Your Most Important RV Essentials

Before packing up and heading out for the open road, you need to make a checklist of all the items you'll need in your RV. Some are pretty obvious, but others will cause you to think twice.

First of all, you need to figure out how long you'll be on your trip. Just the weekend? A whole week? 3 months? Either way, the amount of disposable items will need to be much greater depending on the length of your excursion.

Let's break them up into categories.

Category #1: Kitchen Items
-Aluminum Foil
-Coffee Grinds, Coffee Cups, Coffee Pot
-Can Opener
-Cooking Utensils
-Dish Drainer/Pan
-Knives
-Measuring Cups
-Mixing/Serving Bowls
-Napkins
-Paper Plates
-Paper Towels
-Plastic Wrap
-Plates
-Pot Holders
-Pots & Pans
-Salt & Pepper
-Silverware
-Sugar
-Toaster
-Glasses/disposable cups
-Ziplock Bags

Category #2: Cleaning Supplies
-Bar soap/dishwashing detergent
-Broom & Dust pan
-Toilet Paper
-Rags
-Rubber Gloves
-Sponges
-Trash can & bags
-Vacuum Cleaner

Category #3: Tools
-Black Water Chemicals
-Channel Locks
-Electrical Adaptors
-Extension Cords
-Extra fuses
-Fire extinguisher
-Flashlight & batteries
-Fresh Water Hose
-Fuse Puller
-Hammer
-In-line Water Filter
-Level/Leveling Blocks
-Light Bulbs
-Needle-Nose Pliers/Regular Pliers
-Sewer Hose/Fittings
-Tire Gauge
-Water Pressure Regulator
-Wheel Chocks
-Wrenches

Category #4: BBQ/Grilling Accessories
-Full Propane Bottles
-GasWatch Propane Level Indicator
-Grill & Grill Cover
-Matches & Lighter
-Oven Mitt
-Skewers
-Utensils (spatula, fork, tongs)

Category #5: Miscellaneous
-Aspirin/Medications
-Bath towels/wash cloths
-Beach towels
-Bed Spreads
-Blankets
-Bug Spray
-First Aid Kit
-Folding chairs & table
-Jackets/Hats
-Kitchen Towels
-Kleenex
-Non-slip cabinet linings
-Pens/Pencils
-Pillows, Sheets, Pillow Cases
-Playing Cards/Games
-Radio
-Suntan Lotion
-Table cloth
-Travel Clock
-Umbrella

Now that you know the major RV essentials, you are well on your way to the greatest adventure of your life. Remember to always pack extra in case you run out! So get to packing and head out to the open road!!

Best Backpacks for Your Camping Trip

Now that the weather is starting to cool, a lot of people are heading outdoors to enjoy their weekend downtime. Whether that be camping, hiking, or simply picnicking, you need to make sure you have the appropriate gear. One of the most important items is. . . the backpack.

This simple item is necessary for anyone expecting to spend a significant amount of time away from technology. Backpacks are able to withstand the most extreme weather and can carry an indefinite amount of objects. They can lug jackets, bug spray, water bottles, food, compass, camera, and even sleeping bags (only those that can be rolled up extremely tight!).

Before you embark on your next quest, make sure you have the right backpack for your excursion. We took a look at ConsumerSearch to find out what are the best backpacks for your specific needs. They winners are:

*Best Hiking Backpack:

• Gregory Baltoro 70 - this product is comfortable, durable, versatile, and is perfect for weekends or long hiking trips. This backpack also has great pivot suspension and ventillation. Price: $270

*Best Budget Backpack:

• Teton Sports Wilderness 55 - has plenty of pockets and storage for sleeping bag and built-in rain cover. It is smaller than the normal camping backpack, but is still perfect for weekend getaways. Price: $75

*Best Women's Backpack:

• Osprey Ariel 65 - this isn't necessary for short trips, but for women who are smaller and for heavier loads, this backpack is much more comfortable with its heat moldable foam padding and nice airflow. Price: $240

*Weekend Backpack:

• Mountainsmith Treklight Eclipse 55 - this smaller backpack has a pivoting hip belt, heat moldable foam padding, and great ventillation making it very comfortable. It works best for long weekend trips in warmer weather. Price: $200

*Lightweight Backpack:

• Mountain Laurel Designs Prophet - this backpack only weighs 6 ounces, yet it can carry up to 20 pounds perfect summer picnics and short weekend trips. Since it is made of lightweight material, it doesn't withstand snagging branches and doesn't have as many pockets. Price: $130

So there you have it, the top 5 backpacks for your camping experience. For more information and lists of other backpacks, you can visit: http://www.consumersearch.com/hiking-backpacks

Going Back to Basics with Camping

As the kids go back to school and the weather starts cooling off (hopefully!), weekends become a perfect way to escape the stresses of our every day lives. While the economy remains in the recovery phase, people are still trying to tighten their pursestrings. One way to still enjoy the outdoors is camping.

This doesn't just mean finding a camp site or packing up your RV, but thinking outside-the-box. Why not camp in your own backyard?

It's cheap and easy and most of all, you're still enjoying that sense of freedom and oneness with nature. Simply grab your tent, a couple of sleeping bags, and then head outside! It might be a little dangerous to start a campfire, but there are ways to get around it. Try a camping stove or invest in a small charcoal grill that is easily accessible. Head to your local grocery store and purchase all the s'mores necessities: Hershey's chocolate, marshmallows, graham crackers, and even peanut butter (that's right, it's good).

Use this time to look at the stars, tell ghost stories, and enjoy your family's company. The best thing is if someone gets a little too scared or complains about the hard floor, you can always go inside and get a good night's rest.

When times get tough, that's when people realize what really matters in life. It's not how much money you have or what new electronics you've purchased, but the actual time you spend with your loved ones. These are the moments you'll never forget.

Camping Becomes Digitalized

If you thought going on a camping trip meant pulling out your dusty tent and scouring the woods for a secluded spot to settle, you're wrong. According to the Washington Post, these days people are now "glamping"- a word used to call camping for the digital age. State parks around the nation are now incorporating WIFI in some campgrounds as well as a complete camping kit they provide including tents, chairs, propane stoves, and lanterns. What do you think of that?

It's amazing how dependent our generation has become on computers, cell phones, and the internet. We can't even go back to nature and enjoy the outdoors without feeling "naked" if we can't check our email.

Despite the downfalls of becoming addicted to technology, it's smart to merge these two contrasting concepts together. At least state and national parks are doing everything they can to make our experience more enjoyable.

Let's relish this new idea of camping! Now we can sit out by the lake, fishing to our hearts content on the right while the football game is being broadcast from the flat screen on the left.

For more information about this article, go to: "Glamping"