Outdoor Camping and Skateboarding

Camping Stove makes it Easier

2010-09-05T09:12:42-07:00

We are having a BBQ with friends this afternoon to celebrate the Labor Day holiday and my husband suggested last night that we pull out the camping stove and use it to keep a few things warm. I hadn’t even considered using the camping stove, but once he mentioned it, I loved the idea. I was already wondering how easy it was going to be to keep running back and forth to make sure that the food was staying warm in the oven but not burned, and this was the perfect solution. I actually ordered a new camping stove at the beginning of the summer season and it had enough burners that would allow me to keep several things warm at a time. Our old camping stove only had one burner and even though it’s still useable we have found that the new one is much more effective. It looks like our little group is growing as my sister called this morning and asked if it was ok if they all came over. I have plenty of side dishes and told her just to bring some meat that they wanted to eat and to bring a dessert. It looks like it’s going to be a great day.

My Skateboarding Equipment is Getting Tons of Usage

2010-09-05T09:11:04-07:00

I have truly been making the very most out of the awesome skateboarding equipment that I have in my possession, my dear readers. I will tell you all why, too. Because over the past year and a half, or so, I have been utilizing the skateboarding equipment I own to really get my body back into shape, trim and thin. I used to ride skateboarding equipment all of the time, back when I was in high school—and it always kept me in shape and ready to go. But after I went off to college, well sufficed to say that I stashed my skateboarding equipment in the garage at my parent’s house for quite some time until about a year ago. Upon realizing I needed to get back into shape, I started shopping online for skateboarding equipment and got my hands on a sweet new setup that has really allowed for me to rock and roll like I used to back in the day. Even better, I am now back in great shape again, and thanks to online savings on skateboarding equipment, I have saved a bundle in the process of reviving this cherished pastime of mine!

Never Thought I'd Miss Outdoor Living But I will

2010-09-01T06:32:19-07:00

I never thought that I would be a huge fan of outdoor living, but I found out this summer that I should never rule out anything until I’ve tried it first. It was my first summer to try resort camping and I have to say that as the summer is drawing to a close, that I am going to miss it. I was hoping this weekend to go on one last camping trip, but it looks like our outdoor living is going to be limited to a huge cook out with friends. My husband really wanted to stick to the tradition of having a Labor Day cook out and we’ve invited about 5o people to join us. I’m going to set up some of the outdoor living furniture and create a small oasis under the large oak in the back. There is where the girls will relax and spend our time talking while the guys spend their time pouring over the hot grill. I’ve got several new drink recipes to try, including one for iced green tea with mint. I know we’re going to have a great time, but I still hate to see summer end.

Staying Warm Outdoor Camping Without a Fire

2010-08-31T18:11:51-07:00

There are many campsites around the country especially in California that ban fires. This is strictly a fire prevention method. Take Southern California, right now we are in the brush fire season. So far we have gotten away with nothing major. Last year, I have a vivid memory of one of the mountains outside the Pasadena area going up in flames and dumping ash all the way over where I lived. It is really crazy to see so much smoke come from a single fire. The skies get dark and the air smells of an outdoor camping fire. That being said, there is still much opportunity to go outdoor camping this summer. It just means not roasting marshmallows over a crackling fire. A camping stove gets the job done for food and water sanitation if need be. They are small inexpensive and easily found within retailers like Bridges Outdoor World at http://bridgesoutdoorworld.com/.

People think of Southern California especially in the summer as always sunny and hot. While the sunny part is true it can still get nippy especially when near the coast. Everywhere gets cold at night. Outdoor living around here at night still calls for a heat source. The easiest way to make this possible without huddling around a camping stove is something like the 14,000 BTU Infra-Red Heater featured above. Propane while extremely combustible, heats up quickly and burns clean. It is an efficient means of heat with safety precautions taken during transport.

