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#78120 - 11/26/06 07:41 AM Kids Camping Trip
aloha Offline
Old Hand

Registered: 11/16/05
Posts: 1059
Loc: Hawaii, USA
I just got back from a family camping trip today. We took the kids and met up with their friends (and parents too). We had a blast. Kids are pooped and asleep.

This was nothing really "bushcrafty", just a family camping trip.



Hot dog battle.



This huge salmon filet (about 24 inches long) was half gone by the time my wife got there with the camera.



Night time fire.



Oh yeah, lake...the camp site is about a 5-10 minute walk to this lake.



There is a fair amount of wild life. Lots of birds, ducks, geese, chicken, mongoose, pigs. In fact, after we had all turned in, the pigs roamed freely throughout our campsite. They stayed clear of our tents but did run around a bit.

There is a diverse range of plant and insect life as well.




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#78121 - 11/26/06 02:28 PM Re: Kids Camping Trip
redflare Offline
Addict

Registered: 12/25/05
Posts: 647
Loc: SF Bay Area, CA
Looks great <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

How is the ocean temperature on Hawaii? Can one still go swimming even though its winter?

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#78122 - 11/26/06 05:41 PM Re: Kids Camping Trip
cedfire Offline
Addict

Registered: 07/10/03
Posts: 659
Loc: Orygun
Wow... those are some great pictures and what a nice spot! Looks like a successful camping trip and that salmon looks good, too. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

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#78123 - 11/26/06 08:26 PM Re: Kids Camping Trip
aloha Offline
Old Hand

Registered: 11/16/05
Posts: 1059
Loc: Hawaii, USA
You can go in the water year round. You just need to be more careful about currents and wave action than water temperature. I just took my kids to the beach a couple of weeks ago and the water was great. Winter does bring more storm surge, meaning stronger currents and bigger waves. Just have to be careful always with the ocean.

The salmon was delicious! As was all the other food.
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http://hanzosoutdoors.blogspot.com/

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#78124 - 11/26/06 08:48 PM Re: Kids Camping Trip
aloha Offline
Old Hand

Registered: 11/16/05
Posts: 1059
Loc: Hawaii, USA
That spot was wonderful. Only downside, if it can be considered one, was the heavy heavy condensation, even in the afternoon sun.

I brought dry firewood and kindling. And even after keeping it off the grass, it was totally soaked by the afternoon. No rain, just condensation from the humidity. By about midnight, I tossed the green sticks that we used to cook hot dogs and marshmallows into the remaining coals. They were so wet, they felt like rubber and did not burn. Amazingly, even stacking the wood next to the fire didn't dry it out.

If we built a structure around our fire pit, we would have had an awesome steam room. So much moisture boiled out of wood that I had cut weeks ago and left out to dry.
_________________________
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http://hanzosoutdoors.blogspot.com/

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#78125 - 11/26/06 09:53 PM Re: Kids Camping Trip
Blast Offline
INTERCEPTOR
Carpal Tunnel

Registered: 07/15/02
Posts: 3760
Loc: TX
Aloha,

I think we need to arrange a house swap come vacation time. You can spend two weeks using our camping gear and canoe to explore Texas and we'll do the same in Hawaii!
<img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

-Blast
_________________________
Foraging Texas
Medicine Man Plant Co.
DrMerriwether on YouTube
Radio Call Sign: KI5BOG
*As an Amazon Influencer, I may earn a sales commission on Amazon links in my posts.

