{"id":21671,"date":"2025-03-04T22:58:01","date_gmt":"2025-03-04T22:58:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/jamesbaroud.com\/?p=21671"},"modified":"2025-10-24T14:56:04","modified_gmt":"2025-10-24T14:56:04","slug":"winter-staycation-with-a-rooftop-tent","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/jamesbaroud.com\/de\/blog\/winter-staycation-with-a-rooftop-tent\/","title":{"rendered":"Winter staycation with a rooftop tent"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-text stk-block-text stk-block stk-df25a12 stk-block-background\" data-block-id=\"df25a12\"><style>.stk-df25a12 {background-color:#f5f5f5 !important;padding-top:30px !important;padding-right:30px !important;padding-bottom:30px !important;padding-left:30px !important;margin-bottom:24px !important;}.stk-df25a12:before{background-color:#f5f5f5 !important;}<\/style><p class=\"stk-block-text__text\">You don&#8217;t have to drive hours to take a breath of fresh air! Staycations are a great way to enjoy the outdoors, while minimizing effort. In this post, James Baroud ambassador David Gonzalez shares his recent staycation experience.<\/p><div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_81 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title ez-toc-toggle\" style=\"cursor:pointer\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/jamesbaroud.com\/de\/blog\/winter-staycation-with-a-rooftop-tent\/#A_change_of_plans\" >A change of plans<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/jamesbaroud.com\/de\/blog\/winter-staycation-with-a-rooftop-tent\/#Staycation_Opportunity\" >Staycation Opportunity<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/jamesbaroud.com\/de\/blog\/winter-staycation-with-a-rooftop-tent\/#Lesson_Learned\" >Lesson Learned<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/jamesbaroud.com\/de\/blog\/winter-staycation-with-a-rooftop-tent\/#Author\" >Author<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/jamesbaroud.com\/de\/blog\/winter-staycation-with-a-rooftop-tent\/#Questions_about_Davids_setup\" >Questions about David&#8217;s setup?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-text stk-block-text stk-block stk-57cbcbb wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\" data-block-id=\"57cbcbb\"><p class=\"stk-block-text__text\"><\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-text stk-block-text stk-block stk-4aeeca5 wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\" data-block-id=\"4aeeca5\"><p class=\"stk-block-text__text\">I have never camped in the winter. Camping is a summer activity after all, at least according to the rules laid down by my parents early in my camping career. But then they did not have all of today\u2019s tech for camping in all kinds of weather and climates, like a rooftop tent! As it happens, I do. My <a href=\"https:\/\/jamesbaroud.com\/rooftop-tents\/odyssey\/\">James Baroud Odyssey<\/a> is well insulated and perfectly capable of housing me through all four seasons. So, as 2024 was wrapping up I vowed to venture out into the wild in January, not too far from home, where Southern Idaho winters are generally dry and cold.<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-heading stk-block-heading stk-block-heading--v2 stk-block stk-8a8dd83\" id=\"a-change-of-plans\" data-block-id=\"8a8dd83\"><style>.stk-8a8dd83 {margin-top:24px !important;margin-bottom:24px !important;}<\/style><h2 class=\"stk-block-heading__text\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"A_change_of_plans\"><\/span>A change of plans<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-text stk-block-text stk-block stk-723058c wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\" data-block-id=\"723058c\"><p class=\"stk-block-text__text\">Using <a href=\"https:\/\/thedyrt.com\/camping\/washington\/south-fork-snoqualmie-river\">The Dyrt<\/a>, a vibrant camping community website, I located a promising dispersed campsite about an hour south from my house. Perched along the banks of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.americanrivers.org\/river\/snake-river\/\">Snake River<\/a>, it seemed so promising online, with a seemingly desolate and parched landscape cleaved by the wide waters of the river. But&#8230;I didn\u2019t realize from the map view on The Dyrt how little land there was between Hwy-78 and the Snake River, nor did I see the house about fifty yards to the northwest. Privacy was sparse. The leafless shrubs offered no obscurity from the highway or the house. I found this dispersed campsite way too exposed for my liking, especially after deploying the Odyssey, climbing in, and zipping down the windows to experience the surrounds from within. Plus, the soundtrack was way less birds of prey and way more impatient humans in their four-wheeled conveyances on the highway. So, I pulled the plug on staying the night there.