I am in a bit of a tizzy this week. Going camping this weekend for a few days and I have lost 2 crucial items for camping.
1) I cannot find my sunglasses anywhere.
1b) I broke my glasses
2) I cannot find my cell phone.
I used to think when I lost stuff it would eventually turn up but after having children I realize this just isn’t true. Last year we lost a Nintendo DS somewhere int he house and also ANOTHER cell phone. I was convinced they would show up and when we moved I thought I would discover them- nope. I am pretty sure my son put my phone in recycling box.
I have also discovered that the minute I find something i will lose another.
Add to all of this my OCD. I can;t stand when things are broken or lost. Makes me uneasy and impossible to live with and I go into a bit of a frenzy. Not being able to find my sunglasses has been a HUGE hassle. It has been 90 degrees all week and full sun and miserable driving.
This weekend if I don’t have them and we are camping will be awful. I need to see when hiking. Most of the fun is looking for wild life and I REALLY need them- not to mention the long drive with glaring sun going in my eyes, I will pick up a pair of cheap ones at dollar store for the drive but will be flipping out if there are lots of bears and deer on hike and I don’t see them!
Posted by admin as Camping at 11:21 AM EDT
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I am an avid candle maker . Every fall when I make candles for Christmas gifts I make a couple of things for camping with my leftover wax- citronella candles and campfire firestarters.
Here is the simplest way to make your own citronella candles
Supplies:
Container ( I use clay flower pots) fill in hole on bottom with silicone caulking. You can also use any container where the mouth is not smaller than the rest of the container. Jam jars are great but I don’t like using glass. Metal also fine if it does leak- so test first by filling with water.
wick – buy at online candle supply place or crafts store ( Michael’s, etc) The type of wick you need depends on width of container. The wick will have a label. The hotter it burns then the wider the container. I would stick to something in the 4-5 inch width container. When id doubt go bigger.
Wax- You can use paraffin as for canning but it is crappy quality. If you can buy candle was it is pretty cheap. You can also use up old candles buts. Look for container wax ( it is more creamy and will hold more citronella). You will need about 1 lb to make 2 larger candles.
Any questions let me know.
Citronella oil- get purest you can get. Add 1-1.5 oz per pound of wax. I do suggest a candle supply company if you can.
Other oils to try adding: Lemongrass, rosemary, clove and eucalyptus.
Something to stir.
Double boiler.
Candy Thermometer.
Get containers ready.
Melt wax. Put in double boiler or similar- never melt wax on direct heat.- use candy thermometer to check temperature. If you buy wax it will have a guide how hot it should be. It will be in the 140-160F range. READ instructions for temps.
You can add color with old crayons or old candles but don’t worry about it.
When was is melted take of heat an add oils. stir with bamboo skewer or similar. Pour into your containers. When they have set a but- add oil.
You can also “prime” wick by soaking in the pure citronella oil.
wait a day or so for them to “set”
These also make great gifts. You can get kids to decorate outside of clay pots with paints, etc.
Posted by admin as Camping at 10:53 PM EDT
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I cannot stress this enough-when you are traveling with your pop-up ANYWHERE you must get yourself roadside assistance or have some kind of a plan purchased from auto club. Murphy’ Law means you WILL run out of gas at 3am in the mountains of West Virginia because your husband thinks there is cheaper gas “around the corner” and at some point you will blow the tire on your pop up on a busy highway. If you have children it is just plain irresponsible to not have any kind of road side assistance. Please get some!
Posted by admin as Camping at 8:29 AM EDT
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I recently when through an issue with the Atwood heater in my Fleetwood Sun Valley 2007 , This rv dealer site has graciously put up a list of manual for pretty much every type of heater and water on the market/ He is super nice guy.
http://bryantrv.com/owners.html
Here is list of Manuals he offers:
Dometic NDR 1292 Installation/ Operation
Dometic RM2310 Installation/ Operation
Dometic RM2301, 2401, 2501, 2601, 2801
Dometic RM 7030 InstallationWater Heater owners/ installation manual- covers most models
Suburban SW Series Water Heaters DuoTherm Briskair owners/installation manual- for the basic “generic” ceiling air box
DuoTherm Ducted installation/owners manual-for the electronic/analog thermostat- covers Briskair and Penguine models.
DuoTherm Infrared remote control owners guide
Dometic “Americana” RM2652/RM2852 Owners manual
Dometic DuoTherm 6600 furnace owners manual
DuoTherm 6500 furnace owners manual Hydroflame
Hydroflame (Atwood) FA79XX and HF8012 series installation/owners manual
Emerson Quiet Cool EQK1100 and 1350 Roof Top Air Conditioner Owners Manual
Emerson Quiet Cool Parts and Installation Manual (including heat strip)
A&E Instamatic 3000 awning installation/ operation manual
A&E 8000, 85000, 9000 Awning Operating manual
A&E Horizon Awning Installation/ Operating manual
A&E Sunchaser” 8300 awning operating manual
Posted by admin as Camping at 11:01 AM EDT
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For my money we really enjoy The Pinery Provincial Park . Next is Algonquin at a close second.
At the Pinery you look out over Lake Huron at the breathtaking sunset and the blue water and look at the white powder sand and you could almost think you were in Acapulco. I am not kidding- it is THAT nice.
Most lake water looks grey or steel blue but these water are warm and blue- exceptional swimming.