Naturally, I believe outdoor camping comes with the crackling fire but that is just the Pacific Northwest in me. Growing up, we never had to worry about starting a forest fire. The vegetation was just too moist even when dry. There were times when we literally made firebombs and blew them up after a toss into a tree trunk. Dangerous maybe, but there was no chance of the tree catching on fire with a fresh rain always on the way. Older now, the mature side of me looks back at moments like that as what were we thinking even if there wasn’t a risk of fire. California camping calls for different outdoor living rules. That is OK by me. With the right group of people, little things like a campfire don’t make or break a good time. The only time I had bad time outdoor camping with friends was when a thunderstorm rolled in and rained us out, soaking everything.

Camping Stove Really Important In California

2010-08-29T07:41:35-07:00

Images of outdoor camping almost always draw up a crackling fire and maybe some sticks with marshmallows skewered on the end. But in California especially this time of year any and all kind of campfire is illegal. It’s a bummer but that is the only way to lessen the risk of wild fires. I’m surprised because we are in fire season but there has not been one on the news as of yet. Southern California is due. With my roommate planning an outdoor camping trip, I’m ready with the camping stove. Believe it or not he has never gone camping. He grew up in the city and never ventured into the great outdoors. I have a couple of friends with the same story.

It blows my mind because so much of my young life hinged around fresh air and exploring trails or climbing trees. This time of the year, a tent pretty much stayed in our backyard for sleeping under the stars. There won’t be the smell of smoldering embers outside the tent this time but it will be a unique experience. I’m pumped to go with an outdoor camping virgin. He is really in for a treat.

Finding the Best Prices on Skateboarding Equipment

2010-08-26T07:54:08-07:00

When my oldest son started showing an interest in skateboarding I knew that it was probably time that I start looking for good prices for skateboarding equipment. He’s one of those kids who never ask for much, and when he started getting more active and started talking about how much he loved skateboarding I wanted him to have everything he needed to make his experience even better. I asked if he knew where his friends got their skateboarding equipment and he said he had no idea but he figured the sporting goods store. I took a trip out to the mall recently to check for skateboarding equipment and I lost my breath when I saw the outrageous prices. I was hoping I wouldn’t have to pay them and could find something better priced online. I did, and the funny thing was that it was the same brand skateboarding equipment that I’d seen at the sporting goods store. I ordered him a helmet and knee pads and figure that’s a good start. From there he’ll have to tell me what else he needs, and I’m going to let him choose a new skateboard for Christmas.

Resort Camping was a Blast

2010-08-23T05:56:35-07:00

This year’s resort camping adventure was my absolute first, but definitely not my last. I will be the first to admit that when my cousins approached me about going to the resort camping location with them, I was a bit skeptical at first. She assured me that I would love it and told me about the place, since they’d been there for the past two summers. She gave me all the information about the resort camping and suggested that I check it out online. She said it wasn’t like roughing it, but that it was exactly what the name implied- resort camping. Even after looking at the information and thinking it looked like fun, I still was a little skeptical, but decided to go anyway. I figured it wasn’t going to hurt me to attempt it and if I didn’t like it then I never had to go again. Little did I know that I would love it as much as I did, and next year, instead of one week, I may try to go for an entire month. It was an amazing experience and I’m glad they talked me into it.

Can’t Forget the Rules of Outdoor Living

2010-08-20T06:22:21-07:00

Nature is a beautiful place because it is undisturbed by outside influences like construction. It thrives on a balance of animals, weather and plants that all work together to keep the eco-system running perfectly. My dad always told me when outdoor living, to never come out with less than you came in with unless to use it. Meaning not to litter or take anything that isn’t completely necessary. If fishing, only keep the catches that are going to make their way to the grill. If hiking, avoid snapping branches and smashing plants when there are other ways around them. Outdoor living is based around simple rules of adapting instead of trying to strong-arm survival.

Watch any outdoor living show and the host or adventurer will show a heavy interest in be careful not to take or break what they don’t need to. Mother Nature is not meant to be controlled. She has the plan laid out and it works. Outdoor living is a beautiful thing without the help of outside forces. With such warm weather this week, I’m going to try my hand at the beach again. This is a landscape I love in the summer time.