<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-image stk-block-image stk-block stk-c65cb28 wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\" data-block-id=\"c65cb28\"><style>.stk-c65cb28 .stk-img-figcaption{text-align:center !important;}.stk-c65cb28 .stk-img-wrapper{aspect-ratio:4\/3 !important;height:auto !important;}.stk-c65cb28 .stk-img-wrapper img{object-position:55.00000000000001% 35% !important;}@media screen and (max-width: 1023px){.stk-c65cb28 .stk-img-wrapper{height:auto !important;}}@media screen and (max-width: 767px){.stk-c65cb28 .stk-img-wrapper{height:auto !important;}}<\/style><figure><span class=\"stk-img-wrapper stk-image--shape-stretch\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"stk-img wp-image-21672\" src=\"https:\/\/jamesbaroud.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/6-Staycation-Image-B.webp\" width=\"1654\" height=\"1245\" alt=\"James Baroud Barbecue\"\/><\/span><figcaption class=\"stk-img-figcaption\">David Gonzalez&#8217;s truck just off Marsing-Murphy Rd, Hwy-78.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-text stk-block-text stk-block stk-a6dd8cb wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\" data-block-id=\"a6dd8cb\"><p class=\"stk-block-text__text\">Fortunately, all was not lost. I noticed while plotting my route to the campsite that the site was not far from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.canyoncounty.id.gov\/project\/celebration-park\/\">Celebration Park<\/a>, a destination that held some lore for me. Some years ago my wife and daughter ventured to this park while on a school field trip and got to throw a spear using an <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thoughtco.com\/what-is-an-atlatl-169989\">Atlatl<\/a>, a 17,000 year old advancement on spear throwing that uses leverage to increase the mechanical advantage of the human arm and improve speed, distance, and accuracy of hunting with a spear. Their stories of the Atlatl and Celebration Park captivated me back then and drew me to the park this day. While the visitor center was closed due to some deferred maintenance and construction work, I was able to explore the park, walk across the eye-catching bridge spanning the Snake River at the entrance to the park, and imagine several future returns with bikes and other gear to fully explore the unique geology. <\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-image stk-block-image stk-block stk-0132d96 wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\" data-block-id=\"0132d96\"><style>.stk-0132d96 .stk-img-figcaption{text-align:center !important;}.stk-0132d96 .stk-img-wrapper{aspect-ratio:4\/3 !important;height:auto !important;}.stk-0132d96 .stk-img-wrapper img{object-position:55.00000000000001% 35% !important;}@media screen and (max-width: 1023px){.stk-0132d96 .stk-img-wrapper{height:auto !important;}}@media screen and (max-width: 767px){.stk-0132d96 .stk-img-wrapper{height:auto !important;}}<\/style><figure><span class=\"stk-img-wrapper stk-image--shape-stretch\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"stk-img wp-image-21675\" src=\"https:\/\/jamesbaroud.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/6-Staycation-Image-C.webp\" width=\"1654\" height=\"1245\" alt=\"James Baroud Barbecue\"\/><\/span><figcaption class=\"stk-img-figcaption\">Just outside Celebration Park entrance.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-image stk-block-image stk-block stk-6f00c92 wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\" data-block-id=\"6f00c92\"><style>.stk-6f00c92 .stk-img-figcaption{text-align:center !important;}.stk-6f00c92 .stk-img-wrapper{aspect-ratio:4\/3 !important;height:auto !important;}.stk-6f00c92 .stk-img-wrapper img{object-position:55.00000000000001% 35% !important;}@media screen and (max-width: 1023px){.stk-6f00c92 .stk-img-wrapper{height:auto !important;}}@media screen and (max-width: 767px){.stk-6f00c92 .stk-img-wrapper{height:auto !important;}}<\/style><figure><span class=\"stk-img-wrapper stk-image--shape-stretch\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"stk-img wp-image-21676\" src=\"https:\/\/jamesbaroud.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/6-Staycation-Image-D.webp\" width=\"936\" height=\"1245\" alt=\"James Baroud Barbecue\"\/><\/span><figcaption class=\"stk-img-figcaption\">Bridge just outside Celebration Park entrance.