Tent Maintenance For The Lazy
December 26th, 2009
Author: amh615Let’s look at what’s involved in taking care of your really nice tent. After spending some cash for a really nice tent, spend just a tad more and get a footprint for it. That’s sorta like a second floor or a floor to protect the floor. The idea is that the footprint will sacrifice itself so that you don’t damage your really nice tent. A footprint is not an expensive item to replace. A really nice tent is expensive to replace.
The first thing to do with your camping tent is to set it up an examine all the pieces. Make sure you have all the tent stakes and plenty of line. You will want extra of both these items. Do not store your tent in a hot attic. Long term heat will break down the best of tents. So will moisture, dirt, debris, and UV. Creepy crawlers and critters can ruin your tent while in storage, so take precautions. Stored properly, your tent should be in excellent condition for your next excursion. Just to be sure, set it up and check it out a couple of days before the next use.
Always set your tent up on flat, smooth ground, free of rocks, roots, or any thing that could possibly damage the floor. You’ll be a lot more comfortable too. Look up as well as down. Falling limbs can ruin your whole day. Sap is not as disastrous, but it is hard to remove and can wreak havoc with the fabric if ignored.
While set up in your flat smooth ideal camping spot, free of all hazards, be sure to keep debris out of the tent. Leave boots or shoes outside. Be sure to check footwear for visitors when putting them back on. A whisk broom and small dust pan come in handy at this stage. Keep seam seal and a waterproofing spray handy in case you notice any seepage or leakage.
It is not always practical or even possible to break camp with a dry tent, but just as soon as possible upon your return home you should address the problem of drying your tent. If you store it wet, dealers such as camp-in-tents.com will be glad to see you when you next open it up.
This may seem like an awful lot of fuss to keep up a tent, but it is easier done than written about. If you are just lazy like I am, consider inviting a friend along who has a serious obsessive compulsive disorder. You’ll have an immaculate tent and probably get a car wash too.
I am James Mizzell, owner of http://www.Ghilliesandstuff.com and http://www.camp-in-tents.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=James_Mizzell
Looking for tent? Try one of these:
Category: Camping Gear, Outdoor Camping, Outdoor Camping Gear | 
Tags: Camping Gear, Outdoor Camping Gear, tent camping | 
2 Comments » Unofficial Campground Review: Elkmont In The Great Smoky Mtns National Park, TN
June 15th, 2009 Author: amh615My new hobby has become exploring campgrounds! Even when not staying there, (though I wish I had time to stay at them all!) if I drive by a campground and have a couple minutes to spare, I’m driving through and grabbing some information and a photo or two for this blog.
So, when on our way back to Gatlinburg from Cades Cove – after riding my bike for 11 long miles around the Cades Cove Loop – we pulled into the Elkmont Campground to get the scoop on staying here.
One of the camping sites at the Elkmont campground.
My first impression was that it was beautiful! If you want to stay right in the Smoky Mountains themselves and be away from the hustle and bussel of Gatlinburg, this campground would be a lovely choice. Many of the sites are riverside (The Little River) and the sound of the rushing water would be enough to lull even the lightest sleeper to sleep.
The sites are fairly spacious, (you won’t feel like your neighbors are on top of you) the ones we looked at were very flat, and they can accommodate trailers up to 32 feet, or motor homes up to 35 feet in length.
The only thing that might be a deterrent for some folks would be the fact that there are no hookups, showers, or dump stations. There is potable water available at the campground and they can point you to shower facilities and dump stations just a few miles away. Generators are allowed on some sites, just be sure when you select your site that it is one that allows them.
Elkmont has a very special event that takes place annually for two weeks every June. It’s the Synchronous Fireflies of Elkmont. According to nps.gov, it is here that you can see “the only species in America whose individuals can synchronize their flashing light patterns.” They do it as part of their mating ritual though it’s unknown why the fireflies flash synchronously. The spectacle draws more than 8,000 visitors to the area annually, so if you are wanting to camp here during the month of June to see the fireflies, you’ll need to book your site months in advance.
Trying to catch dinner in the Little River at Elkmont
Because the Little River runs right through the campground, there is great fishing to be had; or if you enjoy exploring the Smoky Mountains, some of the most popular hiking trails are within a few minutes drive.
A campground store is on premises which carries only the very basics, (Firewood is available.) but Gatlinburg is less than a ten minute drive away and you can get just about anything needed there, including a nice dinner in a restaurant… if you so desire! 
Even without the electric (although I might miss my air conditioner on the hottest nights) and shower facilities (a reason to explore the surrounding areas) Elkmont seemed to be a campground I would love to stay at. If you’ve stayed here in the past, I’d love to hear your experiences.
Camping sites at Elkmont can be reserved at Recreation.gov.
Campground Review: Hillman Ferry At Land Between The Lakes, Kentucky
May 27th, 2009 Author: amh615Our most recent outdoor camping trip took us to the Hillman Ferry campground down in the Land Between The Lakes region of Kentucky. Hillman Ferry is a huge campground, with 380 sites! But even though they have so many, they are still good sized sites – you won’t feel like your neighbors are on top of you! And, I really didn’t see many bad sites in the entire campground. Most all of them are shaded and flat – what I look for in a great site!
C21 - Our campsite - see the water rising?
We chose lot C21. The water in the lake had been rising steadily all week and the campsite next to us ended up under water, but the campground monitors it closely and had closed the site before we even arrived. Fortunately our site was on a little higher ground, but even so, after we left they were going to close the site until the waters receded.
There is plenty to do at Hillman Ferry. In addition to the great fishing, (they have a fish cleaning station on the premises – and hubby caught enough fish for two or three dinners!) they have a sand beach, a basketball court, (which occupied many hours of DS’s time) a volleyball court, and an archery range.
Camping Recipe: Italian Grilled Portobello With Cheese (also a great hors d’oeuvre)
May 24th, 2009 Author: amh615Last fall I was running through Kroger grabbing a few last-minute items for our outdoor camping trip when I spotted these pre-made, delicious-looking portobello mushrooms that only required heating. What’s really funny about the fact that I thought they looked yummy is that I’ve never been a fan of mushrooms. Portobellos are about the only ’shroom I will eat because they have a firmer and not-so-slimy texture.
Even if you don’t think you’d like these, I urge you to try them. I’ve not had anyone try them and tell me they wouldn’t eat them. Hubby thinks they taste like steak, and though I wouldn’t go that far, they are the only decent best tasting mushroom I’ve ever had.
After I bought the pre-made ones, I figured out the ingredients they used and started making them on my own. Depending on the time of year, and the price of portabellos, you can save a few dollars doing it this way.
You’ll need either a cool grill (Let the coals turn to ash, then move most of them to the side and cook over just a few.) or a toaster oven. (If you are the type of camper that likes a little more civility than roughing it.)
INGREDIENTS
Portobello Mushroom Caps (The ones I bought this past week were called Baby Bellas, but were still a good size.)
Spinach Leaves
Grated Italian Cheeses (You can buy a cheese blend with Mozzarella, Provolone, Parmesan, Asiago, Fontina and Romano that works great for these.)
Italian Seasoning
Cooking Spray (Like Pam)
DIRECTIONS
Lightly spray the tops of the portobello caps with the cooking spray then turn them over and into the cap place 2 – 4 spinach leaves. Place a heaping amount of the cheese mixture on the leaves and then sprinkle liberally with the Italian seasoning.
Place on cool grill or bake in toaster oven until the cheeses are thoroughly melted and bubbly, about 20 minutes.
