Camping Articles

1. Buying a computer? Ask these 3 questions!

By Adam Fletcher 1. Why do you need a computer? Whether you are a new user or advanced one, whether this is your first computer or second (or even third), be clear as to why you want a computer before you even think of buying one. How will you use your computer? Are you only interested in browsing the Internet and checking e-mail? Do you plan to use your PC as a programming machine? Do desktop publishing or... read more

2. Campsite Meal Planning and Recipe

By Timothy D McBride Hello Again, Today we will be talking about meal planning. Meals are one of the most memorable aspects of any camping trip and if one meal is a disaster you will never hear the end of it. I will show you how to avoid spending half the day in the kitchen and still deliver a meal that will knock their socks off. Pre planning and pre prep are a great way to buy more time for doing what you ca... read more

3. 6 Things You Must Do If You Want To HaveThe Secret To Catching More Trout

By Robin Shortt It has always been my private conviction that any man who pits his intelligence against a fish and loses has it coming. ~John Steinbeck 1. How Fish Think When you hunt for deer, and any other animal for that matter, there are some set rules you have to follow if you are going to catch some very wary Brook and Brown trout. Will the rules for hunting somehow help with Trout Fishing.... read more

4. Lagos, Portugal – Casa Rosa and Joe’s Garage

By Rick Chapo If you’re a budget traveler or backpacking Europe, Lagos is a cheap slice of paradise. Casa Rosa is the place for general sustenance, while Joe’s Garage is a place to let go. Casa Rosa Casa Rosa claims to be the haven for backpackers in Lagos. The more you travel, the more you know such claims are rarely true. With Casa Rosa, however, I can confirm the claim is true. This hole in the wall s... read more

5. Fly Fishing in Russia

By Rick Chapo A few years back, I spent a year living in Siberia and had a chance to head out to a town called Tinda. Much to my surprise, a couple of the locals had fly fishing on the menu. The Siberian Surprise Mention the word “Siberia” and most people think of bleak, frozen tundra stretching for hundreds of miles. Well, this is more or less true in the winter. In the summer, however, much of Siberia ... read more

6. How To Have Better Camping Trips.

By Marc Wiltse Tired of packing too much or not bringing critical camping gear for your camping trips? Camping trips can be a great way to relax and get away from it all. But with a little planning you could make them even better. Since different areas offer different challenges start off by making a camping list and/or hiking gear list you might need. This will also help get you started... Are there any w... read more

7. Mountain Hiking Tips, Mountain Trekking Gear & Equipment Hints.

By Marc Wiltse Mountain hiking demands great gear and more education than your typical trail hike. Why? Because as you ascend breathing becomes less efficient, passage grows rugged, and rescue becomes more challenging. So consider your mountain equipment to be your life support system. Where in day hiking you may be able to get away with wearing light-weight boots or shoes, in remote mountain hiking it's a go... read more

8. Holland – Beyond Amsterdam

By Rick Chapo When people think of Holland, Amsterdam is usually the first place that comes to mind. Shockingly, places like Rotterdam and The Hague prove there is more to the country. Really! Rotterdam A traveler is often able to deduce certain things from the name of a destination. In the case of Rotterdam, nothing could be further from the truth. Nothing is rotting. Well, maybe something in the bottom ... read more

9. Italy – Naples and Sorrento

By Rick Chapo Italy is really two countries in one with the wealthy, historic north dominating. To get a taste of the south, Naples and Sorrento are your destinations. Naples If ever there was a city with a reputation, it is Naples. Dirty, nasty, crime infested and fanatical are all words thrown around when describing. In this case, the descriptions are true and it is GREAT! The place is a madhouse and c... read more

10. Big Bend National Park – Texas

By Rick Chapo Big Bend National Park is a land of borders. Situated on the boundary with Mexico along the Rio Grande, it is a place where countries and cultures meet. It is also a place that merges natural environments, from desert to mountains. It is a place where south meets north and east meets west, creating a great diversity of plants and animals. The park covers more than 801,000 acres of west Texas where... read more

11. Halloween In Siberia – Sort Of

By Rick Chapo Live in another country and you’ll start to experience serious cultural differences. This is particularly true as I discovered with Halloween in Siberia. Russian Holidays I loved living in Russia and the primary reason was people. Russians love to celebrate and they are big into holidays. In Chita, Siberia, practically everyday was a holiday. During communism, Russia celebrated the worker w... read more

12. Siberia Travelogue - Part 1 - Here I Come!

By Richard A. Chapo “You must really hate this job.” That’s what my boss said when I told him I was moving from San Diego to Siberia for a year. In reality, I was bored and looking for something that would be completely and utterly new. Whether it was sunstroke or a developing tolerance to margaritas, San Diego just wasn’t cutting it anymore. Heck, I hadn’t even gone to the beach in nine months and it was only a few ... read more

