Bear Shakes RV, Shreds Tent in Alaska Campground

Park rangers near Fairbanks, Alaska, are asking campers and picnickers to be careful after a bear shredded an empty tent at Chena Lake Recreation Area and later rocked a small RV back and forth while a person was inside, according to the Juneau Empire.

Borough recreation area manager Matt Steffy said rangers have posted warning signs on trails and at campgrounds.

Steffy said the bear visited an empty campsite Monday evening (May 24), destroying the tent and the pillows and sleeping bags inside. The bear also got into some garbage or food that had been left out.

The campers initially reported the incident to some firefighters who were battling a small wildfire at the recreation area. Troopers were called, but the bear had left the scene by then, said Sgt. Scott Quist, with the Alaska Wildlife Troopers in Fairbanks.

The bear returned to the other side of the campground about five hours later and shook the RV. The woman inside honked the horn, prompting the bear to climb a tree before leaving a short time later.

The woman, who is from out of state, was rattled by the incident but not enough to prevent her from spending another night or two at the campground, Steffy said.

Steffy isn’t certain if it was a black bear or a grizzly; either way, it was big.

“We’ve got some pretty good claw marks going up the tree,” he said. “It may be a pretty large black bear.”

Quist said there’s a chance the bear was rubbing against the RV, not rocking it.

“At this time of year, when they’re shedding, they scratch on just about anything they can find,” Quist said.

With the Memorial Day weekend approaching, park rangers reminded campers and picnickers to clean up their camps and garbage.

Quist said a “game plan” will be needed if the bear comes back.

“If it continues to show fearlessness, we’ll have to take action,” Quist said. “Hopefully it’s just passing through and isn’t a local resident.”

No word on the make or style of RV that withstood the bear incident.

SOURCE:   RV Business

If you need a good RV that withstands a bear rocking, call American RV!

8 Ways to Keep Mosquitoes at Bay

Don’t let these blood suckers ruin your outdoor fun

Getting rid of the swarming summertime pests doesn’t have to involve harsh pesticides or gimmicky products, but it does require vigilance. 

For people who want to keep their yards both livable for humans and ecologically healthy during the buggy summer months, here’s the bad news: There is no proven effective mosquito solution as simple as buying a zapper or lighting a citronella candle. Still, that doesn’t mean homeowners are helpless. Consider the following:

1. Play water detective: Get rid of any standing water around your home—that’s where mosquitoes lay eggs! Remember that mosquitoes can lay eggs in tiny pools—even the size of a bottle cap. Also, check the places you can’t see, such as rain gutters. 

2. Employ fish: If you have an ornamental pond in your yard, find out if your local health department hands out mosquitofish, or Gambusia. As with all species not native to your region, exercise caution in releasing the fish.

3. Screen it: If you collect rainwater for irrigation, be sure to put a screen or filter—even an old pair of pantyhose will work—over the opening of the barrel.

4. Use mosquito dunks: If your yard has any unavoidable standing water, use mosquito “dunks”—usually donut-shaped disks of biopesticide that kill mosquito larvae but are harmless to humans, pets and wildlife.

5. Don’t be fooled: Remember that “natural” or “plant-based” doesn’t always mean safe—or effective. Do the appropriate research to ensure that your mosquito-controlling pesticides aren’t harmful to wildlife or pets.

6. Avoid what DOESN’T work: Studies have routinely shown disappointing results for just about every nonchemical means of repelling or killing adult mosquitoes: ultrasonic repellents, zappers and traps. 

7. Use repellant: The most popular repellant is the chemical N,N-diethyl-mtoluamide, or DEET. Because of rare cases of human adverse reactions to the chemical, you might try lemon eucalyptus, a natural repellent that the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) says provides “reasonably long-lasting protection.” Regardless of which repellent you use, always read and follow the manufacturer's dircetions. For more about the safe use of repellents, visit the CDC website.

8. Call in the pros. Almost every state or municipality has some sort of vector control agency—often run out of the health department. Along with a practiced eye, a vector control officer can look beyond a backyard to a larger area for the source of a mosquito infestation.

