Choosing a Campsite

Camping is an American passion and past time for many. It is being in the outdoors and fresh air wildlife. Birds in the morning to wake you and crickets at night to sing you to sleep. But you have to find the right campsite for your needs. So a few rules to follow are just what you need.

1. If you are using a public campground ask for a site at the edge of the grounds. This will take you away from the largest groups of people and noise.

2. If you are looking for your own campsite then look for an area open to the sky. It's ok to be surrounded by trees but you don't want to set them on fire at night with the old campfire.

3. Park you vehicle so it is easy to leave in an emergency. Do not park it at the back of the site and place all your gear in front of it. This will block you in and delay your escape if Bigfoot walks into camp for an evening snack.

4. Look for a level spot for your tent. If there is a slight hill you will continuously roll to the bottom side of the tent and this annoying if you are sharing with another person.

5. If you are going to build a campfire keep it small. All grass removed from around it for at least 3 feet and no tree limbs or bushes hanging over for sparks to light on fire.

6. Do NOT ever keep food in the tent with you. Animals love to sniff the night air for cupcakes and soda. You could find yourself fighting a raccoon or a bear for your food. Maybe even for your life! Tie your food in trees with two different ropes. Bears are smart if they've been around camp grounds for a few years and one rope just won't fool them at all.

7. Keep your flashlight close at hand. When you enter your tent for the night use the flashlight to check for crawly creature in your sleeping bag and bedding. Use your flashlight when you go to the out house and watch for snakes or a voice from below. Yes, there are some real sicko's and no one knows why this would be a thrill. Just beware.

8. If you are going to use the forest for your toilet be sure to bury it. If you must squat check around first for poison oak or ivy, limbs, stickers, a cliff and wild animals. Check for bee's! This is not an area of the body you want a bee sting on. Be sure to bury it!

9. Do not venture too far from the main road. You need to be able to find your way back. Let someone know where you are going and when you will return. Know the person or person's you are going with.

10. Do not chase cows if you are in a large ranching area. Because where there are cows there is usually a bull. A mean one with big horns and fast feet. You don't want to get trampled.

Ok, you are ready to become one of the wild men of the frontier and prove yourself. Carry your ax, your matches and finally your cell phone if you must. Have fun and don't burn the place down.