13. Living In Siberia – Lenin's Revenge

By Rick Chapo In 1999, I moved to Chita, a city in Siberia, Russia to teach for a year. After seven days of planes, trains and, well, more trains, I was ready to experience Chita in all its glory. Day 1 – Lenin’s Revenge Riding on a train for three plus days does weird things to your equilibrium. You tend to develop a natural compensation for the swaying. Unfortunately, your body doesn’t just snap back wh... read more

14. Fly Fishing Rods – Getting The Bends

By Rick Chapo Picking a fly fishing rod is a tricky endeavor. Do you go with your ego, expected fishing environment or something else? While length is a factor, the bend or action of the rod is a key factor. Flexibility Fly fishing rods are often defined by their flexibility. In laymen’s terms, flexibility means how far the rods will bend when the same casting effort is used. Minimal Bend A fly fis... read more

15. A Day at the Summer Palace of Peter the Great

By Rick Chapo For elegance and old world feel, St. Petersburg is by far the best Russian city. If you go, a visit to Peterhof, the summer palace of Peter the Great is a must. Peterhof As Tanya and I left St. Petersburg for Peterhof, I was in a foul mood. A pickpocket had cut through the bottom of my backpack and swiped my camera. The ferry taking us was packed and the adorable child on my right had just ... read more

16. Margaret Island – Paradise in Budapest

By Rick Chapo The Danube River runs through the center of Budapest in Hungary. In the middle of the city chaos lays an oasis of tranquility, Margaret Island. Margaret Island Margaret Island is one of the unique elements of Budapest. The island is located in the middle of the Danube River in central Budapest and is a little more than 1 mile long and 500 yards wide. With the exception of a hotel at the sout... read more

17. Travel Guidebooks – The Horror Section

By Rick Chapo Travel guidebooks are like bibles for most travelers and sources of information salvation in a tight spot. Just try to avoid the horror section. Travel Guides You’ve saved up some hard earned cash and are ready to hit the road. If you don’t have a firm destination in mind, you’ll inevitably find yourself sitting in a bookstore somewhere reading travel guides. Regardless of the brand, you usu... read more

18. Fly Fishing On The Green River - Paradise Lost

By Rick Chapo Fly fishing is all about finding a great location, preferably in the middle of a hatch. The Green River in Utah was one such place, but is it still? The Secret Is Out No less than five years ago, it seemed like you head to the Green River and see few others along your little stretch of paradise. These days, it seems like a freeway. The Green River starts at Flaming Gorge in the far North... read more

19. Monaco – The Wealthy Conclave of Europe

By Rick Chapo Perched over the Mediterranean Ocean, Monaco is a picturesque country. With very high prices, most travelers can only afford to spend one day in this conclave for the rich. Monaco The principality of Monaco is a bizarre little place. Situated to the east of the French Riviera, the country is very small and dominated by the city of Monte Carlo. Everything in the principality caters to the we... read more

20. Ice Climbing – Preserve Your Experiences

By Rick Chapo Ice climbing is a great way to escape the rat race and live on the edge. Alas, your ice climbing experiences can fade with time. The best way to prevent this is to keep a ice climbing journal for your adventures. Ice Climbing Journals Take a minute to give some consideration to your most recent ice climbing experience. What sticks out in your mind besides the fact it was cold? Did you climb ... read more

21. Fly Fishing – Catch and Release Yourself

By Rick Chapo When fly fishing, many anglers prefer to catch and release their fly fishing prizes. Still, what should you do when you’re the prize? That’s Gotta Hurt If you become a fly fishing fanatic, you will inevitably hook yourself one day. Of course, this has never happened to me, but my “friends” have done it repeatedly. Being a thoughtful and observant person, I’ve seen how they go about unhooking... read more

22. Thailand – Chang Mai and the Night Market

By Rick Chapo Chang Mai is the largest city in the north of Thailand and well worth a trip. In many ways, Chang Mai is similar to Bangkok, but without the mass of people. Chang Mai Chang Mai is perhaps the most serene big city I have ever had the privilege of visiting. Located at the foot of a large mountain, the city nicely meshes older areas with modern conveniences. Serene Buddhist temples stand only ... read more

23. The Ultimate Traveler’s Day Dream Come True

By Rick Chapo More than a few times, I’ve caught myself sitting at work day dreaming about dropping everything and just jumping on a plane. In October of 2003, I did just that. Life can grind you down when you get in a rut. In my case, I had a particularly bad case of the blues in October 2003. My girlfriend and I had apparently come to an agreement that there was no need for me to exist on the face of the ... read more

24. Copenhagen – Ice Rinks and Danish Elephants

By Rick Chapo On my first visit to Denmark, I fell in love with the country and the city of Copenhagen. Contrary to my guidebook, you could see elephants and experience ice hockey in the dead of summer. The Hanson Brothers Upon arriving in Copenhagen, I was burned out from backpacking and looking forward to a good nap. I was traveling with three other Americans and we became distressed as each subsequent ... read more