Campers Info Source

My best friend Chip and I used to do a lot of duck hunting together and we’d always take his dad’s old kayak.  Kayaks are very useful because they allow you to place your decoys on the water easily, fetch ducks quickly, and sneak up on ducks by paddling quietly down

Sevylor® Tahiti™ Fishing or Hunting Kayak

streams and creeks.  I’ll never forget an unfortunate incident we experienced one cold, fall morning.  We had all of our camouflage hunting clothing on including hip boots but we sat on our life jackets.  My foot got tangled in one of the decoy strings and I lost my balance.  The kayak tipped and we both fell into the water.  The water was only 4 feet deep but if it had been 6 or 7 feet deep, I wouldn’t be writing this BLOG today. 

We were so dumb for not wearing our life jackets.  Our guns were at the bottom of the lake and our decoys were floating all around us.  We tipped the kayak right side up and put the decoys inside then hauled the kayak to shore.  We looked out over the lake in disbelief as frost began to form on our jackets and mustaches.  We looked at each other and decided to go back into the water to get our guns.  We managed to use our feet to find each gun and lift it just enough to where we could grab it.  Then we walked to shore and decided to continue hunting. 

We sat frozen in the duck blind for 30 minutes and when the first flock of ducks came into our decoys, we couldn’t lift the guns because our jackets had frozen.  That’s when we decided to go home. 

McKenna Kay driving her car and wearing her seat belt

Now here’s where this story gets really bad.  Believe it or not, we put our decoys and guns in the boat and headed back to camp but again, WE DID NOT WEAR OUR LIFE JACKETS!!! 

It was at that moment that I made a conscious decision to always practice safety and teach my children and grandchildren to practice safety. 

My children are all grown now and as you can see in the picture, my grand daughter, McKenna Kay has her seat belt on and she is only 7 months old.  You gotta teach them when they are young. 

Most kayaks today are inflatable and very safe but if you go in one, don’t make the mistake I did; wear your life jacket and seat belt always and make your little ones wear one too.  Remember, “The Joy is in the Journey”.

Believe it or not, being in kayaks or canoes on the water with a loved one can spawn some real romance.  Kayaks and canoes are a

Pelican Navigator Canoe

great family water sport activity too.  Not only are river or lake paddling trips fun but they are also a great form of exercise. 

When I was in college and first met what was to become my wife, we often spent time at her parents cabin on Green lake in southern Minnesota.  We’d swim a lot, do a little skiing, play games in the water and occasionally take the canoe for a spin.  The lake would be calm and look like glass.  Those times were very romantic and memorable times for my wife Kay and I.   We’ve now been married for 31 years.  

Unlike the powerboats I owned later in life it was this canoe that fostered a life long love of the water.  Check out the Pelican Navigator Canoe pictured.  This canoe is perfect for day trips.

When I was younger, my dad always told me that almost anyone can get into a fishing boat and enjoy it but it takes a very brave person to get in a kayak and paddle down a river.   This came right after he had scolded me and my

Sevylor Pointer 2 Person Inflatable Kayak

best friend for going duck hunting one evening and taking a kayak down the Nokasipi river in Minnesota without telling anyone.  So that’s when I learned what bravery was all about.  But I experienced another form of bravery today when my 6 year old niece, Megan had a loose tooth for a long time and allowed a person at her mother’s annual volleyball party to pull her tooth out.  When it was all said and done, she was very proud and I thought she had demonstrated lots of bravery.  When asked if she was going to put her tooth under her pillow for the tooth fairy, Megan said Yes.   When asked how much money she thought she would get, Megan said $5,000.  Others at the party thought $1 was plenty while others thought $20 was the norm these days.  What do you think?  What I do know is that while the bravery I demonstrated many years ago in the kayak is clearly different than the bravery Megan demonstrated by allowing her tooth to be pulled today, they were both acts of bravery in their own right and we both had fun.   So before you go camping again, consider getting a kayak and paddling down a river.  Check out the Sevylor Pointer 2 Person Inflatable Kayak.   And if you don’t like it, go get your tooth pulled.

My Son Ryan and I just wrapped up our 17th annual Dads and Lad Fishing trip and we really had a great time.  I own a 16 foot Crestliner fishing boat with a trolling motor and a 50hp Mercury Mariner motor that is perfect or fishing.  The boat seats 4 people and sits very close to the water; not as close as an inflatable Kayak but pretty close.  We mostly fished for sunfish and crappies.  We caught about 300 fish over 2 days between the 13 guys on the trip.  We ate about 150 fish while we were at the lake. 

