The exhilaration generated by the thought of going camping in the wilds is indirectly related to the choice of your camping tent. The joy emanating from the word “Wow!” is a coincidental suggestion to the acronym used to define the ideal camping tent.

WOW stands for weather, occupants and weight. It signifies the importance of the climatic conditions, the number of people going on camping and the total weight that needs to be carried, in the decision to buy a specific camping tent.

The eventual choice of your camping tent will be based on a balancing act between the comfort and the limitations posed by the factors like weight, size and cost. If you’re going camping in an RV, you can easily opt for an extra large size taking up huge space both inside and outside the vehicle. However, you may do well even with a smaller, lighter version of the camping tent that can easily be puckered into a backpack, in case you’re more into solo camping.

1. Weather
Manufacturers usually classify the camping tents into three seasonal varieties, one-season tents, three-season tents and the four-season tents. One-season tents are meant for the summer season and accordingly feature light color fabrics, meshing for good air-flow and one-wall construction to shelter the camper from light rain.

Three-season camping tents are the most popular among the three varieties due to their all-season appeal. They feature breathable fabrics, well-ventilated mesh doors and windows to keep insects at bay and two-wall waterproof construction with either complete or partial rainfly, keeping one protected from heavy rain or even light snow. A well-pitched three-season tent will endure harsher winds any day better as compared to the one-season version.

The four season camping tents are normally used for specific terrains that are extremely challenging in nature. They are made up with solid fabrics, strong tent poles and zippered panels to protect the camper from harsh winds and heavy snow. Four season tents are most appropriate for mountaineering expeditions and are labeled mostly as “expedition” or “mountaineering” to indicate so. They perform the best in high altitude and extremely cold environs.

2. Occupants
Another classification method used for camping tents is the number of inhabitants. They are categorized as one-person, two-person and so on based on the number of people that can comfortably sleep inside them. It is recommended that you opt for an extra large tent just in case you may need to accommodate an extra person or require extra space for storing camping gear, food etc. However, please note, the bigger the tent, the heavier it is. This may not be suitable for the Backpackers. Normally, they prefer smaller one-person versions over the heavier ones.

On the other hand, the car campers have the option to pick larger rainflies, awnings and gazebos to extend their tent space. If looking for even wider space, they can choose from the tunnel-styled tent, 2 or 3 person dome or the modified dome type that has room enough to sit, stand or walk as well.

3. Weight
Lifting a heavy tent and walking with it for a small distance from ones car is an altogether different experience compared to going back packing with it. People normally cannot lug around more than a quarter or third of their body weight. Also, there may be additional accessories like sunshades and tarps for summers or bivy sacks and shelters for winters, besides a camping tent in the back packers gear. Hence it will be best to opt for a six-eight pound two-three person tent. That way, you can give the responsibility of carrying poles and rainflies to other people in the team and reduce your weight.

An ideal camping tent is easy to carry, pitch, maintain, repair and move around with. It is actually your extension and portrays your outdoor style. As long as you exclaim WOW!, you will never go wrong with your purchase of the camping tent.

Preparing for a road trip can be really exciting; it can also be incredibly stressful if you don’t know what you need to pack or if you wait until the last minute to pack your things. For instance, I usually make several trips throughout the course of the year to visit my family in New York.

My drive is approximately nine hours long from where I live in North Carolina, and so when I am preparing for the trip up, I want to make sure that I give myself at least a few hours on the day before I leave to pack my clothes or wash any clothing that needs to be washed. Other things that need to be checked before you leave include a complete vehicle check over.

Checking over your vehicle includes things such as making sure that the oil is changed and making sure that your tires are fully inflated and don’t have any defects. If you are unsure as to where you can find the information for how much air you should have in your tires, this information can be found by opening up your driver’s side door. The information is usually printed along the inside of the door. You can also find out the information for vehicle tire pressure as well as other pertinent information regarding your vehicle by looking inside of your vehicle’s driver’s manual (which is usually located inside of your glovebox).

The last thing that you want to decide when planning a long road trip is to decide on what time you want to leave as well as on what day. Depending on where you are going, you may want to give yourself a few days to plan out a driving route. These days, many people rely on a GPS unit or some other mapping device that they can bring with them in their vehicles in case of emergencies. Another thing that you want to make sure of, however, is you should always bring an old-fashioned paper map with you just in case. Even though technology is greatly advanced nowadays, there is still the possibility that it will fail. In the event that this happens, you will be glad that you have a backup map on deck just in case you are lost or need to figure out an alternate route for getting around road delays.

