Bring along comforts to make for an enjoyable campsite.
Story by Paige Eichkorn
It’s finally the weekend and after a week in the office why not explore the outdoors and go camping. Your wanderlusting heart can finally indulge in glorious sunrises and sunsets while relaxing by the campfire. Search for your ideal location, perhaps a campground by a lake or wildlife park, check out the weather app and start packing.
Today’s camping doesn’t mean you have to tough it out. With so many portable comforts of home available, your campsite will be the envy of all of the campers.
HERE’S A PACKING LIST TO DOUBLE CHECK:
- Think spacious when it comes to the tent. Give yourself room to move around and space to pull in any gear in case a rain shower decides to move in.
- Super plush air mattress and battery powered air pump add to a great night’s sleep.
- Pillows, pillows and more pillows.
- Plenty of blankets, insulated sleeping bags if the weather is looking to get cooler.
- Battery powered fan if you get particularly warm at night.
- String lights and command hooks.
- Comfy inflatable chairs or rocking bag chairs.
- Pop up hammock – no trees mean no worries when it comes to one of these portable framed hammocks.
- Bluetooth speakers.
- Extra large cooler with all your favorite frozen snacks and drinks in addition to those tasty campfire dinners you’re planning on grilling.
- Board games, cards, that book you’ve been meaning to read.
- All the necessary toiletries, don’t forget extra bug spray and sunscreen!
- Telescope or binoculars for stargazing of course!
We almost forgot the key ingredient to the best camping trip possible – great food! Foil dinners are easy to fix and much of the prep work can be done at home before you head out. And what is a campout without everyone’s favorite camp dessert, s’mores! No ordinary s’more will do though; try putting your marshmallow in between two Oreo cookies smothered in peanut butter! Now that will send your cravings to a whole other level.
To end the night, pull out your binoculars and Google a star chart to find your zodiac sign, the big bear and big dipper constellations! Sure, you can pick out the North Star, but why not take advantage of the darker settings campsites lend to and do some real star gazing.
Enjoy these upcoming fall weekends and take in all Mother Nature has to offer!
BUTTER GARLIC HERB SALMON FOIL PACKETS
So easy to make and perfect for your campout. Made with tender and flaky salmon with fresh summer veggies, they cook to perfection with the best garlic herb compound and will become a family favorite! To keep things simple at the campsite, cut up your veggies and make the garlic herb butter ahead of time and keep stored in your cooler until you’re ready to grill. Credit: TheRecipeCritic.com
INGREDIENTS
- 4 6 ounce salmon fillets
- 1 bunch asparagus chopped into thirds
- 1 red pepper chopped into 1 inch pieces
- 1 zucchini sliced
- 1 yellow squash sliced
- salt and pepper
GARLIC HERB BUTTER
- ½ cup butter room temperature
- ¼ cup freshly chopped parsley
- 4 garlic cloves minced
- 1 teaspoon fresh rosemary chopped
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme chopped
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
INSTRUCTIONS
- 1. Place four 18×12-inch pieces of heavy aluminum foil on counter. Place the salmon fillets in the center and evenly place vegetable mixture on each piece of foil.
- 2. To make the garlic herb butter: In a small bowl add the butter, parsley, garlic, rosemary, thyme, salt and pepper. Divide evenly and place on top of the salmon. Double fold top and ends of each piece of foil, leaving space for steam to gather.
- 3. Place packets on the grill and cover. Grill for 15-20 minutes or until salmon is cooked through and veggies are tender. Carefully open packets and serve.
