| A little forethought and organization will | | | | |
| payoff in a great memorable adventure for | | | | The thought of camping alone can be very |
| that next outdoors excursion you may have | | | | intimidating, especially if you�re a |
| planned. | | | | woman. Ideally, it is not something |
| | | | recommended to women new to camping. |
| The older liquid gas lanterns give off just | | | | |
| as much light but you will have to refill the | | | | Be sure the lantern you buy is weather proof. |
| tank with liquid gas and this can be messy as | | | | If you are camping in colder weather the gas |
| well as dangerous if you are not careful. | | | | type of lanterns would be your best choice |
| Both types of lanterns use mantels so be sure | | | | because not only do they give of a bright |
| to carry extras. | | | | light they also give off a fair amount of |
| | | | heat. Never use the gas lanterns in the tent. |
| Have you ever thought you might like to try a | | | | |
| totally different Vacation? Is the cost of | | | | You will need ice to keep the frozen foods |
| your Vacation this year a problem? Did you | | | | cool. Save up you milk containers plastic |
| know that a week long Camping Vacation for a | | | | works best wash out and fill � full of |
| family of four can work out to under a $1000. | | | | water an place in the freezer. When you have |
| | | | a few frozen containers you now have the ice |
| Lets see first you will need some type of | | | | that will keep your food cold. |
| shelter a plastic trap 8 by 10 will make a | | | | |
| good tent some rope 50 ft will be lots the | | | | There are many websites that cater to campers |
| � inch nylon rope will work. Tie the | | | | with information on where to find the most |
| rope between two trees and place the tarp | | | | affordable camp gear as well as the most |
| over the rope. Stake down each side of the | | | | popular items to buy and use when camping. |
| tarp with screw driver numbers need 6 to 8 I | | | | |
| buy them at flea markets and garage sales. | | | | Don�t waste time. If you live in a |
| | | | mobile home, get to a shelter right away. |
| There�s no avoiding the weather when | | | | The tornado won�t wait or pause to let |
| camping. �The United States has the most | | | | you get your bearings. Sometimes you only |
| extreme weather conditions in the world, | | | | have minutes, even seconds, to spare. |
| second only to China,� says Susan | | | | |
| Weaver, of the National Oceanic and | | | | If you are inside the house, go to the lowest |
| Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) National | | | | part, away from ground surface, like the |
| Weather Service. �Weather can change | | | | basement or cellar. The bath tub or acloset |
| quickly and is very specific to each | | | | in the innermost part of the house will do if |
| area.� | | | | you have no basement. Cover yourself with a |
| | | | blanket or mattress. |
| Whitewater rafting is one of the most unique | | | | |
| and invigorating ways to visit a parks | | | | If you are outside, find a culvert or an open |
| backcountry. Some of the most incredible | | | | ditch. Tornados usually pick up anything |
| National Parks may have river rafting | | | | that is above ground, including cars. If you |
| excursions that travel through the park, the | | | | are inside a vehicle, don�t think you |
| river rafting is usually offered by various | | | | can use it to get away. Get out and find a |
| companies and outfitters. | | | | culvert or ditch or if there is nothing else, |
| | | | an underpass. Don�t stay in the car, |
| Most campers sleep in tents which are usually | | | | unless you want a free ride to somewhere. |
| made from a waterproof material like nylon. | | | | |
| They can be erected almost anywhere and can | | | | Build a safe room. Areas where tornados are |
| be carried in a small bag so that campers do | | | | frequent have structures that are sturdy and |
| not have to use a vehicle. | | | | capable of surviving a tornado. These are |
| | | | normally rooms integrated into the house and |
| Where to go is the big decision. Some are | | | | very accessible. |
| lucky enough to live near national | | | | |
| parks.These are national parks because they | | | | The best way to survive a tornado is to try |
| are very special areas. | | | | to remain calm so that you can think very |
| | | | clearly. Also use your common sense and heed |
| Had it with the "rat race"? Got time off but | | | | the warnings. |
| not much cash to spend? Losing touch with | | | | |
| your family? Sounds like an old-fashioned | | | | Don't forget sunscreen, bug spray and hygiene |
| campout is just what you need. | | | | items. Toilet paper and paper towels are |
| | | | absolute necessities. Bring along some soap |
| Survive a Tornado | | | | and toothpaste, but leave the hair gel and |
| | | | makeup at home. Mother Nature doesn't care |
| Tornadoes have no trouble at all forming, | | | | what you look like. She just wants you to |
| especially when the conditions are right. | | | | enjoy your stay. |
| They usually come for a visit during the | | | | |
