travelguiding's Blog

Great! You have finally gone over the things you needed to know before going to camp. You have prepared everything that you think you might need there. So, you think that you are finally ready for the camping trip. You have practiced to set up your tent and the rest of the gear. You familiarize yourself with everything that you will be bringing. The cooler has been packed with ice for the drinks and food. The first aid kit is restocked and the camping supplies are all set.

Everything is good to go but you really never know what is going to happen on the campsite. There are fewer anecdotes to read for you to be ready. And if you are a beginner a mishap or two will definitely happen. Even though you are fully prepared some things are bound to happen especially when you are caught unaware. But these things are not really unavoidable. You just think you know what will happen in the campsite but you really have no idea what it is like to be truly out there.

When you are out there in the woods chores are with you all the time. Although, doing chores have their fair share of rewards for the campers. Since your first arrival you are expected to choose the best spot, set up your tent, make your bed, create fire, cook meals, wash dishes and throw garbage. Those chores sound like what you have at home. Kitchen chores are the most common work when camping. You cook and wash dishes but to know when to do them is frustrating. It is best to invest in wrist watches where you would not have to worry about the time and getting them wet while doing chores or if you are on a fishing camping trip

If you are outdoors there will be bugs. It is good thing to bring along with you your repellant or suffer mosquito bites at night. Bright lights attract mosquitoes and gnats so it is better to place lights a bit far from your sitting area. Most flying insects are allured by fragrances. You do not need perfumes and make ups in the woods honestly. Plus, bees like sodas so make sure to throw empty soda cans and close soda bottles.

Everything feels wet in the morning due to the dew. So take down all your clothes and bring them in your tent to avoid wet garments in the morning. Dew is part of the nature which is inevitable.

You like to be near bathrooms but you would not like it when everyone seems to use it at the same time. It brings too much noise so choose a spot with relative distance to the bathrooms.

Finally you had a good night sleep and it is time to wake up to make breakfast. Unfortunately your food is missing and scattered all over the place. What happened? You probably did not secure your food and left them inviting critters. Make sure to place them in tight sealing coolers or place them inside the car for more protection.

Recapping the points mentioned above, chores are always going to be with you wherever you are so it is best not to expect that there is someone who will do them for you. With the proper time management you will be able to do kitchen chores right. Spend on something that will help you tell time like ladies watches for camping so you would not be trouble if they get wet. A relative distance to bathrooms is a good choice to have quieter surroundings. Repellents are always a must and dew is part of nature. Secure your food properly to avoid critters. Precautions are necessary to enjoy a peaceful and trouble free vacation. Plus, mistakes are bound to happen so you should not fret about those matters when in camp. Get over it and enjoy camping.

Did you know that cheap flights to Germany are not that hard to avail of nowadays compared to usual? You can now save up on airfares and just add up that money to your budget while traveling to Germany. This superbly wonderful european territory has so many things to offer for both natural observers and fast-paced tourists alike.

Getting cheap flights to Germany is a very ideal way to go about touring the country. While you are there, you may have to spend for various transportation fares and of course, souvenirs and food items. It's not usually very often that you get the chance to visit Germany and enjoy its beauty, so you should spend your money wisely. And one of the best ways to do that is to get those cheap airfare deals.

The best method you can of course use to get cheap flights to Germany is by utilizing the Internet. Look up various airline websites and see what their current discounts and promo travels are. But beware of the websites you visit. Make sure you visit the right ones and the legitimate ones because you might end up paying more than you would have expected. Some companies may lure you in with seemingly cheap flights to Germany but you may end up paying more once the taxes kick in.

It would also be good to learn about the lean seasons when it comes to getting cheap flights to Germany. There are so many things you can learn from accessing various travel forums because frequent travelers would usually post their experiences on these sites and you would surely find some vital first-hand information from them.

If you live in the New York City area, the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area is only 75 miles from Manhattan (about 1.5 hours) via Interstate 80. For most cars that would be only a half tank of gasoline for the round trip!

From the Hudson River...
The trip starts on I-95 with the crossing of the George Washington Bridge. When one has seen that bridge so many times over the years it is easy to take it for granted. It is a beautiful structure and, if you can drive in the right lane, your passengers have a great view of the majestic Palisades which line the Jersey shore of the Hudson River. Three miles after you enter New Jersey, at I-95 exit 69, you'll turn onto I-80. For the next 12 miles you drive past an intensely urban landscape.

...to the Delaware River
At about exit 57 you'll pass Garret Mountain. A mile later you'll cross over the Passaic River and you'll notice the urbanness falling away to be replaced by increasing greenery. You'll also pass ridge after ridge of mountains, -- like the waves in the ocean. An hour later you and I-80 are greeted by an imposing mountain gateway. This is the Delaware Water Gap. On your right is a steep 1,100 foot bluff topped by Mt Tammany and on your left -- the Pennsylvania side of the Delaware River -- is an almost equally steep 1,000 foot bluff topped by Mt. Minsi. This is the grand Eastern Gateway to Pennsylvania and to the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area.

