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.

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 ...

DO NOT PANIC THIS IS ONLY CAMPING THIS LIST SHOULD BE CUSTOMIZED TO YOUR CAMPING NEEDS Camp Kitchen Cook stove and fuel Boiling pot, fryer, saucepan, lids Spatula, tongs, wooden spoon Colander/strainer if your boiling pasta etc. Eating utensils plates, cups, bowls per person Salt/pepper/spices Plastic wrap/tin foil/plastic zipper bags Coolers Ice Food in plastic bins Paper towels Trash bags, plastic grocery bags Corkscrew - bottle opener 2-gallon water with spigot Or 5-gallon water carrier filled with drinking water Coffee pot Dishpan or restaurant bus tub Biodegradable dish soap Sponge, scraper instead of scouring pad Can opener opt. Extra table opt. Coffee mug, thermos cup opt. Thermos to keep coffee hot opt Sleeping and Comfort Airbed, pump or camp pad Sleeping bags or blankets, sheets Don’t forget an extra blanket Pillows Clothing - see list Milk crate sideways for nightstand opt. Hammocks opt. Whisk broom an...

WHAT CLOTHES TO BRING For a two night camp trip in summer it should look something like this minimally 3 Pairs underwear 2 Short sleeve shirts 2 Pants:  1 jeans 1 fleece or sweat pant style 1 Pair of shorts 1 Tank top 2 Long sleeve shirts: one can be for sleeping 1 Swimsuit 1 Beach towel 1 Silky pants for sleeping (water wicking/bike or smooth exercise type work best so your legs don’t stick to your covers and you can put second layer soft pants over then in the morning) 1 Sandals, water shoes or flip flops for beach or shower 1 Ugg type boots or lined clogs for easy on off around campsite 1 Sweat shirt/fleece with hood 1 Light jacket (just in case) 1 Skirt or camp dress opt. 1 Bandanna & sun hat 1 Bath towel, hand towel & washrag 3 socks 1 Pair good of comfortable walking/hiking shoes 1 pair of gloves for cold or handling wood Some sites have laundry facilities if that matters to you THEN take quarters an...

Good Morning, this is me.............. uh.. Ruth    I'm tucking in a quick blog post before we take off to Tahoe for our fist Camping In Style trip.  This time I'm trying to go Camping In Style "Light" I'm feeling more organized than usual Maybe because I didn't start packing till yesterday and my mind is clear One tub for beverages/bar Fire wood bin One tub for camp necesities One container for dry food And a cooler One bag for beach goods Along with all the usual stuff stuffed in my car I can't wait to get to this  With Deb after camp set up bye for now!

Getting Ready For Summer Camping List of Gear you WANT see RETAIL THERAPY for ideas List of Gear you NEED see list of "Shopping Resources" to right of posts on HOME PAGE OR BLOGGER. R eview your CAMP CHECKLIST and go through your first aid kit to refresh and review what you want to work on till it's time to camp. Take a look at the cloths you have , if you have changed sizes you may need to start replacing SEE CLOTHS  for a list. If you have a kid you will want to consider their size change and needs too. SEE KIDS .  For ideas. Start doing a quick run through of the local thrift stores  for the items on your list. Plan on purchasing what you don't find at the thrift and discount stores the month before your first trip. Or try Lands End , Sierra Traders etc... for some GREAT deals. Play camping in your house to inspire your kids, DOG'S and husbands. Make a RESERVATIONS for a camp site if you haven't already Wipe and wash coolers....

Glamp up your tent with a MILK CRATE SIDE TABLE: Pack what your going to use in your tent inside the crate Flash lights or lantern Reading books or magazines  Reading glasses Book light Box of tissue Empty small tissue box for trash Vintage cloth to cover Stainless steal water bottle Slipper Socks After you set up your tent turn the crate on it's side, cover with the cloth and use open side to store you belongings. Ready to go camping tip # 102543.   <div class="statcounter"><a title="blogspot visit counter" class="statcounter" href="http://www.statcounter.com/blogger/"><img class="statcounter" src="http://c.statcounter.com/5752864/0/d14a586b/1/" alt="blogspot visit counter" /></a></div...

Last night my daughter and I packed our cloths for our five day camping trip coming up next week. I washed everything is unscented soap and focused on packing old cloths. Adrienne who is five loves this activity. I like packing cloth several days before our trip so I have time to wash anything that needs to be washed and because I know the days leading up to such a big trip will be busy with cooking/freezing food, shopping, planning and pulling it all together. Here are a few links to help you get started knowing what to pack for a week long trip: SEE: Camping Cloths SEE: Camping Checklist SEE: Camping With Kids SEE: What Food To Bring Check out my April posts for other ideas. Here are few note to consider: Cloths: I like clean cloths so a long trip means packing more, washing a few things or I check to see if they have a laundry facility. BRING CHANGE if they do. Wash all your cloths in scent free detergent so your not attracting mosquito's. ADULT 5 DAY TR...

OK I'm about to turn 45 and am no longer a size 9. But I still love to swim and love camping near water. As earthy as I am I still want to feel my best when I hangin' out half naked. I did grow up at the beach and even though I'm camping or Glamping Light I want to feel stylin'. This is how I do it. Suit by Land's End not a photo of Ruth A solid black one piece from Lands' End  that flatters my figure and FITS right, comon' ladies and gents you know what I mean by waring a suit that is too big or too small. Also NOT ME or my BUM A black cover up also Lands' End to keep the sun off me and well let's be real, cover up my tummy hugging itself when I sit down. Especially in a low beach chair. A pair of black sunglasses, just to add a pinch of Hollywood to the whole enchilada. A pair of cute but comfortable water shoes, something that matches the look. And if I can swing it painted toe nails, that's if I can swing it, but at least they ...

Camping is a great experience for children, and our trips have been some of our greatest family experiences.  Of course my children aren't really children anymore; they are 19 and 17 years old already... but we've been camping as a family since they were three and five years old, and we've got some great memories of those days.  And yes, even at 19 and 17, the boys still want to camp with us whenever they can. As I look back over the years, I have a few thoughts (in no particular order!) for anyone who is thinking about camping with their own kids. -- I believe that the number one rule is:  Keep it SIMPLE.  Especially when the kids are little.  Don't start out with long trips, don't pack every toy they own, and don't worry about filling every minute with an exciting activity.  Studies show that families today are "over-scheduled."  Time to just sit around and be bored isn't  bad for kids.   Do you remember being little a...

TO END OUR MONTH OF FOOD AND CAMPING - May will be Camping and Children I am re-posting this camping tip: L ast year I got tiered of digging in the bear box every time I wanted to eat, drink or just grab a napkin. I tried this, I used a basket with a handle at loaded it with: Paper plates Napkins/Paper towel roll (used size so it's smaller) Paper cups Dixy cups for kids or little sip of something Unscented wet wipes Small plastic bin with eating utensils next to basket Use a dishtowel to cover top when not in use Don't forget to bring a table cloth OMGoodness this was the best idea ever. Now it's ready to go, doesn't need to be in bear box. (unscented wet wipes opt.) and one less thing to dig for. I found mine at the thrift shore. Make sure it has a handle and is open on top to allow for the plates to stand up. I listed a few baskets below to show you the types that I think work. Of course if your using real plates then find a basket to hold the size o...