| months of March through August, although they | | | | More on Camping Outdoors Tips at |
| may also occur at different times of the | | | | |
| year. They also tend to occur in the | | | | A definite upcoming trend is more and more |
| afternoons or in the evenings. Wind velocity | | | | people seeking untouched locales and |
| will average much above 40mph and can reach | | | | wilderness. |
| more than 300mph. | | | | |
| | | | Depending on where you will be staying you |
| A tornado normally lasts about five minutes | | | | can also research the area you will be |
| but it can touch down several times in | | | | visiting for information on bicycle rentals, |
| different areas. It can leave a path of | | | | kayak rentals and lessons, and boating. There |
| destruction that can be as wide as 400 yards | | | | will be different outfitters available in the |
| or more. The strongest ones can leave a | | | | area that may offer excursions and rentals |
| swath as wide as a mile. | | | | through the park you are visiting. |
| | | | |
| Here are some tips to survive one: | | | | Ventilation--It's better to face the tail of |
| | | | your tent into prevailing winds. This will |
| When there is a storm, turn your TV or radio | | | | maximize air flow. Scrutinize the area--Check |
| on to a weather station. Authorities try to | | | | the area for sharp objects that may damage |
| prepare people by issuing a tornado watch and | | | | your tent before setting up camp. |
| a tornado warning. A tornado watch is made | | | | |
| when there is a possible tornado. A warning | | | | Nutrition, nutrition, nutrition. You�re |
| is issued if there is an actual tornado. | | | | number one priority when you�re camping |
| | | | should be to have a good time and enjoy |
| If you are in a tornado-prone area, make sure | | | | nature � something that is difficult to |
| you have an emergency stock of water, food, | | | | do when you�re sick and exhausted. Be |
| clothing and medicine. Shut off power and | | | | sure to take camping food with you that will |
| gas. | | | | keep you well fed and your energy level up. |
| | | | Energy bars and gels don�t usually weigh |
| Heed the warning. Don�t try to stick | | | | a lot and pack a serious nutrition punch, |
| around during an attack to film a tornado and | | | | making them great for the trail. If you |
| try to send it to the Most Amazing Videos | | | | don�t cook a lot at home and don�t |
| program. | | | | plan to while you�re camping, do |
| | | | yourself a favor and eat more than candy bars |
| If you are new to the camping experience, | | | | and licorice. Just about anyone can boil |
| it's probably a good idea to start out slow. | | | | water, so just about anyone can take some |
| Book a weekend campsite to get the feel for | | | | prepared camping foods on their trip and eat |
| the camping lifestyle. | | | | well. |
| | | | |
| Activities such as hiking, fishing, cycling, | | | | Then once you purchase the tent, practice |
| horseback riding, white water rafting and | | | | setting it up several times. This will give |
| kayaking, skiing, rock climbing and | | | | you an idea of what tools you will need to |
| mountaineering are just a few of the sports | | | | take with you. Doing this will also give you |
| you might want to include on your camping | | | | a great idea about the functionality and |
| adventure. | | | | usage for your tent. You may also need to |
| | | | take some spare parts for the tent incase of |
| Given below are the kind of clothes you | | | | breakage or damage to some parts. |
| should get from the stores in order to keep | | | | |
| you comfortable during your trip and the | | | | Pavement rapidly disappeared as I headed up |
| technologies following these clothes. | | | | the steep, one-lane road from Marble. I |
| | | | passed the U.S. Forest Service road sign that |
| Imagine kayaking through one of the popular | | | | advised "4WD Only Beyond This Point" and my |
| National Parks past geysers, hot spring and | | | | pulse quickened. I took the right fork and |
| mud pots. Kayaking is a wonderful way to | | | | jounced slowly over twin ruts, the former |
| explore areas that are untouched by vehicle | | | | road to an actual ghost town located some |
| or foot traffic. | | | | miles from Marble. |
| | | | |
| Some of the functions of these websites | | | | If you are walking at night never shine your |
| include being able to search by state, | | | | flash light at any moving vehicles. Your |
| campground, lake, or forest name. You can | | | | light may blind the driver and which could |
| access maps of each campground to see the | | | | cause an accident. |
| layout of the grounds and how close each site | | | | |
| is to shower, bathrooms, playgrounds, | | | | Instead of going up to other campers and |
| beaches, etc... This feature is great because | | | | saying, �Hi, I�m Kerry and I�m |
| you may choose which site you would like to | | | | here by myself� ask questions like |
| reserves and check for availability. | | | | �How can I contact you if I experience a |
| | | | problem� or �is this campground |
| More on Camping Outdoor. | | | | regularly patrolled? |