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