What are six good things that are currently happening in Africa?

tents for camping south africa image

Unicorn

It just seems like everything is bad these days in Africa...

Answer
Google "Africa Safari" and one becomes completely overwhelmed by the hundreds of thousands of choices presented, page after page of safaris on offer by hundreds of tour operators. It is no easy task but with a little preparation, searching for the ideal Africa safari can be a success.

Here are several essential points to consider ensuring you choose the right Africa safari;

1. Where to Go

If it is animals you are after the obvious choices are Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia, Botswana, Namibia or South Africa. If it is Gorilla trekking and African wildlife choose Uganda, Rwanda and Kenya. If it is culture try Mali, Burkina Faso and Ghana; if you are really looking to get off the beaten track try Cameroon and Gabon in Central Africa.

East Africa: Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania offer a more "romantic" African safari; the roads, services and cultures are more authentic than the Southern African options.

The most famous parks of the Serengeti, Ngorogoro Crater, Masai Mara and Queen Elizabeth are in this part of Africa. The tropical African coastline of Kenya and the world famous Spice Island of Zanzibar. Anyone after animals, culture and a few days of relaxation on tropical beaches; East Africa is the obvious choice.

Southern Africa: Zambia, Botswana, Namibia and South Africa are far more western and comfortable than East African countries however they tend to lack the "real Africa" flair that we are accustomed.

The most famous parks in this area are Chobe, Etosha, South Luangwa, Okavango Delta and Kruger; the famous Namib desert and Fish River Canyon to the wine region of Stellenbosch. Southern Africa offers a very different experience to East Africa.

West Africa: Mali, Burkina Faso and Ghana if you are after culture and not bothered about wildlife. Mali is famous for Djenne, Timbuktu and Dogan Country; Burkina Faso is well known for its music scene and Ghana offers historical sites from the old slave trade years, tropical beaches and a few game parks with very few animals.

Central Africa: Cameroon and Gabon is for the real adventure traveller. A safari through these countries will take you into a different world of tropical beaches, pygmies, bush meat markets, surfing hippos and thousands of low land gorillas. This part is far less travelled by the average tourist and can be difficult to find an English speaking tour.

2. Level of Luxury

5 star luxury accommodation to camping are all on offer in East Africa, Southern Africa and West Africa. Central Africa expect a minimum of 3-5 star accommodation.

Upmarket accommodation options are endless however expect to pay hefty prices for 3-5 star accommodation. Facilities are excellent offering well stocked bar/restaurant, often swimming pools, hot showers, flushing toilets as well as the romantic African colonial style most tourist lodges and hotels have adopted.

Campsites have changed immensely over the years. Gone are the days when there was no grass to pitch tents, cold showers (if water at all) and warm drinks in the fridge. Most campsites in East and Southern Africa are very well serviced and equipped boasting hot showers, flushing toilets, extensive bars and restaurants and good clean room accommodation to upgrade if camping does not take your fancy every night. Of course there is always the chance the power may go off and hot water may not last but overall campsites offer excellent value for money and all the amenities the average traveller desires.

3. Transport

Transport through Africa varies from Fly-in safaris, 4x4 Land Cruiser/Mini Van to custom built Overland Safari Trucks.

The most expensive but possibly practical way for those with a large budget and not much time is to fly from destination to destination. Most parks and major tourist attractions have air strips to cater for the fly-in safari traveller. Don't expect to camp on these safaris; companies offering fly-in also offer 5 star lodge accommodation. The downsides to fly-in safaris are that you miss out on the local sites, sounds, smells and culture of a country. Not really exposing to the real Africa. These tours offer full luxury.

Opting for 4x4 Land Cruiser or mini van is far cheaper than Fly-ins and offer anything from 5 star accommodation to camping safaris. Often group size is limited to 8-12 people per tour allowing for a small group feel without it being too overwhelming. These are popular safaris as they suit most budgets. These tours mostly stay in hotel/lodge accommodation with very little camping.

Overland custom built safari trucks are the cheapest option. Most tours offered in safari trucks are camping with the exception of a couple who offer hotel/lodge accommodation. Travelling in a large safari truck gives you the best viewpoint enhancing your Africa experience. The vehicles are totally self-sufficient complete with camping equipment and extensive kitchen. Travelling as a group, anything from 13-25 people offers communal style living and is p

I live in Arizona and im going camping in 2days help?

Breanna

I haven't been camping in a long time.. and the last time I went it was spring or winter. But its summer now and my boyfriend wants me to go with him. I know to take water and drink lots of it but does anybody have any ideas on how to keep cool? And ill be in the desert. Do you think it'll be okay to wear shorts?

Answer
Shorts can be OK if your skin is happy with them but long loose pants will keep the Sun off better. They don't get too hot if you get them with wide loose flappy legs.
Wear loose tops with plenty of ventilation.
Arabians don't wear shorts or skin-fit pants in the desert.
They wear loose fitting stuff. They've been there a long time.
If the material is light still use the sunblock under it. Sun can burn you right through thin cotton pants and tops , even loose ones but loose is a lot better than tight. See the link below.
Otherwise wear a sarong like the Indians and Malaysians do. They suit long loose tops a treat.
OK for the boys too. Men in Malaysia wear them with bright shirts or with western style jackets. I lived there a few years.
They are very comfortable to wear.
It's just a tube of light material you can wrap around you in one or two layers, roll it over at the top for a built-in band and tuck one end in under itself like a bath towel gets fitted..
Get it right you can run it it all day. Not in the desert without training though.
A friend just came back from South Africa where he ran a full 26 mile marathon in 40C heat.
He's 68. No problems. Used to it
Keep exercise slow enough to avoid overheating. Pace yourself for the conditions.
In the hottest part of the day, rest up in shade. Take some shade if you don't have natural shade. A washing line and a piece of cloth. Rig it up so you can rest under it in shade and keep whatever breeze there is flowing around you. Tents get too hot.
Morning and evening are activity time. Midday and early to mid afternoon are siesta time
Change it as you can to suit best what you plan to do on the trip but always err on the side of safety.

Get a wide brimmed hat, some good sunglasses and Piz Buin or similar Factor 50 sunblock.
That Piz Buin is used by mountaineers and skiers where UV is a big problem on bright sunny days high up.
Good in desert too. I used it in the Atacama and I always have some when I go the mountains.
Get it from sports and outdoor shops or online.
Great place, the Atacama. Driest desert in the world, but you can still live.

You need plenty to drink. Freezer blocks can last a while in an insulated bag or make a bag or box from polystyrene foam and newspaper. Large Thermos flasks are OK for a while as well. Gives you a start anyway.
Fill it with water leaving plenty of room for ice expansion, screw it up tight and put the whole lot in the freezer the day before you go.
Wrap it in newspaper, then a plastic bag, and pack stuff round it.That's cool water for tomorrow if the flask is big enough to last. The bigger they are the longer they take to warm up.
You can get coolers that work by evaporation but they use up water. OK if there's a creek handy.
Otherwise just keep the water containers in shade as much as you can.
Eat well, no junk. You need to stay healthy.
Have a great time.
Fun in the Sun..walkies.
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20100704125838AAOUFkW . . . .

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What's the best method to protect my tent from rain while camping?

tents for camping walmart image

ninfragile

Anticipating any rain, I want to be able to shield the rain if possible. The tents are new and waterproof, but haven't used them in rain yet to know for sure and I don't want to use my vacation as the test.

