A Great Time Of Year For Camping!

Camping

 

When I was kid, I used to believe that when I grew and had a family, I would have plenty of time for camping and to just enjoy the great outdoors anytime I wanted.  However, that doesn't typically or whimsically happen in the real world with always being caught up in daily life, i.e., work, school, family needs. For the average full time hard-working person life rarely affords those moments. Time just gets away. Instead, those moments must be deliberated, anticipated (with much joy), and then strategically planned. 

Just before the kids go back to school, many families traditionally take an end of summer vacation.  Ours is no different. Camping trips typically offer a variety in rewarding getaways and can be cost-effective to fit any budget, including a family budget.  Whether you prefer mountains, outdoors or indoors, there are so many ways to enjoy camping.  Moreover, camping provides an opportunity to get away from it all and get in touch with and back to nature.

Luxury Camping

Whether you choose indoor camping or go old-fashioned outdoor camping, it is always best to make sure that your camping gear and equipment is in good condition.  Planning a camping trip can also be a good excuse to replace or invest in some new camping gear and/or hiking gear.

Here is a short sample of the things you'll need to make your camping experience easier and be on your way:  For example, sleeping bags, blankets, tent, tarp, duct tape, rope, fire-starter, a reliable knife, stakes & bolts, first-aid kit, insect repellent, compass, cooking items, games and toys for the kids, and miscellaneous items, just to name a few things.

A good checklist, which will vary depending on the type of camping, activities you're planning, and your destination, can be helpful in planning and gathering equipment

Here's a checklist

Whether you're headed for the Adirondacks, the Appalachian Trail, way out west for a California Adventure, or somewhere in between, the Army Navy Shop can help accommodate your clothing needs as well as gearing you up with all the essentials for a successful camping trip or just a weekend getaway!

Lastly, there are so many great places to go camping and hiking.  Not sure where you want to go camping?  Though not a complete or comprehensive list, we've scoped out a list of 26 best and most popular places for hiking and camping.

Here's a List of 26 Great Places To Camp

Go on and revel in the beauty of nature, the grandiosity of the outdoors, solitude and fun towards achieving the classic camping adventure and making some great memories along the way. Most of all, take time to enjoy your life!

Fishing and Hunting Can Be Fun

by Chris Vegvary

I’ve been fishing a couple of times in my life, but I couldn’t really appreciate it at the time. You see, I was a kid at the time, and standing or sitting around in one spot for long periods of time while waiting for a something to bite (or get stuck on a boot or some other type of trash) didn’t exactly appeal to me at the time. Not to mention that we always threw back whatever we caught, which really wasn’t too much. Now that those days are over, however, I find myself wanting to go sit in a boat somewhere and fish over the side.

I’ve never cleaned and gutted, or in any way hurt a fish, really, but I’m totally willing to learn how, because I realize at this point in my life that having certain skills can prove beneficial in the event of an apocalyptic situation, or even just in everyday life. While I’ve fired guns and rifles before, I’ve never gone hunting for a deer or anything like that. Again, though, it’s something I would be willing to try, because it’s an important survival skill. Probably not something you think about too much when you’re a kid, but I think that the sooner you realize and come to appreciate activities like hunting and fishing, the better.

I wish that my childhood had consisted of some form of hunting where I would take down a deer, skin it and do all the good, horrifying stuff that you have to do in order to make it edible, and then serve up some venison for dinner. Also, it would be nice to catch a decently sized fish of some kind and fry it up to eat after properly removing all the nasty stuff and making it ready for human consumption. That, or stick it on a plaque, mount it above the fireplace, and watch it sing and dance when I tell it to. Can’t say I’d mind having a large deer head also mounted above the fireplace, looking off to the side slightly as if it heard something right before it got taken out.

I’m not a huge fan of venison or fish, but if a situation came along to force me into eating these things for survival, I could make do. What I wish I could do, however, is make my own barbecue sauce in the wild, because that’s what I need on my venison to make it less tough. Also, I require my fish to be seasoned and cooked to perfection, restaurant-style…but I can live with just normal, fully-cooked fish and barbecue sauce made out of deer or elk blood. I refuse to let this go down any other way.

