Book Your Camp Trips HERE

Don't forget January 2nd is the first day to book your campsites for the month of July. If your going to a popular campground or want the ONE special site then don't delay and get ready to call first thing Sunday, January 2nd 2011. 

Here is a link to the website that books most campgrounds Reserve America in the USA. Here is the note they post online.

California State Park On-sale Begins January 2  

(Sunday 8AM PST)

Arrivals for July will be On-sale (Jul 1st through 31st)

Sign-in before 8:00AM PST for your best on-sale experience (10 minutes before is fine) 

You can also call:

Contact us by Phone

NRRS Federal Campgrounds
Toll Free 1-877-444-6777
International 518-885-3639

California State Campgrounds
Reservations 1-800-444-7275
Customer Service 1-800-695-2269

Colorado State Park Campgrounds
Reservations 1-800-678-2267
Local Number 1-303-470-1144

Connecticut State Campgrounds
Reservations 1-877-668-2267
Customer Service 1-877-612-1100

East Bay Regional Park District
Reservations 1-888-EBPARKS
TDD: 1-510-633-0460

Encore/ELS
Reservations 1-888-237-3204

Florida State Campgrounds
Reservations 1-800-326-3521
Customer Service 1-888-622-9190

Headquarters
ReserveAmerica
40 South Street
Ballston Spa, New York 12020-9904
USA

Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation
Reservations 1-888-922-6743
Customer Service 1-888-778-4520

Illinois State Parks
Customer Service: (800) 246-5082

Kentucky State Parks
Reservations 1-888-459-7275
Customer Service 1-888-778-5340
TDD* 1-888-778-5341

KOA Campgrounds
KOA Campground Contact Info

Larimer County Department of Natural Resources Campgrounds
Reservations 1-800-397-7795

Louisiana State Campgrounds
Reservations 1-877-226-7652

Maryland State Parks
Reservations: 1-888-432-2267
Customer Service: 1-888-432-2267

Massachusetts State Campgrounds
Reservations 1-877-422-6762
Customer Service 1-877-620-2267

Mississippi Wildlife Fisheries & Parks
Reservations 1-800-467-2757
Customer Service 1-866-393-4880
TDD* 1-866-386-5268

New Hampshire Division of Parks and Recreation
Reservations 1-877-647-2757
Customer Service 1-888-232-2593

New Mexico State Parks
EMail #WebSupportNM@infospherix.com
Reservations 1-877-664-7787

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation & Office of Parks Recreation and Historic Preservation
Reservations 1-800-456-CAMP (2267)
Customer Service 1-800-777-9644
TDD* 1-800-304-1265

Oregon State Parks
Reservations 1-800-452-5687
Local Number 503-731-3411

Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management
Reservations 1-877-742-2675
Customer Service 1-877-422-6757
TDD* 1-866-889-9316

Snohomish County Parks & Recreation
E-mail: scparksrec@gmail.com
Reservations: 425-388-6600
Customer Service: 425-388-6629

South Carolina State Campgrounds
Reservations 1-866-345-7275
Customer Service 1-888-275-9887

Utah State Parks and Recreation
Reservations 1-800-322-3770

Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation
Reservations 1-800-933-7275

Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
Reservations 1-888-947-2757

SEE CAMPING CHECKLIST

SEE THE BEST CAMPSITE

SEE CAMPING WITH DOGS

*jul

God jul!

---

Happy holidays!

Happy Holidays Campers

Here it is, the end of the year and the much celebrated holiday season has arrived. Whether you are a winter camper or RVer, sunbelt snowbird or a fair weather family vacationer, chances are there are more than visions of sugar plums dancing in your head!

Take this special time spent with family and friends to re-live the past year's best outdoor experiences and begin planning your next RV or camping getaway. Start dream surfing today by visiting GoCampingAmerica's Find a Park page and discover a world of outdoor opportunities.  

From snowcapped mountains to roaring ocean waves to high desert and wide open plains, each and every one of us at GoCampingAmerica.com wish you and yours a holiday filled with happiness, love and laughter and maybe even a stocking filled with cool camping gear. 

Very merry and ho! ho! ho!

PS - Scan the past year's blog entries for great RV and camping ideas, delicious campfire recipes and other inspirations of all sorts!

