I want to go camping

Go camping.

What might prevent a person from going?

Not sure how to get a campsite

Worried about other people and/or wildlife

Cost (gear, campsites, other)

What about bathrooms, showers, and other hygiene

Don’t know what to pack

Unsure what a day will be like

 

Getting a site

Online ahead of time  or Walk Up

It’s worthwhile to search online for different sites based on the area and/or type you are looking for, however not all campgrounds have websites or will come up in searches. Asking around for suggestions is a great way to find out good places to go because you can narrow the field to things like “campgrounds for tents that have running water,” or “campgrounds near a lake or river.” Some people prefer campgrounds where people are close together, while others enjoy a more solitary experience.

When you arrive at a campsite, either there may be a window when you drive up or at some you go straight to a site and a ranger will approach you to welcome and check you in. At sites where there is not a window when you drive up, there will be envelopes or little papers to fill out to sign yourself in. With this method, you will put your money in the envelope and turn it into a designated box hear the entrance, and you will put the little card with your information on a post at your site.

Backwoods or Backyard Camping

Backwoods camping is located in wilderness that doesn’t have set sites or ways to make reservations. National Parks, regional trails, and areas away from civilization is a good example and comes with its own rules. Always check the area you are traveling ahead of time. There won’t be any rangers to help so plan very carefully and always let someone know where you are planning to go. You will want to pack light because you will be carrying everything you need. Stores that are helpful include REI, Cabella’s, Dick’s Sporting Goods, and other sports stores. There are no bathrooms either.

Backyard camping is one of the easiest to enjoy the outdoors. All the comforts of home are within reach and you don’t need to worry about getting a site or staying in the wilderness. Pop your tent up and insert your sleeping bag. The rest is up to you! 

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Concerns relieved

MOST campgrounds have a resident ranger of sorts who is there to keep an eye out for behavior of campers, cleanliness of the site, and wildlife patterns.

“Bear boxes” are at campsites to lock all of your food up – this will keep wildlife away. Be sure to use these!

It is not typical for campers from other sites to approach or interact unless you initiate it (beyond typical manners such as saying “hi” or other greetings). In other words, nobody is going to bother you.

You will get dirty, and it’s ok! It’s actually one of the joys of camping. It’s “clean dirt” meaning it’s different than germs - it has no pathogens.

“Look into nature and you will understand everything better. ~Albert Einstein”

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Paying to camp

Campsites will tell you the cost per night when you search.

Take cash with you (various bills to help with odd charges such as $22).

Campsites you book online will likely have you pay at the time of booking, right there on the website.

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Packing lists

Minimalist camping list

Good for one night, people who do not want to do dishes, pack/unpack much, etc.

ADDITIONAL GOOD IDEAS

Water – at least a gallon to put out the fire at night and when you leave. You can always refill at a faucet if needed

Wood for the fire (you can buy packs at most grocery stores or gas stations during camping months)

If using this list, bring prepared foods or ones you can make ahead such as bagels, yogurt, sandwiches.

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More thorough list

If you plan to stay more than one night, and/or if you want to cook food

All of the above, plus:

Camping stove

Basic utensils (tongs, spatula, large spoon/fork – depends on what you plan to cook)

Plates and eating utensils (can use paper or plastic)

Coffee mugs

Garbage bag of some sort to hang for easy use

Skillet/pot

Citronella candle (to keep bugs away)

Games/books

Paper Towels

Ax or hatchet to chop more wood for your fires

Salt/Pepper

Soap and/or shower wipes

Flip Flops to wear in the shower

Towel

Food and drink ingredients

Don’t forget the marshmallows and skewers!

*You can do an internet search for ideas of foods to make while camping and ingredients/instructions for making them.

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Most thorough list

optional items for any length of camping trip for those who enjoy going above and beyond

Table Cloth

Mat to wipe feet before entering tent

Centerpiece for table

Cots for under sleeping bags

Shovel

Radio

Hammock

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Optional packing list for recreation

Depending on what you enjoy doing while camping, here are ideas of what to bring to get the most out of your trip:

Ball

Fishing pole

Bike

Raft or flotation devices

Cards

Board Games

Binoculars

If you think you are going to fish, be sure to get a fishing license. They are easy to obtain and usually relatively inexpensive. If you go to a sporting goods store they can help you out with a license and what you will need to go fishing.

