Without the need for a two hour discussion with tent experts the American camper is likely to use something like the 7ft x 7ft Prospector dome tent that you can pick up for less than 35 dollars. The point is that you don’t have to lay out a lot of money for a simple tent.  Its not a fashion statement and if it actually lasts more than one season you can consider yourself lucky.  And putting up the tent is no big deal.  Just thread the poles through the outside sleeves, clip on the plastic snaps to the poles  and secure at the corners.  The corners have a metal shaft that slips into the bottom of the poles.

This tent comes with a rain fly but because my wife and I used to do a lot of backpacking we use our old emergency shelter 9 x 9  nylon tarp.  One end tied to a tree and the other to a four foot pole that is staked down with a heavy metal tent stake .  We do carry along the rain fly because most of our camping is now limited to flat as a pancake state parks or private campgrounds which rarely have anything we can tie onto.  Longing for a bit of our backpacking adventures we decided to camp at the South Fork national forest campground (elevation 7500 feet) close to Bonito Lake New Mexico.  A really great tent area if you’re 25 years old and have the lung capacity of an Elk.  You would think that the entrance to the tent site, requiring a climb down to the tent area, would have warned off two 65 year old grandparents.  But we were undaunted and sort of forgot that we usually run out of air just walking around Wal Mart. 

The only way we could pack out without passing out was to haul our gear up a few steps at a time.

If you decide to brave the outdoors with a spontaneous camp trip, use the inexpensive Sterilite containers.  These can be left out in the rain without worry that the contents will get soaked.

Unless you’re planning on camping in the outback of Australia, stick with the simple propane camp stove.  The expensive liquid fuel stoves are more practical in remote areas but not necessary for most US state parks or national forest camping.  For cooking all you need is a 30 dollar Ozark Trail 2 burner propane camp stove.  These are really light weight, easy to use and the fuel cells (small green propane bottle) are readily available in every Wal Mart across the country. Always keep an extra propane bottle.  Under normal circumstances, two adults can get one full weekend of cooking out of one these green propane bottles.

I took the following photo from our car just before packing up to leave.  While we remain young at heart it is a great reminder for us to stick with those flat as a pancake state park campsites and leave the remote national forest campgrounds to younger folks.

Image via Wikipedia

It rained all night. As you exited your camp trailer early the next morning you noticed that the tires had begun to sink into the rain-softened earth. You knew that it would mean a project later in the day, but for now, it was time to head out after trophy bass.

As you turned your boat back toward shore after a morning of fishing, your mind returned to those camper tires buried nearly to the axles in mud. You began to formulate a plan to extract your camper trailer from this situation. Getting a camp trailer unstuck is not as difficult as it may sound. You do not need a crane or a wench. It is just a matter of applying some common sense and having the right materials handy.

Some trailers are built with jacks that are mostly intended to be used for leveling the trailer in rough terrain. However, in this situation, these jacks are the perfect solution to your problem. You need a couple of 2×10 boards about 6 or 8 feet long. You also need a short length of board to go under the feet of the jacks to give a solid surface so the jacks can lift the trailer out of the mud. Put one piece of lumber under each jack. Raise the trailer until the wheels are high enough that a 2×10 can be slid under each of the tires. Lower the camper onto the boards and raise the jacks until they no longer touch the ground.

If the ground is too soft to back the truck up to the camper, you will need to find some more lumber to back the truck onto. If this is not possible, consider cutting enough limbs from nearby trees until you can make makeshift road to back onto. Lay the limbs perpendicular to the path of the truck. This way the full length of the limb will act as a support on top of the soft surface. Attach the trailer to the hitch. You may need to cut enough limbs to make a surface from the end of the 2×10’s to the spot that you believe will support the trailer. Once you start to move the trailer, do not stop until it has been completely relocated.

Almost all people who camp will carry 2 jacks with them to help in leveling the trailer. Once the jacks have lifted the trailer, the stands are used to hold it in place. Following the same pattern as above, jack up one side of the trailer until the wheels on that side are high enough to put the boards underneath them. Take the jacks to the other side and lift it the same way. Use the same method for the truck hookup and extract the trailer.