One of the most amazing experiences we’ve ever had on that lake is watching the Minnesota state bird (a Loon) dive for fish.  Especially when the lake is calm as glass.  The Loon is a huge bird that that can stay submerged under water for long periods of time.  They have huge flippered feet and literally torpedo through the water looking for fish then pop out from under water and often appear within a few feet of your watercraft.  We sometimes get a rare opportunity to see them pass right beside our boat while submerged just a couple inches under the water.  If you are in an inflatable kayak and get a chance to see this, the Loon appears about 1/3rd the size of the inflatable Kayak.  It’s amazing.  For your next adventure, get yourself a Pelican Apex 116 Kayak, then travel to a Northern Minnesota lake this summer and try fishing for some sunfish and crappies.  While fishing, stay on the look out for the Minnesota Loon.  You’ll often hear their whistling first.  They are truly a spectacle to admire.  And remember, The Joy is in the Journey.  Don’t forget to bring a camera.

In 1974 when my best friend Chip and I were in high school, we used to do a lot of hunting.  In particular we’d use a kayak his dad owned at the time to navigate streams and rivers hunting  for Mallard ducks and muskrat.  We planned a special trip down the Nokasippi river in northern Minnesota after school on a Friday night to hunt some big Mallards we heard were on that river.  We were 16 years old at the time and it was mid October so it was starting to freeze at night.  We didn’t tell our parents where we were going but we did tell some of our friends.  It was a big mistake not telling our parents.

Kayaks are really good for hunting because they are quiet and you can easily approach small game and waterfowl to get close enough for a shot.  We paddled our kayak about a mile down the Nokasippi and shot our limit of muskrat and Mallard ducks and it was starting to get dark so we decided to turn around and head home.  What we didn’t know at the time was that we had passed many forks in the river and some of these had frozen over during our downstream paddling.  Paddling upstream and hitting a frozen fork in the stream cause us to spend a lot more time than expected to return to our car.  As we got about a block away from our car, we heard our parents calling out.  It was after midnight and they had apparently asked some of our friends where we went hunting.  We both got chewed out pretty good by our parents when we finally reached shore.  Needless to say, it was quite a while before we got to take the Kayak anywhre or go hunting again by ouselves again.  I will never forget that night.  Paddling that Kayak, shooting all those ducks and spending time with my best friend Chip was awesome.  I did learn a valuable lesson that night which I taught to my own son.  Always tell me where you are going even if you think I may stop you.  Fortunately, my son Ryan does tell me where he is going.  He even calls me from the lake or river he is on when he is on it to tell me how many Mallards he has shot with his best friend John.  Next time you want to experience something really special, get a kayak and go hunting with your best friend.  Also remember to always wear a life jacket when Kayaking.  And remember, the Joy is in the Journey.

Aluminum used to be the most common canoes used when traveling the water during a backpacking trip.   But they are now a rare beast because they are simply too heavy.  This brings us to Tip #6.

Tip # 6 – Get an inflatable canoe or kayak if you plan to travel on water during your backpacking trip.             

Inflatable canoes and kayaks are now the way to go.  Most people who hear about something inflatable immediately think of a balloon and popping or leaking.  Inflatable kayaks and canoes are extremely durable these days.  Sevlor, Intex and Kevlar all make some of the best canoes and kayaks and you won’t go wrong with any of them.   My preference is the Sea Eagle 12 Foot FoldCat Catamaran Pro Angler Package if you want something to use for fishing.   If you’re looking for something to take on a calm lake or in Class IV rapids, the Sea Eagle Explorer Kayak series offer lots of options and are very durable.  Many kayaks are built more like a dart than a bathtub, making them fast.  And ultra-light composite bent-shaft paddles have replaced the oar-like heavy wooden behemoths of yesterday.  Get a canoe or kay and remember, “The Joy is in the Journey”.

When you are planning a camping trip it’s important to find the perfect destination. While using camping tents makes it possible for you to set up camp just about anywhere, you want to make sure you get the perfect spot that offers more than flat land. Here is a list of five of the greatest camping destinations in the United States.

Bridgeport, California – Mono Village

If you are looking for a camping site to set up your backpacking tents or any camping tents then Mono Village is the perfect place. Situated on the Upper Twin Lakes in the most rugged and scenic areas in all of the Eastern Sierras. It is considered a fishermen’s haven and a perfect hideaway/getaway for a family vacation. Mono Village is the perfect destination if you are looking for a place near a calm body of water that will allow you to do a little fishing (you can buy a license onsite), waterskiing, boating or kayaking. For those that are looking to get out and enjoy nature you will be pleased to know that Mono Village has some of the most incredible trails for hiking. If you prefer to just sit back and relax, you can soak up the sun by the lake or hang out at the camping tents and then head towards the lounge for a drink.

