Feature Recipe!

This is a great recipe for the lovers of dutch oven cooking. Indian fry bread has been around for a long, long time. It is very tasty, enjoy!

Dutch Oven Hopi Indian Fry Bread

Dutch oven cooking: (Not exactly a low fat desert) In camp ignite about 15-20 charcoal briquets and arrange in a pile in your fire pan. Let burn until they are covered with ash (about 20 minutes) and put on the oil.

Ingredients:

2 cups flour
1/2 cup nonfat dry milk
1 tbs. baking powder
3/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup lukewarm water

Directions:

Stir and knead dough on floured board – cover and let stand for 15 minutes. Cut up into 8 sections – flatten out to 2 inches thick. Melt crisco or comparable vegetable oil in a dutch oven so there is about 2 inches depth of oil. Then drop sections of dough into the hot oil to fry about 2 minutes or until done. It’s like cooking donut holes. Roll in cinnamon and sugar and pig out.

Contributed by: Gordon G. MacLean

A big thanks to AdventureSportsOnline.com for sharing this recipe with us.

Feature Recipe!

Foil cooking while you are camping is an easy and great way to make meals. This recipe for cooking a whole turkey is bound to be a favorite.

Whole Turkey on the Open Fire!

Ingredients:
1 whole turkey (any size, I usually do about a 10 lb bird)
Heavy duty aluminum foil
2 cloves garlic
1/2 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup honey
salt and pepper
butter

Directions:

Clean out bird thoroughly, remove organ meat and neck from inside cavity, wash and set aside.
Roll out aluminum foil long enough to close around bird with a few extra inches
Roll out 2 to 3 sheets the same length and seam together, side by side (not lengthwise)
Place turkey on foil and curl up edges of foil.
Salt and pepper inside cavity
Cut small slits in skin of bird and place small amounts of butter under skin in multiple places
Pour soy sauce and honey over bird
add garlic, organ meats and neck to tinfoil package
Close up and seal all sides (leave top loose so you can open and baste.
Place on hot, low campfire grill.
Baste occasionally, every hour or so until done.
Test for doneness (varies due to bird size and heat)
It will never dry out so I just keep it on for hours, turkey falls off the bone!
To test if done … slice into turkey to the breastbone, as long as it’s not pink, it’s done.

Enjoy!

Try this recipe, let us know how you like it. We like to share recipes so, if you have one you like, we want to hear from you, we could even feature your recipe.

This recipe was shared by our friends at TheCampingSource.com

Inflatable Boats Cost Less and are Lots of Fun

A good friend of mine CT Wilson wrote an article on inflatable boats that I would like to share with you. With summer upon us and water sports being on the top of the list of things to do I think this article has plenty of great information in it. Inflatable boats have come along way in safety and are much more affordable than the fiberglass boats. I think what is the most appealing to me is the fact that you can put inflatable boats anywhere in the water, unlike the fiberglass boats with a trailer that has to have a ramp of some sort to place them in the water. I can see where the inflatable boat could be much more convenient in that aspect. Enjoy the article!

Inflatables – The Pleasures of Boating Without the Hassles

For many people the idea of spending a leisurely day floating on a river or lake sounds just heavenly. The high costs of maintaining a boat, however, do not. Fortunately, inflatables provide an excellent alternative to their fiberglass counterparts.

Inflatable boats may have been around since prehistoric times. Archaeologists have found drawings of man using inflated animal skins to cross rivers and get across lakes. In many waterside cultures, young children were taught sailing and swimming skills by using inflated animal bladders.

It wasn’t until 1838 when Charles Goodyear perfected the process of vulcanizing rubber that inflatables really had widespread potential. The following year, 1839, the Duke of Wellington tested the very first inflatable pontoons. This was followed very shortly by the development of two types of inflatable boats which were meant to be used in Arctic expeditions.

These first inflatables were often made from Mackintosh cloth which was most commonly used for raincoats. The cloth was infused with rubber to make it more durable and airproof. There was a pocket created to contain the bellows which was used to inflate the boats.