Finally, depending on the time of day that you decide to leave, you may hit more or less traffic, which can delay you getting to your final destination by minutes or sometimes hours. Also, depending on when you leave, you may have to go to bed early in order to wake up earlier. There are also hidden dangers in leaving at certain times of the day or night. For instance, if you leave on a Friday night at 12 midnight, then you may be dealing with adverse conditions such as drunk drivers and wild animals such as deer, who may run across the road unexpectedly. So, the next time you are getting ready for a long trip, make sure that you check your vehicle over; get plenty of rest the few days leading up to the the day that you leave so that you are well rested, and make sure that you have an extra paper map in case you need to map out a different route.

Here is a list of useful items to take camping with you; it is by no means exhaustive so have a think about it yourself. That said, these are some essentials which could really help you along the way.Lint

Tumble dryer lint is by the far the easiest and quickest way of starting a fire, better than twigs, wood chips or paper. Being able to get a fire started while you are camping can make a big difference, so even if you don’t have any lint, be sure to take some firelighters, matches or at least a lighter.

Foldable furniture

If you plan to spend a lot of time sat around the campfire, it is a great idea to bring along some foldable chairs. They travel light, and mean you can enjoy the campsite in comfort. Instead of perching, squatting, getting stung and bitten by insects, you can recline in front of the fire. Most of these foldable chairs even have a coaster, meaning you can rest your warm drink on your chair while you lean forward to toast a marshmallow.

Foldable tables are also a great idea, allowing you a little bit of luxury out in the wilderness; the chance to eat a meal at a table. It’s also a great way to keep your food away from the creepy crawlies.

Shower shoes

It can be a good idea to take an old pair of sandals, flip flops or slippers to wear which you don’t mind getting wet and/or muddy. These are perfect shoes to wear in the shower, as they are for slipping on when one needs to use the toilet late at night.

Tent

Pretty obviously you’re going to need something to sleep in, and a tent is usually the lightest, most convenient solution. There’s a million tents available, in all shapes and sizes, but the important thing is to remember to bring one!

Sleeping bag

Unless you plan on turning camping into a regular activity, don’t bother investing in the high-end sleeping bags you will see advertised. If you are camping in the Antarctic or joining the army, then maybe these are appropriate. However, for an authentic camping experience, it is important to use that smelly sleeping bag you have had for years. As long as it’s long enough to cover your body and you have a hat to warm up should the temperature drop, any old sleeping bag will do.

Whether it be on a vacation to your favorite resort, or just
visiting the in-laws for the weekend, many people are choosing to
take their dogs with them when traveling. Land or air, there are many things to take into consideration. The best advice is simply, be prepared. Below are some great tips for traveling by
air and land.

Tips on preparing rover for air travel

Unless your dog is a frequent flyer, air travel is likely to be a very stressful experience, so you might want think twice about subjecting them to the friendly sky . Each airline is going to have their own set of rules for traveling pets. Be sure to know the details prior to making any arrangements.

Have your vet sign a document (health certificate), stating that your dog is healthy, and free of disease.

Make sure he is up-to-day with a flea tic program

Do not feed your pet within 6 hours (some wait even longer) prior to  departure. And no water 2 hours before takeoff.

Make sure you have proper identification tags on him. This includes his name, and ALL your information…address phone number

You MUST provide an adequate crate for you dog to travel in. The crate must be big enough rover to stand in, free of any “debris,”and strong enough to withstand the rigors of travel. Be sure to check with your airline for more specific requirement.

Attach a note to the crate stating your dogs feeding and water requirements in the event that your flight is delayed or diverted.

Carry a photograph of your dog incase he is accidentally lost. Finding your dog will be a lot easier for everyone, If you have a picture. Traveling by car
keep your dog leashed whenever possible.

Pack ID and a photo. Make sure your rover has his ID tags, with all  important contact information (up to date). Along with his tags, make sure you have paperwork with current vaccinations and important health notes.

Book your lodgings ahead. If your road trip involves staying overnight somewhere, insure that your accommodations allow dogs.

Is your dog ready for a long trip? If your dog is not use to long road trips it might be a good idea to get him accustomed to being in the car longer than a trip to the grocery store..

Keep your dog cool. If you don’t have air conditioning in the car, make sure you have a window down to let in fresh cool air. Traveling with your four legged pal makes a great trip even better. If you follow these basic guideline and educate yourself on rules and regulations for traveling and  accommodations you will have a great memory of your trip, that will last a lifetime.

In the United States alone, over 60 million households have one
or more pets. Pet owners in 15 million of those households
travel with their pet, and the majority stay in pet-friendly
lodging. Fortunately, pet friendly hotels, condos and vacation
home rentals do exist. If you will be traveling with your pet,
here are some pet friendly tips to remember for safe and trouble-
free travel.

1 – When you make your reservation, double-check that pets are
allowed. An important advantage of reserving online is that you
can see – in writing – whether or not pets are permitted and any
restrictions. Online, you can print out your reservation receipt
that includes the “pets allowed” information. Verbal
reservations leave more room for misunderstanding and
miscommunication. If reserving by telephone, ask the reservation
person to mail you a confirmation receipt that includes the “pets
allowed” information.

2 – Is your pet an experienced traveler? If not, you should
begin getting your pet more accustomed to traveling. Begin by
making your car a fun place for your pet. Get in the car with
them, play with them, give them a treat – have them enjoy being
there with you. Then take a short drive with them. Gradually
increase the length of time and distance that you drive with
them. Before making a long trip with your pet, the idea is to
have them comfortable with being in the car for extended periods
of time.

3 – Remember that securing your pet while traveling in the car is
crucial for their safety and yours. Consider purchasing a dog
safety harness for your pet to use while traveling in the car.
If you have a station wagon or SUV, you can purchase a vehicle
barrier that keeps your pet confined to the rear area. They are
usually sold at pet stores or are available online.

4 – Be sure that your pet has an identification tag and wears it
while on the trip. The tag should have your pet’s name, your
name and phone number. If possible, use your cell phone number,
a home number and the number of where you will be staying.

5 – Carry a photograph of your pet with you on your trip. If
your pet should ever become lost, you’ll be able to show others
exactly what your pet looks like instead of just relying on a
verbal description.

6 – Check with your vet for any recommended vaccinations
appropriate for your trip – exposure to ticks while hiking,
exposure to other dogs while boarding or heartworm prevention if
your dog will be exposed to mosquitoes are examples of important
preventative measures to take before your trip. If your pet is a
dog, have an up-to-date rabies tag for your dog’s collar. If you
decide to day board your dog while on vacation, you may be
required to show paperwork proof of the rabies vaccination.

7 – Once you arrive at the pet friendly lodging, inform the
check-in person that you have your pet. You can inquire if there
are any restricted areas where your pet should not be taken. Pet
friendly lodging staff should be very accustomed to answering
these kinds of questions and will appreciate your awareness.

8 – In your hotel room, condo, cabin rental or vacation home
rental – never let your pet use the furniture or beds to sit, lay
or sleep on unless you’ve covered the furniture or bed with your
own cover. Place your pet’s food and water containers on a mat
or newspaper in the bathroom, where cleanup will be easier. When
staying in pet friendly accommodations, you may choose to feed
your pet outdoors.

9 – If you’ll be leaving your pet alone in the room or vacation
rental, make sure the front desk or rental agent knows. Be sure
that you leave your pet secured in their travel container or
crate if housekeeping staff will be entering the room at any time
to clean. You certainly don’t want a housekeeper to enter and be
surprised or even attacked by your pet! A pet may also run out
of the room when housekeeping enters if left unsecured.

10 – Be very careful in warm or hot weather with leaving your pet
in the car. Even when the outside temperature is only in the
70’s or 80’s, the interior of a vehicle can reach 100 degrees and
higher, especially when parked in the sun. It doesn’t take long
at these temperatures to cause serious or even fatal harm to your
pet.

Traveling with pets and staying in pet friendly lodging can be
lots of fun – after all, your pet is part of your family too.
Just using common sense and planning ahead makes for an enjoyable
and surprise-free vacation.

Washington D.C. is the capital of United States. It is one of the most targeted cities to the travelers. So whenever you go in United States. For better enjoyment you must see the 10 attractions while traveling to Washington D.C. which are given below. 

White House is the official residence and principal workplace of the President of the United States. It was built between 1792 and 1800 of white-painted Aquia sandstone in the late Georgian style. Public tours of the White House are available but need to submit Requests through one’s Member of Congress and are accepted up to six months in advance. 

Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden is a most visited place of travelers. It is an art museum the National Mall, in Washington, D.C. It was initially opened during the 1960s with the permanent art collection Joseph H. Hirshhorn. 

Library of Congress is the oldest federal cultural organization in the United States. It is the research library of the United States Congress. It is renowned as the largest library in the world by shelf space and holds the largest number of books.�
National Building Museum is a large museum in Washington D. C. It is a museum of “architecture, design, engineering, construction, and urban planning. It was created by an act of Congress in 1980. It is a non Govt. organization. So you can spend some times in here for your recreation.

United States Holocaust Memorial Museum (USHMM) is the United States’ official memorial to the Holocaust.  USHMM provides for the documentation, study, and interpretation of Holocaust history. It is one the most visited place here. So don’t miss it in Washington D. C.

