Mountain Climbing Snafu

Beginners in any adventure activity are prone to some hilarious
mistakes. To those that make the mistakes, they aren’t all that
humorous and can result in a lot of ego smashing ribbing from
fellow adventurers. If you are one of these snafu committing
newbies, take heart. It happens to all of us. In case you are
thinking you just pulled a blunder that no one could ever top,
and that no one will ever forget it, I am about to tell you a
story of the first time I took some guests up the side of a
mountain.

This is a true event. It happened when I first moved to Colorado
and discovered that I am a rockhound and treasure hunter by
nature. Of course, I have come a long way since this happened 20
years ago, but I won’t be offended if you laugh your face off at
me for it. I find it pretty hysterical myself — now.

I moved to Colorado from Michigan. We had no mountains back
there. Other than hunting Petosky stones, I had never realized
that I loved rock hunting til I found some crystals while hiking
around the backside of Pikes Peak. When I learned what I could
find, I became a voracious rockhound, and that included a lot of
letters home to my friends and family about my trips out to the
mountains where everything was a new and exciting adventure for
me.

Needless to say, the people back home started viewing me as a
sort of Ms. Indiana Jones/Ms. Grizzly Adams combination. My
stories held their fascinations and imaginations.

One day some friends of mine came out from Michigan to visit me
and I was bound and determined to show them the most fascinating
time of their lives. So I hiked them up the side of a mountain
to a little known abandoned mining site. We had a great time up
there and I was feeling like the Ultimate tour guide and
adventure leader.

When it was time to come down the mountain, I handed my
backpack, which contained some group supplies, to my fiancee to
carry down for them as I decided to go down the ravine to check
a few spots and rocks out on the way down. I didn’t stop to
think that I might need any of those supplies myself. So off
they went down the mountain side, my knife with them, and off I
went down the ravine.

The slope was very steep at one point. Climbing down, I stepped
in a bunch of vines. I didn’t think any thing of it and
continued down, but the vines, instead of falling away,
tightened against my ankle. In my attempt to shake them off I
ended up laying upside down on the mountainside, strapped by my
ankle. I was not having fun. Everyone watching me from below was
though. They were having a great time sitting and eating their
snacks from my pack and watching me as I hung upside down
wondering what to do about it.

Finally, I had no choice but to scramble myself up enough to
where I could chew the vine that held me in half. When it
finally broke, I tumbled about fifty feet before I could stop my
roll. Getting up and brushing myself off, I looked down to find
my pals had gotten some very interesting pictures of Ms. Jones
Adams to take home.

At the bottom, I was subject to much revelry as my fiancee
helped pull the cactus needles out of me that I had picked up
during my roll. More than my ego smarted from that little
escapade.

Just one of those little mishaps that turns beginners into
experienced climbers.

Oh - incidentally - you will NOT see the pictures anywhere on
the net. HAHA.

Doggin’ Phoenix: Where To Hike With Your Dog When In The Valley Of The Sun

Encanto Park, in the heart of downtown Phoenix is an oasis for people and dogs, named for the Spanish word for “enchanted.” Acquisition of the 222 acres began in 1934 through donations and land buys. You can walk your dog in the park at 15th Avenue and Encanto Boulevard around the palm-studded lagoon where the sternwheeler “Encanto Queen” plies the gentle waters.

South Mountain Park in southern Phoenix is actually three mountain ranges - the Ma
Ha Tauk, Gila and Guadalupe - where prospectors probed for riches in the early
1900s. The city of Phoenix acquired 13,000 acres of land in 1924 for just
$17,000 from the federal government and the park was on its way to becoming the
largest municipal park in America.

The National Park Service also did the bulk of the development work when the
Civilian Conservation Corps carved out trails and picnic areas and built many of the
park facilities.