Answer
If you bought a high quality tent it will keep you dry right out of the box and nothing needs to be done. If you have a lower quality tent then go to Walmart or any other camping store and buy some seam sealer and seal all the seams and stitching. Even a cheap tent should keep you dry if the seams are sealed. If you have any doubts set it up before the trip and throw a hose on it to test it out. If I ever have to put a tarp up over a tent then the tent will be promptly thrown in the garbage the next day.

How can someone who hates camping make the most of it?

ADB

A friend invited me on a 3 night, 4 day camping trip with her and her family. I would really like to spend time with my friend, but I've never been much of an "outdoor girl". I like a nice hotel room over sleeping on the ground. That said, I need to get away and would really like to try something new. How do you make the most of a camping trip? What's the best way to sleep comfortably and avoid getting eaten alive by mosquitoes? Any hints, tips, or advice would be greatly appreciated.

Answer
Turn it into a glamping adventure by bringing all the comforts of home. The easiest way to do that is to use a recreational vehicle they can be rented for the day, the weekend, the week or all summer. These are a hotel on wheels basically and all campgrounds accommodate them.
http://www.cruiseamerica.com/?utm_source=adcenter&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=full

If that is not your thing then tenting can still be a clamping adventure but still just as costly for the first timer. You start with getting a spacious tent and then outfitting it with the state of the art air beds, warm fluffy sleeping bags and or bedding, and comfy camp chairs and a nice side table with a coleman lamp an indoor/outdoor rug by the door and you have a wonderful and comfortable set up.
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Coleman-8P-Instant-Tent-BONUS-Tent-Fan-Light-Value-Bundle/24909154
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Coleman-Big-Game-Extreme-Sleeping-Bag/13849007
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Coleman-Quad-Lantern/13848584
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Ozark-Trail-Quik-Fold-Side-Table-Desert-Clay/16503226?findingMethod=rr
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Trans-Ocean-Cargo-4877-03-Indoor-Outdoor-Area-Rug-Aqua/20423520


Skeeters can be kept at bay the same way that you would in your own back yard and decorate your campsite to. You can set out citronella oil lanterns and candles and then use a deet based product on your clothing.
http://www.rei.com/product/850867/repel-sportsmen-max-formula-pump-spray-insect-repellent-40-percent-deet-6-floz
http://www.rei.com/product/815045/coleman-citronella-candle-lantern

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Where is there real wilderness camping outside of New York City?

best tent camping new york state image

Sophie P

We'll be renting a car so it doesn't have to be accessible to public transportation. We're looking for a real wilderness type of camping experience, rather than putting up a tent on a large lawn or within view of other campers. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Answer
The closest place for REAL wilderness camping would be six or seven hours away (depending on the specific location chosen) in the Adirondack Park. It's over six million acres and includes a 2.3 million acre forest preserve which the NY State Constitution mandates must be "forever wild." That preserve is the only public land in New York in which you can camp anywhere you want to (except, during the summer, anywhere over 6,000 feet elevation, because of fire risk) without having to be in an actual campground -- though there is that option, there are dozens of campgrounds that vary greatly in the level of amenities that are available and how crowded the sites are.

Wikipedia has a pretty good writeup about the park:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adirondack_Mountains

One campground that is worth considering, and is one of my favorites, is called Indian Lake Islands. The appeal, if you can get one reserved, is that there are campsites on islands that can be reached only by boat. Some islands have as few as one or two sites, so privacy is better than most organized campgrounds. The whole area is heavily forested, so even if there are other sites around it's not like that "large lawn" feeling. Info on the facility is here:
http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/24471.html

I also like Eighth Lake (apparently at some point they ran out of names for the many lakes, and just started using numbers!):
http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/24465.html

There are some reasonably similar campgrounds in the Catskills, but generally it's more crowded there and you don't have the freedom to just pitch a tent (or use an available public lean-to at no charge) like you would in the Adirondacks. The upside there is it's less than three hours away from NYC.

What are some good summer weight loss camps?

Midnight S

I'm looking for information about good summer weight loss camps - are they all the same?

Answer
Over the last 10 years or so, summer weight loss camps have changed significantly. Many weight loss camps now emphasize more fun-filled and enjoyable activities, as well as healthy meals, instead of campers feeling like theyâre just dieting while at camp. Many camps can also help educate campers in exercise and proper nutrition for long-term lifestyle changes and weight loss.

Hereâs a small selection of some of the great weight loss camps in the United States:
Camp Kingsmont (Amherst, Massachusetts) is known as a "fit camp" instead of "fat camp." Campers are invited to Camp Kingsmont for up to 7 weeks of the summer, where they'll enjoy well-balanced and healthy meals. A good deal of calorie-burning activities are offered, including tennis, dance, golf, go-carts, horseback riding, and karate.
Wellspring Camps (Wisconsin, North Carolina, Texas, California, New York, Hawaii) offers campers many activities including swimming and rock climbing. Campers journal their meals and track their steps with pedometers starting on the first day. They will also learn how to cook healthy meals, proper nutrition and diet, and modifying their behaviors. The camp also keeps up with their former campers for 2 following years.
Reality Ranch Military Camp (Ft. Thomas, Arizona) is for boys aged 11-15. The campers sleep in military tents outdoors and wear green camouflage. The camp is structured with military activities and time focused on proper nutrition and exercise. Campers enjoy field trips to the Grand Canyon.
Camp Jump Start (Imperial, Missouri) teaches campers long-term care plans, diet and nutrition, and communication skills, as well as typical camp games, in a traditional summer camp environment. The camp was designed and founded by a specialist in the health care industry, trained in obesity in young people.
Camp La Jolla (La Jolla, California) is for campers aged 8-18. Some of the activities at the camp are mountain biking, soccer, snorkeling, softball, and swimming. The meals are designed for summer weight loss. Campers also enjoy field trips to Universal Studios, Disneyland, Knotts Berry Farm, and Sea World.
Camp La Jolla also offers a camp for older campers (ages 19-29 and 30-60) as well.
As you can see, there is a good variety of weight loss camps. Itâs a good idea to ensure that your camper can lose weight safely by making sure that the summer weight loss camp you select has nurses and nutritionists staffed on site to help if needed.

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What do we do if wildlife attacks us on our trip to yellowstone?

tents for camping black wolf image

happy_bana

I'm really really really scared for some reason of bears and wolves.. do they attack people? and what do you do if wildlife does attack you? finally what are some things you should take to yellowstone to prevent these things? please answer asap as i am going with my family tomorrow!!

Answer
There's no reason to worry about wolves. They'll leave you alone.

Bears will probably leave you alone. You can buy bear spray at many outdoor goods stores. It's basically really strong pepper spray and it's a good precautionary thing to have if you're hiking in the backcountry or camping.

To improve your chances of not having any trouble, don't approach them EVER, even if it's just a baby. Mom is hanging around somewhere nearby and mother bears are notoriously protective. NEVER feed a bear and follow safety precautions with packing food when hiking or camping. Don't keep any food in your tent or car. (If you must keep it in the car, keep it in the trunk - bears will sometimes break in windows to get food.) Use the bear lockers instead. Store toiletries and similar items in the same way, and dispose properly of used diapers, feminine products, food wrappers, and other odorous trash.