Contributed by Evanne Schmarder

*ryddig

Nå er arbeidsrommet ryddet. Enn så lenge. Snart ser det sikkert sånn ut igjen.

---

Finally my workspace is tidy. Hopefully it will stay like this, and not go bananas.

Snow Camping

As we all venture out to our Holiday plans. I want to wish you all a the best. 

I came across an article that Tripleblaze published (cool site) about winter camping. Check it out. I would love to camp in Winter but haven't tackled that one yet. I came close this year with a power outage for a week (story to come soon). 

Via  tripleblaze then wintercampers.com then Salt Lake Tribune a good article has many links

Have you camped in snow?

Have A Happy And Joy Filled  Holiday 

    

*2årsdag

2-årsdagen. Etterpå.

---

Birthdayparty, two years old. No more guests.

*julemarked2

Kunsthøgskolens julemarked søndag 12. desember kl. 11-17, på Seilduken på Grünerløkka. Annas Camping har med sikleskjerf, grytekluter og dyresmykker.

*vinter

Å vente på sommeren er ikke så ille når vinteren er slik som dette.

---

Waiting for summer is not so bad when winter is like this.

*ILoveMelvin

Sikleskjerfene og Melvin.

---

The scarf bibs and Melvin.

*rot

Det kan virke som om jeg har viktigere ting å bruke livet mitt på enn å rydde. 

---

My work space: It seems like I have more important things to do than tidying up. 

*advent

Julekulene er en gave fra julestjerna i vinduet.

---

The lights are a gift from the christmas star in my window.

*julemarked

Annas Camping på Designernes julemarked på DogA 5.-6. desember 2010.

Sikleskjerfene

Dyresmykker og royale grytekluter

Visittkort

Fantus - skjerfmodellen min

---

Annas Camping at Designers Christmas Fair 2010.

The scarf bibs

Animal pendants and royal pot holders

Business cards

Fantus - my scarf model

Christmas Gifts For The Camper In Your Life

If I were on your Christmas, Kwanzaa or Hanukkah gift list this year this is what would I want, maybe the person on your list would too!

A GIFT CERTIFICATE TO REI, GSI or even SIERRA TRADING POST

GSI STAINLESS WINE GLASS $12.95

PATAGONIA BEANIE HAT $29

 

OVERLAND EQUIPMENT BAYLISS SHOULDER BAG $45 

 WOMAN'S WINTER BOOTIE $75

 

SIERRA DOWN BOOTIES $50

 

CAMPING ORNAMENT SET $20

 

A set of GLACIER STAINLESS MARTINI GLASS $10 ea

For the man in your life maybe something like this?

GLACIER STAINLESS LEATHER FLASK $30.

For the kids:

SMARTWOOL WINTER HAT $30 

 SAVE OUR SOULS FLIGHT SOCKS  $10

TURTLE FUR TASSEL HAT $14 

 Ahhh I love to virtual shop

       

Oprah and Gayle go Camping Yosemite

Did you watch the recent episode of Oprah who went camping with her good friend Gayle in Yosemite?

Shelton the park ranger in Yosemite National Park wrote to Oprah saying that he wished he saw more African Americans camping and visiting the great outdoors so she did a show on it.

 
I'm as white as they come by color that is but I must say I have wondered the very same thing. How come when I go camping I see mostly white and then many Latino families but after that the numbers go down especially African Americans. 

What are your thoughts ?

images from nps.gov

Here is the cocktail Oprah made on her trip: 

 
Servings: Serves 1

Ingredients

Moscow Mule Recipe

• 1 ounce vodka
• 1 tsp. sugar syrup
• Fresh lime juice
• 1/2 cup ginger beer
• 1 sprig fresh mint
• 1 slice of lime

Directions

In a copper mug, pour vodka over ice. Add sugar syrup and lime juice. Top with ginger beer and stir. Garnish with mint sprig and lime slice.

Yosemite National Park 

Oprah's Camping 101 Tips

Oprah and Gayle's Big Yosemite Camping Adventure


 

Boudreaux and Thibodeaux Camping Joke

I was sent this joke by my friend from New Orleans. Our last name is Boudreaux and my husband is from New Orleans where these jokes go back and forth to see who is less intelligent. My feeling is it's Thibodeaux.

