Camp Bell Campground

Fine Finger Lakes Camping!



How to Quiet a Squeaky RV Slide

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squeaking rv slidesWhen you are camping with your RV you never know what time will you be getting in and out of the campground. Most of the new RVs have slide out rooms which means that a part of the RV slides out automatically to enhance the interior size and comfort.

There are different systems that slide the RV’s rooms out; they can be electric, hydraulic, gear driven, etc. What the system does is, it pushes the room out through a teeth/ gear metal stick of the RV by using a lot of strength, have in mind that a regular system can add up to 1500 pounds to the RV’s total weight.

Depending on the quality, a squeaky sound will start to happen when using the system in and out. Besides hearing the sound, a good way to know if it is happening or about to is to look at the metal stick for some wear generated by the scraping of the surfaces. If you found some wear, then it means that even if you do not yet hear the squeak, you are about to. Also, depending on the quality and normal wear of the windows system, there may be some squeaking there as well, since they are not as heavy as the other system it may take longer to happen and it may be quieter.

The best way to lower or even eliminate your squeaky sound is to buy either a Slide-out or Window Lube and apply it to the squeaky area. This will not only prevent the squeak but it will help the system to work better and avoid eventual break downs.

The 3-1 RV care lubricant by WD 40 (There are Slide-out and window specific versions) is one of the best ones in the market. It is not expensive and it lasts a very long time. With regular use of the RV, it should be good enough for over a year, but if you hear the squeak beginning again just re-apply and move on. It’s always a great tool to keep in your RV tool box.

Camping With Pets

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Pets at the campgroundMore and more campers are enjoying vacation time with their pets and we think that’s a wonderful idea. The campground can be a little intimidating for shy pets and those that are new to camping so we are sharing some tips to make it a wonderful experience for everyone.

Keep Them With You – Your pet might be a little shy of the kind of noise you get at a campground. There will be plenty of kids running and laughing and you may hear quiet voices around the neighbors campfire at night. Try not to leave your pet alone for too long. They will be more comfortable with you near them and will get used to their surroundings that much faster.

Bring Medical Records and Prescriptions – We sure hope you don’t ever need it but having these items when you are away from home and have to visit a Vet can be a life saver. Bring your pet’s shot records and an ample supply of any prescriptions or over the counter medications they may need while you are camping.

Their Favorite Things – They will feel more at home if they have their favorite bed to sleep on and toys to play with. Bring some of the toys they play with most at home and have a nice bed that carries their scent for them to curl up on.

We hope your pets have as memorable a camping experience as you do and we can’t wait to see you strolling around the campground together. 

Helpful Camping Essentials

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camping essentialsThere are lots of obvious things to add to your packing list and they will take care of most situations. There are a couple of things you may tend to forget so we want to offer a reminder to you.

Scissors – These will come in handy in so many ways. You’ll be cutting tags off new items you purchased for the trip, opening those indestructible plastic bags your crackers are packed in, and trimming a table cloth to fit. A pair – or two – of scissors are smart to have on hand.

Warm Hats – mornings and evenings can cool down quite a bit and keeping yourself warm begins with covering your head. Toss a few knit hats in with your camping clothes and you’ll have them when the temps get a little on the chill side of comfortable.

Heavy Duty Trash Bags – You’ll use these to hold wet laundry, cover camping furniture if it rains, and cleaning up the campsite. Choose the heavy-duty type that won’t puncture or tear easily.

Rope – There always seems to be use for a length of rope. It may not be your need but rather your neighbor who is asking if you have any to lend. Tuck a length of rope in to your trunk and when you need it you’ll be glad you did.

Pocket Knife – you might like to carry one of those multi-tool knives in your pocket. They will provide you with a screw driver, bottle opener, ruler, wire stripper, and chisel, depending on the model you carry. You won’t have to dig around in a tool box and will appreciate being able to carry your toolbox in your pocket.

First-Aid Kit – Make sure you have a supply of first-aid items to treat colds, flu, bug bites, headaches, blisters, slivers, and upset tummies. Your ailing patient will be grateful that you have the items they need at the ready when they need them most.

Campfire Pineapple Upside Down Cake

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campfire pineapple upside down cakeTropical and delicious, pineapple upside down cake is a summer staple.  Now you can take it camping with you in a foil packet version that will satisfy your sweet tooth.

Ingredients:

1 16 oz. loaf frozen pound cake (we prefer Sara Lee’s All Butter pound cake), slightly thawed

1 15 oz. can pineapple rings packed in juice, drained with juice reserved

¼ tsp. salt

¾ cup brown sugar

8 maraschino cherries, stems removed, drained and dried

Directions

Create 8 foil packets by tearing off 16 pieces of foil 10” long.  Stack two pieces of foil together, dull side up for each packet. 

In the center of each packet, place a pineapple ring.  Add a cherry to the center of each ring.

In a small bowl, whisk together reserved pineapple juice, brown sugar and salt.  Depending on how much juice was in the can, the mixture should be a medium drizzling consistency.

