OzTent USA Vermont Overland Rally Experience

Up to this point taking the back roads had made a wonderful difference in our travels to the Vermont Overland Rally, but on Day #5 we had some added adventure. While traveling through New York to Rockingham Vermont about dusk, I pulled up campgrounds on our GPS, this would leave us about 3 1/2 hours to drive in the morning. First I called to confirm they were open and the guy on the phone seemed nice enough so we set our course and headed for the campground. As we got off the Hwy all seemed well, but the GPS started leading us really deep into the forest. Then my first red flag, a dirt road leading even deeper. After a little more than 3 miles on this road and several turns a 2nd red flag, we approached a gate and the GPS was telling us the campground address was inside. The entrance didn't reflect a campground, with "No Hunting", and "No Trespassing" signs. There were NO campground signs anywhere, and with no turn around areas visible from the gate we felt very uncomfortable so we backed up our trailer and got out of there! (The place looked like a scene from a bad movie LOL). After that our adrenaline was in high gear so we filled up the gas tank, grabbed a cup of coffee and set out for Rockingham, Vermont which was only 3 1/2 hrs away. We pressed on only to find out that the small town of Rockingham rolls up their sidewalks and everyone goes to bed around 9 p.m., and we drove in closer to 11 p.m which lead to another adventure. We could not find a place to sleep for the night! Northern Vermont is known for their snow skiing, so all of the places around were Motels, Chalet's and Ski Resorts which were not in season and closed. We searched the GPS for any recognizable Hotel and by now it was after midnight. There was only "1" hotel within 70 miles of us, a (Holiday Inn Express) which was 25 miles away. We finally pulled in close to 1:00 A.M. and since they were the only hotel around, they took full advantage of the situation $$$! Then the desk clerk gave us a key to the wrong room by accident and we walked in on a man sleeping in his underwear with the t.v. on. WHAT A NIGHT! I am sure some of you have similar stories that you could share..... After a few hours of sleep we woke up to a good Holiday Inn Express breakfast and we were finally off to Lillie Farms for the Rally! This was Day #6 of our trip and we were very excited to be arriving at Rally. When we arrived there were only a hand full of people set up in a huge cow pasture. They were quick to welcome us and give us the run down on what to expect for the weekend. By that evening the field was filled with Overlanders from all over the East coast, Canada & even New Zealand. Kim and I really got to enjoy this event thanks to Tim Bleau from "Iron Pig" who saved his front seat for us to go on the trails with him. Kim got to go on Friday while I manned the OzTent post and I went out on Saturday. During the Vermont Rally, people were able to check out the quality of the OzTent products,and accessories including the OzTent chairs and cots in person. We also raffled off an OzTent RV-3 Tent and a portion of the proceeds went to "Stella's Voice" which is an Anti-Sex trafficking organization. The winner of the OzTent RV-3 Tent was Bob F., a local Vermont resident. The whole weekend was a huge success and we really enjoyed the East coast hospitality. Enjoy these few pictures of the event and join us in a few days for an update on our travels to the Murphy, North Carolina Rally.

OzTent Roadtrip to Vermont Overland Rally (wk 1)

On the road again! A familiar tune for OzTent USA. Planning our road trip was an adventure in itself, since we have never been to the east coast. We wanted to get the most out of the trip so we decided to take the back roads which is a more scenic route. Day #1 we traveled through Indiana which did not offer much to write about however, we did get to see some of the Amish community. We camped at Gordon's campground, and pulled in just before dark. Our overnight stay was as simple as setting up the OzTent, camping cots and sleeping bags. We made foiled dinners over hot coals and a pot of coffee on the camp stove. Day #2 we traveled on route 6 along the coast of Lake Erie to take in the awesome waterfront property views and a walk out on one of the piers. Extreme wind & rain were the elements that we faced, but that didn't stop us putting on our rain gear and setting out to enjoy the beautiful view. The rain did finally let up and we found a place to camp just outside of town. The rain held off just long enough for us to set up camp and we were able to make dinner under the awning of our OzTent and relax while it rained the rest of the night. Day #3 was an awesome day, traveling to Niagra Falls, NY. We arrived in the evening and checked into the Days Inn that overlooked the Canadian border. After checking into our room we decided to walk down to the falls, which was only 5 minutes away and see the night view. What a site to see! The falls were crashing and the rushing water was lit up in different colors to make the white water rapids look like the 4th of July with water! Day #4 before checking out of the hotel we walked down to the falls for an up close and personal view... We had limited time so the tour from the observation deck on top and elevator ride to the bottom for only $1 per person allowed us to enjoy the falls at the break and also feel the mist coming from the water which put a whole new perspective on one of the 7 wonders of the world! We were also able to take awesome pictures. See some of them below. Be sure to check back in a few days for an update on the Vermont Overland Rally and off road pictures! www.OzTent.us

Tips for Keeping Cool in your Tent

Keeping cool on those hot summer nights is important when it comes to providing you with the needed rest for your next day activities, here are a few tips you can do to keep cool and comfortable during the hot summer months.
•Location is everything when it comes to picking your spot, most campsites have adequate tree placement for shade coverage. Consider setting up your tent under shade, also keep in mind as the sun rises and sets to position yourself for as much coverage as possible.
•If for some reason you are camping on a campsite with limited shade you may consider putting up a shelter over the sleeping area to reduce the direct sun from beating directly on the roof of your tent. By simply using a tarp with telescopic poles, guy ropes and stakes will provide you the needed equipment to provide protection needed. If you currently own an OzTent, it's as simple as attaching the OzTent rainfly
•Keeping tent well ventilated by opening all windows and doors and having only the screen mesh exposed will help to transfer heat outside and allow fresh air to reduce heat build up. If your tent is equipped with window awnings, this is a good feature to maintain ventilation even during rain.