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-image stk-block-image stk-block stk-d8df3c7 wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\" data-block-id=\"d8df3c7\"><style>.stk-d8df3c7 .stk-img-figcaption{text-align:center !important;}.stk-d8df3c7 .stk-img-wrapper{aspect-ratio:4\/3 !important;height:auto !important;}.stk-d8df3c7 .stk-img-wrapper img{object-position:55.00000000000001% 35% !important;}@media screen and (max-width: 1023px){.stk-d8df3c7 .stk-img-wrapper{height:auto !important;}}@media screen and (max-width: 767px){.stk-d8df3c7 .stk-img-wrapper{height:auto !important;}}<\/style><figure><span class=\"stk-img-wrapper stk-image--shape-stretch\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"stk-img wp-image-21677\" src=\"https:\/\/jamesbaroud.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/6-Staycation-Image-E.webp\" width=\"1654\" height=\"1245\" alt=\"James Baroud Barbecue\"\/><\/span><figcaption class=\"stk-img-figcaption\">Bridge just outside Celebration Park entrance.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-heading stk-block-heading stk-block-heading--v2 stk-block stk-71bbe2f\" id=\"staycation-opportunity\" data-block-id=\"71bbe2f\"><style>.stk-71bbe2f {margin-top:24px !important;margin-bottom:24px !important;}<\/style><h2 class=\"stk-block-heading__text\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Staycation_Opportunity\"><\/span>Staycation Opportunity<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-text stk-block-text stk-block stk-f94118c wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\" data-block-id=\"f94118c\"><p class=\"stk-block-text__text\">Back in The Bison (my truck) a new plan was forming for my evening as I warmed my chilly hands on the heated steering wheel and cheeks on the seat heater. I decided to head home for a staycation instead, setting up the <a href=\"https:\/\/jamesbaroud.com\/rooftop-tents\/odyssey\/\">James Baroud Odyssey<\/a> in the downstairs driveway just outside my detached office. As I drove the hour back home, this idea grew on me, especially the notion of a safety net should the cold temperature shakedown of my trusty old mummy bag, brand new <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nomadix.co\/products\/puffer-blanket-national-park-and-monuments-map\">Nomadix puffer blanket, America\u2019s National Parks and Monuments edition<\/a>, brand new <a href=\"https:\/\/jamesbaroud.com\/accessories\/storage-box\/\">James Baroud Storage Box<\/a>, and new Duramax rechargeable LED lights somehow go sideways. Forecast for the evening promised nighttime temperatures nicely below freezing.<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-image stk-block-image stk-block stk-f4814b4 wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\" data-block-id=\"f4814b4\"><style>.stk-f4814b4 .stk-img-figcaption{text-align:center !important;}.stk-f4814b4 .stk-img-wrapper{aspect-ratio:4\/3 !important;height:auto !important;}.stk-f4814b4 .stk-img-wrapper img{object-position:55.00000000000001% 35% !important;}@media screen and (max-width: 1023px){.stk-f4814b4 .stk-img-wrapper{height:auto !important;}}@media screen and (max-width: 767px){.stk-f4814b4 .stk-img-wrapper{height:auto !important;}}<\/style><figure><span class=\"stk-img-wrapper stk-image--shape-stretch\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"stk-img wp-image-21678\" src=\"https:\/\/jamesbaroud.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/6-Staycation-Image-F.webp\" width=\"1654\" height=\"1245\" alt=\"James Baroud Barbecue\"\/><\/span><figcaption class=\"stk-img-figcaption\">Staycation outside detached office.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-text stk-block-text stk-block stk-106943a wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\" data-block-id=\"106943a\"><p class=\"stk-block-text__text\">Upon arriving home in the late afternoon, I situated The Bison in front of my detached office, deployed the Odyssey, and unzipped the transparent PVC rear window for light while maintaining warmth inside. Then I made up my mummy bag, pillows, and puffer blanket for the night\u2019s slumber and unloaded all my gear from the bed of The Bison since I would only be sleeping there, not eating or sitting around a campfire.