Sounds Like:

Boudreaux: Boo Drow

Thibodeaux: Tib E Dow

Canvas Tent Shown without Optional Rain Fly by Pinnacle Tents

CAMPING JOKE:

 Boudreaux and Thibodeaux went camping in the desert.  After they got their tent all set up, both men fell sound asleep.  Some hours later, Thibodeaux woke Boudreaux and said, "Ma sha, look towards da sky, what you see?"

                 Boudreaux replied, "I see millions of stars."

                 "What dat tell you?" asked Thibodeaux.

                 Boudreaux pondered for a minute then said:  "Astronomically speaking, it tells me there are millions of galaxies and potentially billions of planets. Astrologically, it tells me that Saturn is in Leo.  Time wise, it appears to be approximately a quarter past three in the morning.  Theologically, mother nature is all-powerful and we are small and insignificant. Meteorologically, it seems we will have a beautiful day tomorrow.

Whats' it tell you, Thibodeaux?"

                 Thibodeaux says: "Boudreaux, you dumber than cow shit.  It mean somebody done stole da tent!

image by The MAB Program USA

Bushcraft

http://www.basicbushcraft.org.uk/
Check this link by Anthony Longworth for bushcraft courses.
It's a great site.

http://www.redcross.org.uk/What-we-do/First-aid/First-aid-tips-and-videos

If you have any first aid experience, let us know if you want to be a kind of "Doctor in the house". You could be helpful to another camper.



http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00vjvyw
Patrick McGlinchey bushcraft expert - check his great camp, shelter, fire, twines, etc.

http://www.naturalbushcraft.co.uk/bushcraft-friendly-campsites-farmers-landowners-find-your-perfect-camping-location-and-have-per.html

McBride Springs Camp

McBride Springs Camp is located on the base of Mt. Shasta.

Closed for the 2010 Season for hazardous tree removal. Check with the Shasta-Trinity National Forest Service for status.

This camp is only a few miles off of Interstate 5, but at the 4,800 elevation mark so there is a pull up the hill for automobiles.

Affiliation: National Forest Service Campground ~ Shasta-Trinity National Forest.

Number of Campsites: 10 campsites total. Suitable for small RV's and trailers. The average parking area is 12' x 39' on gravel bed. Some campsites are in treed areas, other open. No RV hookups or pull-through sites.

Description: The campsites are all on a single loop, but many are secluded and offer privacy. The campground provides a good base for exploring Mt. Shasta. Nice views can be seen of the valley area below. McBride Springs creek (small and seasonal) runs through the campground.

Open Dates: Seasonal ~ Open Memorial Day weekend through October 31 snow level permitting.

Length of Stay: 7 days

Elevation: Approximately 4,800 feet.

Fee: $10 - 15 per day , check with local Ranger Station for current rates. Self-registration at entrance, first come, first served. No reservations.

Location/Directions: Exit #738 heading North on Interstate 5 and travel east on Lake Street into Mt. Shasta City. Lake Street will dead end on Everett Memorial Highway. Turn left and head up the hill on Everett Memorial Highway, travel approximately 4 miles to Campground. The Campground will be on the left.

Contact:
Shasta Trinity National Forest Headquarters
3644 Avtech Parkway
Redding, CA 96002
(530) 226-2500

Mt. Shasta Ranger Station
204 West Alma
Mt. Shasta, CA 96067
(530) 926-4511


Amenities: Semi-Primitive Camping

Tables
Fire Rings
Water available, from single hand operated pump at campground (up the hill)
Vault Toilet
Fire permit may be required, check with Ranger Station
Pleasant shady area with mixed conifers
Campground entrance is well marked at main road

Nearby Services: Full services in Mt. Shasta City, including Medical.

Contact Information

Below are websites as well as addresses and contact information for local agencies that have camping/travel information.

