Campfires, Nature, and Fun In The Sun

Packing The Right Clothes For A Camping Trip

noreply@blogger.com (Kimberly Wetsel) — Mon, 30 May 2011 05:00:00 +0000

You always want to be sure to pack the right clothes for a camping trip. This means be prepared for changes in the weather. A hot day can turn into a cool evening before you know it, especially in the mountains. Here is a checklist of items to make sure you are well prepared. Shop Kohls for camping clothes today.

Shorts
Short sleeved shirts
Swimsuits
Long-sleeved shirts
Wind-jacket
Jeans
Underwear
Raincoats
Umbrella
Cover-ups
Sandals
Sneakers
Socks
Tank-tops

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The Benefits Of Camping to Your Health

noreply@blogger.com (Kimberly Wetsel) — Fri, 27 May 2011 04:39:00 +0000

Did you know there are a lot of health benefits to camping? Real sunlight is where necessary iodine enters your body. It is absorbed through the skin. This is very crucial for women. The lack of iodine can cause depression,and extreme fatigue. Natural sunlight has many other benefits as well. It stimulates chemicals in the brain to make us feel happy and well. Fresh air and sunshine alone is a stress reliever. The exercise you can engage in is another health benefit. Riding a bike, hiking, walking, swimming, boating, playing badminton, horseshoes, and the list goes on and on. There are many activities to engage in on a camping trip that are just plain good for your overall health. It's the type of activities children really need more of these days. A way to get them away from the play station, computer, and TV. I always noticed we seemed like a different family when we were at the campground. We were away from it all, and around other people who were enjoying the great outdoors as well.We often engaged in activities that we never did at home. It seemed to bring us closer together. Hiking together, swimming, talking around the fire. Just relaxing and talking about dreams for the future. It's one of the best activities I can think of to improve your health and the health of your family.

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Top Ten Camping Essentials

noreply@blogger.com (Kimberly Wetsel) — Fri, 27 May 2011 04:05:00 +0000

I decided to make a list of the top ten camping essentials. There are some things you can get by without but these are things you want to be sure you have.

Tent
Sleeping bags
Flashlights
Matches
Coolers
Pillows
Lanterns
Sunscreen
First Aide Kit For Camping
Weather Radio

Granny Goes Camping

noreply@blogger.com (Kimberly Wetsel) — Thu, 26 May 2011 00:17:00 +0000

I'll never forget the time we took my mom on a camping trip. We had decided to go to a little

campground near Lake Lure and Chimney Rock. It was in late June a few years ago. This little campground was nice, it sat on a river with whitewater and you could sunbathe or just relax on the large rocks as the water rushed by. It had a small store with ice, firewood, and other necessary supplies. It was right around the corner from Lake Lure and Chimney Rock. It's called Hickory Nut Falls.
We had decided to take the little pop-up camper on this little excursion. You can keep a lot of your camping essentials packed in one of these at all times. It's very convenient, all you really have to pack is clothing and food. Everything else is already stored in the camper. Just hook it up and go. Before heading out, mom wanted to go to Kohls to purchase some shorts, blouses and shoes for summer. I love shopping at Kohls, everything is always in order and easy to find. They have some really great sales as well. She had purchased some new shorts, a yellow bonnet , shoes, and a nice handbag.Exclusive Sale on Select "Simply Vera" by Vera Wang Handbags, Only on Kohls.com!
We got back to the house and she immediately ran into the house to change into a new outfit for the trip. We all waited. She emerged a little bit later wearing a yellow bonnet with matching shoes and a matching yellow handbag. The bonnet had fake flowers on it. Me, my husband, and her husband all stood there taking in the sight before us. The only thing missing was a price tag hanging off of the bonnet. Finally, my husband leaned over and whispered" is she really going to go wearing that?" By now her husband who was all decked out in leather asked"are there a lot of bee's at this campground?, because Tangie is going to attract them." I busted out laughing. Mom said" I think I look cute!" I said"mom, you look like a girl who just popped out of a haystack on HEE-HAW!" She was adamant that her outfit was nice. Nothing else was said and we started loading our coolers and other items into the car.

