outdoors Archives - A Million Lives

October 23, 2018 by Greg Underwood

What you need for a perfect RV trip

Whether you’ve recently become the happy owner of a recreational vehicle or you’ve decided to rent one to finally be able to go to the places you’ve never had the chance to visit, the fact is that traveling with a motorhome can be adventurous, exciting, and very satisfying.

But the truth is that you need to be very organized to make sure that you don’t forget something essential at home. We would advise you to start your adventure by creating a checklist. If you can’t be bothered with writing down everything, there are checklist models to be found online, so you can conveniently use one of those.

If you’re renting the RV, it probably comes with everything you need. If you’re not, here’s what you should know about the most important things it should come outfitted with.

Heating or cooling

Whether you intend to travel in winter or in the summer, the fact is that nothing beats a good air conditioning system. One of those that you can use both for heating and for cooling is definitely handy, and it can mean a lot in the way of providing you with the comfort you need.

A good bed

Being rested in the morning takes the cake, especially when you have a whole day of visiting tourist attractions ahead of you. If you’re tired, you’ll be cranky, so there’s really no point of saving up on getting a quality mattress for your RV bed.

Plumbing

There are two main things you need to consider when it comes to plumbing. One of them is how you’ll get rid of the things in your RV toilet and just what model suits you best. The second thing you have to mull over is the type of water heater you will need. Obviously, you will use this type of product for both cleaning your body and the interior of the vehicle, the dishes, and a variety of other things.

There are both traditional and tankless alternatives, and while some people might try to argue that a tankless one can get damaged a lot easier than its counterpart, that really isn’t true. Water heaters these days are very versatile and well-designed and well-constructed, so you have at least ten years of working performance to expect from any you choose, provided that you don’t go for the cheapest one ever.

What about entertainment?

If you like watching TV, you might need an RV-specific TV. On the other hand, this type of entertainment device might be useless if you love spending your spare time browsing the web and watching TV shows without any commercials. A Netflix subscription is affordable, and the best thing about the vast majority of the campsites scattered across the United States is that they offer free WiFi for the fee of staying there.

As such, you’ll only need your laptop and a VPN extension. The VPN is totally necessary if you don’t want your personal data to be collected and used by anyone.

July 27, 2018 by Greg Underwood

Four Convincing Reasons to Rent an RV in Colorado

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When you’re planning a vacation in Colorado, you probably immediately think of taking an airplane. If you don’t have too far to go, you may even consider driving your own car. Well, there’s a better option—renting an RV.

If you wanted to go on an RV vacation, it used to mean buying one, but not anymore! Today, it’s easier than ever to rent the perfect RV for your family vacation, especially when you browse the large selection of rentable RVs on Outdoorsy.

The question is, what makes renting an RV in Colorado better than other travel options?

There Are so Many Beautiful Places to Explore

One of the biggest reasons to plan a visit to Colorado is because it is full of natural beauty. Why waste your time driving to and from those beautiful parks when you can skip the hotel and just stay in nature instead?

Some of the best things to do in Colorado include:

Hiking the West Moon Pass Trail
Mountain-biking in Fruita
Climbing Quandary Peak in Breckenridge
Rafting on the Arkansas River
Watching the wildlife in Estes Park

Many of these locations offer camping opportunities for those with RVs. Even if you can’t stay in the park of your choice, you’ll still be able to get a lot closer than you would staying in a hotel.

You Can Save a Lot of Money

Traveling can be expensive. Plane tickets aren’t cheap, after all!

Renting an RV is a great way to save money. You’ll save the most by choosing a small RV and splitting the cost with other travelers. However, even if you rent a large RV for your next family vacation, you’ll still save big on the cost of food because you can cook your own meals instead of eating out.

It Makes Traveling with Kids a Lot More Enjoyable

There are a lot of things you can do to make traveling more enjoyable with the kids. You can try buying the right products and packing electronics, but one of the best ways to make traveling less stressful is to hop in an RV.

There’s a lot more room to stretch your legs in an RV than there is in an airplane. You have more control over your schedule when you drive an RV, and there’s room for the kids to get away from each other when they’re bickering.

