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How to Get Up Early and Go Fishing Comfortably
Some people love the early mornings – the way the dew on the grass looks and smalls, the early-morning sky tumbling by in its reflection on the serene fresh-lake water, and the great moments where the only sound around is the splashing of a freshly-caught fish. It sounds great, but for some people, making an early morning happen just isn’t in the cards.
If you can’t stand waking up to an alarm at five or six o’clock in the morning, you’re not alone. Some people just don’t seem to be “morning people.” But that doesn’t mean you’ll have to go without a comfortable, unforgettably early-morning fishing experience. Here’s how to pull it off without pulling out your hair.
First, don’t only set your alarm clock, set your “mental alarm.” As you lay down to go to sleep, remind yourself a few times that you want to wake up at a specific time, and literally tell yourself you’d like to wake up comfortably and ready to go. You might be surprised at the effect a simple mental reminder can have on you, especially if you combine it with a good seven or eight hours of sleep and the precaution of an alarm clock next to your bed.
Second, make sure you eat right the previous night. You don’t need to feel tired and bloated from the chili cheese dog you had the night before, so eat a light dinner and have some fruit – not ice cream – for desert. You’ll be amazed at the impact this will have on the way you feel in the morning. It’s also a good idea not to eat right before you go to bed.Upon waking in the morning, you still might find that you don’t feel you have enough sleep. It might be cold outside, and you don’t want to get out from under the covers. A great way to build momentum that will take you out of the covers is actually to prepare the night before. Sleep in your (safe) fishing clothes! Have a rod and your tackle box not too far from the bed. You might even want to try sleeping in your shoes. When you wake up, you’ll know that all you have to do is simply put your feet no your ground and you’re just about ready to go.
Photo Credits: kretyen
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The Morning: How to Start Your Day of Camping Off Right
Believe it or not, a good day of camping doesn’t necessarily start in the morning. No, I’m not suggesting that it should start off in the afternoon: rather, a great day of camping should start the night before with a solid night’s sleep and the right kind of preparation. If you want to wake up to cool air and a bright sun, it’s time to learn how to start your day off right. Here’s how you want to get started camping in the morning.
- Get a full night’s sleep.
The most important thing to consider is your sleep before you begin your day. If you stay up too late, you’ll find yourself waking up when the sun is already at its highest. If your sleeping is too uncomfortable, you won’t be able to find the quality of sleep that leaves you feeling refreshed and rejuvenated in the morning. That’s why it’s important to consider tomorrow morning before you go to bed. If you have to, cut off conversations and tell people you have to go to bed because you’ve got a “big day tomorrow.” It’s ultimately you who decides the quality of day you want to enjoy.
- Make sure breakfast is ready or at least accessible.
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day because it will provide you with the fuel you lost overnight and help regulate your appetite throughout the day. If you’re going to eat to really get full, breakfast is the time to do it. The problem during a camping trip is that eating in the morning often simply means chewing on beef jerky or whatever’s available. Instead, make sure you’ve got some easy-to-prepare food in the cooler: fruit and protein work great for both giving you an energy boost and filling you up. Heat up some sausages in a pan while you eat bananas, apples, and oranges, and eat some almonds or mixed nuts for some healthy fat.
- Get going!
You might notice that when you lounge around all day, you can’t help but feel sluggish. That’s because your energy will often rise to the occasion. If you’re out and about at 7 a.m., then there’s a good chance you’ll feel more energized throughout the day. Even if everyone else is sleeping, it’s time for you to take the boat out for a quick fish, or indulge in another physical activity like hiking or swimming. By the time everyone else is waking up, you’ll feel fueled and ready for a great day of camping.
Choosing how to live your days is a skill; it might take some practice. If you don’t think you have the kind of self-discipline to start off with a good morning out on a camping trip, try doing it on one of your Saturdays in the coming weeks.
Photo Credits: jawcey - Get a full night’s sleep.
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The Tent-less Outdoor Sleeping Guide
For some people, the definition of “rustic” means simply heading out into the woods – even if you bring a camper with a bathroom, a sink, and a microwave. For others, “rustic” means an experience that at least has some amenities like tents to keep your dry and covered from rain. But for the die-hard campers, there’s only one definition of rustic: tent-less camping, including true under-the-stars sleeping. If you’ve always wanted to do this, here’s your guide.