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#78126 - 11/26/06 11:47 PM Re: Kids Camping Trip
aloha Offline
Old Hand

Registered: 11/16/05
Posts: 1059
Loc: Hawaii, USA
Hey Blast,

You are welcome to use our camping gear if you make it out this way. Our camping gear is pretty limited though and is more geared toward family camping where weight is not a consideration. But other than food and water, should be sufficient. I have a cheapie four person tent, four each of 50 degree sleeping bags and foam sleeping pads, propane lantern (and stove attachment soon) If you don't want to bring any sharps, you can use my Wetterlings axe, kukhuri, SOG Government, Gerber saw, Leatherman Wave or some combination. You can also use my Magfire, disposable lighters, and you can have some cotton balls with vaseline and some fatwood (if I have any at the time). I have a couple of canteens and water bottles as well as a collapsable water carrier (4 gallons) and an MSR water bag (4L). Oh, and a couple of cheapie backpacks and a small Primus kettle. If you go to a place that doesn't allow an open fire, you can use my Trailstove.

If you are here without your family and want to go light, you can use my hammocks (I have two), a small tarp and some cordage. I don't have a mosqoito net though. I have been wanting to get one, but I just put repellant on.

If you plan on beach camping, you can use my diving gear too. I haven't used them since I had my children, but I think they are serviceable. I have mask and fins. My booties probably won't fit you. My dive knife rusted out and I didn't replace it. I also have a shorty wetsuit (L) for night diving as well as a UK 1200, if I recall the model number. Oh and a Hawaiian sling spear. No net bag, but you can inprovise a stringer with some cordage and a stick. The water isn't too cold, but if you stay in long it can get cold and is especially cold when you come out if it is windy. I also have floatie things for your girls. Arm floaties and tube floaties and buckets and shovels.

Oh and a homemade first aid kit. Childrens' sized rain ponchos and a couple of adult ones.

I figure if you bring your clothes and shoes, then pick up whatever you want to eat and maybe drink, you should be good to go. No can do on the house swap part though. My elderly mom lives with us.

Depending on when you come, if you want company, maybe we can join you. But let me know in advance, then I will pick up more gear. At the very least, maybe I can point you in a good direction for a place to camp. Let me know your preference, ocean or mountain. Lots of hiking spots nearby or not. Etc...

I don't have a canoe. Other than the ocean, I don't even know of a place to canoe here.

I also don't know if my family and I will visit Texas, but you never know. But you are welcome to use the gear though. It is all spread out outside drying in the sun and breeze right now.
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http://hanzosoutdoors.blogspot.com/

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#78127 - 11/27/06 02:09 AM Re: Kids Camping Trip
Blast Offline
INTERCEPTOR
Carpal Tunnel

Registered: 07/15/02
Posts: 3760
Loc: TX
Aloha,

Sweet!

Hey, you can bring your mom. I'll arrange for my folks (both 74) to come down and show her all the great senior citizen things to do in Houston such as:
1. Going to the donut shop at 9am to talk to all the other senior citizen and swap pictures of grandkids.
2. Meet up with the same group of senior citizens at 2pm at McDonald's for cheap coffee and to compare the latest illness/surgery/poop issue...
3. Repeat 1&2 above every day.

Before DD1 was on the scene my folks spent more time at the donut shop then they did with me. <img src="/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

Someday we'll definately have to do this. I'd love to watch your children and mine sit around a campfire comparing survival gear!

On my side, we have a gigantic tent (12'x14'), a separate potty/shower cabana with toilet, assorted sleeping bags, camp stoves, and all the little comforts of home for the campground (though the portable DVD player just broke). Not much in the way of diving around here but I could outfit you for a nice feral hog hunt (either with a rifle or a knife. I suggest the rifle).

-Blast
_________________________
Foraging Texas
Medicine Man Plant Co.
DrMerriwether on YouTube
Radio Call Sign: KI5BOG
*As an Amazon Influencer, I may earn a sales commission on Amazon links in my posts.

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#78128 - 11/27/06 02:43 AM Re: Kids Camping Trip
aloha Offline
Old Hand

Registered: 11/16/05
Posts: 1059
Loc: Hawaii, USA
My mom is 84 and is a total homebody. She doesn't like to travel and doesn't speak much English.

Man! What's camping without a DVD player. You are sooo unprepared. <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Pig hunting is traditionally done with a knife in Hawaii.
_________________________
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http://hanzosoutdoors.blogspot.com/

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