For some of the best in hunting and fishing supplies out there, I invite you to take a look around at the merchandise geared towards those very things over at www.armynavyshop.com.

MREs Are Getting Better All the Time

by Chris Vegvary

How much do people like food? The answer is a lot, because food is what drives us, and when you think about it, food tastes pretty good. When a soldier takes food into the field, however, they can’t take something really good, like maybe a turducken or a nice, fat ribbi steak. That makes me kind of sad, how about you? But fear not, because it might be ok soon. Apparently, scientists are working on better types of MREs for everyone to enjoy.

What would be your first choice of a really good MRE? If it’s pizza, then you might be in luck, because those scientists seem to have found a way to make a pizza that can stay sitting on a shelf or something for three years and you can still eat it. Not only that, but it tastes decent, too. How has it come to this? Because it was demanded, that’s why. People want to have good food while they’re out protecting us and whatnot, and to them, I say…ok, why not? In fact, sure, let’s do it.

That makes me wonder if there are ways to get even more types of crazy food choices into an MRE that lasts for three years. Check it: do they already have chocolate cake MREs? If not, let’s get some of those going on. Oreos and milk somehow. Or how about some way to get corned beef, or a hamburger, or how about some bacon? With all the advances in technology, and the fact that we’re pretty much in the future, and the fact that everything is infused with bacon now, is there not some way our top and most brilliant scientists can get on top of finding a way for bacon to have a shelf life of somewhere around three to five years? Something like that? Yes, bacon is that important.

Ok, so that might be asking a little too much right now, but the point is that the smart, sciency people are out there trying to find ways to bring our military folks some different and better types of food in the form of an MRE. I can honestly say that if I were to go camping, I would probably want one of those pizza MREs they’re working on. I find food to be very taste-ifying. So with all this in mind, I submit to all of you that you should go out there, get some serious education going on, get your degree in food sciences, get a respectable job creating new and crazy foods, and make the best MREs the world has ever seen. You’ll have my respect, and probably a few of my dollars as well. Only time’s going to tell on this one.

Camping Tools – What I Would Bring

by Chris Vegvary

As you may know from one of my previous blogs (entitled “Is Camping Fun?”), I’m not big on camping. I believe I’ve been camping a total of three or four times in my life, but I’m not really sure. What I am sure of is that I didn’t like it one bit. Turns out I like technology too much to just go off the grid for a couple of days out in the wilderness. Chances are that I won’t be going camping again anytime soon, but if there is ever a possibility that I may have to, I’ve made a list of the things I’d like to bring along with me.

For starters, I have no idea how to start a fire, and I imagine I’d have no luck in making one by rubbing two sticks together, no matter how long I tried. Therefore, I’d probably want to take something like this Swedish Firesteel Scout, which is good for three thousand strikes and works for starting a fire in any weather. Some may consider this more survivalist or somehow “cheating” in some way, but guess what? If I need to start a fire real quick, I’ll have that option, whereas we’ll see how long it takes you to rub two sticks together. Bring it.

You know what I don’t like at all? Insects. Especially the ones that bite and leave itchy red marks, and that is encountered a lot when you’re out camping. Don’t deny it, don’t tell me you love the thrill of nature or anything weird like that. Instead, I would say to you that you need to try some form or brand of insect repellant to keep the hungry little critters from devouring you throughout the day and night. You think it’s not worth it now? Wait until you wake up being carried off by some pretty serious-looking ants the size of club bouncers, then come talk to me about not wanting to keep bugs away. It’s a real eye-opener.

Lastly, but not leastly, I want to know where I’m going at all times. People like myself aren’t going to know where the crap to look for the North Star, or how to use the sun to tell which direction I’m going. Getting lost in the woods is not appealing to me, what with all the…you know, nature and whatnot. Also, I like to know what time it is. However can I combine the two to make something that will tell me the time as well as which direction I’m headed? Oh, how about BOOM: here’s a military field watch with a compass attached to it. Were you expecting THAT? Of course you were, you’re always two steps ahead of me.

