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How to Stay Fresh While Camping
The words “fresh” and “camping” usually don’t go together, least of all in our imaginations. But if you plan ahead and have a good source of water, you should have no problem staying fresh and clean even on an extended camping trip. To do so, you’ll need a little foresight, preparation, and of course you’ll need to be armed with knowledge. That’s why this article will explain how to stay washed up even while camping.
Find a fresh water source.
Whether you’re near a large lake or a clean stream of water, setting up camp near a fresh water source will be crucial to staying fresh and clean. If you have bathrooms and showers nearby on your campsite, then it’s needless to say that you’ll have no problem staying clean. But when you’re opting for the more rustic experience, you’ll need to use the lay of the land itself. Be sure to set up camp not far – but not too close to – a fresh water source.
With your fresh water source, you should be able to wash yourself and your hair. It’s often a good idea to bring a two-in-one soap and shampoo bottle that is easy to carry – this means simply bringing one bottle with you to the “shower.” There’s nothing quite like changing into some dry clothes after a good wash when you’re out camping to make you feel at home.Maintain consistent bathroom habits.
If you’ve built a successful campsite, you should have a nearby bathroom that’s out of site and out of…smell. Try to keep your bathroom habits localized to this one bathroom area, and be sure to bury your waste. This means you’ll want to find an area where the soil is relatively soft for a quick burial.
Definitely bring toilet paper. There’s nothing that can upset an otherwise fresh and clean-feeling day like the absence of toilet paper. It’s light and you’ll probably only need to bring one roll, depending on how many people it’s for. Even if you want to have a very rustic experience, having toilet paper will make everything else seem much more pleasant.
Keep up with your usual routine.
It’s very comforting when you can stick to your usual hygiene routine out in the woods, including your shower, shave, and teeth-brushing. The closer you can stick with your usual routine, the better you should feel. Try to prepare in advance so that you can do this, such as by bringing a travel pack of shaving and toothbrushing equipment.
Photo Credits: UNC – CFC – USFK
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Three Ways to Sleep Like a Baby While Camping
When most city slickers think about camping, one of their biggest fears is waking up with a back ache thanks to the rocky, hard ground most associated with the outdoors. There’s really no reason to have a bad night’s sleep while camping, even if you want your experience to be “rustic.” If you plan ahead and use a little foresight, you’ll be able to make your bed and sleep in it, too, without simply taking your queen-sized from home and strapping it to the roof of your car. Here are three ways to enjoy a good night’s sleep while you camp.
1. Bring a camping cot. Unlike the type of cot you’d typically associate with a hotel room, a camping cot is a very simple piece of equipment that’s relatively lightweight and easy to put together. You can carry your camping cot on your back and simply unfold it after you’ve put the tent together. Make sure you unfold it inside the tent.How does a camping cot work? Essentially, it keeps you comfortable by holding you off of the ground, often by a few feet, and having some give to it so that your body doesn’t feel like it’s sleeping on rocks. Bring a pillow and a sleeping bag and you’ll have a warm, dry, comfortable night. (Note: You can also add a pad to the camping cot to make it even softer.)
2. Bring an inflatable air mattress. When most people hear the word “inflatable,” they think of huffing and puffing away at some giant rubber duck water toy. But just because something is inflatable doesn’t mean it has to be a nuisance. Instead, bring a battery-powered inflater that blows air into your air mattress – you’ll be surprised at how quickly it puffs up. The inflatable air mattress is wider and more comfortable than the camping cot, but it is also bulkier and more difficult to pack. If having your beauty sleep is that important to you, bring the air mattress.3. Bring a camping pad. A camping sleeping pad is exactly what it sounds like – a pad that puts a layer of comfort in between you and the ground. This won’t be a perfect solution for everyone, as it can cost a lot of money and won’t necessarily smoothen out every kink in the ground, but it can enhance your experience.
Sleep doesn’t have to be a luxury when you head camping – if you plan for it. Make sure you plan ahead, choose the option that’s right for you, and you’ll be sleeping in a dry tent in your warm camping bed.
Photo Credits: Rob Lee
