Molly Mason

Florida State Parks Camping

Florida’s 140-plus State Parks feature diverse arrays of topography, wildlife, activities, and outdoor adventures. There are waterfall parks, sand pine forest parks, beach parks, and wildlife parks, most of which permit–even encourage–overnight camping. The options are dizzying, and the choices can be overwhelming to those unfamiliar with the area. Many online reference tools only add to the confusion, since they only list park hours, and camping fees.

Free, Intelligent Guide to Florida’s National Parks

Enter a handy, free, government website for Florida state parks. Sponsored by Florida’s Department of Environmental Protection, www.floridastateparks.com is a very useful tool for finding the perfect park. This website is full of photographs of the different parks, and features excellent individual thumbnail descriptions. They also list those which are pet-friendly, and have a sort feature based on activities.

Once you …

Camper Air Conditioners

For those RVers who like to visit the hot spots (literally) like the deserts of Arizona or areas along the Gulf of Mexico, camper air conditioners could save your life. The newer air conditioners use less power and provide more cooling power. When you visit the sultry Gulf Coast, there is no substitute for good camper air conditioners. You should also look into fans and other energy saving options.

If you decide to purchase an RV from a private party, it is essential to ask a few pertinent questions. You should always ask the sellers why they are selling the RV and how long they have owned it. In addition, you should ask them what they really liked and disliked about the rig. Finally, ask if anyone owned the RV before them and if they …

Winter camping, hiking, and backpacking 101: Are you crazy? – Chicago Adventure Travel

Cross-country skiing and heading south are good alternatives; however, staying inside only leads to frustration and cabin fever.  There is no reason to stop hiking because of the weather.  In fact, some of the best backpacking can be done when snow magically covers the landscape.  Here are seven reasons to keep hiking.

1. Unlimited source of water – One of the biggest dilemmas in backpacking is a source of water.  Survival experts tell us we can go days without food, but not even one without water.  Snow provides an unlimited supply of water.  Melt the snow and in minutes the canteen is full.
2. Winter is more beautiful – There is something haunting about the scenery when the trees are fringed with snow.  Think of a  painting done by a competent painter of a scene in the

Florida Camping

Camping in Florida allows for entire families–pets included–to enjoy a great holiday together. Some of the most beautiful landscapes, beaches, and state, federal, national, and privately owned camping parks are located in the Sunshine State. Florida boasts nearly 150 state parks alone, many of which feature beaches, and are pet friendly.

Campgrounds: One Word, Many Meanings

The sheer variety of campgrounds in Florida can be more than a little overwhelming. State Parks feature areas for camping, as do some National Forests. There are public campgrounds, private campgrounds, rv sites, and even luxury rv resorts. The terminology alone can leave a vacation planner’s head spinning.

The term “campground” can mean anything from a plot of earth to a fully developed, resort-like park, complete with swimming pools and tennis courts. In general, public campgrounds are those run …

Boating, Camping, Fishing and Family Fun at Tygart Lake State Park in West Virginia

Tygart Lake State Park, located in Central West Virginia, is an ideal family vacation destination. The ten mile long Tygart Lake is a 1700 acre lake that is fed by the Tygart River with the dam setting near the town of Grafton. The dam is a concrete structure 230 feet high and 1900 feet wide. An overlook at the park provides a breathtaking view of the serene lake and the roaring river exiting the dam.

Tygart is known regionally for its abundance and variety of fish. The lake contains small and large mouth bass, musky, crappie, walleye and perch among others. The tail waters of the dam are stocked with trout. When the bite is good, an angler can catch his limit in less than an hour. There are multiple launch points into the lake …

Puff the Magic Camping Trip Adventure

High school.

Yes, those were the days.

Boys were men, girls were women, geeks were nerds and puff the magic dragon was all the rage. It was a time when all us youngsters were still attempting to figure out who we were. Some still are, but I digress.

It was summer, a time for fishing, swimming, biking and even a camping trip adventure. And so the story begins with a handy checklist of required necessities for the trip.

Sleeping bag? Check.

Clothes? Check.

Hair drier? Check.

Alarm clock? Check.

Electric blanket? Check.

I was ready for camping in style, the style of a nerd that is. Whatever did happen to those elevator shoes I wonder?

Arriving at our camp I immediately set to the task of unpacking just as everyone else did. The others seemed …

Fun Activities for Kids Camping

Camping with young kids, beyond smores and campfire songs: Enjoy nature with your children – Kids naturally enjoy the outdoors so why not take them camping?! Here is a resource guide for some fun activities to do with your child while camping. To make sure your child doesn’t get bored with the great outdoors be sure and pack, coloring books, crayons, markers, a few empty jars, scissors, shoe boxes and construction paper.

Going on a hike? Turn it into a treasure hunt! Uses a map provided by the campsite or simply have your children make their own map. Make a list of objects for your child to watch for and if the campsite will allow, collect. A few ideas could be a maple leaf, pine cone, blue flower, smooth rock, grasshopper, etc. Use the shoe …

Five camping places within two hours of Chicago for Memorial Day – Chicago Adventure Travel

Memorial Day has almost arrived and the weather forecast is absolutely perfect for the Chicago area. Temperatures in the mid 70s will make for ideal camping conditions. Here are five parks within two hours of Chicago for great family camping.

Illinois Beach State Park – Illinois Beach State Park is only 60 miles away with a huge lakefront area along Lake Michigan. Swimming is the main recreation area here, but the park also has great hiking, birding, boating, and biking.

Starved Rock State Park – Starved Rock is two hours away from Chicago near the I-80 and I-39 junctions along the Illinois River. Several canyons and waterfalls are easily accessible through the park trails. There is also great fishing, boating, birding, and horse riding opportunities in the park. Matthiessen State Park is only a …

Camping safety tips

Such a variety of places to camp and types of camping that only general rules for camping safety can be outlined.  For some people, camping is staying anyplace less than the Ritz-Carlton.  For others, camping only takes place in a tent.  Those who really enjoy roughing it will think that a tent is for weaklings.  They will only camp if they can build their own shelter from what is available in nature.

Obviously, each of these scenarios has its own set of potential hazards and safety needs. Given that most camping takes place outdoors in less-than-perfect places, some safety precautions need to be taken regardless of the type or location of the camp site. Use a tie out stake to keep your dog from running away and getting lost.

Always have a first-aid kit available.…

Look to Renting a Cabin for Your Next Camping Trip If You Have Small Children

If you are anything like me when it comes to camping then you absolutely love it. Being a part of the outdoors, the clean fresh air, and of course getting away from the noise of everyday life such as the TV, telephone, radios and so on makes camping that much more enjoyable.

However, if you are like me then you also have small children and as you know this could put a damper on your camping plans. I prefer to camp in the cooler spring and autumn months and with a small child that is a big no-no, or can be if you have a wife that tells you it is.

Coming to a compromise my wife and I decided to look into renting a cabin. I am not talking your full fledged and decked …