Kayaking is an amazing way to reach some very remote and unique locations, but if you’re going to be camping, you’ll have to fit all your gear into the hatches of your kayak. For this reason, make sure that the hatches of your kayak are spacious enough to hold everything—from your tent and sleeping bag to your camp stove and extra clothes. But you also have to ensure that these items won’t get wet, as wet gear can truly ruin any otherwise fun trip.

If you want to ensure that your gear arrives at the campsite dry as a bone, it will almost always require the use of dry bags. These bags are completely waterproof, and they allow you to store all the gear that you don’t want to get wet. They come in various sizes, so it shouldn’t be an issue finding one small enough to accommodate your camera and wallet and one big enough to fit your tent. I used them for the first time last weekend on my Banks Lake kayaking trip and they were absolutely amazing.

For many people, recreational vehicles fit into a grand life plan. In a way, they represent the fulfillment of the American Dream. Once a couple settles down, has kids and pays off the mortgage, it’s time to traverse the great national landscape in style and luxury. RVs are also reminiscent of another American ideal: manifest destiny. We explore unfamiliar locales in hopes of laying claim to something new and exciting.

Yet RVs are not an end in themselves. RV owners have to consider plenty of mundane details before setting out onto the open road. One of the most important of these considerations is where you are going to set up shop each night. Whether we need Eastern Washington RV camping or some lodging in the Deep South, we always do our research before we depart.

In the Pacific Northwest, we frequently have to wait until July for the weather to become favorable, but this year we have already experienced several days in the 80s. January saw record high temperatures and the heat wave appears to be continuing. And when the sun comes out in our neck of the woods, people move in droves in the nearest body of water. With dozens of lakes riddled throughout the landscape, there are many opportunities for Eastern Washington watersports.

Whether you enjoy fishing, kayaking, water skiing or just laying on the banks and basking in the sunshine, the summer climate in the Pacific Northwest is ideal for fun in the water. Unlike many areas of the country, there is little humidity and temperatures hover in the 80s, which is enjoyable for virtually everyone. And thanks to the incessant rainfall during the rest of the year, virtually ever body of water is surrounded by rich, lush flora.

A lot of people love to go camping during the summer, and as the weather continue to heat up, campsites will be filled with an increasing number of patrons. People enjoy spending time in the great outdoors and just relaxing far away from the city.  Going to Eastern Washington campgrounds promotes communal activities and is a great way to foster relationships.

There are different campsites to choose from, and you’ll want to be sure to select one that caters to your particular interests. There are campsites that offer a lot of amenities like hot showers, barbecue grills, satellite phones and more. But some just offer the basic sewer provision and that’s it. You can really have a great camping experience whether you are bombarded with technological innovations or just plain roughing it.  The whole family will enjoy the experience since you are all together having fun.

Family vacations are about much more than the destination. Take a moment to listen to a proud father recounting his favorite vacation memories and you’ll notice that the place becomes arbitrary when compared to the people. Even in trying financial times, families can spend a few days together away from the pressures of work and school.

For an affordable family vacation, consider limiting travel time and reducing the costs of lodging. An RV park in a local woodland area could take the place of some far-off national monument. The marshmallows roasted over an open fire taste just as delicious. Family fun doesn’t need to cost a bundle, so look into the logistics of traveling to a Washington RV park for your next “staycation.”

Here in the Pacific Northwest we get our fair share of good and bad weather. But regardless of the rain, sleet, or snow we love camping in Washington and other outdoor activities. It may rain for several months out of the year, but that doesn’t stop us from hiking trails, camping out, and rock climbing. The weather here is fickle, so that means outdoor enthusiasts must always be prepared.

One aspect of preparation is acquiring the right clothing. That means layers, layers, and more layers! It’s so important to wear layers because while it may be 75 degrees during the day, the temperature could easily drop to 40 degrees at night. Also, try to buy clothing made of breathable fabric, like taffeta and cotton. These fabrics keep you cool when it’s hot and warm when it’s cold.

Family trips don’t need to be expensive in order to be memorable. There are many options for a family operating on a shoestring budget, but the best bet is to stay local. By saving on transportation costs, you can maximize the limited resources you have at your disposal.

Instead of coughing up bundles of cash on pricy hotel rooms, try bringing the family together in a wilderness setting. Pack up the camping gear, pile into the van, and head on down the road to Washington campgrounds. Once you arrive, begin teaching the kids a few valuable life lessons – give them a tent-pitching primer and a brief seminar on the finer points of catching fish.

We all know it’s important to be prepared when we go hiking. I remember one time my wife and I went on an Eastern Washington hiking trip and we forgot to bring rain ponchos. Suffice it to say, it was one cold wet night we would never forget. Wearing and bringing the right hiking gear could spell the difference between a good hike and a disastrous one. Trust me, I’ve experienced it.

Here are a few must haves when going hiking:

1. A sufficient supply of water.
2. Rain gear, like waterproof ponchos or rain suits (especially in the Pacific Northwest)
3. First aid kits
4. Sunscreen and other toiletries
5. Extra batteries and flashlights

I grew up in the South and attended college only a few hours away from my hometown. When the local economy started to slip, I began to expand my career horizons by investigating opportunities outside the area. As luck would have it, I landed a job soon after graduation and relocated to the Pacific Northwest. Knowing the trip would take several days, I packed up my truck and headed out onto the highway.

I’ve always been an outdoorsy type, so I consulted a lodging directory to find campgrounds along the route. I managed to save money that otherwise would have been squandered on motel rooms. While some of the campgrounds were subpar, the facilities at the Banks Lake campgrounds stand out for their immaculate upkeep and the outdoor activities that were easily accessible. By roughing it, I arrived in town with a few extra tales to tell my new friends and co-workers.

Every since I was a little boy, my father and I would go on an annual fishing trip to some remote location in the Pacific Northwest. Over the years we’ve experience some of the best fishing that Washington, Oregon and Idaho have to offer, but my favorite place to go is still Eastern Washington. The variety of fish and abundance of lakes, streams and waterways sets Eastern Washington fishing apart from the rest.

Although we have dabbled in areas around Spokane and the Tri-Cities, we always seem to find our way back to Banks Lake. Few people know about this pristine body of water, and that is just the way that we like it. While we will experiment with other areas from time to time, Banks Lake has been a mainstay on our fishing itinerary.