Raise one corner of the trailer until it is high enough to have the wheel out of the mud. Put the stand under that part of the trailer to hold it in place and go the the other corner on the same side. Jack up that corner. When the wheel is high enough, put the board under it. Lower the stand until it can be removed and repeat the process on the other side. You may have to jack up the corner to remove the stand. Use the former technique and relocate the trailer to firmer territory.

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Using a camp trailer at an unimproved site means no electric, no water, and probably no public restrooms or bathing facilities. It may be a remote out in the wilderness area. It could just be rustic camp ground that offers land to park your trailer, but little else. In these conditions, it is important to know just how self-contained your camp trailer is.

Not all camp trailers perform well for extended period under these types of conditions. The good news is that most can at least keep you dry and protected from animals and creepy crawlers.

In fact, carrying some spare water and an extra propane tank is a great plan. You also want to make sure that your other systems are working well. You should have your refrigerator running off of the car or truck’s power while driving to conserve fuel if this is an option on your trailer. If you are travelling in cold weather, take along at least one extra source of heat. It is a good idea to have a back up battery with a full charge so that your vehicle can be started in case you accidentally over drain your the one in the vehicle.

A well-stocked first aid kit should be considered an absolute necessity. Take along items to deal with climate conditions. Rain gear, plenty of the right type of clothing, bug spray, emergency flares, and some type of emergency water and food. Leave detailed directions to the area where you expect to be with someone who will be watching for your return.

If you are camping at a rustic or wilderness sort of camp ground, this step has probably already been done for you. However, it you have driven back into the woods or to some uninhabited area, you will need to survey the territory for an acceptable camp site that will require minimal improvement. You really do not want to have to be a lumber jack to prepare a site for parking your camp trailer. Find a relatively clear area. If you have to chop down a few small saplings or shrubs to complete the clearing, this should not be too bad.

This is especially true if you are forced to park on a hill or mountain side. Soft soil, loose gravel, and too much sand can be some powerful enemies when you are try to level and secure your trailer. They can also present problems when it is time to pull out later. Try to find solid material on which to park.

Most of the time these anchors are not necessary. However, if strong winds are anticipated having your camp trailer tied down may keep you safe. At the very least, you need to level your trailer with jacks, stands, and blocks before setting up house keeping inside. Also, block the tires to assure that the trailer will not go rolling away unexpectedly. Having the trailer leveled and secured, you will not have trouble moving around inside without feeling like you are being pitched about.

Hook up your electric for the lights and other appliances. Make sure that your stove will light although you may choose to use a camp fire instead to conserve fuel and keep from overheating the inside of the trailer. Prime your water supply if needed so that you can have fresh water available for drinking and washing up. Use a portable potty with a chemical deodorant to conserve your fresh water. Take advantage of clear streams and rain showers to bath whenever possible. Conservation can be the name of the game. Using less water in your trailer also means less waste to be stored and dumped later.

Getting Ready

So you have decided to go to the beach, good for you! It’s time for you to consider which beach to go to. This will differ depending on what your goal is on your beach trip. Say you want to tear the waves up whether it be surfing, boogie boarding, or anything else. Then research a good place that has consistent gnarly waves. Or perhaps this is a family outing with children. Perhaps you should find a nice sandy beach where there is a short walk between the car and the water. Maybe you are planning an all day beach activity. Perhaps pick a beach that is close to a restaurant or perhaps local fare. The point is, there are so many different types of beaches that doing a little bit of research before you get in your car will make your trip that much more enjoyable. Doing a little research ahead of time will also alert you to the risk of possible rip-tide, red-tide, or other hazards. This is a smart move and easily accomplished with a few search quires in google or other search engine.

It’s also good to go with a friend or relative. Not only does this give you a chance to bond with that person, but it also is better. You can spread carrying things among more than one person, You have more than one person keeping an eye on your stuff, and the general rule of “the more the merrier” applies.

Packing up!

So you have found that perfect beach and it is time to get your stuff ready. I always remember this key piece of advice: Don’t pack something unless it has a purpose. Unsure if you want to dig in the sand? don’t bring the shovel. It is as simple as that. The less you bring the easier it is to carry, no one wants to take multiple trips to the car to get everything. Get some essentials and leave the rest; Umbrella to spare you from the sun, towel to lie down on or dry yourself off, Suntan lotion to ward off the mean UV rays, and anything else you plan to use. Everything else is extra. Don’t just take something because you might need it. If you plan to play football then by all means take it, just remember that no one wants to lug out some bulky extra thing that ends up going to no use. Take the essentials and be happy with what you got. There are a few important exceptions to this rule.

