Mummy bag, flannel lined, canvas covered........what do you sleep in?

Choices, choices, choices..............

When you start looking for a decent sleeping bag, your gonna have all these different options thrown at you.

Cold weather, three season, down, poly-fill, it can go on and on.

Than, there is the budget range.

You can go to Wal-Mart and buy a sleeping bag for $20-$30. Heck, if shop right, you can probably find some even cheaper than that.

But................should you buy cheap?

How long will that $20 sleeping last? Will it keep you warm enough and will you sleep comfortably???

Personally, I live by the old adage " You get what you pay for".

When we bought our last sleeping bags, about 14 years ago, we shopped for a quality, dependable, warm sleeping bag. We ended  up buying a Coleman sleeping bag that was flannel lined. It was rated for colder weather and  did cost us a little more

.I think we spent about $45.00 per sleeping bag. At the time, we were doing some family camping so we bought one for each of the kids also. We are still using those bags today. But, I did notice the last time we used them, the filling was starting to bunch up. Time for a new sleeping bag.

So, those sleeping bags lasted several years, and I believe we totally got our money's worth out of them.

My best suggestions when shopping for sleeping bags:

• determine what type of sleeping bag your looking for.
• figure out what your budget is
• go online to Amazon, Cabelas, Sportsman's Warehouse and Scheels and check out their deals
• check sales ads, especially in the spring.

Snow, Sun, Rain, Wind-When do you call it quits?

What happens to your camping week-end if the weather turns crappy?

 You've got  the tent all set up, camp kitchen just the way you like it, and all of a sudden it clouds up and starts raining. Do you just wait it out and hope for decent weather, or pack it all up and head home?

If your R.V camping, it's a lot easier to settle down and relax while the storm moves thru.

We've been R.V. camping and had a snow storm roll in during the night. It never bothered us, we just kicked the furnace up, made a pot of tea, and snuggled down with a good book.

On the other hand, we've been tent camping when a storm would blow thru, and have to cook and eat meals while trying to stay dry under a tarp shelter.

That's not really my dream camping trip.......at all!!!

Blogger helpers

As I'm sitting here this morning, half awake and waiting for my tea to brew, I think about different things to write about. Camping, winter, summer, the kids.............

Nothing is clicking.

Fozzie, checking out my tea this mor

Than one of my daughter's cats (yes, I did say one of them, there are three total) comes in to the computer room to say good-morning. Fozzie  is a very large, very big yellow gentleman. I think at last check,he weighed in around 18 pounds.

Making sure the blinds are in working order!

Now, Fozzie's idea of saying good morning is to butt his head up against my leg until I quit typing and he can jump up onto my lap for some  good morning loving.

Than he'll sit and purr while I pet and talk to him about how the day is gonna be going.

    After a few minutes of morning loving, Fozzie is ready for me to fix him some breakfast

. And if you don't move fast enough to suit him, he'll let you know in a very demanding voice.

One of his favorite places to sleep is on the back of my brand new recliner.

Things would be just fine if he wouldn't try and run and jump onto the back of the recliner. There have been times when he's almost knocked it backwards.

Fozzie and Tulips

Than, he has to be very careful how he lays up there. More than once, he's fallen off because he is too big to stretch out and roll over on the back of the recliner.

Well, my tea is done, the cat's are quiet again and it's time to get to work. 

Camping at Groves Lake,Nevada

Okay, your scratching your head and wondering where in the world is Groves Lake?

 It's a small reservoir above the small community of Kingston, Nevada. Kingston Campground is actually a few miles before Groves Lake.

From Fallon, you'd take Hwy 50 East, thru Austin to junction 376. You will turn south on 376 and drive for about 18 miles. You'll see the Kingston sign on the left hand side of the road.

Just follow the road up thru town. Kingston is so small, even if you get turned around,someone will help you get started going the right way again!!

When we camped up there, we actually set our tent up at Groves Lake.