It was the weekend and I was excited about this trip. I had been to Chimney Rock as a kid, and I remembered it being a beautiful place to visit. I remembered Lake Lure, and whitewater near and around the area. The mountains are always a refreshing place to unwind, and the temperature is normally a lot cooler in the mountains during the summer.
A few hours later, we were at the campground. We had been lucky and found camping areas that were close
to each other. The pop-up camper only takes minutes to set up. We helped set up a tent for mom and her husband Rob. We were right on the river. "Wow, this is really nice" mom said. She normally selected motels and such for vacations and often said this sort of thing wasn't for her. After looking around for a few minutes, she threw her arms out. "Where am I supposed to sleep?" she asked. "In your tent mom," I said. I brought an inflatable mattress, I told her."She folded her arms and began shaking her head back and forth. "I can't blow up a mattress she told me, with this incredulous expression on her face. After a few minutes I said, " just calm down a minute mama, it self- inflates, you don't have to blow anything up". After showing her the box with the air mattress in in she seemed to calm down a little bit. We had brought our big gas grill in the back of the truck and my husband had already unloaded it, and was cooking hot dogs on it. I had purchased a new grilling utensil set at Kohls during the shopping trip.20-30% Off Selected BBQ tools We were all a little hungry. My stomach had already started to growl. Most campgrounds have picnic tables at or near the camping areas, and I had already set our table up with tablecloth, utensils, plates, and condiments. We all sat down to eat, looking at the river. Our meal consisted of hot dogs, chips, slaw, baked beans, and corn. While we were eating, some people were setting up on the other side of us. They had a really nice camper. It was two couples and they had two kids with them as well. My husband said "that's what we're going to have one day"! He was referring to the camper next to us. It was the type that just takes the push of a button to transform into a full fledged home on the road. I was thinking it would be really be nice to have one of those, but I was just happy to be here and have an area right beside the river. "It is just beautiful here "I thought to myself. I took in a deep breathe, the fragrance of mountain laurel perfumed the air. My thoughts were interrupted suddenly. "What are we having for supper?" mom asked." "Either steaks or pork chops mom" I replied, I haven't decided yet." I think I want a steak" she said! Okay, I told her,"steaks it is!"Our new neighbors walked over and introduced themselves. This is common at campgrounds. You get to meet a lot of new people, and strike up new friendships. Both women had bleached blonde hair, and appeared to be in their thirties. The men appeared to be just a few years older. They were very friendly and asked if we had camped here before. No, it's our first time at this campground we told them. The kids were excited that there were other kids to hang out with. My son asked if he the other kids could walk to the bridge we had crossed coming in to go fishing. It was within eyesight so I agreed and the other kids went with him after getting permission from their parents. One of the ladies walked up to my husband and asked him to light her cigarette.
My moms husband offered to do it, holding a flame to the end of her cigarette before my husband could even get his lighter out of his pocket. This lady was very attractive, and wearing a bikini that I couldn't pull off. Mama sure couldn't. I saw a frown form on mama's face. The attractive blonde
said" thank you sweetie", to my step-dad. He was just glowing, "your'e welcome" he said. My husband mumbled something about "she didn't ask you," talking about my step-dad jumping to the rescue.
Suddenly, mama was standing up with her hand on her hip. She's all of four feet and eleven inches tall, although I think it's closer to nine inches now. Mom truly looked like one of the munch-kins from the Wizard of Oz. By now the lady was trotting toward the bathrooms saying she needed to go to the powder room to potty. This lady had this Dolly Pardon voice. One of those real sweet exaggerated southern drawl voices. It was just dripping with honey and flirtiness.
"I've never even seen Jello wiggle like that!" mama said. Then mom proceeded to do an immitation of the lady! She grabbed one of my cigarretes, stuck it in her mouth, and proceeded with an exaggerated, wiggly strut up to my step-dad. In a voice not her own she asked him for a light. My husband busted out laughing. I just looked at her in amazement. My daughter started to giggle, then she did the same thing. Finally, I said "for peat sake mama." "Stop it before that woman hears you." I glanced toward the bridge at the kids to make sure they hadn't wandered off. They were all there and appeared to be having a great time. Rob just looked embarrassed and a little shocked. He stood there staring at my mom like she had lost her mind.
In an effort to change the subject, I said come on mom, lets go out on that big rock,pointing to one of the huge boulders in front of us. It stuck up high out of the roaring river. But what if I fall in the river she asked?" I stood there a minute, thinking this possibility over. We had life jackets in the camper. I decided to get one out, just in case. After putting a life jacket on her, I hopped over onto the largest rock in the river. I reached my hand out to her and told her to take my hand.She grabbed my hand and hopped over onto the rock. My husband was marinating steaks for our our next meal. Rob was sitting in a chair lighting his pipe. We could see them from where we were. I noticed the new neighbors walking over to chat with them about thirty minutes later. They appeared to have brought their chairs over and were ready to socialize. I sat there noticing how strong the currant in the river was. Mama was staring hard over at our campsite. "There's miss thang again "mom said. Before I knew it, mama was on her feet. She threw her hand up on her hip, and was staring over at our camp harder than ever. The wind had started to blow a little, and blew mom's bonnet right off her head. Of course, it landed in the river. She started yelling about it, and then I saw Rob scramble down the bank to retrieve it. I felt panicked for a minute because Rob can't swim. Suddenly, I saw one of the other men jump ahead of him and grab it right up as it floated by. That was pure luck, I thought. All of sudden , mama hopped back over to the bank and was heading for the campsite. I could hear her expressing her gratefulness to the man who rescued her bonnet. He smiled and handed it to her saying your welcome, and told her to be careful around the river. She nodded in agreement. Rob looked irritable."I was getting it Tangie" he said. After this ordeal we all sat around talking and getting to know each other. The kids came back to the camp with a small fish. One of the men put it in a styrofoam bucket that was filled with water. The men all piled into my husband's truck and left to get a few supplies, and check out the area. I sat there on pins and needles hoping mama was going to be nice. The ladies sat across from us, smiling. To be continued Publisher: Kimberly Wetsel

