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Forget the motor home, the travel trailer, the modern definition of camping altogether. This is Manresa State Beach, a haven for those who prefer a sleeping bag under the stars with or without a tent. Marshmallows toasted on an open campfire and spooky tales of jabberwockies and other creatures of the night provide the drama. A zillion stars and the sound of Pacific Ocean waves kissing the sand far below create atmosphere and a true back-to-nature camping experience.
Leave cable cars and Alcatraz behind to access some of the finest camping available in the nation. Cross the Golden Gate Bridge and head north on California State Route 1, the serene coastal route that winds its always spectacular and sometimes scary way north from just above San Francisco to the wild beauty of the Mendocino beaches. You will find exceptional state campgrounds (parks.ca.gov) all the way to the Oregon border. You can access four of the most inspirational sites sequentially as you head north.
The nine-acre Green Valley Lake and the surrounding community of the same name are nestled among the wooded mountains and valleys of San Bernardino National Forest (fs.usda.gov). Located a little less than two hours east of Los Angeles, Green Valley Lake is home to just one camping area, the aptly named Green Valley Campground, which is quiet, shady and secluded.
Famous for rolling hills and vineyards dotted with wineries, Temecula's lush valley lies between forested mountains and the Pacific Ocean. Lakes and streams provide opportunity to angle for sport fish, and trails head off past the horizon, beckoning anyone with a mountain bike, horse or pair of hiking shoes to explore what's around the bend. You can choose from a number of campgrounds near Temecula that will keep you close to the action of your favorite outdoor sport, or provide a peaceful place to relax after touring the wineries.
The rich farm country surrounding the town of Harmony is home to Minnesota’s largest Amish community. Tucked into the southeastern corner of the state, Harmony is also the southern gateway to the Harmony-Preston Valley State Trail, an 18-mile multipurpose, all-seasons recreational trail that connects at its northern end with the 42-mile Root River State Trail. Campers planning a trip to the area can choose from six campgrounds within 25 miles of Harmony.
From its snow-capped peaks to the rushing river in its grand canyon to its unique geysers and mud pots, Yellowstone National Park is unlike any other place in the world. If you want to avoid the crowds and explore the park's backcountry, you'll need to check in with rangers first to get the required documentation, and then be sure to take sensible safety precautions once in the wilderness.
Surrounded by the rolling plains of north-central Texas, the city of Wichita Falls grew up around the site of a waterfall on the Wichita River. The original waterfall is long gone, but the city -- made of sturdier stuff -- has thrived and grown. Dotting the north Texas landscape around Wichita Falls are numerous lakes, state parks and other recreational areas. If you’re a camper, you can choose from five year-round campgrounds within 15 miles of Wichita Falls.
Tall pines and cool temperatures make Payson a favorite getaway for residents of the Phoenix area, less than a two-hour drive away. Tonto National Forest surrounds the city, providing campgrounds near lakes, streams and recreational areas. Travelers can visit additional campsites and recreational areas in Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest up on the Mogollon Rim. This 200-mile clifflike formation runs from the New Mexico border across much of Arizona; it's accessible 30 miles northeast of Payson.
While the city of Blythe is in California on the western side of the Colorado River, you will find one campground accessible from Blythe that lies in both California and Arizona. Oxbow Campground (blm.gov) is in one of the areas where the border of Arizona extends slightly west of the Colorado River due to a change in the course of the river since the state boundary was established. You can pitch your tent in either state at this campground suitable for tents and RVs.
Lavender farms surround Blanco, a village in Texas Hill Country 40 miles north of San Antonio. Established by pioneer stockmen in the 19th century, the town remains a center of ranch and farm trade. The Blanco State Park campground is only four blocks from the former county courthouse, an imposing building constructed in 1885 that anchors the town square.
St. Paul, the smaller of the two metropolises that make up the Twin Cities, is Minnesota's capital. It offers an attractive mix of the urban and nature: As the state's second-largest city, it is also home to more miles of the Mississippi River than any other city in the country. If you're a nature lover visiting St. Paul, stay overnight at one of several campgrounds near the city, all of which are less than 45 minutes away.
