Get your gear here: an effortless bike pump, getting clean water

Camping and RVing doesn’t just involve the pulling up to a site, pitching a tent or hooking up and kicking back – there are usually activities planned, and that means gear.

It seems as though every time we head out, someone brings along a new piece of gear that I wind up coveting, and it’s a struggle to keep from running out after the trip and buying it. Not only is the cost a factor – we just can’t afford every new gadget and gizmo – but there are also the considerations of space and weight. In addition, I think we can all count the number of items collecting dust in the corners of closets and storage spaces.

But every once in a while, a piece of equipment turns out to be truly revolutionary, a top-notch replacement or so useful that it does wind up being worth the money. Here are a few that have earned a permanent spot on our excursions:

Topeak Harpoon S2 Harpoon Master Blaster Bike Pump

Not only is this now the bike pump we carry while we’re actually biking – it’s so small, it works well attached to a bike or stashed in a backpack – it replaced our floor pump, as well. It automatically adjusts to fit either Presta or Schrader valves, so there’s none of that awkward unscrewing of caps and pulling out the spongy insides (and then dropping all the innards into the dirt with filthy hands, etc., while you’re on the trail), and it locks right on. But the best part is that this little thing rocks on the inflation part: It not only sends a big burst of air in when you push in, but also when you pull the handle out. So the tire fills up in no time, and pretty much effortlessly, so a small child can do it. If you’re worried about overinflating, just switch it over to low pressure. Also comes with a needle attachment for inflating basketballs and soccer balls.

Buy it here: www.amazon.com, $23

SteriPEN Water Purification System

If you’ve been using the old iodine tablets or chlorine to sterilize your water when on a long backcountry hike, it’s time to check out this system. Lightweight and economical in the long run, the unit uses ultraviolet light to kill bacteria and viruses in the water. You just stick the wand end of the PEN into the water, and wait until the light turns off, which indicates that the water is clean. The PEN claims to be 99.9 percent effective, which is as good as or better than any other system. Initially, the cost will seem prohibitive, and at first I was skeptical about the battery use, but now that I’ve been using it for a year, I’m sold. Each set of rechargeable batteries is supposed to be good for between 50-75 liters of water, but I’ve actually gotten closer to about 80 (they recently came out with a hand-powered unit, by the way, but I haven’t tested it). Bonus: Iodine and chlorine make the water taste icky. I have a friend who’s so enamored of the SteriPEN, he takes the small unit along each week when he trains for a marathon.

Buy it here: www.steripen.com, starts at $70

eGear Collapsible Floating Lantern

River rafters, fishermen and other water bugs will appreciate this waterproof lantern, but everyone who needs light at night and knows that sometimes it rains, you want a small compact unit that packs away easily, and that it’s nice when you can hook the thing onto something at a weird angle will love it, too. The hook pulls out of the handle, which is ingenious, and the light comes on as soon as you open it up, so no fumbling around for a switch in the dark. It’s 6” high and 3” around, and takes 3 AA batteries.

Buy it here: http://www.sierratradingpost.com/, $13

The roadtripster is the handle of a longtime Coloradan who travels the country by any means possible, sometimes in an RV, sometimes car camping or in the backcountry, with kids and without.

summer 2011 - part 13

Oslo igjen. Kos utenfor blokka, mengder med bringebær, båtliv og sykkeltur. Ikke så verst det heller!

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Back in Oslo. Raspberries. Boatlife. Bicycletrips. Happy to be home!

New Camping Recipe: Dulce de Leche

Am I the only person on earth who didn't know you could make Dulce de Leche by simply simmering a can of sweetened condensed milk? It's the perfect camping recipe and so delicious, you won't believe it!

Put a can of sweetened, condensed milk in a pot of room temperature water (not boiling, or the can might explode) and bring to a vigorous simmer. Simmer for three hours.

After three hours, pop open the top and you have a perfect, creamy container of Dulce de Leche. Good on ice cream, pound cake, a plain cookie or *shh* right off the spoon.

