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Camping Can Do: Make Coffee Anywhere

FitSugar — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 12:00:47 -0700

A few weeks ago Starbucks sent us a sample of VIA, its new instant coffee. Being a bit of a coffee snob I was kind of grossed out but decided to try it on my upcoming climbing trip anyway.

The best thing VIA has going for it is its size - it's small. Normally when I pack for camping I bring the works: coffee beans, portable grinder, and a french press. I was so happy to have more space in my pack and I definitely noticed a lighter load on my back. Score one for VIA! Was it as good as the Blue Bottle coffee I normally bring with me? Uh, no. Not even close, but I didn't expect it to be.

I think the point of VIA is convenience - you can have a OK cup of coffee anywhere and it'll be easy. It's definitely the best instant coffee I've ever tried and it even tasted better than some drip coffee I've had. Although the Colombian blend I tried was a bit bitter at the end, it had a nice, mellow flavor too. For a touch of sweetness, I added another camping shortcut to the mix -shelf stable Horizon organic vanilla milk. My companion, who is no coffee snob, said it was the best cup of coffee he's ever had while camping.

Though I won't be using VIA at home, I think it's a good choice for backpacking, camping, or for traveling anywhere you need coffee quickly. From now on, I'll be bringing it with me on all of my climbing trips.

Glamping: Pretend Camping For Rich People

BellaSugar — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 12:00:14 -0700

For their Milan Fashion Week show, twins Dean and Dan Caten took "glamping," or glam camping, as the theme at their Dsquared show. While the looks were very pretty, real glamorous camping obviously involves having a $200,000 RV and several makeup and hair professionals along on your trip, making it about as real as unicorn tears for anyone who's ever actually been camping. The glamping look, which consists of glossy pink lips, casually braided hair that only looks messy, and glowing skin, has very little do do with the chapped lips, dirty hair, and oily skin that usually come along with the camping experience. So instead of giving you a glamping how-to, I've put together some products that actually help make camping a little easier, from dry shampoo to Skin So Soft with bug repellent to wet wipes for getting clean. Click through and, though you might not be glamping, your next outward-bound excursion should be a whole lot prettier - and easier.

Home Away From Home: A Wigwam Holiday

CasaSugar — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 12:00:38 -0700

Want a cheap vacation? Well, if you're a Brit, you can take your family on a wigwam holiday. Apparently, in-country vacations are increasingly popular on that side of the pond, due to the economic recession. Wigwam vacations, such as the Strathfillan Wigwams in Tyndrum, Scotland, shown here, are a great low-key, low-expense destination for frugal vacationers.

On this side of the Atlantic I know that many of my friends and family are economizing their holidays by vacationing in-state or staying with family or friends. And yes, many of them are camping, though I can't say that any of the campsite photos I've perused from their vacations are anywhere as adorable as the Strathfillian Wigwams.

To find out more about this holiday destination, and to tell me about your low-cost vacation plans, read more.

The wigwams are constructed from Sitka spruce or Norway spruce logs, which are homegrown in Scottish forests. Small logs or poles are bent into a curved shape to form its unique (and may I add adorable) whalebone" frame.

You can choose a wigwam holiday from one of 30 seaside, farmland, and woodland sites in beautiful settings across Scotland, northern England, and the Welsh Border Counties. All of the 30 wigwam holiday sites are rural, with many based at farms or camping parks. You won't be roughing it too much, since most sites include a central shower and bathroom facility as well as a cookhouse. The wigwams are fully insulated, and available for use year-round, and feature wooden floors and painted walls.

Are you tempted to embark on a wigwam holiday? Or have you been on one (or something similar) in the past? Tell me all about your experience!

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Can You Burn Off Those S'mores?

FitSugar — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 04:30:00 -0700

One thing I love about camping and backpacking is that you stay very active, from pitching tents to building fires to hiking. So I don't have to feel guilty about enjoying a few s'mores.

Of course, lounging around the campfire isn't going to burn off those calories, but a few good old-fashioned camping activities will. Take my quiz to find out how much you have to work to feel better about those choco-marshmallow treats. (All calorie calculations are based on a 130-pound woman.)

Take the quiz

Inspired: Let's Go Camping (With Style)

CasaSugar — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 08:00:21 -0700

I love looking at vintage images of camping from days-gone-by. It wasn't all about internal frame backpacks and super-efficient filtering pumps in those days. Instead, it looked like more of a glamorous party, staged in the woods! I'm completely down with that scenario.

Luckily, not everyone has gone gearhead when it comes to tenting it. Take, for example, Cath Kidston's amazing Box Floral Teepee (about $200).

There are plenty more inspiring, stylish finds that will give your home or cabin a Summer camping vibe. To see them, read more.

Source

Non Voyage: Pitch a Tent For a Backyard Adventure

LilSugar — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 04:45:09 -0700

If your kids are climbing walls begging for an outdoor adventure, but time and a budget are keeping you close to home this Summer - invest in a tent or tot-sized teepee that can be used for many nights out under the stars in the backyard. Kick the adventures off with a scavenger hunt through the yard or a "hike" around the neighborhood. Barbecue up some dinner goodies - chili and franks - and nosh on smores before hitting the hay. Then, wake your wee ones with a grilled breakfast when the sun comes up. Since these practical accommodations cost next to nothing, allow your children to invite their friends over to join in on the fun. Consider purchasing a star map for the kiddos to chart constellations and have a storytelling competition.

