Shopping For Tents
After originally being used as a mainstay shelter for the nomads of by gone eras, the humble tent gave way to sturdier buildings of wood, stone and marble. However, somewhere on the way to extinction, tents began to rise in popularity once again.
Perhaps the biggest and grandest pergola belonged to Alexander the Great. He made a marriage tent that hung from 50 thirty-foot columns of silver and gold, making it large enough to house 100 couches and host 9,000 friends. The roof was a dome and had amazing portrayals of the sun, moon, stars and all of the deities of heaven. It was named the cosmic tent and went on to inspire Nero to build one just like it. Luckily, it does not need to be that spectacular or big to get the job of sheltering done.
However, it is interesting that the basic, primitive structure for sheltering man can also be seen now as a symbol of pomp and circumstance, showing up on parade grounds, campgrounds and even used for outdoor wedding receptions. Tents are extremely versatile, used at golf tournaments, at groundbreaking ceremonies and the Worlds Fair. But even with all of that history and versatility, many believe the best use of a tent is as part of your camping equipment.
When you are considering what type of tent to get for your camping excursions, there are a few things you should keep in mind. First, you want one that is actually comfortable when everyone is inside, meaning if the manufacturer says it will fit 4 people comfortably, go for something bigger. Space saving and durability are two major points to look for when purchasing tents. Every extra pocket is great when you are trying to make floor space, and of course you need something durable so that you will not end up on the lake without a boat the next time you are camping and it gets windy. And please, for the sake of your children, practice setting up the tent at home before attempting it at the family campground.
By Nature Editor