This is pure Sonoran desert hiking - open, rocky and hot. Canine hikers are advised
to stick to dog-friendly South Mountain’s shorter trails and there are plenty to
choose from of less than two miles. Bring more water than you’ll think you need and
pay close attention to your dog’s paw pads. The rocks and packed dirt can get
blisteringly hot.

Once common-sense precautions in the desert are accounted for, the going at
South Mountain is suitable for most any dog. The highest point you can reach on
foot is 2,330-foot Dobbins Lookout and steep climbs are spread out on the park
trails.

The National Trail cuts through the spine of the park for more than 14 miles and
can be used for loops. It moves though chiseled rocks and crags amidst a desert
environment of more than 300 species of plants.

Expect to adopt a pack mentality when taking your dog to South Mountain Park -
more than three million hikers sample its trails each year. To reach South Mountain
Park go south on Central Avenue to the park entrance.

copyright 2006

Doug Gelbert is the author of over 20 books, including The Canine Hiker’s Bible.
To subscribe to his FREE Newsletter on hiking with your dog and receive a copy
of Rules for Dogs in 100 of the Most Popular National Park Service Lands, visit
http://www.hikewithyourdog.com In the warmer months he leads canine hikes
for hikewithyourdog.com tours, guiding packs of dogs and humans on hiking
adventures. Tours, ranging from one-day trips to multi-day explorations, visit
parks, historical sites and beaches.

Lake Jipe straddling Tanzania and Kenya

So unknown is this treasure of Lake Jipe not many Tanzanians know of its existence or location. Sandwiched between the Pare mountains and Kilimanjaro this small lake [30 km sq] straddles the border between Kenya and Tanzania. This lake has a many water birds and is one of the few places in East Africa that the Lesser Jacana and Purple Gallinule are common. Also Madagascar Squacco Herron, Black Herron, African Darter and African Skimmer are often seen here.

Other wildlife seen here are Hippopotamus, Otters, crocodiles, waterbucks and elephants. The northern half of the lake is in Kenya in the Tsavo West National Park. Tsavo West is famed for its huge elephant population – you stand a good chance of spotting an elephant in this unusual and very off the beaten track excursion.

The best way to experience the lake and the wildlife is to take a local canoe. These wooden canoes sit three people and a young Chaga man will sit at the rear and paddle you around the lake. A good portion of the lake has become chocked with papyrus which looks nice and is also used by the local people use for thatching their houses – but has reduced the fishing on the lake to negligible levels.

This district is famous for its dam which is named “Nyumba ya Mungu” House of God

If you are climbing Kilmanjaro and have a day to spare this lake is worth a trip to interact with the local community and see something not many tourists get to see. You also get a small excision into Kenya.

Bethel adventures – http://www.betheladventure.co.uk is a nonprofit organization. We are using tourism to improve lives. We are at present focusing all our initiatives in northern Tanzania

Twenty Questions to Ask Yourself When Choosing a Sleeping Bag

Before you head out to buy a new sleeping bag, make sure you know exactly what you are looking for. When you answer these questions, you’ll be better prepared to pick out the sleeping bag that is just right for you.

* How will you be using your sleeping bag? Will you be backpacking or hiking? Or do you just need a bag for a family camping trip?

* What time of year will you be camping? Will you be doing summer camping, spring through fall excursions, or rough winter camping?

* Consider your budget. How much do you want to spend? Can you save money by getting a higher quality sleeping bag on discount?

* Where will you be using it? Will you be sleeping in a tent? Out in the open? In a lodge or cabin? What areas will you be using the sleeping bag? Will it be in wet areas, dry deserts, mountains?

* What comfort level do you want? If weight isn’t a consideration, do you prefer a roomier, softer, more comfortable sleeping bag? Are you accustomed to the cold night air or do you chill easily?

* Is the weight and compatibility important? Will you be carrying it for a long distance? Do you have limited space?

* How long do you want it to last? Would you prefer to get a cheaper one and replace it later? Or do you want a higher quality sleeping bag that will last many years?

