As we drive next to campsites I call out the number of bars. “One LTE, nothing, nothing, two 3G.” The hope is to find at minimum one LTE at a desirable site because we can boost it to usable internet. I know, we should be out enjoying a good forest bath sans cell connection but the reality is we have work to do. We head to the forest to find just a little more balance in our lives, to use our lunch break for a hike through the trees or end our day with a hike up a butte.
Since buying our van we’ve tried to get out for part of every week. We know lots of places to go, camping isn’t new to us, but finding good spots with a cell signal, we’ve discovered, isn’t easy. Traditional campsites aren’t our thing, we prefer boondocking on BLM land away from other people. Some apps (iOverlander, Boondocking, Campendium, The Dyrt) give some information but there have been plenty of times I can’t find any.
I’ve thought it would be great to start a log. Maybe even posting it here.
So when I had the opportunity to produce a set of stamps for Paper Sushi’s Maker’s Market I thought about what I would want to use. If you don’t already know me, I’m a graphic designer, marketer and writer. Often times I’m out in the woods writing articles for The Source Weekly, or blog posts, crafting social media schedules or designing logos for my company Binary Star Systems. This was the perfect chance for me to use my skills in a fun and useful way for anyone who likes to camp, whether it’s in a van, RV, or tent.
On the Road Collection
To create this three piece set of stamps I thought about everything I wanted to track about my trips, but even though I’m in a van I thought about what RVers might want too!
Camp Perks Stamp
This stamp is to keep track of those important amenities: electricity, water, dump site, bathroom, shower, if the spot was level, and if you can pull-thru or back in. You can check if your campsite was quiet and private and I made space for any extra amenities you’d want to remember.
Camping Log Stamp
Log your location, city, state, dates, site number, plus the site you wish you had (for next time!), price, the weather, high and low temperatures, pet-friendly, and a rating (from one to ten campfires so you remember if the spot was hot or not).
Adventure Log Stamp
This stamp is really for anyone who wants to remember the fun they’ve had. It includes eight boxes to check and remember the great adventures you’ve had, like that hike to the top of Cape Perpetua on the Oregon Coast or the number of times you spotted a banana slug on your hike.
Since designing and using these stamps I discovered something else wonderful about them. In the extra space around the stamps I started sketching images of our trip. The outline of our mountain view or flowers from our hike. Sketching is really relaxing and encouraging me to really look around, to see the flowers, the animals scurrying around, mushrooms growing like fairy steps up the trees or in clusters on moist downed trees.
I hope other people find this set useful. It’s only available for the month of April 2020, so get them while you can. I will be enjoying them for a long time.
You can find the On the Road Collection by Binary Star Systems at PaperSushi.com.
