Category: Traveling Tips
Hunting and Camping go together like Bacon and Eggs.
December 16, 2011 by Professor95 · Leave a Comment
For some, I am sure, the mention of deer hunting as Santa is readying his sleigh for his Christmas journey is in poor taste. But, rest assured, Rudolph and the other eight reindeer are perfectly safe in their indoor, heated stalls at the North Pole. Besides, Santa retired the reindeer in favor of rocket engines fused to his sleigh’s runners years ago as the world population began to explode. I grew up with what has come to be known in my family as the “Bambi Syndrome”. This was largely fueled by my dear mother that preferred to impose upon my impressionable young mind the belief that those poor, defenseless, big brown-eyed critters that ravaged local apple orchards when their food supplies became low should not be harmed. Thus, I never hunted as a youth. It was in 1968 – right after graduation from college – that I moved to rural community in Virginia and began teaching in the public schools. I had never experienced the fanatic energy that virtually all of my students... [Read more...]
Spending Christmas at the RV
December 14, 2011 by Canadianladybug · 3 Comments
Last week-end, my son Jérémy asked his dad if we could go spend Christmas at the RV this year. My husband likes the thought of it considering the weather we have in Ontario, Canada since we closed the RV for the winter season back in October… To be honest, it is almost tempting to drive up that day just to say we were there on Dec 25th. Tomorrow, which will be Dec 15th by the way, the temperature announced for Ottawa, ON is about 9 degree Celsius which is about 48.2 Fahrenheit. I know we won’t drive to our campsite that week and deep down I am hoping to have a white Christmas but this year waves of temperature made us seriously think about the fact that all campground in our province closes during the long week-end in October which is our Thanksgiving week-end. We could have spent more week-end at our “cottage” like my mother-in-law calls it. We could have fish more, explore the woods more, see the wildlife slowly going to sleep… So many opportunities that... [Read more...]
A Little Aeration for The Great Outdoors
December 12, 2011 by Melissa A. Trainer · 2 Comments
Once you have parked the RV or set up your tent for the night, do you like to sit down and indulge in a great dinner and nice glass of red wine? If so, then you might be interested in the new Vinturi Travel Aerator. Like its big sibling, The Original Vinturi Essential Wine Aerator, the travel aerator is designed to enhance the bouquet and aroma of the red wine at hand. The benefit for RVers and campers, however, is that the new product comes with its own swivel case and is remarkably compact in size. We own and use the original aerator, but when we received a sample of the new Vinturi Travel we were immediately impressed with the design and the compact size. In essence, the aerator will easily fit in our compact travel trailer kitchen and will take up less space than a can opener or a corkscrew. I think this is a great way to add some elegance to a delightful evening in the great outdoors. How many times have you been traveling to and camping in a remote location and found yourself... [Read more...]
Planning Your Next Big Adventure!
December 11, 2011 by Diane Berry · Leave a Comment
If you are like me, the winter months represent prime time to be planning our escape(s) for the next camping season. But where to start? Below are a few ideas we typically use to discover a place where we will enjoy traveling and visiting the following year: My well-loved atlas! 1. I start with an atlas…or a map of the country. Generally, we first need to pick a direction. Sometimes this is easy. Many of you know we generally head west from our Wisconsin home. After doing so for a number of years, in the mood for something different, one year we decided to head east. That started one of our all time favorite two week summer RV trips; one we still talk about today! If you are like us and generally head for the same or a similar location, pick a new one, either exactly opposite of the usual or some variation of this. Sitting down with a map or an atlas can help you peruse attractions along the various routes and at least get headed out in a general direction. 2. Choose a time frame. Where... [Read more...]
Get ‘em While You Can!
December 9, 2011 by Professor95 · 4 Comments
My guess is you are probably not associating the holiday decorating items displayed on merchant shelves with your summer camping adventures. STOP! Think about this a minute – many desirable items will not be as inexpensive or available later on as they are right now. Most all of us enjoy putting “patio lights” on our awning, screen room or around our campers during the summer. They not only give off a welcome light on a dark night but also give our camp site a distinct personality. What better lights to use than colorful LED strings of Christmas tree lighting? LED lighting is not only energy efficient but it is also cool to the touch and less likely to “burn out” than conventional incandescent light strings. Decorative lights are also available as rope lights in clear, red, blue, or mixed colors. These store away easily and are extremely durable – not to mention waterproof. Those fancy ice-sickle lights with LEDs that chase up and down are great camping lights. Who... [Read more...]
Let There Be Light!