* Is flexibility important? Do you need one bag to meet all your needs, summer through winter?

* How often do you intend to use it? Is this a once a year camping trip? Or will you be using it very frequently?

* Who will be using the bag? Man, woman, or child? What is their body shape?

* How much extra room do you like? Do you sleep still at night or do you tend to toss and turn a lot?

Be sure you consider all these aspects before you buy your sleeping bag. Then your new sleeping bag will be just perfect for you and your needs.

Copyright 2004 Camp Spot all rights reserved. Republished with permission from author.

About Author: Maria is the editor of http://www.My-Favorite-Camping-Store.com, an excellent resource for campers. Visit her site for more fun camping tips and articles. Get ready for your next camping vacation by learning about camping tents, sleeping bags, and other supplies.
http://www.my-favorite-camping-store.com/camping-kits.html

**Publishing guidelines:
Publication is permitted so long as the resource information at the end of the article remains intact, and links are live and intact with no redirect.

A Caribbean Scuba Diving Vacation

Looking to partake in the warm, clear waters of a Caribbean scuba diving vacation? The warm tropical salt waters, year round warm weather and beautiful white sandy shores of the Caribbean a perfect vacation destination any time of the year for scuba diving.

There are over 30 possible destinations for you to choose from and every one of them has wonderful year round scuba diving available. The main difference between all the choices is if you want to experience the vacation with lots of other tourists or do you prefer to skip out on the tourist attractions and go for more of the local resident feel.

One of the lesser known Caribbean scuba diving vacation destination is a beautiful island called Antigua. With gorgeous hot, white sandy beaches plus plenty of historical attractions, make this destination very memorable. Most of the scuba diving here in Antigua, other then the southern shores, is not deep; but with the stunning coral reefs, most divers do not mind the shallow waters.

A once spectacular Caribbean scuba diving vacation destination is the island of Montserrat. Sadly in 1996 an inactive volcano that is situated on the island became active again and devastated many scuba diving locations along with the main town including homes, hotels and attractions. It is not fully understood how much damage occurred to the coral reef and in fact local residents claim the volcano has not affected the diving nearly as much as is rumored and besides when will you ever get an opportunity to witness an active volcano from a safe distance like you can in Montserrat.

Another incredible Caribbean scuba diving vacation is the British Virgin Islands. Made up of a group of smaller islands, these islands are very popular tourist destinations. Scuba divers can take advantage of amazing caves, sinkholes, canyons and ledges. Probably the most visited dive sites in the British Virgin Islands is the Painted Walls where you will experience all the wondrous colors of the rainbow while you dive. If Wreck Diving is your preference then the R.M.S. Rhone is available to you as well.

Nevis, due to a lack of tourist promotion is a largely unknown Caribbean scuba diving vacation spot, with plenty of fascinating scuba dive sites stretched along the east of Nevis to the west end of St. Kitts. You really must plan to travel around the entire island to appreciate the complete assortment of sites accessible. There are plenty of both inshore and offshore diving with an astonishing natural coral reef that is home to numerous species of corals and some amazing sea life such as sea turns maybe even some sleeping turtles.

Obviously there are dozens of other islands to discover during a Caribbean scuba diving vacation, so enjoy trying to decide on the destination for you.

Scuba Diving Equipment, Scuba Diving Gear and Accessories at http://www.SportsAndOutdoorStore.com

Safety precautions for boating and hunting

Boating and hunting are certainly two of the most popular
outdoor activities. In the following article we will take a look
at each of them and discuss some of the safety risk involved.

Boating The term boating usually refers to the recreational use
of a pleasure craft. Fishing and waterskiing are two common
boating activities along with many other sports. Millions of
boaters can be found all around the world as it is an incredibly
popular activity.

Boating Safety For most people when they go out boating
on the water the last thing on their mind is emergency
preparation. This is a mistake which over time has cost many
people their lives. Being prepared for an emergency is
absolutely vital if you are going to go out boating. Common
boating emergencies include someone falling overboard, boat
breakdowns, boat leaks and capsizing.

