Camping In Style

Don't Close California's State Parks!

2012-01-14T05:11:00.000-08:00

Target: Governor Jerry Brown and California State Legislators
Sponsored by: Care2.com

California has threatened to close State Parks before due to budget problems, but this is the first time that the plan will be implemented.

On May 13th, the Department of Parks and Recreation put out a list of 70 state parks that will be permanently closed. This is 25% of the State Parks system, and includes Redwood Forests, historic sites, and coastal woodlands. It will result in the loss of about 220 jobs and only save the state $33 million toward a budget shortfall of $15 billion.

Depriving Californians of the beautiful outdoor areas of their state, and limiting tourists from the very areas that attract them in the first place is not the answer to the budget crisis.

CLICK HERE TO GO TO SITE AND SIGN PETITION upper right side

Four simple things you can do to help Save our State Parks:

CLICK HERE TO go to Save Our State Parks Site

Lastly I would like to take a moment to brag that at Grass Valley Charter School, they won the contest for collecting the most signatures with more than 1,100 SIGNATURES

CLICK HERE TO see SYRCL story

Thank you Deborah Miller for reminding me to put this on the blog, I have been remiss on many thing this month, I have been remiss on reaching out with this petition for sure.

Ruth

Vintage Camping Coolers

2012-01-09T06:03:00.000-08:00

What is it about vintage that makes us feel so cozy? I love efficiency and the newest gadget for sure but nothing makes me feel more hip, more grounded, more now then almost anything that looks vintage or is vintage. Here is a selection of new and old "vintage" coolers.

Royal Crown Atlas 18 Picnic Cooler

5 Gallon Steel Belted Jug

Old School Coca-Cola Cooler

PEPSI COLA COOLER/ ICE CHEST

TruAde Picnic Cooler

Colman Stainless Steel

SEE Camp Cocktails

SEE Retro Camp Kitchen

SEE Camping With Soul

SEE Retro Glamping

Reserve America Reservations For July

2012-01-02T08:30:00.001-08:00

Just a friendly reminder that today is the day to begin booking your campsites for the month of July through Reserve America
The early bird catches the worm for premium sites

SEE BEST CAMPSITES

SEE CAMPING WITH DOGS

SEE LOCATION LOCATION

I took the Pledge @ Pategonia

2011-11-27T14:42:00.001-08:00

There’s a reason that ‘recycling’ comes last in the mantra: Reduce, Repair, Reuse, Recycle.

Recycling is what we do when we're out of options to avoid, repair, or reuse the product first. That's why I am so impressed with Patagonia for starting its Common Threads Initiative with the real solution: Reduce. Don't buy what we don't need. Repair: Fix stuff that still has life in it. Reuse: Share. Then, only when you've exhausted those options, recycle.

– Annie Leonard, author of The Story of Stuff (taken from Patagonia website)

I felt the need to post this campaign by Patagonia. "Don't buy this Jacket" Link Here

I'm not sure what I think. The cynic in me says "yeah right" you know you want us to. And the optimist says "Even if they want us to why not do both at least it's a better message then, over consume"
Most of us grew up making due with what we had because consumerism wasn't as popular as it is now or at least was a few years ago. I really like Patagonia products yet often they are out of my budget so I don't buy much. I live by the mantra buy quality = buy less STUFF.

With much reluctance I joined the pledge. I don't like joining groups but what the heck............................ Here is the pledge...

____I'd like to become a partner in the Common Threads Initiative to reduce excess consumption and give the planet's vital systems a rest from pollution, resource depletion and greenhouse gases.

____Patagonia agrees to build useful things that last, to repair what breaks and recycle what comes to the end of its useful life.

____I agree to buy only what I need (and will last), repair what breaks, reuse (share) what I no longer need and recycle everything else.

What do you think about this?