While hiking, keep up a conversation so you're less likely to surprise a bear. Surprised bears, especially mothers with cubs, are more likely to be dangerous bears. Also, hike in groups. Supposedly a group of more than five people has never been attacked by bears, but I don't know if kids count towards the quota or not.

If you do meet one, what you should do depends on whether it's a black bear or grizzly. Learn how to identify which is which: http://www.mountainnature.com/Wildlife/Bears/BearID.htm

With a grizzly you usually want to play dead, preferably lying on your stomach and protecting your head and neck with your arms. Black bears are more likely to make a predatory attack (as opposed to a surprised, defensive one) but are also more easily scared off, so fight back as hard as you can. Try not to let the bear get any food you might be carrying, because that might encourage it to attack others in the hopes of getting the yummy reward. "A fed bear is a dead bear."

http://www.yellowstoneparknet.com/travel_tips/bear_safety.php
http://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/bearenc.htm
http://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/backcountryhiking.htm
http://www.yellowstone-bearman.com/b_spray.html
http://www.udap.com/safety.htm
http://www.mountainnature.com/Wildlife/Bears/BearEncounters.htm
http://www.bearsmart.com/backcountryManners/

How do hunters protect themselves from man eaters while sleeping in the woods?

Q. You don't know that they are coming when you are sleeping.

Answer
I have slept in the Rockies in Grizzly / mountain lion country and here in Alaska with brown bears, black bears and wolves about. There are a number of things you can do.
The number 1 thing is no food in your camp or the smell of food on you. Cook about 40 yards or more from your camp. Keep all food in a container up in a tree held by rope to a tree near it. If you get the smell of food on you wash up and change clothes this includes the smell of fish.
Do not use shampoo that smells like food such as strawberry.

Location of your tent or camp is important. Never camp on a moose trail or bear trail. Avoid camping in thick brush or tall grass where you cant see around you. Avoid camping in river bottoms near the stream or river when there is a food source such as salmon. Donât camp in berry patches where bears feed.
If you have horses and are in cougar or bear country you need to put them on a picket line close to your tent or sleeping bag and keep a fire going that gives off some light and keep your firearm and flashlight ready or some noise maker such as an air horn. A gun is MUCH better.

If youâre camping in an area with lots of bears some use a portable electric fence. This is what scientists and biologists use in polar bear and brown bear territory. These work great for bears.

As the others said you can run a string or fishing line around your camp and then tie cans or something that will make noise if something walks into the line.

One time in the Rockies I had a grizzly following me as I was hiking into the Bob Marshal wilderness area. For a few days it followed. So at night I slept in the thickest pile of downed trees I could find. So the bear would have to dig through those logs to get to me, giving me time to wake up and ready my gun. Or I would sleep inside a rock over hang as far back as possible to be safe from falling rocks and built a big fire at the entrance.
Staying alert is very important. Going to sleep after you got drunk is a BAD idea in the wilderness.
I have more but this is long enough as it is. But I have camped alone in wilderness areas for months and was fine. Last summer I camped with friends along a river with brown bears all over the place. We had one walk right through our camp but it found nothing of interest and I could see it didnât like the smoke from the fire. I had my rifle aimed at it as it went through. A soon as I said âget out of here bear!â it left and all was good.
Fact is your more in danger sleeping on a park bench in a major city at night than any wilderness area. I just wouldnât even try that!

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Looking for a good quality camping tent?

best camping tent for 4 people image

kamikazest

I am in the market for a camping tent that will fit 2-4 people. I have been looking online for different ones around $150. I was wondering if anyone knew some good brands or has any recommendations. One of my main concerns is to get a tent which will not leak (and obviously a decent quality all around).

Answer
Your answer is a few clicks away for your convince.
http://www.cabela`s.com or http://basspro.com Quality and affordability These tents should come with a rain fly, make sure you get one with (a rain fly) to stay dry .
If you can`t find one with a (rain fly )then make one with a poly tarp lay it over the tent at night and tie it down on the corners to protect you from moisture. Take it off when there is no dew or rain.
Also I lay a sheet of sheeting or two of thin plywood on the floor to protect from ground moisture.even if the tent has a poly floor in a heavy rain water can run in .The plywood gets things off the floor. through a few sheets or pieces of sheets in before you pack the rest of the gear.

Presto- bone dry

What are some compaints you have about your camping tent?

mitanbarr

I am taking a marketing class, and we are a new tent manufacturer selling our product to Academy. One of the parts of our project is to list OUR competitive advantage over other tent manufacturers. So if you have any complaints about your camping tent, it'll give our group some ideas.
Thanks!
:)

Answer
I have a new tent that sleeps 7 that I mostly like, but I have a few complaints.

1) It requires more than 1 person to set it up

2) It has great ventilation with vents at the top of the tent, but because of those vents, the fly is the only protection from rain. I have not had it in a rain storm yet, but even with the fly, I would be worried about leaking under the fly with rain coupled with a heavy side wind. My solution would be to keep the vents(really makes the tent less musty) but have some ability to cover them in the event of a storm.

3) I wish it came with a rolling case like some of the other tents that I compared against. It would be nice to have one rolling carrying case to put the tent, pole bags into.

4) The stakes are cheap plastic. I wish they were better quality.

5) I wish my tent had a "foyer" . One of those pre-entrance ways that are protected by rain but you can leave your shoes.

I chose this tent for a few reasons that might be pertinent to your study

1) The floor thickness and quality was above that of other tents in its price range.

2) There are only 2 poles for the tent and 2 for the fly (actually about 12 poles but they are connected by wire running through them which is important to me.

3) The zipper on the main door was well made and looked like it would hold up better than some others.

4) Convenience pouches for holding items were built into the interior.

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Is a 3 kilogram tent heavy?

cheap camping tents for sale uk image

I'm going on my Duke of Edinburgh in a couple of weeks and would like to buy a tent. I would also like one for general use. I've looked at some in the <£40 price range. I stumbled upon the Ryde 2 Man Dome Tent from Eurohike. Firstly, is this a decent tent? And also, it is 3kg. Will this be a major inconvenience when walking up to 30 kilometres? Any suggestions to other tents?

Answer
That's not a good buy. You can find a proper Vango Banshee for £50 if you look around. Tha's the recommended tent and it's very good. Millets still charge more than £100 for it.
The Coleman Cobra is similar and you might find one for £40.
My Coleman Raid was £40 in a closing down sale and it weighs only 980 grams. It's kept the wind and rain out on the Highlands and been to over a dozen countries and never ever let me down. It's onl 3 feet high so you can't sit up. It opens all along one side and it's great for mountain running 2-day events where you sleep on the hills overnight. Most people take bivvy bags but the Raid is the same weight and higher so you get a proper tent, although it's a low one and only just big enough for two very close friends.
http://www.shoppersshop.co.uk/water-carrier/463079.html . . .
http://www.singersoutdoors.co.uk/pages/ximages2/pimbanner.JPG

2Kg or a little over is a better weight to aim for as a top limit for most lightweight camping tents for walking but most of the lighter good quality ones are expensive so 2.5Kg becomes a more practical limit for most people.
For cycle camping 3Kg is OK or even 4Kg. The bike, not the rider, carries the weight.
Dome tents are difficult to cover with an extra flysheet so look at ridge or tunnel tents which are easy to cover with a plastic sheet for total waterproofing and keeping grit off in high winds which causes wear on the material..
Millets has a good Vango tunnel tent in the sales at the moment, nice shape and good quality. Have a look round your local one because each store sometimes has different things in the sales.
My Vango mountain tent has been excellent, as my three Colemans have, in atrocious weather.