Proper safety equipment is not only recommended but is mandatory
in most places. Boating safety equipment includes life buoys,
life jackets and ladders. A horn and bailer are also recommended
and/or required in most areas. Survival suits are also
recommended especially when boating in cold water where the risk
of hypothermia is greater.

Proper maintenance of your boat is essential to ensuring a safe
trip. Without proper maintenance your boat has a much greater
risk of breaking down which will put the lives of everyone on
board including yourself at risk.

Hunting Hunting can be defined as the practise of pursuing some
type of animal while attempting to capture or kill it. Hunting
dates back many, many years and is a very celebrated pastime.

Hunting Safety Unload all firearms when not in use.
Although you may know that your firearm is loaded, the people
around you may not. Never hop over a fence or climb into your
tree stand with a gun that is loaded. When travelling on an ATV
or other vehicle unload the gun as well.

Be sure that not only do you know what is in front of your
target before shooting but also be aware of what is behind it.
Many hunters leave this part out as they assume that they will
not miss. That however is not the case.

The most important safety tip that we can offer you is to use
common sense at ALL times. While hunting, do not at any time
allow your emotions to override common sense.

Taking a compass and map with you will aid if you get lost. Even
a flashlight is a good idea in case you become lost in the dark.
The flashlight will also help in avoiding snakes and other
potentially dangerous animals.

Following these tips will allow you a much better chance of
having a safe and enjoyable time boating or hunting.

Ten Tips For Getting Acquainted With the Great Outdoors

If you’re new to spending time in nature, but want to be a good sport, here are a few easy steps you can take to overcome your fear of crawly things and really enjoy the great outdoors.

1. Confront the Critters Head-on: To avoid ticks, apply Permethrin, a derivative of crushed dried Daisy Chrysanthemum flowers, to all garments, shoes, socks, hats and backpacks. If picnicking apply it to the tablecloth before you pack up. Permethrin also keeps chiggers and other biting insects away. Bears, raccoons, snakes - in fact, most wild animals will avoid you if they can. In the summer, I do not grab any handholds while climbing without looking first, just in case a snake has decided to sun itself on the trail. Accidental encounters are always possible. Don’t run; that will encourage a predator to chase you. In most cases, if you stand your ground, yell, wave your arms and make a racket, the animal will run away. Never, ever feed wild animals - and never try to touch or pet a wild animal - EVER.

2. Fashion Sense: Fabric Do’s and Don’ts. Fabrics for outdoor wear are lighter and more comfortable than ever. My personal favorite is wicking, because it is soft, machine washable (air dry to avoid static cling) and does not harbor body odor. Garments are different thicknesses for different seasons. You can be active and still be fresh as a daisy. Whether you perspire or there’s a sudden rain shower, wicking dries out quickly. Hypothermia occurs when your body temperature suddenly plummets; being soaked is the most dangerous risk in outdoor activities. Seriously, it could kill you. Avoid cotton, because if it gets wet, it never dries. I’m still fond of wool; merino wool is soft and not itchy, but it is pricy. While silk is lovely, it’s not durable and requires special laundering.

3. Footwear: Do’s and Don’ts: If you’re hiking rough terrain, riding mountain bikes, having a picnic, or strolling the beach, the right footwear is the difference between fun and frustration. For most outdoor activities, the appropriate footwear can be rented. But you’ll want to purchase your own hiking boots. If you’re hiking under five miles, a sturdy, three-season boot with ankle support that lets your foot breathe is sufficient. I hike all year round, so my own Italian leather, Vibram sole, wicking-lined boots are the most expensive equipment I own. They fit beautifully from the first day and I’ve never had a blister.