It wasn’t until the early 1900′s, when rubber manufacturing really took off, that the inflatable boats used were developed. Now inflatables are used for dive boats, rescue operations, lifesaving rafts, military maneuvers, and so much more.

For most of these boats, the sides and bow are made up of flexible tubes which can be filled with pressurized gas. These tubes are frequently separate chambers to help reduce the impact of a puncture and will have independent valves for inflation.

For smaller inflatable boats the floor and hull are frequently left flexible, but for boats 10 feet or more the floor and hull may consist of 3-5 pieces of plywood or aluminum sheets. These braces will be placed between the tubes but are not rigidly joined to enable them to be easily removed.

In many cases the transom will also be made of rigid material so that it’s possible to mount an outboard motor.

The tubes are made of a rubberized, synthetic hypalon or PVC. These materials are very lightweight and provide secure buoyancy. Different manufacturers use slightly differing variations on these which can result in some inflatables having thicker walls than others (something to consider when selecting the boat you want to use).

One of the best aspects of inflatables is that they are designed to be taken apart and stored in a small area. This means you don’t have to find some place to park a large boat, not do you have to worry about maintaining property insurance on inflatable boats. Furthermore, most of these types of boats don’t even require a trailer or boat ramp for putting them in the water. You can simply carry or pull your boat to the water’s edge and inflate it right there.

When conducting your homework on brands of inflatables, the two names that are sure to pop up are Intex and Stansport. Both companies are known for producing high quality, safe and reliable inflatable boats.

Intex is, in fact, known for manufacturing boats with an extra degree of safety against punctures because their tubes have the thickest walls while still maintaining the flexibility needed for ease of storage.

Stansport, a name known in the outdoor industry for producing a huge range of products, also manufactures one of the top 4 and 6 man inflatable boats. Both of these companies routinely exceed regulation standards in the production of their boats and other items.

If you just don’t have the space or the money, but you have the desire to have a boat, inflatable boats may be a viable option to consider. These boats have high safety ratings, and they have to adhere to the same testing and regulations as other vehicles, but they won’t break your wallet.

Happy boating this summer! Let us know how you like your inflatable boat.

Why do we Need Tent Camping Tips?

What is most important to me is keeping my family safe while tent camping and through tent camping tips we can share knowledge and experience with each other to help keep our family, friends and ourselves safe while camping. Here are some safety tips and some camping tips too, that will help your camping trip to be a safe and an enjoyable outdoor experience.

• Always check the weather forecast for the area your camping in.
• Tell someone where you will be and when you plan to return.
• Give yourself enough daylight time to set up camp and check out your immediate area.
• With family camping you always want to give yourself enough room for family and gear, for a family of 4 – bring a tent that sleeps 6 to 8, you won’t regret it.
• Don’t set up your tent in lower terrains and if  you don’t have a choice, dig a 3 to 4 inch trench around your tent for rain run off if there is rain in the forecast (It is always a good idea to keep an eye on the sky for weather changes).
• Don’t set your tent up in the middle of a worn path, this could a deer, elk, etc. path that is traveled at night by them and your tent could be trampled as well as the people inside.
• Set up your tent well away from a campfire, floating sparks can quickly catch a tent on fire.
• Never leave a campfire unattended, this also applies to your camp stove.
• Bring your camping first aid kit, always check and replace missing items, also check expiration dates of any medications.
• Bring proper clothing, in some areas the temperature can drop drastically at night. Plan for the terrain your camping in…do you need hiking boots or is tennis shoes more appropriate.
• Bring cots or air mattresses, the ground even inside a tent is hard and cold and lack of sleep will put a real damper on a camping trip.
• Store matches in waterproof container or bring a storm proof lighter.
• Bring flashlights and extra batteries.
• Bring camping tools such as shovel, rake, leatherman multi tool, foldable saw, axe, etc.
• Make your first nights meal simple, whether it is pre-cooked from home or maybe sandwiches.
• Block ice lasts longer than in a cooler than ice cubes, frozen milk jugs work great too.
• Don’t leave food out, latch coolers when not using so not to attract wild animals.
• Do not feed wild animals.
• Don’t store food inside your tent.
• For heaven sakes don’t forget the can opener, I am not going to tell you how many times I forgot that one : – )

We have other tent camping tips that might be helpful to you, check them out too! You are welcome to share with us you camping or safety tips that you have learned through knowledge and experience.