I Loved Outdoor Camping After All

2010-08-17T06:26:07-07:00

My first outdoor camping experience this past weekend left me completely surprised and in awe of our hostesses. One of the guys that my husband works with has been inviting us to go outdoor camping the entire summer with him and his family and I admit that I was a little reluctant. I’ve met them before and they seem like great people, but I’ve never been one for the great outdoors. I was nervous that I was going to hate sleeping in a tent plus I have never thought that cooking food on a camping stove was the way to get a tasty meal. Obviously I was wrong. The things that Mary could do with that camping stove amazed me and even now I can’t believe how great the food was. You could tell that she’s had plenty of practice with camping and I learned quite a bit from her. We all had a great time and I promised them that it wouldn’t take us an entire summer to say yes to outdoor camping the next time. In fact, I think we may even invest in our own camping equipment. It was that much fun.

Skateboarding Equipment for Beach Cruise

2010-08-14T07:59:24-07:00

With the weekend weather said to be nothing but mild temperatures and blue skies I could not think of a better way to enjoy it than taking out the skateboarding equipment and driving down to the coast. Along the beaches near where I live, there is a concrete jogging/biking/skating path for cruising the coastline. This is a part of the country that impresses me every single time I see it. Southern California coastline is the real deal. What I love about a day of skateboarding equipment is it doesn’t cost any money. Sure, I’ll spend some cash on food and drink but the activity by itself is free.

Can’t forget the sunscreen this time. All I need is another nose redder than Rudolph like what happened last time I spent the entire day in the sun. It was even overcast that day. Skateboarding equipment helps me from getting injured. Sand on the beach trail is a constant, which makes sliding out really easy. Last thing I need is a sprained ankle or broken face. I went online for all my gear. It has not failed yet.

Outdoor Living Easier Once In Shape

2010-08-11T13:22:19-07:00

I recently purchased an all-in-one survival book authored by a man who entered the British military young, made his mark and then later spent over two decades teaching classes on survival in any and all situations to both military and average people. As soon as I saw the cover online, it was clear that this would be a nice addition to my outdoor living supplies. How many people know how to make a fire out of damp brush without matches or tie a knot that will adequately support a shelter during a heavy windstorm? I sure don’t but the book gives step by step directions on how to do those things and much more. Don’t think I’ll ever be adrift at sea but there is a section about survival on the open water as well. I just started reading it so I’m not into the good stuff yet. The first chapter begins with figuring out your base heart rate and then heart rate after exercise to rate what kind of shape you are in.

The author makes it clear that any kind of outdoor camping to outdoor survival situation is easier for fit people as opposed to out of shape. Fitness increases endurance, balance, ability to avoid injury, mental focus and strength; all things that come in handy while outdoor living. I really studied these first two fitness pages because I love outdoor camping and would like to take an out of the norm adventure. Something more intense than what a person would find at an actual campsite. Before hiking 10 miles in to set up shop, I’ll need to be in top form, which is why I visited Bridges Outdoor World at http://bridgesoutdoorworld.com/.

Along with a laundry list of outdoor camping supplies is a small section of essential vitamins. They too understand the importance of fitness. The picture of Mega 6 Caps, 180 Caps seen above captured my attention immediately. It is a multivitamin with nutrients not always found with run of the mill morning supplements. I have read that vitamins help rebuild muscles after they are broken down during exercise. Perfect. Since starting to jog once to twice a day I already feel up for longer hikes. The test will be conquering some local trails that don’t require outdoor camping before taking the next step into the great unknown. This has all been very exciting. I love the fact I’m in better shape and will be able to sustain longer in prolonged outdoor living experiences.

No Camping for Me without Camping Stove

2010-08-11T06:25:43-07:00

When my husband and son first started talking about an outdoor camping trip, I thought it was something that they wanted to do as father and son. I quickly found out when they started engaging me in their conversations about the camping trip, that they actually wanted me to be a part of this experience with them. I’ve never been outdoor camping, so I was willing to give it a try. I went online and ordered a lot of gear, including a camping stove that I was actually secretly excited about using. When everything arrived, my husband was checking it all over and asked me why we had a camping stove. I explained that obviously we needed one, and he said that we should be cooking over the open fire. I couldn’t help but giggle and told him if he wanted to do that, to have at it, but if I was going to be a part of this camping adventure it would include a camping stove. He relented and as it turns out, he is glad that he did. Without that stove I don’t think we would have eaten much that weekend. We had a blast though and we’re hoping to go again soon.

