Camping Life articles from March 2005

Camping Life archives from March 2005

New beginnings.(Campsite)(spring season)
March 1, 2005... Spring is the season of renewal, of rebirth, of fresh life upon the Earth. This special season holds an almost mystical allure for outdoor enthusiasts. The skies are more often blue than gray, buds bloom, and the landscape begins to turn...

New camp condos hot at "Ritz of RV resorts".(Trail Signs)(Newport Dunes Resort)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2005... Newport Dunes Resort, called the "Ritz of RV resorts" by the Los Angeles Times, continues to improve and add to its wonderful, family-oriented facilities that have made it famous. The Newport Beach, California, RV-camping resort has just...

Great North American RV Rally.(Trail Signs)
March 1, 2005... Check out the latest in new rigs and RV-related products, and get to know other RVers during The Great North American RV Rally held July 11 to 14 in Redmond, Oregon. It's a show where you can do some shopping or just hang out and have a good...

KOA "Come Camp with Us Day".(Trail Signs)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2005... Last year, Kampgrounds of America, Inc. (KOA) had its first "Come Camp with Us Day" and it was a striking success. More than 350 KOA Kampgrounds throughout North America participated, providing more than 10,000 families with a day of free...

Wenonah opens huge new kayak plant.(Trail Signs)(Wenonah Canoe)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2005... Wenonah Canoe's new Current Designs kayak-building facility is located in a new 45,000-square-foot plant located in the Riverbend Industrial Park in Winona, Wisconsin. Current Designs' three kayak-construction processes--rotomolded,...

Happy 40th birthday to Lance camper.(Trail Signs)(Lance Camper Manufacturing Corp.)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2005... The Lancaster, California-based truck camper manufacturing specialist turns 40 this year! From a small shop in 1965, the company has grown into a 110,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art manufacturing facility employing upwards of 400 people,...

What "RV" actually means and how you can actually get more recreation for your investment with a Lance truck camper.(recreational vehicles)
March 1, 2005... If you're in the market for an RV, and trying to decide between all the different products available, we'd like to let you in on a little secret. It isn't about the vehicle--but what kinds of experiences the vehicle allows you to have. ...

Alive with squirrels.(Wildlife)
March 1, 2005... Equally at home in a wilderness of old-growth redwood or a midcity park, squirrels are possibly the most widely recognized animals on the North American continent. Why do squirrels seem to be everywhere? For one thing, there are plenty...

Spring into party season.(Camp Kitchen)
March 1, 2005... It's time to think beaches, blossoms, new beginnings and friends gathered around the campfire for feasting and fellowship. These recipes can be multiplied to feed a crowd. They are easily prepared in camp and can be enjoyed by everyone from...

Kestrel 3500 Pocket Weather Meter.(Gear Head)(Product/Service Evaluation)
March 1, 2005... The new Kestrel 3500 Pocket Weather Meter from Nielsen-Kellerman came to me as a familiar instrument. I have used an older Kestrel 3000 unit for years to keep track of weather conditions during outdoor forays. That guy you see wandering...

Olympus 7X21 PC III Classic binocular.(Gear Head)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2005... A lightweight, compact binocular is a blessing. It takes up almost no room in your backpack or daypack, can easily fit into a lumbar pack, and weighs next to nothing. The 7X21 PC III Classic from Olympus is one of those blessings. The porro...

Coleman Exponent F1 Ultralight stove.(Gear Head)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2005... What can you expect from a lightweight stove that weighs 2.7 ounces? Quite a lot, if you choose the F1 Ultralight from Coleman's Exponent line of products. One of the lightest stoves on the market, the F1 boasts a powerful 16,400-BTU burner...

Tool Logic SL3 Fire multitool.(Gear Head)
March 1, 2005... Wandering through the wilderness looking like Mr. Gadget isn't my idea of ideal camping. Still, in case "something" happens, you want to have the essentials with you; things like a knife, a signal whistle and some means of starting a fire....

HighGear TerraTech electronic compass.(Gear Head)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2005... Small enough to fit in the palm of your hand and light enough to rest there hardly noticed, the TerraTech electronic digital compass from HighGear USA is more than just a directional pointer. The $65 device also offers a digital thermometer,...

Gearing up for spring.(New Products)
March 1, 2005... 1 Tough Cover The ADCO Tyvek fifth-wheel RV cover is the kind you probably wouldn't have to replace. It's made of Dupont Tyvek fabric that guards against UV rays, wind or snow and comes with reinforced corners, tie downs, belly straps, a...

Preseason equipment check.(Outdoorsman)(camping equipment)
March 1, 2005... A few weeks ago, I pulled a pair of boots out of storage and was ready to slide my feet into them when I noticed something that jerked me to a stop. There, deep in the well of one boot, was a distinctive web--the random pattern of a black...

Spring break! 25 "hot" places for springtime camping adventures.
March 1, 2005... While the weather in much of the country may belie the arrival of spring, odds are high that the approaching season has triggered an urge to get out and play in the warm sun again. It's likely the season of renewal has your thoughts turning...

Gallery.
March 1, 2005... This month's Gallery features the photography of David S. Dairo of Hubbell, Michigan. Camping Life will pay $100 per photograph for original color transparencies (slides) selected for Gallery. All submissions must have an S.A.S.E. for return,...

Cutting edge: a look into fine knives and multitools for campers who want to be on the ...(Buyers Guide)
March 1, 2005... Dad used to say that a good knife was like a good friend--it's just plain comforting knowing you have one by your side. An avid outdoorsman, he instilled within me the importance of owning a good knife. When growing up, that was a trusty...

