A lot of people would say that first-timers are excused from making mistakes. Such idea, however, is only applicable in activities where the mistakes would not result in serious damage to property or to harm on others and self. This is precisely the reason why those who are planning for the first time to spend even a weekend outdoors while camping should take time to learn the basic tips first. Most of the tips are things to make sure that everyone camping would be safe and that their stay outdoors would not be tougher than how it should be.
Before leaving for the campsite, it is best for one to first make a thorough checkup of all the things that should be done. To make it easier, these things may be divided into food provisions, sleeping kits, clothes, lighting and first aid kits. Of course, there are many other items under these, which should all be accounted for before hopping in the car and speeding away. It is also important though that one does not bring with him too many things. Just the bare essentials would do. After all, there may be many materials that the forest or the lakeside could provide.
Choosing the location of the camp is another very important concern. As much as possible, the tent shouldn’t be located in a low lying area – especially if it is near a river or a lake. While an elevated position may be good, one must also make sure that is not a landslide-prone elevation too. It is best not to set up a tent under any tree. This is to avoid having injuries and the tent getting damaged by falling branches. A wide-open and elevated area would be a good choice. It would also be prudent to be near a water area. I believe that one should check the area around the tent – once you have put it up – to check for anything that could cause a negative.
Insect bites are quite common while camping as discussed here. This is the reason why campers are advised to always bring with them means to protect themselves from insects, such as mosquitoes and other mites. The tent itself should have a mechanism for preventing insects from getting inside. There are certain lotions that when applied on the skin would prevent mosquitoes from biting you.
Having a fire is very necessary while camping. This is the reason why it is best to keep one going while everyone is still awake. Aside from the obvious that this can be used for cooking, fire also serves as a repellent against wild animals. It should go without saying, of course, that you need to ensure that it is put off prior to sleeping. If the campers are going to explore the area through hiking, this should also be put off.
Route 66…Just saying the name of this infamous roadway exudes a feeling of excitement…an impression of nostalgia…a sense of adventure. It’s a part of Americana; a component of our pop culture; an iconic piece of our country’s history.
That famous thoroughfare connecting Chicago, Illinois to Los Angeles, California, Route 66 was the main road for those traveling west prior to the establishment of our National Interstate Highway System. For 2,448 miles, it supported economies and communities along its path. Though some of it has been re-aligned over the years to make it faster and safer to drive and some has been re-routed to bypass busy cities such as Springfield, Illinois, St. Louis, Missouri, and Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, much of it remains a National Scenic Byway for vacationing travelers yet today.
Beginning at Jackson Boulevard and Lakeshore Drive in Chicago, today it ends at Santa Monica Boulevard in Beverly Hills, California where the final “Historic Route 66″ sign stands. It has been renamed “Will Rogers Highway” where Santa Monica Boulevard meets Ocean Avenue. Because Route 66 is in close proximity to other roadways, often actually sharing the same pavement, and parallels interstate highways, as it makes its way through Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and California, it is a popular truck route, making it an ideal RV route, as well.
Driving our RV on Route 66 has been a dream-come-true for us. The sights we have seen while driving on it are memorable; the journey is emotional; the experience is priceless. Following it as closely as we can, we note that much of it is two-laned, flat, straight, and extends for as far as we can see. Other parts are curvy, snaking its way up and down mountain-like hills. Some of it is asphalt-paved with newly painted lines; other parts are graveled, dusty, and bumpy. Sometimes it dead-ends with little warning. Other areas easily and seamlessly join another highway, which proceeds for miles until Route 66 exits into itself once again.
Communities along its path have enjoyed the economic boost when Route 66 was in its heyday. Mom-and-Pop businesses sprang up all along the way featuring gas stations, diners, and motor courts. Some of the most famous that come to mind are Tee Pee Curios, the Wig-Wam Motel, and the Blue Swallow Motel, and Roy’s Cafe. Advertisements painted on barns and on roadside signs along the way tout the businesses that lie ahead. Sadly, most of these communities have become virtual ghost towns since its demise.
Some little towns, though nearly deserted, still play up the “Get your kicks on Route 66″ theme for the benefit of the travelers passing through. Buildings featuring soda fountains and diners, complete with mannequins dressed in 50′s attire lining the streets and balconies. Old-fashioned gasoline stations with ’57 Chevy’s parked at the non-operating pumps catch your eye at the corner. The infamous Burma Shave placards line the side of the road as you drive along the vacant countryside…their rhyming scheme both entertaining and humorous; enticing you to find more of them…which does not disappoint you because there ARE more…for miles and miles.
Today, for those interested in traveling on Historic Route 66, turn-by-turn roadmaps are available, highlighting places of interest along the way. You can see Mustang Corral, the One Stop Pony Shop in Illinois. Missouri showcases the St. Louis Arch, as well as Meramec Caverns touted as Jesse James’ hideout. Though Route 66 is only 13 miles long in Kansas, it travels by The March Arch Rainbow Bridge. Oklahoma features fields of oil drilling wells. Route 66 in Texas leads you along Palo Duro Canyon and The Cadillac Ranch…an automobile graveyard of sorts with graffiti-painted cars whose noses are buried in the ground with the tail-end sticking straight up.
In New Mexico, you start to get a real feel for the west with the adobe architecture, miles of desert scrub, flat-topped mountains visible in the distance, and Red Rock State Park. Arizona offers the best part of Route 66, in our opinion, with the Painted Desert, Petrified Forest National Park, Meteor Crater, and especially the Grand Canyon nearby. In California, Route 66 joins the “Old National Trail Highway”, and is paved, lined, and hilly.
Driving our RV on Historic Route 66 was definitely a highlight of our westward trek. It was a step back in time…a chance to re-live history…a thrill at every hill. We wouldn’t change that adventure for the world! We highly recommend this famous advice: “If you ever plan to motor west, travel my way, the highway’s best. Get your kicks on Route 66!”
