Never leave home on camping trip without checking to make sure you’ve packed all the camping gear equipment. It  happened to me. Probably to most reading this. Drive many miles only to find you left extremely important gear behind. You’ve then got to make a decision.

Drive all the way back, wasting valuable time and fuel to get equipment or…

Buy again the gear equipment wasting money on something you already have. Plus in a strange town you may have to pay top dollar with no sale tag for savings.

That’s how important rechecking is. May I suggest something I do and it has always kept me from ever leaving camping gear behind. ( After the first time! )

Take a pad, pencil to write down all I need to take. Then go out to the garage or work shop. Placing it side by side I’ll check off my list to see if I forgot anything.This has saved me so many times.

It’s so easy to get busy and not put stuff back. Later, you can’t find it. A check list solves this problem.

Trust me when I tell you that those little items which is part of your camping gear equipment can be the most important thing you may need out in the wilderness. It may sound little now but it’s a mountain when you need it, many miles from a store.

One more thing which will make your camping vacation even better is to load all your stuff the day before leaving. Triple check making sure all is loaded.Then get a good nights rest before leaving.

I pack my camping gear the day before, get a good rest knowing I don’t have to touch a thing. I haven’t forgotten items either. Camp equipment is ready to go thanks to my handy list.

Share This

You’ll have a choice to choose what will be best for the whole family as far as trails. You can pick the rough and steep hard climbs or the more level paved and easy trails.

If some of you are not used to physical exercise like climbing rough terrain you’ll be better suited for the easy walking paths.

I’d like to recommend the following for riding bikes as a family because it is great for kids too:

Lower Deep Creek Campground Bicycle Trail. You can go to the campground at Deep Creek to get on this trail. It is near Bryson City North Carolina. The trail is gravel and dirt like many trails in the Great Smoky Mountains Park.

It goes for 3 miles and then 3 miles back. You’ll see several waterfalls and will be surrounded by a beautiful tree forest. There is lovely flowers and plants and the animals sometimes allow you a great view.

Mountain biking is also excellent exercise. It is a very healthy way to have a family outing with loads of fun. The kids are guaranteed to love it.

Share This

I’ll start by saying to stay away from Department store bikes. Find a good bicycle shop you can trust if possible and buy there. If they’re worth their salt they’ll help you to find a great fitting bicycle depending on where you want to ride.

Rocky Mountain Bicycles to many all across the world are the best. They have the stability and comfort combined. They can be quite costly but we’re talking years of use if you take care of them. Great for Smokies.

Electra Townie is very good for riding around town or fairly close to home. It is nearly maintenance free as they have sealed in gears which technically is simply internal shift hubs. Their cost can run somewhere around the $300.00 range give or take.

If you’re a beginner and just getting started or maybe it has been many years since you rode this may be the one you’ll want.You can come to a light around town and put your feet down flat if you feel a bit wobbly on your balance. Very good bike.

Raleigh and Specialized are both bikes that will stand the test of a real workout. I would make sure when buying from a bike shop that they’re willing to help you to adjust, fit, get any bugs out that causes you trouble. Also that they’re willing to do free tune up’s after buying as well as lube anything that needs it.

For Smoky Mountains it’s a good idea to take any of these bikes out and ride them a bit to see which fits you best and which is more comfortable before buying. Usually you get a free helmit but unless it fits properly you’ll hate it. Of course that also goes for one you buy and pay lots of money for. Be sure it fits well.

Share This

Learn to use pepper spray correctly for your own safety. You want to be a short distance from the person or animal, if possible, to keep yourself from being exposed to its effects.You want to release a 2 second or more burst of spray directly into the eyes and regions of the face to be really effective.

Once having done this, quickly move away from the attacker. Do not turn your back on them. Always keep an eye on what they’re doing. That way you will know if you need to spray the second time as it takes a moment for the spray to react. Usually the first shot is enough.

When you have the attacker under complete control then call the police. This stuff will usually have its effect upon the person for 30 minutes to an hour. If in Smokies or any wilderness, get to your vehicle and leave first.

Always keep in mind that the pepper spray loses its power and strength over time so at least once a year or more often, replace it with a fresh supply. If you’re hunting or out in the woods and a bear or dog or any animal gets too close you want to have your self defense Pepper Spray ready. Or anywhere you may be.

