How To Spice Up Your Outdoor Cooking with Online Camping Recipes

Copyright 2006 Karin Manning

There’s something so amazing about cooking in the outdoors. The scent of fresh air, the harmonious singing of birds, and the awesome panoramic view seem to beckon the beauty of one’s soul and enhance the senses. That makes cooking outdoors such a wonderful experience.

Simple outdoor cooking is good enough in itself - toasting marshmallows, hotdogs and stuff. But, have you ever wondered how to fix up some gourmet meal or inventing a new dish while you’re outdoors?

Now, that sounds like a lot of fun. In fact, that’s very possible. But, of course you need some preparation on this one. When your family is out there in the open and far from the comforts of modern civilization, it’s always advisable to be prepared for anything, whether it be a bear attack, bad weather, or surprising circumstances like your children getting sick.

Even cooking itself needs a whole lot of preparation. The cooking utensils, ingredients, food containers, including the camping recipes must be carefully laid out so you don’t mess up and ruin the chance of having a great fun outdoors.

So, you may be asking where can I find all those camping recipes? Well, choosing your camping recipes is not a problem at all. If you don’t have that much patience in scanning your recipe books, you can just go online and browse on lots of camping recipes available on several campers’ sites. There are tons of camping recipes for every kind of person all with unique and interesting names – from a 15-minute recipe called ants on a log, which kids would love to a 45-minute hunter’s stew. Also, if your family’s health is a concern, there are websites that offer healthy camping recipes of all sorts. For those who just can’t do away with fast food and junk foods, there are also available mouth-watering camping recipes that you would surely love. Some websites even have gourmet camping recipes for people who are used to dining out in expensive restaurants, which you can duplicate in just a matter of minutes.

The variety of camping recipes online gives you and your family a chance to experiment on several food ingredients, which may enhance your cooking skills.

But wait, before you start downloading some of these camping recipes, bear a few important things in mind. When picking among these camping recipes online, be reminded of your family’s food preference and tastes, as well as the availability of the ingredients of the recipes you’ve chosen. Consider also those camping recipes that are healthy for everyone.

Finally, don’t go picking any camping recipes just because it seems good enough for your taste buds, choose that which would fit to your budget also.

How To Spot Air Fare Deals That Rock Your World

If you are looking for air fare deals for your next vacation, there are several quarters to look at, one of them is your local travel agency, but the best option might just be a few mouse click away. It is the phenomenon called the Internet, and right now it is swarming with many travel websites that offers incredible air fare deals, in addition to hotel and resort lodgings.

If you visit www.expedia.com, travelvelocity.com, cheaptickets.com, and orbitz.com or sites of airlines that offer flights to your intended destination, you will find good air fare deals. Another way you can get a nice air fare deal to almost any destination is by checking priceline.com, but a condition is attached to this; your travel plans has to be flexible.

Your travel plans can sometimes depend on getting a good air fare deal. This is always the case with holiday trips or those that are organized at short notice. If you are traveling on a short notice, you can get a reasonable air fare deal due to the fact not all flight seats are occupied, the only problem you might face is that if you are traveling with a companion, both of you might have to sit separately.

To prevent this scenario, it is always best to be flexible with your travel plans, so as to benefit from great air fare deals. So never restrict your plan to specific dates and time of the year. If your travel plan is flexible, you will be able to get better air fare deals and save money in the process.

When you are arranging a summer vacation or weekend treats for yourself or family, spring is the best period to start planning for it, because many cheap air fare deals abounds at this time of the year on the Internet. This will probably save you the hassle of driving all the way to your destination, thus your timing for this has to be spot on.

When you plan early you can benefit from the several vacation packages including lodgings and air fare deals that are available during this period when business is normally dull. There is no doubt about it, cheap air fare deals abound for almost any destination, if only you look hard enough.

Prepare Yourself For A Perfect Camping

Camping can be a great get away from the workweek we all experience. It is a time to enjoy the outdoors and get a breath of fresh air, BUT have you ever thought that whether you have everything you need to do a perfect camping trip? To answer this question, it would be better to draw on my camping experience in your efforts to determine which camping equipment would be best suited for your excursion. You should always be prepared for any type of condition or coincidences that may happen.