<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-columns stk-block-columns stk-block stk-5375d9a stk-block-background\" data-block-id=\"5375d9a\"><style>.stk-5375d9a {background-color:#abb7c23d !important;margin-bottom:24px !important;}.stk-5375d9a:before{background-color:#abb7c23d !important;}<\/style><div class=\"stk-row stk-inner-blocks stk-block-content stk-content-align stk-5375d9a-column\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-column stk-block-column stk-column stk-block stk-8f7bf97\" data-v=\"4\" data-block-id=\"8f7bf97\"><div class=\"stk-column-wrapper stk-block-column__content stk-container stk-8f7bf97-container stk--no-background stk--no-padding\"><div class=\"stk-block-content stk-inner-blocks stk-8f7bf97-inner-blocks\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-heading stk-block-heading stk-block-heading--v2 stk-block stk-01f94d8\" id=\"staycation-ideas\" data-block-id=\"01f94d8\"><style>.stk-01f94d8 {margin-top:0px !important;margin-right:0px !important;margin-bottom:0px !important;margin-left:0px !important;}<\/style><h3 class=\"stk-block-heading__text has-text-align-center-mobile\">Staycation Ideas<\/h3><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-icon-list stk-block-icon-list stk-block stk-a1ddc7d\" data-block-id=\"a1ddc7d\"><style>.stk-a1ddc7d {--stk-icon-list-row-gap:12px !important;}<\/style><svg style=\"display:none\"><defs><g id=\"stk-icon-list__icon-svg-def-a1ddc7d\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 190 190\"><polygon points=\"173.8,28.4 60.4,141.8 15.7,97.2 5.1,107.8 60.4,163 184.4,39 173.8,28.4\"\/><\/svg><\/g><\/defs><\/svg><ul class=\"stk-block-icon-list__ul stk-block-icon-list--column\">\n<li class=\"wp-block-stackable-icon-list-item stk-block-icon-list-item stk-block stk-666e436\" data-block-id=\"666e436\"><div class=\"stk-block-icon-list-item__content\"><span class=\"stk--svg-wrapper\"><div class=\"stk--inner-svg\"><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" width=\"32\" height=\"32\"><use xlink:href=\"#stk-icon-list__icon-svg-def-a1ddc7d\"><\/use><\/svg><\/div><\/span><span class=\"stk-block-icon-list-item__text\">Enjoy the beauty of a dawn or sunset from the top of your rooftop tent. <\/span><\/div><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"wp-block-stackable-icon-list-item stk-block-icon-list-item stk-block stk-5bd5bde\" data-block-id=\"5bd5bde\"><div class=\"stk-block-icon-list-item__content\"><span class=\"stk--svg-wrapper\"><div class=\"stk--inner-svg\"><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" width=\"32\" height=\"32\"><use xlink:href=\"#stk-icon-list__icon-svg-def-a1ddc7d\"><\/use><\/svg><\/div><\/span><span class=\"stk-block-icon-list-item__text\">Stay overnight at a local state park, lake, or beachfront (if permitted). <\/span><\/div><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"wp-block-stackable-icon-list-item stk-block-icon-list-item stk-block stk-0622a86\" data-block-id=\"0622a86\"><div class=\"stk-block-icon-list-item__content\"><span class=\"stk--svg-wrapper\"><div class=\"stk--inner-svg\"><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" width=\"32\" height=\"32\"><use xlink:href=\"#stk-icon-list__icon-svg-def-a1ddc7d\"><\/use><\/svg><\/div><\/span><span class=\"stk-block-icon-list-item__text\">Watch a movie with a projector inside your rooftop tent. <\/span><\/div><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"wp-block-stackable-icon-list-item stk-block-icon-list-item stk-block stk-357f91e\" data-block-id=\"357f91e\"><div class=\"stk-block-icon-list-item__content\"><span class=\"stk--svg-wrapper\"><div class=\"stk--inner-svg\"><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" width=\"32\" height=\"32\"><use xlink:href=\"#stk-icon-list__icon-svg-def-a1ddc7d\"><\/use><\/svg><\/div><\/span><span class=\"stk-block-icon-list-item__text\">Take a loved one on a &#8222;rooftop date night&#8220;. Enjoy your favorite drinks before going to sleep. <\/span><\/div><\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-image stk-block-image stk-block stk-bc503ac wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\" data-block-id=\"bc503ac\"><style>.stk-bc503ac .stk-img-figcaption{text-align:center !important;}.stk-bc503ac .stk-img-wrapper{aspect-ratio:4\/3 !important;height:auto !important;}.stk-bc503ac .stk-img-wrapper img{object-position:55.00000000000001% 35% !important;}@media screen and (max-width: 1023px){.stk-bc503ac .stk-img-wrapper{height:auto !important;}}@media screen and (max-width: 767px){.stk-bc503ac .stk-img-wrapper{height:auto !important;}}<\/style><figure><span class=\"stk-img-wrapper stk-image--shape-stretch\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"stk-img wp-image-21679\" src=\"https:\/\/jamesbaroud.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/6-Staycation-Image-G.webp\" width=\"1737\" height=\"1308\" alt=\"James Baroud Barbecue\"\/><\/span><figcaption class=\"stk-img-figcaption\">Setup inside James Baroud Odyssey rooftop tent.