I've read multiple posts on Facebook from fellow campers that share frustrations of set up and take down at the camp site.  I can say that we haven't always been great at this.  We are getting better.  This trip, I felt like we kind of hit our camping stride.

Hard to Find Pop Up Parts - Repairing Your Door

On our last camping trip, one of our door pegs that hold our door stay in place when it folds down broke off.  The first place that I contacted when we got home was our local RV dealership.  I typically have good luck locating parts and getting the direction that I need from them.  However, after photos and emails were exchanged over several days, I was still at square one.  It's okay.  I don't take it personally, and I am up to the challenge of finding parts if I need to.

Give Your Camper a Facelift - New Electrical Hatch and Drainage Port

If you are contemplating taking on the task of remodeling or updating a camper, you are going to be looking for parts to do the job.  Or, if you have done any work on a camper, you are probably familiar with JR Products.   This company prides itself on affordable high-quality products for the RV industry.  Their products will renew your RV for wherever your journey takes you.  Every product that we have used has been easy to install and of great quality.

Camping with Kids - Fun Ideas for the Campsite

 

Camping offers many opportunities for children to develop a love for the outdoors.  While children can entertain themselves easily at the campsite, it is wise to have a plan for those down times, rainy days or the day that your child wakes up looking to be bored and grumpy. You don't have to be a super crafty parent to plan camping friendly activities. These planned activities are the ones that can last a lifetime and create a lasting bond with camping.

Father's Day Gift Ideas - Unique Gift Ideas for the Outdoor Guy in Your Life

Father's Day is less than 1 month away, and it is not too soon to start planning a gift for dad.  Collect some ideas now so that you can make your dad swoon over some great swag!  I believe that men are far less complicated than women.  My husband reminds me of this often.  He really is happy with hats, tee shirts and the simple.  Here are some ideas to get your wheels churning.

Bivy Sak - Spring Box Review

BivySak is a quarterly box with outdoor gear for campers, hikers or anyone that loves outdoor activities.  Each seasonal box contains curated, unique gear for that season of the year.  Subscribers pay $24.99 each month for a total of $74.97 for the box.  Each quarter, the subscriber receives $100-$145 in gear.  The spring BivySak was a great score and has some gear that I'm really excited about for the summer months ahead.

Natural Insect Repellent - Essential Oils to Enjoy the Great Outdoors

Summer camper means warmer days with lots of insects and creatures.  Mosquitos, fleas, and ticks are common offenders that we are constantly warding off.  I've become increasingly concerned about what we are putting on our bodies and pets to control insect invasion.

You do have options with insect repellants.  First, I love essential oils.  It is my first line of defense for lots of things around my house.  From fighting colds to cleaning and relaxing linen sprays, I use essential oils a lot in our home.

What are Your Camping Goals?

When people start out camping, usually there is some kind of goal.  Whether it be to get away from the day to day or to just to enjoy nature, there is a goal even if it isn's said out loud.  Once you are set up and organized for camping, it is not much different from other travel.  You have to pack and unpack.  You have to plan.  Sure, you are taking a lot of gear.  But, that is all part of being organized to make it easy.  After you are organized, set some goals.

Pop Up Gizmos Review

We love Peggy Sue our pop up.  One of our favorite features is the heating and cooling unit.  We have used both the heat and air conditioning so far.  Both make camping really cozy in cold weather and a refreshing break from the heat in hot weather.  

Last year, our friends had a pop-up camper when we took our first camping trip together.  My camping sensei, Bryan, showed me his solar bunk end covers.  We were shopping for a pop-up camper at this point.  Bryan told me that we needed these bunk end covers if we had a pop-up camper.  He immediately said that these covers would protect the canvas from tree sap, bird droppings and help with the heating and cooling.

Planning and Making a Budget for Your Pop Up Camper Remodel

Peggy Sue before and after.

If you are looking to buy a new Pop Up Camper or just want to update the one that you have, a budget is necessary to keep you out of a money pit.  Peggy Sue is our first pop-up camper, and I had a mental budget in mind when we started.  I also know that expenses can really get away with a dollar here and a few dollars there.  I created a spreadsheet at the beginning and started tracking our expenses for our pop up camper remodel.

How to Make a Solar Candelabra for Your Campsite

Our family has several camping lanterns for our campsite.  Recently, while scrolling through Pinterest I saw some of these great solar chandeliers that people are making for garden and outdoor spaces.  I'm still considering this as a craft project for our home.

I'm also a big fan of a quick craft or afternoon project.  This is the perfect project for the reluctant crafter.  It can be done in less than an hour and looks great when done.

You will need candlesticks, solar lights and spray paint for this project.

First, begin with some old candle sticks.  If you are looking for something blingy, search for ones that have little chandelier drops on them.  I found my candle sticks on Ebay and won them for $6.99 for the pair.

I removed the chandelier drops first.  Then I spray painted with several coats of Satin Sea Glass Krylon Spray Paint.  I picked this up at Walmart for less than $4.  Be patient with the paint and apply in thin even coats.  Krylon ColorMaster Paint & Primer Satin Sea Glass, 15 oz - Walmart.com

Remove the chandelier drops before spray painting the candle sticks.

Apply several thin coats of spray paint.  

Next, add solar garden lights.  These are easily found in most garden and dollar stores.  Fred's Dollar Store had these for $4 each.  I removed the long stem that would normally be in the ground.  This part just disconnects easily with a twist.  Attach to the candle stick with a little hot glue.  It is easy to use something like a gorilla glue.  But, I wanted to be able to replace the solar lights if they died.  I'll update later if the hot glue doesn't hold up great.

Remove the stick so that the tops of the solar tops can be attached to the candlesticks.  I used hot glue for this.

Reattach the chandelier drops, and presto!  Done!  That's it.  The total cost for this project was $18.99.  For less than $20, I have two solar candles that I can enjoy either camping or at home on my deck.

I really like the finished product and how easy this is.  I can't wait to use these on our camping table the next time we camp.  The will look nice in the evening and at night without sending out a blinding light.  Our lanterns are really bright!

This same method could be used with an old chandelier.  Just replace the existing lights with solar garden lights.  Depending on the size, you could hang this from a shepherds hook or other hook outdoors for a nice evening glow.  The candles could also be perfect on a patio or deck at home.  So, this doesn't just have to be a camping project.  It just happens to be for me.

Camping season is here.  Fun camping gear like unique lights and outdoor decorations make your home on the road more exciting.  Get out there and create something fun to have at your campsite or any outdoor space you enjoy!

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