October 12, 2010
  Okay, Mother Nature. We admit defeat. Torrential rains and gale force winds have put a damper on our much anticipated two-week camping trip. Oh well, we’ll just have to improvise! This is the first time we’ve given in to the weather but – all is not lost. Sometimes you’ve just gotta go for it! After a great deal of discussion, my husband and I decided to set up camp in our dining room. We moved the dining room furniture into the living room (in front of the TV so we wouldn’t be tempted to watch anything during our “holiday”) and pitched the tent. We had to use one of our smaller tents because of the tight fit but it was perfect nonetheless. While listening to a “waves-crashing-on-the-shore-and-birds-twittering” CD on the portable radio, we set our camp chairs up in front of the fireplace and started our “camp fire” with store-bought wood. I know, I know, it’s against true camping rules to buy wood but this was an emergency situation! We did our breakfast toast over the fire but decided to cook our meals on the barbecue out back. (We live in a townhouse and I think that the strata council frowns on cooking meat in the fireplace.)    My husband and I both found this whole experience a little challenging at first. Unplugging the TV and the computers, ignoring the phone and not picking up the mail felt weird. After a couple of days, though, it felt just fine. And I have to admit, a big plus to camping in-house is that, if you have to get up in the night, the bathroom is just down the hall! Actually, we really enjoyed being unplugged for a few days. It was good to catch up with our reading and reconnect with each other. For us, it was almost as good as if we were really outdoors camping. For our dog, because we don’t have a lake for her to swim in or chipmunks for her to case in our house – not so much! Anyway, when all was said and done, I figure that this in-house camping was the next best thing to the real deal. However, I have to confess that we have now put a camper on the top of our wish list! One day… 
Posted by Vicki. Posted In : Miscellaneous
August 8, 2010
 We decided at the last minute to go camping, despite
the warnings from the authorities about fire hazards. What made our trip a
little safer was that we had just retired our old large bulky pair of 1960’s
Bushnell binoculars in favour of a new pair, the “Nikon Action 7x35”. The
reason for the purchase was for us to be able to monitor the hills, ridges and
valleys for smoke activity. This mainly for our own camping safety and not
having to turn around in a hurry or having a rude smok... Continue reading...
Posted by Vicki. Posted In : REI
May 17, 2010
 I’m thinking that this is
another case of “necessity is the mother of invention”. Whoever thought of this
obviously had a small child and spent family time at the beach, in the park or
camping! The LittleLife Arc 3 Travel Cot is a perfect solution for traveling
and spending time outdoors with your young child. It’s very sturdy and is a
breeze to set up. Because of all the mesh panels it doesn’t get hot and stuffy
and the soft foam mattress, with it’s remov... Continue reading...
Posted by Vicki. Posted In : PlayOutdoors
May 6, 2010
 Imagine this – 5 friends, a Durango and 9500
miles! A 37-day road trip! These five college kids are challenging themselves
with this adventure in order to encourage people to “Live Out Loud”. Find out
more about their journey at www.thedurangodrifters.yolasite.com.
Reading about
this project made me wonder what kind of tent I would get if it were up to me.
I do believe I discovered the ideal one. It’s the absolutely incredible 1 Axis & 3 Zulu 13 person combo fam... Continue reading...
Posted by Vicki. Posted In : Camping Equipment Co
March 8, 2010
 Hey, what’s going on here? I thought this was a site
showing and recommending quality recreational and camping equipment!
Yes - but a lot of today’s campers and
recreationalists have become avid bloggers and photographers, so stuff sacks
have become very hi-tech! There is so much you can do with your laptop computer
during those seemingly endless rainy days huddled under the tarp or those hot
summer afternoons lazing by ... Continue reading...
Posted by Vicki. Posted In : Altrec Outlet
January 26, 2010
 I remember, back in November, talking about all the “soft deep fluffy snow blanketing our mountain trails”. Well, here it is, the 26th of January, and the local mountains are almost bare. I just got back from walking the dog and realized that the grass is very green, there are fat buds on the bushes and tulips are shooting up all over the place… AND… there is next to no snow on the mountains! This isn’t actually very good since we’re hosting the Win... Continue reading...
Posted by Vicki. Posted In : REI
January 12, 2010
 Before we know it, spring will be here again. I am already feeling the urge to go camping welling up in me. It’s time to start bringing out my old hiking camping gear. But...yikes…my tent has a rip in it! It also stinks after a winter in a damp storage locker. I guess it’s time to look for a new tent! This time, however I’ve made a wish list. It has to be easy to erect and be a tall tent with tons of space. Tall and spacious enough to comfortably stand and walk around in. Happil... Continue reading...
Posted by Vicki. Posted In : Altrec Outlet
December 16, 2009
 In light of all the disasters that occur in the back country every year, one has to wonder why people don’t take precautions by adding a beacon to their outdoor equipment gear. Don’t let your outdoors fun end in tragedy! This simple device, for instance, is a great help in locating those unfortunate trekkers who have been buried by large avalanches or who are incapacitated in other ways, like finding themselves in personal danger in whiteouts or other horrendous weather condition... Continue reading...
Posted by Vicki. Posted In : MP Gear
November 16, 2009
 Maybe now when we are already having soft deep fluffy snow blanketing our mountain trails, we should look into buying a new set of snowshoes. Let me tell you about the MSR Denali Evo Ascent, a fantastic lightweight yet rugged snowshoe that offers extraordinary performance on icy and steep surfaces! They have strong Unideck injection-molded decks, which are tapered for a more natural walking position. They can accommodate a large boot, which makes this shoe perfect for bringing in your pack...
Continue reading...
Posted by Vicki. Posted In : REI
November 8, 2009
 With summer leaving us in such haste, all we can do now is plan ahead for a long season of snow and winter fun. Have you ever thought of upgrading your skills from cross-country skiing to the little more challenging sport of mountaineering skiing? It’s so much easier now than it used to be. The typical mountaineering ski was, up until quite recently, a big fat ski that weighed substantially more than your regular cross country ski. Not only that, you used to have to carry special skins tha... Continue reading...
Posted by Vicki. Posted In : REI
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