What to bring: Even if you’re not bringing a tent, you’ll need to bring something in order to keep you warm and separate your back from the hard, rocky ground. Many people bring a simple sleeping bag and sleeping pad, and possibly a camping cot, in order to sleep outdoors.
The good thing about sleeping without a tent is that you can stay warm near – but not too near – a fire. Even so, you’ll want to stay warm for the entire night, including after the fire dies down on its own. Make sure you bring enough to keep you warm and relatively comfortable when you sleep on the ground.
As for your pillow, what you do will be up to you. You can’t exactly lay your pillow down on the ground, so try to bring some sort of tarp or bag that can separate your pillow from the dirt.Watch the weather: When you’re thinking about camping in a tent, knowing it’s going to rain is less important knowledge than when you’re sleeping outdoors. You’ll want to be sure that a high-pressure system is moving through the area you intend on sleeping in; these systems keep things clear – and usually provide for better views of the stars anyway. If there’s going to be rain, you probably won’t be able to have a good night’s sleep, so you might want to consider throwing in the towel and simply sleeping under a tarp or simply a tent.
All in all, sleeping outdoors can be a pleasant experience, but it’s not without its risks. You’ll want to be aware of local insects and wildlife before you sleeping without shelter. When in doubt, simply sleep in your tent so that you can stay dry and not worry about everything that comes from sleeping outdoors. You might just be glad you did.
Photo Credits: anoldent
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Making Your Camping Bed (And Sleeping In It, Too)
It’s no secret that one of the purported miseries of camping – as espoused by the willfully-sheltered folk who happily name themselves “indoor types” – is that sleeping on the ground is no fun. In fact, it can be downright painful. The experienced camper, however, knows that sleeping on the ground would be like eating a camping diet solely comprised of almonds and hot dogs: with a little preparation it’s not necessary. With that in mind, let’s take a look at how you can make your camping bed and actually want to sleep in it, too.
But once you’ve decided to bring a device like a cot or an airmattress, that isn’t the whole story. A bed should keep you warm, insulated, and dry. If your airmattress has a leak in it, don’t be surprised to wake up in the morning with your back on the ground. If your cot isn’t adequately insulated, you may find yourself wishing to be in your bed back home.
First, understand your options. An airmattress will keep you off the ground, but so will a cot, a futon, a foam pad, and even something home-made. So many people think about sleeping on the ground outdoors that they forget it takes very little action in order to rectify the problem: simply buy something for your bed that you can bring with you.That’s why you’ll still want to bring that camping staple so many enjoy: the sleeping bag. Most sleeping bags come with zippers that allow them to fold out like blankets. You can use this feature to spread out the sleeping bag like a blanket on your airmattress or cot.
Why not just use a regular blanket? Regular blankets work well, but they’re not designed for the outdoors. Sleeping blankets usually have lining on the outside that keeps them dry, sealed off from insects, and insulating well against the cold. You’d be surprised how much heat you can still trap with a sleeping blanket that’s been folded out.
Once you have your gear ready, simply bring a comfortable pillow or two from home. If you really want to stay luxurious, you can even bring sheets; it will feel like you’re still in your bedroom. Make sure to keep your pillow and sheets in a safe, dry place (such as the back of your car, if it’s nearby); exposing them to the elements can mean bugs, sticks, and moisture. Make sure to put together your bed after you’ve set up your tent: when bedtime arrives, you’ll be ready to slip in the covers right away, just like at home.
Photo Credits: Felipe Skroski
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How to Have a Comfortable Night’s Sleep When You’re Camping
Even when a morning is sunny and beautiful out over your campsite, one thing that can make everything seem dark and dull is the quality of sleep you had: if you slept on the hard ground, your back and neck might be killing you all day! One of the best prescriptions for a great vacation is having a great sleep every night. If you’re camping, you’re going to need to know how to bring your bed with you as best as you can. Here are some tips for doing exactly that.
Put a lot between you and the ground. It’s not enough to simply have a sleeping bag – a sleeping bag is for keeping you warm, and not much else. You’re going to want to put a lot between your back and the ground, particularly something stable and soft, if possible. Air mattresses (along with a quick inflating gadget) can be invaluable for having a great night’s sleep. Cots that hang high off of the ground can also be comfortable, making sure you don’t touch the ground. Do your best to find a solution that keeps your back off the ground but also travels well, such as a folding cot or an inflatable air mattress.