Happy and Safe Camping!

North to South Rim so Close Yet so Far Away

The Grand Canyon is 277 miles long and the mile deep canyon separates the North Rim from the South Rim. Although the average distance across the canyon is 10 miles is take 5 hours to drive 215 miles between the park’s South Rim Village and the North Rim Village.

North Rim Campground

The North Rim is located on the “Utah” side of the Canyon, is harder to get to is more wild and secluded. The North Rim Park is only open from May thru October due to it’s 8,000 ft elevation and reservations are strongly recommended because of the shorter season that the park is open. After mid-October, weather permitting, a limited number of sites with limited services (potable toilets) will be available on a first come – first serve basis until the snow closes Highway 67.

There are no hook-ups but there is a dump station within the campground. Wood and charcoal fires are permitted in the provided campsite grills. Gathering downed wood is not permitted, wood can be purchased at the general store. There are coin operated laundry and showers at the campground entrance.

Campsite fees are $18 – $25 with a maximum of two vehicles, six people, three tents are allowed per site. A vehicle towing a trailer, pop-up, tent trailer, fifth wheel or motor home pulling a vehicle is considered two vehicles.

South Rim Campgrounds

The South Rim Campgrounds are the most popular campgrounds because they are open all year, has a local airport and rail service, is located on the “Arizona” side of the Canyon, close to Interstate 40 and easier to get to.

Mather Campground is open year-round, it is Located in Grand Canyon Village. This campground offers tent and RV camping. RV Camping, there are no hook-ups and there is a 30 foot trailer or RV maximum. Pets are allowed but must remain on a leash at all times and not left unattended. Wood and Charcoal fires are permitted in provided campsite grills only. There are laundry and showers located near the campground for a fee.

This campground is extremely busy during the summer months and reservations are strongly recommended from March 1 through mid-November. Fees are $18 per site per night, a maximum of two vehicles, six people, three tents are allowed per site. A vehicle that is towing a trailer, pop-up, tent trailer, fifth wheel, or motor home pulling a vehicle is considered two vehicles. Group sites are $50 per night, maximum of 50 people and 3 vehicles per group site.

During the winter mid-November through February 28 reservations are not available, family campsites are $15 per site per night and group campsites are $30, this is on a first-come first-serve basis.

Desert View Campground is open May through mid-October (Schedule will be updated in spring 2010) and has a total of 50 campsites located 26 miles east of Grand Canyon Village. This campground is on a first come – first served – self registration basis and will accommodate tents, smaller RV’s or Travel Trailers (30 ft maximum length). Fees are $12 per space, per night, there is a limit of 6 persons, two tents, or two vehicles or one RV/Travel Trailer per site.

There are no utility, water or sewer hook-ups, each site has a campfire grill for fires and cooking use and a picnic table. There are two water faucets located within the campground, restrooms have flushing toilets and sinks, no hot water and there are no showers.

Travel Village is adjacent to the Mather Campground and is operated by Xanterra Parks and offers RV sites with hook-ups. Advance reservations may be made by calling (888) 297-2757; for same-day reservations call (928) 638-2631. A dump station (closed during the winter months) is located near Mather Campground. Pets are allowed, but must be leashed at all times, and may not be left unattended.

Visit our Friends at U.S. National Forest Campground Guide for more information on campgrounds in the U.S.

Feature Recipe

Dutch ovens and dutch oven recipes are favorites for fellow campers, after all who doesn’t like good eats!