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-image stk-block-image stk-block stk-9d2d10f wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\" data-block-id=\"9d2d10f\"><style>.stk-9d2d10f .stk-img-figcaption{text-align:center !important;}.stk-9d2d10f .stk-img-wrapper{aspect-ratio:4\/3 !important;height:auto !important;}.stk-9d2d10f .stk-img-wrapper img{object-position:55.00000000000001% 35% !important;}@media screen and (max-width: 1023px){.stk-9d2d10f .stk-img-wrapper{height:auto !important;}}@media screen and (max-width: 767px){.stk-9d2d10f .stk-img-wrapper{height:auto !important;}}<\/style><figure><span class=\"stk-img-wrapper stk-image--shape-stretch\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"stk-img wp-image-21680\" src=\"https:\/\/jamesbaroud.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/6-Staycation-Image-H.webp\" width=\"1737\" height=\"1308\" alt=\"James Baroud Barbecue\"\/><\/span><figcaption class=\"stk-img-figcaption\">Sun setting on the driveway.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-text stk-block-text stk-block stk-43116a2 wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\" data-block-id=\"43116a2\"><p class=\"stk-block-text__text\">As the sun completed its descent, I snapped a few photos and then scurried up the ladder to settle in for some light car-themed social media scrolling. Afterall, the wi-fi was fast and familiar! It didn\u2019t take long before my thick wool-covered feet began to sweat at the bottom of my mummy bag. Since it\u2019s impossible to reach your feet at the bottom of a mummy bag once zipped, I scraped and slid each sock off with the opposite hoof, like a goat might if a goat wore socks. Relief! My feet cooled while the rest of my carcass settling into the perfect temp, all layered up with my long johns and Pearl Izumi hat zipped into my bag. I drifted off with little resistance.<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-image stk-block-image stk-block stk-3c0cb87 wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\" data-block-id=\"3c0cb87\"><style>.stk-3c0cb87 .stk-img-figcaption{text-align:center !important;}.stk-3c0cb87 .stk-img-wrapper{aspect-ratio:4\/3 !important;height:auto !important;}.stk-3c0cb87 .stk-img-wrapper img{object-position:55.00000000000001% 35% !important;}@media screen and (max-width: 1023px){.stk-3c0cb87 .stk-img-wrapper{height:auto !important;}}@media screen and (max-width: 767px){.stk-3c0cb87 .stk-img-wrapper{height:auto !important;}}<\/style><figure><span class=\"stk-img-wrapper stk-image--shape-stretch\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"stk-img wp-image-21682\" src=\"https:\/\/jamesbaroud.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/6-Staycation-Image-I.webp\" width=\"1568\" height=\"1181\" alt=\"James Baroud Barbecue\"\/><\/span><figcaption class=\"stk-img-figcaption\">Sleeping setup.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-heading stk-block-heading stk-block-heading--v2 stk-block stk-bf4eebd\" id=\"lesson-learned\" data-block-id=\"bf4eebd\"><style>.stk-bf4eebd {margin-top:24px !important;margin-bottom:24px !important;}<\/style><h2 class=\"stk-block-heading__text\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Lesson_Learned\"><\/span>Lesson Learned<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-text stk-block-text stk-block stk-0a4361a wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\" data-block-id=\"0a4361a\"><p class=\"stk-block-text__text\">Regret woke me up a few hours later. As the nighttime temperature plummeted, my bare feet froze. Since I was just outside my own home, I just headed to my bedroom in the big house. Ultimately, I found out that my gear did well in the 30s, but as the temps dipped into the 20s, maintaining body heat was challenging. For winter camping, consider a <a href=\"https:\/\/jamesbaroud.com\/accessories\/thermal-insulation\/\">Thermal Insulation Kit from James Baroud<\/a> to ensure you can stay warm at all times!  <\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-columns stk-block-columns stk-block stk-8e09eae stk-block-background\" data-block-id=\"8e09eae\"><style>.stk-8e09eae {background-color:#abb7c23d !important;margin-bottom:60px !important;}.stk-8e09eae:before{background-color:#abb7c23d !important;}<\/style><div class=\"stk-row stk-inner-blocks stk-block-content stk-content-align stk-8e09eae-column\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-column stk-block-column stk-column stk-block stk-c9473dc\" data-v=\"4\" data-block-id=\"c9473dc\"><div class=\"stk-column-wrapper stk-block-column__content stk-container stk-c9473dc-container stk--no-background stk--no-padding\"><div class=\"stk-block-content stk-inner-blocks