Since moving to the Pacific Northwest I have strived to take advantage of as many Washington outdoor activities as possible. Recently I decided to take a week long vacation to Banks Lake. After exploring the trails around Banks and the Grand Coulee Dam I decided to travel a bit further to Billy Clapp Lake.
Billy Clapp Lake is a stunning body of water located behind an earthen dam. The three mile long lake is home to many animals and native plants. On my hike around Billy Clapp I journeyed through basalt rock canyons covered in lichen and up onto bluffs overlooking the expanse of the lake. It was truly a breathtaking experience worth repeating.
This past summer my family and I took a Banks Lake vacation. For two blissful weeks we enjoyed exploring the natural wonders around the lake. Boating, kayaking, and swimming filled many afternoons. In the evenings, we typically played board games together as a family or watch a movie.
On Friday and Saturday nights we spiced things up by declaring “parents’ nights.” The kids did their own thing while my wife and I went to Friday night karaoke. On Saturday night we checked out some live music over at the Sunbanks Lake Resort.
I found myself daydreaming about Banks Lake fishing. For the past few years my family has taken summer vacation at Sunbanks Lake Resort. Though we do many activities together as a family, we also take individual time to pursue our own interests. Obviously, my interest is fishing.
Just out of curiosity, I checked the fishing forecast for Banks Lake. At sunrise the conditions were fair, they peaked at 9 a.m., and for most of the afternoon into early evening conditions were good. With conditions like those, summer can’t get here soon enough!
After carefully planning and choosing your destination for your backpacking adventure, it is time to think of some basic items to take with you to make your trek an enjoyable one. First you will need a large, durable and waterproof backpack to carry all your essentials. You’ll never know when the weather will change or when you might accidentally slip and fall in a puddle of water.
Investing in a waterproof backpack is a good idea, especially if you bring along electronic gadgets like a mobile phone or a digital camera, this kind of backpack would keep them from being wet. Find one that is spacious enough for all your hiking paraphernalia but not so cumbersome that it will be a burden on long expeditions. If you plan to do an extensive banks lake hiking, I suggest getting a pair of waterproof hiking boots too.
When it comes to searching for an enjoyable winter vacation spot, it’s not always easy to know where to start looking for the best places. Sure you can ask friends and family, but if you’re looking for somewhere a bit more unique, start your search online. Online you can often find directories of ski resorts from all over Washington, and you’ll be able to make an informed judgment about where to stay.
You’ll also want to make sure that not only your Eastern Washington resort provides the accommodations you want, but that the mountain has some great ski routes too! Well traveled locations with tightly packed snow can be boring for experienced skiers, if you’re looking for fresh powder, think out of the box!
I went of a day hike today at Sunbanks Lake. It was an amazing experience. The hike to the lake was one of the hardest I’ve ever done. Thank God we each had wood hiking sticks and fully-stocked hiking daypacks with us.
When we got to the top, it was even better knowing that we had everything we needed to spend all day swimming and eating delicious food. Sunbanks Lake looked like an ad for alpine water. We even thought about drinking some and then chickened out at the last minute, probably for the best.
When we head outside the confines of our homes and our local communities we’re entering a potentially hostile world where unfamiliarity abounds. This is especially the case when we head out to enjoy the wonders of the natural world. Whether it’s camping, hiking or boating it’s important to think ahead and be ready for anything. By preparing ourselves for the worst we can often come out with the best. Getting ready for an unforeseen accident not only helps us be materially prepared but it also helps habituate our minds to being more aware of potential dangers.
With the two-fold benefit of prevention and preparation there’s no reason not to make your next outdoor adventure safer than the last. This is true when you go Sunbanks camping or just back yard camping. Camping first aid kits have everything you need to deal with minor problems associated with being outdoors for extended periods of time. While they won’t always help with major problems they will help you remain conscious of the potential for such problems. Before heading out this season make sure you’re ready for anything and it could save your life.
It’s important to scout out the climate and weather conditions for a camping trip well ahead of time, but altitude is a consideration that often goes overlooked. That’s unfortunate because hikers are drawn to the splendid vistas and picturesque scenery unique to mountainous regions. In a high-altitude camping situation, one needs to bring a suitable set of backpacking supplies.
Obviously a weather-resistant backpacking tent is the first and most important thing to bring, but a sleeping bag is close behind, when you are planning for Eastern Washington hiking trip. Nights cool down quickly in the mountains, so you’ll want to have a cold-rated sleeping bag. Sleeping bags stuffed with down or a comparable synthetic material work best. Most bags will advertise their weather rating right on the packaging, but you can also get an idea by checking the thickness of the material.
Most people don’t associate camping with romance. And, for the most part they’re right. Camping isn’t a way to enjoy the opulence and luxury that often accompany most people’s ideas of a romantic event. On the other hand, however, camping with your partner will often serve to bring you closer. When you share the natural world together, face challenges together and deal with inconvenience together you learn to work as a unified team. You learn a lot both from each other and about each other.
Would you call that romance? I’m not sure but I think I probably would. Staring out at the wilderness together with nothing but a couple of packs on your back and all the water you can carry will inevitably bring you closer to your mate. Sharing in the hardships and challenges of the great outdoors lets you learn how your partner problem solves and can also show you many of the reasons why you love them so much. Who knew 2 man tents and a sleeping bag could bring you closer together? If you’re looking for a romantic getaway it doesn’t always have to be in a fancy hotel or on a cruise ship. Try heading outdoors to Eastern Washington camping and see what true romance can be.
The best purchase that I have made to improve my camping experience is definitely the portable shower. It light and compact and makes for an exhilarating experience when you are out in the woods. I just couldn’t stand that really grimy feeling of being someplace and not able to rinse off.
And if you have been camping in Washington without any clear water around you, you can certainly understand what I mean. There is always a better way of doing something you have been doing for a long time, and this is one of those things that will be a part of any camping pack that I take with me out into the woods.