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Bathrooms, hygiene, and self care

When you search for sites they will tell you if they have showers. If you prefer not to take showers, bring shower wipes.

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A typical day of camping

Of course everyone enjoys camping in their own way, a general guideline of what to expect is a little bit nice if like me, you like to know what to expect and what a day might look like.

Typically, upon arrival it takes anywhere from a half hour to a few hours to set up camp. This simply means unloading your vehicle putting things where they go. This is the time to set up the tent so you don’t have to do it in the dark, put items in the bear box (lockable food storage) if you would like, gather wood for your fire, and put items in the tent you’ll need at night.

After set up, most people like to walk around the camp area to see what’s around. This is a fun time to do a miniature hike or exploration of the grounds. If nothing else, find where the water source and restroom (if applicable) can be located.

After that it’s pretty much play and eat time! This is why people love to camp. If it’s meal time, eat. If you have free time, drive (or walk, or bike) to the nearest water source, play a game, read a book, take a nap, climb a boulder, or just sit and watch nature. The ample time is one of the reasons people enjoy cooking while camping. When there are no other time requirements it’s a little more enjoyable to prepare a meal, enjoy the meal, and clean up afterward. I personally do not enjoy this, but I could watch my dad do it for hours because of how much he enjoys it.

It is wise to start a campfire before the sun sets. It keeps the bugs away, works as a heat and light source, and often is a tool used for cooking. Like setting up the tent, it’s easier to build a fire when there’s still daylight. See ‘how to create and maintain a campfire’ below for more information.

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How to build and maintain a campfire

Most large grocery chains now sell boxes of firewood. It is smart to have it with you in case you can’t find it in nature when you get to the campsite. Also, fire starters can be bought at sports stores or the market that come in a small package and say they will catch fire even in wet, rainy conditions. On cold mornings you will be glad you had these.

Most, in not all, campsites have designated campfire sites (fire pits) so the fire can’t spread past them. Place the fire starters in the fire pit and place small twigs, leaves, and sticks or the small pieces of wood in the box you bought on top of them. Put larger sticks or wood on the small stuff and cross the next layer at right angles over them so that there are always air spaces up through the pile.

Before leaving your campsite to head home it is crucial to make sure the fire is fully out. You will want to douse it in water, stir it up to look for embers, and continue to water until you are sure it is no longer burning. Many uncontrolled fires start because of someone leaving a fire before it was fully out. You can always ask the camp ranger to check before you go.

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“Nature knows no indecencies: man invents them. ”

— Mark Twain

Celebrate

While camping is a lot of work in the preparation and set up stages, it is also impossible not to come home with memories that last a lifetime. Whether you are there for 24 hours or a few days, being outside, sitting around a campfire, sleeping in a tent all leave a deep feeling of peace. There are times when I felt a little bit uneasy the whole time camping, but when I got home all I had were fond feelings about the experience. It is extremely hard to explain how it works, but I can’t recommend enough to get out there and give it a try.

AND BE SURE TO TAKE PICTURES!

Take risks, live your life, ask questions, and find your fun!

Wine Tasting - It's for Everyone

Everything you Need to Know to Go Wine Tasting

Ever see pictures of people wine tasting and wonder what it’s like? What does it involve? What even is “wine tasting?” Me too!

The good news: it’s really easy! And fun!

Planning a Wine Tasting Trip

There are multiple “wine countries.” Wine country simply means an area where there are multiple wineries/viineyards in close proximity. Two of our favorites are Napa Valley and Amador County (both in Northern California). You can find your own wine country, but I mention my two favorites to create a forum to point out how different the experience can be based on where you choose to go.

Napa Valley is the quintessential wine tasting experience, so to speak. Some of the best wine in the country (maybe the world) comes from this area. You can have a picnic at one winery and head down the street for an exquisite seated tasting (possibly even in a cave). Visitors to this area include bridal parties, families, elderly couples and everyone in between. Many people dress in classy/trendy attire. An internet search “wine tasting outfits” will return many results. *Tastings at each winery cost approximately $10 per person up to $100 per person for the fancier places (which need a reservation). A sample schedule for the day can be found at the bottom of this post.

*Tastings: when you go into the wineries, you walk up and they start pouring tastes of wine for you (they choose which ones).