It’s Easy to Bring Your Own Gear

Sure, you can pack your snowboards on the airplane, but it’s such a pain! With an RV, bringing along your gear is a lot easier. Strap the kayaks to the top of the RV or attach your bikes to the back. That way, you already have your gear so you don’t have to rent it when you get to your final destination!

The next time you’re planning a vacation, skip the hotel and stay in an RV instead. With so many benefits, you may just find that it becomes your preferred way to travel!

May 28, 2018 by Greg Underwood

The Great Outdoors Beckon for Canon SL1 or Canon T6?

Everybody loves the countryside, especially on vacations and no one in his right mind loves the hustle and bustle of the city streets. Yes, an adventure with nature is indeed enjoyable, and you will be lying if you say that you are ready to forget the experience as soon as you left the great outdoors.

Those memories can only be immortalized through pictures and videos. Thus, it is advisable to hold your horses first and decide: Canon SL1 or Canon T6? Which will you bring before you even plan an adventure vacation?

The following are the different points to consider in choosing a better camera like in the case of Canon SL1 or Canon T6.

Which is lighter and smaller?

Let’s face it. Everybody is lazy nowadays and there is really nothing wrong with that especially if we are up for a playful adventure, because that is the whole point – be lazy, carefree and just enjoy.

Bringing the smallest and lightest camera is something we really don’t need to remind ourselves of too; however, to make our decision substantially reasoned, we should know the right numbers.

Canon SL1 weighs 0.9 lb. and has a dimension of 4.6 inches by 3.6 inches, while Canon T6 weighs 1.07 lb. and has a dimension of 5.1 inches by 4 inches. Yep. Canon T6 is heavier and bigger; by how much? Canon T6 is 0.17 lb. heavier, 0.5 inch longer and 0.4 inch wider; that is, 19% heavier and 22% larger.

Now the numbers might look intimidating but if you will take out a ruler and a weighing scale, then visualize this, the weight and dimension of Canon T6 can still qualify as being handy. So it is safe to assume that however heavier and bigger this is, it is really not that significant, because their difference is relatively small.

Which lasts longer?

By outdoors, we literally mean outside, usually far from human habitation and so being outside also means charging stations are scarce.

Obviously you will need a camera with a longer battery life. In the language of cameras, having a longer battery life means more pictures to take. The Canon SL1 can provide a maximum of 380 shots using its LP-E12 battery, while the Canon T6 can capture 500 images out of one charge of its LP-E10 battery.

Therefore, if you don’t want your photography interrupted so you can really capture the start, the adventure and the end of your exciting and daring activity, you should bring Canon T6 with you. You definitely don’t need to worry for a gadget running out of juice so you can take pictures as much as you can, even outdoors.

How much do they cost?

To buy something cheaper while not compromising quality is the oldest trick in the book of every wise buyer. But by not compromising quality, what do we really mean?

The camera must have the language that even newbies can understand and it must have the basic function and features, enough for you to simply enjoy the beauty of nature. True to that, it is a long standing observation that most expensive gadgets have complex features which are mostly left unused.

Canon T6 is the go-to camera in terms of affordability, it costs 399 USD compared to 569 USD of Canon SL1. The idea that the money that you can save by buying cheaper may also add up to your budget itinerary should not be discounted.

Which will your friends prefer?

Peer pressure is real, but for the most part, it is not that harmful if you give in to what most of your friends prefer, especially if what they just want are your awesome pictures.

With Canon T6 built-in WIFI feature and simplified pairing with other phones, you will be able to share your photos with your friends right away, no need to feel the pressure of finding your computer first and upload pictures in your social media accounts, as you can do this later. Saves you time, so more time with camping or whatever it is that you do outdoors.

Advanced right? Well, compared to Canon SL1, Canon T6 is newer. Canon SL1 went out of the market 5 years ago and T6 was just two years ago.

So what is the final say?

Isn’t it obvious? Canon T6 won, but for the sake of the people who are making their final preparations for a camp in the great outdoors, let us wrap things up.