Hickory Nut Falls

The Fugitives

noreply@blogger.com (Kimberly Wetsel) — Mon, 23 May 2011 18:44:00 +0000

Everything about this camping trip started out normal enough. We had arrived, checked in , and found the spot we wanted. We were set up and ready to enjoy the weekend. Other people arrived in greater numbers as Friday evening approached. A lady and six teenage boys showed up at the spot next to ours. We introduced ourselves, and offered to help them set up. They said they thought they could manage and thanked us. On Saturday night, we went to bed late. It was after midnight.
The boys next door were up all night and loud. I didn't get much sleep.
The next day was just a normal day at the campground. At around five o'clock, the campground owners visited our neighbors. I heard a lot of commotion but I still didn't know what was happening. Several hours later, we were sitting by our campfire and one of the boys from next door walked over and plopped down in a chair. The campground owners stopped by and were next door talking with the boys mother. I heard a lot of loud voices. A few minutes after that, the boy in the chair at our site and one of the other boys took off running. The next thing thing I knew, cops were running through our campsite as well. My family and I watched as campsites were invaded by this police chase. By now we were all standing up. A little while later we saw a police car drive by with the boys in it and another one with the lady in it. The campground owners walked over to our site and asked us if we were okay? They apologized for the incident and said that two of the boys were on house arrest and had removed their anklets, and their mom had decided to take the fugitives to the campground to hide them from authorities.
After that it was just another enjoyable weekend at the campground with some peace and quiet. Publisher:Kimberly Wetsel