Hobo Stew Dutch Oven Recipe

With this recipe you will need a 10 inch dutch oven.

Ingredients:

• 3 potatoes
• 3 carrots
• 1/4 head cabbage
• 3 celery stalks
• 1 lb. smoked sausage
• 1 Tbsp. lemon pepper
• 1 Tbsp. black pepper
• Water

Directions:

• Dice the potatoes, carrots, celery.
• Shred the cabbage.
• Cut the sausage into 1 inch pieces.
• Combine all ingredients in the dutch oven.
• Add just enough water to cover.
• Place over coals and cook 2 hours or until fork can be inserted into the carrots without trouble.

Serves 4

Double the ingredients in a 12 inch dutch oven to serve 6 to 8.

Thanks to Dutch Oven Dude for this fine dutch oven recipe.

* I would like to remind everyone to share your favorite recipe with us. We could even feature your recipe.

There are so Many Camping Tents to Choose From.

If you are going camping for the first time and want to get the right tent for you, the selections out there can be overwhelming. There are all kinds of shapes and sizes and styles like a cabin tent or dome tent and backpacking tent not to mention family tents. So how do you pick the right tent?

First of all, what kind of camping would you like to do? Lets take backpacking for instance, how many people are going to sleep in the tent. Most backpacking tents are for 1 to 4 people, unlike car camping, backpackers use their tent to sleep in only, the rest of the time is usually hiking and exploring new places. Packing a tent in a backpack to carry on your back for miles at a time, weight will be a big consideration, the lighter the better I say. More than likely, because of the weight, the smaller the tent the better just enough room to sleep in. Which brings up the close sleeping quarters, make sure you pick a tent with plenty of ventilation. Most popular backpacking tents are dome tent style, there is also  A-frame styles too.

Car Camping is the most popular type of camping for people that like to camp with friends or families. If this type of camping interests you, first determine how many people you want to sleep in the tent, this will help you decide what size tent you will need. With family camping it is important to understand that elbow room is essential. If you under-size the tent you and your family members will be tripping over each other and probably trampling on your sleeping bags as you get in and out of the tent. Plan on at the very least 30 to 32 square feet per person. Example, if I have 4 people in my party I am going to look for a tent that sleeps 6 to 8 people. The more days you camp out you might want to increase that square footage. The family tents are popular in the dome tent style and the cabin tent styles.

Some of the larger camping tents like the cabin tent are known for their tent walls being more vertical which enables you to have more usable floor space, this means, if you like using a camping cot this is the tent for you, cots will fit close to the tent wall giving you extra space to move around inside the tent and to enter and exit the tent easily. The large dome tents have angled walls making it impossible to get a camping cot next to the tent wall therefore, you loose floor space. In dome tents you will want to sleep on air mattresses or camping mats to get closer to the tent walls so that you can have some floor space.

Most camping tents used by campers today are 3 season tents, this means the tent can be used during the spring, summer and fall seasons. If you are thinking of camping during the winter season you will need to look at a 4 season tent. The 4 season tent is made up of heavier materials and will stand up better in extreme cold and snowy conditions. The 4 season tent can be used year around, although it can be a little warm in the summer, unlike the 3 season tent which can only be used during moderate temperatures.

You could always borrow a tent from a friend or family member your first time out to get an idea of size and the style of a tent before you actually buy one yourself. When you are selecting your first tent just use common sense, ask yourself how many people are going to sleep in the tent, am I going to use cots, air mattresses or camping mats, what season am I camping in the most. Don’t stress, you’ll make the right decision. Have fun and happy camping!

Keeping our Children Safe on the Slopes

January 16th – 22nd is this years National Safety Awareness Week the NSAA, National Ski Areas Association are encouraging parents of children 14 and under to have their children wear helmets while skiing and snowboarding. The NSAA and its member resorts promote the use of helmets and urges all skiers and riders to wear a helmet.

