New to the camping scene? Not sure what to pack and what to leave at home? Maybe you’ve been doing this for awhile but you still have not got the packing down to a fine art. Either way, this simple camping checklist can help you save time and headache. Experienced travellers often rely on lists. It’s no different for campers. If you go camping you probably have a camping checklist. I am a list lover so I tend to write them all over the place. Occasionally, I even remember where I put them when I need the list in question.…
-
-
The Canada – US border may still be closed but I am reminded daily of my travel adventures every time I look at my new photo canvas from Photowall. While it seems like forever since we’ve been able to travel, fly or road trip, my memories of trips we’ve taken are still fresh. This post was sponsored by Photowall, which means I received product or compensation for the content. My opinion is honest and truthful. My memories of the incredible adventures we have had over the years are still strong. Some days more than others, and occasionally during this pandemic…
-
If you are a camper then you probably are also a wilderness lover. True nature lovers and wilderness fans embrace the outdoor lifestyle. But there’s a bit more to it than that. There’s planning of course but that’s not what I am talking about either. A true love of nature breeds awe and respect for it. It also means that you strive to live a lifestyle where exploring nature and the great outdoors is synonymous with minimal impact camping. Minimal impact camping involves planning, respect and and care. Whether it’s the sound of raindrops on a tent’s canopy, the smell…
-
Fire safety when camping is a tremendously serious topic. If you aren’t going to camp safely and respectfully then you probably shouldn’t be camping. One of our favourite things about camping is the campfire. Cooking over an open fire is relaxing in a weird way. But cooking with fire means that you also need to know how to stay safe. Safety First Camping can be a totally wonderful way to get out and away for a few days. However, a great outing can quickly turn tragic if you don’t take proper fire safety precautions. Fire safety when camping is something…
-
How do you keep animals away from food while camping? Let’s face it – having your food decimated by critters when you camp is no fun. It’s not something you want to have to deal with when you are out with your family having a fun time exploring nature. Animals are just as interested in getting an easy meal as you or I. When camping, it can be a challenge to prevent the critters from helping themselves to our dinner. If you are basecamping, metal containers may be provided, or your car is a relatively safe cache. But what should…
-
I am feeling completely Forrest Gump as we board a shrimp boat on a sparkling sunny day in Romantic Coastal Mississippi. “There’s pineapple shrimp, lemon shrimp, coconut shrimp, pepper shrimp, shrimp soup, shrimp stew, shrimp salad, shrimp and potatoes, shrimp burger, shrimp sandwich. That — that’s about it,” Bubba (Forrest Gump) We were guests of Visit Coastal Mississippi on a media trip while in the state and received food, accommodations and excursions in exchange for story consideration here. Fresh Seafood Shrimp is my favourite fruit of the sea. There’s nothing quite like fresh seafood and the Gulf Coast has some…
-
New Orleans beignets are legendary. They are synonymous with the destination and just one of those things you need to sample when in NOLA. The city of New Orleans is known for its spirited nightlife, raucous bachelorette parties, and an abundance of internationally inspired foods. Perhaps nothing is more synonymous with NOLA though than beignets. Everyone makes them and has their own slightly unique take on the fluffy doughy sweets. New Orleans Beignets Recently, I went in search of New Orleans best beignets and what I found might surprise you. So, what’s all the fuss? And more importantly, what are…
-
Not surprisingly, this entire year we have spent more time close to home in Southwestern Ontario. Small adventures in a controlled manner close to home are the name of the game. On a recent day off, my daughter Payton and I drove to Port Stanley after visiting a park in Aylmer. That got us talking about what the iconic tourist attractions are in each city nearby us in Southwestern Ontario. Why Southwestern Ontario? Southwestern Ontario is where I have lived my entire life to date. While I have considered moving to B.C. or the USA, I am so glad we…
-
Sometimes all you need is a tent and a campfire. And maybe throw in a bag of marshmallows to boot. We just returned from a weekend in Port Burwell Provincial Park on what was our first ever tent camping trip. I mean if ever there was a year for embracing tent camping, this was the one. Sleeping in a Tent? So, big deal, you might be thinking. Many people the world over go tent camping all the time. But, for us, it is a big deal. I am over 50 and have managed to succeed traveling many different ways. Budget…
-
In early 2020, I visited Durham Region as a guest. We stayed at The Hive and did the Durham Region Brews Cruise, sampling beers at three stellar Durham Region Breweries. This is all about that stay. Reminder – please drink responsibly. I am not the world’s biggest beer connoisseur by any stretch. In fact, pretty sure my shoulders will never support that title. But, I know what I like and I love adventuresome and creative breweries. Beers that make use of fruit, coffee, earthy flavours of nuts, rich kicks of coffee and sweet notes of peanut butter, rock my tastebuds.…