Drizzle brown sugar topping generously over each pineapple ring and cherry.

Remove pound cake from foil pan and cut into 8 slices.  With a fork, pierce each slice all over, creating holes for the brown sugar glaze to sink in. Place one slice on top of each pineapple ring, and top with additional brown sugar glaze.

Wrap fold foil to form packets, sealing the edges tightly. (The brown sugar mixture will be very hot and could cause burns should the sides leak.)

Cook on a grill over hot coals for 10 minutes, or until pineapple is tender.  Remove from grill, open packets and invert onto plates to serve.  Let stand to cool a bit before serving.

Makes 8 servings.

Growing Plants In Your RV

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Plants in the RVHaving an RV is a tremendous blessing in your life. This home away from home makes new kinds of travel possible. Since your housing and accommodations come with you, you don’t have to worry about hotel reservations, and constantly packing and unpacking. In fact, the money you save on motel rooms makes a lot more travel affordable and possible. More travel means either more trips, longer trips, or both.

However, since it’s a home away from home, you want it to feel like it. Part of that is who comes with you, but it also helps to bring along some plants. So what then are the best plants for your RV?

The actual specific plants will vary based on your needs and situations, but there are various factors that might make your decisions and determinations easier.

For starters, always keep space in mind. Any plants you put in your RV should be small in size, since every square inch matters in such a vehicle. For that matter, they should be easy to move around not only so you can keep them out of the way in the vehicle but also move them back into your primary home when not on the road.

Durability is also critical. Something that can withstand sliding around is good, particularly if you have to slam on the brakes on the highway and things fall to the floor.

Ease of care is next on your list of factors to look for. When you’re on vacation, you don’t want to spend a lot of time caring for your plants. Something like a small cactus doesn’t require much attention but can have a dehumidifying effect on the cabin.

On top of decor, you might also want to consider the use of the plant in question. A portable herb garden might mean fresh seasonings while on the road!

Are You An RV Beginner? Read These Easy Tips

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RV beginner tipsIf you’re looking forward to enjoying travel like it’s a luxury event, then getting an RV makes this possible. Yet, driving and operating a full-size recreational vehicle is a very different matter than owning or driving a normal car, truck, or van. The benefits are undeniable, but you surely want to know a few tips to get your RV adventures started off right.

Think About Renting

A lot of aspiring RV enthusiasts scoff at the idea of renting over owning, but there are serious benefits that come with doing this. You might still want to eventually own an RV, but RVs come in four letter-grade classes, ranging A, B, C, and D. If you are totally new to RVs, then you probably have no idea just which class is going to suit you the best. If you rent RVs, you can go through each class and know from personal experience which one is the most comfortable to drive and fits your vacation needs. That’s all very useful information and experience to have before you drop a lot of money on an RV purchase.

Chat Up Current Owners

Think about your current social circle of friends, family, and professional colleagues. Think about anyone that owns an RV or has used one, and pick their brains. Some might offer you the chance to drive their RV. Even if it’s just practice driving in a big empty parking lot, jump at any opportunity to get a little experience behind the wheel of their vehicle. Personal experience and their own feedback about the advantages and disadvantages of RVs gives you an honest and robust basis for informed decisions.

Do Your Research And Due Diligence

Budgetary matters are always a concern, not just in terms of how much RV you can afford, but also the operating costs. While you will stay and eat in your RV most of the time, you still have to consider gas, camping permits, connection fees, and maintenance and upkeep.

When you stick with these guidelines, you can get your RV adventures started right from day one.

Essential Tips For Grilling Fish

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Tips for Grilling FishWe all love summer cookouts, especially when camping. Fishing is one of the most enjoyable activities, but when it comes to grilling, it can easily rank at the top for most intimidating. Seafood is quite delicate and hard to maneuver and things like scallops and shrimp as so small, they can easily overcook or even worse, fall through the grill’s grates. However, they are all easy to master once you learn a few fish grilling tricks, which we shall cover in this post.

Use a Fish Basket

One of the best ways to keep your fish from flaking is by utilizing a fish basket. Of course, they come in various sizes and shapes, but the fundamental principle is the same; you place the seafood in a basket that holds it in place. You flip the basket instead of the fish itself, and this helps it remain secure without flaking apart.

Don’t Remove the Skin of the Fish

Grilling differs from other methods of cooking, in that it’s more of an ‘action’ procedure that requires you to interact with the food. To prevent the fillets from falling apart when grilling, avoid skinning the fish. It helps keep the fish in one piece and in some species like mackerel and trout, it adds a crispy taste when grilled. Of course, you have the option of removing the skin after cooking.