Bring Canon T6 with you! It is handy, less expensive, has longer battery life, newer, simplifies pairing with other phones and has a built-in WIFI.

May 2, 2018 by Greg Underwood

Roughing It in Style: 5 Glamping Hacks to Try for Your Next Trip

Tired of traditional camping? You should definitely try glamping! And to make things even easier, check out these top 5 glamping hacks for your next trip.

There’s nothing quite like a getaway to the great outdoors. Birds chirping in the trees, the smell of pine needles, feeling the breeze on your face.

But sleeping in a cold, wet tent? That’s a lot less fun.

If you’re not a fan of missing out on the luxuries of home while out in the wild, you’re not alone.

Some people are more glampers than campers–they like to have a comfortable camping experience.

You don’t have to leave your creature comforts behind to enjoy nature. There’s plenty of ways to add a little bit of luxury to your camping trip–glamping style.

Here are some essential glamping hacks for your next adventure.

Glamping Hacks For Your Next Trip

1) Choose the right site

This might sound like a no-brainer, but the campsite you choose can make or break your camping experience.

Some campsites are built for people who love to rough it–with just a toilet and limited running water. But there are plenty of more luxurious camping spaces out there that won’t break the bank.

Look for sites with electricity, hot water, and nice bathrooms. Some sites will even have laundry, a convenience store, or a play area for children.

2) Don’t skimp on the bedding

There’s nothing worse than shivering in a sleeping bag on the hard ground.

Even in the cold and dark, sleeping in a tent can be cozy and even fun. Try using an inflatable mattress that’s high off the ground to help you stay warm and comfortable.

You don’t have to use a sleeping bag or mat–why not take the bedding from your own home?

You can bring sheets, comforters, duvets, pillows, and even a faux fur blanket or two.

Feel free to pack other luxuries like comfy pajamas, slippers, and throw pillows.

3) Bring a high-quality tent

Having the right tent can make a huge difference in your camping experience.

Make sure to pick something as roomy as you can find. A good rule of thumb is to double the size that you think you need–if you’re camping with three or four people, bring an eight-man tent.

Be sure that the tent is made of a waterproof material and that it’s easy to put up and take down.

Pay close attention to the quality. If you want a sturdy and reliable tent, be sure to invest in a high-quality brand.

Check out 4WD Supacentre for a good selection of durable camping equipment that will last you years of camping adventures.

4) Make food prep easy

One of the best parts of camping is putting together a fun meal over the campfire.

An easy way to bring the comforts of home food to the campsite is prepping meals ahead of time. You can cook simple dishes with potatoes or other vegetables at home and then wrap them in foil to heat up at the campsite.

You can also bring meats like fish, steak, or chicken and grill them on the fire or camp stove.

For breakfast, food like eggs, bacon, or muffins makes an easy, delicious meal. You can also bring a small coffee maker instead of instant coffee.

5) Create a cozy atmosphere

There’s a lot you can do to make a campsite feel like home.

Try putting up string lights and scented candles to create a warm, comforting atmosphere. You can also put some decorations around your campsite to give it a more homey feel.

Bringing camping table and some foldup chairs go a long way in giving you a proper place to sit and eat.

Final Thoughts

Getting close to the great outdoors doesn’t have to mean living off the land. Bring some of the luxuries from home and kick up your camping trip a notch.

Pretty soon, you’ll be sitting in your comfortable campsite under the stars, eating s’mores and enjoying nature.

With these five glamping hacks, you can go from roughing it to loving it!

Need more tips and tricks for your next trip?

Check out these articles on taking a weekend away and prepping the house before vacation.

April 10, 2018 by Greg Underwood

Face the Fascinating Facts About Climbing Kilimanjaro

Climbing a mountain is always somewhat of a challenging experience. It takes determination and skill. It takes will power and self-motivation. But no matter what trials may arise when facing the task of mountain climbing, it’s not short of its rewards. It will offer more satisfaction than struggle and more pride than problems when completed and you’re astounded at what you’ve achieved.