The dynamic metropolis of Los Angeles has a little bit of everything: packed freeways, complex ethnic enclaves, the entertainment industry, working-class and wealthy neighborhoods, and first-class restaurants. As the cliche goes with many cities, you either love it or you hate it. With all its glamor and noise, Los Angeles is also surrounded by spectacular reserves and parks, like Joshua Tree National Park, which allows you to take some quick getaways -- all within two to three hours -- for the weekend.
Nicknamed the "Tricky Triangle" for the unlikely shape of its track, Pocono Raceway (poconoraceway.com) in Long Pond, Pennsylvania, is a 2.5-mile super speedway that hosts two 500-mile Sprint Cup Series races each summer. NASCAR fans flood the area for the Pocono 500 in June and again in early August when the Pennsylvania 500 comes roaring into town. Hotel accommodations are at a premium during race weekends, so you might have better luck at a campground in this rather rural area. Whether you want to spend the night trackside, lakeside or mountainside, a host of campgrounds are within 12 miles of…
Pismo State Beach on California's central coast provides the opportunity to partake in all the activities that you think of when you imagine a day along the Pacific -- sandy dunes, sunbathing, surfing, swimming and surf fishing. It also is home to a pair of distinctive natural resources: the prodigious Pismo clam and one of the nation's larger winter colonies of monarch butterflies. If you'd like to stay overnight, the beach about 12 miles south of San Luis Obispo has two campgrounds, including North Beach Campground, which is adjacent to the monarch grove.
Camping in Hawaii is one way to make the most of your time in the sun. State and county campgrounds are scattered across the islands, while more primitive campsites are found in forest reserves. Camp within earshot of the ocean or in Hawaii’s remote backcountry, or be daring and pitch that tent in the shadow of Kilauea, the Big Island home of Pele the fire goddess.
Nestled in the Longfellow Mountains and set along the wooded shores of Moosehead Lake -- New England's largest at 117 square miles -- northern Maine's Lily Bay State Park provides a scenic spot for recreational activities such as hiking, fishing and canoeing. If you're planning to stay overnight or longer in the Maine Highlands, the 925-acre park also has two seasonal campgrounds with waterfront campsites.
As their bodies are developing more adult features, teens also seem to develop strong attitudes. Many would rather spend time with friends or on electronic devices such as computers or cell phones than doing chores. As a parent, the job of keeping the house and yard neat isn't just yours -- your teen enjoys the benefit of a clean house, so he should help keep it that way. Setting expectations early, including clear consequences, is key to motivating your teen to get off the couch.
Making homemade, cheesy macaroni on the stove only requires the right ingredients and the appropriate recipe. Make homemade, cheesy macaroni on the stove with help from the author of six books about cheese in this free video clip.
Making macaroni on a stove only requires the right tools and a little bit of know how. Make macaroni on a stove with help from a passionate culinary professional in this free video clip.
Now all methods for putting out and promoting new rap artists are created equal. Find out about a good way to put out a new rap artist with help from an independent rap artist in this free video clip.
The harmonica has been a staple of campfire gatherings everywhere for almost as long as its been around. Learn about campfire harmonica tablature for beginners with help from a guitar teacher and music instructor in this free video clip.
Making fire charges in Minecraft requires a crafting table and a few other key tools. Make fire charges in Minecraft with help from a devoted tech power user, gamer and gaming fan in this free video clip.
The late 80s and the 1990s were a transitional time for all engines in the United States -- particularly big V-8s. It was during this time period that engines transitioned from old-school carburetion and distributor ignition to fully modern port fuel injection systems. But the change didn't happen overnight; fuel injection systems like those used by the 1992 Blazer represented a kind of hybridization of the old and the new, the not-so-missing link between carburetors, distributors and multi-port fuel injection.
Just because a climate is very cold doesn't mean you can't camp there. Camp in a very cold climate with help from the CEO of an outdoor gear and apparel retailer in this free video clip.