4. Carry the Right Bag: I typically carry a bookbag-size day pack when I’m not staying overnight - and sometimes even when I am. It holds all of my pocket survival kit essentials, plus an extra layer of clothes, water, binoculars, snacks and whatever else I choose to carry. That leaves my hands free to use my binoculars, camera or notebook. Also, when I stop for a break, my pack makes a useful backrest.

5. Accessories: Hats and Belts: In winter I wear a balaclava, which covers my head and neck and can be pulled over my face. Ninety percent of body heat is lost through the head, so I wear a lined wool balaclava. If I wear a hat in other seasons, I want it to shield my eyes from the sun, cover my neck, have holes for circulation, and fit properly. Belts can come in very handy, but I typically do not wear one.

6. Eyewear: I just started wearing eyeglasses on a full-time basis. In the winter, they were an obstacle. In the summer, they’re an effective pollen and insect barrier. Sunglasses can reduce glare and they also offer your eyes protection.

7. Hair and Makeup: If you have long hair, a braid, bun or ponytail keeps your hair neat and out of your way. The older I get, the shorter my hair gets. I depend on a PABA-free 30-SPF sunscreen to cover my face, ears, neck, and hands - even in winter. Sun reflecting off snow can be very damaging. I typically do not wear daytime makeup, but if I did, I would use the sunblock as my base.

8. Water: When I hiked in the desert I carried a bladder bag, which is a pliable water bottle with a tube extending from it. The bag fit in my daypack, carried 1.5 liters of water and I could suck on the tube whenever I felt thirsty. This is another really useful hands-free, affordable device. The only drawback - this is not designed for beverages other than water.

9. Gadgets: If you enjoy new gadgets, GPS units, binoculars, cameras, and other devices that make exploring the woods, the parks, the beaches or the deserts fun will add a dimension to your experience and give you something to do if you don’t feel quite ready to put a worm on a hook or rappel that cliff.

10. Win Big: Attitude is 99 percent of any situation. Anything new takes time to really experience. You may be inspired to use your camera to photograph clouds, diffracted sunlight on a spider web or the bud just about to open. The sound of moving water always makes me feel rested, even on a very long hike. I never tire of the sounds of birds calling or singing. I’m determined to learn bird language. There is nothing quite like the smell of a pine grove or the view from a mountain ridge. And the infinite and endless variety in the texture of tree trunks and bits of rock can keep me occupied for hours.

JJ Murphy, is a nature writer, blogging hiker, curriculum creator and tree-hugger currently based in Harriman, NY. Visit http://www.writerbynature.com for more information, including JJ’s favorite places for gear and supplies.