Be still my heart.

And shout-out to my mother-in-law, Judy Valentine, who showed me the way AND cooked up the Dulce de Leche in the photo above.

summer 2011 - part 12

Og vi koste oss i København by også: Dyrehagen, deilig morgenmad på en bortgjemt kaffebar, Louisiana kunstmuseum, lekeplass og diverse rulletrapper.

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And we enjoyed our stay in Copenhagen city as well: The Zoo, lovely breakfast, Louisiana Art Museum, playground and the occasional escalator.

summer 2011 - part 11

Ferien vår ble storslagent avsluttet med en tur til selveste København. Der bodde vi i en nydelig, nydelig leilighet som vi hadde vært så heldige å få låne av Inger Marie og den vesle familien hennes. Det er tydelig at Inger Marie liker å finne skatter, for dem var det mange av.  Vi har aldri møtt hverandre på ordentlig, men likevel fikk vi låne leiligheten - tenk det!

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Our vacation ended with a week in Copenhagen. We stayed in this lovely apartment, in which sweet Inger Marie and her family normally lives. They were away to get married, and although we have never met in real life, they gave us the key and trusted us with this treasure. So kind! Forever grateful!

Easy lunch items for hiking that kids can help cook

We’re always looking for foods that the kids can help make, are easy to carry on a hike or to take to the beach in a small cooler, and that use up leftovers. If they happen to be relatively healthy, too, well, bonus!

These veggie wraps fit the bill. We’ve filled them with everything from stir-fry leftovers to grilled vegetables to the toppings from homemade pizza, and it’s hard to go wrong. Most young ‘uns love cream cheese, and that provides the base and makes the tortilla hold itself together. 

Kids can assembled their own, which gets them involved, and these are so easily transportable – just shove them into baggies (they stay nicer if you can wrap them in cling wrap first) and put them in a pack or a cooler for later. They’re a weekly lunch item for school for us. Lettuce or spinach adds extra crunch. Some fresh herbs, a little salt and pepper -- and if you have time, some sautéed garlic – all add flavor boosts, but aren’t necessary. These are just so user-friendly.

The Chocolate Crisp Jumbles are a popular variation on Rice Krispie treats that have been around for a while, but are worth adding to a regular repertoire, also because the whole family can get in on the action, they’re quick and easy to make, and they travel well. And they’re delicious!

Veggie Wraps

Tortillas (flour, whole wheat or whole grain)

Cream cheese, about 2 oz. per wrap

Mix of leftover cooked vegetables, about a half cup per wrap (we like combinations such as zucchini, tomatoes, onions and red peppers, and often throw in corn cut off the cob or black beans; adding sautéed garlic, fresh basil or parsley is nice, as well)

Lettuce or spinach (optional)

Place each tortilla flat on a surface and smear thinly to the edges with cream cheese. Spread vegetables across the center of the tortilla in a thin line. If using lettuce or spinach, lay it on top of the vegetables.

Fold one side of the tortilla over the mixture, and then roll it all the way to the end, using the cream cheese to make it stick. Cut in half.

If packaging for a hike or later eating, wrap each half individually in plastic wrap to hold it together better.

Chocolate Crisp Jumbles

Makes about two dozen.

8 oz. bittersweet chocolate

¼ c. unsalted butter

5 tbls. light corn syrup

3 cups Rice Krispies or other crispy rice cereal

Line two cookie sheets with parchment paper or very thinly grease them.

Melt the chocolate and butter in a heavy saucepan over very low heat, in a microwave in increments so that it doesn’t burn or in a double boiler over simmering heat. Take care not to scorch!

Stir in the corn syrup and rice cereal. Drop by large spoonfuls onto the cookies sheets. Place in refrigerator for an hour until they are firm.

Store in an airtight container for up to a week.

The roadtripster is the handle of a longtime Coloradan who travels the country by any means possible, sometimes in an RV, sometimes car camping or in the backcountry, with kids and without.

