Camping High Life » Uncategorized

How To Camp With Your Horse

Bill — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 20:08:10 +0000

So it’s summer and all you can think about is getting out on the open trail with your horse. Not just for an afternoon ride, either – you’re one of those equestrians who wants to go camping with a horse.

It’s a good idea. Horses belong in nature and with a little preparation and training, they can be great camping pets. Not to mention, you’ll have a great time as well.

The biggest issue that you’ll face when it comes to horse camping is containment – how do you keep your horse safe and contained while you’re away from the familiar barn stalls and pastures? Your horse is counting on you to take care of it.

Your camping containment options run from the gamut from a portable corral, an electric portable corral, hobbles, or a picket line.

Corrals are a good option when you know that you’re going to be surrounded by lots of other campers. If you’ve got campers within shouting distance, you’re better off securing your horse with a corral. An electric corral is doubly safe, but then you need to be sure that you have a reliable source of electricity.

The downside to portable corrals is that you need a trailer to haul them to the camp site.

Grazing hobbles limit your horse’s movement without impairing their ability to move enough to graze. If you’ve got some nice fields or pastures on hand where you camp, this can be a fantastic choice. The key issue here is to be sure that your horse is comfortable with the hobbles – you don’t want to surprise him or her far from home. Give them a chance to get comfortable with them at home, then you can use them with more confidence while camping.

The challenge to using a picket line is roughly the same – your horse has to have a basic familiarity with them. Start by using them at home, and then your horse will be better suited to them while camping. You also want to be sure that the picket is driven deep enough into the ground that the horse won’t pull it out. That can present a major safety hazard if the horse is on the loose dragging a rope or lunge line.

Take your time and plan in advance. You know your horse – what containment option would work best for them? Get them used to it and before you know it, you and your horse will be sleeping under the stars!

Choose the Right Camp Site

Beach Camping Experience – Tips and Ideas

Bill — Sat, 29 May 2010 01:14:02 +0000

Mountains, forest, and the wild are some of the most popular destinations that people go to if they want to have camping. It is the adventure and fun that they will experience are some reasons why they choose such places. But, isn’t it getting boring if you do camping on the same place again and again, thus, do the same activities that you have before. Well, if you are really in search of fun and new yet gratifying experience, then beach camping is a good one to try on. In order for you to have a satisfying beach camping experience, the following tips and ideas might help you on your first yet fun-filled beach camp out.

You can actually go to beach camping any time of the year except winter, of course. But, the best season to go on beach camping is during summer. The summer heat and fine weather during this season is so perfect for your fun-filled activities. You can go scuba diving, swimming, boating and play Frisbee or volleyball at the beach. You can have some kid stuff and build some sand castle. These are just some fun examples of what you can do at the beach. Preparations are of course necessary if you’re planning a getaway. First you have to look for best beach campsites and go check the area so that you will have the knowhow on where to put all your gears. Sometimes, permits are required before you can go camping. If it is needed, check also if you can have bonfire to heat up the cold night. It could be summer but beach are way different at night and sometimes jackets are needed on the beach.

Then, make a checklist of all the items you will need. The most important supplies are tent, sleeping bags or sleeping pads, stove, cooler, pot, towel, and other utensils. Beaches are indeed windy, so not all tents can be set up. Dome tents are most applicable but if it is costly for you to purchase one then go check some tips on the web for alternatives. But, never set up the tent where the water will reach it. Heat of the sun will easily melt down the ice and warm your food and drinks in the cooler, so, I suggest that you bring a 3 way camping fridge, which works with gas or 12v battery to keep everything cool.

Do not forget to include on your list the sunblock lotions, flashlights, and trash bags. Some people would go to the beach for they want to get tan. But, it is never a good idea that you will have skin cancer. Therefore, sunblock with the highest Sun Protection Factor (SPF) is better to protect your skin. Trash bags are needed to keep your garbage for it is never a good idea to just leave all of them at the beach. Never bury your trash in the sand for we do not want to destroy the environment, do you? It is always nice to go back to the beach, nice and clean.

There are lots of rewarding things that happen in the beach. The breeze and the sound of the waves are perfect for relaxation. Not just that, the beauty when the sun rises and sets are such wonderful for a romantic time with your partner. It might be a sandy day and night but it is going to be an experience you will love. Beach camping on summer will really be perfect. Therefore, camping with mini fridges will make it better.

Ideas for Getting Outdoors

Bill — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 17:15:04 +0000

Mostly from a parent’s point of view I understand that most folks need some things to encourage them to get outdoors. Few are content to just sit and stare. And our digital native children for sure won’t be content to just sit, or just walk, or just think. Let’s start with the very basics!

Bicycles or Trikes or Wagons
Movement that is initiated beyond, but assisted by, our own bodies is often entertainment enough to provoke an outing. Start with a basic moving machine that requires our participation. Start simple, start cheap. Check your local classified ads or the Internet’s Craigslist to make sure you have something to move with.

Sandboxes and other “do” options
From the very young to the grown-ups, something to do while we’re outside makes it all the more rewarding. A simple blow-up swimming pool where children can play with boats and blocks and plastic bowls can turn a dull day into a great time. Swimming not required. A toy box tucked in behind the porch containing outdoor toys or simple games may persuade non-children that it’s worth-while to sit outdoors. Be creative here. And sitting in a nice swing to read the latest best-seller could be counted occasionally as outdoor time.

People and other strange creatures
Depending on the personality of the folks involved, finding other people to enjoy or visit with may make the outdoors more inviting. If not people, perhaps bugs or birds or butterflies may prove interesting. Got a family pet? Give him a chance to be the center of attention. Running outdoors with Fido can be fun. But decide on a focus for the outdoor time: a search, or a chase, or a competition can make the outdoor time pleasant in itself.

Botany in practice: a garden
Make it big or small, make it frivolous or basic fare, and involve everyone from the youngest to the oldest in the group. Personalize, let folks help choose, and all can be involved on an ongoing basis outdoors. Outdoors with benefits! Enjoy those flowers or that food.

Remember the purpose
Why be outdoors? This environment is arguably the greater part of our living environment, and it is provided for a purpose. De-stress, move, exercise, and expand your life. Get outdoors!

This post was provided by Get Lost in the Woods, an outdoors blog that discusses all sorts of outdoor activities. Their latest article is on using Coleman generators for your camping trip.