Constitution Gardens is an area of 50-acre is located between the Lincoln  Memorial and the Washington Monument. It is a part of the National Mall. Every year millions of visitors come here. It is also the site of an annual naturalization ceremony for new U.S. citizens hosted by the National Park Service Washington Monument is built to honour the first U.S. President, General George Washington. It is both the world’s tallest stone structure and the world’s tallest obelisk. The Monument  stands due east of Pool and Lincoln Memorial.

National Gallery of Art is a national art museum in Washington, D.C. It was established in 1937 for the people of United States of America. It now opens to the public free of charge. It includes most arts of Leonardo da Vinci.

National Museum of the American Indian is a museum in Washington D. C. It is dedicated to the life, languages, literature, history, and arts of the native peoples of the Western Hemisphere. Its fantastic structure will attract you very tremendously. So don’t miss to travel here.

Smithsonian National Zoological Park is commonly known as the National Zoo. It is located in Washington , D.C. This zoo is free to entrance for public. You can enjoy here natural scenario as well as you can learn about wildlife. So You shouldn’t miss this opportunity.

Driving ?  Get packing !

The air in your car can become stale quickly. This is especially true in months when the weather tends to be wet and miserable. This can be changed with the installation of Side Window Deflector or a Vent Visor.

All window deflectors create a pocket of air between the deflector and the top of the window. This pocket serves as a low pressure area that actually creates suction which will actively pull stale air out of your cars interior.

Window deflectors give you the ability to roll down your windows down a few inches in any kind of weather. Even when it’s raining or snowing you will be able to roll down the windows and get some fresh air in your car when you need it the most.

They are also helpful for preventing the heat inside the car from creeping too high when it is parked. In cooler but rainy weather, you can take your dog with you to the store and still be able to roll the window down a few inches for your pet. The deflectors are made from virtually indestructible high impact acrylic. They are lightly tinted smoke to reduce sun glare. The installation is quick and simple, and you will get to enjoy having a window vent in your car.

This Vent Visor will channel water away from your window openings. Your interior will stay safe from stray drops of water, and you will be able to enjoy fresh air whenever you need it. Airborne dirt and debris that would normally fly into your car will be deflected away from your window opening.

Side window deflectors are available for cars, trucks, suvs, vans and mini vans. Installing your attractive new window deflectors is a simple task, requiring no tools. In a matter of minutes, you can enjoy fresh air in your car regardless of the weather this Window Vent is easy installation requires no tools, and no drilling.

The weather and roads are hard on our cars. But there is a handsome, functional accessory available to help you keep your car in top condition inside, outside and under the hood.

When you purchase side window deflectors  and enjoy the protection and comfort they provide, you will wonder why you never thought of  such a handy accessory before.

Today’s car is more than just a means of getting from one place to another, a car is like your home away from home. You journey to the market and back, to work and back, it seems to the ends of the earth and back. All of this driving and sun exposure can damage the dash of your vehicle, drying it out and fading the color. Now, with a custom fit Dashmat Cover, you can protect your vehicle’s dashboard, while also keeping it clean and fresh looking.

Dash Mat Covers Protect Your Investment

 Dsh Mats covers keep dust and dirt off your dashboard, providing a cleaner look, and trapping allergens in the fibers, so they do not remain air born. Custom cut dash mat covers protect the dash against fading from the suns harsh rays, keeping your vehicle showroom new, which can help you get more for your car at trade-in time. This handsome accessory helps maintain a more constant temperature, as their fibers do not harbor extreme cold and heat like dashboards do. They also stop glare from the sun from bouncing off the dashboard. The dashmat cover is the perfect accessory to keep your car neat, clean, and protected.

Dashmats Cover Up Blemishes, Making Your Car Look Better

Not only do dash mat covers protect a nice car, but they can give new life to an older car, by covering cracked, damaged, and faded dashes. Dashmats look good, and are a fun and unique accessory to any model of car, truck, or van. Custom cut to fit nearly every vehicle make and model, you always have a perfect fit. Available in a variety of colors, and in textures such as carpet, velour, and suede, there is a Dashmat cover for any taste, any style, and any car.

We know that you will find just the Dash Mats from a selection of materials and colors to compliment and protect any vehicle.

Seats occupy most of the space inside your vehicle. The quality of comfort and pleasure inside your car is directly proportional to the quality of your seats. If the seats are soft, cozy, and elegant, you can expect desired pleasure of riding. Are you keen to have such a look and feel inside your vehicle and looking for the reliable seat covers? Well, with the custom tailored auto accessories such as Neoprene seat covers, you can expect soft seats and desired appeal inside your vehicle.