Five guide books RVers and campers should consider having on hand

Remember books? Those bulky, unwieldy things we used to carry around, occasionally read, even check for reference?

They still exist, although their days seem to be numbered.  More often than not, when anyone has a question or longs to know who, what, when, where, why or how, Google is the first one consulted.

C’est la vie. Sometimes, though, the Internet goes down. Curses! Or, even worse, there’s no Wi-Fi to be found. That’s when it’s nice to have one of those old-fashioned thingies with paper inside that can always be counted upon to offer up the goods.

Here are a few handy books that I’ve come to rely upon for their interesting information that has proven useful on the road.

“Healthy Highways,” by Nikki and David Goldbeck ($19.95, Ceres Press)

We all know that eating healthfully on the road is a losing battle – and certainly not a weight-losing one. The Goldbecks have scoured the nation in search of natural food markets, organic groceries, vegetarian restaurants and other health-oriented options. The result is this excellent compilation, which also includes detailed directions.

“500 Things to Eat Before it’s Too Late – and the Very Best Places to Eat Them,” by Jane and Michael Stern ($19.95, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt)

If you keep this book next to “Healthy Highways” on a shelf, eventually they will start to duel each other in an existential food fight. You can even alternate nights out using one or the other – first go somewhere that will unclog your arteries, and then pick something that looks utterly delicious from this book, which is filled with things that look so good but ultimately will kill you. Even if you only indulge occasionally, it’s a fabulous read.

“Eccentric America,” by Jan Friedman ($18.95, Globe Pequot Press)

It’s always fun to know where the nearest corn mazes, biggest balls of twine and shrines to headless chickens are in conjunction with your current location. “Eccentric America” endeavors to ensure that information is at your fingertips, with descriptions of the weird places that are compelling enough to make them irresistible.

“Exit Now: Interstate Exit Directory,” by Trailer Life Books ($24.95, Trailer Life)

A terrific resource for anyone who spends time on the highways and byways, and particularly those who speed by those signs and then later wonder, “Was there a Starbucks at this turnoff?” Or for families where someone has to use the restroom every 15 miles. The ring-binder directory lists eateries, gas stations, hospitals and shopping, and the color-coded maps are easy to read. It takes a little bit of time initially to figure out the system, but once you do, this thing is pretty useful.

“The Official Guide to America’s National Parks,” by Fodor’s ($18.95, Fodor’s)

It would be impossible to cover everything there is to do in all of the national parks, but having a guide around that reminds you that no matter where you go, chances are there’s some kind of national park nearby where you can do something fun is a good thing. And not just a big park – there are tons of little parks and monuments and memorials, many of which are so rarely visited that they are quiet and just cool to check out. The book includes activity options, fees and insider tips on how to enjoy each park. America’s best idea, indeed.

The roadtripster is the handle of a longtime Coloradan who travels the country by any means possible, sometimes in an RV, sometimes car camping or in the backcountry, with kids and without.

Five fabulous fall trips for leaf-peeping

Summer isn’t quite over, it’s true, but it’s never too early to start thinking about the cooler weather – especially if, like us, you’re in one of those areas where it feels like the heat will never break.

Fall temps mean fall leaves, and the frenzy over where to peek at those leaves is always fun. Here are some options around the country where the drive takes you through some of the best and most colorful views. And, as always, visit the Go Camping America site to check out the great options for campgrounds and RV parks along the way.

Columbia River Gorge, Oregon

From late September through mid-October, the area along the Historic Columbia River Highway, which starts 13 miles east of Portland, Ore., on Interstate 84, is a smorgasbord of color, with maple trees, ash and cottonwoods all vying for best in show. The waterfalls en route  – check out Multnomah or Wahkeena falls – are dramatic against the brilliant foliage, and there are other attractions, as well, including the Bonneville Dam, which has a fascinating salmon fish hatchery.

