Cabin Fever

Happy Valentines Day!

Who would have thought that they would be trucking in snow for the Olympics, and we have snow all over the states.
Here in the southeastern part of the country we seldom see snow.
This phenomenon around the country has been amazing to watch.
Hawaii is the only state to escape the precipitation. Anticipating the beginning of camping season and cabin fever, created the perfect mix for some fun in the snow. This how we spent our Saturday, making snowmen with neighbors. Who knows when this will happen again.

Devastation in Haiti

photo from Carolyn Cole/LA Times

We would like to offer our condolences to the families and victims of Haiti. What the experience has been like for those who are survivors of this tragedy, one can only begin to imagine. Our prayers are with you. Watching the devastation and loss of life is horrifying to view. This puts into perspective that the little that we think we have is really an awful lot.

We are truly blessed. This is one cause that deserves our support.

The Camping Consultants

Recycle your Christmas Tree

White House Christmas Tree/Msnbc

Christmas has come and gone, It's time to take down your tree and all the trimmings.

If your like us you have a real tree. Do like we do and recycle it.

Feeling guilty about having a real tree?  Missing that aroma that fills the house when you enter?  Here's some Christmas tree facts that you may find as interesting as we did.

This is from the National Christmas Tree Association:

"North American Real Christmas Trees are grown in all 50 states and Canada. Eighty percent (80%) of artificial trees worldwide are manufactured in China, according to the U.S. Commerce Department."
"Most artificial Christmas trees are made of metals and plastics. The plastic material, typically PVC, can be a potential source of hazardous lead. Read a warning about them from the Children's Health Environmental Coalition."

"There are close to 15,000 farms growing Christmas Trees in the U.S., and over 100,000 people are employed full or part-time in the industry." 

"For every Real Christmas Tree harvested, 1 to 3 seedlings are planted the following spring."

Things that make you go ummm!!!

Not knocking artificial trees, for some it's a cost saver real trees are not cheap.

There's is no needles to clean up. You may want to wear gloves while handling. If you have one, enjoy it.

We learned some things about trees that we thought might interest you.

We grew up with fake trees, from silver to green.

But as adults we always have had a real tree.
OK we're biased.

To recycle your tree if your community doesn't have curbside pick up, click here for Earth911.com to find a location near you. A lot of home improvements stores have a recycle day just for trees.

Some communities like ours mulch them and give out free compost.

In the spring a lot of lakes will use them as natural fish habitats.

Before you place a tree in a lake or pond, please check the regulations for your area.

So don't feel guilty about your tree which stands so magnificently adorned with all your precious ornaments.

Recycle reuse and regenerate.


The Camping Consultants

Increase in vision problems among African Americans

We came across this medical news today, and feel that it ties right into what we've been saying about African American children and the outdoors. 
Too many video games, 
Too much TV and not enough outdoor life.
There is a increase in myopia or distance vision, as published by researchers at the National Eye Institute and published in the Archives of Ophthalmology.  This is a quote from Susan Vitale, PhD, of the National Eye Institute in Bethesda, Md.  
"People are using computers and handheld devices much more, and they're spending less time outdoors. There are a lot of possible changes that are reasonable guesses as to why the prevalence of myopia has increased." 
Among blacks, estimates of myopia prevalence grew faster over the period than it did among whites, more than doubling -- from 13% to 33.%.   
You can also check out this article from the Los Angeles Times," A study finds that 17% more Americans have myopia than 30 years ago. Close-up computer work could be a reason".
The Camping Consultants wonder, can camping be part of the solution? 

Let us know what you think.

The Camping Consultants

No If's ands or Butts

 Photo from Discovery news

Have you ever gone camping and arrived on your site to find it littered with cigarette butts?

The same applies to all plastics, fishing line,and worm containers etc.

This post is not about knocking people who smoke. Some people who smoke are very responsible with the butts. 

We just wanted to bring some facts to those who are not so responsible. 
New studies show that cigarette butts can kill fish.

This is a excerpt from the website Cigarettelitter.org 

 Fact:

"[Cigarette butts] also present a threat to wildlife. Cigarette filters have been found in the stomachs of fish, birds, whales and other marine creatures who mistake them for food ... Composed of cellulose acetate, a form of plastic, cigarette butts can persist in the environment as long as other forms of plastic."
--Clean Virginia Waterways

You can also check out this article in the NY times, Cigarette Butts: Tiny Trash That Piles Up.

Our point is: Please dispose of trash properly!!!

The Camping Consultants

 

A Gift for the Holidays

As you begin to shop for holiday gifts, Why not give the gift of the outdoors.

Recreation.gov is a great place to start, this is where we book most of our trips.

At this site you will find National parks, Army corp of engineers campgrounds and other Federal sites.

One of the things I like about this site is, Let's say you want to go to the Smithsonian. All you have to do is pick the museum of your choice, and on the same page you can also make reservations for near by campgrounds.

It may be difficult to book a date for someone else, so a great thing to do is make your own gift certificate on your computer, or get a youngster to do it for you.

Now is a great time to book for the spring to get the best sites.

The Camping Consultants

Giving Thanks

As we begin the holiday season we give thanks.

We are thankful for our families, thankful for  our bounty and our health. 

But do we acknowledge our world, our precious planet and all it provides?

Do we take the time to look at all the different shapes of leaves and colorful hues, or do we simply rake and discard them?

Do we let ourselves enjoy the bright blue sky on a crisp autumn afternoon, or do we rush through it to the warmth of our dwellings?

When do we give mother earth her thanks for all she provides us. 

Our very existence is based upon her. 

While some of us may experience cold snowy days and others rain filled gray skies, let us not miss out on the beauty of it all.

We are thankful for all the enjoyment and pleasure that nature provides, and we are thankful to all of you who read this blog. 

May you have a blessed and bountiful holiday.

The Camping Consultants

Fall and Winter Camping

We love the cooler weather, and still enjoy camping. All you need is the proper equipment and a little know how.

We came across this article written by Rick Curtis, Outdoor Action Program, Princeton University.

The website is the Outdoor Action guide to winter camping.

Everything you need to know from sleeping bags to survival is covered. You may not need to use all of the info, so just tailor it to your particular type of camping whether it be in a tent, pop up camper, trailer or rv.

The Camping Consultants

Things not to do when camping!

Over the years we have had camping experiences with animals.
Deer have attempted to get into plastic bins storing food.
Squirrels have eaten marshmallows left out overnight, but this was the most amazing.
After a day trip sightseeing we headed back to the campground.
Instead of eating out, we wanted to cook a nice dinner and relax.
We were looking forward to our two inch thick new york strip steaks seared on an open fire, you know the old school kind from the butcher wrapped in paper.
When we arrived at our site there were grapes spilled about and muddy prints on our cooler, which we left out but hinged tightly.
The animal had small hands which opened the latches and stolen not just grapes, but our brats and our beautiful steaks. We were outdone, raccoons  raided our cooler.  The more we looked around the more evidence of the crime we discovered.
Well I guess you could say we learned our lesson, now we put our cooler in the car if it has food inside and suggest you do the same. Unless your in bear country which requires a whole lot more. That's a story for another day.
And the morale of the story is don't leave your cooler alone. What if there was wine in there?   


The Camping Consultants