Amador is another Northern California wine tasting area. It is laid back, has mostly free tastings, and no call-for-ride options (cabs, Uber, etc.) because it’s so small. You can typically only taste on weekends because many wineries are closed weekdays or have very short hours. People wear whatever they want and the whole area has a very casual atmosphere. A sample schedule for wine tasting in Amador County can be found at the bottom of this post.

Transportation

Option 1: drive yourself

Depending on the amount of wine you plan to drink, it is wise to plan for the driving situation. Having a designated driver is lucky. Most of the time if you are just casually wine tasting, you will stay within the safe range for driving. However, if you are going with a group or to celebrate an occasion, it is wise to plan to not have to drive.

Option 2: group transportation

If you are going with a group, it is pretty reasonable (price wise) and fun to book some sort of driving “tour.” Areas that have multiple wineries, you can find a variety of these options if you search online. Limosines are fun (so I hear) but not the only option.

Vendors will be as involved or uninvolved as you’d like. In other words, the driver can do everything from choose your wineries and arrange where you’ll eat, or they can just drive quietly where you ask them to go and stay out of your plans.

For those who appreciate knowing what to expect: in group rides, you can always call the vendor ahead of time to ask any questions you may have. A few standard things to expect:

You schedule your time and it’s usually 3-4 hours. Don’t make the mistake of stretching your wine tasting so long that you expire past your schedule transportation unless you don’t mind walking home or picking up a new ride when you’re finished. One year after splurging to get a limousine with some friends, we ended up walking home from dinner in the rain.

Don’t mess with the car too much. If you have to adjust your seat, fine. But that’s about it. Usually the driver even likes to manage opening and closing the doors.

You can leave things in the car, such as bags of food for a picnic, jackets, and other belongings.

Tip the driver when you’re finished. 10-20%, just like restaurants.

Option 3: public transportation

Many areas where there are wineries there are also public transportation systems such as wine trains or buses. You can search the area you plan to go to see the options ahead of time.

Lodging

Once you decide on the general area you’d like to go, find a hotel. You will want somewhere to stay after a day of tasting wine.

The Amador County area is not huge, so there are only a handful of places to stay. We recently stayed at the Hanford House and it is so far our favorite. It’s in Sutter Creek, an adorable “downtown” with a couple shops and small cafes. It’s about a 15 minute drive to wineries. If you stay closer to the wineries, you give up being near shops and eating options. The Hanford House is perfect if you like simple and private combined with quaint and clean. A delicious hearty breakfast is included in their on-site restaurant. Visit https://www.hanfordhouse.com for availability and pictures.

There are many choices of places to stay in the Napa Valley area. If you want to be off the beaten path, you might be interested in the St. Helena area. The actual town of Napa is fun, however it is not as central to what most of us imagine as “wine country” and not as close to wineries. Due to its popularity, beauty, and the plethora of wineries, Napa Valley is more expensive than smaller areas when it comes to lodging.

Logistics

Commonly people make it to about 4-6 wineries in a day. You do not have to drink wine at all of them. Some have eating areas, some have great tours through the vineyards or caves, and some have other areas you can look through such as art galleries or shops.

Preview wineries (look them up) before you go so you have an idea of how much their tastings cost, where you can picnic or find dinner, and so forth. Some wineries only have certain types of wines so you may either gravitate toward or away based on preferences. Finding out ahead of time whether or not certain wineries require reservations can save time and help with planning your day.

Making it Fun

Thankfully for all of us, some really creative (and obviously fun) people have created various games to play while wine tasting. On various search engines (you know I love some Pinterest!) you can find all kinds of activities, challenges, games to play while tasting wine. Scavenger hunts are fun but require a great deal of bravery in approaching strangers at time.

Insider Information

OK, I’m not really an insider. But I have been to a winery or two. And here’s what I have found.

• There’s no right or wrong way to taste wine. Just taste it.

• When you walk in, walk right up to the counter

• Don’t tip

• Buy wine (many times the tasting will be waived)

• Pace yourself

Whether you are just looking forward to a fun outing or seeking out new wines to add to your repertoire (and wine rack), wine tasting can be one of the most relaxing and renewing activities out there. Make it your own by planning around your own interests and style!

Take risks, live your life, ask questions, and find your fun!

How to Navigate a Job Interview

Getting the Job You Want

Disclaimer: The author (me) does not claim to be a job coach, life coach, or anything coach (well, except Girls on the Run).

