Travel Plan

Archive for June, 2009

Camping Fun – Ultimate Choice For Family Vacations

It is the holiday season and want you to take your family away somewhere. Have you decided on where you would like to go or how to spend it. If you haven’t made a decision yet maybe you should sit back and think about going camping. This is a fun way for all your family to enjoy a holiday.

Camping does sound like fun and is a favourite pastime for lot of families in America. You may wonder why that is and exactly what makes camping that exciting. There are lots of different reasons why that is and why it makes for a good family trip or holiday. Look at the following reasons and make up your mind if camping is all that it is hyped up to be.

Camping appeals to all ages which it makes it perfect when you are looking for what to do for a family holiday. Parents with newborn babies often feel that their child is too young to go on a family holiday yet do think it is a good idea if they are going camping. Camping is possible when you have young children and babies to think about although you do need to keep an eye on them at all times to keep them safe.

Camping makes a great family holiday as you can choose the number of days for your holidays and change it if you need to. So you could go for a day out a weekend for a whole week or longer. Planning a camping holiday is easy as you can do it around your family and your plans. Apart from having a nice camping adventure you can choose how you want to camp from many choices. Traditionally camping is done in camping tents which come in all different sizes or you may own a motor home or decide to rent one. Look at the needs of yourself and your family and what would be the best way to camp. You may decide to try one or the other so that the next time you could do something different.

Camping offers many activities that can be enjoyed by all the family which is one of the reasons why many like camping for a holiday. Camping is fun on its own as it is adventurous though there are many activities around that one can participate in if it sparks your interest. Many of the campground parks in the United States have swimming pools within the grounds as well as lakes playgrounds and many hiking trails to choose from. This will include activities like boating fishing swimming hiking to name but a few that all the family can enjoy besides the camping.

Many families choose to go camping because of the costs which are reasonable for a family holiday. Usually you only have to pay an admission fee or a camping fee for the campground park which it makes it very affordable for taking the whole family. Camping equipment and supplies can be bought at discount prices in store sales or carboot sales or even from online websites which can be used year after year so saving you even more money.

So what better way to enjoy an affordable family holiday than to go camping. It is an activity that is fun and can be enjoyed by anyone. You have the freedom to choose what activities you want to participate in and you take things at your own pace. You should remember the importance of looking after your children when camping as it can also be dangerous if you take your eye off them for one moment. Enjoy the fun and excitement of this activity!

About the writer:  Abhishek is an avid Camping enthusiast and he has got some great Camping Secrets up his sleeves! Download his FREE 84 Pages Ebook “How To Have An Unforgettable Camping Vacation!” from his website http://www.CampingGuru.com/768/index.htm . Only limited Free Copies available.

Camping And Hiking – 4 Good Reasons To Combine The Two

When a person talks about taking a trip whether it be alone with friends or a romantic partner they will need a place to have a holiday and activities to pass the time with. What will they do then?

However for some people they may not have decided where to go or what to do for their next trip. One thing to do for your next trip is try a bit of camping and hiking.

When you talk about going camping more than likely you will also go hiking. The two are pretty much synonymous. Separately both have wonderful activities but together they are the perfect amalgamation.

You may be speculating as to why camping and hiking seem to go together. There are numerous reasons why these two go hand in hand. They are both a wonderful way to spend a vacation. Everyone should give camping and hiking a try for the following four reasons.

1. Hiking Trails in Campgrounds

As you already know these two activities just seem to work. The major reason behind this is because hiking trails are typically found in campground and state park where people camp out at.

The reverse is also true when it comes to them working out together.

There are hiking trails in establishments often referred to as hiking parks. These hiking parks often have their own campground site.

Experts in both hiking and camping will pair the two without thinking them both a part. This is a sign that both activities just go together like peanut butter and jelly which you can bring on the camping trip.

2. Designed For All Ages

Camping and hiking are perfect for each other because both are designed for children and adults. This is important because families are always looking for ways to spend time together without the television set and other disturbances that take away from family time.

In the United States hiking trails come in a variety of difficulty levels. It is possible to find trails just for beginners. These trails are idyllic for the younger children and the elderly.