Silver Cliff Wisconsin – Kosir’s Rapid Rafts and Camping

For those that are looking for a little kayaking or rafting fun, then you will want to head up into Wisconsin and stay at Kosir’s Rapid Rafts and Camping. Make sure you get your kayak before you pack your family camping tents.  Kosir’s has been in business for more than 30 years and they are known for their white water rafting. The experience is very memorable and many that come for the first time make it a yearly get-a-way. They have a prime location on the Peshtigo River, one of the longest stretches of continuous whitewater in the Midwest.  If you plan on staying for a while you should also take advantage of the waterfalls tour and visit the Nicolet National Forest. The ideal place for those that love backpacking tents or just camping tents period.  I went down the Pueter river in the raft to the right with my brother-in-law in Colorado in 2003 and it was a blast as you can see in this picture.

Arizona Mountains

If you are using backpacking tents and you are looking for a destination where you can break in your new four wheeler then setting your sites on the Arizona Mountains is recommended. Lockett Meadow, which is located on the side of the San Francisco Peaks is considered by many to be the number one place in Arizona for camping tents. Here you will find a wide open grassy meadow that is as wide as a football field hugged by breathtaking Aspen. Here you will mingle with the wildlife, it is common for deer and elk to meander through the campground… as well as the occasional bear or skunk.

This campground is located at 7,000 feet which makes it an excellent place for hiking. It offers access to the Inner Basin and Mt. Humphreys which is the highest point in Arizona. If your camping trip is planned for the fall then visiting Lockett Meadow during the first couple of weeks in October will allow you to see the Aspen leaves change colors from the blues and greens of summer to the gold and red hues of fall. It is a spectacular site.

The Rocky Mountains

If you are looking for a top-notch place to set up your camping tents in the Rocky Mountains then consider Grand Lake and Arapaho National Forest. Just west of the Rocky Mountain National Park, it is home to the largest natural lake in Colorado. This campground has something for everyone. Whether you are looking to set up your backpacking tents and just take in nature or hit the hiking trails. There are other recreational opportunities such as fishing, mountain biking, kayaking, water skiing, rafting, and horseback riding and there are numerous ATV trails.  

The Blue Ridge Mountains

When it comes to tent camping in the Blue Ridge Mountains, you can‘t go wrong. The Blue Ridge Mountains Parkway offers you nine different campgrounds to choose from. All nine were built many years ago and therefore do not offer any hookups, but most do have restrooms, drinking water, grills and picnic tables. Each campground has access to numerous hiking trails and fishing. The majority of the campgrounds are located at elevations of more than 2500 feet. This is important to keep in mind because it means that it will be cooler than the surrounding areas, you may want to bring a sweater… even in the summer.

Whatever your camping pleasure is the US has a perfect place for you to set up your camping tents, hit the water with your kayak or explore the rugged terrain in your four wheeler. Make sure  all your camping gear is safe and ready for your next camping trip.

 To buy a kayak or a canoe, that is the question. Deciding on which purchase to make is not as simple as flipping a coin. The decision you make will depend on the purpose you are going to use it for. Yes, both kayaks and canoes go in the water… and they float… and hold people. Their similarities end there. To help with the decision making process here is a close look at the benefits of buying canoes or kayaks and why you would chose one over the other.

There is one main benefit to buying kayaks and canoes, and that is exercise. The fact that both are man powered, meaning they move based on your paddling efforts, they offer a great upper body work out along with aerobic and cardiovascular strengthening. While not everyone decides to buy canoes and kayaks for these reasons, it is an undeniable and unavoidable benefit.

Another benefit of kayaks and canoes is that they help you maneuver your way through water. Depending on the type of water you are going to be in will vary greatly the type of craft you use. Kayaks are ideal for most types of water. If you are going to do white water rafting then kayaks are the obvious choice. Kayaks are also the recommended water craft if you are going to race. They are easy to maneuver and should you flip over, getting upright again is often easier than flipping a canoe that has capsized. There are many people though, that prefer kayaks when they are on flat waters such as a lake or a stream. If you prefer to travel alone, again, kayaks are the better choice.

Conversely if you are looking at making white water rafting your favorite pastime then you do not want to buy a canoe. Though it may be possible to white water raft in one, it’s not recommended. Canoes are ideal for flat waters. This includes lakes, streams and rivers. Canoes can also hold more than one person as well as other items. If you and your significant other are planning on a romantic picnic then a canoe on a lake at sunset is an ideal setting. Canoes are also for solo travelers that are looking for space for more than just themselves. It is slightly difficult to pack a lunch or bring a cooler on a kayak.

Before deciding on which craft to buy, kayaks or canoes, you should also consider the amount of space you have to store them. Kayaks are generally smaller and require less space for storage then canoes. Storing canoes also call for the use of a canoe trolley. Kayaks are also easier to carry then canoes, where one person can typically carry a kayak, it takes two people to carry a canoe.