Travel and Vacation

When backpacking, one of the most important items you can take with you is a tent. You will want a tent that you can set up camp quickly and easily and offers good protection allowing a good nights sleep, so you can start fresh again the next day. You will also want it to be light in weight if you intend backpacking. Choosing the correct tent is very important when backpacking. To help to choose which tent is best for you then the following describes the many types that are currently available on the market today and the ones most suitable for backpacking.

Tunnel tent These tents are superb for carrying as they are so lightweight therefore great for long backpacking expeditions. However, they don’t have much height and have two poles in their construction. They need stakes to keep the tent secure.

Dome tent The dome tent is excellent for headroom and internal space. It is a breeze to set up as it only uses two poles. However, with only two poles there isn’t a lot of support so it’s not so good if you are expecting bad or unpredictable weather conditions.

Supported dome tent This is very similar to a dome tent but offers more support. It is ideally suited to worse weather conditions and offers the same benefits as a regular dome tent.

Freestanding tent The freestanding tent is quite easy to set up as well as being pretty sturdy. They are very lightweight in design making them a great backpacking favorite. This tent should always be staked down so it doesn’t blow away.

Teepee tent As this tent has one tall pole in the middle it is great for headroom. The tent is draped over the pole and staked down to secure it. They usually don’t have a floor but still offers great protection from the weather.

Single wall constructed tent The single wall tent does not have a fly but is very easy to erect as they do not need extra ropes or stakes. Again, a lightweight tent so ideal for backpacking. Be sure to provide ventilation as they get condensation easily.

Double wall constructed tent Very similar to the single wall tent except they have an outer layer or fly so are well ventilated and don’t suffer as bad from condensation. They are also very easy to set up too.

About the Author:

For great help and information and great deals on a North Face fleece jacket and for more information on North Face backpacks go check out northfacebackpacks.org.

While traveling the high country this summer writing my travel blog (Oregon to Florida) I discovered a wonderful camping experience; US National Forest Sno-Parks. These parks are used in winter as staging areas for winter sports but are ignored in summer months. These Sno-Parks make an excellent summertime retreat.

As a bonus Sno-Park use in the summer is FREE. In winter a parking permit is required to use the parks. This minimal fee is used to pay for snow removal and other costs. FREE summertime camping does have its price; the services are minimal. As a rule “Pack It In – Pack It Out” is the standard for most Sno-Parks.

The facilities and activities vary from park to park and most are suitable for family camping. In fact many Sno-Parks have large warming huts with wood stoves, tables & chairs and a few have facilities for electric hook-ups for portable generators. These large fully equipped parks are great for group get-togethers and parties. You can not reserve warming huts.

continue reading…

Camping is a fun experience when you are with the perfect people, have all the correct supplies, and understand exactly what you are doing. Too often though things may go wrong and problems that you never thought to take place will. The most popular of these troubles takes place because people were not using the right clothes.

When outdoors walking the woods or camping it is important that you wear clothes that have the ability to screen your skin. With these clothes you will have the ability to aid to prevent skin rashes from poisonous plants, snake bites, ant bites, and anything else that can stimulate harm. It is not constantly essential to put on these clothes during the whole trip just when you are trekking through the woods.

The most profound clothing you will need to don are thick socks and hiking boots. These boots are helpful when traveling for long lengths because they supply ease to your feet when you want it most. It is also a kind of shield that is used for your feet to prevent small bugs from biting you.

continue reading…

You just bought a new RV and now you want to go camping right? If you did, you may be wondering how you should prepare for your first outdoor camping adventure. This article will give you some tips to get started. These tips may sound a bit simplistic, but many people forget some of these things on their first trip.

One of the first things that you should do to prepare your Travel Trailer for a great camping adventure is making sure that your coach is serviced and up-to-par. If you just recently bought a new unit, you may not need to have it serviced yet. On the other hand, if your trailer hasn’t been used in a while or if you bought it used, you may want to think about having a professional RV technician inspect your coach for you. There is nothing worse than being stranded with a broken down camper.

Since you will be taking your camper with you, you will likely be sleeping in your trailer. For that reason, you will want to make sure that your Travel Trailer is filled with clean bedding. You need to pack more than just sleeping bags. Travel Trailer beds are designed to use traditional sheets and bedding. Making sure that your RV is stocked full of clean bedding will help to ensure that your night are peaceful and comfortable.

continue reading…

Trail camping is distinct than the standard camping vacation in that you are moving along a intended trail and walking every day and camping during the night. It requires necessary provisions and distinct tips that have the ability to assist you to have the most fun as a family. If you have not done it before you should have the proper tips that will aid you to do things right.

Plan Everything

The most special thing about this is that you will be walking on the trail every day. You have to make a point that you choose a location that you will enjoy and that you plan each detail. You have to know the amount of days you will be away, the supplies that you should have, and what you would like to see on the way. You want to ensure that you relish the scenery and nature that is around you. Because of this you have to make a point that you are not walking the total time. However, you do not need to stray off the path too often unless you know the place very well.

Supplies

In order to make this trip a winner you must have the proper supplies. You must bring with you a tent, sleeping bag, cooking supplies, and food. All of these items must be carried – which means you will need a backpack that will make it simpler to carry everything. Also try to pick out things that are light and easy to carry. One of the more important trail camping tip I might give to you is to carry along a first aid kit. You may have troubles with snake bites, cuts, or even burns. Because of this you need to ensure that you have something with you to help mend this.

About the Author:

Learn how you can find the best Trail Camping Locations that you are able to walk on. Also learn some great Camping Tips to make things easier for you.