Camping Stove for Non-Flame Areas

2010-08-05T06:42:39-07:00

After reading up on the various camping stoves sold online, I have come to the conclusion that there are many great options for people outdoor camping in areas where fire is strictly banned. Yes, I do think a campfire goes hand in hand with outdoor living but there are many areas where the fire risk is just too high. That is when a camping stove comes in handy. Some are flameless, some use propane and some start without a primer. The trick is finding the one that works best for your common outdoor living adventure. Propane powered stoves have the most dangerous fuel source. Propane is highly combustible and if knocked around in transport can potentially explode but it burns clean and really hot. Some fuels don’t do well under 50-degrees Fahrenheit.

These are all things I’ve been considering while on the hunt for new camping gear. A stove not only cooks food but it can be the best source for boiling water for purification if it came down to that. Online stores have the best prices when looking for outdoor living gear. Plus, they have the lesser seen tools too.

Summertime and Outdoor Living Go Hand in Hand

2010-08-05T06:28:36-07:00

One of my favorite things about summer time is being able to enjoy outdoor living. I love the outdoors and in fact, we recently added a huge porch to the back of our home that opens up and allows us to enjoy outdoor living from the comfort of our home. We have a sofa, chairs, table and even a television in the room and when we go to bed at night we press a switch and the glass walls come up and it becomes an enclosed area. It’s one of the best gifts my husband has ever given me.

Our summer vacation every year includes at least one week of resort camping and this year we decided to go for three weeks. We had friends join us at the resort camping site each week and we all had a blast. Even on the rainy days, we still had fun and all the supplies I’d ordered online came in handy. I remember my husband telling me I was ordering too much at the beginning of the season, but just as I suspected he was wrong. I hate to see the summer come to an end.

Outdoor Camping Requires New Equipment

2010-08-02T07:15:48-07:00

When I agreed two weeks ago that I would go outdoor camping with my husband and boys, I didn’t have the slightest idea that it would mean we would need to use equipment from what appeared to be at least 50 years old. I guess I was under the impression that my husband would be ordering new outdoor camping equipment, but when I went into the garage last week and saw the boxes of stuff that he’d pulled out from the attic and that it was nothing short of ancient, I protested. Even though he assured me that they’d air out the tents in the back yard, I could tell there was no way my allergies would be able to take the musty smell. I think it was the rusty camping stove that actually changed my mind, but I finally said if they wanted me to go with them, that I’d have to order all new equipment, including the camping stove. This morning I went online and found some great deals and placed a huge order. Once it arrives I’ll be willing to go with them, and without having to worry about my allergies or whether our stove will work.

They Love Outdoor Living

2010-07-30T06:58:20-07:00

My husband and I have friends who find that when summer rolls around that outdoor living is the only way to go. Granted, that doesn’t mean that outdoor living has them literally sleeping in tents every single night and that they never go inside, but it does mean that they spend as much of their summer outside as humanly possible. In fact, I’d heard that they needed a new camping stove because they’d outgrown the one they owned, and I found one online for a good price and ordered it for them. I’ll give it to them this coming weekend when we see them for a birthday party, and I know they’re going to love it. The camping stove will allow them to cook more than the other did, plus making their outdoor living experience even easier. We’ve promised to go camping with them sometime in the near future and hopefully we can get that done before the summer ends. It’s amazing how busy this summer has been, when ours is usually so laid back and relaxed. The kids have less than one month and they’ll have to head back to school, so we’d better go quickly if we’re going.

Never Seen Outdoor Camping Like This

2010-07-27T09:18:41-07:00

Laguna Seca is renowned around the country for being one of the top racetracks because of its dangerous lines, picturesque setting and famed corkscrew turn. I got up there this weekend for a big race for the first time and it did not disappoint. Set in the center of a large National park, people can literally camp wherever they want past the concrete track areas. RVs sat on a ridge overlooking the final turn into the opening straight, tents secluded themselves in small groves of trees less than 50 feet from the track and spectators walked past all of these outdoor living scenes. I’ve never seen outdoor camping like this. Some of the tents had motorcycles the riders had jockeyed over the dirt right next to the site and other camping sites simply sat on the hill overlooking the front portion of the track.