I know National Geographic List lake Huron as and The Pinery /Grand Ben/Bayfield as having the worlds best sunsets.
The staff is excellent and knowledgeable with lots of trials- some wheelchair/stroller accessible. Lots of guided hikes. Bike trails and more. I winner in every way.
Down side is it is REALLY hard to get in.
Another very nice park if you can get into it is Killbear. You pretty much have to book in spring.
Sandbanks also good one but I have not been in a few years.
Posted by admin as Camping at 1:32 AM EDT
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This was a very big issue for us this year. We drove to Florida and I have younger kids that are growing FAST. I have also been ill this year and lost quite a bit of weight on none of my clothed fit. I was able to get way with baggy yoga pants up here for the Winter but before we left it was a real issue. I scrambled trying to borrow a couple of things from friends and in the end found that ordering clothes online was the best way to go.
I orderred heavuly from lands End and a great find, Heavenly Couture . I liked there whole T-shirt line- the basic green tee, basic black tee and my favourite , a cute pink pajama/short set.
All for under 25.00. They have an extensive junior clothing and every piece is 17.95- worth a look.
Posted by admin as Camping at 10:17 PM EDT
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We are embarking on yet another long car ride in a coupe of weeks. I am not sure what costs us more money- the trip or all the stuff we amuse ourselves while driving in the car. I always end up buying the kids at least one new video game for their Nintendo DS’s.. tons of word searches, sudokos, magazines and books. I get audio books for me ( I get car sick) and our cigarette light is bulging with power adapters and cords for satellite radios, portable dvd players and gameboy chargers. it is ridiculous.
I am going to try something new and have each of us come up with 10 silly jokes. I am compiling my list now.
“I was getting into my car, and this lady says to me “Can you give me a lift?”
I said “Sure, you look great, the world’s your oyster, go for it!”
I have a friend who collects jokes- she can tell you the punch line for almost any joke or riddle ( she has photographic memory) .
She told me this is pretty much the only riddle that has the world oyster in it. I was reading up about Gulf oysters last month for project with kids and wanted to put up a blurb on poster board.. cold not find one funny thing to write- except this joke and not really a “kids” joke…
Anyway- Please post your silliest riddles!
Posted by admin as Camping at 12:12 PM EDT
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Here are some recommendations for bike racks for Pop-up trailers.
This is an excellent system: http://www.prorac.com/tenttrailerpro.php
* No drilling into tent trailer roof avoids warranty issues and leaking
* Installs easily with simple hand tools
* Universal fit accommodates most tent trailer designs
* Fork mounting bikes is the most secure method to carry your valuable bikes
* Convenient front loading design is easy and accessible
* Available in a 2 bike or 4 bike model (expandable to 6 bike total capacity)
Another good one: http://www.bikerackking.com/infotowrac.htm
Make your own Bike rack for pop-up :
http://www.utahmountainbiking.com/bikerack/makerack.htm
http://userpages.prexar.com/chasd/bikerack.html
http://www.dogpile.com/dogpile/ws/results/Web/pvc!2Bbike!2Bracks/1/0/0/Relevance/iq=true/zoom=off/_iceUrlFlag=7?_IceUrl=true
Posted by admin as Camping at 11:20 AM EDT
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This is one for the BIGGEST challenges of camping in a pop-up trailer for extended periods of time. We have a large bin that we keep on counter next to sin/stove area. I keep all our canned and dry goods there and the beside it a small microwave. A fruit bowl sits on top of the microwave. Cupboard under sink keep dishes/cleaners/pots/pans, etc. We goo camping up to a month at a time and that seems to work fine for us. What I do find hard it CLOTHING and dirt laundry and where to put it.
Keep in mind we tend to over pack and pack for all kinds of weather- towels are always a hard thing- need somewhere for them to to stay clean and dry. If you have some storage ideas for your pop-up please feel free to share her- by posting in comments or emailing – pics are most welcome- or send a link to your pics/tip.
Pop-Up Trailer Solutions
Starcraft makes a “Soft Storage Compartment ” that is made of canvas and hangs over sink area. This looks like a GREAT idea and cost about 50.00. You can order from any Starcraft dealer. We have Fleetwood- am I am bit nervous about all those holes/hooks in the roof to be honest but I do like the look of it.
Overhead soft storage cupboard – roof mount.
http://www.starcraftrv.com/accessories/index_3.html
Fleetwood Vanity Pack- Garment Bag and Mirror/shelves
Posted by admin as Camping at 10:26 PM EST
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We just got back from long trip- 2 weeks were of which were spent at Fort Wilderness. I heard several rumours about prices for next year. We were pretty annoyed by the Fort Wilderness rate changes THIS year- were you paid a daily rate rather then the price of your first day regardless of season.
Well- hang onto your hiking boots- what I am hearing now is that next year there will be NO Value Season – or any other season for that matter! There will be a flat rate- the more expensive one- year round!
I heard this from several people and also enquired at front desk where they knew nothing… ( if you have been to Fort Wilderness before you will not be shocked by this). We had planned our holiday this year around value rate and paid twice as much as last year for the bulk of our trip… Next year we will have to re-examine going for any length of time if we have to pay 70/night to CAMP. The facilities are great- no complaints.. but 70.00 to camp?? Ouch.
If you have any thoughts or info on the he rates for 2009= please comment!
Posted by admin as Camping at 1:41 AM EST
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