Everything and Anything

I’ve always loved the outdoors, ever since my dad took me with him on little hiking trips through the wilderness.  While I do like hiking, I’ve never been so much interested in excursions as I have about appreciating nature.  When I was seventeen, my dad bought me a pair of sports optics; a standard set of binoculars.  I used them for a long time to spot wildlife, and became interested in bird watching in my twenties.  Now I spend a couple days every month out in the wilderness investigating rare birds.I’ve now witnessed a lot of amazing birds in their native habitats; birds most people have never seen like horned owls.  It’s great not having to see these birds caged in the zoo, and viewing animals in their native habit gives a whole new appreciation for nature.  I think for parents too, getting your children interested in nature at a young age is a great idea!

When it comes to camping, whether it’s in your backyard or suspended from a rock outcropping at an altitude of 10,000 feet, you need to have the essential equipment covered.  When you break down camping to just the essentials, you need light, food, water, shelter, and clothing.  Flashlights are one of the most celebrated camping essentials, and are available just about everywhere.  Whether it’s on your keychain or held in the hand, you need light for camping.  Food and water are necessary in the outdoors; you should always have enough for your camping trip plus a little extra.  Shelter is more than just a tent, it’s also a sleeping bag, campfire supplies, all the stuff that will help you weather the elements.  You should have clothing for adverse weather, and also extra dry clothing, especially socks. 

Covering the camping essentials, you’ll be prepared for just about whatever nature can throw at you in the great outdoors.  When camping also make sure that you’re with a friend or at least let friends know where you will be.

When you have five kids you know the value of a good deal. All of my kids are involved in one sport or another and the cost of equipment is sky high! I will try to scrimp and save money any way I can, but I also want to provide them with all the items they need to play their sport successfully.

The best deals that I have found when buying sporting goods have been at thrift stores or online sites. Online stores seem to always be offering coupons or sales, and thrift stores always have some items my kids can use. I would recommend that all big families start shopping online and at thrift stores to save cash.