1. If you are planning to eat on the beach, get a small lunchbox cooler and pack it fully. Bring pre-made foods like sandwiches or fun snacks and over-pack. You might not know how hungry you are after a full day of playing on the beach. As another important tip, make sure your food is in it’s own individual casings. Dropping the cooler on the beach and getting sand in your food has a souring affect on one’s mood.
2. Sunscreen. A trip can be ruined by a painful sunburn in the wrong places. Make sure you have enough sunscreen; if you are unsure if you have enough get another bottle. It’s better to be safe then sorry.
3. Coins. Make sure your car is stock full of them. If you park by a meter or happen to come across one of those insane restrooms which charge you to use the can, you want to come prepared. Make sure you have enough money for the trip, and never underestimate the power of the quarter.

Just think about what you need a little bit before packing up the back of the car. Take what you need and what you are comfortable carrying and you are set. If you find out that you really really wanted something else that you happened not to bring, well you know for next time. And it gives you an excuse to come out again, next time prepared.

Never pack anything you aren’t willing to lose. This means you ipod, jewelry, radio, expensive sunglasses, or anything that might be of remote value to you. Notice I didn’t mention cell phone. Your cell phone should be kept in a secure location like a bag pocket or perhaps the glove compartment of your car. Your cell phone should be handled very little while on the beach and be able to be located at any given moment. In case of an emergency, you want to be able to contact someone. Besides, if you are on the beach chances are you won’t be rocking out to the Black eye’d peas and instead will be pre-occupied by beach activities.

Heading Out!

So you have found that perfect beach and got yourself all packed up. Good for you! Now lets consider a few things when you get to the beach.

You want to head out early early early. Depending on what beach you go to, parking lot spaces fill up abnormally fast. If you happen to go later than usual expect long, slow drives (usually in circles) waiting for that one space to open up. This can be avoided one of three ways: Going early (preferred), going to a less well known beach, or going during the weekdays. Since going to the beach Monday through Thursday is harder, and finding a good and relatively obscure beach is difficult, just head out a little earlier. If you really want to go to the beach chances are you aren’t going to be upset getting up a tad early.

Get something to eat. Whether or not you will be breaking a sweat, it is a good idea to chow down on something healthy and light before leaving. This could be a small bowl of serial or maybe an energy bar. This way, you have something in your stomach that can fortify you and you don’t have to be tempted by the delicious, diet-destroying foods you might be tempted to indulge yourself in.

Get directions and print out a paper copy before hand. I suggest google maps. This eliminates the chance of getting lost and avoiding embarrassment or frustration if you are in front of friends, family, or peers.

BEACH BEACH BEACH!

Yay! you made it to the beach. Careful now, even here you have to think about what you are doing.

If you came with children be sure to keep an eye on them. The water is a dangerous hazard and you should supervise those younger than yourself as they go about their play. Don’t let children get into the sun without a modest amount of sun-screen. They may hate it, but it’s for their own good.

Always keep an eye on your stuff. It’s not always possible to bring another person along to help keep an eye on your property so be diligent and wary of deviants. In the water, keeping an eye on your stuff has the added bonus of preventing against drifting.

Be extremely careful while in the water. Lifeguards are not always there to protect you so you need to take an active role in your own and everyone else’s safety. If you are caught in a rip-tide never swim toward the shore, instead swim parrallel to the beach until you are out of the hazardous area. This detail cannot be overstated yet most people, when caught in that dangerous situation, do what is natural and swim toward the shore.

Lastly, have fun. Do things you enjoy and enjoy them! This is self explanatory

Time to go Home

So you have successfully survived the beach. Good Job! Now it is time to pack up.

Consider leaving a bit earlier or later than what is typical. You will find driving out a little easier since there will be less traffic.