Spring clothing has sprung! Outdoor clothing items are blooming this season in a variety of colors, textures and styles.(Buyers Guide)
March 1, 2005... Duofold Cross Neck Hoodie So you've built up a sweat and want to cool down and change into something more comfortable. For the ladies try Duofold's Cross Neck Hoodie ($42), part of the company's Post Trail collection. It's made of 92...

ABCs of first aid: what to do first in a medical emergency.
March 1, 2005... + In serious medical emergencies, what you do in the first few minutes can determine if, and how well, the victim will recover. The following ABCs can help you remember what to do ANTICIPATE AND AVOID + Learn first aid. At least one...

Alpenlite Aspen 26RB: designed to handle a week or weekend of family fun.(RV TEST)(recreational vehicle)(Product/Service Evaluation)
March 1, 2005... Our first impression of the Alpenlite Aspen was that it's not just a good-looking recreational travel trailer; it's a home on the range with styling and construction that clearly position it on the leading edge of travel-trailer design. ...

Variety, access characterize South Carolina State Parks.
March 1, 2005... Nowadays, it seems, it's all about access. And interfacing. And multitasking. So... how about access to palm-lined beaches? Interfacing with a glorious sunset over the Blue Ridge? Or spending an afternoon trying to count the multitude...

Caching in: high-tech treasure hunting takes family camping to an exciting new level.
March 1, 2005... Perhaps the most dreaded refrain heard on a camping trip is: "I'm bored, there's nothing to do." "Nothing to do?" you say, "There's biking, hiking, nature watching, skipping rocks, firewood gathering and getting me a Coke out of the cooler."...

Roof top B & B: the Maggiolina car-top tent provides everything but the free breakfast.(Product/Service Evaluation)
March 1, 2005... Camping is different in Europe. Narrow mountain roads and high-speed autobahns, not to mention $4-per-gallon fuel, have made motorhomes and big campers rare. In fact, the full-sized pickup, so prevalent in the United States, is virtually...

Hike' the net.(Web sites give information about camping)
March 1, 2005... Some things never change. More than 2500 years ago, the Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu wrote, "A journey of 1000 miles begins with a single step." It's not all that different today. A truly great camping trip begins with that first step, too....

The little one.(Campfire Stories)
March 1, 2005... This creepy tale, which has been around in one form or another for a long time, is best for children or teens and can be embellished with local landmarks and made current with "it happened the last time we were here..." thrown in for extra...

Contents: your guide to towing.(TOW GUIDE)
March 1, 2005... If you love to fish, waterski, cruise, camp, hike or just get outside and enjoy some clean, fresh air, a trailerable boat or camping trailer can be a great way to satisfy that craving. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] You can take a trailer...

Chapter 1, tow vehicles: how to choose your tow vehicle.(TOW GUIDE)
March 1, 2005... Whether you're an old pro or a novice, towing can be tricky. The first step in any case is to have the right equipment, and that begins with having the appropriate tow vehicle. However, there's one thing to keep in mind when choosing a tow...

Chapter 2, towing equipment: how to equip your vehicle for towing.(TOW GUIDE)
March 1, 2005... Most vehicles require additional equipment for towing. The optional towing equipment package offered on most vehicles often includes various cooling systems, heavy-duty suspension components, the appropriate axle (ring and pinion) gear ratio...

Chapter 3, leveling, loading and driving: how to set up and drive with a trailer behind your tow vehicle.(TOW GUIDE)
March 1, 2005... A trailer tows best when level, so do your level best to get it that way by adjusting the hitchball height. This can be done using a dropped or raised drawbar, or with an adjustable hitch. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Weight distribution...

Chapter 4, trailer wiring: how the wiring on your trailer should work.(TOW GUIDE)
March 1, 2005... To be highway legal, a trailer must have running lights (taillights and/or marker lights), turn signals and brake lights. Some trailers even have backup lights. Of course, this means you must tap into the tow vehicle's electrical system. ...

Chapter 5, trailer hitches: what you should know about hitches.(TOW GUIDE)
March 1, 2005... Hitches come in many configurations for a variety of uses. Some very large boat and camping trailers (35-plus feet) use fifth-wheel or gooseneck hitches that mount in the bed of a pickup. Here, however, we will focus on those used for the...

Chapter 6, launching and retrieving: how to launch and retrieve your boat.(TOW GUIDE)
March 1, 2005... Before you launch your boat, be sure to use the checklist at the back of this booklet so you don't forget something important--such as installing the drain plug. You should spend several minutes preparing your boat for launching before you...

Chapter 7, safety checklist: checklist for safe towing, launching and loading.(TOW GUIDE)
March 1, 2005... You can never be too safe when trailering, and just as any good pilot goes over his safety checklist before taking off, it's a good idea to approach towing in the same manner. The following is a checklist of important items you need to...

Chapter 8, 2005 state towing laws: road rules for all 50 states.(TOW GUIDE)
March 1, 2005... Although some are content to boat or camp close to home and never trailer across state lines, others are more adventurous and love to take their craft to new locations. The beauty of trailer boating is, after all, being able to go where our...

Towing resources: for more information.(SOURCES)(Brief Article)(Directory)
March 1, 2005... Copies of Your Guide to Towing can be downloaded from the Camping Lifes' website, or obtained at select boat and RV shows around the country. Trailer Boats 20700 Belshaw Ave. Carson, CA 90746 310/537-6322 ...