Prepping for a camping trip in 5 simple steps

April 6, 2016Random Outdoor, Travel, Trip PlanningJohanna Stein

Camping season is just beginning here in Northern California. We just got back from our first local excursion. This was the first time we took out our full kit in 2016 as our last trip was more of a hybrid camping-luxury-hotel-culture excursion. Getting your gear in order and planning for a trip especially the first time during a season has a few special quirks, but I think there is a pretty standard 5 step process to get ready.

Paelo pancakes? - Flapjacks an age old travel food

April 4, 2016Random Outdoor, How To VideosJohanna Stein

This weekend we went camping near Bodega Bay at our first Hipcamp. And as we were cooking over the campfire Dan mentioned how cooking over the campfire connects him with the taming of the west. It makes me think the complexities of travel have existed since the dawn of time. At least, there isn't much risk that our oxen will die crossing a river in modern day camping.

Not Ready to Commit - CampEats' Guide to Borrowing Gear

March 21, 2016Random Outdoor, Trip Planning, TravelJohanna Stein

So getting outside and camping for the first time can be expensive if you buy all of your own gear. But that doesn't have to be the case. There are two ways to borrow outdoor essentials (tent, sleeping bag, ground pad, stove, cook/eat-wear).

What they don't teach you at an elite university - How to start a fire

March 15, 2016Random Outdoor, How To Videos, TravelJohanna Stein

I love my husband Dan so much! But sometimes he does things and my only response is face - palm. We had one of those moments over the weekend.

What is camping?

January 12, 2016Random OutdoorJohanna Stein

When you Google camping you'll find this seemingly straightforward definition. But when you dig a little deeper camping can basically be almost anything. The Wikipedia entry even defines it by saying "There is no universally held definition of what is and what is not camping." They rather choose to define it by the intent to spend time in the outdoors and the inclusion of typical activities.

Are boys and girls different kinds of campers?

November 24, 2015Random OutdoorJohanna Stein

There have been a couple of interesting articles published today about gender and scouting. First there was one in the New York Times and then a second article in response by the Guardian.

Nomable Campfire Faux Stuffed Pepper Stew

November 19, 2015RecipesJohanna Stein

This was the first recipe we made using our new camping specific cast iron dutch oven. It was a welcome addition to our well used Lodge cast iron skillet. It is made of bare cast iron, which has similar heat retention properties to enamel cast iron. You might be familiar with the Le Creuset brand, which is what we use at home. Though you wouldn't want to use one of those on an open fire as it would burn the coating. And even with a dutch oven meant for the open fire the soot can get a bit intense. After this trip we bought a carrying case to limit the black to the pot.