So while I don’t foresee any possible future where I’ll be camping anytime in the near future, I realize that it could happen, and if so, I want to be prepared for it. Hopefully, if you’re like me and have no idea what to bring on a camping trip, this article may have helped you to be ready for whatever comes. Just remember to keep the bugs away.

Why Do People Like to Go Camping?

by Chris Vegvary

For the life of me, I can’t understand what people find so appealing about living off of nature. Sure, at some point after the zombie apocalypse, or whatever apocalypse is coming, we’re all going to have to fend for ourselves and not be able to rely on technology, but until that day comes, I enjoy the luxuries of living in a home. Those of you who like to be outside with nature more often than not, however, might have to carry around insect repellant to keep bugs from bothering you. Why put up with the hassle? And with no electricity, the only light source you might have is a kerosene lamp. Doesn’t sound like good times.

Maybe you carry an LED lantern, though, but how are you going to charge it in the wilderness? You’re not, that’s how, because there’s no outlets out there. Lucky for you, though, technology has come far enough to give us things like foldable solar chargers and other things of that nature. Do you realize that when camping, you run the risk of coming face-to-face with some of the worst creatures nature has to offer? I suppose it all depends on where you’re at. If you find yourself staring down a bear that’s decided it wants what you’ve got, maybe it would be a good idea to have yourself some bear mace to spray it with. While I would personally never get close enough to mace a bear, you might be the type of person who enjoys that sort of thing. If that’s the case, I’d like to see that someday. Just don’t go out there without the things you need to get by.

The Search For a Good Zippo

by Chris Vegvary

When I look for a Zippo lighter, I never look for the right things. There’s plenty of imitations out there, and I’ve been suckered a couple of times. Admittedly, I look for a good design that’s appealing to my eye without paying attention to the little details. For instance, does the flame stay lit in the wind? As in, if I were dropping it from a certain height into a crowd of zombies standing in a pool of gasoline, should I be worried the flame is going to go out before it reaches its intended target? These are the things I should be thinking about when searching for a Zippo.

Design is still important, but the finer details make all the difference. The imitations that would have you believe they’re real Zippos look the same, but they don’t function exactly the same. The lighter fluid runs out faster, and the wick seems almost flame-resistant. That should not be. At some point, the flint will probably snap off, too, and then it becomes completely useless to me, because I’m lost when it comes to replacing part for a lighter. After all, it’s just a lighter.

However, Zippos aren’t just lighters. They can be your best friend if you end up in a completely dark place with no other source of light, like a flashlight. They can help you start a fire in the wilderness when you don’t have survival tools. It’s hard to tell the difference between the fakers and the real thing sometimes, but if you follow the links throughout the article, you’ll find the real deal available for purchase.

The Importance of a Good Survival Knife

by Chris Vegvary

You know what’s fun? Knives. Not that it’s fun to let children play with or anything, but us adults can enjoy the look, feel, and uses of a good blade. Whether it’s a rubber knife for training or a military-style machete for chopping brush out of the way, knives, blades, and survival items of the like are so important when you’re out there in the wilderness. You may not think it when you’re at home packing for a hunting trip or something, but when you get there, you might wish you had. What could be the reason for that? What if some crazy animal comes out of the woods looking to make you its next meal? That right there is a good reason to carry a knife, even if it’s only for self-defense.

It’s good to have a blade with some chopping power behind it, so keeping it covered and sharpened is important. If you don’t believe me, just go ask Bear Grylls, who is apparently one of the experts when it comes to surviving in the wild. Some of the knives he sells come with important survival tools other than just a knife, including fire starters. Think about being stuck out there in nature with no way home, and all you have is your Bear Grylls survival knife. It’s getting cold and you need warmth. Pull out the fire starter hidden away in the handle and boom, instant campfire (some assembly required). Just remember that it’s always smart to have a good survival knife any time you go out for more than a day.

