Archive for the ‘Tents’ Category
Have Fun In the Shade!
OUCH!
Ah Lake Havasu… The deep blue waves shimmering in the sun, the sharp peaks of the burnt-brown mountains looming over the sandy beaches, and the warm kiss of the fading sunlight on your back as your boat cruises back towards the dock. All these memories can be ruined, however, if you forget to apply sun screen at the beginning of the day. The 110-degree heat of an Arizona summer can burn even the hardiest of sun lovers to a crisp in just a few hours without the proper sunscreen.
Though sun block is readily available and easy to apply, many people forget to use it. If you are one of those unlucky souls who spent a day innocently soaking up the UV rays, only to wake up the next day as red as a freshly-boiled crab, than you should consider spending the next couple days sitting under a shade shelter. No one wants to stay in their hotel room or cabin all day when they could be outside enjoying sunny-day festivities. Shade shelters are easy to transport, and can save sunburn victims from spending their vacation indoors.
Camping Equipment Lists
This Time's So Important!
Family camping trips are a great way to get parents and children together in the great outdoors. Camping takes preparation however, and it’s important to prepare a checklist before you set out on your next camping adventure. Checking the following items off your list will make for a smoother, more enjoyable trip.
1. Make sure to bring enough sleeping bags and mattresses.
2. Before packing up your camping tents, make sure they don’t need repairs and that you have all the parts.
3. You should plan on including these cooking items in your packing; pan, a grill, large pot, silverware, plates, and drinking glasses.
4. Never forget your map, compass, or GPS.
5. Bring a first aid kit, including bandages, anti-bacterial ointment, medical tape, and medicines.
Pure Outdoor Enjoyment!
Dry and Spacious!
Late, last fall, the wife and I with friends went on a weekend camping trip to the mouth of the great Mississippi River. Through the years, while traveling, we have crossed it many times as it meandered, in its majestic glory, southward from Northwestern Minnesota to the Gulf of Mexico. Until this trip, it was difficult to fathom the river being anything but big, powerful, and terribly intimidating.
However – this great river, like most others, starts as a small stream that can be crossed by jumping over it or traversing it by stepping on existing stones sticking out of the water. There it was quiet, bubbly, and quite forgiving; the wife missed one of the stepping stones and fell flat on her backside - nothing was hurt but her pride; but, if you were to ask, she would deny the mishap - saying: Without a bridge, I walked across the Mississippi!
We enjoyed the trip immensely but realized that our camping gear was in bad need of repair or replacement. The first night it rained and our camping tents leaked. Our battery operated lanterns didn’t seem to hold the charge they should’ve. My hatchet, axe, and knives needed sharpening. The fuel can for the cooking stove had a pin-hole in it. But, considering all, those were such small inconveniences compared with the sheer enjoyment of this outdoor experience!
Tents: Err on the Side of Extra Space!
Suitable Tent-age?
As summer slowly winds to a close, any remaining chances to take the family on a camping adventure are increasingly valuable and rare. It’s best to begin planning well in advance of the departure date. A suitable tent should be among the top considerations. If you have a large family, you’ll want a structure with plenty of interior space and perhaps even a dividing wall.
Don’t be fooled by the fact that many family tents are marketed as “four-man,” “six-man” and so on. As a general rule, select a tent that sleeps one or two more people than you have along for the trip. A family of four should be on the lookout for a six-person tent, for example. Remember that you’re not likely to complain about a tent being too big and spacious. But if it’s cramped and uncomfortable, that’s a whole different story.
Checking out the Screen Scene!
Breathing Fresh Air!
When I’m not at work, I like to spend as much time outside as possible. Much to my wife’s chagrin, I’m always suggesting ideas for camping trips and day hikes through the local forest. I’ve even expanded my love of the outdoors to our home remodeling plans. About this time last year, we were all set to add a screen room to the back of the house, allowing me to breathe fresh air without even leaving home.
Unfortunately, the economic downturn forced me to consider other options. I investigated a number of screen houses online and settled on one that would provide an authentic outdoors experience right in our backyard. The ultra-fine mosquito netting keeps pests at bay, and the entire unit can be packed up and made portable in a flash for future camping trips.