but it’s not a real substitute for kicking back into a low-slung chair with a beer can holder and gazing at the stars. On that point, my car camping-living gear junkie friends, you win.

For someone like me, a prima donna scaredy cat, camping in my car is a way to have my s’more and eat it, too. Here’s the gear I use when I want to be close, but not too close, to nature.