Military Technology and its Awesomeness

by Chris Vegvary

What kind of modern world are we living in, where 3D printers exist that can produce fish scales to improve armor, or hypersonic spy planes exist, or a drone the size of a dragonfly can see what you’re doing without you knowing? It’s all happening so fast, and yet, technology works that way. It moves fast. One year, you have the top-of-the-line computer system, and by the next year, it’s been obsolete for the last decade somehow.

Fish Scale Armor?

Robots carry weapons into battle. How much longer before we have an army of Robocop-type (or Terminator-style) androids to do all the ground work for us? Obviously that technology is nowhere near completion, if it’s being considered at all, but one can dream. Drones may also being considered as pets in the future. What’s up, technology? You keep getting better all the time, but I still have yet to see an actual flying car, or a hover-tank, or how about some of that cloaking technology that makes you invisible to the human eye? That’s ok, I believe that one day, all the good stuff us non-military folk want to see in the way of military technology will be provided to us through patience.

Tiny, tiny drones

Build us an android, guys. We want to see something like Bishop from the movie Aliens, something that can function on its own while seeming indistinguishable from another human being. I know it’s going to take time, but when our technology gets to that level, I can’t wait to see what good surprises are in store for the military. Flamethrower sentry units? If they don’t exist, let’s see it happen. I’m not going to pretend to dictate the course of military technology (although that would be awesome), but I do like to suggest things even if I know they’re not necessarily feasible. Who knows what the future will bring…

This android requires a mechanic

But enough about that. While we’re living in modern times, it might be nice to use all the gear you can in order to get the job (whatever that may be) done. Therefore, under this article there are some links to certain military items that you may need to get by in today’s world. Check them out, you just might find several things you like.

Camping supplies - Knives/Tools - Bags/Packs - Hunting supplies

Most Dangerous Game

As a young boy, I remember I had to read “The Most Dangerous Game” in school. That book changed my life, I wanted to be in the jungle and hunt. It intrigued me and sparked my curiosity to hunt. Of course, I did not want to hunt people! Ha-ha. I just loved the idea of being outdoors, alone and in charge of my own destiny.

I have now been Hunting for about fifteen years. It is not a hobby for me; it has become a way of life. I do not waste any bit of the animal I catch. I am not a hunter that hunts to put a head on my wall. I do it because I live off the land and do not eat processed food. All the meats I eat are from animals I have caught.

My parents never understood why I chose the way of life I have. I try to explain to them that it is the natural progression of life. I am not raising chickens and things like that just to be slaughtered. The animals in the wilderness have lived a life in their environment. The world is a matter of Survival of the fittest.

I do not think there is anything humane about raising animals to be slaughtered. Believe it or not, I am an animal lover but I need to survive. I do not do this as a sport and I do not enjoy harming anything. When I say I was curious about the book, I meant for survival reasons. You know what I meant?

Ode to the Spork

Spork - What an awesome, silly sounding name. Yet, its whimsical name belies its dutiful purpose. For the spork is a
camper's very best friend. What mad genius invented this marvel of the utensil world?

Sure, forks are good. As are spoons and knives. But none alone can compare to the threefold greatness that is the SPORK!

But the spork shouldn't be exclusive to campers. Everyone should use them all the time. Think of the space you'd save in your cutlery drawer and in your dishwasher. Think about it. And the hassle you'd avoid when eating. Instead of fumbling with a separate fork, spoon and knife you'd eat your meals elegantly and in style using the superior all in one food delivery apparatus that is the spork!

Get Your Fire Started

Anyone who watches CBS's Survivor knows how important fire is when you're in the wilderness. On Survivor you have to earn fire in the form of flint by winning a challenge. Fortunately, for outdoorspeople everywhere, in real life you can just buy it on the internet.

Something every camper, hiker, hunter, outdoor enthusiast and even regular people should have with them wherever they may roam. You never know when you'll need it, but at some point you probably will. And when you need it, you usually need it badly.

Fire is crucial to survival, on tv and in real life. Pocket fire starters are small, lightweight, reliable and inexpensive sources of peace of mind you can take with you on all your adventures - big and small.