Since we typically only go camping about once a year, it is easy to forget to do or bring certain things beforehand. Of course, you don't realize that you forgot about them until you are already there - with no store within dozens of miles. So, here are some things to consider:
1. Have a camping checklist. If you make a list each time you go camping, you are bound to forget something each time. If you have a checklist saved on your device, you can always pull it up and check it. Then, if you did forget something, you can add it before your next trip. Some things you might want to include are: tent, mallet, whisk broom, stove, propane, lighter or matches, hatchet, wood, camp chairs, pots and pans, kettle, Dutch oven, plates, cups, utensils (eating and cooking), marshmallow prongs, paper towels, cleaning supplies, toilet paper, trowel, hand sanitizer, toiletries (with biodegradable soap), towels, map, compass, mirror, sleeping bags, extra blanket, pillows, sleeping pads, a cot or air mattress, air pump, extra batteries, lantern, flashlight, sunscreen, bug spray, rain gear, day pack (hiking), hiking pole, first aid kit (with mole skin), water purifier, appropriate clothing, hat, sunglasses, laundry bag, water bottles, large water container, food, cooler (with ice), ziplock bags, duct tape, a book, cash, and trash bags. Also make sure everything is in working order.
2. Tell someone where you are camping. If you are out in the wilderness, there is a very good chance that your cell phone won't work. So, if you get stuck in an emergency situation, it is important that someone who isn't going with you knows exactly where you are and when to expect you back. You may also make arrangements to call them as soon as you return so that if you aren't back within a certain time frame, they can contact the appropriate authorities. Of course, leave a cushion so that they don't send out search and rescue just because you had to travel at a slower speed than you expected; because chances are you will.
3. Check the weather report. You want to be prepared before you head out into the wilderness. Just because it is 85 degrees where you live doesn't mean that hot where you are camping. By checking the weather for the place you will be camping, you will make better decisions about which clothes to bring. That said, regardless of what the weather report says, make sure you pack a jacket and set of warm clothes for everyone in case of a freak storm. Also, be aware that just because it isn't raining where you are, if it is raining uphill from where you are, there is always the potential of a flash flood, so keep an eye on that as well.
4. Be familiar with the wildlife in the area. The biggest concern will be bears. If you are going to be camping in an area close to bears, make sure you take the proper precautions: having a place to store your food where bears can't get it, teaching your kids what to do in case they encounter a bear or other wild animal, make sure they know not to keep any type of food (or candy) in the tent, etc. Any animal can be dangerous when threatened, and shouldn't be touched or fed, but other animals that require extreme caution are snakes, moose (a lot more dangerous than many people realize), and cougars.
5. Teach kids what to do in case of an emergency. Of course you don't ever expect anything bad to happen, but regardless of our best intentions, life happens. When you are camping, you and your kids will be out of your environment, so it is always a good idea to go over what to do in case of an emergency. You may not want to scare them, but they need to be prepared in case something does go wrong. Some situations to discuss might include: what to do if you get lost, fire safety, safety around bodies of water, or what to do in extreme weather conditions (snow, rain, lightning, flood, excessive heat, etc.). Remember it is always better to be over-prepared than under-prepared.
Be safe and have fun!
Friday, June 23, 2017
Sunday, June 18, 2017
Spotlight: New Mexico - Carlsbad Caverns National Park
Spotlight: Jim White was the driving force behind making Carlsbad Cavern a national park. He explored the cave extensively as a boy, naming several of the rooms and many formations. For years he petitioned the government to protect the area as a national park, and finally found an ally in his campaign after sending several photos to the National Geographic magazine. In 1923, President Calvin Coolidge signed a proclamation establishing Carlsbad Cave National Monument. In 1930, Congress signed an Act establishing Carlsbad Caverns National Park.
Until 1932, visitors to Carlsbad Cavern had to enter the cave via a switchback ramp that dropped down 750 feet. Then in 1932, the NPS built a Visitor Center including two large elevators to bring visitors in and out. Today, you still have the option of hiking in or out or taking the elevator.