The Bear Scare

noreply@blogger.com (Kimberly Wetsel) — Sun, 22 May 2011 13:29:00 +0000

I'll never forget taking my daughter and her girlfriend on a camping trip in Tennessee. It was a campground recommended to me by a co-worker. The one hour drive had turned out to be a three hour drive. We were excited, all having had a long work week. This was a new adventure. It was located at a state park. When we arrived, there were signs about not feeding the bears everywhere! My daughter's friend looked alarmed as she read the signs". Bears? "She said, like she had never imagined bears may be in the mountains.We set up the tent, and I decided to take a nap. When I woke up, the girls had built a fire and were roasting hot dogs. We all had hot dogs and chips and finished getting things placed where we wanted at our site. As the girls went in the tent, I walked a few feet to the car to get our weather radio. I heard the girls scream and turned to see them fly out of the tent in extreme horror. Before I could even ask what happened ," Brianna started screaming that there was a bear behind the tent and it had touched her through the back wall! I walked over to take a look and saw nothing. Feeling annoyed, I just looked at her and said "Brianna", "There is nothing back there honey! "She was adamant that something had touched her and it was big,. "like a human," she squealed. I just shook my head. That's all I need, I thought to myself.
A bear scare!!!. I thought about the signs, wishing Brianna could not read for a minute. I started getting a headache, I was tired. The girls finally calmed down to my relief.
We sat around the campfire and discussed our plans for the weekend, places we had driven by on our way to this campground to go back and visit. The girls went to shower and I just relaxed, my headache subsiding.
I finally decided to go shower. I was relieved the bathrooms/showers were so close to our campsite. After roasting marshmallows, I said we better get to bed so we don't sleep all day tomorrow. I should have known,
Brianna refused to sleep in the tent."I'm sleeping in the car, she said". I just looked at her in disbelief." Then my daughter who has been on twenty camping trips opted to do the same thing. I can't believe this! I thought. "Okay, whatever, I said." They both looked at me and asked if I was going to sleep in the tent. Yes, I am I said. I was really tired and by this time, I'd had enough. The girls headed to the car with pillows. Feeling irritated and disappointed, I went inside the tent and laid down. I was asleep in minutes. Several hours later,
I awoke. It was around three am, I think. Realizing I needed to go to the restroom, I grabbed a flashlight and emerged from the tent. It was pitch dark. I headed for the restroom after looking at the car and seeing the girls were in it sleeping sitting up." Good grief! I thought to myself."
Arriving back at the tent site, I realized I was wide awake and built another fire, grabbing some chips. I had a small snack and laid the chips on the table. I went inside the tent to lay back down. Suddenly, I heard a noise outside the tent. I was a little nervous. I wasn't sure what it was. I kept listening, trying to pinpoint the direction. It got louder. After a few minutes, it sounded like something hit the ground. I just froze for a minute.
"Someone is out there" I thought. Now I was real nervous, the possibilities running through my mind. A serial killer could be out there. I felt my heart rate pick up. I decided to peek out to investigate. I saw the bag of chips laying on the ground. My nervousness subsided a little bit. Then I got brave and decided to sit by the smoldered campfire pointing the flashlight toward the woods behind our tent. I saw something move. Waiting on a bear or serial killer to attack at any minute, I took a deep breath. Then, the shape finally came out of the darkness.

It was the biggest raccoon I have ever seen! About the size of a mid-size dog. Feeling relieved, I just sat there as it stared at me while inching close to the chip bag. By now I was amused. This was what Brianna felt touch her through the tent earlier. I watched as the raccoon grabbed a chip and ran off, came back for another several times. Then it just picked the bag up with one hand and began eating the chips with the other in a sitting position. I can't wait to tell the girls in the morning, I thought.
The rest of the weekend was great, we went to a big lake nearby and some other nice attractions. Tennessee is really beautiful and the state parks are a great place to camp.

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The Runaway Watermelon

noreply@blogger.com (Kimberly Wetsel) — Sat, 21 May 2011 03:56:00 +0000

It was the weekend of July fourth. We had arrived on a Thursday around noon. As usual, we put our watermelon in the river to keep it cold. By late Friday evening, the campground was flooded with all walks of life. I was surprised at the number of people pouring in. RVs bigger than some houses, old-fashioned homemade RVS of all sorts that included pick up trucks with a carpenters touch that turned them into little homemade campers with a ladder that allowed sunbathing on top of them. Even school buses that had been fixed up with spray paint, curtains, and furniture. Tents popped up constantly, and sometimes fell down quickly. Some had A/C units, some had a front porch, and some had as many as five rooms. Around three o'clock it began to rain. It started slowly and picked up quickly to a downpour. We all went inside our tent to stay dry. After about thirty minutes, I realized the river sounded louder. The campground owners
had opened the damn. I stepped outside to take a look at our watermelon. It was in danger of being swept away, and I realized some of the other campers were already running alongside the bank because they already had a runaway watermelon ! There were others still who were chasing their watermelons in the river on innertubes,and some were in canoes. Some were trying to accomplish this task while holding onto a child. I started making my way down the bank," it was muddy" and I watched helplessly as my watermelon bobbed over it's homemade coral and tried to catch up with the other escaped melons. Before I knew it, I was sliding into the river. I heard one of my kids scream mama. My daughter was standing a few feet from the bank. " Stay there,
I told her." I have to get our watermelon. Every time I got close to it, it seemed to pick up speed or take a new route in the river. It ran around the corner out of site and I scurried up the bank and ran to the other side. It was stuck in in some river shrubs, other melons were bobbing by it. The chase was still on. I carefully made my way down the bank, and started crossing to get it. Feeling relieved that it was no longer on the move, I picked it up. Some of the other campers had finally retrieved their own melons, but some had not been able to catch theirs.
I realized the rain had stopped as I put our melon into the extra cooler we had. My husband had slept through all of this. I heard a loud complaint next door. A lady was telling her husband Hubert that he should have made more effort to catch their watermelon like the lady next door to us did she told him.
I would advise people to just keep melons in the cooler on ice. You can purchase a styrofoam cooler for only two or three dollars or a beautiful Dallas Cooler that will last for years to come at Kohls. Happy Trails Publisher:Kimberly Wetsel

