family vacations
Tips for Toddler’s bedtime when camping
The first time you camp with a toddler make it a practice run. Remember, most of camping, but especially sleeping outside in a tent, under the stars, away from the familiar, is a new and, for some, scary. Pick a place close to home, such as a nearby campground or, perhaps, your backyard. And be Read More >>
Yellowstone NP with Grandchildren
It’s a little over one hour drive from our grandchildren’s house to the west gate of Yellowstone National Park. (Gallatin, Beaverhead and Deerlodge national forests are about 15 minutes away.) But like many, visiting a local tourist attraction is something seldom done. So, Grandma and Grandpa decided a day trip was in order. It took Read More >>
OMG – The dog has met up with a skunk!
It’s that time of year when we’ll have visits from feral skunks. Once the sun goes down, our dog begs to be let outside. This wouldn’t be a problem but you would think after being sprayed a couple of times, our dog would avoid repeating the stinky experience. Apparently, our dog thinks skunks are Read More >>
A leashed dog is a safe dog
(This is a blog I wrote years ago but think it is worth repeating every now and again. As folks begin to start planning for their 2021 camping adventures, I want to repeat it as a reminder that a leashed dogs is a safe dog. Stay safe.) The other day we received an email about Read More >>
Sledding Safety reminder
Even here in southeast Arizona snow brings out sleds and sledding safety is a concern. Pictures of families sledding and skiing bring smiles and we hope nothing happens to remove those great memories. Here are a few tips we hope you remember to keeps everyone safe. Partner up when sledding Young children should not ride Read More >>
Prescription for improved health – Walk
This past winter was not much fun for me. Heck, last summer and fall weren’t all that great either. My life seemed to be deep in the pits. Than I was given the suggestion – WALK! Don’t think. Just walk and let Mother Nature do her magic. I have always liked to walk. It was Read More >>
Wonderful surprise – Ocean Pond cg
If you live near Jacksonville or Gainsville, FL, are you a lucky person. About a 45 minute drive north from Gainsville and 45 minutes west of Jacksonville is, in my opinion, the sweetest campground in Florida – Osceola NF’s Ocean Pond campground. Who would have thought there would be such a lovely national forest campground Read More >>
Why National Forests?
Have you ever noticed how simple questions can lead to the longest answer? We were recently asked “Why National Forests?” Here are a dozen reasons to explain why Fred and I prefer camping in a National Forest and Grasslands: Elbow room to spare There is no need to worry if your neighbor might hear a Read More >>
Dakota Prairie Grasslands – beautiful
The Dakota Prairie Grasslands combines four different grasslands. Each is unique but all share the traits of vastness and grass. Not as well–known as national parks or even national forests, national grasslands are wonderfully empty of hoards of people. Little Missouri National Grassland (NG) With it miles and miles of Badlands, Little Missouri NGis a Read More >>
In the Kitchen for Novice Campers
This article was first published in 2010 but its tips and suggestions are still current. You got to eat but, like every other activities associated with camping, meal planning and preparation while camping can seem daunting to the novice camper. The secret is K.I.S.S. (keep it simple silly) and a well stocked kitchen. One thing Read More >>
