Camping In Style

Fall is a GREAT time to Wash sleeping bags and bedding. Store in plastic bags or bins with lids to keep dust free. Tidy up loose gear scattered in the garage or in the house from Summer.  Look for sales on replacement gear.  Put a jar aside to save money for next years gear purchase.  Make a wish list for a Holiday Gift.  Research locations for next years trips.

“HEY, THERE’S A TREE IN THERE!!” Look at all those acorns just lying around in the road, going to waste! C’mon, join the fun!! It’s all the rage!!! ACORN FLINGING!! How do you do it? By flinging every healthy hearty acorn you see off the road back into the woods! It’s fun AND convenient!! One of your far-flung acorns may grow into a tree someday thereby benefiting future generations or if not, it may make a squirrel, scrub jay or another critter happy! YUM! So Join the Fun!! Send me some photos of you gleefully flinging and I will post them here! Now get out there and get FLINGING!!! Post from Eco Activism

Meal plan for dinner for two days . As always my goal is to have a high quality meal with less effort at the camp site so I can enjoy myself and deal with any issues with having small kids that might make cooking, cleaning and meal making a drag. The best way I know to do this is to pre cook as much as I can at home.  DAY 1 MEXICAN APPETIZER NIGHT Bake quesadillas on 350 in oven till cheese is soft, they can finish cooking at camp, you only need them to stick together. Pre grilled chicken marinated in ranch dressing and cilantro herbs. Cut up and heated on site. Pre cooked quesadilla in small corn tortillas, wrapped in foil and reheated to perfection. Can of black beans . Pico de gallo pre-made from grocery store. Avocados Sour cream Chips and salsa Margaritas DAY 2 MEATBALLS AND SPAGHETTI Mix with seasoning, bake on 400 to brown then turn down to 350 till fully cooked, then freeze. They will continue to cook when added to sauce at campsite. A slo...

For a great family friendly activity, pack up the kids, the vintage camping trailer and head north of Nevada City, through the picturesque town of Downieville and Sierra City and turn left at the general store of Bassetts and follow the winding road up past the amazing look out to the Sierra Buttes to the Lakes Basin Campground. The campground is centrally located for hikes, fishing and adventures on any one of the neighboring lakes.  We brought along an inflatable kayak and took turns paddling around Gold Lake.  The fish were hoping every which way, so the boys enjoyed the opportunity to practice the sport of fishing. If water sports aren't what you're interested, try one of the many hikes in the area, options for all levels.   For a great morning activity hike out the Grassy Lake Trail up to the Long Lake Trail and reward yourself with a refreshing dip at the end. When you pack your camping goodies, don't forget your local ...

I’m a Mom in my late 40’s with a daughter who is eight. I started camping with ADR when she was 3 months old. ADR tends to like calm environments and up to the age of four she was rather fussy and clingy. Now she is eight and she loves camping, but it didn't start out that way.  This post is about camping with young kids as I see it. Simply edit the information based on your needs.  Basically I feel camping is a highly rewarding and educational activity for children. The more you like it the more they will too. I love camping with ADR so much and she has taken to it with much interest and enthusiasm. But it didn’t start out that way…………………. WHAT AGE IS THE BEST TO START CAMPING?  Start with these questions?     1- Know your child regardless of what others say about "Camping With Kids". 2- How many people are you camping with that will be helpfull? 3- How comfortable is your child outside or in new environments? 4- Does yo...

Bear Country Precautions ●    Keep a close watch on children and teach them what to do if they encounter a bear. ●    While hiking, make noise to avoid a surprise encounter with a bear. ●    Never keep food, gum, wet wipes etc...  in your tent. ●    Store food and toiletries in bear-proof containers or in an airtight container in the trunk of your vehicle. ONLY IF there is no bear box. Bears WILL break into cars.  ●    Keep a clean camp by cleaning up and storing food and garbage immediately after meals. ●    Use bear-proof garbage cans whenever possible or store your garbage in a secure location with your food. ●    Don't bury or burn excess food; bears will still be attracted to the residual smell. ●    Garbage should be packed out of camp if no trash receptacles are available. ●    Never approach a bear or pic...