The waterfalls in the Columbia River Gorge are gorgeous.

Aspen, Colorado

The unique gold and burgundy of fall aspens in Aspen turn this into a rewarding drive from mid-September to mid-October. The famous Maroon Bells – the two peaks in the Elk Mountains that are among the most photographed peaks in the world – offer a scenic counterpoint to the dramatic display, and Independence Pass, on Colorado 82 between Twin Lakes and Aspen, is a virtual explosion of color the whole way. And because this is technically the “mud season” in the town, there are usually good deals to be had on dining and shopping.

Various spots in Vermont

The sheer variety of trees in the state –oak, hickory, birch, dogwood and, of course, maple – makes it a terrific choice for a trek through any part of it, although those in the know tend to point toward Glover, Manchester, New Haven, Burlington and Bennington, and anything, really, around Lake Champlain. The colors range from russet to the many shades of wine, and serious leaf-peepers tend to wax nostalgic about their favorites and where to find them.

The Pocono Mountains, Pennsylvania

With more than 100 types of trees, the Poconos are PA’s best bet for a visual vacation this time of year, starting the second week of September and going through late October. The area stretches for more than 2,000 miles and three zones, and so different sections change at different times, which means that you can spend several weeks and still not see it all. Miles of hiking trails offer a great way to get out and see the leaves up close, so don’t forget the camera!

Upper Peninsula, Michigan

The Porcupines and Ottawa National Forest are famous for their colors, with deep reds and vibrant yellows being the most talked-about hues from the abundant maples and oaks. As the season progresses, frost sets in, which gives the landscape a unique look, and be sure to keep your eyes peeled for moose in this neck of the woods. Also consider the scenic tour of Keweenaw Peninsula, from Twin Lakes to Copper Harbor, which includes a stop at the lovely Lake Roland, rimmed by trees that turn a magnificent rust and burgundy.

The roadtripster is the handle of a longtime Coloradan who travels the country by any means possible, sometimes in an RV, sometimes car camping or in the backcountry, with kids and without.

summer 2011 - part 10

I dette området hadde vi hytte da jeg vokste opp. Nå dro vi tilbake for å fiske, steike pølser og koke kaffe på bål.

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We used to have a cabin here when I grew up. This summer we went back to fish and to chase mosqitoes by the campfire.

It's Still Summer! And I Can Prove It.

Illustration by Garth Williams for the cover of A Cricket in Times Square, written by George Selden

20 pieces of evidence:

1.  A cricket has moved into the kitchen. It chirps all the time, except when we go into the kitchen. Then it is silent until we leave again.

2. The kids sleep until 8:30, then they play until breakfast.

3. There's still time to camp, still weather to camp and we just fixed that tail light.

4. Sneakers, no socks.

5. I think one of the kids wore pajamas all day yesterday.

6. The cicadas are yelling at each other all night: "How about that heat?" "Did you see the sun today?" "I'm loving this tall grass."

7. Still time to read The Great Gatsby. It's only about 200 pages long, depending on what version you have.

8. Blueberries on cereal.

9. T-shirts after dark.

10. The smell of cut grass.

11. Ice cream every day, and sometimes twice a day.

12. Fewer rules. See above.

13. More time at the dinner table and more to talk about.

14. Still haven't shopped for summer clothes.

15. Flip flops.

16. Too hot to go into town.

17. Family trip still on the horizon.

18. Kids kicking off the covers.

19. Waiting for the breeze of an oscillating fan to come your way.

20. Steamed lobster, corn on the cob, baked potato, butter and beer.

One more day! Make it last! 

“Daisy and Jordan lay upon an enormous couch, like silver idols weighing down their own white dresses against the singing breeze of the fans.” - F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby, Chapter 7

The perfect summer read.

Water Tastes Better Out of a Garden Hose

summer 2011 - part 9

Mine foreldres hus. De liker gamle ting. Det er fint der.

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My parents' house. They like old stuff. I like it there.