Fishing Frenzy

Camping can be a lot of fun, but after 35 years of giving up the comforts of home on my camping trips I have come to appreciate those things that make my trips a bit easier. If you love the outdoors but don't want to rough it any more than you have to, these simple solutions might be the answer.

My first suggestion is to go to a camping our outdoor store and get a few collapsible buckets. These lifesavers take up very little space when traveling.

Open the buckets up, however, and you have a full size bucket that holds up to 3 gallons of water. They are strong, too, you can safely carry cold or hot water without fear of them spilling or collapsing. This is one resource you want more than one of, so you can use them to hold fish, wash dishes, and anything else you can think of.

A stainless steel super cooler is another must have item on my camping trips. Mine keeps ice frozen up to five days , even at very high temperatures. I love it, because with my super cooler along I can eat real food on my trip rather than beef jerky and canned goods. I suggest you take a smaller cooler along to hold drinks and things you'll need more often, so you can keep your super cooler cool for the entire trip.

If you are like me and can't wake up without your morning java, I suggest single serve coffee tea bags. The coffee grounds are secured inside the tea bag, so there are no messy coffee grounds to clean up. Don't let the single serving bags throw you if you prefer a whole pot, just boil water and dump several of the bags in at the same time. Let them steep, transfer to a thermos, and you are ready to go! Beware, however, not all single serve coffee is equal. Some tastes downright bad, so choose your brand with care.

Camping is great, but its no fun to cart all that gear around. I use plastic milk crates to store and carry my supplies. They are sturdy and can hold heavy weight, and the handles on all sides make them easy to carry no matter what you have stuffed in them. Try to find the real deal that dairies use rather than those sold in home stores. They are sturdier and make great seats and stepladders as well. Many dairies will be happy to sell you a few, and may even give them to you if they have an overflow.

And finally, don't leave home without a plan B in case it rains. There is nothing more depressing than to be stuck in camp with nothing to do. I like the game Apple to Apples, because it is small and can be easily tucked in with your other gear, and it is fun to play for a wide range of ages. I never hit the road without it, just in case.

There are so many great products available nowadays that it is no longer necessary to rough it when you hit the trails. Add just a few of these great items and you will feel as comfortable as though you were in your own back yard. Enjoy!