If you are bringing an air mattress, you're probably car camping and may be able to leave the food / cooler in the trunk.
Once in Missouri I went camping with my parents and they love to cook at camp Tons of chopping boards, utensils, etc were left out overnight, which attracted dozens of raccoons. They had the coolers secure but it was still wild to see. Rookie mistake from people who actually have a lot of experience.
Also, hammock camping can be very comfortable if you have an under quilt and tarp
Ah, true. I have several of the foam self inflating pads but I don't really think of those as mattresses. They are very nice tho. I have seen the ones without foam that are even more portable too.