Meal Prep Tips for Your Next Camping Trip

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Getting ready to pack up the car for your next camping trip? If you haven’t been on a camping trip in a while, you may be concerned about the logistics of cooking meals at a campsite. The good news is, there are a few simple steps you can take to make cooking much easier while camping. Check out a few of our favorite meal prep tips below!

Come up with a full list of meals you’re going to cook while camping.

Regardless of whether you’re going camping for one night or an entire week, it’s a good idea to sit down and make a list of what you’re going to eat for each and every meal. This way, you’ll know exactly what ingredients you’ll need to pack before you head to the grocery store.

Cook what you can ahead of time.

Cooking at a campsite tends to be a little more challenging than cooking at home. Therefore, you should cook whatever you can at home before you leave. The idea of sitting around a campfire cooking chicken might sound appealing, but in reality, it can be a slow and tedious process. Consider cooking things like chicken at home and then reheating them when you’re ready to eat. You can also cut up vegetables, fruits and more at home so that they’ll be ready to cook when you arrive at your campsite.

Try not to rely on your campfire to make every meal.

There may be times when you’re camping that you just don’t feel like cooking. You want to throw something together that’s quick and easy, like a sandwich. Bring along meals that are simple to make for when you don’t feel like getting a fire going. You’ll be glad you did when you’re exhausted after a day full of hiking, fishing and exploring the great outdoors.

At Suwannee River Rendezvous, you can find both primitive tent camping sites and full hook-up sites for RVs. To learn more about any of our campsites, feel free to give us a call or contact us online today!

Keep it Clean With These Camping Hygiene Tips

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Drying OffPracticing good personal hygiene can be challenging when you’re on a camping trip. You want to keep yourself clean and healthy, but it can be tough when you have limited access to water and bathroom supplies Today we’ll look at a few helpful hygiene tips to keep in mind during your next camping adventure.

Pack the right supplies.

You may not be able to pack up your entire bathroom and bring it with you, but you can bring a few essential personal hygiene supplies that will keep you clean in a pinch. Make sure you have hand sanitizer, biodegradable soap, a toothbrush and toothpaste, unscented baby wipes and toilet paper before you leave home. Steer clear of bringing deodorant (it could attract animals to your campsite), scented soaps and shampoos, razors and anything else that could harm the ecosystem around your campsite.

Find a way to bathe.

There are several ways you can bathe yourself while camping. You can jump into a lake or river to wash dirt and oil away from your skin (just don’t use soap in the water as it could contaminate it). You can also take what’s called a trail shower by using biodegradable soap, a washcloth and a few liters of water (just don’t take one too close to a natural water source as, again, it could contaminate the water). Or, you can simply give yourself a sponge bath with biodegradable soap, water and a towel. Regardless of which option you pick, it’s important to wash yourself in some form or fashion.

Bring water to launder your clothing.

You won’t be able to do large loads of laundry at your campsite, but you can wash things like underwear and other clothing staples with a little water and biodegradable soap. This will keep you smelling fresh and minimize the amount of extra clothing you need to bring on your trip.

If tent camping isn’t your speed, you can find a variety of comfortable lodging options at our resort and campground as well! These accommodations come equipped with all the comforts of home like HVAC systems, WiFi access, cable TV and more. To schedule your reservation, feel free to give us a call or contact us online today!

These Kid-Friendly Crafts are Perfect for Your Next Camping Trip

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Camping can be a lot of fun for kids of all ages, but it’s always a good idea to have some crafts and activities on hand to prevent young children from getting bored during a weekend camping trip. Check out a few fun and easy craft ideas to try on your next camping trip below!

Camping Bingo

Bingo is a classic game that the whole family can enjoy. To make it even more fun, you can play camping bingo and incorporate all the sights and sounds of camping into the mix. This is a great activity to help pass the time during a passing summer thunderstorm.

Toilet Paper Roll Binoculars

Your kids will have the opportunity see all kinds of amazing things when they go camping. You can encourage them to look around and make the most of the experience by equipping them with a pair of homemade binoculars! Make a simple pair by binding two toilet paper rolls together with twine and decorating them with stickers and illustrations. They’ll love looking for birds and other wildlife with their personalized binoculars.

Camping Scavenger Hunts

If you really want to keep your kids occupied, you can send them out on a camping scavenger hunt. Ask them to spot things like flowers, birds, insects and ferns. Chances are, they won’t have to travel far to find all sorts of plants and animals around your campsite.

At Suwannee River Rendezvous, we offer a variety of kid-friendly activities that are fun for the whole family. You can take a swim in our beautiful pool complex, or sing your favorite songs at karaoke night in the Lodge. Give us a call to learn more, or book your reservation online today!

Handy Travel Accessories to Keep in Your RV

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One of the best parts about traveling in an RV is that you can bring all the comforts of home along with you when you hit the road. From basics like cooking utensils and organizers to luxuries like TVs and camping hammocks, you can equip your RV with all sorts of useful accessories. But while most of this gear is optional, there are a few travel accessories you should definitely keep on board during your next adventure. Check them out below!

