Deerlick Creek Campground has plenty of amenities to keep the camper busy in nature but close to the action of the University of Alabama nearby.

 In the heart of SEC country where the tide rolls, is a Corps of Engineers Campground.  Tuscaloosa, Alabama is the home of Deerlick Creek.  This shady park has friendly staff and well-managed grounds.  If you are looking for a quiet spot to relax and camp but still be close to the action of a college town, this is the perfect spot for you!

Spring Camping Survey Results

I did a short camping survey last month.  I hope to do more than one survey over this year.

Last month, I did a quick survey as part of my newsletter.  I wanted to get some feedback from readers about how they camped.  And I liked what people had to say.  Reading through the comments were really interesting.  So, when you camp, do you feel like the typical camper?  Or do you feel like a fish out of water?

Outside Kitchen Set Up

I made these cinnamon rolls in my Coleman Camp Oven at the campground.  I even prepped them on my little prep area.  You can do quite a bit with a little space!

While there is no place like home, there is also no place like cooking outdoors for me.  Creating an outdoor kitchen can create some challenges, but I have also learned that simple is best. With a few well-placed tools, I am able to create excellent meals at the campground for our family that we all enjoy.  Today, I'm sharing what we use on each trip to make memorable meals. 

Spring Camping Playlist 2019

Spring camping season is officially here, and if you are headed to the campground this weekend, I have put together a playlist to get you going.  As a child, I spent a lot of time riding back roads and listening to old school country music.  Every spring I always find myself back in south Mississippi in the familiar places and spaces that I once called home. 

Camp Oven Comparison - Dutch Oven vs. The Coleman Camp Oven

I've done everything from bread to enchiladas in our Dutch oven.

The first camping gift that my husband gave me was a Lodge Dutch Oven.  I wanted something that I could use for everything.  This piece has lived up to all of its expectations.  Last year, I decided to give the Coleman Camp Oven a try.  Not because I don't love my Dutch Oven.  I just don't always want to heat up charcoal for cooking first thing in the morning if I want to bake something.  I wanted to simplify my cooking process, and I felt like the Coleman Camp Oven would do this.  If you are evaluating camp kitchen gear for a small outdoor setup, this comparison could help you.

Camping Easter Menu Ideas for a Brunch

Last year, we camped at Desoto State Park in Alabama for Easter.  It was chilly, but we still enjoyed Easter brunch.

If you are planning to camp for Easter, why not plan a holiday brunch for that weekend?  This works to schedule a meal for those like breakfast foods but won't wake up early for breakfast.  Plus, brunch is that leisurely "start the day anytime I please on a holiday weekend" kind of way.  After all, isn't that what holiday weekends are all about?  Here are some ideas to help plan a simple holiday meal with some of the traditional touches with twists to make it camping friendly.

Hard Side Cooler Comparison - The Great Cooler Debate

Yeti may be at the top of your list and the top of the pricing model, but is it the best cooler for you?  Before you buy, do your homework.

We have been debating a new cooler purchase for some time now.  It is easy to find recreational coolers that boast of long-standing ice retention, rugged construction, and long term reliability.  Not all coolers are made alike, and how do we tell them apart?  I've done quite a bit of research on this quest to find the right cooler for our family camping excursions, and maybe this can help you!

Replace Your Bag Awning on Your Pop Up Camper

Our new awning is a Shade Maker awning.  It is similar in color to the original one but is a marked improvement in the overall quality.

Replacing your bag awning for a pop-up camper may be more cost-effective than you think.  If you have an older pop-up camper with failing parts, consider that the cost to replace a basic bag awning could be only slightly more than the cost of purchasing parts to repair an older awning.  We repaired our original awning for half of what it cost for us to replace our awning.