Also remember what you brought and actively check off a mental list as you pack your things up. An easy trick I use is as I walk down, I remember how I carried all the items and mimic that as I return to the car. This way, if I went down with something in my hand and no longer have anything to put in my hand I’ll know something is missing (I use a similar method in packing the car).

Hopefully this article was of some use to you!

Happy Beach trip!

Image via Wikipedia

Look at trees and become familiar with the similarities. Note the size, shape, and type of tree. Gather twigs, leaves, flowers, and fruit to help in identification. The most prevalent trees in the US are broadleaves and conifers. A tree guide book will be very helpful.

Image via Wikipedia

Notice how the leaves are arranged on the branches. Conifers usually are evergreen.(green leaves stay on year round.) Their leaves will be sharp and needlelike or scaly.

Conifer flowers do not have petals and are either male (releasing powdery pollen) or female (colorful and ornate). Most conifers have scaly cones for fruits or seed with a berrylike coating. Pine cones are the fruits of pine trees.

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Broadleaves can be evergreen or deciduous (leaves fall in autumn). The leaves can vary widely in shape but are usually flat and veined. You will find rounded leaves, elliptic shapes, egg shaped leaves, heart shaped leaves, and lanceolate leaves. Broadleaf flowers are usually bisexual (having male and female parts in each flower) and have petals. The broadleaf flowers will often be small and high in the tree. Broadleaves have a variety of fruits including, nuts, berries, pods, and the familiar fruits we eat.

Image via Wikipedia

Trees develop bark patterns as they grow, so look at only mature trees to study the bark. Bark may be rough or smooth with different patterns of lines. Twigs and branches are good to study in the winter when the tree is without foliage. Leaves and flowers leave scars on the branches and twigs that will help you identify the tree.

So get out your Tree Guide and take a hike in the woods with the kids for a day of fun. Pack a lunch and have a picnic under that big shady white oak, or in the little grove of willows by the creek. I guarantee it will be a day to remember.

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What you need to carry in your pack has to be judged by the context of the hike including: how long you intend to be on the trail, season of the year, level of trail difficulty and trail remoteness in terms of seeing other hikers.  What you take with you should reflect these four elements.  If you’re only going out for a simple one overnight camp at high summer on an easy hiking trail, then you would not need to take extra clothing.  In fact you might consider sleeping under the stars and leaving the tent at home.  The point is that your daily habits often control the weight of the pack and therefore will always prompt you into taking everything but the kitchen sink.  Any one of those elements can and should determine the size of your pack.  The following example is a suggested approach for gauging what to carry.  It is not foolproof against encountering disaster because of lack of preparation, but it does help in making some crucial decisions the night you load up your pack for that great hike with a few friends. (If you hike alone, you have left you’re brains at home.)

Example: These are only suggested categories, you might have a few of your own that you want to add such as need for insulin.  This type of health condition is a liability not only for you but also you’re hiker companions.  Emergency contact should be solidly in place prior to going on the hike.  You may not think it is necessary, but it is the ethical thing to do when dealing with others who may ultimately have total responsibility for your life.

Trail Difficult rating:   Easy  1  2  3  4  5  Extreme
Remoteness  rating”   Lots of hikers on the trail  1  2  3  4  5  No other hikers in the area
Hiker Stamina and Health:  Poor 1  2  3  4  5  Outstanding 
Survival Readiness:  Minimal 1  2  3  4  5 On you’re own and prepared for the end of the world

Back in the mid 1950s Emma Gatewood backpacked, a grandmother in her mid 60s, hiked the entire Appalachian trail (over 2000 miles) with not much more equipment then what you would carry in a day pack.  Which raises the question of how necessary is all that modern backpacking gear and how much should you spend.  Assuming that there are no special health needs and your stamina and health are average (3) then purchasing high end equipment begins and ends with the pack: every thing else is open to debate including high end tents.  When it comes to cost, the only non-negotiable item is the pack itself.  It is does not have to be extremely high end but anything less than 130 dollars is probably not going to last very long and if the straps come apart on the trail you will be carrying out your equipment in your arms.  You can purchase a “Deuter Guide 45+” for less than 170 dollars.  It has excellent reviews and is built to last.