There are plenty of places above the campground itself to set up a trailer or tent. Just remember, there are no hookups anywhere.

Also, the road going up to the lake and campground is a rough, dirt road. Be sure to drive slow and watch out for other drivers.

The little store in Kingston offers ice, sodas, and assorted snacks. Very limited on the supplies they do carry. Be sure to take what supplies you might need for the weekend. 

Fishing in Nevada

Okay, I'll admit it.

I like to fish.

Groves Lake- Kingston,Nevada

But, I'm kinda picky about where I fish and what I fish for. I don't really care for fishing in large lakes or reservoirs. I'd much rather fish in small creeks and streams.

In fact, I've caught some pretty large trout out of small rather small streams. It's just a matter of finesse in finding the right fishing hole.

As for the type of fish, well, for me I'd just as soon as fish for trout as anything else.

Growing up in Eastern Oregon, there were unlimited little creeks and streams to fish in. It's a little harder to find good fishing holes here in Northern Nevada, but, you can find some nice little streams if you keep looking.

As for what type of pole I use and the kind of bait...........I have a nice little Ugly Stick pole with a Cardinal reel.

The bait, well, for the most part I'm old fashioned. I like good ole juicy night-crawlers to put on the hook. I've tried some of the other types of bait, eggs, lures, power bait, etc...I keep going right back to my little old worms.

Now that the weather is clearing, I think I hear my pole calling my name. Time to drown some worms.

A Hunting We Will Go!!

Jerry and I grew up in a very small town in Eastern Oregon.

Most of the people who lived there either carried a hunting rifle or fishing pole behind the seat of their pick-up truck, some people had both!!
 I haven't gotten into the whole hunting thing.

I do have my Hunter Safety Certificate, so if at some time in the future I decide to wage war against Bambi and his friends, I can legally do that.

Jerry applies for and hopes that he will draw his tags for deer each year.  Since we live in Nevada, he can only draw a Bull Elk tag once every 10 years. He can draw his Antelope Buck tag once every 6 years.

He did manage to draw his deer tag this year, again. So, come October, we will be packing the camping gear and loading the gun and quad to try and chase down a prime looking candidate for our freezer!!

I had never had the pleasure of eating Antelope meat until we moved to Nevada.

I love Antelope meat.

The only issue I have with hunting these creatures is the fact that they are so small. I would really like it if the Antelope were about 50 pounds heavier.

Even tho I'm not into the actual shooting end of hunting, I go along for just the fun of it. Camping, riding the quad, being up in the mountains. Sagebrush, pine,fir, and aspens.

It's totally beautiful in Northern Nevada in the fall and early winter.

I'll pack the camera, a snack and a good book. While Jerry's off doing the great white hunter thing, I'll take some pics or find a sunny corner to settle back with my book.

Just soaking up some sun and waiting for Jerry to circle back down the ridge, or back up the draw.

Camping Neighbors

I'm sure this has happened to you.

You've packed the R.V. for a week-end camping. Loaded kids, dogs and all camp gear, and headed out to your favorite campground.

You pull in to your spot, the kids take off with the dogs to explore and you start setting up your R.V.

Time to kick back and relax.

  You've got your feet up, a cold drink in your hand and with your eyes closed, can feel the stress and tension just slipping away.................

.All of sudden, your neighbor cranks up his stereo,opens a cooler full of beer and the party begins. 

OH  MAAANNN!!!!!!!!!!

We're the same. Over the years, we've had our share of "noisy"neighbors.

From loud drinking party's, obnoxious kids and growling dogs................we've kinda seen them all.

We've also had a few four legged neighbor's move in.

A chipmunk one day tippy-toed into the trailer when our backs where turned, and one unforgettable week, we had a mouse move in under our sink cabinets.

I figure as long as I'm out camping, I can tolerate the noisy neighbors.  Besides........with any luck, that neighbor will be leaving the next day!!!!