camping!

[susan*s]

I just got back from camping all weekend and it was super fun. Any crafty tips for summer camping?

Mine are:

-instant chai, mmm...

-bring earplugs along

-make grilled vegetable packets! Just chop zucchini, red peppers, onions, broccoli, & asparagus (or any others of your choice) and put about a handful on a big piece of tinfoil. Add olive oil, salt, and herbs or garlic. Fold the foil in half with the vegetables kind of flattened out, and then fold each edge in, and fold a second time to seal. Just put it on a grill or in the fire for about 8 minutes or so & then turn it over... when it's done the vegetables will be so delicious!

-bring crafts that sudden breeze or dirt won't affect too much--I think dark-colored knitting is ideal. Anything with paper, glitter, or lots of small parts might get frustrating.

-bring along a Nalgene and a larger container of fresh water, and keep refilling it, instead of lots of smaller bottles.

-keep all your absolute essentials in one place--keys, flashlight, sweater, sunscreen, etc. so you're not desparately hunting around when it's getting dark!

-***sunscreen*** and a stylish hat if you have one!

susan
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** http://www.susanstars.com/ **

[lizzymahoney]

This isn't so much camping, but if you are going someplace and expect to collect little treasures like shells or pine cones or interesting driftwood, an old bleach bottle/jug makes a good catchall. Just cut a scoop out of the upper part opposite the handle. Leave the spout for stability. If it's something that needs rinsing in the stream bed or the ocean, you can still pour it out. You can catch the handle on a belt if you need your hands free.

Some lady came into the fabric store this weekend and wanted a glittery tulle to make bags for her friends to collect shells. Might look good on a dresser, but not so hot on the beach with all the holes torn in it... normally I don't discourage people, but all I had to do was pinch and tear a bit at the selvage for her to realize it wouldn't hold up. I suggested nylon net instead.

Later in the season, dried cattail punks make effective smokers to discourage mosquitoes. Light them in your camp stove or fire and plunge the stalk into sand where you are sitting.

[jo]

crap, first post didn't go... sigh.

along with earplugs, bring a mask so you can sleep past first light

if you are car camping with coolers, make a list (perhaps laminated) and attach to top of each cooler to show what's in it, so you're not opening each one to find something

bring a folding chair

don't bring too much food, especially if you're not far away from a shop

bring as little as you can get away with, to still be comfy. Spend more time camping, and less time packing and unpacking!
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cheers,
--jo

[mishapville]

ohh I am going camping in 3 weeks for the first time in years! It's the first time I'm going camping with my own stuff, since I used to live within borrowing distance of my camp-fanatic parents. I am absolutely going to try the roast vegetable packet thing.

My advice is...umm...bring a tent!! and toilet paper! And dental floss - I always forget floss and regret it.

Roast potatoes: cut out a wedge of potato, stuff cavity with onions and peppers, replace wedge (like they used to do with subway subs) place under logs of campfire, remove and eat when fire turns to embers.

Also, for camping only, jiffy pancake mix-in-a-jug is the best ever - just add water, and instant pancakes! you need a grill though. I don't have a grill so I'm going to bring a lot of powdered donuts.

I taught my sweetie how to knit but I don't know if he's ready to make his new skill public - maybe he will knit with me aroudn the campfire! If not, we are SO telling ghost stories.