Don’t let it catch you

Cold weather is making a comeback in Florida.
Today the air is crisp and as you bundle up and turn on the heat imagine getting cosy next to a fire.

Yes it is bonfire weather. Building a fire may seem like a relatively simple task, but do not be fooled. Burning just any scrap of wood or paper can release noxious fumes and give your neighbors black lung. So consider this:

• First designate an area, either dig a hole, buy a standing fire pit, or use an established fire pit. When digging a hole, make it deep enough so that the fire in the hole does not catch the yard on fire. 
• Second gather your materials. You need small and easy to burn twigs, dried leaves, bark called tinder or kindling. These items are important because while they burn the larger pieces of wood catch fire, eliminating the need for lighter fuel. 
• Third you need to gather the cut and dried logs. Damp logs will not burn and hardwoods like hickory and oak burn the best.

A very important part of the equation is the shape of the bonfire. You cannot just pile the logs and light a match. There are different ways of piling logs but the easiest are either the tee-pee or the square stack. Combining the two will make one big stable fire.

The teepee method consists of leaning three or more logs against each other in a cone shape. The easy to burn material goes inside the tee-pee. You light the center and allow that fire to catch the logs. As long as there is room for air to flow between the logs the fire will burn.

If you use tinder and a fire pit then you wont need lighter fuel and you wont catch your leg on fire, making the bonfire a safer place for drunks and clumsy people.

 

Photo by Hailey Petway

Tips for weather proofing Winter backpacking

Late last fall I did some backpacking in central florida. Along the way I learned some tips for making the best of a sometimes drippy situation.

Wet clothes on a backpacking trip is miserable. It means walking heavy and cold through the wilderness.

When packing your backpack, put your clothes in plastic bags. Your clothes will stay dry during your trip if you keep them in the bags when you are not wearing them. 

When you decide what clothes to bring, consider that you will be in motion during the warmest part of the day and not in motion during the colder nights. So layers are the way to go.

• Wear water proof pants, never cotton. If they get wet they are heavy and make you cold.
• Wear a water proof jacket. Look for something light weight so you can wear it even if it is warmer.
• Layer shirts made of wicking material that draw water away from your skin. Under-armor is my personal favorite.
• Make sure you wear wool socks and bring a boatload. Change them as soon as they are wet.
• Wear light weight and waterproof boots.

Remember that you will be carrying your supplies on your back so don’t over pack.

Tips for beginning campers

For those who have never camped or have camped and hated it, I have some advice to offer you. Camping is not fun if you are not prepared.

Before you go camping look up the campsite. If you are camping for the first time you should start at a state park, unless you are with experienced campers. Florida’s park service offers detailed information about the camp site conditions at each park online. For example some parks offer both cabins and primitive camping.

Check the weather, but be prepared for rain even if it is not expected. Because we live in Florida, rain is always expected. Be sure to rainproof your tent.

If you camp in the summer, and don’t want to be hot, consider bringing an oscillating fan. Also try to camp at parks which have rivers, lakes or are on the coast. Water sports make any camping trip better, and they are the best way to cool off.

Be sure you bring the little things. Flashlights, knives, lanterns, utensils, food containers, plates, cups, tin foil, napkins, chairs, bedding, lighter fluid, matches, a radio are all very useful and you will want to have them.

Make sure you set out for your destination with enough time to arrive before nightfall. Setting up a tent in the dark is not fun. If you have to you will need a lantern.

For things to do you should research what is available at your particular park. You can always bring a frisbee or a football. Most of Florida’s parks have water activities like kayaking or tubing. And almost all of Florida’s parks offer trails and exhibits.

 

A shelter on the Appalachian Trail

Some like it wet and lots don’t

If you have ever camped in Florida, then you are well aware that this is a wet affair. Or it can be.

So how do you stay dry despite Florida’s intermittent rain? The most important thing to think about is your tent. Camping can be a harrowing experience if you are not prepared, so take these steps to stay dry.

Your tent should be:

• made in the last twenty years 
• pitched over a tarp (makes clean up easy too)
• sprayed with water repellant or sealer

Before you pitch the tent, look for rocks or sticks that could slice the bottom of the tent. Make sure that your tent is on top of a hill, and make sure the rain cover is properly secured. When it is raining, be sure that nothing is touching the walls of the tent, because this will cause water to seep through.