The Waterfalls
You'll take exit 309 to get on US-209. This excellent two-lane highway follows the Delaware River upstream for almost 40 miles. From 209 you have access to over a dozen beautiful waterfalls starting with Buttermilk Falls and quickly followed by Twin Falls.

Bushkill Falls
At Bushkill (about 11 miles from I-80) you'll turn left (at the blinking light) onto Bushkill Falls Rd. A little ways up this road is a bit of Paradise owned by the Peters family. For a small fee they allow visitors to enjoy eight different waterfalls all accessed by well marked trails.

Dingman's Falls and More
About 12 miles further up US-209 is Dingman's Ferry. From there you can access Dingman's Falls and Silverthread Falls. These are very popular in the summer and, if you find them too crowded, Deer Leap Falls, Fulmer Falls and Factory Falls are just a little but further up Silver Lake Road.

Raymondskill Falls
About 5 miles further north on 209 is Indian Point. SR-2009 splits off to the west (your left) here. There is also a sign directing you to Raymondskill Falls which is just 1.5 miles up the road. Raymondskill Creek tumbles down a small, rocky ravine creating a set of three cataracts varying in drop from three to sixty feet. Raymondskill Falls is probably the best example how each waterfall in the Pocono highlands is unique.

The Hiking Trails
It takes more than one day to see all the waterfalls named above. But before you conclude that all there is to see here are waterfalls, the Recreation Area (which includes almost 70,000 acres along the Delaware River) has many well marked trails of varying difficulty. The famous Appalachian Trail on the New Jersey side of the Delaware River is accessible from many locations and offers dozens of splendid views of the area.

A Fun Bit of History
You might find that going back in time can be just as much fun. Just north of I-80 at the Gap (where you came in) is Old Mine Road. Just up that road is Millbrook Village carefully restored to how it appeared around the year 1900. Every October, 100 volunteer 'villagers' populate the place in period clothing and bring the village to life in celebration of 'Millbrook Days'.

With the current exorbitant fuel prices, it's a relief to know of locations you and the family can enjoy without wrecking your budget.

With the high price of gasoline, are you thinking of canceling your vacation trip? This summer more and more Sandwiched Boomers are reducing their carbon footprint by taking "staycations" with their families. Why drive to a resort when there are community swimming pools around the corner? Why plan a remote getaway when you can relax in the beauty and serenity near you? You don't need to travel to the city for excitement when you can create your own at home.

Gasoline prices are edging toward five dollars a gallon and the hassle and expense of air travel is increasing. Families saddled with the economic and emotional costs of caring for growing children and aging parents are saving money and energy by vacationing at home this year. But how to make it a real vacation and not one long list of chores and obligations? When you follow these tips, you'll return from your staycation refreshed, recharged and reconnected to your family:

1. Make planning for your staycation a part of the process of reconnection that usually comes about on vacation. Set aside time to have a family meeting and encourage everyone to talk about what activities they want to include. This preparation will give you all a better understanding and appreciation of each other. And you can reduce the tension and arguments that might ensue later about what you were going to do together.

2. When your staycation begins, take a complete break from all work. Don't check your job-related emails or call in for updates about projects. This is your free time so resist home-related chores as well. Leave the beds unmade or arrange for someone to come in and clean so that you won't be temped to work around the house. Do set aside time for any home activities you enjoy for relaxation - gardening or scrap booking, for example.

3. Act as you would on a vacation away from home. Go to bed and get up when you want - don't set your alarm clock. Let the kids stay up past their bedtime if you are doing something out of the ordinary. Enjoy a special breakfast out one day. Relax in the sun and read a page-turner or amusing beach book. Exercise in ways that aren't easy while you are working - a morning tennis or golf game, a midday horseback ride through the countryside, a leisurely hike at sunset. Splurge on a night out at a fancy restaurant or for tickets to an entertaining event.

4. Consider this time as a week of weekends. Have fun with your family - play board games together, make popcorn and rent classic movies, go to the park for a pick-up basketball game, take in a concert under the stars, get bleacher tickets for a baseball game, go for family bike rides or long walks in the neighborhood, splash each other in the community pool. Have a barbecue and let each family member cook or prepare a different part of the menu. Plan your own Olympics competition with events appropriate for your children's ages.

5. Explore your immediate surroundings and discover something new. Take a city bus tour and see the sights that you've never noticed before. Expand your horizons and those of your family members. Visit a museum near you - often they offer entrance fee free days or discounts for local patrons. Participate together in a creative activity like ceramic painting or a mini-course in photography at the community center. Visit the campus of a local college and wander through the library. You may uncover an interest you never realized you had.

6. Remember to include the universal vacation ritual - take lots of photos and videos to share with your friends. Looking at the pictures of your family's smiling faces will enhance your memories of the special times you spent together. Continue the feelings of togetherness by creating an album commemorating your first family staycation.

The decision to spend your vacation at home this summer can deepen the bonds and transform your family. Without either the tension that travel creates or the stress of considerable expenditures in this uncertain economy, you will find that the time socializing with family this year is more relaxing than ever. And as a Sandwiched Boomer with so many responsibilities, you deserve this rest and respite. Your staycation can help carry you through the year ahead with your enriched family relationships. So instead of "bon voyage," it's "bonnes vacances a la maison!"

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