Location: Carlsbad Caverns National Park is located south of the city Carlsbad, NM near the border with Texas.
Cost: Entrance fees for adults (16+) are $10; children (under 15) are free. There are additional fees if you take one of the tours.
Time: The Visitors Center is open daily from 8:00 am - 7:00 pm. from Memorial Day weekend - Labor Day. It closes at 5:00 during the rest of the year. Closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years Day. Plan on spending 2-4 hours if you go on a tour (either self-guided or ranger-led).
- The Nightly Bat Flight program begins at 7:30 each evening from Memorial Day until October.
Description: Unfortunately, we arrived too late for the Nightly Bat Flight. When we arrived at the Visitor Center the next morning, we took the King's Palace Tour. We went down 700 feet by elevator to begin the tour, which took 1 1/2 hours. The ranger led us along the paved path through four amazing chambers: the Green Lake Room, the Kings Palace, the Papoose Room and the Queens Chamber (which includes some of the most beautiful formations in the nation). In the Kings Palace, we saw the formation that appeared on the cover of National Geographic a century ago (upside down), bringing Carlsbad Caverns into the national spotlight. On the tour we saw some smoke smudges Jim White made while exploring the cave to mark his way as well as many amazing formations. We also experienced a "Black Out" in which all the lights were extinguished (on purpose) leaving us in complete darkness.
After the tour, we hiked the mile and a quarter out through the natural entrance - including the Bat Cave. Along the way we saw several famous formations including the Bashful Elephant, the Whales Mouth, the Veiled Statue, and Iceberg Rock.
Rating: 5 stars (out of 5)
Things You Should Know: - You can enter and exit the cave either by elevator or hiking. Entrance to the cave by elevator must be prior to 5:00 pm during the summer (3:30 the rest of the year).
- You can either take a guided tour led by a ranger, or take a self-guided tour. The two self-guided tours include the hike down from the surface and the Big Room (which at almost 4,000 feet is the largest room in the cave system).
- If you plan on taking a guided tour, it is strongly recommended to make a reservation ahead of time (48+ hours in advance). Tickets for guided tours must be picked up 30 minutes before the tour begins.
- Pets are not allowed on park trails, off road, at bat flight, in the visitor center or in the cave.
- Even though there is lighting, bring your own flashlight so that you can examine the formations better.
- The Nightly Bat Flight program is free, but is offered on a first-come first serve basis at the amphitheater. No electronic devices of any kind (including cameras) are to be used during the bat flight.
- Other Night Sky events are offered at various times from June through October (particularly Saturday nights).
- Two other caves located within the National Park are open to the public: Spider Cave and Slaughter Canyon Cave. Both are undeveloped except for designated paths for guided adventure caving tours.
Nearby: Brokeoff Mountains Wilderness Study Area, Guadalupe Mountains National Park, Living Desert State Park, Hueco Tanks State Park
Until 1932, visitors to Carlsbad Cavern had to enter the cave via a switchback ramp that dropped down 750 feet. Then in 1932, the NPS built a Visitor Center including two large elevators to bring visitors in and out. Today, you still have the option of hiking in or out or taking the elevator.
Location: Carlsbad Caverns National Park is located south of the city Carlsbad, NM near the border with Texas.
Cost: Entrance fees for adults (16+) are $10; children (under 15) are free. There are additional fees if you take one of the tours.
Time: The Visitors Center is open daily from 8:00 am - 7:00 pm. from Memorial Day weekend - Labor Day. It closes at 5:00 during the rest of the year. Closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years Day. Plan on spending 2-4 hours if you go on a tour (either self-guided or ranger-led).
- The Nightly Bat Flight program begins at 7:30 each evening from Memorial Day until October.
