Archive for the ‘Tents’ Category
A Family of Nature Lovers
For the longest time I’ve gone camping with my husband each spring. We’re both very outdoorsy people; that’s actually how we met – it was on a camping trip organized by our local YMCA. It didn’t take long before we started going on mini camping trips of our own. We’d throw our 2-person tent in the back of his pickup truck and head down the dusty trail to our favorite spot by the lake.
Things have changed since those days; we still go camping but we bring family tents instead. That’s right, in the last 10 years we have been blessed with three beautiful boys who have also taken a liking to the outdoors. They love to stroll down to the water’s edge with their father and watch as the little fish swim by the shore. Sometimes the braves ones will get their feet wet and chase after the fish. Nothing brings me more delight than to watch as my family enjoys nature together.
Screen Tents ~ A Bonus Item for Campers
Camping is one of those outdoor activities that everyone seems to enjoy. It’s a great way to save money on a family vacation or even a weekend trip to the mountains with your buddies. When you go camping there are certain necessities that are obvious such as a tent, sleeping bags, cookware, food, etc. However, there is also a list of items that are considered very important by many, but happen to be a less obvious choice to ensure comfort and satisfaction.
A Eureka screen tent is a bonus item for all campers. It would definitely be on the list of things people are less likely to consider. Unlike a traditional camping tent, a screen tent provides shelter without completing shutting out your surroundings. While the top and bottom of a screen tent are solid, all sides are transparent and made from micro netting that allows the sunshine in but not the bugs.
Smart Storage
I tend to use dome tents when camping. A dome tent keeps the rain off you and out of the tent better than other types. Dome tents also tend to fit more people and have better protection from ground water. There’s also an added benefit of height, which is great for tall campers, but can mean that there’s a lot of unused space.
If you’ve ever shared a tent with multiple people, then you know how crowded it can get when everyone’s sleeping bags and gear are piled up inside. I started looking for tent accessories that might alleviate this problem. I stumbled across the Eureka Gear Loft which is essentially a mesh bag that can store all sorts of small camping items. It hangs from the ceiling so it doesn’t take up valuable floor space.
Fishing in Comfort
Fishing is one of the most popular outdoor recreational sports in the United States. Though most people associate boating with fishing, the truth is fishing off of banks and piers is still done with great frequency. No matter where you choose to do your fishing, mosquitoes and other pests are a problem. With bank fishing, there is a way to minimize pests ruining your recreation time.
A screen house is easy to set up along the banks of a river. The mesh netting shields you from mosquitoes and the opaque canopy top protects you from the sun. There are several models on the market today that have side flaps so you can stand in your screen house and cast your line. When not fishing, you can use the screen house for all sorts of outdoor affairs.
You’re Never Too Old for Family Bonding
This fall my eldest child started high school. I knew he’d start wanting to spend less time with the family, so I decided to make the most of the time we had left. I planned a family camping trip a few weeks before school started, for me, my husband and our three kids. Before my eldest could balk that he was “too old” for these trips, I pointed out that I’m not so old that I don’t remember my teenage years, and if he wanted more independence he’d be wise to humor me.
With minimal sulking we set off to a nearby National Park and set up camp. For the next few days we bonded over hiking, fishing, and roasting marshmallows over the fire- all the corny, stereotypical activities that make camping so fun. My eldest even got into the spirit of things by teaching his younger siblings camp songs. At night we all piled into the Eureka family tent and slept soundly, worn out from the day’s activities. The week went by all too quickly, but I’m glad we had the time to make lasting family memories.
Backpacking in Grand Teton National Park
Hiking has always been a part of my life. Even when I was a little baby, my dad would strap me to his front in a baby carrier and up into the mountains we’d go; though, according to the video and photographs I’ve seen I was content to sleep most of the time. When I got older my family would go on weekend camping trips in National parks. I also honed my hiking and camping skills in the Boy Scouts.
I graduated from college this past May, and as our final hurrah before heading off into the real world, my college buddies and I decided to go backpacking in Grand Teton National Park. Grand Teton is just south of Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming. The alpine geography is gorgeous and was an incredible to explore. Lightweight backpacking, with dome tents, portable stoves, and minimal food, was definitely the right decision. Had we carried too much with us we would not have had the energy to explore so much of the park.
Packing a Backpack Tent
Breaking down a campsite can be a pain, particularly breaking down a tent. Most people assume that rolling or folding a tent is most effective, but that is not the case. Folding a tent is one of the worst things to do because fabric breaks down along creases, which can compromise water resistance. Simply stuffing a tent into the pack bag is the best option.
Start by unhooking the rain fly from the tent poles. Shake off any water, dirt and debris, and then stuff the rain fly into the bottom of the pack bag. Unhook the tent poles, pull out tent stakes and any other tent accessories and place those items in their appropriate pouches. Finally, pick up the tent, shake off any dirt and moisture, and then stuff the tent into the pack bag.
Quality and Comfort for the Whole Family
Outdoor activities continue to be a big draw for people around the world. Whether it’s hiking, fishing, hunting or just camping – people will never leave their love for Mother Nature and the great outdoors. In many households in the United States camping continues to be a time-honored tradition. It’s an activity that the entire family can enjoy. Getting away from the television or the computer for awhile never hurt anyone. In fact, quite the contrary is true. Families who camp together and engage in healthy activities together are more likely to be happier and better adjusted.
It’s never too early, or too late, to start sharing the joys of the outdoors with your family and children. The best part is you don’t even have to spend a lot of money to do it. Many purveyors of outdoor equipment offer rental services for high-dollar items like tents and camping stoves. This makes camping with the entire family both affordable and convenient. If your family is reluctant to give up all the comforts of home then look into more comfortable supplies. Padding to put under sleeping bags, more comfortable tents like Big Agnes tents, versatile lighting and perhaps even mobile broadband may serve to encourage your family to have an adventure.
Giving the Gift of the Great Outdoors
The holidays are here and that means it’s time to get our holiday shopping done before it’s too late. If you’re anything like me then you have a long list of people to shop for and you’re probably not looking forward to it. Sitting in traffic, dealing with throngs of people and standing in absurdly long lines are but a few of the many frustrations that holiday shoppers face. Luckily, though, with lower shipping costs and faster delivery times it’s finally more economical and convenient than ever before to get all of our gift shopping done online.
Outdoor gear is no exception. I live in an area where outdoor hobbies are extremely popular. Given the natural beauty of our immediate environs almost everyone here has some kind of outdoor hobby. Whether it’s hiking, fishing, hunting or camping – my list is chock full of folks who love the great outdoors. As a result, the outdoor stores here are even more packed than the others, as their merchandise remains a popular gift during the holidays. So this year I’ll be sticking to the internet and buying a backpacking tent here and there, perhaps a water bottle or two and maybe even a little something for myself.
Safe and Smart Behavior Around Bears
When you put yourself in a situation that you’re likely to see dangerous wildlife, you should be ready and prepared to defend yourself. If you’re an avid photographer, for example, and you travel to Alaska in search of bears, you should bring more than just your camera. You should also have a can of bear spray in case you inadvertently intimidate a bear, and you need to defend yourself in a quick and effective way.
People should be aware, however, that bear spray should only be used as a last resort. Smart behavior will lessen the likelihood of a bear attack. To that end, make sure that you make noise when you’re hiking. Bears fear humans, and if you make noises like a human, they are likely to stay away. Also, always properly store your food. This is perhaps the most important step. Never, ever keep food in your camping tents; rather, string it up in a safe and secure bear bag away from your tent. And, of course, keep your distance. Even if you’re going in for that perfect shot, you must put your safety above all else.