Folsom Zoo In California

2011-10-19T15:25:00.000-07:00

Last week we went to The Folsom Zoo with my daughters Expeditionary Learning School. I have never been fond of zoos. However this zoo has the healthiest rescue animals who are the happiest animals I have ever seen. All the animals are fed organic food, the deer come up to be pet and the animals are loved by the staff. Check it out if your ever in the area.

Camping Napkins by Stack'd Everyday Napkins

2011-10-01T07:35:00.000-07:00

Use FREE shipping code for one time purchase

Code: THANKYOU click on image to link to site

I recently started making Cloth Napkins for Everyday use. Check out my Camping In Style inspired napkins. Great as hostess gifts, for your trailer, pic nicks or just Camping In Style. I also do custom orders for the same price. You can find me at StackdEverydayNapkins.com or Etsy.

Airstream Campers


Campers Fishing Trip SOLD OUT

River Fishing

A Campers Reflection

2011-09-16T05:56:00.000-07:00

Winter 2010

A CAMPERS REFLECTION

5 am Joe

A cool breeze whips through

Pushing Summer away

Reflections

Of camping

Post traumatic something or other

From Winters edge 2010

Bloggers guilt

Mothers guilt

Artists guilt

Ruth guilt

Camping In Style

Whatever!

Exhale

Absolved

Dam Mozilla FireFox

Reunited Explorer

Technology &%$@#%

Not enough

Definitely

Not enough

Camping

Any Style

just a little diddy by Ruth

today

WHAT I DID OTHER THAN CAMP THIS SUMMER

Visit my super cool Aunt and Uncle

Work in my garden

Take our daughter to San Francisco

Make a "Big Girl Room" of her choosing

Sell my napkins and art at our Farmers Market
Find Them Here

Get back into Salsa Dancing

Go to the County Fair where Adrienne won first prize for her recycled Fairy House

See the Red Hot Chili Peppers and relive my 20's growing up in L.A.

This I just had to throw in for fun, Adrienne at 3 months

Have a "GIRLS" weekend at our house. We decided not to post on FB. So I thought this Pict was a perfect

Counting Bear Cubs in Canada

2011-09-12T05:19:00.000-07:00

Here is a video I had to watch two or three times. Perfect for kiddos too

Bear Counting in Canada - You HAVE to watch this

(The link to this is at the bottom of the page. The park is named after the
Algonquin Indians.)

This clip is great for animal lovers and young children

Momma Bear and her three very young cubs in the wild of northern Ontario, Canada. Humane wildlife experts taking a winter bear census right in the hibernation dens.

CLICK ON LINK BELOW
http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=vJRDpTUIrJI&vq=medium

Note to my bloggies: "blogger" was not allowing me to post due to many problems with the program, it looks like they have upgraded and I am back on track.

Thanks for visiting my site and Happy Camping In Style!

Ruth

Vintage Teardrop Camper with 1956 Parklane Trim

2011-07-30T08:49:00.000-07:00

Best Sites Sugar Pine Campground OFFER

2011-07-24T07:38:00.000-07:00

I just had to cancel my reservations to Sugar Pine Point........ booo hooo hooo. These are great sites and took allot of work to get. If your interested don't hesitate, let me know if you got them though.

RESERVATION DETAILS

Reserve America

Campground: SUGAR PINE POINT SP

Site: 162

Site: 159

Site Type: STANDARD

State: California

Arrival Date: Mon Aug 1 2011

Departure Date: Fri Aug 5 2011

My D.L. Bliss Camping Trip

2011-07-14T07:32:00.000-07:00

Three nights and four days at D.L. Bliss site #103. LOVED IT!

Me and my 6 yr old

I spent my 46th birthday celebrating with our good friends the Millers at D.L. Bliss Campground. My girlfriend Deb. took me to lunch at Sunnyside where we shared a bottle of wine and ate deck side watching Lake Tahoe's spectacular views of snow topped mountains in 80degree weather.

Every year I want my camp trip to be better than the last one. I try something new and let go of things that didn't work . This trip was my most perfect trip in 16years.

Our obsession for camping is wanting to make the next trip better, bring better stuff and make it less work. "next trip I'm going to do this instead of that" we say to ourselves.

Here is what made this trip the best.

Camp with other people that you know you jive with


Choose a beautiful location

Bring your dog


A tired dog is a good dog

Use big buckets to bring wood from home

Make sure your coffee stays hot

Drink and have pleanty of water

Use a tarp outside your tent

Use mason gars intead of plastic


Use screw cap for creamer

Lastly - Short Trip = Small Tent

Organize Your Camp Gear

2011-07-08T08:14:00.000-07:00

Good Morning, this is me.............. uh.. Ruth

Im tucking in a quick blog post before we take off to Tahoe for our fist Camping In Style trip.

This time I'm trying to go Camping In Style "Light"

I'm feeling more organized than usual

Maybe because I didn't start packing till yesterday and my mind is clear

One tub for beverages/bar

Fire wood bin

One tub for camp necesities

One container for dry food

And a cooler

One bag for beach goods

Along with all the usual stuff stuffed in my car

I can't wait to get to this

With Deb

after camp set up

bye for now!

Esty Shops Camp In Style

2011-06-29T07:18:00.000-07:00

Today were hiking through Esty. Each week we will journey into the wild and wacky world of Etsy to help us "Camp in Style"

Let's GO I see a trail..............

Look here is a trail we can take .........

This photo of "Trail" is by Kim DeGooyer who lives just outside New York City in beautiful New Jersey. Her art is inspired by nature in almost every way. She will be heading up to New Hampshire this summer and is looking forward to some good hiking and great inspiration for new photos and paintings.

Where to find more:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/semisweetstudios
semisweetstudios@gmail.com

blog: semisweetstudios.blogspot.com

twitter: @semisweetstudio

This trail led us straight to Kim and Stacy's shop Grah Toe Studio to pic up a compass for the rest of our hike............ hey Kim and Stacy!

Kim - Stacy

Stacy has been a sculptor of wood and stone, and Kim has a degree in studio art with a focus on pottery. They met at a stone carving studio where Kim was helping teach the class and Stacy was taking the class. They were friends for several years, before getting married!

Stacy - Kim

A beautiful bracelet campus

or one that can be warn around the neck

Thanks Kim and Stacey

Blog: grahtoestudio.blogspot.com
Etsy Shop: etsy.com/people/grahtoestudio?ref=pr_profile
Facebook: facebook.com/pages/Grah-Toe-Studio/202833224024
Twitter: twitter.com/grahtoestudio

Walking Trail by Kim DeGooyer

OK let's see what else we can find on our walk .......................

Vintage Airstream

2011-06-24T10:57:00.000-07:00

Could we park this in our garden ?

Could we turn this into a garden room?

It IS an Airstream after all

Would we be up to the challenge?

What would it cost to do all this work?

How many black widows would we evict?

Bears In Our Neighborhood

2011-06-23T07:26:00.000-07:00

My neighbors always seem to catch our local bear. On this night he or she was in pursuit of a meal.

California Dept. of Fish and Game News Release RE: BEARS

2011-06-14T15:20:00.000-07:00

Image from Fish and Game California

California Department of Fish and Game News Release
May 5, 2011

DFG Offers Tips on Staying Safe in Bear Country

The California Department of Fish and Game (DFG) reminds campers,
anglers and hikers enjoying the outdoors to take precautions to limit
black bear encounters. A key element to safe camping and recreating in
bear country is to limit food odors that attract bears.

Image from Keep Me Wild

“Bears are constantly in search of easily obtainable food sources,"
said Marc Kenyon, DFG statewide bear program coordinator. "A bear’s
fate is almost always sealed once it associates human activity with
potential food. It’s always unfortunate when a bear has to be killed
because people either haven’t learned how to appropriately store food
and trash, or simply don’t care."

California’s growing black bear population is now estimated at more
than 40,000. Black bears are located in most of the state where suitable
habitat exists and bear/human encounters are not isolated to wilderness
settings. For example, last year black bears stirred up trouble in one
of California’s premier tourist destinations, as DFG staff logged more
than 5,200 hours handling black bear nuisance issues in the Lake Tahoe
region alone.

DFG wardens and biologists also responded to numerous wildlife feeding
issues across the state, and bears obtaining human food is cited in the
majority of public safety incidents involving bears. Access to human
food or garbage, whether it is overflowing from a campground or
residential dumpster or in the form of snacks in a tent, is the primary
culprit in attracting bears. When wild animals are allowed to feed on
human food and garbage, they lose their natural ways - often resulting
in death for the animal.

Feeding wildlife or allowing wildlife access to human food provides
false food sources, habituates animals to humans and can change animal
behavior from foraging for food in the wild to relying on human food
sources in or near urban areas, which can lead to bears breaking into
cars or houses to seek out food.

DFG’s Keep Me Wild campaign was developed in part to address the
increasing number of conflicts between black bears and people. The
campaign provides important tips for living and recreating safely in
bear habitat, and advice on what to do if you encounter one of these
wild animals. Please visit www.dfg.ca.gov/keepmewild/bear.html for more
information.

SEE QUICK TIPS FOR BEARS

Thank you Gena for sending this to me. Always my fellow camper and girlfriend!

Camping SRPING FEVER - part 2

2011-06-04T05:45:00.000-07:00

Getting Ready For Summer Camping

List of Gear you WANT see RETAIL THERAPY for ideas
List of Gear you NEED see list of "Shopping Resources" to right of posts on HOME PAGE OR BLOGGER.
Review your CAMP CHECKLIST and go through your first aid kit to refresh and review what you want to work on till it's time to camp.
Take a look at the cloths you have, if you have changed sizes you may need to start replacing SEE CLOTHS for a list. If you have a kid you will want to consider their size change and needs too. SEE KIDS. For ideas.
Start doing a quick run through of the local thrift stores for the items on your list. Plan on purchasing what you don't find at the thrift and discount stores the month before your first trip. Or try Lands End, Sierra Traders etc... for some GREAT deals.
Play camping in your house to inspire your kids, DOG'S and husbands.
Make a RESERVATIONS for a camp site if you haven't already
Wipe and wash coolers.
Freeze half and full gallons of water to use in cooler with loose ice.
I like to pull wood from our wood piles and place closer to the garage for upcoming trip.
Purchase or check your 3 clear plastic bins.

One for KITCHEN GEAR put a note of what you need to add just before you go camping. If your using your house pans and knives for instance put a piece of paper in the "KITCHEN" bin that has the list of items not to forget. Wipe out bins and make sure what is in there is clean.
Second and third clear plastic bins are for dry food and bottles or liquid's SEE PACKING CAMP FOOD to read about packing camp food.
Label bins with "NO FOOD - KITCHEN COOKING" or " FOOD FOOD FOOD" especially if you plan on camping every year. This helps your kids and your guests know what goes in bear box and how important it is to keep your FOOD in the bear box.

FEWH now we just have to wait for some good weather and were ready!

"Long, Long Trailer" (1954) with Lucille Ball and Ricky Ricardo

2011-05-31T06:04:00.000-07:00

If you can't see clip click here

Lucille Ball and Ricky Ricardo as newly weds learning how a camping honeymoon from the East Coast to Las Vegas can almost wreck a marriage. Great comedy - it's hilarious. says my new camping buddy Linda.

I just met Linda who's from Chicago recently. She was telling me about this movie. Her and her husband are about to embark on a trip from Chicago to Northern California in their Airstream.

Thank YOU Linda for the great trip we had this week and the movie recommendation. I look forward to hearing more about your Long Trailer Road Trip Story!

I love this camping coffee maker!

2011-05-25T05:35:00.000-07:00

Portable Propane Coffeemaker with Stainless Steel Carafe

• Fantastic portable propane powered coffeemaker
• No cords, stove, or percolator required
• Operates on a single standard 16.4 oz propane cylinder
• Easy to start - simply push the InstaStart™ auto ignition button to get the coffee brewing
• Authentic stainless steel carafe
• 4,500 BTU for effective heating
• Delivers fresh brewed coffee in 18 minutes
• Easy to use, just like coffemaker at home
• Water reservoir cover opens, filter basket removes for easy cleaning

• Runs up to 4.4 hours on one 16.4 oz propane cylinder
• Maximum capacity is approximately 10 cups
• 3 year warranty
FREE SHIPPING FOR MEMORIAL DAY CLICK HERE
WATCH VIDEO HERE

The type of percolator I use

COMMENT: I wonder how this works in person, I prefer to use a peculator camping mostly because it feels so "camping". Out of the drip coffee makers I've seen I must say this Colman (top of page) one is really "COOL" looking.


My small espresso maker for afternoon coffee boost

SEE CAMPING WITH KIDS

SEE FUN FIND MILK FROTHER

SEE HALF N HALF TIP

Memorial Day Camping

2011-05-17T10:29:00.000-07:00


Taken last year in Lake Tahoe of our friends car and very cool trailer

Does anyone really go camping on Memorial Day?

I stopped camping during Holidays when I hit my mid 30's. The crowds, traffic and hoo ha's drove me out of the Holiday Camping Crowd. Hey HCC camping!

Are you HCC or NOT HCC

FREE Apps For Campers - Part One

2011-05-14T06:30:00.000-07:00

image of the new iPhone 4 in white

Free Camping Apps
In the Iphone and Android era there is much to explore using our phones/mini computers as a Camping In Style tool. I recently purchased an Iphone and it has been a love affair since. Here are a few apps I've tried. Please share your experiences too.

FREE APP: Coleman’s Cookout Cookbook and Meal Planner

I actually surprised myself by liking this one. The choices of meals are good to great and the app allows you to plan with shopping list and directions for cooking right at the campsite. Check it out for sure.

FREE APP: Bug Spray - Ultrasonic By Apptomic LLC

Ok the ratings are not high on this one. But just to be curios I'm going to try it. It claims to have a high frequency tone that has an effect of repelling insects. RIGHT?

Customer Reviews

Hurts My Daughters Ears
by Mommy's itunes account
Be Careful! My 8 year-old daughter cried when we made this app active. Some children can hear this and it really hurts. This may, very well, be an effective bug deflector, but please be careful if you have young children.

Omg
by troy calandra
When I pressed go my pet bug blew up and made a mess

FREE APP: Let There be Light
I have this one and have used it several times over winter when we lost electricity. Wouldn't leave home without it.

The App: Flashlight
The Details: Who knew that making shadow puppets with your smartphone could be so fun? Also use this app to light your way to the potty for those late-night when nature calls moments. With multiple flashlight colors to choose from, how could you not want to light your path with this snazzy app.

FREE
Stings Attached

This one will be fun to use when we go camping for my daughter to use. Now that she's old enough to fallow the instructions.

The App: Knots Free
The Details: No one likes a runaway campsite, so make sure all your tent and tarp strings are secured tightly to pegs and surrounding trees with this knotting app.

FREE
Be Like Survivorman

The App: SAS Survival Guide Lite
The Details: If your scout or girl guides lessons fail you when it counts, revert to the SAS Survival Guide to refresh your skookum survival skills. Remind yourself how to build a fire, navigate by the stars and send distress codes.

I have another post coming with many more apps.

A Mother's Day Hike & Rainbow Lodge

2011-05-08T18:51:00.000-07:00

Happy Mothers Day to you and your Mother.

We spent our day with good friends taking a short hike on Independence Trail and then lunch at Rainbow Lodge located in Soda Springs California.

My daughter didn't get much sleep last night so she reminded me all day of my role in her life.

FUN FIND: Camping Lantern

2011-05-05T05:50:00.000-07:00

Isn't this cool! It's SO Camping In Style

Hozuki Lantern $89.95

The sacred Hozuki plant was the original design for the ancient Chinese paper lantern. We have adapted this design to capture the beauty and romance of the Chinese paper lantern in the creation of this new Snow Peak product. The new Hozuki Lantern combines functionality and beauty like never before in outdoor lighting. Now, you can create the romance of a candle without burning down your tent. The Hozuki Lantern features an innovative Candle Mode that allows the LED to respond to sound or wind with a flicker of light; press the on/off button twice to enter candle mode. In addition, the Hozuki has three different brightness settings allowing you to light up your favorite book before going to bed or the entire campsite while cooking your dinner. Winner of a Travel + Leisure 2011 Design Award for Best Gear.

Mothers Day Giveaway !

2011-05-02T13:26:00.000-07:00

Stack'd by Sister Made (my napkin business) is offering a prize along with two other surprise gifts. Just go to this amazing blog and see more:

A Bountiful Kitchen

Love this blog and she has some amazing food recipes too.

Placer County Real Food is written by a friend of mine. If you like seasonal cooking right from the farmers market then this is the book for you.

Resources For Camping ( In Style )

2011-04-24T06:50:00.000-07:00

ADR in front of the farm stand at school 2011

When I started this blog I put together a list of places to find everything you could need to go Camping In Style. I must say I refer to this list all year long when I need something or want a quick way to research something. You will find this list to the mid right of the home page at all times. * are my favorite sites. A few of them may surprise you.

Camping In Style

Don't Close California's State Parks!

Vintage Camping Coolers

Reserve America Reservations For July

I took the Pledge @ Pategonia

There’s a reason that ‘recycling’ comes last in the mantra: Reduce, Repair, Reuse, Recycle.

– Annie Leonard, author of The Story of Stuff (taken from Patagonia website)

I felt the need to post this campaign by Patagonia. "Don't buy this Jacket" Link Here

With much reluctance I joined the pledge. I don't like joining groups but what the heck............................ Here is the pledge...

Folsom Zoo In California

Camping Napkins by Stack'd Everyday Napkins

A Campers Reflection

Counting Bear Cubs in Canada

Vintage Teardrop Camper with 1956 Parklane Trim

Best Sites Sugar Pine Campground OFFER

I just had to cancel my reservations to Sugar Pine Point........ booo hooo hooo. These are great sites and took allot of work to get. If your interested don't hesitate, let me know if you got them though.

RESERVATION DETAILS

My D.L. Bliss Camping Trip

Organize Your Camp Gear

Esty Shops Camp In Style

Vintage Airstream

Bears In Our Neighborhood

California Dept. of Fish and Game News Release RE: BEARS

Camping SRPING FEVER - part 2

"Long, Long Trailer" (1954) with Lucille Ball and Ricky Ricardo

I love this camping coffee maker!

Memorial Day Camping

FREE Apps For Campers - Part One

FREE APP: Coleman’s Cookout Cookbook and Meal Planner

FREE APP: Bug Spray - Ultrasonic By Apptomic LLC

Hurts My Daughters Ears by Mommy's itunes accountBe Careful! My 8 year-old daughter cried when we made this app active. Some children can hear this and it really hurts. This may, very well, be an effective bug deflector, but please be careful if you have young children.

Omg by troy calandraWhen I pressed go my pet bug blew up and made a mess

A Mother's Day Hike & Rainbow Lodge

FUN FIND: Camping Lantern

Mothers Day Giveaway !

Resources For Camping ( In Style )

Let me know your resources too

RESOURCES

Hurts My Daughters Ears
by Mommy's itunes account
Be Careful! My 8 year-old daughter cried when we made this app active. Some children can hear this and it really hurts. This may, very well, be an effective bug deflector, but please be careful if you have young children.

Omg
by troy calandra
When I pressed go my pet bug blew up and made a mess