camping how to's
Source of Recipe
ask jeeves
Recipe Introduction
We bought a used mini motor home and I'm looking for some recipes for the
motorhome.
I didn't post on grans because of what gran judy wrote about kibitzing on the
list. so if you can think of some handy hints and recipes too please send to
me personally. jc
List of Ingredients
When we go camping we bring chem-light sticks. The kids love to play with them. Since they are 100% safe the kids can take them into their tents and have a nightlight that will last 12 hours. We use them in our outdoor photo work also. When we hike at night we tape one to a pole and we can see our camp fron a long distance.
took a bottle of the hand sanitizer (the alcohol gel stuff) and used that to wash my hands.
My aunt would freeze milk in the jugs, then put in the cooler instead of ice. The next morning, the milk was thawed but was ice cold, and the rest of the food was still cold. It saved room and she did not need to buy ice in the beginning.
I use a longe line (25-30 foot lead use for horses) that I attach to the picnic table with a dog collar and attach the hook end to my dog. It is cheap and gives a long line for her to tangle around things!
I put a tarp under the tent and another on the tent floor. Keeps the floor cleaner and I don't have to worry about my dog's nails ruining the tent floor.
put a shield of aluminum foil on the handle of the propane lamp at night so it doesn't shine into the neighbors' eyes.
We each keep our personal items and clothes in a plastic tub, which gives easier access in the tent and stays dry on the bottom just in case. (You never know how wet you will get camping in Oregon.)
We bring field guides, maps, and pleasure reading in a stout box that, when turned on its side in the tent, becomes a bookcase that I can set a tent lamp on. I do like to read before I sleep, even on a camping trip.
I inspect the ground carefully before I spread the tent groundcloth, and usually sweep it clear of twigs, rocks etc. They get bigger in the night, a strange phenomenon.
A torso-length of refrigerator foam under the other mattress removes the bite from the rocks and roots that I miss.
I will use the foil on the lantern idea- seems my husband is always cleaning fish after dark using the lantern.
My tip is for starting the campfire- we usually have bacon for breakfast at least once. After the bacon grease has cooled I pour it into paper cups with a paper towel wadded up inside. Put this in the center of your firewood and drop the match in- starts the fire every time, no kindling needed.
This is for outdoor firepits only!
I have found that if I freeze all my meat for the weekend (with marinade if desired) in ziplock bags the ice will last all weekend. Usually the meat will need to be laid out before cooking.
The only thing I can add is the best lesson we have learned in storing water. We usually stay in a campground that is very remote. We bring some bottled water with us but generally use well water from a hand pump. In order to get enough water so we do not have to make numerous trips. We bring four five gallon buckets with us. I drilled a hole in one of them and put a controllable spout in it. That way we can use it to sit on top of the table for water dispensing. BUT, we only fill the other 3 containers. The water from the wel is very dirty. Give it an hour and the silt will settle to the bottom. Then using a hose, we syphon the water to the fourth bucket trying not to disturb the water to upset the silt. Doing this really cuts down on the silt after the transfer.
don't forget the airfreshners for the tents. Those tennis shoes can get kind of smelly. I agree preportioning food makes things easier. Keep some camping supplies packed at all times. You never know when you might want to make a quick get away.
unless you are a picky dresser wear your oldest clothes to camp and travel in (the ones you are going to throw out anyway). When they are dirty toss 'em. This especially applies to undies. Who wants to carry dirty undies around? If you are afraid of filling the campsite's dumpster take your garbage home. Note - I toss stuff that I would have tossed anyway - garbage is garbage. I save old stuff all year for this - and pray I don't get in a wreck while traveling in my holey undies! The guy who won the article says he never gets robbed - he went to Paris and dumped his stuff! I am not that brazen but when on the road it is a way to cut down on suitcase and storage space and there is lots of room for souveniers.
When sleeping in very cool/colder weather, don't forget a navy watch cap (stocking cap) to wear for sleeping. Keep the head warm and the rest of the bod will fair better. I store my cap right in the sleeping bag.