No matter where or with whom you decided to go, there are a few things that you should always remember to take with you. Some of the basic indispensables, that will not only make your trip fun, but much more enjoyable and safe are a tent, sleeping bag, proper clothing, proper footwear, flashlight, backpack, food, water, Two decks of playing cards, Reflector Oven or Camp stove Oven, Hatchet, Bow saw, Trash bags - Use grocery bags during the day and put in a large bag at night, Matches - The strike anywhere type, Toilet paper, Fuel funnel- For stove and lantern, in a plastic bag, Tent repair kit, Mixing bowl, and a compass.

With your kit, you are ready to go camping anywhere at anytime. So make your list and take a day to gather supplies and set up your own camp kit, you will be glad you did. BUT like many other activities the best time to purchase cheap camping equipment is at the end of the season. It can take some time to choose the equipment that is best for you, but also allows you to buy cheap camping equipment with the selection being so large.

The best thing to enjoy your camping is to try to make some activities you have never used to do like, hiking, fishing, rafting, it is your chance now to do whatever you dreamt to do. You want to remember to keep safety in mind while camping. Know where you are going and how to get home.

Camping Supply Secrets: Camping Tips, Camping Equipment And Camping Gear Tricks

Copyright 2006 Karin Manning

Getting the right camping gear need not be a huge expense.

Here are some quick money-saving tips that you can use today to make sure you have the right equipment for your camping trip without breaking the budget.

Visit online auction sites like Ebay where you’ll be able to pick most of the things you need at a fraction of the cost. Make sure before you place any bids on auctions that you check out the seller’s feedback. Purchases done via Paypal are also covered by Paypal’s Buyer Protection.

Look at your local newspapers often to find out if there are any offline auctions soon where camping items will feature at bargain prices.

Visit garage sales in your area where you could easily pick up tents, air mattresses, air pumps etc at really low prices.

Buy local trading magazines/newspapers where people advertise their second hand items cheaply. Also look for the items listed in “freebies” and look out for people who may be willing to trade something of theirs for something of yours.

Contact some scout halls in your local area. They often upgrade their camping equipment and are often happy to sell their second hand equipment at cheap prices.

Visit amazon.com where people sell their camping items relatively cheaply.

Visit your local army surplus store for equipment specials.

Surf the internet regularly for great camping specials, including free shipping.

Below are a few online stores that offer free shipping to their customers. Conditions may apply.

http://www.paragonsports.com offers Free Shipping on all orders over $48.95.

http://www.explore64.com offers free shipping on US orders over $50.00

http://www.usoutdoorstore.com offers free shipping and no sales tax on US orders over $40.00.

http://www.altrec.com offers free return shipping on selected camping items.

There’s no need to pay full price for camping gear when there are so many online businesses offering serious discounts to its visitors.

http://www.BackCountryOutlet.com regularly offers up to 70% off brand name camping gear.

http://www.rei-outlet.com offers the best assortment of brand-name seconds, overstocks and closeouts with discounts of 20-70% for its visitors.

http://www.cheaperthandirt.com is America’s ultimate shooting sports discounter.

http://www.wildDay.com is Europe’s leading online retailer of outdoor equipment and clothing at prices up to 65% less than you will find elsewhere. Keep an eye on your wallet by keeping an eye out for the best petrol prices and cars with low mileage costs. http://www.fueleconomy.gov/ is a government website listing mileage rates for vehicles going as far back as 1985.

This is not where your savings end. It is possible to find camping gear free. Without a doubt, the best place to find camping gear for FREE is to ask your family and friends if you can borrow it. Usually most people won’t have a problem with that and if you are forced to do a “trade” of some kind so that you can use their items accept it as better than having to physically pay money for it and come to a mutually acceptable arrangement between you.

So there you have it. Camping need not be expensive. I’ve shared with you the many places you can go to, starting today, where you will be able to get camping gear for a fraction of its original price or, even better, free. So what are you waiting for! With such a ready supply of discount camping equipment, camping on a budget has never been easier.

Camping Furniture You Should Have For Your Next Camping Trip

Camping conjures up images of campfires, tents, sleeping bags and generally roughing it. However, now there are so many pieces of furniture available for use in camping, you can deck out your campsite to look almost as good as your home. There are lounge chairs available, ottomans, tables and lamps to recreate a living area around a campfire. Portable kitchen areas will provide preparation areas and grills for a versatile dining experience. Your tent no longer has to consist of a sleeping bag on the hard ground but can include beds, tables and lamps.

