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. Mountain Climbing – Preserve Your Experiences

By Rick Chapo Mountain climbing is a great way to escape the rat race and be one with nature. Alas, your mountain climbing experiences can fade with time. The best way to prevent this is to keep a mountain climbing journal for your adventures. Mountain Climbing Journals Take a minute to give some consideration to your most recent mountain climbing experience. What sticks out in your mind? Now think about ... read more

4. Thailand – The Land of Smiles and Cheap Travel

By Rick Chapo Thailand is known as the land of smiles, which is amazing considering the traffic jams in Bangkok. For budget travelers, Thailand simply can’t beat on price alone. Thailand Thailand is an odd mix of contrasts. It can be extremely stressful while trying to get around in Bangkok and gloriously relaxing while laying on practically any of the beaches that populate the coast of the country. Rega... read more

5. Halloween Bird Watching – The Dark Side

By Rick Chapo Bird watching is just about the most unobjectionable hobby in the world. With Halloween approaching, however, it is time to discuss the dark, dark, dark side of birding. Bird watching enthusiasts are always looking for good spots to whip out the binoculars and visually hunt for a new life bird. There are really only two potential downsides to this for bird watchers. What Are You Looking At... read more

6. 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

7. Riviera Maya, Mexico – Paradise Defined

By Rick Chapo The Riviera Maya on the Caribbean coast was a secret getaway to paradise for many years. No longer. Now it is considered one of the finest beach areas in the world. Riviera Maya Located on the Yucatan Peninsula in the state of Quintana Roo, the Riviera Maya is jaw dropping beautiful. Although the area was only known to a select few for years, the last 10 years has seen a boom in tourism an... read more

8. Budapest – Health Resort Spas

By Rick Chapo Budapest is an amazing city with so many attractions that it is hard to know where to start. The health resort spas seem as good a place as any. Budapest Spas Budapest sits on a tectonic plate fault line in Eastern Europe. While earthquakes seem inevitable, one advantage to the location is the proliferation of mineral water spas in the city. Here are a few highlights. The Gellert Spa Hote... read more

9. Argentina Travel - Buenos Aires, Mar del Plata, Iguazú Falls, Tierra del Fuego, and Patagonia

By Rick Chapo Argentina is on the way back from the economic crisis of the last few years. If you are looking for a travel destination, Argentina is amazing and cheap. Economic Woes While Argentina has unlimited beauty, it also has unlimited corruption. The massive corruption finally lead to an economic crisis at the turn of the century. With the currency devalued and jobs hard to find, Argentina was ... read more

10. Playing Chess in Russia – The Agony of Victory

By Rick Chapo Russians have a thing for chess and, frankly, are very good at it. Being from San Diego, I thought chess was something you put photo albums in. Playing Chess Playing chess requires thinking ten or twelve steps ahead. If I wanted to understand the Russian mind, I had to learn to play chess. If nothing else, it would be a good way to pass the time. This I was told by Robert, an American livin... 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. 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

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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

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. 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

18. Wat Doi Suthep, Chang Mai – A Not So Spiritual Journey

By Rick Chapo The Buddhist Temples in Thailand are simply impressive. This is particularly true of Wat Doi Suthep, the mountain temple outside Chang Mai. Wat Doi Suthep More or less located on the top of Suthep Mountain, Wat Doi Suthep is a day trip from the city. You’ll notice I didn’t write an “easy” day trip. When the Thais build a mountain temple, they’re serious about the mountain aspect. Suthep... read more

19. Hiking Trails – Preserve Your Experiences

By Rick Chapo Hiking is a great way to escape the rat race, get out in nature and leave the stress of the world behind. Alas, your hiking experiences can fade with time. The best way to prevent this is to keep a hiking journal. Hiking Journals Take a minute to give some consideration to your most recent hiking experience. What sticks out in your mind? Who did you go with and were there any incredible view... read more

20. Budapest, Hungary – The Paris of Eastern Europe

By Rick Chapo Located in Eastern Europe, Hungary is diverse and beautiful country. The undisputed treasure of the country is Budapest. Budapest – A Tale of Three Cities Over 2,000 years old, Budapest is a large city containing traces of the various forces that have ruled it over time. Romans, Turks, Goths and many others have conquered the city. Somehow, the various influences work in such a way as to mak... read more

21. Eastern Russia – Vladivostok, Khabarovsk and Magadan

By Rick Chapo With an incredibly large land mass, Russia is really many countries in one. In this article, we take a look at travel destinations in the Far East. Vladivostok A naval port city on the Pacific Ocean, Vladivostok has a passing resemblance to a run down San Francisco. Home to the Pacific Fleet of the Russian Navy, the city has lost a little of its luster as spending on the military has dried u... read more

22. Siberia, Russia – The Trans-Siberian Railway - Part 7

By Rick Chapo After deciding to move to Siberia for a year to teach at the Chita State Technical University, I embarked on a travel odyssey unlike any other. In this entry, we pick up the trip leaving the train station in Khabarovsk. A Train To Nowhere? In deciding to travel to Chita, Siberia, I had originally estimated a travel time of three days. Okay, maybe three at the outside figuring time changes a... read more

23. 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

24. 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