3. Hiking and Camping Costs

Another reason hiking and camping go together is the costs behind the both of them. Should you want to go camping paying for it as well as the hiking fee… if there is one… can be a way to save money by combining the two activities. Should you make a corollary or rather a reservation at a public setting like a campground park it is likely you will see a hiking trail… which you can do for free.

The reverse may also be true. Should you visit a hiking park and it takes you a while to hike it is possible you can stay overnight at the park free of charge.

All these activities depend on where you go and what the campground is like can be free. Do some research before embarking on you trip.

4. Hiking and Camping Arrangements

Understand that hiking does not typically need reservations but to cover your bases make them in case you decide to stay overnight especially at a hiking park or public campground. The earlier you make your appointment the better because it gives you some choices as to where you can stay. The campground will typically let early birds choose their own spots.

So with everything you know about the two and why they go together why are you not packing some food and some clothes and get started on your expedition? Talk with those who will be joining you see how many will jump at the chance to do both.

About the writer:  Abhishek is an avid Camping enthusiast and he has got some great Camping Secrets up his sleeves! Download his FREE 84 Pages Ebook “How To Have An Unforgettable Camping Vacation!” from his website http://www.CampingGuru.com/768/index.htm . Only limited Free Copies available.

Black Bears – What Backpackers Need To Know

It may be true that black bears aren’t as dangerous to backpackers as grizzlies but there are many cases of black bear attacks some of them fatal. So even if you are in black bear country there are a few things you need to know. The first and perhaps most important thing is to know how to avoid an attack.

How To Avoid A Black Bear Attack

Be noisy. Generally a black bear will get out of your way if it knows you’re coming down the trail. Surprise it however and it may attack. If you are hiking with a friend a conversation is enough noise to advertise your presence to the local animals. If you are alone you may want to wear some “bear bells” or sing a song.

Be less flashy. You’re easily spotted from a long distance when you are in bright colorful clothing. In Alaska it has noted that bears see the bright colors and come closer to investigate while they often won’t see hikers in darker colors. It isn’t clear that this is the case with black bears but it is something to consider when buying that rain jacket especially if you’ll be backpacking in open terrain.

Don’t cook where you sleep. Instead stop along the trail to cook dinner and then continue hiking for a while before stopping for the night. If you have already set up camp hike a short distance away to cook dinner. The idea is to keep the odors away from where you are sleeping.

Hang food out of reach. This generally means ten feet high and four feet out from the trunk of a tree difficult in some areas that don’t have many large trees. Rather than using twine it is often easier to lift the food bag up with a stick I use my walking stick and hang it from a knob on a good branch. While some backpackers keep food with them in zipped plastic bags inside other plastic bags unless every last odor is contained bears are likely to come visiting.

Two Kinds Of Black Bear Attacks

Bears when surprised especially if they have cubs nearby attack to try to scare you away. These are called “bluff attacks” and may end without contact or the animal may hit you a few times. With this type of attack the bear will growl a lot and seem very angry. Try talking calmly as you slowly back away or if the attack continues interlace your fingers behind your neck to protect it and curl up on the ground. The bear might just bat you around for a few seconds and then leave.

Unfortunately this isn’t the only type of attack. There are also those where you are being stalked and hunted. It isn’t common but black bears will sometimes hunt humans for food. When this is the intent you don’t want to “play dead” or you will be soon. Fight for your life!

With this type of attack the bear will likely be quiet have his nose down ears folded back and be watching you closely as he moves towards you. He is trying to determine if you are easy prey so don’t be. Yell swing your trekking poles and do anything else you can do to convince the bear that you’re too much trouble for a meal.

Putting something between you and the bear can help. A man who was being hunted by a black bear in Michigan continued to push his video camera at the bear as the attack continued for almost halfanhour. The camera and his yelling kept the bear a few feet away until his friends arrived and it made for an excellent video as well. Running generally doesn’t work but if you have no other choice remember that black bears are slower when going downhill.

Use whatever you can for a weapon but be careful about bending over to pick things up. Bending over may trigger a charge. When there are two or more backpackers try a sustained defense using rocks sticks and yelling. This can change the black bears mind. Other things that can help include bear spray a freon horn and whistles.

About the writer:  Copyright Steve Gillman. Visit the Wilderness Survival section of his web site and get the ebook “Ultralight Backpacking Secrets” for free at: http://www.TheUltralightSite.com