Published Jun 30, 2022 5:18 PM Who doesn’t love walking the aisles of your local outdoor store or surfing the web for sweet camping gadgets we don’t need but want? I am admittedly a collector of gear—many pieces my wife says I don’t need. My argument: camping gadgets make the trip more fun and luxurious. I love prepping and packing for my trips into the wild. I venture into my gear shed and search the shelves for gear that will enhance my car camping or backpacking trip. Over my lifetime, I’ve backpacked over 6,000 miles and slept outside over 1,000 times, so I have some strong opinions. Here are some…

Nestled on nearly an acre in the Kent Woodlands, this contemporary residence embraces luxe country living. From the outside, the home is all contemporary with wood, metal, and concrete. Inside, a cozier scene unfolds in an upscale cottage aesthetic with high ceilings and hardwood floors. While there are lovely views of Mount Tamalpais, the house itself is surrounded by lush flora, including roses and hydrangeas leading down to a pool and deck with a backdrop of oak trees. [embedded content]224 Woodland Road, Kent Woodlandswww.youtube.com The 5,609-square-foot residence features large public spaces like a sunken living room with a fireplace and a dedicated dining area. Just behind the living room are…

SUPPORT THIS INDEPENDENT JOURNALISMThe article you’re about to read is from our reporters doing their important work — investigating, researching, and writing their stories. We want to provide informative and inspirational stories that connect you to the people, issues and opportunities within our community. Journalism requires lots of resources. Today, our business model has been interrupted by the pandemic; the vast majority of our advertisers’ businesses have been impacted. That’s why the SC Times is now turning to you for financial support. Learn more about our new Insider’s program here. Thank you. JOIN NOW Featured Image: Pictured is a rendering of the new mixed-use development named Calvada that’s being proposed…

Westchester Parks Foundation’s (WPF) Camp Morty, a quality outdoor residential camp experience for children residing in underserved communities in Westchester County, will be returning to Sal J. Prezioso Mountain Lakes Park in North Salem for the first time in two years. The camp will officially open July 3 for five one-week sessions. Camp Morty will also be adding a new robotics program this summer, awarded by a grant from Verizon, along with traditional summer camp activities including swimming, hiking, nature exploration, canoeing and more. The robotics program will encourage campers to learn a new skill set like coding in a safe environment with hands-on staff. This is especially important to…

This article contains affiliate links to products selected by our editors. Mental Floss may receive a commission for purchases made through these links. Whether you’re hiking, camping, or just relaxing in your own backyard, building a campfire can be a great way to warm up when you’re outdoors and build cherished memories with loved ones. However, chopping down wood and starting that fire all on your own can take a lot of time and energy. Fortunately, you can get an innovative portable campfire right now for less than what you’d spend on some popular fire pits—and this one from Radiate has even appeared on ABC’s Shark Tank. Similar to Solo…

Pros: It’s designed specifically for outdoor adventurers.  Cons: As a fully manual stovetop percolator, getting a feel for it takes a little time. The wooden handle can’t be near an open flame. A group of veterans own and run Coletti, designing its coffee makers, mugs, and accessories to weather the outdoors – this durable stovetop percolator being one of them. On top of that, it comes with a generous lifetime replacement guarantee. Made of stainless steel with an appealing polished mirror finish, its construction is ideal for all cooktops. The base may rock on a flat induction cooktop, though.  A stylish and practical rosewood handle is cool to touch if…

Harrold Youth Center will be hosting FRIDAY MEET AND GREETS, YOUTH SPONSORSHIPS A DASHBOARD TOUR, A BACK-TO-SCHOOL TEEN FEST and more for teens new to Fort Leavenworth. For more information, call 913-684-5118. The 2022 U.S. ARMY ARTS AND CRAFTS CONTEST is now accepting submissions through Aug. 15. Win cash prizes and bragging rights. For more information, visit www.armymwr.com/artsandcrafts. The Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation OUTDOOR FAMILY MOVIE NIGHT showing “Sing 2” is at dusk/8:45 p.m. July 2 in the Frontier Conference Center parking lot. The next EXCEPTIONAL FAMILY MEMBER PROGRAM RECREATION BOWLING is 10 a.m. to noon July 2 at Strike Zone Bowling Center. The Fort Leavenworth INDEPENDENCE DAY…

Photo: istockphoto.com Whether your goal is to keep the house cool and free of cooking aromas or to have fun with friends while manning the spatula and tongs, taking your meal prep outdoors is a terrific solution. While cooking over an open fire (or grill) is a favorite pastime for many, there are a number of other ways to cook meals outside. Indeed, some of these alternative methods may also come in handy if you find yourself without power for a few days. For those thinking about taking their cooking skills from the kitchen to the great outdoors, it’s helpful to weigh the pros and cons of each method before…

It’s summertime, which means it’s road trip season. Time to hit the open road and see the sights. And despite inflation and gas price hikes, travelers are booking those vacations in record numbers this summer. Outdoorsy, the peer-to-peer marketplace connecting RV owners with RV renters, recently published its 2022 trend report to get a sense of who is booking road trips this year and where they’re going. The results were surprising: Outdoorsy hasn’t seen any slowdowns this year despite inflation. In fact, bookings are up year over year for the summer season—more than double last year’s record demand. It makes sense: An RV rental trip can be a great alternative…

Julie Garden-Robinson, Food and Nutrition Specialist  |  North Dakota State University Extension Several years ago, we bought a tent for our family. My husband and kids put it up in the backyard for a makeshift camping experience. They were quite excited about sleeping outside. In full disclosure, I went in the house after my husband and kids fell asleep in the tent. The ground was lumpy, and it was kind of chilly and damp that night. I seem to recall a pesky fly buzzing near me. Seriously, why would I sleep on the ground with numerous comfortable beds available within a short walking distance? However, if we had a camper…