Most head injuries can be reduced or minimized by helmet use. New research is suggesting greater care should be taken with childhood injuries.

NSAA says, helmet usage by skiers and snowboarders has increased by 12 percent and a most recent study shows that:

• 48 percent of U.S. skiers and boarders overall wear helmets, up from 43 percent from the year before; in comparison, only 25 percent of skiers and boarders wore helmets during the 2002/03 season.

• 77 percent of children 9 years old or younger wear ski helmets.
• 66 percent of children between 10 and 14 wear ski helmets.
• 63 percent of adults over the age of 65 wear ski helmets.
• Helmet usage by skiers and boarders aged 18 to 24 is currently 32 percent, representing a 78 percent increase in usage for this age group since the 2002/03 season, when only 18 percent wore helmets.
• Overall ski helmet sales (adults and kids) have increased 43 percent over the past two years, dating back to the 2006/07 ski season. Sales of adult ski helmets alone increased 50 percent since the 2006/07 season, according to the Snowsports Industries of America (SIA) annual Retail Audit.
• Notably, helmet usage increases with the skier’s ability level. Twenty-six percent of beginners wear helmets, 38 percent of intermediates wear helmets while 55 percent of advanced skiers and riders wear helmets. In comparison, the National Traffic Safety Administration reports only 20 to 25 percent of bike riders in the U.S. wear helmets.

For skiing and boarding safety the NSAA and its member resorts unite to support the widely know and accepted code of conduct for the slopes called the “Your Responsibility Code” which reads like this:

• Always stay in control, and be able to stop or avoid other people or objects.
• People ahead of you have the right of way. It is your responsibility to avoid them.
• You must not stop where you obstruct a trail, or are not visible from above.
• Whenever starting downhill or merging into a trail, look uphill and yield to others.
• Always use devices to help prevent runaway equipment.
• Observe all posted signs and warnings. Keep off closed trails and out of closed areas.
• Prior to using any lift, you must have the knowledge and ability to load, ride and unload safely.

Snow Camping, Picturesque and Serene

There is something wonderful about camping in the snow.  The beautiful glistening white snow untouched by other footprints can give you a sense being on an expedition and seeing the surroundings for the first time ever, unknown to others.

As appealing as camping in the snow sounds, it can be hazardous. You never want to camp alone and if you are new to winter camping, it is best to camp with an experienced camper your first time out. Also remember that the days are shorter during the winter, give yourself plenty of daylight hours to get your camp set up.

A four- season tent is ideal for snow camping, this tent is made of heavier material to will withstand winter winds and snow. The four-season tent will cost a little more than a three-season tent but, can be used year-round unlike the three-season tent which can only be used during summer, spring and fall seasons.

Because snow acts as an insulator you will want to set up your tent on top of the snow. You can use tent stakes in the snow but, if the snow is loose pack down the snow first before setting up your tent. Anchor your guy-lines by filling plastic bags with snow, tie the lines to the bags and bury them in the snow. Pile up snow around the bottom of the tent, this will keep the wind from coming up underneath the tent. Placing a tarp across the front of the opening of the tent makes for a good wind break from blowing snow. Your tent will need good ventilation so that moisture will not build up on the inside of the tent walls on your sleeping bags and clothes.

You will want a good sleeping bag rated for the temperatures you are going to sleep in, such as, a O degree or -O degree ratings, for temperatures at O or below O degrees. Rectangular bags are ok but, mummy bags will keep you warmer, they are designed to keep body heat close to the body and will not let in the cold air. Rectangular bags however, can let cold air in at the large opening at the top of the bag. If you own a rectangular bag, bring a blanket to put around your shoulders to keep the cold air out. Natural fiber and down bags do not maintain their insulating properties when damp, a synthetic bag is your best bet, fluff your bag before sleeping in it, getting air into the synthetic fibers will help keep you warmer. Another tip is if you fill warm water in a sealed bottle and place it inside the sleeping bag at the foot, this will help keep your feet warm. You will loose body heat through the ground so you will want to sleep on a closed-cell foam mat (most recommend sleeping on 2 closed-cell foam mats) for insulation from the cold ground. If you like an air mattress for comfort just remember air is a conductor, so again, you will want to place closed-cell foam mats on top of your air mattress for insulation. Sleeping on a cot means you will have cold air above you and below you, closed-foam mats again will play an important role when snow camping.

