Enjoy camping conveniences
Do you get excited at the idea of sleeping under the stars and spending evenings around a roaring campfire? Or does the idea of sleeping in a tent send spidery shivers up your spine?
This weekend, I’m dusting off our camping gear and preparing it after a particularly long period of hibernation. Come summertime, I shift into outdoor adventures as a luxury camping outfitter in Nova Scotia.
One of my endeavours is a company called East Coast Glamping. If glamping is an unfamiliar term for you, think glam and camping. I promise, this is not a plug for business but rather a sharing of some insider tips and secrets.
COOKING AT A CAMPSITE
Camping pots work harder than your average cooking gear. As soon as you’re done cooking, add some warm, soapy water to steep while you enjoy eating. Always have hot water on the boil, whether it’s in a kettle or a large pot. This makes washing up quick and easy. Consider butter-flavoured olive oil. Trying to keep butter at a campsite is like keeping a bowl of milk from spoiling in the sunshine. It attracts bugs, melts and can
be messy in your cooler. Search local before you go. Once you know where you’re going, do some research on local farmers markets and butchers in your area or along the way. This is an excellent way to support local, plus your meat will have less travel time in your cooler, maintaining freshness for when you’re ready to fire it on the grill. Marinate and freeze. Consider
marinating a flank steak or protein of your choice a day ahead of departure and then freeze it. Once in the bottom of your cooler, it will defrost slowly while marinating, taking some pressure off your ice packs. Flavourful rubs are also an easy way to dress up your campfire fare. Nova Scotia producers offer an abundant selection, including salt-free options. Collapsible sinks make for easy travel and save space. Consider bringing two: one to soak and one to wash. Campsite comforts
An extra towel for drying the underside of your tent when you’re packing up makes for easier teardown. Make sure your tent is completely dry. Leave your tent teardown for the last step of your repack. Before pitching the tent upon arrival, see where the sun is shining and, if possible, pitch where you’ll get late morning sunshine.
A hand-held battery vacuum is glam. If you don’t have one, bring a little sweeper and dustpan.
Air by day and seal at night to avoid damp sleeping gear. On cooler nights, shakeand-heat hand and toe warmers placed under your pillow or in your sleeping bag will keep you toasty. Wishing you a summer of slow travel and happy camping!