San Carlos Mexico Sail

San Carlos Sailing School BEWARE BEWARE BEWARE Mexico If you are
considering spending thousands of dollars on sailing lessons;
look at the other school in San Carlos. If you choose the San
Carlos Sailing School, you will not be treated to sailing
lessons but rather to intense personal degradation and be placed
in an extremely hostile environment. The instructor has little
interest in teaching sailing skills and a good deal of interest
in developing your supposedly woefully inadequate personal
character. My wife and I ( who are in our mid-fifties) chose San
Carlos Sailing Adventures and got Mr. Baraff as an instructor.
In light of our experience, we strongly recommend that you do
not use Mr. Baraff and his San Carlos Sailing School . We had an
awful experience and we cannot believe we actually had to pay
this guy big money to do little more than abuse us both
physically and mentally. It is our belief that Mr. Baraff has
little, if any experience teaching adults to sail. We feel you
should know a few things about Mr. Baraff. First, he informed us
that he is by training, a National Outdoor Leadership
instructor. A sort of Outward Bound program with attitude. He is
used to instructing college kids not adults in their forties or
fifties. Sailing instruction is not his primary focus. He is
interested in physically and emotionally challenging individuals
in order to develop character. Sailing is incidental to Mr.
Baraff and it is a secondary benefit if anyone actually picks up
sailing skills from him. Mr. Baraff seemed determined to find
the most adverse sailing conditions available to him and his
lessons.” Mr. Baraff refused to allow us to learn sailing skills
under fair weather conditions on the last two days of our
lessons. He insisted on having us take written exams both
mornings when the winds were light and then going out in the
afternoons under intermediate conditions. I might mention we
were the ONLY sailboat out both days. On the last morning, even
though, we asked him to go out early and take the written test
in the afternoon, he again refused to go out saying he had some
errands to run. He wanted us to demonstrate “Man-Over-Board”
skills and we would have happily done that in the A.M. but he
wanted it done when it was blowing 25 knots. As we mentioned,
Mr. Baraff was both physically and emotionally abusive towards
us. He made fun of my wife Joanne for wanting to use a winch
when trimming sails and insisted she pull sheets with her hands.
In addition, there was a moment when he forced me to
“accidentally jibe” (in order to highlight and make fun of my
poor technique.) When doing this, he was not paying attention to
where Joanne was and she was injured. She was coming up from
down below and her hand was on the traveler when he had me
“accidentally jibe.” Fortunately, Joanne moved quickly and did
not lose her finger, however, she did suffer a severe cut and
lost a good chunk of her flesh. Mr. Baraff’s reaction was that
accidents happen when sailing and went on to list injuries he
had suffered. In the emotional arena, Mr. Baraff simply loved
pushing us to do things without fully describing what he wanted
us to do. He had Joanne in tears numerous times and seemed to
take great pleasure in this. In our opinion, he has a serious
case of “little man syndrome.” Beware, Tom & Joanne Byrnes

Saltwater Fly Fishing 101

Fly fishing in itself can be intimidating for the uninitiated.
Watching a fly fisher while holding a spin rod can feel
humbling. The whole world of fly fishing looks complicated,
daunting, unfriendly and expensive. But is also alluring, and
sooner or later if you like to fish, you may very well take the
plunge, and begin to learn. To experiment, and hopefully to
catch a fish., And before long you might begin to think of
yourself as a fly angler. Gain confidence, skill and knowledge.
Try new fly fishing experiences, and learn new techniques, flies
and buy even more gear. And on and on it goes, as learning about
fly fishing is a non-ending path.

Well, let’s go one step further shall we? Saltwater fly fishing is the epitome of
everything said in the previous paragraph and more. Even for the
season fly fishing trout angler, saltwater fly fishing looks
like an impossible task, to say the least. For one thing the
ocean is well huge, enormous, and might as well be unending.
Even the most competent caster can only cover a ridiculously
minute portion of the area why would one even bother. When
scanning a river or lake, one can have an educated guess about
where the fish will lie. But the ocean? Where they can be
anywhere can’t they, and then you have the whole business of the
tide to learn. It isn’t seasonal, it is daily. And then we have
the myriad of flies to learn about all over again. It took years
to learn about trout flies, and it is still ongoing, one must
really start all over again?? Ugh!

Yes it is daunting, but remember when you first learned about
fly fishing in general. Or frankly any new hobby or topic. It is
all daunting at first. Learning is daunting, but becomes easier,
as the new area of interest is unveiled slowly. A little
knowledge to start, to hang later more detailed knowledge on is
the most crucial. So let’s start with just a little knowledge.

If you are in an area where saltwater fly fishing is well
practiced, you are in an easier position to obtain such
knowledge, by asking fly shop owners, and fly fisher’s, and by
observation you can begin to get a feel for what it is all
about. But much of the world’s saltwater fly fishing
opportunities are virtually unexplored.

So let’s see what we can do to break this down. Like fishing
lakes and big rivers, you have only look at the territory you
can actually cover with your fly rod. And pretty much ignore the
rest. For saltwater fly fishing that territory is the 60 feet or
so next to shore. The easiest way to explore this area is by
foot at low tide, when you can actually see the underwater
terrain. You can first invest in a chart or survey map, to help
you narrow down areas that might have rocky outcroppings leading
into deeper pools or channels. If you have loads of free time,
this can become an enjoyable activity of exploration all in
itself. Look for activity of fish, and habitats that might hold
fish and their food. One nice thing here, is that fish are fish
are fish, and they all require the same thing. Security, food,
places to lie, if you know how to read habitat in rivers or
lakes you can easily adapt that skill to oceans, and bays.