Keep in mind that larger pieces of furniture are difficult to transport and may be heavy or bulky so these items are best used in stationary camp sites. If you will be wandering off to camp at a site where you will have to carry your equipment long distances, these items may not be ideal. However, if you have a campsite area that also accommodates your vehicle and you plan to return to the campsite each day, they are perfect for creating a comfortable and relaxing environment.

Make sure you have enough room however you are traveling to transport items. If you have a recreational vehicle, truck or SUV, they provide ample area to store foldable or collapsible furniture along with your equipment and supplies. If you only have a small car, however, you may not be able to pack all the furniture items and still have room for necessary equipment and yourselves.

Cots, hammocks, inflatable beds and sleeping mats are great pieces of furniture for use in a tent. They provide maximum comfort while raising you from the hard ground. This can help in keeping you dry in rainy climates and warm if it is colder. Adding a small, collapsible table will allow you to set a lamp for reading and keeping water or other supplies. Lamps can be battery or gas powered and they are usually small and easily portable.

There are many varieties of chairs and lounges available. These pieces of furniture are either collapsible or inflatable for easy, compact storage. You can get these pieces in oversized models for maximum comfort and kick your feet up on an ottoman or attached foot rest.

Cooking and dining is no longer an issue with the use of folding kitchenettes. These are great ways to provide food preparation areas. They can attach to a grill or heating element to prepare your day’s catch of fish or prepare your favorite camping recipes. Tables and chairs are available and there are even portable picnic tables. You can easily gather the family around for a good meal.

With all the available camping furniture available, you can now camp in luxury. Look for camping furniture online or at local sporting goods stores. Make sure you have enough space to transport all these items. They usually come in collapsible models for convenient and compact storage but they will still take up a bit of room. Have fun on your next camping adventure by staying in style and comfort.

4 Season Tents - Your Top Tips Buying Guide

Basically, the difference between 4 season tents and regular tents is that a 4 season tent is tighter, with heavier and tougher outer walls. When it is all zipped up, there is no space anywhere for the ruthless natural elements to get in and disturb your peaceful sleep. In addition, 4 season tents are often more durable so that they can shield you safely from extremely heavy storms if need be. This does not mean, however, that you cannot use 4 season tents in more pleasant weather. Many styles of 4 season tents come with the option to unzip the outer fly so that you can catch cool breezes on summer days, while still being able to endure Ice - Age -type of temperatures in the winter.

Basically, the difference between 4 season tents and regular tents is that a 4 season tent is tighter, with heavier outer walls. When it is all zipped up, there is no space anywhere for the elements to get in. In addition, 4 season tents are often stabler so that they can resist extremely heavy storms if need be. This does not mean, however, that you cannot use 4 season tents in nicer weather. Many styles of 4 season tents come with the ability to unzip the outer fly so that you can keep cool on summer days, while still braving near-arctic temperatures in the winter.

You will find, however, that the more extreme the conditions for which it was designed, the more specialized a 4 season tent will be. For example, some true mountaineering 4 season tents are not things I would advise you to bring for camping on a warm summer night. The ventilation panels are narrow and the end result is that it will be stuffy and hot at night if you are camping during the summer with them. Additionally, they are made of heavier, stronger stuff, and as a result are an added weight for your normal camping trip in which lightness is a virtue.

And of course, good 4 season tents can come at exorbitant prices, running up to $500 dollars and more sometimes. Compare this to an ordinary 1-2 person summer tent that you might grab at your neighborhood camping store. I got mine for a tiny sum of $30 dollars and, although it provides little warmth, it gives me all the comfort I need during the summer when combined with a decent sleeping bag.

The truth of the matter is, it is important to think about what you will be doing before you go out and buy expensive mountaineering equipment and 4 season tents that you will not need. You must make sure that your equipment fits its purpose.

All You Need To Know About Motor Home Rental

Copyright 2006 Karin Manning

Are you planning for an ultimate holiday getaway on wheels with your friends or family?  Whether you go for hiking, fly-fishing, or simply escaping from your stressful life in the city, traveling on a motor home is an experience worth taking.  It is wonderfully fun and exciting knowing that it gives you freedom to explore everything worth discovering on earth with no limits.

Now if you are serious with your holiday getaway plan, but you’ve never owned a motor home, then don’t just lose hope.  There’s a good solution for that – to consider a motor home rental.  Motorhome rental is on the increase.