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Someone Took Our Spot!

noreply@blogger.com (Kimberly Wetsel) — Thu, 19 May 2011 08:44:00 +0000

We had just arrived on one particular Friday evening. It was well into the summer season. We had just checked in as usual. We looked over at our usual favorite spot. My husband looked at me in astonishment. "Someone took our spot" he exclaimed! The look on his face was priceless. You would have thought we owned the property. I said "Well, we just should have left earlier." "That's what happens when you wait until the last minute." For a few seconds, I thought he was going to go tell the strangers to get out of our spot. He just stood there staring over at our usual spot.Finally,
I said "we are just going to have to find another one". After looking around for a little while,
he finally pointed one out. Feeling relieved, I got back in the car and we went to the spot that I actually liked better because it at least had grass growing in it. That became our new spot and we always arrived early to make sure that our spot did not get stolen again. Publisher:Kimberly Wetsel

Make It Easy On Yourself

noreply@blogger.com (Kimberly Wetsel) — Wed, 18 May 2011 18:23:00 +0000

One of the ways to make it easy on yourself is to put common essentials such as certain utensils,paper towels,baggies,trash bags and other such items in a big plastic tote. That way some of your packing is already done. This makes it easier to be sure you have everything. Wash the items before leaving the campground and keep this tote stored with items already in it and ready to go again. You can also store your first aid kit, and baggies full of sample size soaps and shampoo/conditioner in it.

Make Certain You Have The Right Shoes

noreply@blogger.com (Kimberly Wetsel) — Tue, 17 May 2011 00:46:00 +0000

Remember to make sure you have all the types of shoes you need on a camping trip. Water shoes or flip flops are a must to save tender feet from sharp rocks, hidden fish hooks, or broken glass that could be hiding in wading areas that your kids will make a beeline for. Protecting feet is important on
these little adventures. You also want to make sure everyone has great shoes for walking, hiking, and just relaxing. The wrong shoes can mean blisters, fatigue, and insomnia if they are really aching due to hiking or walking all day in shoes with no support. My favorite place to purchase quality shoes is
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Cooking On a Camping Trip

noreply@blogger.com (Kimberly Wetsel) — Mon, 16 May 2011 17:24:00 +0000

One of the nicest things about a camping trip is the food. Food can be prepared in many ways. Over an open fire, on a charcoal grill, on an electric
grill. The smells are wonderful when everyone starts cooking. One of the aromas hanging in the air is BBQ. Everyone is cooking up their very own BBQ sauce. Even the storebought sauces get a little something extra added to make it unique. Many campers make friends early and share recipes for about everything. Of course, there are a select few who don't tell what their special ingredient is. On the other hand, some campers are proud of their recipe, and willing to share it with anyone who will listen. It's a great way to make friends and learn new grilling techniques, as well as secret recipes.
One of our favorite foods was barbequed chicken wings. We used a store bought sauce and added some other ingredients to make it unique. Most people
who tried it thought it was delicious. Even a couple of hungry birds to my suprise helped themselves to this treat when we were looking the other way.