How I Cut $600 From My Weekend Getaway

SavvySugar — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 12:00:56 -0700

My husband and I recently decided we wanted to get away for a long weekend. Our plan: head up the coast to a fabulous B&B, and spend several days wine tasting, lying on the beach, and eating delicious food. The only problem was that the B&B in question is a bit pricey - $300 a night. We were willing to splurge a bit on this trip, but wanted to stay four nights, and spending over a grand on lodging alone isn't affordable at this point. To see how we managed to cut our potential costs in half, read more.

In order to get away without breaking the bank, we decided to spend half of our trip camping. There are some beautiful campgrounds along the coast, and early Summer is the perfect time to take advantage of the great outdoors. We spared ourselves over $600 on accommodations alone by spending a couple nights in a campground, and saved on pricey dinners as well. Hiking around in the redwoods was fun and relaxing, and we appreciated the luxury of our B&B even more after roughing it for a few days. Would you consider splitting a vacation up this way to save money?

Fit Gift Guide: The Camper

FitSugar — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 13:00:00 -0800

My Dad taught me the joys of camping. This holiday season, I decided to celebrate the outdoorsy side of him with presents to help him out when he is roughing it in the woods. I think these gifts would be great for any camper in your life, from the seasoned camper to the newbie.

Coleman 2-Burner Stove: If you need to boil some pasta or beans while camping, this two-burner stove will cook your food fast so you can spend more time exploring.
Coleman Camping Coffeemaker: There's no reason you should go without your morning cup of coffee just because you're in the woods. This coffeemaker can make up to 10 cups of coffee, and can also be used to make hot chocolate, tea, or instant soup. The only snag is you need to use it with the camp stove.
Petzl Tikka LED Headlamp: A headlamp is a must so you can see at night and have both hands free. It weighs less than three ounces, requires only three AAA batteries (that are included), and lasts for 120 hours. The lamp body can be tilted to direct the light where you need it.

Source

Military Families Go Camping to See What Army Life is Like

LibertySugar — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 11:00:00 -0700

The British Army has sponsored a "take your spouse to work day," in hopes of keeping morale up among Army families. Nineteen women and 34 children joined up for a camping trip filled with activities mirroring the life of members serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. The exercise was intended to teach Army WHAGS (Wives Husbands and Girlfriends) what their loved ones go through in the field.

In today's BBC, one Army wife participant shared what she learned.

On the drills: RSM Williams calls Sergeant Keith Heslop to take us through basic drill. The usual comedy routines ensue, but it's a surprisingly stark lesson in how disciplined and tiring drill is.
On army food: To eat we have a 24-hour ration pack, including silver pouches with labels such as "nonmeat mini burger and beans" and two Yorkie bars emblazoned with "not for civvies." There is also a "brew pack" of tea, coffee, and hot chocolate. We quickly become obsessed with food - when you don't have a lot, it means a lot.

To see what she has to say about the harsh conditions, and her comrades, read more.

On the harsh conditions: It's not just the lack of sleep, or days without washing, that are hard. Having basics such as light and heat taken away is disabling and disorientating. I now understand there is a real difference between what I think you need to survive and what you really need to survive.
On getting along with her fellow recruits: I also realize there are difficult choices to be made between sharing kit to keep my comrades onside, and having enough to keep myself fed and comfortable. Not to mention how liberating it is to be dirty. But this exercise also reminds me that our Army is tough, organized, disciplined, and chivalrous. I suppose I always knew this, but it's only now that I really understand why it is like this.

Source

Come Party With Me: Campfire Fiesta - The Look

partysugar — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 09:15:32 -0700

My campfire fiesta won't exactly have decor. After all, hanging streamers and piñatas from the trees is a guaranteed way to get heckled by adjacent campers. But I will be needing provisions and gear - everything from aluminum foil for cooking the marshmallow cream puffs to a cute tablecloth to cover the picnic table.

I've chosen floral oilcloth that's both easy to clean and in keeping with the Mexican-themed meal. I'll also bring some reusable plates and utensils, a portable kitchen sink for washing dishes, and cute citronella candles to keep the bugs away. If you camp with portable iPod speakers, you might want to bring along some glow sticks too, in case a dance party breaks out around the fire ring. Check out my cute and functional finds below.

Imju Fiberwig Fiberwig - $24.00	benetint lip balm SPF 15 - $20.00
Sun Protecting SPF 8 Lip Balm by Burt's Bees - $5.00	Wet Ones Flushables - $3.49
Wet Ones Moist Wipes - $3.29	Blow Faux Dry Dry Shampoo - $20.00
Klorane Gentle Dry Shampoo with Oat Milk - $7.50	SKIN SO SOFT Bug Guard Plus IR3535® EXPEDITION™ SPF 30 Aerosol Spray - $14.00
Boscia Blotting Linens, Vanilla - $10.00	Shiseido Pureness Oil-Control Blotting Paper - $17.00

Amenity Trail Table Runner - Cream & Cocoa - $99.00	My Camp Cahoot Stationery Set & Journal - $8.95
Normann Copenhagen Camping Chair - $3,500.00	Campsite on Canvas - $52.00
Pine Tree Tea Towel - $19.00	Normann Copenhagen Camping Stool - $2,600.00
Pendleton® Merino Wool Throw - $159.00	"Dock" - $89.00
Brunklaus Amsterdam Shady Tree Pendant 110 - $1,481.60	Campfire Pot - $48.00
Campfire Espresso Cup - $12.00	Tommy's Fish Sheet Set - $145.00
Fatwood Kindling - $16.00	Lantern Fire Pit - $399.00
Bunkhouse Bed Linens - $100.00	Vitra vegetal chair - $555.00