stk-c9473dc-inner-blocks\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-heading stk-block-heading stk-block-heading--v2 stk-block stk-8447e15\" id=\"author\" data-block-id=\"8447e15\"><style>.stk-8447e15 {margin-top:0px !important;margin-right:0px !important;margin-bottom:0px !important;margin-left:0px !important;}<\/style><h2 class=\"stk-block-heading__text has-text-align-center-mobile\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Author\"><\/span>Author<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-columns stk-block-columns stk-block stk-4405ea9\" data-block-id=\"4405ea9\"><style>.stk-4405ea9 {padding-top:0px !important;padding-right:0px !important;padding-bottom:0px !important;padding-left:0px !important;}.stk-4405ea9-column{--stk-columns-spacing:0px !important;--stk-column-gap:30px !important;row-gap:30px !important;}<\/style><div class=\"stk-row stk-inner-blocks stk-block-content stk-content-align stk-4405ea9-column\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-column stk-block-column stk-column stk-block stk-9eeba10\" data-v=\"4\" data-block-id=\"9eeba10\"><style>.stk-9eeba10-container{max-width:200px !important;min-width:auto !important;margin-right:auto !important;margin-left:auto !important;}@media screen and (min-width: 768px){.stk-9eeba10 {flex:var(--stk-flex-grow, 1) 1 calc(24.3% - var(--stk-column-gap, 0px) * 1 \/ 2 ) !important;}}<\/style><div class=\"stk-column-wrapper stk-block-column__content stk-container stk-9eeba10-container stk--no-background stk--no-padding\"><div class=\"stk-block-content stk-inner-blocks stk-9eeba10-inner-blocks\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-image stk-block-image stk-block stk-38fc2e0\" data-block-id=\"38fc2e0\"><style>.stk-38fc2e0 .stk-img-wrapper{aspect-ratio:1\/1 !important;height:auto !important;}.stk-38fc2e0 .stk-img-wrapper img{object-position:49% 61% !important;}.stk-38fc2e0 .stk-img-wrapper img, .stk-38fc2e0 .stk-img-wrapper::after, .stk-38fc2e0 .stk-img-wrapper::before{mask-image:url('data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxMDAgMTAwIiBwcmVzZXJ2ZUFzcGVjdFJhdGlvPSJub25lIj48Y2lyY2xlIGN4PSI1MCIgY3k9IjUwIiByPSI1MCI+PC9jaXJjbGU+PC9zdmc+') !important;-webkit-mask-image:url('data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxMDAgMTAwIiBwcmVzZXJ2ZUFzcGVjdFJhdGlvPSJub25lIj48Y2lyY2xlIGN4PSI1MCIgY3k9IjUwIiByPSI1MCI+PC9jaXJjbGU+PC9zdmc+') !important;}@media screen and (max-width: 1023px){.stk-38fc2e0 .stk-img-wrapper{height:auto !important;}}@media screen and (max-width: 767px){.stk-38fc2e0 .stk-img-wrapper{height:auto !important;}}<\/style><figure><span class=\"stk-img-wrapper stk-img--shape stk-image--shape-stretch\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"stk-img wp-image-9102\" src=\"https:\/\/jamesbaroud.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/david-gonzalez.jpg\" width=\"336\" height=\"391\"\/><\/span><\/figure><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-column stk-block-column stk-column stk-block stk-d007929\" data-v=\"4\" data-block-id=\"d007929\"><style>.stk-d007929-inner-blocks{row-gap:15px !important;}@media screen and (min-width: 768px){.stk-d007929 {flex:var(--stk-flex-grow, 1) 1 calc(75.7% - var(--stk-column-gap, 0px) * 1 \/ 2 ) !important;}}<\/style><div class=\"stk-column-wrapper stk-block-column__content stk-container stk-d007929-container stk--no-background stk--no-padding\"><div class=\"stk-block-content stk-inner-blocks stk-d007929-inner-blocks\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-text stk-block-text stk-block stk-f1b36fa\" data-block-id=\"f1b36fa\"><style>.stk-f1b36fa {margin-top:0px !important;margin-right:0px !important;margin-bottom:0px !important;margin-left:0px !important;}.stk-f1b36fa .stk-block-text__text{font-size:0.9em !important;}@media screen and (max-width: 1023px){.stk-f1b36fa .stk-block-text__text{font-size:0.9em !important;}}<\/style><p class=\"stk-block-text__text\">David Gonzalez is a tech veteran with 30+ years of experience applying his physics, computer science, and business prowess to helping early-stage companies innovate and accelerate across numerous industries including handwriting and voice recognition, mortgages, renewable energy, storm water management and mental health.