Car Camping VS Overland Camping

Camping Trends: "Car Camping VS Overland Camping" How camping has evolved from the campground to the outback. In this issue we will be addressing the question "How is car camping different from Overland camping?" Both require vehicles, however, there is a big difference between loading up the standard SUV to camp at the local campground, and using an Overland vehicle that's been upgraded for off-road use and is equipped for driving into remote areas. These vehicles require more than just off-road tires.

When car camping your more likely to stay at a campground with all the modern conveniences of home such as hot water for showers, flush toilets, picnic tables, a fire ring and maybe even a swimming pool. When Overlanding, your camp is where you make it, whether on top of a mountain, a remote valley or a patch of dirt under a shady tree.

Car camping does not require nearly as much planning for a successful trip. You can load up your tent, sleeping bags and some groceries, then drive up, set up and have fun! For Overlanding if you "fail to plan,then plan to fail". You need detailed planning to assure your equipment is prepared. The last thing you want, is to drive into a problem that could leave you stranded in a remote area alone or stuck in rugged terrain. There is no grocery or camp store for last minute supplies when Overlanding, so planning food, water and tools for repairs is essential for survival.

When car camping you may cross a state line experiencing a Q&A by the border officials, but you are safe and have access to a doctors, hospitals and any other help if needed. When Overlanding you may cross International boarders which require passports, or searches and you will most likely have no access to medical or any other help. Again, planning is key so be sure to have a quality first aid kit and any other emergency items you might need. Also, it is very important that you let someone know the route you plan to take for an extra safety precaution.

Most important, whether car camping at the local campground or Overlanding across the great divide, HAVE FUN AND BE SAFE!!
For Overland gear visit www.OzTent.us

How Insect Repellant Works

How does Insect Repellent Work:
•Insect repellent is used as a general term, but it really covers a variety of repellents based on their active ingredient used to keep the bugs off. There are chemical products based on ingredients such as DEET. There are also natural products using active ingredients such as Citronella and oils such as lemon eucalyptus. The chemical products tend to be toxic to some extent, so repellents with natural active ingredients are generally better for you. A Screen Tent is always a good piece of gear to bring along on your outdoor events, here are a few tips on how to use insect repellants.
•When mentioning the word "repellent", in most cases people assume insect repellent works by repelling mosquitoes, flies and so on. Some do, some don't, depending on your body chemistry and other variables. Some insect repellents work by making you smell or taste bad to a bug. Other work by masking your skin odor. The process can be analogized to stealth plane technology. The bug uses its "radar" to identify tasty humans to bite, but you are hidden from the radar by the insect repellent.
•If you wear insect repellent, it is important to understand there is a second reason you may get bit. While bugs are attracted to the odor of your skin, they are also attracted to another odor you give off. In this case, we are talking about the carbon dioxide in your breath.
•Insect repellents tend to be effective over only short distances. As a result, you may see mosquitoes and other bugs flying fairly closely to you. This does not mean they are biting you, but it can lead to a sensation indicating they are. The best way to determine if you are being bit is to look at the spot where the sensation is occurring. If you are, then put more repellent on!
So if you are wondering if you should walk around coated in insect repellent? The choice is up to you but If you are in an area with a high concentration of bugs, it would be highly recommended for best results, considering the biggest risk time tends to be dusk or dawn. This is the feeding time for many bugs, especially mosquitoes. For more camping gear and accessories visit www.OzTent.us

Camping "A Blast from the Past"

Has camping changed or have we changed the way we camp? There was a time when all you needed was a station wagon to transport your tent for shelter, an ice chest to keep your food cold, sleeping bags, and a lantern to shed light while enjoying your campfire dessert and game with family and friends. There are a few changes that have improved the way we camp, first of all, technology has taken camping to a whole new generation of campers. They are educated in what they are looking for and have the resources to purchase what will fit their camping needs. Many Overland type campers, travel "self contained" with all terrain trailers that are custom built for transporting water, a generator, storage compartments and last but not least, a fully functional kitchen area for cooking and clean up. When it comes to tent shelters,there are a couple set ups to consider. Roof Top Tents which mount on the roof of a vehicle or an all terrain trailer,the tent is accessed with a ladder that can be stowed away easily for safety and convenience. The other option is a ground tent such as an OzTent "The 30 Second Tent" which is great for traveling "on the go". It features a revolutionary designed internal frame for quick set up and easy pack away and is 100% waterproof. The entire tent stores in a 6'6" storage bag which is made of heavy duty canvas with a PVC inside lining for waterproof protection. These Tents can be fastened securely on a roof rack with tie downs or the back end of your truck, SUV, or van.

Oversized Sleeping Bag Comfort

Spring is here, perfect for camping! There's nothing better than sitting around a warm campfire with your favorite hot beverage. When it's time for bed, a warm cozy sleeping bag is ideal for a restful night sleep. The Black Pine Sports Big Johnson sleeping bag is great for the "BIG" guy looking for the extra wiggle room, measuring 100" length, 45" shoulder and foot area. The inside lining is a brushed soft fleece for that cozy feel and a "hood" feature that allows you to draw the head portion of the bag around your head and large draft tubes to keep the warmth in and the cold out, the micro fibre insulation keeps you warm even if the bag gets wet! The outer "cotton duck canvas shell provides durability and long lasting performance available in a +20 for seasonal temps, -5 for the Fall and -35 for winter camping. I personally own the +20 and has worked out great for 4 season use due to my high metabolism.
Another great feature the Black Pine Sports bag offers is the ability to zip a right and left side zipper together for 2 person comfort. Sleeping Bag comes with a storage carry bag for easy storage and travel.