First Aid Kit

When you’re far from home in unfamiliar territory, it’s always a good idea to keep a first aid kit on hand. This way, you can treat everything from minor cuts and bruises to headaches and sunburns. It’s especially important to have a complete first aid kit if you’re traveling in remote areas where hospitals and urgent care centers might not be easy to find.

Solar Charger

In the event that you lose power in your RV, a solar charger can allow you to keep phones and other devices charged so you can contact roadside assistance for help. These chargers have gotten far more affordable in recent years, and they can offer some valuable peace of mind when you’re on the road.

Weather Radio

The weather can change quickly when you’re on the road, and a weather radio can help you stay one step ahead of dangerous storms. These radios offer access to a nationwide network of NOAA weather stations that provide regular updates on developing weather patterns throughout the country. You can also find hand-cranked weather radios that operate reliably even if you don’t have access to batteries.

Next time you’re on the road, we’d love to see you at our beautiful RV resort on the Suwannee River! Give us a call to learn more about our accommodations, or reserve your campground online today.

Stay Safe on the Suwannee River With These Helpful Tips

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KayakersThere’s no better way to explore the Suwannee River than by canoe or kayak. Paddling down the river is a uniquely relaxing experience that we look forward to every year. It also offers a great opportunity to get an up-close look at the local wildlife in our area.

But to make sure you have a good time, it’s important to keep a few important safety tips in mind when you’re out on the water.

Don’t Drink and Paddle

Stowing a few beers in your canoe might seem like a nice idea, but trust us: alcohol and boating don’t mix. Inebriation will make it much harder to react quickly if you get into a dangerous situation on the water.  In fact, alcohol is the number one contributing factor in recreational boating deaths.

Rather than drinking while you paddle, wait till you get back to shore to enjoy a well-earned beer and a hot meal.

Always Wear Your Personal Flotation Device

Keep your life jacket on at all times, even if you’re a strong swimmer. Not only will it keep you afloat in strong currents, it will also make you more visible to your fellow canoers and kayakers. This way, if your boat tips over, you can get back in sooner rather than later.

Dress for the Weather

Wet clothing can cause you to lose body heat at a rapid pace, making it possible to get hypothermia even in relatively warm weather. In general you should wear light, water-resistant layers, and avoid cotton garments whenever possible.

Bring a Buddy

It’s always best to paddle with at least one other person, especially if you don’t have a lot of boating experience. The more people you travel with, the easier it will be to spot potential hazards and help each other out in the event of an emergency.

Ready to get outside and paddle down the beautiful waters of the Suwannee River? We’d love to see you at our resort and campground conveniently located in Mayo, Florida. Give us a call or contact us online to book your reservation today!

RV Security Tips for Your Next Big Adventure

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Family in RVAt the Suwannee River Rendezvous, we welcome RV travelers from all over the country. Our smallest RV site is 40 by 80 feet, so we can accommodate RVs of all shapes and sizes. Visitors are welcome to park either on the original campground, or at the new Rendezvous resort, where guests can wake up to our beautiful pool complex and spa.

But as every RV owner knows, it’s important to protect your vehicle against unwanted intruders when you’re on the road. Today we’ll look at a few security tips to help you get started.

Upgrade Your Locks

An RV is more than just a mode of transportation; it’s also your home away from home. With this in mind, consider upgrading your RV’s standard locks with high-quality padlocks or cylinder locks that can’t be easily broken. It’s generally a good idea to add locks to your hitch and steering wheel, as well. That way, you can enjoy your trip without having to worry about whether or not your belongings are safe.

Invest in Security Lights

Motion-activated security lights are great theft deterrents at night. You may even use similar lights to protect your house when you’re not on the road. Modern LED security lights are inexpensive, energy efficient and easy to install. They’re also bright enough to scare off anyone who might think about trying to break into your RV under cover of darkness.

Park Smarter

With an RV, you should back into campsites to make it easy to get out, right? Well, not necessarily. Pulling forward into campsites can make it much harder for thieves to make a quick getaway with your vehicle. It may add a few minutes to your exit, but your RV’s security is worth it.

Next time you’re traveling in Florida, be sure to visit us on the Suwannee River! Reserve your site online, or give us a call today to learn more.

Money-Saving Tips for your Next RV Camping Adventure

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Gas PricesTaking a camping trip in an RV can be a great experience, but it can also put a dent in your bank account if you aren’t careful. From gas and food to highway tolls, there are many expenses that will crop up along your adventure. Fortunately, with a little preparation, you can have a wonderful trip without breaking your budget.

Consider your destination.

Where are you going on your next RV trip? Your options are virtually limitless, but some destinations will be more expensive than others. If you’re on a tight budget, consider making a list of potential destinations and then narrowing it down based on their fees and expenses. At Suwannee River Rendezvous, you can find affordable RV camping rates all year ‘round.

Shop around for the best gas prices.

