Articles
The U.S. National Forest Campgrounds Guide web pages are loaded with tons of information about some 2,400 developed Forest Service campgrounds but there is more to experience than just the trees. The following articles provided here cover a little of what isn’t said. Most of the articles answer questions asked and fall into broad categories. These articles are intended to make the best of your time in a national forest and grassland memorable, safe, and great.
Please check back on a periodic basis as new articles will be added periodically (to the top of the list).
Enjoy!
Categories
- camping with children
- Notable Campground
- Skills and knowledge
- Things to do
- Things to experience
- Things to see
- Tips and Tricks
Hiking Season in SE Arizona
Although hiking weather in other parts of the country isn’t great, here in southeast Arizona, it is just about perfect. We are enjoying mostly mild weather, cerulean skies, gentle breezes, glorious sunset, and, yes, reduced snake activity. The problem isn’t finding a hiking trail but selecting one. Here are some examples for a “good” problem. Read More >>
DIY Campfire Starter
We probably don’t get to enjoy as many campfires as most campers but I like to be ready, just in case. In the past, Fred relied on old newspapers. The problem is we don’t often have newspapers laying around the motorhome. So, I will make up several of these campfire starters – descriptions follow. You’ll Read More >>
Tips for Better Photo Memories
This article was published some eight years ago. The tips given are still valid and might be helpful for your photo taking this time of year. ******************************************************** I was going through several photo albums the other day of my children. It’s hard to believe they have children of their own. The photos bring back a Read More >>
Fire!!! Got a plan?
There doesn’t seem to be an end to the misery folks in California are going through with all these horrible fires. So many missing. So many dead. So many homes gone. So many acres destroyed. My heart aches for all those people and what they must be going through wondering about loved ones. When Fred Read More >>
Saguaro – Icon of the Southwest
No doubt about it, the Saguaro (pronounced “suh-WAH-ruh”) is an impressive plant. The Saguaro is the largest cactus in USA and can weigh more than two elephants. By middle age, the Saguaro will tower above all other desert plants. It is an important source of food and shelter to desert animals. Saguaro grow in the Read More >>
Affordable Family Vacations – Alternatives to National Parks
Every January, I start planning for the upcoming camping season. In the beginning, camping was a break from my life of a 9-to-5 job, bills, and the same-old, same-old. Then came a husband and children. Camping became an affordable family vacation. Today, people are still looking for an affordable family vacation and many are discovering Read More >>
Peppermint Cocoa Mix
There are some things that are essential to all my camping adventures and hot chocolate tops that list. I feared, once diagnosed with a lactose intolerance, I would have to give up this camping essential. But for joy, for joy, there is something about cocoa that allows my body digest milk. Means hot chocolate remains Read More >>
Cooking at Elevation – tips and tricks
I read a cookbook like some people read a Tom Clancey or Stephen King novel. But none of my reading prepared me for cooking at elevation. Under-cooked chicken, over-cooked peas, gravy best suited for pothole repair, and biscuits that should have been registered with the local police authorities as weapons are a few of the Read More >>
DIY Camper’s Cleaning Aids
For me, camping isn’t a vacation from cleaning. I have a stash of cleaning aids to help me. All are DIY (do it yourself) and most use the same products. Now, I don’t mind getting dirty. Personally, I like playing in mud but I draw the line at living in a dirty place. Part of Read More >>
Volunteers Needed
Every year dozens of volunteers contribute their time, knowledge, and muscles to our national forests. They contribute hours upon hours of their personal time doing everything from wildlife surveys and manning fire lookouts to hosting campgrounds and doing general office work. These people build and maintain trails, paint picnic, dig post poles, and so much Read More >>