Keeping mosquitoes out of your camp can sometimes be easier said than done. Find out about the best way to keep mosquitoes out of your camp with help from the CEO of an outdoor gear and apparel retailer in this free video clip.
Some may have purchased fifth wheel campers for occasional use in warm climates, but some fifth wheel camper owners live in their units full-time. If you decide to use such a unit for cold-climate living, you may find that it is certainly lacking in its ability to perform in harsh conditions. Certain fifth wheel campers can be used successfully in cold climates if they are rated for four-season living and are optioned and prepared appropriately.
Biochar is a charcoal made from biological materials such as wood and vegetable matter. A biochar stove serves two purposes: It creates biochar and it allows you to cook food on top of it while it is making the biochar. The flame generated by a biochar stove is cleaner and less polluting than the flames that many other types of stoves produce. It burns a wider range of fuel than simple wood stoves do. It also makes biochar, which you can use as a soil amendment to make gardening easier or use as fire starters like any other form of…
You can make cappuccino right on your stove top so long as you know what you're doing. Make cappuccino on the stove with help from a coffee shop owner and coffee consultant in this free video clip.
If a house fire is going to start the odds are it is going to start in one of a few distinct ways. Learn about the seven most common ways house fires start with help from a certified firefighter in this free video clip.
Fire hoses are made in a variety of sizes for specific user requirements. Portable home fire pump equipment hoses typically use small diameter connection fittings and washers similar to garden hoses. The washers compress as the connections tighten to prevent water leakage at the joints when the hose is pressurized. While the sealing washers are usually available from fire equipment suppliers, you can make your own washers using gasket material and a few tools.
A fire pit can add aesthetic value to your outdoor living space, and can provide a source of heat when you are relaxing outside during the cooler months. You can also use a fire pit for roasting campfire fare such as hot dogs and marshmallows. A concrete fire pit ring provides a low-maintenance barrier to contain fire and help prevent injuries from burns. Constructing a concrete fire pit ring is a relatively straightforward task that you can complete in a weekend.
The game "GodFinger" gives you the opportunity to run the world as you see fit with the help of your followers. Although you run the show, your followers play an important role. Items such as the campfire are essential to keeping your followers in top shape so that your world can thrive.
The average do-it-yourselfer can install a cooktop stove in an island without having to call in a technician and pay high labor rates. When you choose the brand and model that you want to install, choose one of the downdraft models to save yourself the trouble of installing a range hood. The actual time necessary to complete the project depends on the particular model that you choose and the type of energy it uses. Make sure the island is suitable for installing the type of cooktop you want to use before you make the actual purchase.
Rain and snow are the enemies of a roof. As years of wear and tear create small cracks -- particularly at the lower edges of the roof line where snow weight accumulates and moisture pools -- moisture can seep through to the rafters beneath the roofing and begin to rot. When rafter tails -- the ends that often extend beyond the roofline -- are damaged they can be repaired through a process with the delightfully descriptive name "scabbing."
Having a garage door stick in the middle of winter is frustrating, but you can prevent a stuck door by discovering the cause and taking preventative measures. Both manual and automatic doors can become difficult to open and close during cold snaps.
Freestanding wood stoves must meet the requirements for safety when installed in a home. When a stove pipe exits a room, it must exit through an approved chimney, whether the chimney is in the ceiling or in the wall. When in the wall, its called a wall thimble. When designing your wood stove piping exhaust system, follow the Environmental Protection Agency and local building code requirements to ensure safe burning.
The screened arbor from Timber Creek is strong enough for everyday use outside your home. Its arbor shape and large size make it a suitable choice for outdoor entertaining. The screen house is lightweight enough that you can carry it with you on every camping trip. The piece comes with instructions, but if you lose the manual, you might not remember the exact steps. Learning how to properly assemble the screen arbor lets you put the piece up and take it down whenever you need.
Wood-burning stoves add charm to a home and save on heating bills. Proper maintenance, including regular cleaning, is a must. As wood burns, it produces soot and creosote deposits in the stovepipe. These deposits reduce the efficiency of the stove and create a fire hazard. Excessive creosote deposits can ignite. A fire in your stovepipe or chimney may reach temperatures of 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit. Heat this intense can warp the metal of the stovepipe and the fire could spread to the rest of your home.
A homemade fire grill can be customized and serve as a versatile source for outdoor cooking, whether in your backyard or at a temporary campsite. Knowing how to build your own fire grill doesn't require expert status in construction. In fact, even an inexperienced outdoor cook can throw one of these together to perform as an excellent source for cooking heat.
Wood-burning fireplaces can heat up a room and keep it hot for hours if the fire is made of long-burning wood, properly stoked and regularly replenished with more logs. In many fireplaces, a significant amount of heat is lost up the chimney as the fire burns, a problem alleviated with flue heat recovery devices.
Oil-fired burners are designed to be user-friendly. Although these appliances are large and powerful heat sources, their heating mechanism is relatively straightforward. Oil is supplied through the oil lines and delivered to the burner as a fuel source. Starting the burner for the first time may seem like an intimidating task, but if the appliance is sound, inspected and in working order you'll have things warmed up in no time.
There are a few rules pertaining to brick laying, and one of them states you cannot lay a brick wall in the rain. If water comes into contact with mortar before the mortar has time to cure, your wall’s structural integrity will be compromised. By protecting the wall with a concrete protective tent, you’ll stop the rain from damaging the mortar. A concrete protective tent is a wedge tent and protects both the front and back of the brick wall.
An early blacksmith's forge was nothing more than a pit in the ground with a smaller hole dug near the pit and extending to the bottom of it. The pit held burning coal or charcoal to heat the metal. The smaller hole, called a truyere, permitted air to reach the bottom of the fire pit. Over time, forges moved up out of the ground and onto benches or stands. This made working easier in that it required less bending. However, the basic technology never changed. The central element of a modern forge is the fire pot, a metal pot that…
A splash guard, also called a back splash, protects walls in high-humidity, high-heat areas. Usually seen behind kitchen sinks and stoves where food, water and steam are prevalent, they help protect the wall. You can create your own back splash using tiles. Tiles offer a lot of flexibility for back splashes, because they come in nearly any size, shape and color. They're also easy to clean and resistant to heat and moisture, making them ideal behind stoves.
Coleman furnaces are whole-home units and have an average energy efficiency of 80 percent or more, according to the company's website. The units have flame-retention burners and come with a limited one-year warranty for parts and a lifetime warranty for the heat exchanger. However, if the Coleman furnace is not putting out hot air, some basic troubleshooting may fix the problem without necessitating a service call.
Fire Trak is a patented product of Fire Trak Systems, designed to allow contractors to exceed all the requirements of the building code fire ratings without the use of caulks or spray coatings. Fire Trak is a deflection track that is part of a larger fire-stopping system. The system is designed to prevent the spread of both fire and smoke throughout the interior of a building.
Coal-burning stoves are an alternative heating option for your home. Coal-burning stoves work well as the main source of heat or as a supplement to electric and natural gas heating. Improper usage causes the coal inside the stove to burn too quickly. Keeping the coal burning in the stove all night will save you money in the long run. Each brand and model of coal-burning stove has its own specific instructions. For best results, follow the instructions in the owner’s manual of your specific stove.
With central heating systems and better insulation, few modern homes rely on fireplaces for heat. Instead, they are used for decoration and to set the mood for a cozy evening spent indoors with loved ones and friends. The firebox in the fireplace can be a decorating focal point in your living room year round.
Even without a formal masonry fireplace, you still can sit in front of a fire inside. Wood-burning stoves, such as those made by Buck, create an enclosed fire spot for your home. These stoves connect to their own chimney for venting smoke. One of the most important parts on these stoves is the damper. You cannot operate a Buck Stove without the damper. Understanding its function will help you to troubleshoot problems with the stove.
Dinnerware comes in a wide variety of patterns and materials. Many consumers choose oven-proof plates and bowls because they can go directly from refrigerator to oven to table, creating fewer items needing cleanup. Oven-proof plates have a number of characteristics that make them ideal for busy families. These plates may be made from several materials that have slightly different components.