SOURCE:  National Wildlife
Text adapted from "Better Ways to Swat Mosquitoes" by Hannah Schardt, National Wildlife

Octopus Eats Shark! Huh?

Eight Arms and One Hefty Appetite!!

This video was so amazing that I just had to share it.  I know many of our Beach campers and RVers will enjoy this one!  You won't believe your eyes!


Source:  CNN.com, Rick Sanchez

Family Embalms Dead Man on Motorcycle for His Funeral. Seriously??

For you Campers and RVers who enjoy riding motorcycles, here's a story you are not going to believe! Right about now you are probably saying, WTH did she just say? NO WAY!? But you heard me right....the guy on this motorcycle is....how do I put this? ....um "dead". David Morales Colon, from Puerto Rico -- was embalmed and mounted on his Honda CBR600F4i motorcycle for his wake. "With full Repsol colors," points out The Sidecar blog at Motorcycle.com, which failed to mention that he isn't even wearing a helmet. Isn't that a Safety violation? The embalming was done by the Marin Funeral Home in San Juan, and the motorcycle was a gift to 22 year old David Colon from his Uncle prior to his death. He is positioned on the bike as if he were revving the engine on a fast highway.

David Morales Colon, 22 years old and a victim of a shooting incident, was positioned in the lifelike manner as requested by his family, who brought the motorcycle to the funeral home after he was killed. Seriously??

I guess one way of looking at it is David Colon is riding his way into the afterlife....literally!

Video Courtesy of CNN

Nudist Camp in Canada Goes Clothed After 40 Years

By ROSS ROMANIUK, QMI Agency

Former president Bob Mogliore looks out over the pool at Crocus Grove Nudist community. (QMI Agency file photo)

WINNIPEG - No more will everyone just hang out at a Manitoba nudist campground, as the park's owners try to better cover their costs by limiting their exposure to hefty water improvement bills.

After more than four decades of a "clothing-optional" attitude, what's been known as Crocus Grove Campground is changing its name this month to keep in step with a shift away from nudity among its users.

The newly named Sandhill Pines RV Park and Campground, about 40 kilometres northeast of Winnipeg, is requiring campers to begin wearing clothes when out and about at the facility, so that its owners can try to attract more customers and maintain their site's viability.

"It's too bad that it's had to go this route. That's just the way it's happened," Susan Ryynanen, who owns the park with husband Ray, said Thursday.

"We've had declining numbers in terms of clothing-optional campers, and we have to do something differently."  

The 60-campsite park is asking users and guests to wear clothes for the first time since it opened in 1969. The owners say it's because of new federal and provincial regulations requiring that facilities like private campgrounds chlorinate their tap water and undertake related engineering studies. 

It's going to be between $15,000 and $50,000, depending on the size of the campground, to comply," explained Susan. The Rynnanens had continued to allow nudity since purchasing the park in the Rural Municipality of Brokenhead more than three years ago.

Because their revenue potential is "extremely limited" by appealing to a naturist niche market, Ryynanen said, it's necessary to woo a wider array of campers.

"We just have to cope with the additional costs, and maintain the same size of campground," she added at the park on Provincial Road 317, where the couple live.

"So we need to go public and expand our horizons."

To distance the park from the nudity image, she said, they're using advertising and signage under the Sandhill Pines name and "don't have any affiliation with Crocus Grove at all any more."

The end of Crocus Grove's nudity, however, doesn't mean campers can't go naked anywhere in that region east of Lake Winnipeg. Ryynanen pointed out that the Patricia Beach area, a short drive north, continues to maintain a "clothing-optional" section along the lake.

The shift doesn't appear to be steering users away.

After talking to campers who have regularly used the park, Ryynanen said about 98% have indicated they'll hang around -- even if not hanging out.

"They understand. They're here because they love camping," she said.

"Everybody is sad and disappointed that we can't maintain the clothing-optional status, but the reality is that the big draw here is camping and being out in nature. It's a bit of a change, but not a complete change."

Posted in CNEWS Across Canada

Solar Powered Tent Glows When You Text It! What??

Designers have come up with a tent which they say would be easy to find in a crowded festival field, because it glows when you sent it a text message or get closer.