However, the author (still me) has also sat in many interviews, on both sides of the table. Additionally, the author has facilitated mock interviews with high school students. There seem to be consistent areas across the board where people feel unsure or uneasy. There are also consistent patterns of interviews worth explaining to interviewees so they can focus on duties of a job rather than how to get through an interview.

P.S. (pre-script): I personally believe the interview process is antiquated (outdated, old) and will hopefully be replaced by something more practical in the near future such as observations or try-outs for jobs.

Start by telling yourself you are the most qualified person for the job. Then try to believe it.


Getting an Interview

Send an email to whoever’s name is listed as a contact person for a job when you submit your application, or click ‘apply’ if using a website. The email can simply tell the employer how much you would like the chance to have an interview because you would love to work for their company.

If possible, go to the place of employment in person to deliver your application, especially if most people are simply attaching it to a website. When people see you, they remember you, and you immediately stand out to them, But be sure to dress professionally when you go in or it can backfire!

Research the company a little bit ahead of time. This way, if something stands out or is important to them, you can build it into your answers. For example, if their slogan is “we care about customers,” when they ask what you can bring to the company, you can say “I will always work to make sure customers are satisfied with their service.”

The Interview

Wear: nice clothes and shoes

Brush: hair and teeth

Bring: pen and paper

Leave your phone somewhere out of sight and turn it off, not just on vibrate.

Be. On. Time. (Which means 10 minutes early) This gives you time to relax, possibly fill out papers if they have any for you, and who knows - maybe they'll give you questions to review?!

What to Expect

Setting

If they are a few minutes late starting your interview, this is nothing to worry about. Often times a committee is finishing a conversation about an interview before you, or chatting about how they are going to take turns asking questions. They have a little “work” to do in the interview process as well.

Sometimes you will be with one interviewer, sometimes it will be a committee. If it’s one on one, you may sit across from someone at their desk. If it’s a group, you might be at a table or crammed into an office - I’ve seen it all. If more than one person interviews you, you will probably be sitting facing them.

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Be yourself, be truthful and comfortable with your answers. Reflect the emotions of the interviewers. If they are smiling, you smile. If they are serious, don’t make jokes or flip statements. It is permissible to appear nervous as interviews are very important, and they know you are probably nervous anyway.

Questions

If it is an hourly job, the questions will likely be linked to specific job duties. Any questions that you do not already know, you can say you are a quick learner or that you’ve wanted to learn how to do (said skill) anyway.

If it is a career type job, you will have some job specific questions as well and will probably need to know the answers. Typically if you are qualified for a job, it is not a problem answering these questions.

The good news is most interview questions do not have one specific correct answer. Rather, committees are looking at your ability to explain, relate, and generally speak to topics.

Process

When you enter the interview room, smile. Thank them for taking the time for your interview.

Answer questions without rambling. Think of your key point of an answer and elaborate only on that point. Make your answers long enough to cover the topic, but short enough to be interesting. Listing every example you can think of is not necessary, might bore the interviewers, and will create an awkward conversational environment. You can search sample interview questions, although they are often generic in search findings, so keep that in mind. Searching a specific job aeea may bring back more specific search results in regards to question samples. Click below to see sample questions thanks to monster.com

If there’s a question you aren’t sure of an answer for, just say something like “that is new to me but I am happy to learn about it,” or “I can’t think of something off the top of my head, can you give me an example?” Nobody expects you to know everything.

When you leave, smile and thank them again for the interview. Notice if someone reaches out to shake your hand and respond by shaking theirs. It’s an added bonus to look them in the eyes as you do, even briefly.

If you are able to access emails of those who were on the interview, thank them for their time and for the interview. At the least you probably have access to the person who contacted you for the interview so you can just email them to thank them for the opportunity.

The Waiting Game

Sometimes the committee will tell you how long until they make a decision about who they will hire for the position. When they call, if you are not selected, it is fair to ask “is there anything specific I can work on for my next interview?” It is also fair to simply thank them for the interview. If you are selected be sure to ask when you will begin, what you need to wear, and if there is anything you need to know or do before your first day. You will have at least a day, usually a few days of training so you do not need to know every detail (trust that what they tell you will be sufficient for a successful first day).

Remember! Every interview is practice for future interviews. There is no such thing as a failed interview. There are only lessons learned for the next one(s).

Take risks, live your life, ask questions, and find your fun!