If you're traveling with a dog, always keep the PAPER rabies certificate with you. No one cares about the tag if your dog nips some idiot kid that cornered it-- the paper is the important piece.
If someone is bitten by an animal that could be rabid, don't let anyone shoot it in the HEAD! That's the part they use to check for rabies. Insist on a heart/chest shot. Then turn a garbage bag inside-out, use it as a "glove" over your hand, pick the dead animal up by the tail, then pull the bag up over it & secure the opening. Double-bag if you can. Then take it to the authorities. I understand that opossums don't carry rabies.
Take some large garbage bags with you for the dirty laundry.
I haven't used a suitcase in years. A rectangular laundry basket is GREAT!
If you use tent stakes, take a rock hammer with a pointed tip to get the stakes out of hard ground.
If you take a cell phone with you (& you'll be in an area that has the repeater towers so you can use it), make sure the battery is charged, then save it for emergencies. How many people in emergencies had wasted the batteries on How-are-you-I-am-fine conversations?
Always take more socks & more matches than you think you'll need.
Buy a mesh bag for your laundry so it can air out a little. I keep mine packed with the camping stuff.
here is another tip,. Buy towels and dish clothes that don't match your others - I bought navy. Keep them in a crates or baskets ready to go. If some make it into the laundry you can pluck them out and pack them again. Same deal with sheets but I bought them at yard sales - they have scenery on them.
I recently went across the Canadian border and they wanted to see the dog's paperwork and not mine so anytime you cross into Canada be sure to take the papers. I keep my birth certificate, hubby's passport and dog's health papers in a ziplock type bag ready to grab at a moment's notice. Hubby and I take seperate "beauty bags" - saves fighting over the toothpaste and soap when both are heading to the showers.
If you don't have mesh bags for dirty laundry, pillow cases will work and can be washed.
For those of us who dread the laundry woes ""just say no" to packing any red clothing. Reds bleed.
If you use the plastic jugs of milk, save some, rinse clean, then fill with clean water 3/4 full, place lid back on, and freeze. Use this in place of ice at the beginning of your trip. Ice will last longer and it won't get other food wet and soggy.
During the hot months, freeze all your meats and butter before hand in ziploc freezer bags (or seal-a-meal) to double as ice.
Have large propane bottles that tip over? Place them in a plastic crate. Works great especially when you have to transport them in the car.
Carry diaper wipes. Even us big kids can use them to freshen up when there's no shower.
When in bear country, keep a clean car and a clean camp. Bear's have been known to break into a car for a twinkie wrapper. Bear's also know that coolers and backpacks contain food, carry blankets (the quilted moving pads are great) to cover up the coolers and packs.
Clean your campsite before you leave, and help preserve the beauty of the great outdoors for our future generations.
I break things down to catagories. The Kitchen box never gets unpacked--only replenished, and doubles for day picnics also. One plastic box with lid, (cheep and always on sale somewhere), holds everything from the dish pan to the spices. Then I have a "hiking" or day bag that holds field guides, old hard covered books and heavy rubber bands, (portable flower press), garden gloves, binoculars, small plastic bags, notebook and pen, labels, camera, plaster of paris and water, etc. I use a back pack for this coz it has lots of pockets. Pringles cans are great for holding many things--Pre measured plaster, dog treats, rock specimins, small tools etc. I even use them for pooper scoopers. They have covers and are easily stored-yuk-until you can throw them away.
I also freeze everything--almost. I put a lb of butter in a plastic freezer box meant for butter, and feeze it. All meat, juices and milk is frozen--bread too if there is room. I too cook or measure ahead of time. I usually make a big bowl of pasta salad with meat in it. That holds everyone while traveling and setting up camp.
I bought a case of small water bottles, froze them, and used them throughout the trip. They still had ice after a week and half. After I used them I saved the bottles and reused them for juice and water. These are a little expensive, but cheaper than buying ice.
If you don't already know how, then learn to tie:
Square Knot
Bowline Knot
Taut Line Hitch
Everyone and especially every camper should know these knots.
Recipe
|
|
member logon
