Suzi’s Blog
The U.S. National Forest Campgrounds Guide website, www.forestcamping.com, is a wealth of information about developed campgrounds in all 176 national forests and grasslands across the country. It is basically an encyclopedia, straight forward and impersonal. Suzi’s Blog adds a little personal touch to the ForestCamping.com website with postings about our experiences, adventures, and discoveries along with other postings related to camping, national forests and grasslands, and family fund.
I am Suzi Dow and I hope you will find something interesting, something helpful, something informative, but mostly something that will help you get out and discover our national forests and grasslands.
Hiking Season in SE Arizona
Although hiking weather in other parts of the country isn’t great, here in southeast Arizona, it is just about perfect. We are enjoying mostly mild weather, cerulean skies, gentle breezes, glorious sunset, and, yes, reduced snake activity. The problem isn’t finding a hiking trail but selecting one. Here are some examples for a “good” problem. Read More >>
DIY Campfire Starter
We probably don’t get to enjoy as many campfires as most campers but I like to be ready, just in case. In the past, Fred relied on old newspapers. The problem is we don’t often have newspapers laying around the motorhome. So, I will make up several of these campfire starters – descriptions follow. You’ll Read More >>
Tips for Better Photo Memories
This article was published some eight years ago. The tips given are still valid and might be helpful for your photo taking this time of year. ******************************************************** I was going through several photo albums the other day of my children. It’s hard to believe they have children of their own. The photos bring back a Read More >>
Fire!!! Got a plan?
There doesn’t seem to be an end to the misery folks in California are going through with all these horrible fires. So many missing. So many dead. So many homes gone. So many acres destroyed. My heart aches for all those people and what they must be going through wondering about loved ones. When Fred Read More >>
Saguaro – Icon of the Southwest
No doubt about it, the Saguaro (pronounced “suh-WAH-ruh”) is an impressive plant. The Saguaro is the largest cactus in USA and can weigh more than two elephants. By middle age, the Saguaro will tower above all other desert plants. It is an important source of food and shelter to desert animals. Saguaro grow in the Read More >>
Peanut Butter Cheerios Cookies
Here’s a simple recipe for a yummy and healthy NO BAKE cookies. Only thing missing is a glass of milk. I’ve been known to drizzle with melted chocolate over them or serve with a cup of hot chocolate. Perfect as a summer camping snack, they are also a good activity for days when the children Read More >>
Soft Butter
I must bake some bread for an upcoming camping trip but I’ve got my soft butter all done. (One of the advantages of having a motorhome – a refrigerator!) Fred reminds me they sale a similar product in the grocery store but I don’t think it compares. Recipe: It is so easy to make: Put a Read More >>
Ralf brings joy
Found this as I was going through some old postings. Hard to believe Ralf is probably pushing 18 years old. Vet thought he was 1 or 2 years old when we adopted him in 2004. He is now nearly totally deaf and mostly blind and a walk with him often feels more like a drag Read More >>
Peppermint Cocoa Mix
There are some things that are essential to all my camping adventures and hot chocolate tops that list. I feared, once diagnosed with a lactose intolerance, I would have to give up this camping essential. But for joy, for joy, there is something about cocoa that allows my body digest milk. Means hot chocolate remains Read More >>
Cooking at Elevation – tips and tricks
I read a cookbook like some people read a Tom Clancey or Stephen King novel. But none of my reading prepared me for cooking at elevation. Under-cooked chicken, over-cooked peas, gravy best suited for pothole repair, and biscuits that should have been registered with the local police authorities as weapons are a few of the Read More >>