Cook the Fish in a Packet

Steaming steak isn’t recommended, but when it comes to fish, it is actually an excellent way to keep the seafood moist. Just stack two 20’’ foil sheets and coat the top layer with cooking spray. You can add other ingredients such as lemon and thinly sliced veggies. Bring the short ends together, but leave adequate space for steam to gather and cook the seafood. Fold it over and pinch seams together on the sides. You can place the packet on a charcoal grill or a gas grill over medium heat. Four to five minutes will be ideal for shrimp and 8-10 minutes will be perfect for a species like salmon.

You can find more tips for grilling fish at 7 Tips for Grilling Fish

 

Tips For Starting a Proper Campfire

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tips for starting a campfireIt is advisable to follow all the fire safety precautions if you want to build an ideal campfire. Most people don’t know how to make a campfire that will last for long, and there are a few things that you may need to know before attempting anything involving flames. For starters, you’ll want to ensure that you have the right and adequate space to start a campfire. That means all items, especially flammable objects should be put away from the fire pit. Second, it is important to line the pit with bricks or stones to ascertain that the fire remains in a single designated spot.

If you want to build a proper campfire, you should start from the bottom up. Most campers use fire sticks and flints to get the flame going. However, you should start by lining the pit with fire sticks. These are usually small and quickly get a good flame up. You can then place crumpled up papers on top. Once the bottom is lined up, the next step is to set several large logs on top. This way, the flame will remain steady, gradually building a fire that will last for long.

If you are starting a fire in a wet location, remove the moist materials first. You may also have to dig a bit to find some twigs and leaves. Look under large logs, rocks and inside caves for dry matter. If rain is an issue, you may have to use dry fuel.

When the campfire is going, ensure that you keep a distance from it. It is also advisable that you don’t use anything to shoot the flame up, like lighter fluid. It’s always a good idea to heed all the fire safety precautions before, when starting and after building the campfire.

You can find more tips for starting a campfire at Tips for Starting a Campfire and Start a Campfire

 

 

Finding The Best Camping Cots For Kids

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camping cots for kids Sleeping in the great outdoors isn’t always comfortable. If you want to make sure your kids get a relaxing and restful night of sleep, you’ll want to find them a camping cot. These tips will help you choose the perfect camping cot for your kids.

Photo Source: ahelicoptermom.com

Find A Cot That’s Easy To Transport

Carrying a cot to your campsite shouldn’t be a hassle. You should easily be able to take a cot from one location to another. Look for a lightweight camping cot that can easily be folded up.

Look For A Cot That Offers Storage Space

Because you’ll have a limited amount of space at your campsite, you’ll want to make sure you use the space that you do have in an efficient way. Try to find a cot that offers some storage space. Your children should be able to store clothes, toys, backpacks, and other items alongside their cot.

Seek Out Cots That Are Sturdy

Kids can be rough on their possessions. You’ll need to look for a cot that can hold up to some wear and tear. Seek out a cot that’s made from durable materials. Find a cot that was designed with kids in mind.

Look For A Cot That Comes In Bright Colors

Your child will be happier with their cot if it matches their favorite colors. Whether your child loves the color pink or is a bigger fan of the color blue, you’ll want to look for a cot that can be found in their favorite colors.

Find An Affordable Cot

Kids grow quickly, and your child will outgrow their cot in time. Don’t spend a fortune on a cot that you’ll only be able to use for a few years. Look for a cot with a reasonable price tag.

Cots can make camping trips a lot more enjoyable. Start looking at camping cots for your kids. You should be able to find a cot that will keep them comfy and cozy. You can read about more details in choosing the best cot for your children at The Perfect Camp Cot and Travel Bed

Tips For Cleaning Cast Iron Cookware

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cleaning cast iron cookwareCast iron cookware, as long as it’s well-seasoned, is one of the best surfaces for cooking. That is primarily because cast iron heats food evenly and can go on the stove, oven and even campfires. However, it can be a tricky material to clean and maintain, especially if you don’t know what you are doing. Not to fret though as in this brief post, we are going to provide you with tips to keep your grill, skillet or pot clean.

Before we dive in, you are going to need vegetable oil, non-metallic scrubbers, mild dish soap as well as a dish brush.

Seasoning

The first step is to season your new iron cast cookware with hot and soapy water. Dry it properly and then rub the whole surface of the skillet with a cloth soaked in vegetable oil. The next step is to put it in an oven pre-heated to 350 degrees Fahrenheit for at least an hour. Before removing the pan, ensure you turn off the oven and allow it to cool.

Cleaning

Wash the pan with a stiff dish brush and soap, but do not soak it. Place it back on the stove until the water evaporates. Next, pour a little vegetable oil on the surface and rub it using a paper towel. Once the pan is cool, put a paper towel or paper plate in the cookware’s mouth and store. With proper care, the cast iron will develop a dark patina as the years go by.

Restoration

In order to restore the cast iron, you should use a non-metallic scrubber to eliminate the rust and wash it with little mild dish soap. Next, rinse and dry it properly with a clean towel. The following steps are similar to the cleaning process mentioned above. Just remember never to soak your cast iron cookware if you want the most out of it.

You can find out more in the video below: