Camping Safety

Before you go camping there are some important things that you should always remember.

1. Never bring food into your tent.  Wild animals have a very strong sense of smell.  Even if you think it is properly secured, it might not be.  Store food, coolers, cooking utensils, pots and pans, and even trash inside your car.

2. Pack a first aid kit.  It should contain antiseptics, tweezers, insect repellant, pain releivers, sunscreen, and bandages.

3. Arrive eary enough to have plenty of light to fully inspect your site for hazards such as glass, sharp objects, bugs, or poisonous plants.  You should also be able to completely set up camp before it gets dark.

4. Keep your campsite clean.  Never leave food or garbage laying around.  It can and will attract wild animals.

5. never feed or approach wild animals.

6. Check the weather forcasts before you leave.

The Movie Review

The HARRY POTTER AND THE ORDER OF THE PHOENIX review can be found on my Harry Potter Fanfare page or by following this link:

http://katchick.pnn.com/articles/show/5401-the-order-of-the-phoenix-a-review

Summer Vacation

     We had a great vacation this summer.  My little boy and I decided to brave the wild outdoors by camping instead of staying at a boring old hotel.  We stayed in a tent at Wakiwa State Park in Florida.  There was a lot of adventure to say the least. 

     Our first suprise came on our very first night there.  A bear decidied that he would visit us and stay for a late night snack.  No, not us, but he did eat all our snack food.  He also scared us quite a bit.  Lesson learned:  Even double bagged and stored in a plastic storage container, bears will still get your food.

     I have never been to another park that has as many "friendly" animals.  We had run ins with squirrels, raccoons, deer, and even a snapping turtle.  Of course, the bear was the most memorable.

     All kidding aside, wild animals are not like pets.  They can be very dangerous, even deadly.  Before you decide to go camping, especially in a tent, make sure that you are aware of how to make your trip both fun and safe.  I truely believe that the most important thing to remember is to NEVER EVER bring food into a tent!  There are tons of great websites that you can visit before you set out.  Bears are stronger than you and they can out run you.  Make safety your first priority and fun will come naturally.

     We also visited Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure while we were there.  They were nice parks and we had a good time riding all the rides.  The lines weren't as bad as I thought they would be and everyone was extremely friendly.  All in all, there is nothing that I can complain about.  I would definately recomend this as the perfect family vacation.  (As long as you don't mind sharing some of you food.)

A Book Review

Sleeping With Fear

by Kay Hooper

I recently picked this book up to take along on our latest camping trip.  It follows The lead character, Agent  Riley Crane, as she tries to figure out who she can and can't trust after she wakes up with amnesia.  I liked the book for the fact that it is a sinfully easy read without much thought neccessary.  I read this book in 2 sittings and it contains 350 pages.  That should clarify exactly how easy a read it is.

The characters are likeable, and the story line was very good.  Unfortunately, I was finished reading it before we left for vacation.  As it turns out, there wasn't much time for reading anyway.  I recommend this book to anyone who likes a fast paced who-done-it type book with a touch of the supernatural.  However, if you like a challenge, this book is not for you.

NEXT REVIEW:  HARRY POTTER AND THE HALF BLOOD PRINCE.