Seats of your car are exposed to varieties of hazards and abuses. While dust, spills of beverages, remains of edibles, pets, kids, UV rays etc, make your original upholstery unpleasant, friction is the biggest culprit that wreaks havoc on your seats. If not protected with the effective seat covers, such hazards and abuses will destroy your car seats making them discolored and unpleasant.

The spoiled seats look unpleasant and feel uncomfortable. However, you can easily safeguard your original upholstery against such seat-destroying elements. The custom seat covers such as Neoprene Seat Covers provide optimum protection and elegant appeal to your original upholstery. What makes Neoprene seat covers effective and reliable?

There are certain aspects that determine the ultimate effectiveness of the seat covers you get that include snug fitting and complete covering; breathability; color fastness; greater strength; and soft touch among others.

Neoprene car seat covers are custom tailored auto accessories. The seat covers are prepared keeping the specifics of your car make and model and fit right. Prepared using the strong CR-grade Neoprene material, the auto accessories display greater strength, excellent color fastness, soft touch, and elegant look.

The strong car seat covers are available for most of the car makes and models. Whether you want Honda seat covers, Mercedes Benz seat covers, Toyota seat covers, Acura seat covers, Jeep seat covers, or seat covers for any other vehicle, Neoprene seat covers are available to choose from.

The elegant auto accessories are available in an impressive range of vibrant colors. So, get the custom made Neoprene seat covers of your choice and add zing to your interiors.

Scott’s Automotive, Inc. and its automotive mechanics provide its clients and other readers with free advice on automotive maintenance procedures that are necessary for summer. These tips are published as a public service in the auto service company’s website. They include simple maintenance procedures which even the vehicle owners themselves can do at home, as well as more complex maintenance procedures and diagnostic check ups that are best done only by qualified and highly skilled automotive mechanics who have undergone proper training and certification.

Maintenance procedures, if properly observed, lower the possibilities for mechanical failure and vehicle breakdown. This, in turn, lessens the need for car repair. Not only does it save the owner money in the here and now but it also extends the useful life of the vehicle and keeps it resale value significantly higher.

In summer, vehicles need more care. The previous winter has already punished the vehicle body and its parts with freezing temperatures ad, possibly, ice and snow on the roads. By summer, the other extreme occurs. The vehicle is subjected to intense heat, a lot of dust and the inevitable traffic jams that impose stop-and-go driving. Such extremes can create conditions that cause vehicle malfunction.

Because of the soaring temperatures, auto AC repair is often the most common service required in summer. Without proper maintenance all year round, a vehicle’s air conditioning operating system is more prone to break down exactly when it is needed most. You should, therefore, have your vehicle’s air conditioner regularly checked and maintained by your automotive mechanic even before and beyond summer. This will lessen your need for auto AC repair.

The vehicle’s engine and transmission are also vulnerable to overheating in the heat of summer. The vehicle’s cooling system has to be completely flushed and refilled every two years. Even much more frequently, though, your automotive mechanic should check the level, condition and concentration of your vehicle’s coolant, as well as its hoses, clamps and drive belts.

Your vehicle’s oil, oil filter, air filter, fuel filter and other filters should be checked and changed according to the instructions in your vehicle owner’s manual. If you are, however, in the habit of making frequent short trips or long trips with heavy loads, especially on very dusty roads, these check ups and changes should be done even more frequently. Immediately contact and consult your automotive mechanic once you notice any problem in engine performance such as stalling, rough idling and hard starts. Do the same once you notice any changes in the performance of your vehicle’s brakes.

Take care of your vehicle’s battery by regularly cleaning off its surfaces, removing any corrosion on on battery posts and cable connections, and tightening connectors. Remember never to touch battery corrosion and battery acid. Wear rubber gloves and eye protection for your safety.

Keep all parts of your vehicle always clean and immediately replace any damaged or worn parts such as windshield blades and light bulbs. The windshield washer solvent container should always be filled.

Regularly check the pressure on all your tires and the wear on their treads and sidewalls, preferably monthly. If your vehicle tends to pull to one side and its treads show uneven wear, have the tires realigned. Every 5,000 miles, have your tires rotated.

Always make sure you have everything needed for an emergency, especially before a long drive. Recheck the tires’ pressure and condition. Carry a spare tire, jack and all other tools necessary for troubleshooting, including a flashlight, a first aid kit, flares and, of course, your cellphone.

These auto service maintenance tips from Scott’s Automotive, Inc. will protect your vehicle in summer and lower your car repair expenses.