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Archive for the ‘Camping Activities and Gear’ Category
Breakfast!
Where's The Bacon!
As Mama used to say, breakfast is the most important meal of the day. In fact, it sets the tone, preparing it can not only be fun but educational for the entire family. There is no better way to start off the day than preparing breakfast together. These are the experiences that make-up those long-lasting memories we cherish.
Campsite Breakfast:
- Instant coffee is a must for those parents who need to start the day with a quick Cup of Java. Sugar and nondairy creamers can be brought along to flavor the coffee.
- Instant oatmeal or grits are good breakfast foods and can be mixed with fresh fruit like bananas or apples.
- Bagels or English muffins are a good start to the day, and they travel well.
- Cold cereals are also good breakfast items. However, if you like them with milk, bring along pasteurized milk boxes that don’t require refrigeration.
If you plan properly; have the proper cold storage and camping cookware, your breakfasts might include eggs, pancakes and breakfast meat. One idea is to grill some potatoes in a skillet and mix-in eggs, vegetables and bacon. This has always been a family pleaser and will guarantee to provide plenty of energy for the day’s activities.
Beginners!
Pretty Simple!
Proper nutrition is important but is especially critical when participating in the rigors of outdoor activities. Whether it be for one day or a multiple days activity, you need to plan ahead and take every thing needed to feed yourself and/or family. Both meal, ingredients, and the ability to cook will need to coincide within the means for transportation
Your capability to keep things refrigerated will be greatly reduced. This will possibly impact on the food products purchased, as-well-as those requiring cold storage. However, if transportation is not a problem, there are ice chests that can be obtained quite cheaply. But, it still might be best to use those food products first, especially if you’re staying out for several days.
Preparing good outdoor camping food should not be a challenge; in-fact, it can be both educational, easy, and fun – especially for a family. Kids and parents can work together to prepare the meal and further enjoy by eating their creation. This bonding experience should make the cleanup of camping cookware that much easier when everyone is involved.
RVing!
Beautiful!
Your tired of the traditional camping gig – the kids are grown, gone, and it’s just you and the wife. You have heard so much about seeing the country in a Recreational Vehicle (RV). They come in all sizes, both big and small; vehicle’s that will provide comfort for a couple or even a family of four or five.
We have all made fun of this form of travel, but it does have its attractions. Generally speaking, you don’t have to worry about the setting-up/breaking-down. It has all of the amenities of home, including lights at the flip of a switch, TV, DVD and of course a proper shower/bathroom facility.
There are draw-backs. These motorized homes can be expensive to buy and, with the price of fuel, very costly to operate. However, I would not completely close the door; it might be feasible as a lease/rental for close-in or state wide travel. I would suggest checking your local RV rental company for specials, and you might be able to save even more by using your own camping gear and supplies.
Shower Tent!
Just Like at Home!
One of the negatives for some folk to go camping is the lack of an adequate bathing facility, that is if you don’t consider a dip in a lake, stream or river as being acceptable; but, even this is discouraged by environmentalists due to the possible introduction of adverse chemicals to the waterways.
However, if you are traveling in an RV or going to some top-of-the-line resort, it would not be an issue; but for us folk who don’t have that option, there is still an alternative that could make you the Husband/Dad of the Year – a Showering Tent! This tent will ensure privacy similar to what you might find at home in the city.
This camp showering tent can be equipped with a bag that has a nozzle attached. You hang up the bag, fill it with water, and stand under it for the showering effect. It can also be equipped with either a solar, battery, or gas powered heating unit that will get the water hot so you can be assured of a revitalized showering experience. ENJOY!
Outdoor Activities!
An Indoor/Outdoor Battery Light!
Everyone seems to have their own ideas on the gear, tools, or supplies needed for outdoor activities. Some items are activity specific but others are not. If possible, I would think a smart person would select items based on multi-purpose functionality, or ones that could be used for several different outdoor purposes/activities?
Most outdoor activities can be divided into common tasks such as fire, shelter, protection, navigation and food/water. Among the gear/tools to provide or perform these common tasks would include fire starter, tents/stoves/sleeping gear/lighting, mace, GPS, cooking stoves/water decontamination, etc. As an example, buy a stove or shelter that would be appropriate for all of your outdoor activities or a lantern that could provide lighting both indoors and outdoors.
As a result of and considering that storage is such a luxury, both thought and common sense should be applied when purchasing your outdoor activity gear, tools and supplies. Otherwise, you’ll realize unneeded duplication and an eventual loss of storage space.