Depending on what size and kind you buy,it will spray from 14 to 18 feet and if you need to use the whole can to protect yourself, do so. This is highly unlikely though.

You should practice using this spray and get good at using it and quick. Either make a pouch or buy one already made in the store and fix it snug. Make it very easy to get out of pouch for use. Always be upwind from the direction you’re spraying so you’ll need to determine which way wind is blowing.

Protection Better Than Guns is Bear Pepper Spray in the Smokies. It is recommended that you test about every 3 months by shooting a burst for 1/2 second outside.

Share This

We live in a crime infested world where  murder is rising each year, along with robbery and many other types of violent crimes. One thing that should be reported more factual, in the Smokies ( because of pressure from humane societies is somewhat covered up ) is the killing of humans by animals such as the Bear. It is made to look as though the person killed was at fault.

With the right information and the right protection you and those you care about can be safe armed with honest helpful advice like this. There are real people, who really do care about others and will bend over backward to help them. So now let’s get to that information so you can start applying it.

Armed with self defense weapons like  pepper spray  and pepper shot you can feel secure. You need to learn how to use these products so that you’re ready at a seconds notice to protect yourself. You also need to know a little about these great weapons. Not only in the Smokies however.

Pepper Spray has no lasting harmful effects, but for the first 30 minutes to an hour the victim thinks they’re dying. The active ingredients is Capsicum which comes from a well known food called Cayenne Pepper which is a very hot pepper.

It is a inflammatory agent, when a person comes into contact with it by it getting into their eyes, lungs, throat or nose, any mucous membrane it causes sudden dilation of the capillaries. This in turn causes immediate inflammation of the breathing tube, tissues, temporary blindness, and there will be a  painful burning feeling on the outer skin layer.

There will be no lasting damage in any way although at first it’ll feel that way. It even works on those who are drunk or on drugs because it is indeed an inflammatory agent. When a person tries to attack you or rob you they deserve you protecting yourself, don’t you agree?

Here in the Smoky Mountains this is great protection.

( Note…)  Basically it is legal to carry these about anywhere but if you’re going to fly “Do Not” carry this with you and although it’s usually ok to carry it in your suitcase, be sure to advise those in authority on the flight before you pack it.

Protection Better Than Guns In Smokies is this spray. When traveling, it is always a good policy to check with the state you’re going to if it’s legal as the fines can be in the double digits.

Share This

So in these tips we continue to learn and go camping enjoying outdoor life in the Smoky Mountains.

In the first part of beginner camping tips I told you why you don’t have to worry and be afraid. Whether you’re a man or woman, boy or girl. There is some things you need to know though which I will now point out. Here are some things to take camping for your protection:

Always carry with you fresh up to date pepper spray in as large commerical size as you can buy.I’ve already written several articles on this so I’ll just touch on it here. This pepper spray will put the biggest meanest person on their knees for 30 minutes or so.

I have several articles I will post after these that I wrote year or so ago, so you can get lots of education about weapons much better than guns for protection anywhere you are.

Never put your tent close to rotten dead trees, and watch out for poison plants such as poison oak or ivy or summac. Especially watch out for these if you have allergy problems.

Carry a commercial heavy duty flashlight with extra batteries and while sleeping keep it in quick reach beside your pepper spray in case a bear wants to check you out. Bears have come right into the tent searching and smelling food. I had a skunk once come into my tent. Fortunately, Patricia was home.

These camping newbies tips will put some experience under your belt so you can move up into a full pledged camper in the Smokies.

Share This

Before going on long camping trip first go on a short one close your home. Ask  neighbor permission to use his land if you have none of your own. This will give you valuable experience and if something goes wrong, you’ll be near by your house. Also, lets you know if you ” really ” want to go on a camping outdoor adventure.

Take a friend with you. This will make your camping outing even more fun and the woods can really be dark and desolate at night. ( not that you’d be afraid ) Believe me that if this is your first night outdoors, a good friend is a great companion to have there.

Night brings out sounds and movement never heard during daylight. Night Animals  roam about during dark. If you’ve never heard a Panther ” scream ” at night, I promise you it’ll send chills somewhere.

If something happens, one of you get hurt, get sick, or any of a score of other things, you’ve got help next to you.