Tents designed for backpackers are usually costly.  Do you really need a 200 dollar tent?  If you’re planning on a two week sojourn into the mountains it might be useful, but the simple fact is that you can survive quite well with a simple nylon shelter and a low profile 40 dollar tent.  Some hikers are now using the Tarp tent which is nothing more than a simple floorless tent.  My own personal preference is to have a tent floor: I really don’t like the thought of tossing my ground cloth over an ant hill without some additional barriers between me and the ants.  A simple 9 x 9 coated nylon tarp will protect you and your pack from the elements, and eliminates the need for a rain fly.

Tie one end ( tarp is tied end to end) of the tarp to a tree, run the rope under the center and tie to a four foot post.  Anchor the post in the opposite direction with a ground stake, stake the end corners and you have a simple shelter.  This is quick and easy to put up and will keep you dry.  Toss a ground cloth down and you and your pack can sit out a rain storm. 

There are many alternatives to camp gear such as switching from the mini camp stove which requires carrying fuel to using a backpacking grill you can make yourself.  If you’re a novice consider purchasing Colin Fletcher’s book “The Complete Walker”.   Backing packing is a great recreational activity for the whole family.  Get out there and enjoy the wonders of nature!

 2.   Local Parks- are popular for picnics, swimming, barbecues, children’s rides and games.
Also they are good for family outings of any sort.

 3. Swimming – People just can’t wait to get in the water of their local swimming pools; especially,
in these places of such relentless heat, such as Central Texas. Swimming is not only popular, it is good
exercise and yet it can be very relaxing to just lay by the pool or on a raft in the pool.

 4.  Summer Olympics – The Summer Olympics happen every four years, but they are a highly anticipated
event.  The Last Summer Olympics had record breaking viewers and attendance.

 5.  County fairs, Circuses and Carnivals – these events take place other times of the year as well however they
do much better during the summer time.

 6.  National Parks – these are wonderful places to see nature at its best.  There are beautiful waterfalls
animals, interesting trails, and other sites you may not see any place else.

 7.  Summer Vacations – this is the time of year several people take their families on vacation.  Of course,
 many of our kids  love summer vacation because there is no school.

 8.  Tourist attractions – there are so many types of tourist attractions, as a rule tourism is a big business
for alot of places. 

 9.  Annual events – Events like Sturgis, Rat Rally, are highly popular and have record turn out crowds.

10.  Zoos – zoos draw large crowds in the summer. 

Coyotes

Most folks are scared to encounter them, when really, they pose little or no threat, unless cornered.  Like most animals, in that circumstance, they will attack.  By nature, coyotes are rather shy creatures that strictly adhere to their inner promptings of flight.  When they hunt, they do so solitary and if given the opportunity, will almost always flee at the sign of humans rather than risk personal injury by engaging.  The exception to that rule comes if you live in an area like I do where the hills are literally alive with the howls of coyotes who travel and hunt in great packs, often numbering up to fifteen to twenty or more.  These are not your typical coyotes.  Larger in stature than most—whose size compliments that of a mid-sized dog, these coyotes more closely resemble large German Shepherds with some getting almost as tall as smaller Great Danes.  These coyotes, which I suspect have crossbreed over time with local dogs, do no hunt solitary, by in their intimidating packs.  Cunningly surrounding their prey, they draw their circle around it tighter and tighter until there is little chance for escape.  These are the coyotes to be mindful of.

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King Snakes

Many see a snake, any snake, and freak out.  I, myself, am not fond of them, but have trained myself to resist the urge to engage in a wartime incantation snake dance upon seeing one.  Well, okay, I admit, every now and again, I just can’t help the inclination to jump.  King snakes offer no threat to humans.  In fact, if spotted, they serve two purposes.

1. They indicate that rattlesnakes are in the vicinity, so keep alert.
2. They help to reduce the number of those snakes, as they attack and dine on them.

So, please, the next time you spot a King snake, don’t go all crazy and try to kill it.  They are there to do good.

