Backpacking Gear for Two Nights
Since so many folks are taking off for camp this Labor Day weekend to close the summer, I thought I’d repost this guide from last May to refresh your memory!
What you bring to the wilderness really depends on where you go, for how long, and the number and age range of the individuals camping. The following is not a definitive list, but are some general guidelines to get you on your way:
ENTERTAINMENT

Games (dominoes, cards)

A lightweight novel or other reading you would not otherwise have time to …

Photo Courtesy of Mykl Roventine
1. Visit your local nature center. While several centers may be closed for the holiday, adjoining open spaces are usually available and tend to be very picnic friendly.
2. Potluck! Call up a few friends and make a backyard/balcony/rooftop party. Do an easy, fun theme, such as “Last Chance to Wear White” or create a soul food menu and play Al Green’s Greatest Hits the whole day. Don’t forget the cards and dominoes!
3. Take a scenic drive to someplace you’ve never been, such as a nature preserve, …

Life is sometimes stressful. And taking time out for yourself to rejuvenate is sometims not easy. If you’re like me, responsible for the care of loved ones (I have three such loved ones), or have an intense work schedule, the notion of taking a rejuvenating break can seem as likely as finding a $100 bill on a Manhattan sidewalk. But getting a break is a lot more likely and easier than you think!
There is solace in simple activities done right outside your front door. While you may be limited by …

Photo Courtesy of LWA-Sharie Kennedy

When I mention to some people that I go camping, it’s not uncommon to hear in response why they won’t do it themselves. Here is a list of the most frequently heard excuses for not heading out to the woods, along with some real facts to consider:
1. Sleeping in a tent is an elaborate form of back torture
Fact: Just because you sleep in a tent doesn’t mean you have to sleep on the ground. Portable cots and mats are the way I go nowadays because …