Find your camping spot early in the day, morning is best. Get to know it a bit by walking around, seeing what kind of trees and bushes as well as rock and landscape are close by. I like to get my wood supply for my campfire. Also dig my hole for campfire and place rocks around it.

Never leave home without your hatchet.  ( small camp ax) A machete too. Your camp ax for kindling and cutting small trees if needed. The machete will clear under growth and is so handy. Use your hatchet head for driving in pegs for your tent, etc.

In Smoky carry a first aid kit with your favorite supplies and remedies. Mosquito bites itch but are usually harmless. There are some that carry disease such as malaria though so a good repellent helps.

Share This

Honey Bees are extremely interesting and highly valuable to all communties. Honey which they produce is used in so many different ways as well as food. Pure raw honey produced from the Honeybee is very healthy and healing.

Honeybees will sting should you be bare footed or if they think you’re going to harm them. Just let them alone, as you watch, and they’ll work hard as well as leave you alone. If you find time just observe their activities and you’ll see where ” busy as a bee “  comes from. They do work hard but smart!

Below is an image of an anatomy of a Honey Bee:

When I have time, maybe, in another article I’ll tell you about disease of honey bee and how a scientist tried to help them resist this disease but instead created the ” killer bee! ”

Bees, Snakes, Bears are of great interest to many, myself included. Take time to learn information about these creatures. It is fascinating as almost everything in the Great Smoky Mountains.

Share This

Black bears in the Smokies are among the more common species in North America and are actually known as American Black Bear. Few places in the USA that you can not find them. Bears bees snakes are just about everywhere. A good thing! Honey bees-snake varieties-bear species are all part of nature’s balance.

Some interesting facts… Bears are diverse, some prefering hot dry areas while others like the wetlands and swampy land. They like tree thickets and shrubby bush and some prefer lower or higher landscape.

Bears do hibernate but because their body temperature does not greatly drop like other animals which sleep deeply, they are nor considered true hibernators. They are somewhat active and alert, the female even gives birth during this time, nursing cubs.

They like to climb hollow trees and hibernate inside. They’ve been seen in caves, in logs and large rock crevices.

Males fight while female watch and she takes the winner. They mate but the embryos are put on hold to develope only when the female starts her hibernation, although it only takes around sixty days. Therefore 6 to 8 months may be gestation period.

Bees, bears, snakes are different. Cubs weighing close to one half pounds up when born are almost hairless, blind and completely dependant upon mother bear which takes excellent care of them. By their second summer they are dependent upon self. Mother bear ( sow ) is now ready to mate again.

Share This

Snakes bears bees are very important in society as they have great effect upon our ecological system. Going on vacation or one day visits to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park can show the needs for these creatures. You can see the flower bees, black bears sniffing the air, or copperhead snakes heading to their dens. They help balance nature.

Copperhead Snake

The picture of the copperhead above shows you a bit of what they look like. Here’s facts you may not know. The pit viper family have heat sensing organs between nostril and eyes which find food by sensing the heat of the prey’s body.

The difference between the male and female basically is that the male has a longer tail and the female’s length is greater. Copperheads when young are around 8 inches long. Mice is the main food they eat as adults but birds, insects, lizards and even small snakes make up their diet. Young eat insects, mainly caterpillars using yellow tipped tail as bait to bring prey close.

During early spring as well as autumn at mating seasons the males get really aggressive perhaps to inpress females. They may sway from left to right or lift themselves unusually high or hooking necks with females.

Copperheads have been seen climbing bushes or trees to enjoy sunshine or go after prey plus going swimming in water. During hibernation they tend to go back to the same den. They like to be close to other snakes and will den next to rattlesnakes, other copperheads, or rat snakes.

They like trees and rocky areas and have been found in piles of sawdust or rotten stumps in wetlands. Bees bears snakes do have some common traits.

Black Bears. It has been suggested there is more than 1600 bears in Great Smoky Mountains.

Facts about black bear you may not know is that cubs weigh only 1/2 pound to 1 lb when born and usually females have 2. Did you know that when a bear walks, the legs on one side move together instead of one moving and then the other?

Every paw has 5 very powerful claws used for climbing, tearing, and digging. Bees bears snakes is part of the Smokies and help make the Smoky Mountains one of the most popular parks in the world.

Share This