Description: Unfortunately, we arrived too late for the Nightly Bat Flight. When we arrived at the Visitor Center the next morning, we took the King's Palace Tour. We went down 700 feet by elevator to begin the tour, which took 1 1/2 hours. The ranger led us along the paved path through four amazing chambers: the Green Lake Room, the Kings Palace, the Papoose Room and the Queens Chamber (which includes some of the most beautiful formations in the nation). In the Kings Palace, we saw the formation that appeared on the cover of National Geographic a century ago (upside down), bringing Carlsbad Caverns into the national spotlight. On the tour we saw some smoke smudges Jim White made while exploring the cave to mark his way as well as many amazing formations. We also experienced a "Black Out" in which all the lights were extinguished (on purpose) leaving us in complete darkness.
 |
| Green Lake Room |
After the tour, we hiked the mile and a quarter out through the natural entrance - including the Bat Cave. Along the way we saw several famous formations including the Bashful Elephant, the Whales Mouth, the Veiled Statue, and Iceberg Rock.
 |
| Bashful Elephant |
 |
| Veiled Statue |
 |
| Whale's Mouth |
 |
| Bat Cave |
 |
| bats |
Things You Should Know: - You can enter and exit the cave either by elevator or hiking. Entrance to the cave by elevator must be prior to 5:00 pm during the summer (3:30 the rest of the year).
- You can either take a guided tour led by a ranger, or take a self-guided tour. The two self-guided tours include the hike down from the surface and the Big Room (which at almost 4,000 feet is the largest room in the cave system).
- If you plan on taking a guided tour, it is strongly recommended to make a reservation ahead of time (48+ hours in advance). Tickets for guided tours must be picked up 30 minutes before the tour begins.
- Pets are not allowed on park trails, off road, at bat flight, in the visitor center or in the cave.
- Even though there is lighting, bring your own flashlight so that you can examine the formations better.
- The Nightly Bat Flight program is free, but is offered on a first-come first serve basis at the amphitheater. No electronic devices of any kind (including cameras) are to be used during the bat flight.
- Other Night Sky events are offered at various times from June through October (particularly Saturday nights).
- Two other caves located within the National Park are open to the public: Spider Cave and Slaughter Canyon Cave. Both are undeveloped except for designated paths for guided adventure caving tours.
Nearby: Brokeoff Mountains Wilderness Study Area, Guadalupe Mountains National Park, Living Desert State Park, Hueco Tanks State Park
Sunday, June 11, 2017
Spotlight: Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historic Park
Spotlight: The C&O Canal National Historic Park was established in 1971 to preserve neglected sections of the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal, and extends 184.5 miles along the Potomac River, covering almost 20,000 acres from Washington DC to Cumberland, Maryland. The canal (aka "The Grand Old Ditch") was constructed from 1828 to 1850. Although it was originally intended to extend all the way to Pittsburgh, it was outpaced by the railroads (particularly the B&O Railroad). It was primarily used to ship coal from the Allegheny Mountains to DC. Shipping by canal remained cheaper during the 1800's, but improvements to trains eventually made the canal obsolete. It was finally closed in 1924. It was purchased by the federal government, and was the source of consistent debate regarding its use. Although most proposals were scrapped, canal boat rides have been given along sections of its route since the early 1940's, following extensive repairs to the canal during the Depression. The first canal boat was the Canal Clipper which began giving mule-driven rides in 1941. It was finally designated a National Monument in 1961. Although occasionally plagued by flooding, several organizations continually work to preserve and restore this historical route. In addition to canal boat rides, other popular activities along the canal zone include running, hiking, cycling, fishing, boating, kayaking and rock climbing.
Location: The C&O Canal National Historic Park is located on the shores of the Potomac River along a 184.5 mile stretch from Washington DC to Cumberland, MD. Although the NPS maintains 7 Visitor Centers, the most popular one is Great Falls Tavern located at 11710 MacArthur Blvd, Potomac, MD.
Cost: Entrance fees ($10/private vehicle or $5/person on foot or bicycle) are only collected at the Great Falls Entrance Station. All other access to the park is free. Great Falls Canal Boat Rides cost: $8/adult (16-61), $6/senior (62+), and $5/child (4-15). Campsites are $20 each.
Time: It is open during daylight hours year round. Visitor Center hours vary on location and season (see link below). You will probably spend a couple of hours at a single location. You will need multiple days to visit the entire park.