Choose your sleeping bag for insulation, not comfort. You’ll find that a sleeping bag does best when it traps as much body heat as possible; not necessarily when it feels the best over your body. To get a good night’s sleep, you’ll want to be comfortable, but you can easily use a more comfortable blanket to buffer between yourself and the sleeping bags. Most sleeping bags are not uncomfortable, so this won’t be a major problem: just remember to keep inside your sleeping bag because its purpose is insulation and heat-trapping.Bring a pillow from home. Consider your pillow one of your luxury items: it doesn’t pack very well, but it is important enough to make that kind of sacrifice. A large, fluffy but firm pillow will help you to rest your neck and head comfortably, allowing you to feel comfortable enough the following day so that you can hike, swim, and do all of the things associated with camping.
Make sure you’re insulated from moisture. If you’ve brought a camper, this is an easy consideration. If you’re in a tent, however, you’ll want to make sure that everything is secure. You’ll want to keep the outside world as sealed off as possible so that your tent can be warm, soft, and dry. Make sure you’re protected from rain during the night and that everything is properly zipped up.
Photo Credits: lbshopgirl
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Tips for Women: How to Camp Comfortably
We all know that any given woman is capable of accomplishing the same things outdoors as any given man, and that what makes a good camper is not only attitude, but skill. Either gender is capable of developing both. But when it comes to camping comfortably, it would be just plain wrong to act like there are no differences between men and women, and it’s fair to say that women have higher needs for comfort than many men. With that in mind, here are a few tips for the adventurous women out there.
First, getting a good’s night sleep during a camping weekend should be considered the most vital aspect of your comfortable camping experience. If you wake up with a sore back, it’s going to ruin the rest of your day. But if you wake up like you wake up out of your bed at home, you should feel absolutely fine and have more energy to accomplish the things you want to accomplish while camping that day.
With that in mind, be sure to focus on a few essential things: padding, insulation, and dryness. Padding simply refers to the type of bed you might be using – if you can bring along an air mattress with a gadget for easily pumping it up, you should have no problem sleeping on it. For insulation, make sure you have a comfortable sleeping bag that adequately traps your body heat. And when it comes to dryness, take extra precautions to keep both your tent and your equipment of of moisture’s way.Next, think about the kind of equipment you’ll be using during the daytime that will change your camping experience. For example, what luxury at home can’t you live without? If it’s a shower, you can find portable camping showers that function similar to showers at home, or simply find a campsite shower on a campground. It’s usually a good idea to try out a night of camping out in your backyard, without the conveniences at home except the ones in your bag, to get an idea of how you’ll fare when you’re camping. Make sure to bring a notepad to keep track of all of the things you believe you’ll need and that which you won’t need to bring on your trip.
Having a comfortable camping experience is all about preparation. As long as you have your bases covered, you should have a great experience that feels like you’re at one with nature, not constantly fighting it by tossing and turning all night.
Photo Credits: russelljsmith
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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
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A Camping Trip the Family Can Enjoy
When it comes to camping trips, many people first imagine a fading-fire-filled, mosquito-swatting nature experience that doesn’t feel very natural at all. Especially for parents with families and children to take care of, getting into the Great Outdoors can feel more like a chore than a vacation.
Thankfully, there are ways to make sure you end up enjoying your camping trip, and these ways won’t necessarily cost you more money. Having a fun camping trip that your entire family can enjoy is about following some basic strategies that you won’t have to change your schedule around too much: and you can do many of them at home. Here are some great strategies for having a successful camping trip that everyone in your family enjoys.
First, remember that preparation is key. Doing all of your work up front means that once it comes time for camping, you’re prepared for anything that might head your way. While this is the “boring,” “safe” way to go camping, the way that seems rigid and inflexible, you’ll find that solid preparation is really the key to maintaining flexibility and providing for the ability to pursue a number of options. Does your family notice a chance to go hiking? If you’ve prepared with the right equipment, you’ll be ready.
How do you prepare for a camping trip, and what are the things to consider? First, you’ll want to mentally run through a typical day at camp. How will you wake up? Will you be under a dry tent, and will your sleep be comfortable? How will you eat breakfast, how will you wash up, and what activities can you try throughout the day that you’ll enjoy? These are some great questions to ask yourself.In particular, pay attention not only to a typical day for yourself, but what a family might need to do while camping. This will depend on the age range of your children, but you should already have a solid grip on what your specific children’s needs will be.