The best buy though is the Eurohike Backpacker 2 at only £25 now but it started at £65.
http://www.millets.co.uk/camping/tents/1-2-person-tents/product/096472/BACKPACKER.html?attribute=4785507 . . ..
Buy some good tent pegs for it because supplied pegs with most tents are never much good and get a cheap plastic groundsheet or a sheet of polythene to put over it if the weather looks like storm time coming up.
Lots of people do it that way so you won't look like raw recruits or anything. A big enough plastic sheet gives you dry space both sides of the tent too.
You also need a plastic sheet to put under it. You can buy them, called footprints in tent talk, but an ordinary plastic sheet is all you need.
Pitch the tent over it and tuck the sides in all round and then water off the tent falls outside it instead of soaking under the tent and you keep the tent floor dry then.
The tent and cover and footprint will still come to nearly 3Kg but with that one you were thinking of it'll come to nearly 3 1/2 Kg.
For £25 that's a good buy and will last for years if you look after it.

REI is in the USA and no good for British buyers.

Food as well...eat properly on DofE, not pot noodle stuff. Scroll down to "Food". It's for Slver but Bronze needs the same and Gold needs a bit more because you're out for longer.
http://uk.answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AjPf7yBb_5rZUlVqxJIrRCEhBgx.;_ylv=3?qid=20110626085420AA7OuLF . . .
Have a good time.

New Telescope for new Astronomer?

Goose

I live in the Uk, what telescope could I buy to look at planets or other objects with are contained in our vast universe. Iam a new follower to astronomy and would like jump on the band wagon and purchase a telescope, bearing in mind i live in the Uk can you please give me 'reliable' website or point out which telescope is best for me to purchase i do not want a really complex one but i do not want a really simple one that will show me nothing... All help will be greatly appreciated

Answer
Hi.
If you look at Warehouse Express you'll find what there is for the money. It's reliable, one of the cheapest outlets in UK, and very good with deliveries. No long waiting.
Just click on the boxes and you'll find what the different types are. Saves dozens of lines of explanation.
I use them...have done for years. No problems at all.
http://www.warehouseexpress.com/category/categorynav.aspx?cat02=2006 . . .
You can expect to pay £120+ for a tube and optics good enough to actually be worth getting, plus another £100+ for a mount.
Top range is over a year's pay. At that level the actual figure isn't important.
At £200-£600 is the main line stuff that most people land up with. Nice to get an £8000 big Meade or Astro-Physics refractor with computer controlled bells and whistles but there's a house to run first.
I make telescopes. Thousands do. Mirrors and all. Cheaper.
The best value for money are Dobsonians but the mounting is simple and doesn't allow large magnifications for planets. Too awkward with the fast image movement at high powers.They are best for wide field low power views.
An equatorial mount isn't hard to use. Some people get flustered at the appearance of them compared to a simple Dobsonian but an equatorial is very versatile and actually easier to use over a wider range of magnifications.
You'll see Eq1, Eq2 etc mounts on the scopes advertised. Those two are small and for small scopes. They are also pretty useless.
An Eq3 is the smallest that's any good really, and an Eq5 is OK. The Celestron standard equatorial for their eight-inch Schmitt-Cassegrains used to be an Eq4 with their own name on it. They call it a CG-5.
http://www.astronomyboy.com/cg5/ . . . . .
http://www.celestron.com/c3/product.php?ProdID=91 . . . .
They are all made by Synta in China, as most refracting and a lot of Schmitt-Cassegrains and Maksutov telescopes are.
Meade makes their own in the better ranges, in USA.
Top stuff, and they took on Celestron who started the big revolution in quality telescopes for the mass market and Meade never looked back. Celestron were struggling a few years ago , got taken over by a cheapie firm...Tasco.(Oh the shame of it) , had a management buyout, all sorts of trouble. Back to better times now.
A great British company making superb telescopes in the Midlands at lovely old Crewe of railway junction fame (biggest rail junction in UK) is Orion Optics.
It isn't the same firm as Orion in USA that you'll see advertising in Sky and Telescope.
Orion Optics scopes are pricey, but ..................Wooooow!!!
http://www.orionoptics.co.uk/ . . .
Down south in London is the Widescreen Centre. Doesn't sound like a likely candidate but it's one of the most respected telescope suppliers in UK and you can call in for a chat, no obligation, nice time,very friendly.
They started in the proffessional photography scene, supplying products for sale or hire for studios and big exhibitions.
Top rated company, very very good.
They're in a side road (big side road) a few minutes walk from the Madam Tussaud's waxworks in Baker Street. If you're down the smoke anytime it's well worth calling in for a chat and a look at the goodies. If you haven't heard the expression before 'the smoke' is a northern expression for London.
http://www.widescreen-centre.co.uk/ . . . .
To see telescopes in use and get an idea of what would suit you best you need a star party or an astro club outdoor meet.
Galloway has just opened UK's first Dark Sky Park. Keep a look out for events and go along. Astronomers are a friendly bunch. Getting a look through people's scopes is what folks are there for. Don't be shy. Use the time. Get some friends, contacts, useful info and addresses, enjoy the night. Tent and sleeping bag, portable camping stove and food (used away from the telescope area) and a warm companion if desired (not usually supplied, most people take their own,haha) for the remains of the night and the inevitable lie in through most of the morning, makes a real good time of it.
All night if the clouds ruin things. Still a great place to be though.
Star parties are held all over the world. Not many in Inner Mongolia, but they're not unknown.
http://www.forestry.gov.uk/darkskygalloway . . . .
http://www.forestry.gov.uk/newsrele.nsf/AllByUNID/3CFD750C977A5FDD8025766F00392085 . . .
Here's a guy in Scotland asking about astronomy
http://uk.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20100114053415AAYOtZi . . . . .
You could check the local library for a list of local clubs, or do a net search. Most libraries keep info on all the organisations in their area., from the Aberdeen fish smoking and bread lovers appreciation society to the Zulu battle dancing and running club.....or whatever.
Here are a couple of telescope Qs to get the flavour of things. There are hundreds more. Just search for telescope Qs in the 'Search for Questions' box.
http://uk.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20091122083238AAxR6It . . . .
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20100331141217AAsUvFJ . . . . . .
http://uk.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20100325105812AAz7nxR . . . . .
http://uk.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20091030052042AAdIYFr . . . . . .
Have a great time.
Dark Skies!

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Camping in Lake Mead NRA near Hwy. 93?

best tent camping lake mead image

daylightpi

Traveling from Grand Canyon to Las Vegas airport, then to Zion N.P. Want to pitch a tent somewhere so we have an easy morning drive to the airport. I see campgrounds on Lake Mead, but better would be somewhere close to the highway, maybe along the river below the dam. Any suggestions? How about Boulder City, NV? Might we have better luck finding a campsite on the Nevada side?

Answer
The only campground I know of is on the Nevada side. It's close to a major road the 93 which will feed into the airport...just watch for signs. This is the best time of year to camp around the lake it's not hot and just about perfect!!!

Any one who has been to Boulder Beach Camping ground on Lake Mead in Nevada?