Climbing Kilimanjaro is an advantageous activity that will take you to the heights of fascination, not only at your ability to climb it but also at the beauty that surrounds. It’s the only place in the world where you can see the curvature of the earth, a spectacular view that rises above sea-level and consists of three volcanic cones. From a range of some of nature’s most wonderful wildlife and plant life, it’s a journey that’s not short of spectacle. Here are some things to consider before you take the climb.

Steady does it

You may come at this challenge with the mind-set that you need to assert yourself and push yourself at a pace as if you were trying to complete a race, but that won’t do you justice, it will only leave you burnt out by the time you reach half way. This mountain should be taken at a steady pace. Take your time, save your energy and savour your surroundings so that you can enjoy as well as finish the climb.

The best way to go about being steady when you climb is making sure you acclimatize during the accent. Let your body acclimatise to the lower levels of oxygen as you climb, not doing this will leave you feeling more worn out than usual. Take 40 steps forward and 20 steps back to make sure that your body adjusts, and you can avoid acute mountain sickness as best as you can.

Pick the perfect path

Statistics show that roughly only 30% of climbers make it to the top of Mount Kilimanjaro, and you want to be one who falls into that category. The way that you can ensure that you’ll make it is by picking the route that will suit you and support you in your journey to success.

You can also pick a path that provides you with a bit more scenery. Altogether a total of seven routes are available to travel on. The Rongi route starts from the northeast of the mountain and is not as scenic as some of the other routes but is dry, and may not pose as much of a struggle as the other routes that have more scenery.

The Right resolve

Go into the task with a right resolve. You don’t want to take on an attitude of defeat before you start. Reap the reward of being named amongst those who have made it to the top. Don’t let your mind motivate you to turn back, but take on the climb with an attitude of wanting to achieve high. Don’t do it at the detriment of your health, be in tune with your body, but as long as you can preserve then make sure you press on.

January 11, 2018 by Greg Underwood

What Your Kids Can Learn from Camping

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As with most parents, you have probably come to the realization that there is something lacking in today’s society that we enjoyed as kids. Previous generations spent more time with their parents and less times connected to friends, some of whom they’ve oddly never met! With so much time being spent on cell phones and the Internet, it’s a wonder we know our kids at all.

This year, why not take the kids on a camping vacation? There is much of what they can learn while being surrounded only by nature and it is up to you, as a parent, to show them another side of life. Find a suitably large tent on websites like My Family Tent where you can get enough information to know you are making the right choice. Then book your campsite so that you can start preparing to finally get to know your children.

How to Enjoy Life in a Non-Digital World

One of the best things kids can learn when camping is that they really can survive in a non-digital world. You don’t need a computer or a cell phone, and you certainly don’t need the latest Xbox or Nintendo game system to get by. What you need is a healthy appreciation for nature and a few ideas on how to keep busy with nothing to distract you but a few birds, the sound of crickets and frogs and perhaps a passing squirrel or fox. Camping is fun and there is much to do if you leave the devices at home.

Survival Techniques & Self-Reliance

Perhaps we have done our children a vast disservice by creating all the apps and hi-tech devices they’ve come to rely on. In fact, fewer children than ever are visiting libraries than in any previous generation. Why do you think that is? If you guess the Internet, you are 100 percent correct. Why go to the library to research your upcoming term paper when you can do a quick online search to find all the reference materials you need.

What do you think would happen if the Internet suddenly went down and never came back online again? Would your kids know how to put together a model plane without a YouTube DIY video? Would they know how to find the phone number for the nearest Pizza Hut? Probably not! Few kids even know what the hardcopy yellow pages even are anymore, so teaching them a few survival skills on a camping trip just might help them learn to think for themselves!

A Respect for Nature

Finally, camping helps your kids learn a healthy respect for nature. From getting in the tent during a sudden rainstorm to watching how bees pollinate wildflowers, they now have time to be aware of their surroundings. Yes, they can watch online videos and television shows like National Geographic, but there’s nothing like the real thing. If you want your kids to leave a better world for their children someday, and their children’s children, teach them a healthy respect for nature.

Make this a year of being together without distractions from the digital realm. It will certainly be a time to remember. That’s for sure.