Now that husband has gotten out of the restaurant business, we are going to start tent camping this weekend. Any suggestions for state parks anywhere on the East Coast south of Charleston, South Carolina?

We are going to start this weekend.

He needs a hobby.

When we lived down your direction we used to camp at Jeckyl Island. It was so nice to camp and ride bikes everywhere. Its been a nuumber of years, so I don't have any other recommendations, sorry!

Thank you for your suggestion of Jekyll Island. I will certainly look into this.

GoTravel...you probably need for him to have a hobby too!

You might want to try Cumberland Island, but not for your first outing, as you have to pack everything over on the ferry. Get into the swing of the sport, figure out how to pare it down to a bare minimum, then head out there for a lovely peaceful weekend!

Our s-i-l and daughter camp all over northern AZ, now canyoneering too! They've camped at the bottom of the Grand Canyon several times and were planning a rim to rim camping trip when she got sick this spring. It's back on the agenda now for next spring. They want us to camp at the bottom of the GC with them, but I dunno about this sleeping on the ground business. I like my Grand Bed too much! White duvets

You are opening up a whole new dimension in your lives though...hope you enjoy it! It sure will be nice having your weekends free again won't it?

When I typed "jeckyl" I knew it didn't look right, lol!

If he likes camping then try backpacking. It is a great hobby!

GoTravel, every man needs a hobby. I would have suggested gemology or shopping but camping is a good start.

Buy yourself two twin blow-up mattresses. This will be the Grand Bed Olive refers to. Get a Queen if you're not a light sleeper (you will feel every move hubby makes). Get a down sleeping bag and down pillows. That's my style of camping, no hard ground for me. Other have-to-have's are coleman gas lantern, miner's lights on your forehead, gas cooktop, collapsible cooler, insulated water bottles for hiking, backpack, and a big shotgun for the bears. Haha, just kidding about the shotgun. The best tents are the ones that go up quickly and simply.

We've camped down our way (Tampa) in some great spots. One of the nicest down here is Ft. Desoto St. Park, a couple of islands with an old fort and a marina and lots of trails and accoutrements. It's so nice that it's often sold out.

It's a great time for camping. The weather is wonderful.

Whoa! Let me back up a little here.

Bare minimum? Okay, my idea of camping is steaks on the grate over the fire, a cooler full of beer and wine, big air mattress, and my beach chair.

Sleeping bags? Is this a must?

I do have the lantern but I think it is battery powered. In fact, I have about 10. I want to back the SUV up to the site, pitch everything out of the back, and have fun.

I want a 1/2 bushel of oysters on the grate steaming open to eat with my iced down beer.

Cumberland Island sounds absolutely divine OO! Yes, it is opening a whole new world for us and we are so excited! I even bought the former chef a hammock (other than the lovely Pawleys Island Hammock) he can tie to a tree!

GoTravel, how else do you plan to keep warm other than a sleeping bag -- and that bear of a man next to you, of course. Or you can bring your duvet -- but the bags open to use them in the same manner as a blanket.

The coleman cooktop is great for bacon and eggs in the AM. And you'll need a coffee pot for cowboy coffee -- put the coffee in a sock, tie it in a knot, and stick it in the pot. Tastes just like old sneakers.

Be VERY careful about camping on or near the beach. No see-ums can be horrible.

Beach camping, off season for sure. If not bugs will eat you alive.

I figured the first couple of times we would cook over the fire. I have one of those grate thingys that go over the fire and a percolator for the top.

Hmmn, Union Suit or longjohns?

GoTravel - My only recommendations would be in KY which seems like a bit futher north than you are planning.

One thing you might want to look for as a new camper is if the campsite is "primitive." Primitive meaning - without bathrooms (pee in the woods). Growing up my family always went to state parks and similar where there was a bathroom w/sinks, etc within a short walk. However I've always gone primitive w/dh - a firepit and spicket w/water and that's about it as far as you can see. Not sure which you prefer but something you might want to be aware of when planning.

Actually, I grew up camping and camped all through college. My husband (an honest to goodness Eagle Scout) and I have never camped together because his line of work kept him busy weekends and holidays.

Holy smokes I don't know what to do having him home for weekends and holidays. I think we are going to try something close to home this Saturday night.

Possums and racoons and bears Oh My!

Have fun - and don't forget a bottle of wine and smore ingredients!!

DH works for a family business as well so I know what that is like - you can't just request to use vacation time when you need time off!! If your dh is looking for a location for a new restaurant, consider Norris Lake in TN - please? I've posted about this area multiple times and I swear there isn't anywhere to eat for miles (and lots of folks w/money are building on the lake).