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:

A Quick Tasty Camping Meal

I got excited when I first tried the Madras Lentils by Tasty Bite, not only because it tastes great but that I could take this product camping with me for a quick hot meal. I wanted to share this tasty little product with my readers because, I don’t know about you but I’m always looking for quick and delicious foods to take camping.

Tasty Bite refers to this product as an entree but, I like it as a meal. I like to crumble Tostitos Scoops in my Madras Lentils I think they go great together. To me, the Madras Lentils tastes a little like chili, you’ll have to try it for yourself and see what you think. Whether you’re camping, hiking, hunting or even kayaking, for a quick hot meal, just put Madras Lentils in a pan and heat it up on your camp stove, canister stove or liquid fuel stove and enjoy! I hope you enjoy this product as much as I do.

Camping Can Be Comfortable

Camping in the rugged outdoors, sleeping on the floor of a tent doesn’t have to be uncomfortable. Most seasoned campers are using air mattress beds.  Camping air mattresses have several purposes, the most obvious is a thick cushion of air to sleep on versus the hard ground. An air mattress that keeps you off the ground will also have an insulating affect and will keep you warmer. Most airbeds have a flocked surface that will keep your bedding or sleeping bag from slipping off of the air mattress.

The Intex Prestige Downy air mattress is one of the most versatile air beds. This air mattress has a pump that operates on 4 D cell batteries, this means you can take this air mattress virtually anywhere! This air bed is rugged for camping use and nice enough to use at home as an extra bed for guests.

When you are getting your camping gear together for you next outing don’t forget the air mattress, after all who says sleeping outdoors has to be sleepless. We all love our creature comforts, sleeping outdoors should be a pleasant experience!

I am a huge fan of saving money when I go camping so I like to fill several plastic jugs with water and freeze them, you can use 1 gallon or even half gallon size jugs. The neat thing is they stay frozen longer than bag ice and as the ice melts you will have extra drinking water. If you are going to be camping for longer than a few days the extra drinking water will definitely come in handy.

Have camping tips you would like to share, just fill out the comment box, we’ll take a look, if your tip is approved we will post it with your name included.

Family Camping at its Best!

The Copper Canyon 1312 is one of Eureka’s most popular family camping tents. The 1312 is a cabin style tent that sleeps 8 people and its vertical walls offer maximum interior floor space that is ideal for use with cots. The floor space is 13′ x 12′ but has more area than a 14′ x 10′ tent because the vertical walls make the tent so spacious. The 1312 can be one large room or use the removable divider curtain to make two rooms. Parents can sleep in one room and kids in the other or, sleep in one room and store your gear in the other. Bring along friends and have your own private room, the possibilities are endless!

Eureka! uses StormShield cloth in its large family tents because it withstands longer periods of exposure to UV rays, and it has excellent tear strength and waterproofness. Durability has not been over looked by Eureka! You expect long term durability for you money and who could blame you, the Copper Canyon 1312 is designed for heavy traffic and years of quality family camping.

Portable Power for Camping

Camping enthusiasts who enjoy adventuring “off the grid” but hate lugging around power cords or batteries will love the convenience of this alternative energy source. Items such as a portable solar charger are typically lightweight and can provide power to a multitude of devices, including laptops, small TV’s, air-pumps, cell phones and AM/FM radios.

An example of a portable solar charger tailor made for campers is the Solo 15 by Brunton. It uses a lithium battery pack that weighs only 4 pounds and is rechargeable through a vehicle, a household wall outlet or by using Brunton’s Solar Panels. The Solo15 provides enough juice to run any video camera for up to 100 hours.

Using portable solar devices, we can tap into this power in even the most remote places in the world.