HappyBunny

I was thinking about going camping there for my birthday, is august a good month to go? I just wanted everyones opinion who's been there. When i looked it up on google map, it was just a beach, do you just pitch a tent on the beach infront of everyone or is there another place for the capmers or can you pretty much just camp anywhere??? I want to take 5 people(myself, my parents and 2 friends). Is there camping right by the lake, and do they allow you to swim in lake mead? Was it fun for you, are there cliffs there to go cliff jumping and what are some of the things you did while you were there?
Oh, and is there anywhere that you would recommend thats better then boulder beach thats a campground near lake mead?
well, thank you for that wonderful speech, im sure ill have lots of fun!

Answer
In August? If you like 115 degree weather, no trees and a beach with a lot of sharp rocks, go for it! Also, if enjoy sewer like stench, you'll love Lake Mead in the warmer months! You could jump off the cliffs, but the lake has receded so much, you'll hit solid rock, not water. You can swim in the lake, the ammonium perchlorate levels and other toxic chemicals dumped in the lake have dropped significantly and don't mind those floaties in the lake, they're probably nothing. Oh, and I haven't heard of coyotes or meth attics lurking at the lake attacking anyone in a long time.

I have had wonderful experiences at Lake Mead. A sliced open foot from stepping on a jagged rock in the water, a rash from swimming in something, sever sunburn and someone breaking into my car.

Of course, this wasn't all at Boulder Beach, so you should be fine.

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What areas can I camp around Weed, CA?

best tent camping lake shasta image

AlexH15

I would like a place that's not too far of a drive from Weed, and not high in elevation where it might snow a lot at the end of March. Tent camping.

Answer
Somewhere around Lake Shasta I would guess. Check the parks camping website

Where is the best family motor-home/tent camping spot at Lake Shasta w/boat ramp?

Kimberly C

Answer
Well i would have to say ditch lake shasta, its not that good, i would go to Lake County, in California, its in the Napa Valley area. Its is AWESOME, its has nice warm sandy shore and the lake is MAGNIFICENT! clear and warm, its about 70 degrees F, and is amazing.

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How has the camping tent market been?

best value tents for camping image

Mac

I would just like to know the recent trends in camping tent sales in the U.S. and if there has been an incline or decline in sales/consumer popularity withing the past few years.......and what the projected future trend will be......Thx to all in advance!

Answer
do your own homework first..

It is very Unusual for a business expert to ask such high level questions in a venue where the majority of questions come from the very inexperienced. With that in mind here is response to the question.

First off as you well know the economy sucks and folks are looking for the best value to the dollar. If your looking to introduce a new model or product that is presently flooded with thousands in that category it had better be so unique, of top quality and great price with an incredible guarantee that it will quickly get the endorsements of major publications and outdoor groups. If you think you have a product that can best Coleman, Kelty, Eureka, REI, Marmot, and a dozen others go for it. Start with contacting Backpacker Magazine and see if you can find someone that will test and review your tent and then go from there based on their input. Good luck.

What qualities and features should I look for when shopping for a tent?

Mrs.Fine

I love to camp, but my poor old tent has worn out and it is time to purchase a new one. There are alot more features available now, and I want to know which ones are worth the extra money, and which ones just add more weight to my gear. It was a little overwhelming shopping at the Bass Pro shop last weekend.

Also, where is the best place to find a good deal on these tents? I only have a family of four, so an extra large tent is not needed. Just one that is relativley simple to set up.

Thanks for your input!

Answer
First, get a name brand tent. Almost everyone I know who has purchased a tent from a discount store has had problems with it very soon. Not only is this bad economics but can ruin a camping trip.

The tent that is right for you will depend on your own use and priorities. If you are car camping, you will likely accept weight and volume to have a comfortable tent. If you are bike touring, you probably want as small a tent as you can get.

Here's a few things to consider:

Self supporting - The more self supporting a tent is, the less you have to rely on stakes, but the more likely it is to have more poles and more weight. A classic pup-tent for example is simple, has only basic center poles, but needs good ground to steak it down.

Ventilation - Very important if you will be in warm weather especially. I find that having cross ventilation (two opposite doors for example) give much better ventilation than the percent of the tent body that is netting. ( I find that if the netting is completely surrounded by the fly, you won't get much wind movement anyways)

Mosquito netting - get the smaller no seeum netting. It's helpful if you can adjust this and the door rainflies without having to open the tent door (thus letting all the bugs in)

Zipper - get one with a substantial zipper on the doors. This is a point of failure on many bargain brand tents.

In my outdoor program I purchase Eureka Timberline Tents which are the mainstays of many outdoor programs. I think they are one of the best values you will find in a tent. They are well built, have good zippers, have excellent cross ventilation and are easy to set up with poles that are unlikely to break. You can adjust the ventilation from inside the tent. They are great for most general needs, but would not be my choice for activities where light weight is needed such as bike touring or light-weight backpacking. They will make more noise than a dome tent in a wind. A good source is Campmore. They also stock spare parts such as poles should you ever need them. Personally, I find myself using this tent most of the time unless I'm in the wind or snow I use a Eureka dome tent, and if I want to go light, I use a small
Sierra Designs hoop tent instead.

Help preserve your tent by shaking or sweeping out all the debris each morning when you take it down. This will make the floor last much longer. If you are not overly concerned about weight, cut a plastic ground cloth to fit, which you can always leave out if you don't want it. (Campmore sells these very cheaply to fit the timberline)

P.S. - the Timberline has a 4-person version, but it is room for sleeping only. If you are car camping for long periods of time, you may want something more roomy for a family of four.

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Where is the best tent camping spot in Colorado?

best tent camping spots in colorado image

Nickie Y

My wife and I have about 4 days with out the kids and want to go out and finally experience Colorado. We have lived here for 4 years and we hardlyh ever go to the mountains. We want to do some fishing and some easy to moderate hiking. Caming in a KOA is out of the question (that's not really camping) but a mountain campground would be ok. If we need to hike in that would be fine too.. Thanks for any suggestions.

Answer
Maroon Bells near Aspen is my absolute favorite spot for mountain scenery in Colorado. You can camp nearby at the Silver Queen, Silver Bell or Silver Bar campgrounds (Silver Queen is the best). The hiking is exquisite in the summer - you will not believe all the wildflowers! I believe you can fish in the Roaring Fork River with the appropriate license. A great way to get there would be to drive over Independence Pass (Hwy 82 from the east). You can also check out Aspen for a nice meal or to spot a celebrity. I also recommend the Woody Creek Tavern not far away for a decent meal and a drink in honor of the late Dr. Hunter S. Thompson! If you really want to experience the outdoors in Colorado, this is the place. Have a GREAT time!

What are the best tent camping resorts in Colorado?

ash

me and my soon to be husband are going for our honeymoon but I want to pick the best, most beautiful, most fun place to go. Where we can go to the spa, swim, horseback ride, hike, ski, bike, maybe sports like tennis, and do a lot of different things since we are planning to be there for two weeks. thank you!

Answer
Ash, I'm not aware of any tent camping resorts in Colorado. There are resorts and there are tent camping sites, but I don't think I have ever heard of them combined. Is that what you are looking to find?

Anyway, what time of year to plan to come to Colorado, there are many fun things to do, but it might be difficult to both bike and ski unless you come in the spring or early summer.

It also depends on your budget, skiing at the major resorts can be very expensive ($70-100 per day plus rental fees for equipment). There are plenty of smaller ski resorts around the State that are more reasonable.