Out of this process, you’ll be able to form a “to-do” or “to-pack” checklist that will ensure you don’t forget anything on vacation day. You’ll not only be more likely to pack everything you’ll need, but you’ll feel more confident and secure when it comes time to leave.
Second, you’ll want to do some solid scouting. Make sure you’re choosing a campsite that isn’t too rustic or adventuresome. You want your family to have a good time, and many times, going the safe route and just letting your kids get a “taste” of nature is all that’s required to create a really authentic experience.
Keep in mind that these two strategies will help you remain flexible in the future: preparation should include preparing for the unexpected, and potential adventures that might come up. Be open-minded about your options and you’ll find out just how successful of a family camper you can be.
Photo Credit: Just-Us-3
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Five Reasons Why You Should Walk Daily
If you’re a sedentary person walking may seem like a way to transport yourself, not an exercise, but the opposite couldn’t be any truer. Walking has many benefits that go beyond just exercising including strengthening your mental health and being fun. This article will provide you with five reasons that you should add a daily walk to your busy schedule.
2. Stress Relief- Walking is a great way to relieve the stress that is caused by everyday life. Taking a walk has been proven time and time again to help you relax your mind and even to help you sleep after a long day of work. Why wouldn’t you turn to walking as a stress reliever instead of alcohol or food?
1. Exercise- Walking is a great exercise, no matter how under appreciated it may be. It can be just as powerful as running in terms of losing weight, you will just have to walk longer and perhaps further to reach your goal. Walking is a cardio exercise which means that it raises the rate at which your heart beats. This means that your heart will not work as hard when you’re sitting or resting which will be easier on your body in the long run.3. Environmentally- Walking to your grocery store or to go out to eat may not seem like a big deal but you’re helping the environment by doing so. Carbon emissions are being constantly blamed for Global Warming among other issues and you can play your hand to help the fight while exercising yourself in the process.
4. It’s fun- You should walk because you enjoy walking. If you’re not enjoying going for a walk you can always try to add an iPod or a friend to the equation. Turning your daily walk into a social experience can be a great way to get more out ofspending your time doing it daily.
5. It Can Be Done Anywhere- Walking requires nothing more of you than a pair of legs. It is probably the most flexible exercise there is because you can do it at work, at home, and you reap the same benefit no matter where you do it.
There are many more reasons to walk, but these five are a few reasons that many people overlook as benefits of walking. It’s important to remember that while walking may not be lifting weights, it’s still notable exercise that requires you to work your heart.
Photo Credits: Caveman 92223 — On the Long Road…
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Three Things the Rookie Camper Needs to Know
For some people, camping is a way of life. Having warm clothes for cool summer nights, knowing how to build a fire, and cooking out in the open air comes easily to them because they’ve been around it for so long. But for the rookie camper, what seems like what could be an ideal vacation is often marred by their lack of experience and the little details that make things different in real life. So how can the rookie camper get off to a good start? By keeping in mind these three things:
1. There’s a good chance you’ll over-pack. When you’re out camping for the first time, the temptation is to bring so many gadgets and so many supplies that you’ll have plenty of options for eating, sleeping, and dressing. But while this may feel fun as you pack, it often just makes things more difficult, getting in the way of utility and taking up precious packing space. You can eat simple foods, you can dress in simple clothes, and you don’t need to bring a laptop with you if you aren’t going to be working on it. Resist the temptation to over-pack on what you don’t need, because you’ll have more space for things you’ll actually use.
2. Going on a “trial-run” is a great idea. Not sure how you’ll fare when camping? Take the weekend before your big trip and decide to camp all day. Camp overnight starting on Friday and go through Saturday night. What does your tent need? How comfortable is your bedding? What gizmos did you find little use for? Even if you’re just camping in your backyard, this trial-run can be a great idea. Be sure to bring a notepad and pen with you so that you can keep track of the little things you notice. There’s nothing quite like a little reality to tell you where you really stand.3. Don’t underestimate the power of the weather. Even in summer, it’s easy for the temperature to drop during the night, and nothing ruins a night of sleep quite like cold air. Don’t be afraid to over-do it with the warm gear. Pack an extra outer layer and make sure that you’ll be well-insulated against the cold at night. Also, be ready for rain and use tents and tarps to protect what needs to remain dry.
Photo Credits: papalars
