... continued from cover
Camping doesn’t have to mean settling for prepackaged snacks, dehydrated meals, and boring hot dogs. In fact, cooking during your camping trip can be fun, easy, and incredibly tasty. One of the simplest ways to prepare camp meals is with a Dutch oven and charcoal. Like crockpots, Dutch oven meals require very little work and dirty few dishes. Best of all, you can add an endless variety of food to your camp menu! The briquettes around the Dutch oven provide long-lasting and consistent heat distribution. The number of briquettes you use depends on the size of your Dutch oven and what you’re cooking. However, you can use the following chart as a rule of thumb to determine how many briquettes you need for certain temperatures and oven sizes. Cooking with a Dutch oven is as simple as combining your ingredients, heating your F lamenco B each , C ulebra , P uerto R ico Puerto Rico isn’t technically in the United States, but it is a U.S. territory, and that counts for this list. Flamenco Beach is the only place on the island of Culebra where camping is permitted, and it’s a beautiful location. Spend the day frolicking in the waves, snorkeling, or relaxing in a hammock beneath the mangrove trees before you grill dinner on one of the many barbecues available throughout the site. It’s all the fun of camping in the wild combined with a tropical getaway. D eath V alley N ational P ark , C alifornia As youmay guess, camping in DeathValley is not for the faint of heart. With sand as far as the eye can see, you’ll feel like you’re in another land as you walk across the dunes. But the desert has little surprises in store for campers bold enough to explore it, like wildflowers in bloom after a summer storm. Try rock climbing, horseback riding, and even golfing. After sunset, you can look up and see some of the brightest andmost brilliant stars you’ll ever view fromplanet Earth. Just don’t forget your water bottle.
O z F arm , N orth C oast , C alifornia If DeathValley doesn’t sound like your dream vacation, try somethingmore relaxing. Oz Farm is the destination for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle of daily life who would still like to use a fully equipped kitchen. An eco-friendly escape, you can enjoy 230 acres of bloomingmeadows, redwood groves, and rushing rivers before returning to your private cabin for the evening. From the scenic Tower Cabin to the relaxing Newbird Cabin, Oz Farm features several housing options, so there’s sure to be one that fits your family. Space is limited, so book your stay at hipcamp. com/discover/california/oz-farm today. N āpali C oast , K auai , H awaii This scenic Hawaiian paradise is another fantastic location for a beach camping trip. But sunbathing on the sandy beaches isn’t the only thing to do here. Nāpali Coast is also home to Kalalau Trail, a stunning 11-mile path that attracts hikers from all over the world. This challenging trail is recommended for experienced hikers only, but the pristine waterfalls and lush valleys make it well worth
the trouble. If you’re thinking about camping at Nāpali Coast, be sure to buy a camping permit at camping.ehawaii.gov/camping/ welcome.html. C arlsbad C averns N ational P ark , N ew M exico While you can’t camp within the caverns, there’s still plenty to explore. Hang out above ground, hike ancient sea ledges and rocky canyons, or travel below the surface to see subterranean caverns and giant stalagmites. During the summer, you might even see the 400,000-plus Mexican free-tailed bat colony that roots in the park. Carlsbad Caverns is the camping destination for adventurous souls. Don’t forget to get your backcountry camping permit when you arrive! Learn more at nps.gov/cave/ planyourvisit/backcountrypermits.htm. These amazing destinations can make your family trip one to remember. What are you waiting for? Grab a tent, get some bug spray, and invite your family on the adventure of the summer!
Charcoal and Dutch Ovens The Perfect Camp-Cooking Pair
briquettes, and placing them beneath and on top of your oven. Each briquette adds 10–20 degrees of heat. For breakfast, prepare a hash with bacon, eggs, onions, potatoes, cheese, salt, and pepper. For lunch, try cooking campfire nachos with tortilla chips, ground beef, beans, onions, cilantro, cheese, and
avocado. And for dinner, butterfly your freshly caught trout and bake it with some potatoes and butter. Cooking while camping should be an enjoyable experience. Pack a Dutch oven and charcoal briquettes the next time you’re out in the wilderness to add a fun and rustic element to your meals.
2 • www.powerptsm.com
Made with FlippingBook Online newsletter