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Do we have everything?

noreply@blogger.com (Kimberly Wetsel) — Mon, 16 May 2011 12:14:00 +0000

Coleman Evanston 8 (12x12) with Hinged Door

One of the most tedious things about planning for a camping trip is making sure you have remembered to pack everything. I have to be honest. We always forgot something. It was usually something small but we normally needed
it. This can happen easily. My husband always thought I packed something and I thought he had packed it. Just a can opener or a spatula can be a big deal when you don't have it. It's good to make a list of all the things you will need before heading out. Do this a day or so in advance. I will list some biggies in this article. Tent,sleeping bags,chairs, swimsuits,rain ponchos,
insect repellant,pillows,trash bags, flashlights, extra blankets,floats, fishing equipment,sunscreen,sunglasses,cooking utensils,towels,washcloths,
good firewood,(you can buy this at most campgrounds but it's more expensive),
inflatable mattress,food items,coolers,clothes for cool evenings,flip-flops,
tennis shoes,soap,shampoo,conditioner(I usually save my hotel soaps and shampoos up for camping trips).
They are handy and less bulky. Save mail samples also.Remember paper towels and wet wipes. If anyone in your family is highly allergic to anything
such as bee stings, remember to take an epi-pen or keep one in your first aid box. It's a plus to have at least one lantern.

Are We There Yet?

noreply@blogger.com (Kimberly Wetsel) — Fri, 13 May 2011 23:31:00 +0000

Are we there yet? How many times have you heard this? I know I heard it on every road trip
that lasted more than fifteen minutes. Kid's seem to think no trip should last no longer than this for any reason. This is normally followed by I'm
hungry or I have to go to the bathroom. Just drive by a McDonald's, gas station or any other building that screams pull over. Believe me, there were times when I just wanted to beam us to our destintion.
Once you finally have everything packed and everyone on board you are already a little tired. Chances are, you had a long stressful week at work.
For this reason, I always tried to choose a campground that was no more than an hour drive one way. A vacation is supposed to be about rest and relaxation. This gives you more of your time off to enjoy yourself. You don't want to spend the entire trip on the road. If you have kids along,
they are even more inpatient about a long commute. I still had several great choices in campgrounds. Of course, there is always a favorite.
I tried to pack some cold drinks, ice,cups, and little snacks for the trip
to prevent having to stop a few minutes later. An hour and twenty minutes from the time you leave the house, You can have your tent set up, your chairs placed on the bank, fishing pole set up and ready to enjoy the rest of your time off. The kids are having fun as soon as they get out of the car. Time to get your tan on.

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Freshwater Fishing

noreply@blogger.com (Kimberly Wetsel) — Wed, 11 May 2011 05:48:00 +0000

Fish Recipes

noreply@blogger.com (Kimberly Wetsel) — Tue, 10 May 2011 18:17:00 +0000

Fish Recipes

Great Tip for Campers

noreply@blogger.com (Kimberly Wetsel) — Tue, 10 May 2011 18:05:00 +0000

A few great tips for campers. Take a first aid kit that is intended for outdoor use. It should include a snakebite kit. Do not leave food out, and try to store it away from sleeping areas. Check out the campsite beforehand, find out about the rules before you go. For example, is it patrolled at night? Is alcohol allowed? A few campsites allow alcoholic beverages to be brought in while others don't. Is there more that one restroom facility? How far is it from tent sites? Depending on the individual, this can make or break your trip. It would be bad to show up with a cooler loaded with beer to a campsite that does not tolerate it. If you have small children, bathrooms are a must and the location is important. Children have to go often, and you don't want to spend the whole trip walking a mile every little bit to take a child to potty. Is there a small store that at least sells ice? This is another important thing to consider. Ice melts fast, you have to replenish it often to keep your food fresh and beverages cold. It's more ideal if you at least have an ice supply close to your spot.

Camping-What's Nearby?

noreply@blogger.com (Kimberly Wetsel) — Tue, 10 May 2011 17:55:00 +0000

Some other things to consider when planning a camping trip is what's nearby? There are many campgrounds located near popular tourist attractions. Everything from Grandfather Mountain to
Disney World. Location is an important factor to consider when planning your trip. You may want to wait about purchasing some of your food items until you find a store near the campground, if it's a ten hour drive from your home. If it is such a campground, make sure you find out if you need to make reservations. It is probable that you will need to reserve your spot well in advance. I would also highly recommend asking about their rules and regulations. They may have different rules than the campgrounds in your locale. A lot of campgrounds vary greatly on their rules. Find out before you go.
If the campground is near a very poular attraction, it is most likely going to be more expensive. Check around on the internet and check the rates, rules, and regulations of several different campgrounds near the attraction you plan to visit. As long as you do a little research before you go, your trip can be a rewarding adventure filled with fun and lasting memories.

