We're saying goodbye to tent camping for a while.

Yes, it's true: We are now RV owners, and we'll talk more about that in our Oct. 5 column.

While it's certainly true that the RVing will make our travels easier, tent camping has many pluses. Here's what we'll miss about it:

1. Camping where you want:  When you're in a tent, you can place it in the best possible location for views and privacy. Walk-in sites are often very private and wild.
2. Rain on the tent fly: Camping in the rain is no fun, but once you're inside a snug tent, it's lovely to hear the rain falling while you stay warm and dry.
3. Night skies: Getting up in the middle of the night for a bathroom break is a chore when you're tent camping, but it also offers unforgettable views of the stars.
4. The rituals: When you camp a lot, the tasks of setting up are tedious,  but also can be oddly satisfying. Your day-to-day worries are forgotten when you need to pound in that tent stake.
5. A world away inside: Yes, you're more exposed in a tent. But something about that nylon wall makes it feel like you've conquered nature.
6. Call of the wild: Once you get comfortable with the sounds of animals in the forest, it can feel invigorating to hear the sounds of animals at night, from hooting owls to howling coyotes.
7. Simple pleasures: Tents don't come with entertainment systems. Reading with a headlamp feels special, and an epic card game might be something you remember for years.
8. You're hard-core: The tent is a rougher way to go that takes skill and patience. If you can master tenting, you can brag about your moxie.
9. It's affordable: Tent camping at state parks and Forest Service campgrounds is remarkably inexpensive.
10. It makes you appreciate comfort: When you sleep on the ground for several days, returning home or getting a motel room feels positively luxurious.

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