The hardware is easy to connect and disconnect.

I bought some adjustable tent poles for the corners from Cabela's which worked perfectly. They have a pin on the end that fits through the fittings on the conduit. I attached a rope to stake out the framework.

We had to thread some awning cord into the hem of the tarp to slide into the awning track. We added some webbing and velcro ties to the tarp to reinforce it and attach it to the pole structure. A grommet at the corners of the webbing allows the pole to poke through. Webbing loops added to the tarp on the truck side support the bug enclosure. We also added loops at the corners for additional guy lines if needed in the wind.

After lots of sewing by Kathy, the tarp was turned into an awning. The awning is approximately 8x10 feet.

We had originally planned to sew the screen room too. Looking online for ideas, we found a screen enclosure made for a gazebo at Lowe's that was nearly the perfect size (10x10 feet) and cost barely more than the raw netting. We had to add some velcro ties in spots to hang it from the poles, but for the most part, it was ok as it came out of the box. It is four-sided so it makes a complete enclosure with zippers on each side. We undo the zippers on two sides to let the sides overlap to take up the extra dimension and make an easy entrance without needing to work the zippers.

We are pleased with the result. It is easy to set up and take down.

The awning can be used alone for shade. The screen enclosure can be added whenever it is needed.

There is room inside to set up the kitchen, two chairs and include the dog with room to spare. The total cost was less than $150, most of which was the cost of the screen enclosure.

The tarp and screen enclosure stuff into 3 small stuff sacks that fit in the passenger side bench storage. The poles ride on the roof rack while we travel.








Here's another shot showing the awning with a center pole that we added to get more headroom.

We are happy with how it all turned out. We don't use the awning and screen room on every trip but when it is raining (or sunny with no shade) or the bugs are bad it is a welcome addition to our setup.

Winter Wandering in the West (Part 3)

We arrived in Corvallis damp but happy. With the combination of rain, 100 percent humidity and dew point temps in the camper for several straight days, it was not possible to keep everything dry. Water was beading up on every surface. Ventilation did not help because the outside air was as wet as inside. The main casualty was our bedding and mattress. The dew was just running off the walls and dripping off the ceiling and the bedding was there to soak it up. The main problem was around and under the edges of the bed. We always had a dry place to sleep, but given enough time without the weather changing, eventually everything would have gotten soaked. Thankfully, we had a warm dry house to live in for a while and dry everything out. Our takeaway was that the camper just was not the right solution for the climate we were in. Warm weather- ok; cold and dry weather- ok. Cold and humid, wet weather- not ok. Other than the condensation problem on the coast, the camper was great and worked just as we expected.

Firs inside and out added to the season's ambiance.

Our time in Corvallis was filled with fun, family time. It was my first Christmas outside of Minnesota in my entire life of 63 years. I had a hard time believing it, but it was true. Both our kids and my brothers two kids, who are close to each other in ages and temperaments were there along with my neice's husband. My brother's house was large enough to accommodate everyone in a bed (or couch). The house was decorated for Christmas and we really felt right at home.






 The first order of business was the traditional crab dinner on Christmas Eve. My brother and I went to pick up his crab order at the local seafood supplier. On walking in the door- bad news! No crab! The season would not start this year until December 31 and the shop had not been able to get any California crab. After a few minutes of panic and what to do scenarios, the solution was uncovered. My nephew was still in Portland, travelling down to Corvallis that day. Could fresh live crab be found in Portland? Yes it could- tragedy averted.

Fresh Dungeness Crab cooking in the pot.

A feast for the season.

Delicious with lemon and butter.

On Christmas day, the tradition was a walk on Nye Beach at Newport followed by hot chowder at the nearby chowder house.

Rocky loves the beach.

Looking one way- peaceful...

looking the other way- drama.

Land meets sea...

The family...

Two families.

We had rented a house in the coast town of Yachats for a few days. The kids stayed a couple of nights before jobs took them back to their home towns. It was a fun time of family meals, walks and games. It was really fun to experience my brother's family Christmas traditions. All in all a great family Christmas.

The view in front of the house.

My favorite house in Yachats.

Cape Perpetua

The view from Cape Perpetua

Looking for migrating whales.

We took a walk on the 804 Trail- the original coast highway.

The moon setting on our last morning in Yachats.

After Yachats, our next stop was Seattle to see our daughter's stomping grounds these days. We had some good times sampling local eateries and hanging out before saying goodbye and heading out for the long drive home.

We spent New Year's Eve camped at Frenchman Coulee near the town of Vantage in central Washington. The Columbia River flows nearby. The area topography is very dramatic resulting from massive floods eons ago. We were again all by ourselves and had a very quiet New Year's celebration.

The Columbia River.

Old Vantage Highway.

Cooking has gotten much more efficient since our first camp in the Rockies.

The morning of New Year's Day, we took time for a short hike around the area to check out the interesting rock formations and the views.

The "feathers."

Eventually, we hit the road again. Driving conditions were generally good but the weather was not conducive to camping. Temps below zero, high winds and blowing snow convinced us to find motels in Bozeman and Bizmarck for our final two nights on the road.

I don't think so.

Visibility was variable...

North Dakota in winter- 'nuff said.

We finished the trip, having covered nearly 5000 miles, visited 14 states, and used 345 gallons of gas. We saw so many places that we would like to return to one day and we are already wondering about what's next just over the horizon. Many thanks to all who gave us advice and hospitality along the way.