Some places to do some research on...
Winter Park (great skiing, nice small town, sledding near by... also beautiful in the summer with lots of activities like mountian biking, hiking, horse riding etc. )

Estes Park (a beautiful summer and fall destination)

Vail / Beaver Creek... an amazing (and expensive) winter vacation spot.

Pagosa Springs - less expensive, great any time of year, not far from visiting Mesa Verde or riding the Durango to Silverton train.

Ouray - Known as "Little Switzerland", great any time of year, particularly great in the winter if you've ever wanted to try ice-climbing. A beautiful place for all sorts of summer adventures. I'm looking forward to taking my wife to the Chipetta spa this summer not far from there.

Steamboat Springs - what a cool mountain town, it has some of the best atmosphere in the state. Skiing & hot springs are excellent in the winter. Hikes, horses, bikes, and hot springs are king of the summer activities.

Aspen - Whoa, now here's a town that will really leave an impression. This is likely my favorite area to backpack in the State. I haven't skied here yet, but all the resorts in the area are world class. This would really be an amazing honeymoon spot any time of year, but I'm not sure how close to town you'll be able to stay if you want to use a tent for your accommodations.

I would suggest planning on staying in hotels or resorts for several nights of your trip to make the whole experience a bit more pleasant for a romantic get-away.

Bed and Breakfasts are a fun way to travel around Colorado, you may be able to work your way around to a several parts of the State in two weeks time.

If you fly to Colorado, you will most likely fly into Denver or Colorado Springs for affordable prices. But, if you are among the super rich you can also fly into Vail, Aspen, and Steamboat to cut drive time significantly from Denver.

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Cheap Camping near Bar Harbor Maine?

cheap tent camping maine image

Chris thom

Does anyone know of any cheap camping sites near Bar Harbor Maine? Liek sites that arent 45 a night for tents which is ridiculous and also sites that arent full of little kids
I just want a place to put a tent. Im not looking for all this crap with childrens activities and watersports and events. Just camping not a resort

Answer
Acadia National Park.

My wife and I are off camping on an organised trip to Uganda We are r'trd any tips on what we need to take

BRIAN MOND

Answer
I don't know what the temps are like but I would seriously consider insect protection a major theme here...mosquitos can be deadly in some parts of the world. I would consider a pair of mosquito hammocks to get you OFF the ground. Of course these are separate quarters for you and your bride and you can't snuggle. They don't make doubles. You need trees to attach them to or very sturdy poles of some sort that you planted where needed. This not only protects you from bugs, but snakes, spiders, etc creepy crawlies on the ground. They tend to be a more lightweight shelter than tents, and some have tarps with them, or get one separately if you need protection from rain...still the whole bit is lighter than most tents. They are a lot more comfortable for all sleeping positions than you think. I used to curl up in the fetal position in mine, almost on my stomach. You sleep so well, you don't usually toss and turn like in a bed, so your bed habits don't matter much. You do want to insulate the bottom because there is no bug protection there, and mosquitoes can bite through the material...which is not rope, it is nylon, or silk (a solid fiber, not mesh). For brands, look up mosquitohammock.com, byer of maine mosquito traveller, hennessey, speer, clarke. or keyword camping hammock in a search.

Plenty of TP, plenty of water purifying gear so you don't get sick. Even if the local water is safe for the locals, it may cause you big problems and diarrhea is dangerous due to dehydration. You want common medicines we take for granted in case you do fall ill. You want immodium for sure (anti diarrhea), tylenol, ibuprofen (anti inflammatory), diphenhydramine (benadryl...essential for any severe allergy reaction)...you may be able to visit the doc in advance and get a prescription for a broad spectrum antibiotic in case you fall ill as well as an Epi-pen and anti malaria medication if you should need it. Make sure you know how to use these and what they are for, symptoms of the things you hope not to see. Get your vaccinations! All this to say that I don't know what kinds of medical technology is available there, I am assuming they are more primitive and poor (I did NOT say uncivilized, I mean less technologically advanced). And make sure you have plenty of any prescriptions that you need and proper storage for them. For instance if you are diabetic, many forms of insulin need to be refrigerated. Some don't and if you need to switch to monitor how they work for you, you need to do it early as possible. This is just an example and probably doesn't apply but you may have similar special needs to think about.

Other hygiene items:
Lots of baby wipes for sponge bath and personal cleansing after bathroom. Small hand shovel if you need to dig a hole to poo in.
Toothbrush and toothpaste, floss doubles as a sewing thread.
Camp soap. This is biodegradable, useful for any cleaning (laundry, body, teeth, dishes, hair) in any kind of water (salty, fresh, hard, soft), and concentrated. Use very little. You can wash small items in a ziplock bag with water, such as socks and underwear. You fill a third with water, a couple drops of soap and the items. Seal and squish them around in the bag to clean. It isn't heavy duty stain removal, just stench and germ removal. Rinse the same way, and squeeze out, hang up near a fire or in a breeze.

Pack a nice stack of zipper bags, they sort things, they waterproof and bugproof things, and they are cheap. Gallon and quart freezer strength are my preferences...brand name. Another misc item to carry is a few clothespins made of plastic. These I promise will get use at least once for something. A good bandanna comes in handy too, at least one apiece. Hand sanitizer gel to conserve water when you have to. Snakebite kit. Bandaids. Moleskin for blisters if you are hiking or wearing new boots or shoes...in fact, don't wear new, break them in before you go.

Avoid deodorants, they don't help in primitive conditions, and they do attract insects. Just stink...but do keep feet and any cuts as well as private areas, face and hands as clean as possible so you don't get infections or fungus problems. A good dose of BO will alert any wildlife that they should stay away because you are there.

A side note, when you set up camp, you and your group members should pee all around the perimeter of your campsites...to mark your territory. No kidding! Hey we are animals, and in their homeland, we need to communicate like they do if we expect them to understand us.

You want a good knife. A single sharp blade is perfectly fine. Spend the money on a single blade instead of a fancy tool with all kinds of other crap on it. You won't regret it. You can use a blade for food, wood, for first aid, cutting rope, as a screwdriver, as a pryer, etc. You need a knife.

Learn how to perform basic first aid using camping materials. This is standard wilderness first responder or wilderness first aid curriculum. There may be self-teaching materials for sale, which you can do. I'm pretty sure to certify you need to attend a class. It is not hard, it is quite interesting. I have WFR, it is expired but I remember the info.

You also want to learn some knots, how to use them and when to use them. Carry some extra cord as well as all that you know you need, and each have an extra piece of fabric, something that is versatile to use as a shelter, you might choose a remnant of nylon from walmart fabric department, or a neat sheet, or a piece of waterproofing plastic. I personally carried a nylon backpacker size poncho, it was longer. I could sit on it, cover up with it as a piece of bedding, wear it in the rain, stretch it out as a wind block, sun block, or rain block, add to my shelter with it, carry things in it. I use the heck out of that thing. It is sturdy, cheap, and cleans up easy, dries almost instantly in a breeze.

Another very good skill to know is how to create, manage, and use fire safely in your conditions. As well as basic camp cooking. You may not build fires regularly but it is essential to know how to do this in an emergency for heat, signalling with smoke if lost, and cooking if you can't eat raw or need to sanitize your water.

