Okay, This Gear Makes Me Happy Campfire Guy Here. From June to late September, weather in North Texas is a little too “scorched Earth hot” for camping. I take this time to reflect on the gear I used over the cooler months and make adjustments for trips I have planned this fall and winter. Remember, I am the serial gear returner. For this gear to still be under my roof is seal of approval. I currently own and use everything…
Sometimes Gear Reviewing Can Be Tricky Campfire Guy here. If there’s one thing I love more than spending time in the outdoors, it’s trying out new camping gear. A friend asked for my thoughts on the Coleman Sundome 2. My initial plan was to use the tent while I was at Boy Scout summer camp in Talihina, OK. However, when we arrived, I discovered that our camp site was situated on steeply sloped, rocky terrain. Plan B was to set the…
Resting Happy Face Campfire Guy here. It took me a few years to stumble into the wonderful world of camping pillows. No longer would my EDP (everyday pillow) come home from a weekend in the woods smelling like a campfire. Don’t get me wrong, I love a good campfire, but when it’s time to head back to civilization, that campfire smell and sandwich stealing raccoons can stay in the woods. Fortunately, my stumbling lead me to the Therm-a-Rest Compressible Pillow….
Coffee Talk, Review Amongst Yourselves Campfire Guy here. I’ve made many mistakes in the outdoors. Some of my lowlights include not protecting our food from bold,cooler-invading raccoons at Tyler State Park and ignoring the warnings about invasive black ants at Cedar Hill State Park. Those mistakes occurred early on in my outdoor adventures. My gear has since evolved, and so has my ability to read notices posted by park rangers. Reading is still FUNdamental! Sadly, the most egregious mistake I’ve made…
Campfire Guy here. The season for gearing up continues with the next installment of, “How to Gear Up For Car Camping”. Aside from a tent, your sleep system is the second most important step in the path to camping bliss and a good night’s rest. A sleep system consists of some sort of mattress or pad on the ground with something to cover up with on top. Put Something Between You and the Ground If you ever camped out…
The Mini Grill That Could Campfire Guy Here. It’s well documented that I like playing with fire. It’s also well documented that I like to eat (see any picture of Campfire Guy in his ill-fitting clothes). Spring weather in North Texas provides a great opportunity to get outdoors, make like a caveman and cook over an open flame. No loincloths were set on fire in this post. Among a wide array of headlamps, lanterns and fire starters, UCO Gear also…
Never Stand Between a Sleepy Camper and Their Coffee Campfire Guy Here. Do you know who likes coffee? This guy. Do you know who likes having the ability to make coffee in the outdoors in a little over two minutes? Yep, this guy again. The Jetboil Flash Cooking System is my go to for boiling water and making coffee. A Little History on Portable Stoves Compact cooking stoves have been around since the late 1800’s. According to Wikipedia (who would never…
A Tale of the 2 Plus Campfire Guy Here. All of my camping experiences have been intense. Wait for it. I promise the jokes are only going to get better worse. As I like to be reminded, I have at times, been a serial gear returner. The gear that didn’t get voted off the island gets put to good use and has met my lofty expectations. One of those pieces of gear is the REI Half Dome 2 Plus. I…
Campfire Guy Loves Him Some Campfires! Campfire Guy here. If there’s one thing I like to do, it’s start fires. (No your honor, I’d never actually be silly enough to put that in writing!) To build a campfire you need tinder, kindling, and firewood. Unless your idea of a nice evening is to sit around a pile of unlit wood, with cold, sad marshmallows on the end of your stick, you need a way to get your campfire started. Enter the UCO Gear…
I’m Down With Down Campfire Guy here. One of the single most important pieces of camping gear you’ll buy is a sleeping bag. Having spent my share of cold nights in one I’m inclined to agree. We still have a few old reliable synthetic bags for car camping, but lately, I’ve been on a down bag kick. For the weight, warmth, and compactability (pretty sure I just made up a new word), down is hard to beat. The downside is…