nerds can not relax or pack right for camping

carmen · 07-08-2012, 02:28 PM

We were told this a few trips back when we headed out with my sister in law and her family. Both of our spouses are geeks for a living and they both brought their laptops but kept them in the car. Is it always easy to stereotype non-traditional campers like this?

Pathfinder1 · 07-08-2012, 02:41 PM

Hi...

Well, at least they had the consideration to leave the laptops in the cars.

I trust that the weather wasn't hot enough to fry the laptops in the cars?

eyebp · 07-08-2012, 08:08 PM

Not true.

I've taken my laptop car camping and I am cool and know how to pack.

Lamebeaver · 07-08-2012, 08:16 PM

Geek has its place...it's in the planning.

When scouting for a new camping location, I've been known to have at least three maps spread out on the table...and running iGage AllTopos, Google Earth and Acme Mapper simultaniously on the computer.

jason · 07-08-2012, 08:21 PM

I've been called a nerd, but there are times I love to leave my computer behind. I would love to do it more often, but I always have to check to see if the server is up.

Michael · 07-08-2012, 08:28 PM

I'm a geek. I'm posting right now from a computer on which I've installed Debian based Linux, and I'm running Fluxbox as my window manager. I play table top role playing games (things that are like D&D). I'm a biologist because I think science is really cool. I do math in my head while on public transportation because I find it to be entertaining.

And I know how to pack. I don't bring my computer. I don't bring my iPod. I bring my cell phone, but only in case I need to make an emergency call. Mostly I bring necessities, like a tent, blanket, food, etc. And knives. Lots of knives.

I go out into nature to get away from computers and people and stuff. I make a fire, do some camp chores, whittle, and enjoy being away from all the gadgets and toys.

Some geeks know how to unwind in the woods. So don't go clumping us in with the people who'd explode if you separated them from their iPads.

ponderosa · 07-09-2012, 01:00 AM

My geek hubby couldn't even if he wanted to. He was required by his employer to carry a satelite phone when we were backpacking in Hawaii on our honeymoon.

ChadTower · 07-09-2012, 10:21 AM

I pack my laptop into the truck when I take my family camping. I rarely pull it out but it's there just in case we might want it. I have a smartphone that we occasionally use to take photos or do quick info lookups. We like to leave the site and just drive around the area randomly, looking for out of the way places, so the GPS on the phone is useful for getting back to our campground.

I am a software architect, not really a gadget addict, but I do have some that I have little trouble keeping packed away.

carmen · 07-09-2012, 12:39 PM

I think keeping a phone close by for an emergency is fine but I doubt we would take a laptop. Planning is key, I can head out for a day trip and have enough packed for a three day stay if needed. I guess to each their own.

Mudder · 07-09-2012, 04:51 PM

Laptops and tablets and phones are becoming the new "book". I love researching about all kinds of subjects online. I'm the type that reads on his cell phone in bed. I'm not really a fiction fan, so I like to read about things and hobbies that I'm interested in -- The internet is a great place for that. What's the difference between reading on a computer or reading a book? Granted, it's best to enjoy the outdoors fully without reading, but sometimes the reading part is needed.