In 2018, it’s easier than ever to track local gas prices. Smartphone apps like Waze and GasBuddy are designed to help drivers find the lowest gas prices in a given area. Rather than stopping at the first gas station you see, you can often hold out for a better deal down the road.

Eat in whenever you can.

If your RV has a kitchen in it, use it. It can be tempting to pull over at a rest stop for a bite to eat, but that will cost you more money in the long run. It will also promote unhealthy eating habits. You’re much better off preparing meals in your mobile kitchen instead.

Ready to embark on your next camping adventure? We have more than 100 full hook-up sites so you can always find room at Suwannee River Rendezvous. Give us a call or contact us online to reserve your spot today!

Gift Ideas for the Camping Enthusiast in Your Life

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Is there someone in your life who loves to go camping? If so, there are plenty of great gifts to consider this holiday season. To help get you started, we put together a few of our favorite gifts for camping enthusiasts. Check them out below.

Portable stoves

Cooking on a campfire certainly has its charms, but it’s not always a practical option. That’s why a good camping stove is nearly essential for overnight backpacking trips. This compact stove from MSR, for example, is small enough to fit in a cargo pocket, but powerful enough to boil water in under 4 minutes.

Camping hammocks

It’s not always easy to find a comfortable place to rest when you’re out in the wilderness, so a camping hammock is a great accessory to keep in your pack. Just anchor one of these lightweight, portable hammocks to two trees and you’ve got a comfortable place to take a nap and watch the world go by.

Water purifiers

It’s always a good idea to have one of these on hand when camping in remote areas. In the past, you may have had to purchase water purification tablets. Nowadays, however, you can find hand-operated pumps that filter water without chemicals. With one of these handy tools, you can always find potable water at the nearest stream.

If you’re still struggling to find the right gift, why not treat your loved one to a camping trip on the beautiful Suwannee River? Book your reservation today, or give us a call to learn more!

Research Finds Camping Can Help Reset Our Body Clocks

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If you love the great outdoors, than you know how restorative spending time in nature can be. But did you know it can even help you overcome sleep problems? New research shows that camping can help reset our internal body clocks.

Reset

Due to our frequent exposure to artificial light, many humans stray from a natural sleeping pattern. But one week of camping outdoors and getting away from artificial light sources is enough to return a person’s body clock to its natural sleep rhythms, according to a recent study published in Current Biology. These findings demonstrate that our internal biological clocks will quickly synchronize to a natural light-dark cycle if the opportunity arises.

Easier to wake up

During their one week of camping, the study participants’ average light exposure increased by more than four times. This added exposure to natural light caused changes in their brains’ melatonin production, which made it easier to wake up from a restful sleep.

Better Sleep

Many of the participants who usually experienced sleep issues claimed this was the only time they were able to get uninterrupted sleep by going to bed early and waking up early. This suggests that carefully controlling our exposure to artificial light, particularly at night, could help successfully treat sleep problems.

For a relaxing and rejuvenating camping experience to get your sleep schedule back on track, come visit us here at Suwannee River Rendezvous in Mayo, Florida! We offer a variety of primitive, water/electric and full hook-up sites. Contact us today for more information!

Helpful Tools to Keep In Your Tackle Box

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You’ve got your reel and your bait, and you’re excited and ready to head out for your fishing trip.

But wait! A little extra preparation can go a long way toward helping you have a good time on your adventure. Make sure you keep a few extra tools in your tackle box so you can be ready for whatever the river brings your way!

Needlenose Pliers

Sometimes you need a little help to get your bait and tackle ready to go. Sometimes it’s tough getting a hook from your fish’s lips – especially if it has long teeth. Sometimes, your cast might not go as planned, leaving you with a hook caught in your jeans. A good pair of needlenose pliers can help you in all these situations and more.

Fillet Knife

This one may go without saying. A good rust-resistant knife can help you clean fish, cut lines, slice bait, and accomplish any number of other common tasks you might face during a fishing trip.

Insect Repellant, Sunscreen and Pain Relievers

These items are guaranteed to come in handy, but they can be easy to forget. Don’t let your day be ruined by mosquitos, sunburn and headaches. You can stop these issues in their tracks, even if you’re miles away from your medicine cabinet.

Lip Grip with Scale and a Ruler

Most anglers don’t intend to ignore length and weight restrictions when they go fishing, but let’s face it: sometimes even our best estimates can be a little inaccurate. Pack a good lip grip with a scale to measure your catch’s weight, and a cheap old ruler to check its length. You can even take photos with your ruler for friends who may doubt your fish tales later!

Flashlight

This is a great item to have around on evening fishing trips, especially when you wait just a little too long to call it quits for the night. A little extra light can go a long way.

First Aid Kit

No one plans on getting hurt, but cuts, bumps and bruises are a fact of life. It’s always better to be safe, rather than sorry!

Gloves

While you’re at it, go ahead and prevent those cuts and scrapes with a good, strong pair of gloves. It’s nice to have a first aid kit, but it’s better if you don’t need it in the first place.

Ready to put your tackle box to good use? Give us a call today to schedule your next fishing trip on the beautiful Suwannee River!