Campfire talk Archives - Boondocker camping

Losing the freedom of camping

Janice Campfire talk May 9, 2020May 15, 2020COVID-19, freedom to camp 0 Comment

Being under “shelter at home” orders has given me a new perspective on the many freedoms I have taken for granted. It seems like overnight; the world has “closed” its streets, shops, cafes, parks, beaches, and even our public lands. When I do venture out for essentials, the atmosphere is

Holding playing cards hack

Janice Campfire talk May 2, 2020May 12, 2020card games, easy card holder hack, Gin card game 0 Comment

Playing a card game is a favorite pastime while camping. Even more time may be spent on this kind of activity during this “shelter at home” season. Many of us have pain or hand fatigue while holding our hand of playing cards. Some folks due to arthritis, or perhaps from

Camper Care Bags

Janice Campfire talk October 29, 2019October 30, 2019camper care bags, homeless campers 0 Comment

Most of us who camp, do so because we enjoy being outdoors. However, there are those who find themselves homeless or transient, who must camp to survive. I will see some of these hungry people at busy intersections holding a sign asking for a helping hand. I have mixed emotions

Star gazing gear

Janice Campfire talk, Gadgets and gizmos, Gear up August 21, 2019August 21, 2019star charts, star gazing, star gazing app 0 Comment

Camping under the stars is one of the best perks about camping. The wilderness is far from city lights to enjoy seeing the Milky Way, passing meteors, or a shooting star. Using a star chart will help you to learn the names of the constellations and planets. No batteries or

How do you define camping?

Janice Campfire talk August 9, 2018May 25, 2020Alaskan camper, backpacking, classes of camping, dispersed camping, dispersed campsites, styles of camping, truck camper, wild camping, wilderness camping 6 Comments

Camping is a word that evokes as many different ways to be outdoors as there are different people. Camping can be anything from backpacking in the remote wilderness to sleeping in a luxurious RV in a park that resembles a small city. While pondering the definition of camping, I have decided

Pin your camping trips and tips

Janice Campfire talk June 28, 2018July 6, 2019fun facts, Pinterest, resources 0 Comment

I find Pinterest to be a great tool for collecting and researching good camping tips and information. You can use Pinterest like you would a search engine such as Google, using keywords of what interests you. The site is very visual, helping you to find what you want quickly. You

Top 10 tips for the dry outdoors

Janice Campfire talk March 25, 2018October 25, 2019beauty tips for camping, dry skin, skin care in the desert 0 Comment

While camping in the arid regions your skin and hair need extra care so you don’t feel like a dried out piece of jerky by the time you get back to civilization. Here is my list of top ten practical tips to deal with camping in the dry outdoors. 1.

Star light, star bright

Janice Campfire talk, Flora & fauna March 1, 2018July 6, 2019astronomy, constellations, dark sky, desert night sky, milky way, Orion, star charts, star gazing, star gazing cell phone app 6 Comments

Stargazing is a major perk of camping in the backcountry under the vivid night sky. Void of city light pollution you can see the Milky Way and an array of stars and planets. Stargazers can get to know these heavenly bodies by using a star chart – either manual or

Winner of Ghost Towns of Death Valley

Janice Campfire talk January 20, 2018July 6, 2019Death Valley, ghost towns 0 Comment

The winner for our “Ghost Towns of Death Valley” DVD is, drum roll please……. Tammy Gillett! Tammy exclaimed, “I am delighted to win the DVD and I plan to watch it tonight!” She just recently subscribed and has been, “enjoying reading the camping stories.” She is pictured here with her

A camper’s tale of there and back again

Janice Campfire talk, Misadventures January 16, 2018July 7, 2019Alaskan camper, choosing a truck camper, truck camper 0 Comment

After 40 years of tent and tailgate camping, we decided adding more creature comforts would make the time spent in the backcountry even more enjoyable. Therefore after much research, we decided to buy a used Alaskan Camper mounted on a 4×4 truck. Why an Alaskan? We like the telescoping feature

Shadows of the past at the Manson hideout

Janice Campfire talk, Death Valley, Mines & ghost towns September 16, 2017August 20, 2019Barker Ranch, Charles Manson, Death Valley, desert hide-out, Goler Wash, Shadowlands 1 Comment

Tucked into a remote corner of the Goler Wash in Death Valley, is the Barker Ranch, infamous for once being a hideout for the notorious Manson gang in 1969. A favorite “short cut” into Death Valley from the west side of the Panamint Range, is to go across Goler Wash.

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