In addition to these skills, know how every single piece of your gear works. Practice setting it up and using it. Know how to modify it for different uses. If you are backpacking, have your packs adjusted with the gear you use, not free weights or sandbags, these aren't accurate because they don't fill the bag the same way your gear does.

Stuff to bring with you for fun? Don't know what spare time you will have. A deck of cards goes a LONG way, so does a set of dominos, also skipbo, uno, etc. I would however, suggest that each pack a journal and reliable pens, take digital cameras with about a GIG of storage. That will be plenty to click away. Batteries for the cameras. I am assuming you have guides, otherwise you need maps and compasses. Might not hurt to study that before you go. You might enjoy a pocket guide to birds, animal tracks, or flora...you would have to research this to find small ones for that area.

If you are going on a church mission by any chance, want a Bible with you, there are plenty of very small ones with nice readable print. The difference is the paper used so they can get all 66 books in nicely, mine is about the size of an ordinary trade paperback. Look up compact Bible, backpacker Bible. You can also make musical instruments if you use your imagination, and your trusty knife...this is where the dental floss might come in.

One thing that each of you wants for sure is a HAT, and other lightweight cool but full body sun protection clothing. They make UV repellant clothing now, it is like fabric sunscreen. You want to cover everything if you spend any time in the hot sun...this is a lot closer to the equator than any place in the states so the sun will be hotter there, and maybe less shade. If you are in a desert climate though, it gets cold in deserts at night so pack to stay warm too.

This is about all I can think of immediately, I didn't offer food suggestions because that is so involved, you can email me personally for the info and I would be glad to jot some things down if you want...otherwise I will advise to study the local flora where you will be, note what it can do for you, if it can hurt you. Some plants when burned for instance, provide mosquito repellance, others attract bugs or lead you to edible bugs or indicate water nearby, etc, some grasses can be dried and woven into baskets for a neat souvenir. Some woods are not sturdy enough to build anything, others are very lightweight and sturdy too. Find out if any plants are edible, which are the best firewood, etc. So you get the point there.

Primarily my focus is on safety and being away from the things that we take for granted.

I really hope you enjoy your trip...it sounds like the chance of a lifetime.

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Where should my vacation place be?

best tent camping near yellowstone image

Me and my family are planning a vacation this summer, but we don't know where to.We have 2 kids(3 & 12).And 2 dogs, we are wanting to take at least one of our dogs, but we could leave them at home. We are wanting it to be in the U.S. We were thinking about yellowstone or the grand canyon,but we are also thinking about several other places.Do you have any suggestions?

Answer
Florida. I'm sure the first thing that popped into your head was a beach, however, the lesser known natural beauties of Florida is all of its wonderful forests. I lived near the Ocala National Forest for many years and have experienced first hand the hidden wonders of its woods. The wildlife, which includes deer, black bear, armadillos, cranes, snakes and many others, is in abundance. There is so much open space for your family, dogs included, to roam and find new things around every corner. I've even found plenty of Native American artifacts, such as pottery shards and a variety of arrow heads and points.

Most forests here have many ATV trails and 4x4 trails- even guided tours. The camping is amazing and you can find full hook-up sites or tent sites. The St Johns river is my favorite place to camp/visit. I really love to fish and this river is great for large mouth bass among various pan fish.

All this being said, the beaches are just 30-60 minutes away. Daytona beach (and most Volusia county beaches) does not allow your dogs on the beach but, St. Augustine does and there is a beach near Ponce Inlet that is very pet friendly. If you want to do the theme park thing, they are also just an hour or so away and provide kennels for your pets.

Hope this helped, have a wonderful vacation!

Where could we go camping in Yosemite National Park?

Bryan

We are a large group. approx 30 people.
We want to be near a river or a lake. Also be able to make fire and grill. Tent only.

Answer
There are lots of places to go, and they ALL fill up quick. We are going to Yellowstone this year, we got reservations in the park for July back in November.

We stayed outside Yosemite in Groveland, at a place called Yosemite Pines RV Park, they did accept tent campers as well. Groveland is just outside a Yosemite entrance.

They did have large groups when we were there plus free WIFI.

http://www.yosemitepinesrv.com/
http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&tab=ll

You can check for "in" park campgrounds here:

http://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/campground.htm

Good luck and have fun, it is beautiful.

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Is anyone else really mad that Amanda won Age of Love?

tents for camping adelaide image

Weasley Is

I am so mad!Her looks are so fake and she's so rude!! On the camping trip she went looking for Mark and Jayanna on their date! And then she was waiting for Mark back in his tent! She got really mad a lot of times because "Mark wasn't paying any attention to her" o u poor baby. O I hate her. Anyone else who does post ur comments here.

Answer
It was no surprise to me that Amanda won, although I was hoping against hope that someone else would win. She is indeed plastic looking and very bitchy, although I actually thought Mary and Tessa were bitchier. My favorite of the 20-somethings was Adelaide; I was surprised he got rid of her so fast. Although I would of liked for one of the "older" women to have won, the realist in me knew it probably wouldn't happen.

I'm in Adelaide- Where to go on holiday?

N G

I'm in Adelaide, and my boyfriend and I want to go away for a week, with a car and a tent, to somewhere that has caravan parks or camp grounds with toilets/showers, and some things to do/look at in the area.

We were thinking maybe a few nights in a couple of different places.

It has to be within reasonable driving distance, or, staying a couple of places to get to somewhere (and then of course again to get back).

My boyfriend would like one of those places at least to have a beach nearby.

Any suggestions?

Answer
victor harbor good place for holiday

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What are some good places to camp on a trip from San Francisco to San Diego?

best tent camping joshua tree image

BB

I'm going to be traveling by car from San Francisco to San Diego over the course of a week and a half, camping in a tent along the way. Since I have a week to make this trip, it doesn't matter if I take a roundabout route (for example, going inland all the way to the Sierra Nevadas wouldn't bother me).

What are some good places for me to camp on the trip? I prefer to be as secluded as possible, to get away from it all. Also, the cheaper the better!

Thanks!

Answer
As I see it, you have 2 choices: Beach route or inland route. Doing both would take you a lot more than a week.

If you want to head inland, you can always take off from S.F. and head to Lake Tahoe. It is about 5 hours to drive. Then, I'd head south into Yosemite. Your only downfall about these two places is that it is summer and you might be hard-pressed to find a campsite. NO JOKE--in Yosemite Valley you usually have to reserve a campsite 6 months in advance. You might have more luck finding sites that are outside the park. (From Lake Tahoe to Yosemite, take highway 395) After Yosemite you could either stick with the 395 and head to Death Valley, then Interstate 10 to Joshua Tree. You could also leave Yosemite on the 120 and head to Interstate 5, which can take you to places like King's Canyon and Sequoia National Park, and then into the LA area.

If you wanted to go the beach route, skip the 1 (it will take much, much more than a week) and go on the 101. It gives you easy access to Santa Cruz, Monterrey, Big Sur, and San Simeon (Hearst Castle is a must see!), Pismo Beach, Santa Barbara, The Santa Monica Mountains (you can hike there to see where the show MASH was filmed), Hollywood, and then to Interstate 5 which will drive down the Southern California coast and into San Diego.

My husband and I have done these trips many times and they are fabulous either way. It just depends on what you want to see. The coastal route offers many beach sites to camp. For a good reference on camping, I would recommend the book "California Camping;" that's our Bible.

Have fun!!!!