If we had known this prior to going, I would have been at Bridges Outdoor World picking up supplies to stay at the track. Next year that is the plan. Outdoor living next to motorcycle racing on a fantastic track is a dream come true.

He Couldn't Believe the old Skateboarding Equipment was Mine

2010-07-24T07:09:47-07:00

I was cleaning out the garage with my husband not too long ago when I came across a box filled with old skateboarding equipment. I opened the box about the time that our oldest son came outside and he asked his dad where he got all the cool skateboarding equipment. My husband chuckled and said that he was talking to the wrong person, because it all belonged to me. You should have seen the surprised look on my son’s face. Obviously it never even crossed his mind that the skateboarding equipment could actually belong to me, but since I was going to get rid of it, I suggested that he could have it if he wanted. Since then he’s become a fanatic and now wants some skateboarding equipment of his own. I’ve located a great website online and plan to order him some new pads and things this weekend. I’m not going to tell him though, I’ll just wait until it arrives and then I’ll give it to him. There’s nothing like the element of surprise and I know this is one surprise that he is going to love.

We May Have Gone Hungry Without the Camping Stove

2010-07-21T10:59:32-07:00

When my best friend and her husband suggested in March that we do some outdoor camping this year during the summer, I have to admit that I was the last person to get excited about it. I'm a city girl, and my idea of roughing it is a four-star hotel, but since they were all so enthusiastic about it, I thought it could possibly be fun. The guys started scouting places to do some outdoor camping and my best friend and I started making a list of things we needed to buy for the trip. Since my husband and I had never been camping, I was curious about what we would eat. My best friend assured me that we would get a camping stove or two and that we could use it to cook anything we wanted. I found that hard to believe, but I knew I didn't want to go hungry or be stuck eating berries from the woods, so I wanted to make sure I had a camping stove to make us something for dinner while we were out in the wilderness.

I came across 10,000 BTU Matchless Single Burner Stove with Carry Bag that we found at Bridges Outdoor World whose online store can be found by visiting http://bridgesoutdoorworld.com and thought that one camping stove would not be enough, so when I placed my order, I ordered three. I knew our meals may be a little more primitive than what I was used to at home, but I did want to make sure that we not only had a back up camping stove in case one didn't work, but also so that we could cook several things at once.

When I showed my best friend what I ordered she said I'd made a great choice. When I told her I'd ordered three, she laughed. I told her that I was going to get some fresh vegetables and other things to cook on the camping stove and she said that they usually don't eat vegetables unless it's potatoes or something out of a can. She said that while camping, that simplicity is the best thing so that no one is standing over the camping stove for hours.

Our first trip was this past weekend and I have to say that they were all impressed with my cooking skills for it being my first try at cooking on a camping stove. I'm afraid without it; we would have gone hungry, although they assure me that isn't the case. I did have a good time, and I'm actually looking forward to our next trip.

Trying to Get Creative with the Camping Stove

2010-07-21T07:02:43-07:00

The camping stove that I ordered for our upcoming camping trip arrived a few days ago from the store I ordered it from online and I’ve been browsing one of my outdoor living magazines in hopes of finding some recipes that will allow me to knock the socks off everyone when have dinner on our camping trip. I’ll be the first to admit that I’ve never been a fan of camp food so I thought that ordering the camping stove would give me a little edge and an opportunity to cook food that hasn’t been tossed in or over the coals. I found some great ideas for recipes that use grape tomatoes and since they are so flavorful I think making a stew with them on the camping stove would be delicious. I’d love to make a salad to go along with it, but I’m not sure that it will be possible, since we’ll only have so much room in the cooler. I think something that I am going to do is sauté some garlic and onions in a pan before we go, so that all I have to do is add them to the pan on the camping stove and heat them up. I’ll get this food thing figured out- just you wait and see.