Yreka Fish and Wildlife Office
1829 South Oregon Street
Yreka, CA 96097

(530) 842-5763
www.fws.gov/yreka

Klamath National Forest Supervisor's Office
1312 Fairlane Road
Yreka, CA 96097

(530) 842-6131
Klamath National Forest website

Happy Camp Ranger District
63822 Highway 96
P. O. Box 377
Happy Camp, CA 96039

(530) 493-2243


Salmon River and Scott River Ranger Districts
11263 N. Highway 3
Fort Jones, CA 96032

(530) 468-5351

Goosenest Ranger District
37805 Highway 97
Macdoel, CA 96058

(530) 398-4391

Shasta-Trinity National Forest Headquarters
3644 Avtech Parkway
Redding, CA 96002

(530) 226-2500
Shasta-Trinity National Forest Website

Campfire furniture

How to get this 10 foot massively heavy table up the hill 350 metres! Have a think.

It's all in the fulcrum.

Onto our working donkey.

Up to Bobtail (large pitch).

"Immense" now installed at big pitch "Bobtail".
For more details of this table and others made by Twitterer "woodbenchesfife"
see http://www.garden-furniture-fife.blogspot.com/

Expeditionary School Camping Trip

This is our dog Bravo who knows were camping but

doesn't understand he can't go this time, very sad dog

 

Recently our school, an expeditionary learning school, went on a group camping trip to a local campground. The whole thing made me very nervous. Camping with 45 kids and parents most of which I didn't know.................... yet. The children were between 5 and 7 years old, the adults between 25 and 60 just to paint a clear picture.

The objective is to build community and create bonding within' the group while learning by doing.

This was a non stop extravaganza............ singing, dancing, 9 crafts stations, skits, individual crew routines, building a watershed at the lake, lunch, play time, hiking and then more of everything listed above. Ending the day around the campfire singing songs to a guitar and roasting smoores. Needless to say EVERYONE was exhausted by the end of the day. 9pm to be exact. 

Just to give my next statement credentials:  I used to work in the film industry so producing large numbers of people all working towards the same goals on schedule is very familiar to me and I completely recognize what an amazing task it is to do well at.

Our lead teacher was off the chart with producing this event. She managed almost 100 people whom most have never met into some 20 activities including meal making, camp set up and fire building with out a single hitch. It was one of the best orchestrated events I have ever witnessed. She could be making the big bucks in Hollywood with her skills but joyfully she is my daughters teacher instead.

BASICS OF SETTING UP A LARGE GROUP CAMP TRIP:

FOUR LARGE TENTS: 

Women W/daughters

Women W/sons

Men W/daughters

Men W/sons

MEALS:  Simple precooked meals

Dinner

Pot of beans

Pot of ground meat

Vat of salsa

Grilled squash

Grated cheese

Large tortillas 

Wrap it up and call it a burrito

Breakfast

Bagels 

Cream cheese or peanut butter

Orange juice

Several percolators of coffee

Creamer (so thankful I brought my own 1/2 1/2)

Snack

Cheese sticks

Crackers

Pre cut apples

Large cooler w/ water for drinks and gallon jugs of milk

Every camper brought a sack lunch

My Two Cents Literally:

Now all that being said I have to admit in all it's amazingness I could still find ways to improve the experience for myself and others like me. Admittedly not many I'm sure.

PRIVATE TENT FOR TWO: A few campers pitched their own tents for two and ditched the master plan. Like myself I wasn't ready to share a big tent with my 5 year old who is not used to this. It was a slice of sanity amidst so much organized chaos. However I can see why they must have group tents with so many people. I was thankful for the parents who were more zen about the whole trip and went with the flow but I was also there for the whole trip while other parents came for half the time.

QUITE TIME: I would have more quiet time............... do you see a theme here with me. Have the adults go into the large tents and read books to smaller groups of children. I ended up pulling away from the group twice to do this with my child. Mostly to prevent a melt down. It worked. Also we went to bed earlier then the group, no surprises here for our family.

PARENT INVOLVED ONLY: I know that not all parents can do the overnight camping. But for this age I think it should be mandatory for a parent or adult to be with each child. Instead of having the parents who did go take more kids than their own. That way there could be more time for a quiet walk to observe nature really bond with our surroundings. It seemed that all the activities were scheduled back to back in order to keep the group contained. Some parents were in charge of four kids, only one being there own. It's a labor of love I know but it's also crazy from my perspective.

Either way this trip was impressive. A bit fast paced for me and even for some of the kids but they seemed to enjoy themselves and I couldn't have done it as well as the teachers did from our school.