B/B Burgers!
Quite Delicious!
A very quick and popular lunch entry is this Barbecue Burger. It can be supplemented with an easy to make soup of choice. This entry has proven to be a favorite and one that we normally duplicate at-least 2 or 3 times on a 5-day camping trip.
Ingredients (1-serving):
- Cooking spray;
- ¼ pound of ground beef;
- 2 – tbsp barbecue sauce (your favorite);
- 1 – hamburger bun;
- Optional condiments including lettuce, tomato, onions, etc;
- Salt and pepper (individual choice).
Process: Prepare a camp/cooking fire burned down to the hot coals and place a grate/grill or just a frying pan over them. Mix beef with 1-tbsp of barbecue sauce and form into a patty. Spray grate/grill or frying pan with cooking spray and place burger(s) in/on it for cooking. Flip once every 4-5 minutes or until the meat’s juices are running clear. Spread 1-tbsp of barbecue sauce on top of the meat, place on a bun, add condiments, salt/pepper and serve on appropriate camping cookware. Enjoy!
Determine Direction W/O a Compass!
Field Expedience!
Whenever in the outdoors, I would suggest that you always have access to a compass. However, if you find yourself in a situation needing to know the correct orientation for travel and you haven’t got a compass, there is a technique called the Sun/Watch method that I’ve found extremely reliable.
Process:
- Remove the analog watch from your arm;
- Point the hour hand at the sun;
- While holding the watch like this, half the distance between the hour hand and the number 12 (watch dial) points South.
If you are wearing a digital watch, draw a watch face with correct time on a piece of paper and follow procedures above to determine the proper orientation.
Peach Cobbler!
As Good As It Looks!
As I have previously stated, We really enjoy cobblers and not too particular on the fruit used. This recipe for a peach cobbler is not only easy to fix but quick and will prove to be a family favorite.
Ingredients:
- Large can of sliced peaches;
- Bisquick.
Process: Drain syrup off of peaches; save ¼ cup. Take the ¼ cup of syrup and mix with the Bisquick until it forms a batter type consistency. Pour batter over the peaches in the can and place a lid over the mix. Put the can on the hot coals of your campfire and cook until the flour has formed hard dumplings. Once done, place individual servings in/on the appropriate camping cookware and serve.
Fisherman’s Delight!
Portable Cooking Stove!
The following is an extremely quick way to cook fish fillets. It has proven to be a family favorite that can be quickly supplemented with potatoes/rice and a vegetable of choice to make a nutritious meal.
Ingredients (1-serving):
- 2 – tbsp of vegetable oil;
- 1-2 fish fillets;
- Your favorite breading;
- Salt and pepper (per choice).
Process: This basic fish recipe has been proven by the test of time. The heat source can either be a portable camping stove or the hot coals of a campfire. Place breading material in a bag; put fish fillets in the bag and shake vigorously. Place a frying pan on the heat source and pour-in the vegetable oil. Once the vegetable oil is sizzling, place fish fillets in the oil and cook 5 – 7.5 minutes on each side. Season with salt and pepper (as desired) and serve.
Get The Most From It!
Fun Time!
We can all take lessons on how to get the “Most” from your Outdoor Recreation Equipment. There is not a lot of science involved, just a whole lot of common sense. As your parents used to say “never put yourself in a corner” or “close that door”, but stay on your feet and remain in control of your mental well-being.
- Bye Quality Gear – Don’t confuse(quality) with purchase price. Ask friends/experts and research the product through appropriate consumer advocates. Look for the best quality considering what’s available and the price you can pay.
- Get What You Need – There’s a fine line between need and want. However, it is better to have it and not need it, than need it and not have it! Put some thought into it; in most places, you’ll always want your rain gear with you but might not need it.
- Take Care of It – One of the most important considerations. If you don’t religiously take care of it , it might fail when most needed. Depending on the circumstances, this could be the difference between a good/bad experience or worse yet – life/death. Folks, it’s not a game, so don’t play around with it.
- Storage – Organize and if possible get it up off the floor. Pre-storage should include a serviceability check. Get rid of those things that can’t be fixed and/or don’t work properly.
Being able to go on a camping trip/outdoor activity knowing that you have the recreation gear needed, and that it’s in good working order will set the tone for the entire trip. It will not only give participants peace of mind, but a care-free confidence that everything is going to be fine and fun filled.
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