Road Trip in a Malamoo 3 Second Tent

Camping at the KOA Campground in Corel, Georgia turned out to be a great stop for an overnight campout on our way to the Orlando Pet Expo. While setting up the Malamoo Mega tent the winds picked up so we used the Bluescrews to anchor the tent down instead of using standard steel stakes that could easily be pulled out if winds become strong. Turns out having a few Bluescrews packed away just in case was the a good idea. Overnight temps were in the 50's making it perfect sleeping weather, just cool enough to slip into the Oztent Rivergum XL and Big Johnson sleeping bag. The big advantage of the Rivergum bag is the zippered removable fleece lining. When removed, the bag decreases the insulating value from 14º to 23º f and can also be washed separately. When time to pack up, the Malamoo Mega was a bit more to pack away than the standard or XLT models. However, the Malamoo Mega provided additional space in vestibule for shoes and odds & ends. The 10'x10' sleeping area was also great for playing a quick game of dice & catching up on emails before calling it a night. Next stop Orlando Florida for the Amazing Pet Expo Event! http://www.familytentcamping.com/malamoo_3_second_tents

Tips for buying camping accessories

Camping out in nature doesn't always have to equate to roughing it. Whether you're a car camper or a backcountry minimalist, there are a variety of items you can purchase to make camping more relaxing. This guide will cover a range of items you can add to your camping gear to make trips more comfortable.

Having a restful sleep is important regardless if you're camping or not. There are varying sleeping pads and mats available to help you sleep comfortably in the outdoors. Mattress pads or camping cots also elevate and insulate you from the ground, helping you stay warm on cold nights. Foam and inflatable mattresses come in several lengths and thicknesses, and in lightweight to extra thick mats. If using inflatable mattresses, consider purchasing a 12V or rechargeable air pump; they'll save you time when setting up your sleeping quarters. For those with room to spare, a cot can be an excellent add-on. You can even get organizers to hang off the cot's side to keep personal items within reach. Don't forget a pillow. Camp pillows feature a soft casing (often flannel). Small models are available with the space-conscious camper in mind and can be compressed when packed. Small accessories can help make your tent more comfortable, especially in rainy weather. Portable, battery operated lights and lanterns, small radios, and fans are some examples. Look for these accessories in camping tent models that can be hung from the ceiling or suspended another way so you're not forced to hold them. A deck of cards, a small board game and a book are good to have too in case you get caught in a day-long downpour. It's a good idea to bring some extra supplies for your tent, especially tent pegs. A mallet for driving in and removing stakes is another time saving device. Finally, a spare piece of carpet, or an actual mat, is handy to leave outside your tent door to hold footwear and wipe muddy feet.

Picking the Perfect Campsite

Camping is a great way to enjoy the great outdoors with family & friends, whether your a seasoned camper or just getting started, here are a few key tips to consider when choosing a campsite.

* A good idea to find the best site to fit your needs would be to take a drive around the park and check out whats available, keep in mind of what camping needs to keep in mind, bathroom/shower house location is a plus, for convenience.
* Always arrive before dark, the best sites are usually taken by later in the day.
* When it comes to garbage containment, it's always good to not camp next to a dumpster, especially during a holiday weekend when the park can be extremely busy meaning there will be a lot of camp food scraps that will become rather "smelly" after a few hot days.. Find a tree that is upwind to tie up your garbage, this also helps to keep critters out.
* Avoid setting up camp in a high grassy area, makes a great insect haven.
* When camping always keep in mind how weather can make a difference in the outcome of your safety, Get the best protection from lightning by camping near a dense grouping of trees, all the same height in a low area away from water is always a good idea.
* and last but not least become familiar with identifying poison ivy and poison oak, when in doubt avoid "leaves of 3"

Following these simple guidelines will assure a safe and enjoyable camping trip.

For more great tips on camping visit our website at www.FamilyTentCamping.com

Camping is best enjoyed when shared with family and friends. Not all campsites are created equal, meaning they are not all designed the same. Here are some helpful hints when selecting a campsite for your tent that will accomidate your needs for an enjoyable camping experience. First of all you will need to determine if being close to the shower house (most are joined with a bathroom facility) is a priority, depending on if you are car camping, which you can easily drive to the facility regardless of the weather conditions or tent camping which brings the inconvenience of getting to your vehicle when it is raining. Either way the decision will make a difference, especially when you or a family member will need to make a bathroom run late at night or early morning or simply having the shower facility close by for a quick shower after a long hike or fun filled afternoon. You can also make things easier by setting up a shower tent on your campsite which can be equipped easily with a portable shower or portable toilet to provide easy access and convenience.

Thunderstorm Safety While Camping

While tent camping or hiking you are sometimes faced with decisions that need to be made quickly, such as a Thunderstorm that has moved into your area while on a hike or camping at your campsite location, do not attempt to move into an open area if you would be the tallest in your immediate surroundings. If the lightning is getting closer (time from flash to bang is getting shorter), you may have time to cross the open area to reach a better shelter, do so quickly so you do not get caught in the open area. If the flash to bang is less than 30 seconds then at this point if you are surrounded by trees or other tall items you would be better off to stay where you are and take cover in your tent or take cover under closest available shelter until the storm passes.