Kirk's Camping tips...Boxing systems.

Used ta be, whenever my wife and I left on a car camping trip, all our gear was neatly packed in our vehicle when we left, and total chaos by the time we returned home. Not any more. We've discovered a simple way to keep gear organized when we go car camping.

We bought some cargo boxes, which can be found at hardware and discount stores. We like the kind with two hinged covers that interlock. Transparent ones make it easier to find gear, but solid color boxes are stronger. We use one box for food, another for miscellaneous camp gear, and yet another for extra clothing like rain gear.

I like this type of boxing system because I can carry a closed box with one hand without spilling its contents. They stack easily and protect their contents from shock. We usually travel with bikes in the back of the truck, and the boxes help protect them from shifting loads.

When we're not camping, my wife uses our boxes for sorting laundry, and we also use them for transporting stuff to our summer home. They're strong enough that they can be used for camp seats. While the tops are not totally waterproof, the bottoms are, so they can be set on damp ground without any problems. They can even be locked shut if necessary.

On our last trip, we met a couple from New York who had been travelling accross the country in their car for three months. They saw our boxes and commented that they, too, had used this system for their trip. They loved it, and you may, too.