The Great Winter Sleep-Out

It's been sort of balmy here in Wisconsin, lately. On Friday, I saw two kids walking to school wearing no coats. (It was 18 degrees.) That's a common sight, once temperatures rise to about 32, but that seemed odd to me.  Maybe kids just don't know how to act since we haven't really had super-cold weather yet this winter.

People in Wisconsin do a lot of things other people wouldn't do. Take Mr.4444, for example. While we have always been a family that likes camping in the summer, it might surprise you that Mr.4444 likes winter camping! (Yes, he's a little different.)  Mr.4444 has this thing about sleeping outside in a sleeping bag in the winter; he's always trying to get someone to join him on his once or twice per winter "camp-out".  It's probably due to the fact that his dad used to take him and his brother winter camping; he has fond memories of that, even the time that they had a small, portable heater in the tent and their little poodle knocked it over and caught on fire. Talk about a hotdog!lol (What?! The dog was fine!!)

Back when our kids lived at home, Mr.4444 got them to sleep outside with him at least once per winter, usually in a tent. On Friday night, though Kendall and I were here, we weren't up for it. I have to admit that I think I'd enjoy the crisp, cool air, but I'm still recovering from my shoulder surgery, and I don't sleep comfortably as it is; it'll be a while before I'm sleeping on a cot.

The weather Friday night was dry and cool, but nothing major; it was a balmy 18 degrees, so it was far from Mr.4444's record of something-below-zero. That said, he enjoyed his solo, nine-hour cozy sleep very much. He had planned to just sleep for an hour or so and come inside, but at 5am, I found him still out there.

In fact, he slept until 8:00am!!

By the way, Mr.4444 says that the secret to a comfortable sleep (in a tent or out) is a warm sleeping bag, of course (This one's a Gander Mountain Guide Series.), but also a warm hat that you can tie on. The hat keeps your heat contained, and the ties keep it from falling off during the night, which invariably results in a cold, restless sleep. (In the photo, you're looking at the back of Mr.4444's head, which is cozily coiffed in a fake-fur-lined hat.)

Mr.4444 did mention that his pillow (memory foam) got kind of stiff during the night, but he still says it was a very comfortable night. Sadly, although it's cold out, many birds still wake up chirping in the morning; Mr.4444 had a hard time sleeping past eight, especially when Steve and Milo came outside and licked him on his face!

So, I'm thinking of starting a Facebook group/event to encourage people to sleep outside this winter at least once and share their photos and experiences. Obviously, not everyone lives in a cold area, but even Floridians complain about some of their winter temps and need sweaters for 50 degrees; we could set a temperature limit, haha. What do you think? Would you participate? Just wondering...no pressure...

.....and if you can't find anyone to do it with you, I'm certain Mr.4444 would welcome you for a sleepover at our house!