Archive for the ‘Tents’ Category
RV Vacations
My father could not fathom why people would ever want to spend their vacations at a resort or amusement park when there is so much nature to see. He would go off on long lectures about the National Parks system and the importance of communing with nature. Our vacations consisted of loading up an RV and criss-crossing the country to visit National Parks and Monuments.
When we set up camp, every member of the family had a particular task. My brother and I, for example, were expected to set up the screen houses. These provided outdoor spaces to lounge in without worry of being eaten alive by mosquitoes. I learned so much on those family RV vacations and created memories that will last me a lifetime.
Screen House Assembly
Putting together a screen house is fairly simple, but in case you’ve forgotten, here is a quick refresher:
Begin by spreading the screen house out on the ground. The corners where the tent poles should be inserted should be visible. Put the tent poles together and insert them in the proper slots. Next, get a partner to help you lift the screen house up. Once it is upright stake down each spot where the poles hit the ground (this ensures that your screen house will stay upright).
Getting the Whole Family Outside
If you’re looking for ways for the entire family to enjoy events together, you should consider instating an annual family camping trip. And if your family isn’t interested in tough trekking, it certainly doesn’t have to involve an intense hike or anything else that will make the children groan with displeasure. Rather, it can simply be a pitched tent in a state park with a warm and fun campfire to finish out the night. But if the sleeping arrangements are barring people from jumping onboard the camping idea, make sure everyone is as comfortable as possible.
This means that the family tents have to be spacious enough. If people have trouble sleeping, the last thing they want is to feel crowded. As such, 6 person tents are a great option if there are only four of you. The added room allows for even more pillows, blankets, and other bedding, which might help even the most finicky sleeper get through the night. After all, one of the most common complaints is that it’s simply too cold sleeping outside, and the added bedding can alleviate some of that chill. Also, make sure your trip is aligned with a weekend that promises lots of sunshine and warmth.
Backyard Sanctuary
When I get home from a busy day of work, it’s nice to have a sanctuary. My wife runs a daycare out of our house, so the living room is generally crawling with kids. My teenage son dominates the den with his videogames and guitar practice. More often than not, my only recourse is to retreat to the backyard screen house.
The Eureka screen house is a haven of peace and quiet. The only audible sound is the soft, steady click of the automated sprinkler system. I can catch up on some reading material or just take a brief nap before dinner. Occasionally the kids will come in and talk to me about their day – or, more often, ask for some money. In any case, I can always look forward to coming home to the screen house and relaxing in the warm summer air.
Hiking Tent Weight
Campers who tote their gear along in cars don’t have to worry about weight so much as space, but a backpacker needs to be concerned with both. Backpackers weigh their packs by the ounce and consider each item carefully before including it wit their gear. The most weight-conscious backpackers will generally carry a quality two person tent that weighs in at five to six pounds, or a solo tent that can weigh as little as three pounds.
If you’re planning a ip with several people, there are backpacking tents available that will suit your needs. A backpacking tent can sleep four people, fold down small and are a lightweight at eight pounds. Larger tents that sleep six to eight people can start weighing in the teens and even twenties. If you want everyone to sleep in the same tent then you may consider sharing the weight during the trip; however, it is probably easier when traveling with multiple backpackers that everyone, or every other person, carry a one to two person, lightweight tent.
Plan Out Your Camping Priorities
Before investing in a camping tent, it’s important to consider your specific needs. Will you be taking your family out for the occasional wilderness excursion? Or are you more of the adventurous sort who will be going on weeklong hikes through the vast recesses of the forest? Not all tents are created equal, so it’s crucial that you prioritize first and purchase second.
For the avid outdoors enthusiast, a backpacking or mountaineering tent comes highly recommended. Big Agnes tents feature lightweight, sturdy construction that can be assembled and disassembled with ease. Most importantly, these tents are eminently portable. Family campers might prefer a larger, more durable tent.
A Top Tent
If you’re looking for a tent to take you on any camping trip, from a simple family campground venture to a hardcore, all-weather mountain extravaganza, look into Eureka’s extensive line of tents. Eureka has been making tents for more than 100 years. The company’s long history began prior to 1895 in Binghamton, New York, where it still resides today. It was then known as the Eureka Tent & Awning Company, it made camping tents, American flags, store awnings and canvas Conestoga wagon covers. Eureka tents have been used to ascend Mt. Everest, to provide shade for lavish Kennedy family parties, and to give shelter to regular hikers and families around the world.
Eureka introduced its legendary Timberline tent in the 1970s. It’s a completely self-supporting and lightweight backpacking tent that has become one of the most popular tents that the industry has ever produced. By its 10-year anniversary, sales of the Eureka Timberline tent had reached over 1 million tents. It is extremely durable and weather resistant, and comes in all different sizes to fit two, four, six or more people. If you’re looking for a quality tent to last you years and years, pick up Eureka tents.
Choosing the Best Tent
When it comes to camping, hiking, and backpacking, it’s important to have the right tent to provide ideal accommodations based on the location, season, and weather conditions. Tents come in various different sizes and shapes, and some provide unique benefits. For example, dome tents are most common amongst four season tents because their simplistic design allows them to support the weight of snow. Not all four-season tents are dome tents, but a wide range fall into the dome tent category. Backpacking tents tend to have more unique shapes, and are also designed to be lightweight. For backpackers, it’s essential to have a tent that can store all their gear, thus tents with vestibules and gear lofts tend to work the best. When traveling in an area where rain is possible, it’s a good idea to have a tent with a rain fly. You might find yourself spending a lot of time inside the tent if it’s raining, so make sure it’s comfortable!
The ideal dome tents will also have a solid warranty, because those tents that have poor craftsmanship are liable to rip or break. Don’t be afraid to spend a lot on a tent; having adequate shelter outdoors is essential.
What Should I Look For In a Camping Tent?
If you’re in the market for a tent, it’s very likely that you’re feeling a bit overwhelmed. After all, walking up and down the aisles of a camping accessories store or even browsing the internet, you’re sure to be inundated with images of tents and various specifications about those tents. But novice tent buyers should just keep a few factors in mind.
To that end, when shopping for camping tents, one of the most important criteria is that you can set up the tent quickly and easily. You also want to ensure that the material of the tent is lightweight but durable. In this way, you’re sure to be protected against the elements, but you won’t have to lug around a lot of extra weight. You also want to choose a tent based on what kind of tent needs you have. If you’re going to be seriously trekking, go as small as possible. If you’ll be car camping or RVing, feel free to choose a larger, more spacious tent.
Tips For Lightweight Backpacking
People who backpacks often know that cutting down on the weight of the pack are the most important aspect of backpacking. When you are carrying a lot of weight, you become tired more quickly, are more likely to stumble, and tend to be sore after resting. Backpacking equipment is all designed to be as lightweight as possible, but backpackers have developed a few simple practices of their own to cut down on the weight. For example, water and all fluids weigh a lot, and instead of carrying more than a bottle full of water, backpackers have started to prefer the use of a water pump with a filtration system that can take water from streams and alpine lakes. In addition, carrying powdered food, like Humus, is a great meal idea.
In addition to practice, it is important to have the right equipment. Backpacking tents can weigh less than five pounds, and when compared to many standard tents that weight double or triple that amount, that’s a lot of weight saved. It’s also a good idea to have backpacking packs which are designed to support significant weight, reduce chafing, and store all supplies.