Description: We only visited the Great Falls Tavern section of the park. First we bought tickets for a canal boat ride. While we were waiting, we hiked along the wooden walkway to the Olmsted Island Overlook of the Great Falls. The hike was very pretty and the Falls were impressive. We also saw some terrapins.
We also explored the exhibits describing conditions for workers along the canal. It was interesting learning about how the boats and locks were operated.
Finally we got to board a replica canal boat pulled by mules by workers dressed in period dress from the 1870's. The captain used a pole like his predecessors and other workers walked along the towpath guiding the mules. We got to go through one set of locks, which had to be opened by hand by the workers, just like during the Canal's heyday.
Rating: 4 stars (out of 5)
Things You Should Know: - Canal Boat rides are available on weekends from April - mid-October (11:00 am, 1:30 pm, 3:00 pm). You may purchase tickets and board canal boats at the Great Falls Tavern Visitor Center at 11710 MacArthur Blvd., Potomac MD 20854. Ten or more people are required in order to make advance reservations. Otherwise, all canal boats are operated on a first come/first serve basis.
- The Great Falls Tavern and Cumberland Visitor Centers are open year round, but the others are open on a seasonal basis. For addresses and hours of the 7 Visitor Centers that service the park, click here. For a complete map of the National Historic Park, click here.
- One popular activity for kids is finding animals and plants shown on the park's scavenger hunt card.
- There is a 15 mph speed limit for bikes on the towpath. A couple of different businesses offer bike and kayak rentals.
Nearby: Smithsonian National Zoological Park, Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park, Harper's Ferry, Fort McHenry NM
Location: The C&O Canal National Historic Park is located on the shores of the Potomac River along a 184.5 mile stretch from Washington DC to Cumberland, MD. Although the NPS maintains 7 Visitor Centers, the most popular one is Great Falls Tavern located at 11710 MacArthur Blvd, Potomac, MD.
Cost: Entrance fees ($10/private vehicle or $5/person on foot or bicycle) are only collected at the Great Falls Entrance Station. All other access to the park is free. Great Falls Canal Boat Rides cost: $8/adult (16-61), $6/senior (62+), and $5/child (4-15). Campsites are $20 each.
Time: It is open during daylight hours year round. Visitor Center hours vary on location and season (see link below). You will probably spend a couple of hours at a single location. You will need multiple days to visit the entire park.
Description: We only visited the Great Falls Tavern section of the park. First we bought tickets for a canal boat ride. While we were waiting, we hiked along the wooden walkway to the Olmsted Island Overlook of the Great Falls. The hike was very pretty and the Falls were impressive. We also saw some terrapins.
We also explored the exhibits describing conditions for workers along the canal. It was interesting learning about how the boats and locks were operated.
Finally we got to board a replica canal boat pulled by mules by workers dressed in period dress from the 1870's. The captain used a pole like his predecessors and other workers walked along the towpath guiding the mules. We got to go through one set of locks, which had to be opened by hand by the workers, just like during the Canal's heyday.
Rating: 4 stars (out of 5)
Things You Should Know: - Canal Boat rides are available on weekends from April - mid-October (11:00 am, 1:30 pm, 3:00 pm). You may purchase tickets and board canal boats at the Great Falls Tavern Visitor Center at 11710 MacArthur Blvd., Potomac MD 20854. Ten or more people are required in order to make advance reservations. Otherwise, all canal boats are operated on a first come/first serve basis.
- The Great Falls Tavern and Cumberland Visitor Centers are open year round, but the others are open on a seasonal basis. For addresses and hours of the 7 Visitor Centers that service the park, click here. For a complete map of the National Historic Park, click here.
- One popular activity for kids is finding animals and plants shown on the park's scavenger hunt card.
- There is a 15 mph speed limit for bikes on the towpath. A couple of different businesses offer bike and kayak rentals.
Nearby: Smithsonian National Zoological Park, Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park, Harper's Ferry, Fort McHenry NM
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