A Few More Tips For Campers( Things That Can Make or Break Your Trip)

noreply@blogger.com (Kimberly Wetsel) — Mon, 09 May 2011 18:20:00 +0000

It's about that time of year again. A lot of people camp year round. However, many wait until the weather warms up. There is nothing better than a fun, family, camping trip after a long winter of being cooped up inside. I thought of a few more tips for campers.
First of all, Check out the campsite before your trip. Don't just call, go look at it. Find out if the lake advertised is a lake or just a small puddle. Do they allow alcohol? Some campgrounds allow alcohol, and some don't. You don't want to get there with a cooler loaded down with beer to find out this campground does not allow alcohol, and they check coolers. It's not a good way to start your summer. Do they have more than one bathroom facility? How far is it from the spot you want to the bathroom? This is important if you have small children along. Mom's good time is important, too. A 1 mile hike every few minutes to take little junior potty is not a good time for mom. Do they at least sell ice? This is very important. If not, how far to the nearest store? Do they patrol at night? Very important, buy a first aide kit for camping. It should include a snakebite kit. Check the weather forecast before your trip. Do they allow you to bring your own floats and innertubes? Do they have a pool? Lifeguard? Many do and some people prefer it. Read more

Entertainment
Do they have entertainment? Many campgrounds offer free entertainment. My favorite campground had a dance with a DJ on Saturday nights. They took request and it was free fun for everyone. Some have Bible studies, kids arts and crafts, putt putt, bike trails, waterslides,and swings. Some have nothing. Some have extras at an extra charge. Paddleboats, for example that you can rent for twenty dollars an hour. Of course, bored kids are going to beg to do it. Best to find out before you get there. Do they have good fishing areas? Rule of thumb...go a day or so before the weekend if possible to select your ideal spot. If you arrive on Friday afternoon with everyone else, the best spots are already taken. This can mean the shady area, the one by the river, or the one you wanted that was closest to the facilities and store or swimming area. There is nothing worse than getting there to find that the only spots left are the ones nobody else wanted. The one with poison ivey growing nearby, or snakes have already been spotted, far from everything. no grass, etc.

Favorite Fishing Story

noreply@blogger.com (Kimberly Wetsel) — Mon, 18 Apr 2011 08:07:00 +0000

My first husband and I were on a fishing trip. I was trying to throw my line out and it was windy so it kept getting caught in the trees. On about the the third try I wasn't sure where it went that time. I started yanking on it and then I asked where did it go? My husband replied"it's in my #### arm." I decided to just stick with a regular pole and live bait after that experience.

The Benefits of Camping

noreply@blogger.com (Kimberly Wetsel) — Sun, 17 Apr 2011 02:38:00 +0000

Camping is a great way to spend quality time with your family. I have taken my kids camping many times over the years and realized it was a little nicer than driving to an amusement park, waiting in long lines to get on a ride, having to say no about a million times to expensive souveneers, and outrageous prices on food and drinks.
Camping can be hard or it can difficult, depending on what sort of experience you want to have. I always wanted it to be fun, relaxing, and adventurous. It normally was exactly that. I always chose to go to a nice campground that offered a small store, in case you forgot the mustard or something like that. I was lucky and found one that had a nice little natural river, a small store, bathroom facilities, and a huge water slide. It's a real plus if you can find a campground either around a lake or close to one. Fishing is an enjoyable part of the camping trip for many people. Swimming in icey cold water was always fun and refreshing to me, The kids
just loved it too.
It's funny how good food smells when you are camping. The aroma of someone elses hamburgers, steak, or bbq chicken made us fire up our campfire a little early sometimes. It just seemed to me like good, quality, family time. It's also relaxing for the most part. There was always a lot for the kids to go do and explore without a lot of worry or expense . There was also a lot of things we could all do together. My favorite part of the day though, was to just relax by the campfire facing the river, listening to treefrogs and crickets and noticing the little campfires dotted all around us. To be able to look up at the stars and awake to the sound of the river.