<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-text stk-block-text stk-block stk-df0ffee\" data-block-id=\"df0ffee\"><style>.stk-df0ffee {margin-top:0px !important;margin-right:0px !important;margin-bottom:0px !important;margin-left:0px !important;}.stk-df0ffee .stk-block-text__text{font-size:0.9em !important;}@media screen and (max-width: 1023px){.stk-df0ffee .stk-block-text__text{font-size:0.9em !important;}}<\/style><p class=\"stk-block-text__text\"> Intermingled amongst these professional endeavors, David is also a family man. While devoted to his wife of 30+ years and his three uniquely insightful and grown children, he remains an avid athlete, favoring soccer, cycling, skiing, tennis, hiking and any opportunity to get the family into the wild. <\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-text stk-block-text stk-block stk-bd65436\" data-block-id=\"bd65436\"><style>.stk-bd65436 {margin-top:0px !important;margin-right:0px !important;margin-bottom:0px !important;margin-left:0px !important;}.stk-bd65436 .stk-block-text__text{font-size:0.9em !important;}@media screen and (max-width: 1023px){.stk-bd65436 .stk-block-text__text{font-size:0.9em !important;}}<\/style><p class=\"stk-block-text__text\">David\u2019s ideal evening? That\u2019d be sitting around a campfire with his family, eating from rehydrated food pouches and regaling each other with tales of greatness from the day.<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-call-to-action stk-block-call-to-action stk-block stk-96cfa62 wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\" data-v=\"2\" data-block-id=\"96cfa62\"><style>.stk-96cfa62 {margin-bottom:100px !important;}<\/style><div class=\"stk-block-call-to-action__content stk-content-align stk-96cfa62-column stk-container stk-96cfa62-container stk-hover-parent\"><div class=\"has-text-align-center stk-block-content stk-inner-blocks stk-96cfa62-inner-blocks\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-heading stk-block-heading stk-block-heading--v2 stk-block stk-01d66e3\" id=\"questions-about-davids-setup\" data-block-id=\"01d66e3\"><style>.stk-01d66e3 {margin-top:24px !important;margin-bottom:24px !important;}<\/style><h2 class=\"stk-block-heading__text\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Questions_about_Davids_setup\"><\/span>Questions about David&#8217;s setup?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-text stk-block-text stk-block stk-ca96c42\" data-block-id=\"ca96c42\"><p class=\"stk-block-text__text\">Contact us today and we&#8217;ll be happy to answer any questions you may have.<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-contact-form-7-contact-form-selector\">\n<div class=\"wpcf7 no-js\" id=\"wpcf7-f7765-o1\" lang=\"en-US\" dir=\"ltr\" data-wpcf7-id=\"7765\">\n<div class=\"screen-reader-response\"><p role=\"status\" aria-live=\"polite\" aria-atomic=\"true\"><\/p> <ul><\/ul><\/div>\n<form action=\"\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21671#wpcf7-f7765-o1\" method=\"post\" class=\"wpcf7-form init\" id=\"talk-to-us-form\" aria-label=\"Contact form\" novalidate=\"novalidate\" data-status=\"init\">\n<fieldset class=\"hidden-fields-container\"><input 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brighter color for text *\/\r\n}\r\n<\/style>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>You don&#8217;t have to drive hours to take a breath of fresh air! Staycations are a great way to enjoy the outdoors, while minimizing effort. In this post, James Baroud ambassador David Gonzalez shares his recent staycation experience.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1401,"featured_media":62574,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-21671","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/jamesbaroud.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21671","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/jamesbaroud.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/jamesbaroud.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jamesbaroud.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1401"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jamesbaroud.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=21671"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/jamesbaroud.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21671\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":62721,"href":"https:\/\/jamesbaroud.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21671\/revisions\/62721"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jamesbaroud.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/62574"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/jamesbaroud.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=21671"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jamesbaroud.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=21671"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jamesbaroud.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=21671"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}