Rattlesnakes

Okay, now these are the ones you want to be careful of.  Rattlesnakes, like all cold-blooded creatures, do not like extreme heat or cold.  You will most likely encounter them warming themselves, spread out across a pathway in the earlier or later afternoon on hot days.  On cooler days, they could be present almost anywhere at anytime.  Rattle snakes work off of vibrations when they attack.  This is great news for runners, as long as you’re able to remember this tidbit of information.  Here’s how it works.  When a rattlesnake feels the pounding of the ground as a runner approaches, they may become agitated and coil into a strike pose if they feel those vibrations are too close to them.  But fear not.  If and when they strike, it will be at the last spot that they felt the vibration.  If you are a runner, and are in perpetual motion, your foot and leg will almost always have cleared the “strike zone”.  That is, as long as you don’t panic, upon seeing the snake, and stop or back up.  I have been struck at while running by many rattlesnakes and, as of yet (and I hope to maintain this record) have not been bitten.  I must say, it’s not only unnerving to look down and see a rattlesnake strike between my legs, but it’s a bit of a rush as well.  Does tend to quicken my pace.

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Deer

Until earlier this year, I had always felt safe around deer.  I encounter both male and female ones on a fairly regular basis while running the mountains and have never been bothered by any of them.  In fact, some have grown so accustomed to my running in their area that they make a game out of trotting “along with me”.  That’s always fun.  But I digress.  About six months back, I came across a male friend of mine on the mountain, who told me a chilling tale of a deer encounter he’d had.  Seems he’d come across a male deer about halfway up a steep rise.  When my friend saw the deer, like me, he thought little of his safety, that is, until without provocation, the deer lowered its rack and charged my friend, who, in an attempt to get away, backed up and allowed himself to drop off the steep edge of the pathway!  What we suspect is that my friend had unwittingly placed himself between the buck and his love interest (it was, after all, mating season).  Now, I too have found myself in that same position—between a buck and his intended doe during mating season—but have never encountered aggression from the buck.  What my friend and I suspect is that the buck picked up on the fact that my friend was male and somehow viewed that as a threat.  (Note to males, be keenly aware of when deer mating season is!)

Image via Wikipedia

Wild Boar

Ah, the slobbering, oh, so unfriendly over sized pigs of the wild, adorned with nasty tusks that can do serious damage should they choose to use them.  Have I painted a fairly clear picture of a fairly unfriendly creature?  Good!  These are to be avoided at all costs.  Do not allow their ample size to fool you.  They can be rather agile and easily can outrun a human.  And, they don’t like having their territory invaded.  By their territory, I mean wherever they are at any given time.  There are a few safety tips that will help you walk away safely from an encounter with a wild boar. 

1. Submission works well as a defense mechanism. Do not look them in the eye.  If you do, they will interpret this as a challenge and may be prompted to attack.  Instead, immediately lower your head and gaze and back away.
2. Wild boars are poor climbers.  Their short stubby legs are not designed to navigate steep terrain.  Knowing this, if you are near an edge of a hill and find you have no other form of escape, slowly backing yourself over said edge will create a safety barrier between you and the boar. 

Bears

Oh, my!  I personally love bears and have encountered them on a number of occasions.  I’m not particularly fond of the smaller black ones, finding that they are less intimidated and more unpredictable.  The golden bears, however, the ones that look like the adorable honey dispenser, tend to want to keep their distance, unless you are foolish enough to challenge them or their young.  There are a few things to remember about bears.

1. Bears come out at dusk, so, unless you’re looking to become a possible entree on their menu, you’d do best to stay away from isolated areas they dwell during those times.
2. Bears are not particularly fond of loud noises, so should you find yourself facing one that poses a threat to your safety (and by that I do not mean that it has turned and begun walking away), use whatever you have at your disposal to create an audible chaos.  Yelling, banging things together, etc, works well to cause a bear to think twice about attacking the obnoxious crazy creature (you) standing before them.
3. Standing.  That’s perhaps the most important thing to remember when faced with a bear attack.  Make yourself as large as possible!  Stretch your arms high over your head and wave them around.  Stand at your full height, even rising to you tip toes will help.  Do whatever you need to in order that you appear larger than you are.  Tragically, a few years back, a bear attacked a man.  In his anxiety, the man mistakenly thought that he was to roll into a tight ball to survive the attack.  He did not and was ultimately killed by the bear that thought he was a fun plaything.

Running with wildlife need not be scary or intimidating as long as you do your homework, investigate what creatures you might encounter in the areas you choose to run and are smart about the choices you make.