Motor home rentals are available anywhere in the United States and the world these days.  A lot of motor home rentals companies are in fact out there to give you the right motor home to rent and drive.  You can even find these companies online as there are a lot of sites out there on the virtual world that offer services for finding your right choice.   Perhaps what it all takes is time and effort.

Considering a motor home rental, however, has never been so easy.  One main reason for this is the fact that thousands of options are available out there for you to choose from.  Another thing is that almost all of the rental companies offering motor home rental services are claiming to have the best service available, creating confusion on the part of the customers.  The good news is you can do something to avoid such confusion by determining first what you really want and desire.

So before you take a motor home rental to drive, make sure that the vehicle you are considering can answer all of your needs.  Think about the space requirement, the amenities and facilities included, or everything that it provides for a comfortable and safe traveling.  Also consider the number of people you are taking with you on the trip.  Note that there are a lot of motor home types available today and each of these types features a number of things that are unique from the other.   Each type even has its own space requirement.

Once you’ve determined your desire and everything related to your needs, try then to test drive the motor home rental you are considering.  Test driving is a good way of ensuring that the vehicle you are driving is in good condition, thus capable of taking you where you want to go safely and securely.

Then it’s time to check what it provides for your ultimate living on wheels.  See if it offers all the luxury of a comfortable home.  Check the kitchen, bedroom, bathroom, dining and living area and all the amenities it gives.  Make sure that the motor home rental you are considering is capable of giving you the best RVing experience you’ve never imagined.

Finally, know your responsibilities as a renter.  Note that you are not the owner of the vehicle and you are just taking it for rent.  So take and drive the motor home with much care.  This is also needed as you are not the only one traveling on that vehicle.  You’ve got friends and families in there and you all want to get to your destination in one peace.

So next time you’re thinking about camping why not try a renting a motorhome instead of committing to a long term financial decision?  You’ll be glad you did.

10 Things You Must Know When Camping In Bear Country

Campgrounds are now having to incorporate policies and procedures to ensure bear conservation and safety for campers. The DEC Campgrounds in the Adirondack and Catskill Forest Preserves in New York State are two such campgrounds.

Copyright 2006 Karin Manning

It goes without saying that there are risks when it comes to camping in bear country.

In fact, on 14 April 2006 this risk became a tragic fact of life when a 6 year old girl received fatal injuries from a black bear while camping.

Campgrounds are now having to incorporate policies and procedures to ensure bear conservation and safety for campers. The DEC Campgrounds in the Adirondack and Catskill Forest Preserves in New York State are two such campgrounds. Their staff have developed specific policies and procedures to minimize the occurrence of bear problems at their campgrounds while maintaining a healthy, natural black bear population.

There are eight critical ways that you can minimise the chances of getting hurt by bears by following these simple tips:

1. Avoid traditional bear feeding areas.

2. Avoid camp locations where bears have been known to roam in the past.

3. Avoid camping where you may have trouble seeing a bear through vegetation.

4. Avoid camping where you see bear droppings and fresh tracks.

5. Never feed wild bears.

6. Store your food in a cooler which is locked in the car

7. Like most animals, bears are attracted to garbage so make sure your campsite is very clean

8. Remember that behind every cute baby bear is a very overprotective bear mother!

9. Stop fishing when bears are present. They want your fish more than you do.

10. The minimum safe distance from a bear is 50-100 yards.

There are now a number of organizations that are working passionately on increasing bear awareness in the community. The National Spokesman of The National Be Bear Aware & Wildlife Stewardship Campaign, General H Norman Schwarzkopf, is dedicated to providing teachers, college students, youth groups and guiding/hunting groups with educational materials and training programs to teach outdoor enthusiasts and residents up to date safety skills and techniques for camping, hunting, viewing, hiking, photographing and living with wildlife like bears safely and responsibly. More information is available at the Campaign's website at http://www.bebearawaresw.org.

Along a similar vein, The 'Bear Safe Washington' program began in 1999 with funding from the World Society for the Protection of Animals. This program of presentations, brochures and seminars was designed to raise awareness of all bear issues in Washington State. Its bear safe guide can be downloaded at http://www.insightwildlife.com/bearsafe.htm

The Get Bear Smart Society based in Whistler, Canada, educates people on dealing with bears in the community and promoting innovative bear management practices. Supporters can make donations by visiting their website at http://www.bearsmart.com.