Once you have your spots located, you will also need some
gear,. If you have some 8 wt gear or larger, you can least begin
to get your feet wet. As for flies, well start with the basics,
the classics, Deceiver’s, Clouser’s, will give you the best
opportunity to catch a fish. And you have begun to add that
crucial beginning of knowledge onto which you will hang new
knowledge as you become more versed in this field of fly
fishing. Be sure and check future editions of Big Y Fly Fishing
Ezine for more in depth articles.

Ebay Started Our Family RV Camping Adventures

There was a time that I never would have pictured myself camping, let alone purchasing my first travel trailer on Ebay. But after a number of circumstances falling into place, that is just where I found myself in 2005, spending late nights on Ebay scouring the RV travel trailer listings.

And so the camping adventure began…

We don’t exactly live in the camping capital of the world and when my family and I decided to purchase a travel trailer, we were in for quite an education. We did what I suspect most people would do, and started scanning the local classifieds, picked up the trader magazines, etc. All to no avail. Everything we looked at locally was either way overpriced or uninhabitable. Mind you, we weren’t looking for a mansion on wheels, but we wanted to at least make sure that we could tow it to our driveway without falling apart.

So, that little voice inside said, Ebay! But I was a little hesitant at first because this was a large ticket item and there were the logistics of transport to consider as well. But hey, it doesn’t cost a dime to look, so off we went to search Ebay.

Luckily, I have an uncle who is basically a camping and RV guru in his own right, so I can’t quite claim that I did this single handedly, but for the most part, it took about two weeks before I clicked on an auction that would forever change our family’s vacation adventures.

We ultimately found our “perfect” trailer, but not after swapping many emails and more photos beyond what was in the listing. But along the way, Ebay did more for us than just match us up with a seller. It matched us up with two wonderful human beings that were just as happy to have found us as buyers as we were to find them as sellers.

After the auction was complete, we arranged a pickup date that was a few weeks away – perfectly fine with the sellers because they wanted to get our new toy ready for us. Little did we know, how far these two people went to make our purchase smooth and enjoyable.

As the two weeks elapsed, the emails turned to camping advice, trials and tribulations and the wishes from the sellers that we would have as many fond camping memories as they did. Knowing that we were complete novices, these two people went so far above and beyond a seller’s obligations, that they could give lessons in good service after the sale. They covered questions we didn’t even know we had!

So the big day came and we took off on our road trip to go get out new baby. It was a 7 hour drive, so we also made arrangement to stay at a local hotel – which our new friends recommended based upon the ease of parking our new trailer there overnight for the first time. And until that point, being car travelers, the size of a parking lot was certainly never a concern when we booked our hotels.

When we arrived, the trailer was everything we thought it would be and more. One of those rare times that the photos didn’t even do it justice. And the hospitality the sellers extended was awesome. They even had dinner waiting for us! So after our long trip and a very tasty dinner, we were taken through all the basics of hookup, awning setup, electronics, maintenance, upkeep and more! It was so refreshing to find others who go the extra mile and we were so clueless going in, they don’t even know how easy they made the whole transaction on us.

So as we swap campfire stories from campground to campground, we will always have such fond memories of our largest Ebay purchase yet. And what a story to tell!

Stephanie Mulac is a Motivational Coach and owner of http://www.90PercentAttitude.com, a website dedicated to helping Marketing Professionals Make Money With Websites on the Internet by developing a positive, winning attitude and providing online encouragement to others who don’t have a support system in their lives. For additional camping information, visit http://www.RVCampingTips.com.