Taking along closed-cell foam pads to set on when sitting around camp will keep you from loosing your body heat through your rear end.

Staying warm is important, you will want to keep yourself dry from both weather and perspiration. Layering of loose clothing plays an important part in staying warm, if you get cold you can add more layers or if you get warm you can take off layers. Wool and synthetic material are the best for clothing and socks, they dry faster and wick moisture away from the body. Cotton will loose its insulating properties when wet from weather or perspiration and cotton is much harder to dry. If you need to be by the campfire to stay warm, you don’t have enough clothes on.

Do not wear athletic shoes or nylon hiking boots they will not provide you with enough insulation. Weather proofed leather boots (oiled), mukluks, snow boots, rubber over shoes or rubberized boots are a great choice. Remember keep your feet dry and warm, bring extra dry socks if your feet get damp from perspiration, especially using the rubberized boots.

Wear a stocking cap or any other warm hat that will cover your ears and neck will prevent heat loss from the head area, most heat loss is through the top of the head. As some say, if your feet are cold put on a hat. Wear a scarf around your neck to prevent heat loss from around the neck area, you can also use a scarf to protect your face from the cold and wind.

Bring a dark pair of sunglasses, the glare off the snow can be brutal and could cause snow blindness.

Bring plenty of carbohydrates to eat, carbs will fuel your body for hiking and help keep your body warmer. Snacking on high carbohydrate food before going to bed will help keep you warmer. Keep your dinner meals simple, plan one dish meals that are warm and tasty.

The dry cold winter air will dehydrate you quickly, bring plenty of drinking water (Gatorade, lemonade and other water mixed drinks will freeze at lower temperatures than plain water) or you can boil snow to drink. You will need to drink at least 2 quarts of water a day. You can tell if you are getting dehydrated by keeping an eye on the color of your urine, if it is a darker yellow color you will need to increase your water intake. Avoid dehydrating foods which are high in protein and drinks such as coffee or other drinks with caffeine.

Use common sense, tell someone where you are going, when you are returning and don’t camp alone. Camp with someone experienced if this is your first time winter camping. Be prepared for anything you might come up against while snow camping, do your homework, there are a lot of great tips on the internet to help you be prepared for all kinds of situations. Most important stay dry, stay warm and stay hydrated. Snow camping can be great fun with beautiful scenery to behold, be safe and enjoy!

A lot of us have heard about using guy-lines but, aren’t really sure how to use them or the best way to place them to be effective. Protect your tent from high winds and storms by following some simple guidelines. I personally like the guidelines and illustrations presented by Eureka Tents, these are the guidelines I follow and I would like to share them with you.

When high winds or storms are predicted, do not count on staking alone to keep your tent secure. Depending on the model, your tent rainfly has built-in loops or rings at optimal guyout locations. It’s important to put in the extra time guying out your tent. Correctly done, it can save your tent during harsh weather.

1. Attach parachute cord to the loop/rings and stake them in the ground three or four feet from the edge of the tent. If staked too close to the tent, wind can cause an upward pull that could dislodge the tent stakes.
2. Make sure that the top rainfly is securely attached to the framework underneath. Ties, hook and loop closures, or dog-bones and elastic loops are typical fasteners sewn to the underside of the fly for this purpose.

If your tent does not have loops or rings for guy outs, attach guy lines 1/3 or 1/2 of the way up the framework on the main sidewalls. This enables the guy line to support the lower section of the pole, while the upper pole can flex the side of the guyout. This will prevent all movement except toward the anchor. The idea is to get the guy lines to work together through opposition. See illustrations below: