The National Park Service Celebrates Its Almost Centennial

Posted by William Bryan on Aug 26, 2015 in Uncategorized | Comments Off on The National Park Service Celebrates Its Almost Centennial

This week the National Park Service celebrated its 99th birthday by offering complimentary admission to all of there parks, including waiving fees to 127 sites that aren’t normally free. National Park historians might recall that the first designated parks was Yellowstone which received that status all the way back in 1872. However the National Park Service as we know it today wasn’t formally established until August 25, 1916 when President Woodrow Wilson signed the “Organic Act” into law.

“The service thus established shall promote and regulate the use of the Federal areas known as national parks, monuments, and reservations hereinafter specified by such means and measures as conform to the fundamental purpose of the said parks, monuments, and reservations, which purpose is to conserve the scenery and the natural and historic objects and the wild life therein and to provide for the enjoyment of the same in such manner and by such means as will leave them unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations.”

– Act To Establish a National Park Service (Organic Act), 1916

While a 99th anniversary might not be as exciting as a 100th (an event the NPS is already gearing up for), it’s definitely worth taking a moment to celebrate this milestone. Even as it closes in on turning a century old itself, what’s wonderful about the National Park Service is that they help preserve something that’s been around far longer — the natural beauty of our great country. With the Park Service in place that beauty will hopefully be there for hundreds of years to come. Happy Birthday, NPS!

An Easy (Yet Delicious) Campfire Recipe

Posted by William Bryan on Jul 8, 2015 in Camping | Comments Off on An Easy (Yet Delicious) Campfire Recipe

Campfire cooking can easily get out of hand. Between having to pack all of the various foods, figuring out how to cook it properly, and then cleaning everything up, it can start to cut into the relaxation you sought to experience in the wilderness.

Popsugar thinks they have a solution. In the video below they share a recipe for beef hobo packs that they’re inclined to call “The Best Camping Meal, hand down.” The beauty of this meal is that not only is it easy to cook with a campfire but can also conveniently be prepared at home and save you the trouble of lugging all of the individual ingredients. Plus, if you’re a vegetarian or just prefer a differ type of protein, you can easily adjust this recipe to your liking.

Take a look:

So what do you think of this recipe? Is it something you’ll be experimenting with on your next camping trip?

Simple Ideas for Making Camping Easier

Posted by William Bryan on Jun 30, 2015 in Tips | Comments Off on Simple Ideas for Making Camping Easier

Just because you’re “roughing it” doesn’t mean you need to purposely make things hard on yourself while camping. Although getting dirty and enjoying nature is what makes camping so appealing, there are admittedly some small annoyances — like getting dust and dirt in your tent — that can easily be avoided.

In this short video, you’ll learn five simple tricks that will bring just a little bit more convenience to your next camping trip.  Even if you don’t think you need these “luxuries,” others in your family will certainly appreciate them.

Check it out:

Are these “upgrades” for you or do you prefer more barebones camping? Let us know!

Popular winter camping and backpacking destinations

Posted by William Bryan on Feb 16, 2015 in Popular winter camping and backpacking destinations | Comments Off on Popular winter camping and backpacking destinations

In the event that you love to camp, you may despise it when winter moves around and ruins the fun. Alternately, you may be tough to the point that you couldn’t care less if there’s a little snow on the ground under your resting bag. You may even appreciate the test. Obviously, it doesn’t need to be such a test on the off chance that you “camp” in a RV or lodge, or basically head south to a hotter clime…

In any case, there are a few things to remember when you’re contemplating a winter outdoors trip. On the positive side, winter outdoors frequently likens to no swarms and no bugs – impeccable conditions in the event that you need to truly appreciate nature, alongside expansive measurements of peace and calm. In case you’re heading to a freezing locale, solidified lakes and streams mean you’ll have the capacity to investigate already inaccessible spots, or essentially get to them all the more effortlessly and rapidly…

 Mt. Hood National Forest

– The territory is a prominent spot for a mixed bag of snow games, for example, downhill skiing and snowboarding, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, skating, skiing and actually skijoring, which includes getting on cross-country skis, then having your pooch tow you over the scene. The timberland is so substantial that you have various spots to browse when selecting an outdoors spot. One great decision is Trillium Lake Campground.

Red Cliffs Campground

– You can see numerous authentic, social and characteristic assets, including the undermined Mojave Desert tortoise. A progression of noteworthy trails is effectively open from the campground. The Silver Reef Trail, for instance, prompts a post point for Silver Reef, a lump of red rock bound with silver mineral that is eminent on the grounds th at there’s no other place on the planet where

silver metal can be found in a sandstone development. Look down while you’re strolling so you don’t miss early Jurassic dinosaur tracks.

Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore

– Winter is really one of the best times to visit Pictured Rocks. The National Lakeshore runs for more than 40 miles along Lake Superior, the biggest and most perfect of the Great Lakes. Yet in the winter, the swarms liquefy away, leaving the shocking lakeshore for those few who set out to come. You ought to be one of them. All camping areas, then again, are rural. Make a point to keep your eyes open for the various creature tracks that are not difficult to spot come winter.

Yosemite National Park

– Yosemite is one of the granddaddies of US National Park System. One of the first wild stops, it is celebrated around the world for its various waterfalls, antiquated sequoias and profound glades. You can get to the Yosemite Valley and Wawona regions via auto, so head there. When you’ve set up camp, you can anticipate skiing, snowshoeing

and climbing.

 

Padre Island National Seashore

– All campgrounds are open year-round on Padre Island, which contains the longest extend of undeveloped boundary island on the planet. Of course, various biological systems can be discovered, including an uncommon waterfront prairie, rise framework, wind salt marshes, and so forth.

Winter Camping and Backpacking Tips

Posted by William Bryan on Feb 12, 2015 in Winter Camping and Backpacking Tips | Comments Off on Winter Camping and Backpacking Tips

Camping in the winter time is great for everyone who likes to enjoy the peacefulness and beauty of a perfect winter wonderland. Also, who doesn’t like to play in the snow? You will need just a little preparation and you will be surprised how comfortable can winter camping be.

Winter camping is much different than summer camping. Also it offers different challenges. So, you need to be prepared for more cold weather and shorter daylight hours. This means that you need to have extra gear and additional skills. Before you even leave your home, you must have a plan.

Never go alone. Go with some friends who have skill and knowledge in different winter skills (snow travel, snow shelters)
– You need to research and study the maps. How long would it take for you to go there and set up a camp? You need to know also what emergence services areclose if something go wrong.
– You need to check the weather forecast.
– Talk to some people who were already there and what they were doing in order to give you a few advices.
– Have plan. Also inform the other people at your home or friends where you will be and for how long you will be there.
– Make a list. Something like winter camping checklist. So you wouldn’t forget something important before you go.
– Carry some cash for unexpected emergencies and fees.
– And the last thing is – be prepared for the unexpected. Bring extra food and clothing with you, just in case the weather changes.

Cold weather clothing! You need to stay dry and warm. This is the simple rule of winter. Choose clothing layers that dry quickly, wick moisture, waterproof and breathable. The best underwear in this case is synthetic – try to avoid cotton.
Boots! The best boots would be boots that are waterproof and insulating. This means that skiing and snowboarding boots could be good for you. Also beside boots you need to bring with you:hats, gaiters, gloves and mittens, socks, goggles and glasses.
A must for your backcountry travel are these ten essentials: First-aid supplies, navigation, insulation – extra clothing, sun protection, illumination, repair kit and tools, fire, extra food, extra water and emergency shelter.
So, by these you are ready to go on winter camping. Just beside these do not forget to bring sleeping bags, ground clothes, lightening and batteries and communication devices.

This should be a great fun a good adventure, but as we already know, camping in the winter time can bring some problems with itself. In that case you need to be prepared for everything and always one step ahead. That is why you need to think before you go to the camping. You need to check everything first. You need to bring all unnecessary equipment, you need to let at least three of your family members or friends where are you going an d how long you will stay. Always bring any communication device. Mobile phone is a must. You can turn it off, but you need to have it with yourself.