Pine Needle Tea

Out camping or backpacking and looking for a refreshing hot drink loaded with vitamins? Nature can provide exactly what you’re looking for with a hot mug of pine needle tea. I won’t delve into all the claims and benefits of pine needle tea, but rest assured, it’s loaded with vitamin…

the Jeep Wrangler and Smitybuilt Awning

Angle Your Awning

I often get asked about the quality and durability of the awning. After all, it does have what appear to be fairly ‘frail’ aluminum poles supporting it. Well, first you need to seriously consider when and where you’re using it. If there are strong winds occurring, or in the forecast,…

Hot Apple Cobbler

Depending on timing of my adventures, and what I’ve got with me in the Jeep, food choices will occasionally end up being a re-hydrated meal. The recent weekend adventures at Waiparous had me short on time to visit a grocery store, so dinner included the hot apple cobbler desert from…

The Gerber Gator II

I’ve decided to replace my Coleman hatchet with a bit of an upgrade. The Gerber Gator II Axe and Saw combo (check it out on Amazon.com here for a great price) seems like it’s going to be a great addition to my outdoor adventures. It is lightweight, strong and is…

The Upside Down Fire

You’re probably still using the Tipi or Log Cabin type of fire when you go camping, aren’t you? Ever hear of an upside down fire? No… you’re not going to get flames magically shooting downwards, but the upside down (or reverse) fire is built in reverse to what you’d normally…