Thank you from a First Timer!

Just a quick note to say thanks to the INFOROO posters and staff for your suggestions, collections of best practices, and sharing of experiences.  Your wealth of knowledge made our trip a LOT easier, and a resounding success, I would say.  I attended this year with my son, also a first time Roo'er.  He was focused on how he was going to see all of the artists on his agenda.  As a dad, I was more worried about how we would survive for 5 nights in a tent.  Your help is why I can still post!  The That Tent board was a wealth of information for an old dad looking out for our well-being.

Our campsite was pretty tight, but we had all the things we needed to have shade when we needed it, and slept well when we needed that, too.   We got lucky, and ended up in Camp Marty McFly, even though we got in line on the highway around 8:30 PM Wednesday.  I was shocked -- but VERY happy --  when our walk to Centeroo was so short as we went exploring.  We wound up with great neighbors, and only had one little table mysteriously disappear on the last night there (not a result of our immediate neighbors -- not sure who left with it).  A couple of things I had not considered before visiting INFOROO, but was glad I had at Bonnaroo:
 > My pop up tent.  I figured only a tent-tent would be fine.  We didn't really have room for our pop up, but we positioned it over the car so we had about 50% access to it, and were grateful for it each morning as the sun warmed up the area.
 > Our flag.  Our neighbors were also grateful and mentioned that to us during the festival.  We even had a few folks from our town stop by when they saw the college flags, so we met some neighbors while traveling. (below)
 > Headlamps.  Big boost to our set up routine.
 > Low chairs for use in Centeroo.  Didn't have any, so this was a new purchase at REI, but as an old guy, this was a great addition.  Not too heavy -- not nearly as heavy as me on my tired feet -- but a welcome seat during the day.
 > Airplane mode on my phone.  Saved my battery during the day.  Double-edged sword, here, though.  My son lost his phone, also in airplane mode, so it doesn't even ring.  Lost cause.
 > Extra for the neighbors.  We established plenty of karma with the neighbors on each side of our tent, early and often.  Biggest early offering:  took two rubber mallets, which were borrowed by everyone around us during set up. 
 > Water.  Probably would not have taken as much without reading here, but actually left with about 6 unopened bottles.  Felt great.
 > A fan.  Picked up a small Coleman light/fan combo that mounts to the tent with magnets.  That little breeze was awesome.
 > Good shoes.  Took several pairs of sandals, but accidentally left my Chaco Z2's by the back door.  D'oh!
 > My camelbak  Already had one, but wasn't planning to take it.  Would have dried up into a raisin without it.
 > Baby Wipes / Bleach Wipes -- enough said.
 > Ibuprofen.  My god, ibuprofen.  3 in the morning, 3 at night.  Felt great.
 
The list could probably go on forever.  Let me just say I was better prepared based on your recommendations, and had a GREAT Bonnaroo as a result.  Basic logistics:  food, showers, etc. were easier based on what was shared here.  

I even met pondo ROCKS before the Billy Idol show.

Thank you, INFOROO!




In the words of Ahhhnold, "I'll be back!"