December 1, 2011 by Melissa A. Trainer · 1 Comment
Head lamps. Flashlights. Lanterns. Campfires. What is your favorite way to light up a dark night when you are out in the great outdoors? Do you have a favorite flashlight that you depend on? We have used all of these items and our preference for them really depends on the situation. Sitting around a campfire on a summer’s night is great fun. When the kids start dashing around the campground or the park after dark, they definitely need a good flashlight in hand. For tent camping, a lantern is essential. And, head lamps are critically important in remote areas as well. When I was shopping with my teenage daughter last week, I stopped by REI to see what was new. I didn’t spend a lot of time there, but I did peruse the flashlight and head lamp section. I thought the Photon Micro Light II looked very good and well priced. This personal safety flashlight has an ultra bright LED light that is visible over one mile. And, the light is built to survive serious use! I think this... [Read more...]
‘Twas the Feast of St. Nick…
December 1, 2011 by Diane Berry · 5 Comments
I published a post last year about this time, talking about St. Nick ideas for the avid RVer. My focus last year was on items new on the market. As it is that time of year again, I want to, again, focus on St. Nick ideas, but will be addressing a combination of both the old and the new; some items upon which you rely, most likely need to be replaced and this is a good excuse to trade up for a few of them. We always have a need for a new flashlight and those other items that we use everyday but seldom give much thought to. This year, my husband is in sore need of two items, both of which have been improved since we last purchased them, so these will be my first two suggestions: Our "new addition" 1. To replace our old generic flashlight from 15 years back, he is getting a new Maglite model that will provide a high intensity light beam. The light has two settings and a krypton bulb and is able to provide either a spot light or a flood light with the flick of a switch. Also,... [Read more...]
Valdez is for Campers, RVers, and Adventurers!
November 30, 2011 by Melissa A. Trainer · 2 Comments
Photo by Michael De Young/ATIA Are you planning a road trip to Alaska? Are you thinking of traveling to and camping in America’s Last Frontier next summer? If so, then I would like to suggest adding Valdez to the itinerary. I must admit that I haven’t been there myself, but it was on my “to do” list when we lived in Anchorage about five years ago. Unfortunately, we got sidetracked with other destinations that summer, but when I was at the Alaska Media Road Show in Santa Barbara about a month ago, I was fortunate to meet with Colleen Stephens while I was there. Colleen is from the Valdez Convention and Visitors Bureau. She seemed to know exactly what I was interested in! Colleen explained that Valdez caters to campers! I was really happy to hear this because camping in Alaska can take a fair amount of initiative and organization. I know this because I’ve done it many times myself! Colleen explained that Valdez has many RV sites around town and that many... [Read more...]
Remembering Lake Ronkonkoma…
November 29, 2011 by Traveler8343 · 2 Comments
We were recently on Long Island in New York, visiting friends and family, when we passed an exit for Lake Ronkonkoma, a place of many childhood memories. I’ve crafted a short story about one of our family’s trips out to the lake one Saturday morning. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did putting it together. ***** It was early Saturday morning and we were going to Lake Ronkonkoma! Well, actually we might be going to the lake; if only the sky would clear. We kids had waited all week for that morning. And so had several of our friends and cousins who lived on our block and were lucky enough to be invited to go along with my family to the lake for the day. Mom had made sandwiches, cucumber and potato salad and her famous cupcakes — chocolate, with the centers scooped out and hand-filled with homemade-whipped cream. The cone of removed cake was then placed back on top of the cupcake like a hat and dusted with powdered sugar. Yummy! Old blankets, towels and a table cloth were neatly... [Read more...]
Patti’s Saga of an RV Rookie: Christmas Eve Salad, Tlaquepaque style…
November 28, 2011 by Patti F. · 2 Comments
Mexico is enduring its share of challenges; the border conflicts are terrible , and it may seem at times as if the bad guys are winning down there. I pray this all changes, for I love Mexico. I have been there over 25 times, mostly alone, always safe, always cared for, always adopted by the people (I once toured the mainland with my parents in a huge Class C: it almost spelled the death of familial love but that’s for another blog). While I can’t fix Mexico’s problems (or our own country’s, for that matter), I can tell you about a Christmas salad I had in Tlaquepaque, Mexico, and why I loved it even though it was nowhere near Christmas, as in June. First, you have to be able to say Tlaquepaque. Work with me people: Tah- lah -kay -pah kay. See, wasn’t that easy? Tlaquepaque is a little artists’ enclave about 10 kilometers from Mexico’s second largest city, Guadalajara. It has a cool “vibe” and a wonderful market-style center with a Spanish colonial feel: we’re... [Read more...]