Camping what is the best place to go camping in souther california?

HelpmeFast

i want to go camping before the summer ends where is a good safe place to go camping where everything could be outdoor (tents, portable stoves, etc) and it includes lake/beach swimming areas? anywhere in southern california towards Arizona/California-california/baja califonia etc

Answer
joshua tree, wait till it cools down a bit

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Best/Chepest way to go on a road trip to California from Illinois?

tents for camping ebay image

consumingf

I am planning a cross country road trip for the summer with my broher from the Chicago suburbs to Yosemite National Park in California to visit my cousin. I will be 19, and my brother will be 17. We are responsible, and my parentals have already said it is alright, as long as we do all the planning, and all the funding. We need to do this as cheaply as possible. We will be gone about 2 weeks, including transportation to and from, and staying there. We will be camping both on the road and in the park. Does anyone have any extra tips for us to help this trip go smoothly?
Any input is great!
I don't have to worry about campsites in the park. My cousin works in the park, and since we're caming with him, we've already got sites in the park guaranteed. Does anyone know campgrounds on the road though, since we don't want to pay for motels?

Answer
Route:
I would suggest Interstate 80 for most of the westbound (and for the return EB portion) and then in Reno, Nevada, you would head south on route 395 and head into Yosemite via the back way. The drive south from Reno into Yosemite is particularly beautiful, and in fact, the drive west across 80 is fantastic.

Other tip:
There's an old saying: take half as many clothes and twice as much money. It's kinda true! Take as much money as you possibly can. (Or at least have it available from what you save up)

Camping:
I have a great book called "California Camping" by Foghorn Press that includes descriptions and reviews of EVERY campground in California. http://www.foghorn.com/ They make similar guides for other western states as well. And last time I checked on eBay, there were good deals available.

Camping in Yosemite: reservations open up I believe 5 (ish) months in advance and summer is definitely the busy season. Check out the Yosemite camping page http://www.nps.gov/archive/yose/trip/camping.htm and make your reservation as soon as it is possible, or you may not get one in the park!

Also, Yosemite is so beautiful that you can't really go wrong no matter where you stay. Valley floor campgrounds are a good jumping off point for anywhere you'll want to go. But be aware that the largest campgrounds do allow RVs and generators from 6am to 10pm, so if that machine noise would bug you, be sure to pick one of the smaller tent-only campgrounds...

Good luck and have fun! It'll be great! Hope this helps!

Is there some kind of Portable tent or sleeping bag for MHFU?

Zach

I've been wondering if there was some kind of portable tent or sleeping bag for MHFU(Monster Hunter Freedom Unite). I'm asking this because me and my brother both just recently got Monster Hunter Freedom Unite, and we've been looking to give the game a camping like feel. So a portable tent or some sleeping bags would help give it that feel.

Answer
There is no "sleeping bag" item in game- there would be no point to that really, as you can only go into the wilds during quests during the game, and each quest only lasts a maximum of 50 minutes (all of which should be spent actually fighting the monster).
Also I doubt that the game has any mods, as it is a psp game (or a vita game if you are playing it that way).
The game does have things like cooking spits (for roasting steak), but they become obsolete as soon as you get your first cat chef.
If you are asking if there are monster hunter real life sleeping bags- probably, but they are probably only in japan, so go on ebay or something and look.

Good luck and Happy Hunting

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What do you do on a solo camping trip?

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Simba

I'm sure this has probably been asked before, but I'll ask again. I like to go camping, but my friends don't so I usually go alone. But it's sort of boring going alone. But I still like being outdoors and away from the fast moving noisy city. On my past camping trips I've done a little hiking. I've looked up some camping recipes (before leaving home) and tried them out. Or sometimes I'll just read by the campfire.

I think I would enjoy it more if I understood my surroundings better. I would like to get into bird watching, or learning to identify flora I see. I think I would enjoy taking up outdoors photography. But I'm not sure where to start with any of this stuff. I'm still a relative novice at camping and don't know much of anything about birds, trees or plants.

So what type of things do you do while solo camping? Or how should I get started with some of my interests.

If it makes a difference, I usually just camp at a regular campsite at a park (I don't want to go too remote until I have more experience.) But I tent camp, and don't have electricity.

Answer
Try one thing at a time...learning flora...then fauna...then identifying birds. Here are some things my friends and I do when camping:
Hiking (like you do already)
Fishing (probably need a license)
Taking pics of sunrises & sunsets & local wildlife.
Set up a hammock, and listen to the wind and birds.
Practice making fire 'the old fashioned way' without starters, matches, etc....just for the heck of it, never know if it will come in handy some time in the future.
Learn about survival tactics in the wild (should you get lost, hurt or stranded some day).
Explore other campgrounds & parks
Get a good dog and take him camping with you. Walks and camping are great with medium sized dogs... like a Jack Russell, Rat Terrier, Miniature Pincher, Cocker Spaniel, Australian Shephard...etc.
Play fetch or frisbee with the dog. Share hot dogs with him :)
Take binoculars and watch wildlife & birds.
Make friends with other campers your age....might become something you make plans for to meet up and do in the future.
Just enjoy the peace and quiet.
Learn to write or draw, using nature as your inspiration...do it in a journal.
Take pics to put in a journal or scrapbook to add to your writing.
Use your imagination...the possibilities are endless....

What should I do with my dog when I go to a restaurant?

:)

I am going camping with my dog soon and we normally go to a restaurant. Unfortunately, there are NO dog friendly restaurants where I'm going. We are staying in a tent at a campground, so I couldn't leave my dog in the tent. What should I do with her? I can't leave her in the car because it will be hot (like 80 degrees).

Any ideas?

Answer
i guess you'll be eating hot dogs and snores around the campfire.

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Where is the best place to camp at New River Gorge in West Virginia?

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rabbit4041

We're going to the New River Gorge in West Virginia for whitewater rafting and would like to know where the best place for tent camping is and what is a "Do Not Miss" sight/to do while we're there? We will not be hiking in as I have my 11 year old going with us. Many thanks to you for helping us.

Answer
hi there,so many to chose from,scroll down the right hand side for camp grounds,click the head line for information on the camp..have fun..

http://www.hikercentral.com/campdetails/113261_New_River_Gorge_Campground_Fayetteville_West_Virginia.html#campgrounds

regards pops..

Are there any websites or guides that rate US campgrounds for tent camping?

Lepke

It seems like a number of websites and guides are aimed at RVs. Does anyone know of any guides or websites that rate campgrounds (state parks AND privately owned) from the perspective of a tent camper. I don't know if it makes any difference but I am especially interested in the Eastern United States. Thanks.

Answer
"The Best in Tent Camping: A Guide for Car Campers Who Hate RVs, Concrete Slabs, and Loud Portable Stereos" series has editions for several Eastern regions.
Smokies: http://www.amazon.com/Best-Tent-Camping-Appalachian-Mountains/dp/0897329600/ref=pd_sim_b_title_2
Virginia: http://www.amazon.com/Best-Tent-Camping-Virginia-Concrete/dp/089732563X/ref=pd_sim_b_title_3
The Carolina's: http://www.amazon.com/Best-Tent-Camping-Carolinas-Menasha/dp/0897329694/ref=sr_1_1?
New England: http://www.amazon.com/Best-Tent-Camping-Concrete-Portable/dp/0897326229/ref=sr_1_5?

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