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    Big Agnes tents

    After a lifetime of hand-me-downs, department store specials and (worst of all) U.S. Army shelter halves, I now have a Big House 6 from Big Agnes. It's 8x10 -- more than enough room for a double cot and all my gear and tall enough to stand up in. It's easy to set up; has all sorts of built-in...
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    How big is your tent?

    I've been just car camping for some years now, but until last year kept using my trusty old two-man (actually one-large-man) pup tent from my hiking days. Now I have a Big House 6 from Big Agnes. It's 8x10 -- more than enough room for a double cot and all my gear and tall enough to stand up...
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    Canned bacon

    Hi -- Several brands of canned bacon are available on the Internet. The best-known is probably YODER'S. It's pretty good, but since I only car camp these days, I'd just as soon bring thick-sliced bacon in the cooler. You can find it on Amazon or by Googling Yoder's bacon. Bon appetit!
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    Primary or Rechargeable Batteries?

    That's exactly what I do. Charging up the rechargeables is just about the Number One item on the camping checklist. I have a power inverter in the truck, so if we are out and about during the trip, I can recharge batteries. If I do have to rely on the alkalines, I remove them after the trip and...
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    Camping with TV?

    Television? No thank you. I do bring a music player with earbuds in case I can't sleep (not usually a problem on a camp-out). I don't have a problem with anyone in the campground enjoying TV, radio or music, as long as I don't have to listen to it. That's what headphones or earbuds are for...
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    What do you like most about camping ?

    Just getting away. There's a state park just across the river from my home (I can actually see it from my living room window). In the spring and fall, come Friday, I put my tent and cooler in the truck, and after work cross the river, set up camp and enjoy the weekend. If I get going earlier...
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    Picking a Bad Location

    About 30 years ago, a friend and I were canoeing the Missouri River from Garrison Dam to Bismarck. Midway, we camped on a sandbar, just north of Washburn. We thought we had pulled the canoe in far enough, but during the night the Corps of Engineers helpfully released more than the usual amount...
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    Phone Calls

    An elderly parent and my own health issues make a cell phone a must. Otherwise I have no use for it. I turn it on vibrate only so not to disturb anyone, although my ring tone is a quacking duck, appropriate for some of the place we camp.
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    Replacing plastic film cans

    If you have a friend with diabetes (who doesn't?), ask him/her for some of their test strip containers. Those made by Freestyle and Accu-Chek have hinged caps that snap closed securely and hold about a tablespoon of seasoning. I have about a dozen labeled with a Dymo labeler with more in...
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    What to do with peanut butter?

    This is my go-to Thai Peanut Sauce. I make it in advance and bring it along in the cooler. Just skewer some chicken or beef or best of all, shrimp, grill, and serve with the sauce as an appetizer. Your camping buddies will believe you are a god and will worship you. The Best Thai Peanut...
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    Where do you buy your camping gear?

    Former backpacker, now car camper. My gear comes from a variety of sources, including Cabela's (my favorite) -- camp kitchen, cot; Lowe's Garden Center -- Camp Chef 3-burner; Gander Mountain -- Camp Chef 2-burner (the 3-burner proved too big); Mountain Gear -- Big Agnes Big House 6 tent...
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    cook in the woods yes, cook at home fail

    As I have said elsewhere in this forum, the medically-mandated move from backpacking to car camping has not been entirely happy, but there have been compensations. One of these has been the switch from my much-loved MSR Whisperlite stove to the Camp Chef 2 and 3-burner stoves with their 30,000...
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    Tick Repellent

    Agree completely, Sarge. I haven't had a tick bite for the five years I've been using the stuff.
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    Spice Vials?

    If you have a friend who like me is diabetic, ask him or her for some empty test strip containers. They are plastic with hinged, snap top and hold about a tablespoon of any spice or dried herb. I used a Dymo labelmaker to label about a dozen of them. I then fill them before the camping trip with...
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    Multi-Tool Of Choice?

    If I don't have my Leatherman Juice xe6 with me, it means I've forgotten to put on my pants. The Juices are the only Leathermans (and one of few multi-tools anywhere) with a corkscrew. I mean how are we to survive Armegeddon or the Mayan calendar thing or whatever without a glass of cabernet...
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    What is the worst thing about camping?

    Sunday morning is the worst thing about camping. No hot breakfast (don't want hot stove in the Suburban) Tear down camp Pack up gear Load gear into Suburban Drive home Unload gear Unpack gear Clean gear Store gear Monday morning is yet worse -- I'm back in the office, although I'm...
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    I just got a new tent!!!

    I did much the same thing last year. After a lifetime of Boy Scout wall tents, department stores specials, hand-me-downs and - worst of all - U.S. Army shelter halves, I bought a Big House 6 from Big Agnes. It supposedly holds six people, but in my case, it's just me, my double cot, and small...
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    Attitude Adjustment Hour

    The transition from backpacking to car camping has not been an entirely happy one, but there are compensations, not the least of which is the much improved attitude adjustment hour, a.k.a. Ted’s evening cocktail. In the old days out on the trail, the event was limited to a small Thermos...
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    Kosher salt crusted roast

    Hi WildRover Dinosaur and Hazel are spot on -- a roast needs a slow fire and a pot. Here's a recipe for salt-crusted roast that I have made at home. It's delicious, but I really don't think it's a good one for camping. Kosher Salt Encrusted Prime Rib Roast Prep Time: 10 Minutes Cook...
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    Taking along the Eggs.

    The night before leaving, I break 10 eggs into a mixing bowl, thoroughly whisk them, pour them into a jar with a tight lid and toss it into the cooler. Scrambled or in a frittata, that's second day's breakfast for the three of us. The other two eggs I keep in their original container which I...
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