Check out the REI Alcove Shelter

The REI Alcove is a freestanding rain and sun shelter.

We love our REI Alcove for shade when camping or at the beach. It is so easy and quick to set up (Watch the video first). We keep it in our vehicle to set up for shade whenever we stop for a quick picnic. We also use it for camping.

We have two of the shade walls (each one covers two walls) and have used them frequently. In the photo, we were at Lee's Ferry Campground near Page, AZ. Our tent was so hot that we used the Alcove for a shelter from the sun when we were outside. We didn't need the shade walls on the Alcove this time out, so we used them as tarps to try to shade our sleeping tent. Not perfect, but we were glad we had them. They also work well on the Alcove to provide shade when the sun changes or to block an annoying wind. Since this trip, we have purchased more suitable tarps to shade our sleeping tent and protect it from the rain.



REI Alcove (right) and its Shade Walls used as tarps over our sleeping tent (not their intended use)



View from the back of the tent

Out of the Rain

The last two weeks we have been camped out inside a gorgeous, 5,000 square foot house.  Sounds crazy, but we are sleeping on our air mattresses on the floor and heating water on the stove for showers.  It also has a wireless high-speed internet connection that allows us to keep on "working." Two weeks ago we were camped out at in the Vasa Park Resort on the shore of Lake Sammamish.  It was raining to beat the band.  Our tent started leaking.  We had to obtain and put up a tarp over the tent.  We also ordered a tent heater, but it did not arrive before we wimped out, just as our daughter's new house was closed escrow.

It is a fine house, but needing some cleanup and repairs before they can move in.  So we volunteered to camp out there and do some of the work.  Our being there has helped them out, as they are not having to be there to accomodate workers or people coming by to give them quotes on their services.  It has also helped them out because we are helping with cleaning, painting, yardwork and a little demolition work on the side.  And it has helped us out by getting us out of the cold and the rain.  Our hope is that, by the time the house is ready to move into, the rain will have stopped and a great camping season will be upon us.  But we will be taking extra tarps and our new heater with us . . . just in case.