The "Orange Solar Tent" would also use solar power to charge your mobile devices and could even heat your sleeping service.

It also has a touchscreen LCD display which shows energy generated and consumed as well as providing a wireless internet signal. Unfortunately the tent is still at the concept stage.

So as you struggle to find your old fashioned tent at Glastonbury this year, console yourself with the thought that in a couple of years it won't be a problem ... you will be too old to go to festivals.

A spokesperson for Orange UK said: "Our vision of the concept tent recognises the revolutionary effect cutting edge solar technology and wireless communication could have on festival goers’ camping experiences."

Excellent conceptual idea for the lovers of hiking. English mobile operator Orange has recently presented their vision for the tent of the future. Well even it was just tent it could be purchased at least for a stylish appearence. But it has enough benefits. This miracle tent made from photovoltaic fabric capable of storing solar energy (an excellent replacement of cumbersome photovoltaic panels!). Subsequently, with the help of this energy you could charge mobile devices – just put them in a special pocket. The tent is equipped with LCD-screen as well. Also it’s very convenient to look for a tent in the dark or in a large tent camp – you just need to activate it via sms or RFID-technology, and a tent will light up with a soft yellow light.

Another advancement is Glo-cation technology. This enables campers to find their tent using an SMS message or automatic active RFID tech. So if you’re having trouble finding your tent, sent a text, and the Glastonbury will glow for you.

There is yet another feature known as groundsheet heat. It is an internal heating element that is embedded within the tent’s groundsheet, and this underfloor heater will automatically come once the interior temperature falls below a certain level.

Kaleidoscope Strategist, Finn McKenty, said: “The development of photovoltaic fabric will revolutionise festival tent design, in working with Orange we have created a vision for a solar tent that we believe is a great glimpse of what’s to come.”

Ian Smith, Head of Sponsorship, Orange UK, said: “Since becoming Official Communications Partner of Glastonbury Festival in 1997 Orange has strived to enhance the camping experience through a variety of sustainable initiatives. Our vision of the concept tent builds on this heritage and recognises the revolutionary effect cutting edge solar technology and wireless communication could have on festival goers’ camping experiences.”

Whilst currently only a concept, the vision of the Orange Solar Concept Tent has been designed to celebrate Orange’s 11th year at Glastonbury. This year, Orange Chill ‘n’ Charge tent will be at Glastonbury again, providing 600 mobile phone charging points, free internet access and live music. The Orange Chill ‘n’ Charge tent will be open from Friday to Sunday, 10am-10pm.

With all these features, who wouldn’t want this cool concept to become a reality?  But doesn't camping  usually mean you leave the comforts of technology behind?   These little jewels would be great for festivals though, or as something to entertain the kids while you are sleeping comfortably in the RV!

For all the latest updates from the field go to www.orange.co.uk/glastonbury, for more information about Glastonbury Festival go to www.glastonburyfestivals.co.uk

JakPak: The camping coat that doubles as a tent - Bizarre!

A bizarre coat has been launched which doubles as an odd looking single man sleeping bag and tent.

By day the JetPak is a normal-looking waterproof coat, but at night it can be folded out to make a waterproof sleeping bag with a tent over the head.

This means anyone wearing the £165 jacket - which goes on sale later this year - can easily set-up camp whenever they are when they get tired, as long as they don't mind looking a bit odd.

The JakPak is being marketed at extreme campers as well as an emergency precaution… but it could also come in handy if you are constantly getting lost on nights out.

 

A spokesperson for JakPak said: "JakPak design incorporates a waterproof sleeping bag, minimally-structured tent and insect netting into a comfortable jacket.

"It creats an instant dry habitat that is ideal for outdoor sports enthusiasts, people living in areas prone to natural disaster, sports fans who will not be held back by a little rain, and anyone else in need of shelter."

I still say it would be much more comfortable just to take the reliable RV!  =)


Source: www.jakpak.com

Want News? Catch Your RV, Parks and Camping Buzz Here!: Redneck Camping for Dummies

Want News? Catch Your RV, Parks and Camping Buzz Here!: Redneck Camping for Dummies

Hilarious Redneck for camping Video!