Some new tents are made with awnings. This gives you shelter for chairs, a table or all your other supplies if it rains. Also you can pull your water-sensitive supplies under the awning before you go to sleep incase it rains in the night. 

So are the tents with the awnings really better than regular tents? It depends on how irritable you are when wet. If you don’t mind getting a little moist then just seal the tent, attach the rain cover, and pitch on top of a hill. But if you want to be able to sit outside rain or shine, then check out the awning variety.

Wait for a west wind and catch a wave

Florida’s east coast is packed with surf spots. From short and calm spots to the tall and rough, Florida has got it all.

When floridians talk about surfing, names like Cocoa Beach, St. Augustine and New Smyrna come to mind. These beaches are all said to have consistent waves.

But New Smyrna, just south of Daytona, usually have waves up to six feet. The beach is almost always packed with tourists and allows driving on the beach. The beach is long enough that driving is necessary. Watch out for rising tide, unless you have four wheel drive.

The beach was rated 7 out of 10 and is considered to:

• Be best at high-tide and with winds blowing west
• Be most popular in fall and winter
• Have hazards like sharks, angry locals and speeding cars 

The beach is the only one rated over a six on Florida’s northern coast and is considered intermediate. The water is usually crowded, but a bold surfer is guaranteed waves. Where Flagler Avenue meets Atlantic Avenue is supposed to be the best spot. Try surfing down to the beach and avoid the jetty.

“Paddling out along the jetty to the main peak is hardly suggested. These better nuggets are reserved for the hard group of locals who have spent their lives earning a cherished spot in this ruthless lineup. Unless you’re willing to put in the same time and effort over a few years, resign yourself to surfing down the beach,” said Strange Kaufmann in an article.

Pythons, an Everglades problem?

Do giant snakes pose a threat to campers in the Everglades?

The Burmese Python’s population has exploded in the Everglades. Scientists think they are the offspring from released pets. Cities around the south worry about this problem, even chilly San fransisco.

Supposedly humans are hard for constrictors to swallow because of the breadth of our shoulders, but they can bite with sharp teeth and easily squeeze the life out of animals as big as alligators. The snakes are also known to be able to kill animals over twice their weight.

Because of climate, studies show, the pythons are unlikely to reproduce and spread to areas other than south Florida’s everglades. The same study also suggested that the trend in global climate change will make even the south of Florida inhospitable for the snakes.

So in addition to the alligators, crocodiles and panthers, Everglades visitors have to worry about giant pythons as well?

It is estimated that 30,000 snakes already live in the area. The snakes can weigh 200 lbs and reach 30 feet. But the snakes, non poisonous, are known for their docile temperament.

It is not hard to imagine that a big hungry snake might mistake a person for dinner. This is especially true because they try, and some times fail, to eat alligators. 

The next time you are hiking through the back country of south Florida’s Everglades be careful. The growing population of these enormous snakes does pose a threat to all animals, even curious humans.

Kayaks 101

a sit-on-top kayak

Want to get around on the water? Try a Kayak.

Kayaks are not as cumbersome as canoes and can be maneuvered easily by anyone.

The vessels can be broken down into a few simple groups. There are standard kayaks that are specialized for a couple different applications. Whitewater kayaks are made of stronger material to withstand hitting rocks. Racing kayaks are lighter and longer for speed.

Recreation kayaks are the most commonly used. These are less expensive. Their bodies are typically wider and shorter. In this category there is what is called a “sit-on-top,” which is a kayak that is solid and has a well seat instead of having a hollow body.

If you have ever rented a kayak at a lake or river then this is probably what you used. They are made of durable plastic and are equipped with holes to drain water that may splash into the cockpit. These kayaks are wider than the other styles and are considered slower.

The benefit to recreation kayaks is that they are unsinkable. They are also versatile. They can be used anywhere. They are harder to tip over and easier to maneuver for a beginner or someone who values stability over speed.

So for those of you who are curious about kayaks, or are considering buying one, take a look at the “sit-on-top”. 

These are tips for choosing a kayak.

• Choose a comfortable seat. Look for good back and hip support, and take the kayak out for a try before buying it.
• Fit to your weight. The kayak for a 150 lb male will not be the right size for someone 220lb.
• Rent a kayak. If you can rent different models, you will have a much better feel for what works best for you