Camping in California just goes with surfing. How else could most surfers afford a weekend in Big Sur? I know I can’t afford a spa. I’ve camped many times in places where I could surf. Though there weren’t always waves, there was always a fire and some hot dogs.

Like with any planned vacation, it can be tough coordinating a swell with reserving a spot. When I finally know some decent surf is on the way, many sites are already booked. Despite this, windows of opportunity pop up and we’ve gotten a campsite even after being informed by the computer/telephone/Internet/ signs that the place was full. It’s often worth the risk to go for it and hope something’s available. Just be sure to have a backup plan, such as another campground nearby that will almost surely have spots. As of yet, we haven’t had to pay for one of those pricey hotel rooms in Bodega Bay.

We always try to pack light, as light as one can when lugging kid gear, camping stuff, and, of course, a surfboard. It seems like there’s a lot of room in a vehicle until you start filling it with your crap. We used to have a 1982 VW camper van that we kept pre-packed most of the time. It was good for weekend trips. We’d just pull up and pop the top. It even had a sink, a stove, and a fridge, though we rarely use them, preferring to cook outside. Its main problem was that it was an old and slow Diesel. 1960’s VW love-vans flew past us on Highway 1. We used MANY turnouts. It was great once we got there, but next time I’d get the gas version without the stove and sink inside. It’s faster and has more room. Where to go? The big question always depends on swell, wind, and site availability. Here are some of the places I’ve gone camping and surfing. Most have really nice sites near or right on the beach.

continue reading…

As a camping enthusiast for more than 40 years, I have been all over this great country from sea to shining sea. My family and I have traveled in our RV for years and we have been to so many great places I don’t have the room to tell you about then all, but I will share with you a few.

We have camped along the Atlantic Coast of Florida and the Pacific Coast of California to the Gulf Coast from Texas to Alabama. We really enjoy camping on the ocean with the fresh sea breezes and warm tropical waters. The fishing is always good and just being lazy on the beach is pretty cool as well. We really enjoy the sea shore.

We have also been to the mountains quite often as well. We camped from Central Arizona and Southern Colorado, to the Great Smokey Mountains and the Appalachians. I love the cool crisp mornings, listening to the babbling mountain streams while drinking a good cup of coffee by morning fire. Life doesn’t get much better than that.

continue reading…

Camping & The Family Unit

Over the years a sad change has taken place in our country, one born out of circumstance and need. A change that defines who we are as a people and a species, yet we never saw it coming, or if we did were to busy to give it much thought. A change that challenges the very structure of our civilization, and threatens the values that have kept us strong in times of crises. That change is within our own families.

My friends the concept of the “Family” as a unit has all but ceased to exist in today’s society. Sure we still fall in love, get married, and have kids, but as soon as the kids are out of the infant stage things seem to go down hill. Now don’t get me wrong it’s not your fault, I know you parents out there love your kids with all your hearts, and I know you kids love your parents. It’s just a very busy and stressful world we live in today. In most cases both Mom and Dad have to work to make ends meet, not to mention the meetings, appointments, and the endless running around that it takes just to keep a household functioning properly. So what about the children, well they get introduced to an endless string of substitute parents in the form of, daycare givers, preschool, then their in school where their teachers are in charge, after school there are babysitters, or nannies for those that can afford them. In the evening, depending on Mom and Dad’s work schedule, the whole family might be in the house together, but things are different here too.

When I was a kid families would all sit down and eat supper together, maybe discuss their respective days. After dinner, once we all helped clean up, it was off to the living room. There was only one television in the house back then, so we’d all gather around and watch TV for the evening, talking, laughing, maybe even crying (depending on what we were watching) but it was us interacting with each other as a family.

How many times a week does your whole family sit down together for dinner? As for watching TV, most kids have one in their rooms, so they go there to watch, or to play video games, talk on the phone, or chat online. Then in the morning,(again without a family breakfast), we say hello and good bye on our way out the door.

continue reading…

Are you one who gets all excited just at the thought of hitting the open road and diving into the RV camping lifestyle? It just may be the right time to join a group who has the exact same feelings about RV camping whether you have been doing it for years or are new to the lifestyle.

If you join up with the Good Sam Club, you will have access to incredible RV camping vacation destinations all over the country. You will be clued into just where you can end up in order to give your family and yourself a memorable RV camping experience. You can cut out the worries over hotel bills and set schedules. With your membership in the Good Sam Club, you receive a 10% discount plus access to the RV camping destinations you are longing to get to.

Are you interested in the necessary camping checklists for your trip? For each kind of RV camping trip you could possibly set on, there are different lists available to suit your every need. Along with getting all of the camping checklists to make your packing and planning easier, you will also receive a customized RV camping trip planning guide with your club membership.

continue reading…

With rumbling rivers, beautiful lakes, dense alpine forests, and hot desert areas; Western Canada holds an array of options for every flavor of camper. Depending on the amenities required, desired destination, and length of your trip, a great camping spot can be found.

Provincially run camp grounds and RV parks provide campers with several different levels of services from dry camping facilities with no services, for those seeking the rustic experience to fully-serviced, beautifully maintained camps perfect for families or those insist on a hot shower and bathroom facilities and the end of the day. Provincial camps are typical of Western Canada and have become so popular in the last few years, that most sites must be reserved up to a year in advance to get your favorite spot for the long weekends or holidays. More information about our provincial campgrounds and RV parks can be found in the links provided below.

Privately owned campgrounds are also a common choice for campers visiting Western Canada. These types of camping areas are more commonly found near cities or towns and close to shopping, entertainment, beaches, golf and/or the convenience of city life. Again, fully-serviced sites are the norm in such facilities and sometimes may provide laundry facilities, swimming pools, daycare services, children’s play areas, cable or satellite television, and wireless Internet.

continue reading…