Fall is a busy time for families. Kids start school, fall sporting events start, and before you know it, the holidays are the first time your family connects. Try a Fall getaway for your whole family. For many of us, there can be a fun opportunity close to home where you can spend a short weekend away.
Here’s our top 4 choices. We think you’ll find at least a few that are for all of you!
Camping Trip
State and national parks are beautiful during the fall. The colors are so pretty, bugs have cleared out for the cold weather and there aren’t so many crowds to deal with. Sweater weather is ideal for long hikes on walking trails, a great bike ride, and cooler evenings that you can fill with a campfire or roasting marshmallows.
Go Check Out Your Favorite Sports Team
Maybe a favorite college team is playing against rivals in the next state? Why not secure tickets to the game and support your team on the road? There’s something special about cheering for your team in another team’s stadium. You will enjoy the hanging out with other fans of your team — and tailgaiting before the games is sure to be fun.
Have a Mini Staycation at Home
Do you feel like you’ve been living in the same house but barely connecting with your family because everyone is so busy? Choose a rainy day to stay in the house and spend time with the whole family. No phones or computers — act like you are out of town. Shut off cell phones and cocoon with your clan. Get each family member to pick their favorite movie, video game or board game. Make special foods that everyone loves and reconnect for a day or two. Nastier the weather outside, the more fun it will be staying in together. Be sure your gas furnace is in good working order so if you want to get toasty warm, you won’t have any problems. Since you should have a denver heating and air technician clean and check your furnace before winter anyway, this is a good time to get it done.
Visit a Big City
There’s probably a city within 2-4 hours of you that qualifies as a Big City, complete with great restaurants, stage shows, museums, a zoo, and cool hotels. Plan ahead and choose activities that everyone will enjoy — or at least make sure everyone gets to do 1 or 2 of their favorite things over the course of the weekend.
Gather the gang around to discuss the possibilities. Let everyone have input and make the choices to fit your family’s lifestyle and budget. It’s likely you’ll make some memories that will turn your fall getaways into yearly traditions.
I am planning a cross country (us) cycle/backpacking/camping trip for myself and my kids. I hope to set off in early June as soon as school is out. Two of them have autism (one of which is severely involved, the other high functioning) and the third will be two in april. So, i need something extremely lightweight, portable and able to run off nature as much as possible. this is not for a nightly basis but for extreme circumstances when the kids (and myself of course) will need some relief. this adventure will take us throughout the next year + through rugged and extreme conditions from time to time. We will also be cycling, myself and my 10yr-old son will be the only peddlers. My oldest is too severe (disabled) to assist and obviously the 2-yr-old can’t help much. so we have to minimize weight as much as possible but have enough supplies to keep us safe and healthy. I am contemplating a 600amp power pack to use for nightly computer logging, occasional heating, occasional cooling (undetermined unit so far), occasional movie watching (dvds on comp), and mp3 and track phone charging. This pack can be hooked to a solar pannel for charging during the days while we ride and the pack weighs about 30lbs (another small child), but it also includes am/fm radio, alarm clock, ac and dc outlets, some models even have air compressors. Obviously we will have the smabeginningpumps due to tire repairs and air matress needs but i thought for 30lbs this includes several items in one and can be charged with solar. it can also be charged with a cord when access to plug is available. The tent we’ve decided on is rather large (up to 8 peeps) for the 4 of us. We have quite the convoy of family chariot trikes and trailers assembled. I really want to have a cooling device for those exhausting days – which i’m sure we will have many of, especially in the beginning until our bodies adjust. No need to cool the entire tent but an area to create relief. Any advice on cooling and power units that meet these needs would be greatly appreciated.
With camping season upon us, it’s time to take the gear out of storage and take a look at what is probably the most important piece of equipment for your comfort: your sleeping bag. If your current sleeping bag is worn, it may be time to choose a new one. When you are shopping, look for one suitable for you and your needs, of the right size and style, and with the proper filler and lining, which will determine if it is warm enough for the climate you will be in.There are three basic shapes from which to choose when selecting the best bag for your needs: rectangular, mummy or a combination style. Once this is decided the rest of the choices you will have to make as to features will be minimized. Unlike the other sleeping bag styles, the mummy bag is made to conform to your own contours thus keeping cold air from coming in and getting trapped. The warm air inside the bag is prevented from escaping with a hood and drawstring or elastic collar for extra protection from the elements.Again, you should take a look at all the styles available before making your choice and deciding which sleeping bag is best for you, but if it is comfort you are most concerned with, rectangular bags are wider than the others and can be joined by zipper with another rectangular bag to allow two people to snuggle up. But you may just find the combination bag to your liking as it combines the best features of both of the other styles, giving you the best of both worlds and a great night’s sleep when out enjoying nature.Once you have chosen the style you want, the next step is to choose a lining and filler. The filler is especially important if you are allergic to down, or have a particular sensitivity to down with asthma or other respiratory conditions. There are two fillers to decide on – synthetic and down. A synthetic fiber filler is generally heavier than down but when wet, it does not absorb water so therefore insulating ability is not reduced. A down filler is lighter than synthetic fiber but it requires more care and you must not get it wet or it will be useless.Is the sleeping bag you are considering of a correct size to accommodate your height and weight? Although the necessity of this proper sizing seems evident, this is actually one factor that many people seem to forget about when making their decision. And as a final but no less important point, keep in mind that sleeping bags have temperature ratings which they are designed to meet. You might choose a bag rated for temperatures even cooler than the environment you will be in if you are one of those people who is always cold. And for your own comfort, don’t forget that it is generally more difficult to warm up than it is to be too hot and cool yourself down if necessary.
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