Camping Essentials For Beginners

Being equipped with camping essentials can make your trip and time in the great outdoors a lot less stressful and more enjoyable. Whether you are a seasoned camper or a first-timer, make sure to not leave your home without these essential camping items.

Water Bottle

Having a water bottle while camping, or being outdoors in general, is super important. Check out this list of the best water bottles for the outdoors to keep you from longing for a sip of water when heat or exhaustion hits. Having water purification tablets or a filter with you when exploring is also smart in case you run out of fresh water and need to drink from an open water source.

First Aid Kit

It is always important to bring a first aid kit along while camping to tend to any minor bumps or cuts. Long days of hiking can lead to blisters. Climbing through brush and nature can leave you scraped up. Your first aid kit should include scissors, gauze, bandages, a CPR mouth barrier, and a whistle. Bringing a flare or flare gun is another smart item to bring along in case you become lost. Need help finding the best kit for your camping supplies? These are a few of the best first aid kits on the market!

Pocket Knife

A pocket knife is the ultimate tool to have with you in the outdoors. They can be used to cut rope or fishing line, open sealed packages and even assist in meal preparation. A small knife comes in handy when you least expect it, and be your savior in many unpredictable situations. Check out this list of some of the best pocket knives for sale that you should carry with you.

Tent

Even if you are traveling in an RV, having a tent is always handy because you never know when adventure may strike. Tent camping is often a cherished memory amongst families with small kids. Be sure to bring along the necessary tent accessories such as poles, ropes, and stakes. To protect yourself from exposure to low temperatures and pesky bugs, you might also benefit from a sleeping bag. Take a look at these top-selling camping tents and high-quality sleeping bags.

All-Weather Clothing

When you’re camping or on a short, weekend outdoors trip, you might only have a few pairs of clothes to wear. Clothing that is equipped for several weather conditions is smart, preparing you for rain, heat, snow or any other condition that may get thrown at you while in the great outdoors. When choosing a rain jacket to pack, make sure it is lightweight because wet gear can be very heavy to carry in a backpack. Need help finding the best all-weather clothing? Here is the best all-weather clothing for your next camping trip.

Flashlight

The campfire might be bright but doesn’t allow you to illuminate your paths and surroundings. A flashlight not only keeps you safe while moving through the dark but also can be handy for other occasions. Your best flashlight option for camping should be battery-powered with a bright wide beam of light. You can also bring a headlamp with you for hands-free convenience and functionality. Check out this list of some of the best quality and affordable flashlights.

As you gear up for your next camping trip, consider bringing one or all of these items with you. You never know what will get thrown your way while out on the road. It is always better to be safe than sorry when being out in nature with your friends and family. Happy camping!

10 Stops on Route 66 in Illinois

The state of Illinois is known for many things like the city of Chicago and turning the river green for Saint Patrick’s Day, but did you know they also have a ton of cool Route 66 stops? Next time you are driving through the Prairie State, be sure to check out one or all of these awesome stops along the Mother Road. 

360 Chicago

360 ChicagoFormerly The John Hancock Observatory, 360 Chicago is a 100-floor skyscraper in Chicago’s commercial district. Head up to their 94th-floor observation deck to see exhibits on the city of Chicago and look at the maps that explain the view in each direction. There is also a special meshed-in area that allows visitors to feel the winds of the city 1,030 feet above ground level. If you are feeling brave, experience TILT which is an exhilarating downward view of Chicago.

Country Classic Cars

This stop on Route 66 started as a weekend hobby for a Midwest farmer. However, that changed when a piece of land on I-55, just off of Route 66, became available and Country Classic Cars was born. This is not only a large display of classic cars and trucks but is also a service area, showroom and historic gift shop.

Illinois State Capitol Building

Springfield, Illinois is a pilgrimage site for people who want to celebrate the life of Abraham Lincoln. This city is the location of Lincoln’s home and tomb as well as the location of the State Capitol building. This building is beautiful and is found in the heart of Springfield with free entry to visitors.

Lincoln’s Home

In 1844, Lincoln and his wife Mary Todd Lincoln purchased a home, and it was the only home that Lincoln ever owned. While living in the home, he was elected to the House of Representatives in 1846 and then President in 1860. The home, located in downtown Springfield, Illinois, has been restored to look just as it did in the mid-1800s and is open to the public for viewing. Tickets to the house are free on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Odell Station

This Odell Station opened in 1932 as a gas station but stopped serving gas in the mid-1960s. Serving a short period as a body shop in the ‘70s, the station has been restored by the Illinois Route 66 Association and their Preservation Committee as a popular stop along the famed highway welcoming all Route 66 travelers.

Henry’s Rabbit Ranch

Henry’s Rabbit Ranch is a tourist center on U.S. Highway 66, located in a replica of an old gas station featuring rusted gas pumps and over a dozen Volkswagen Rabbits. While visiting the center, you can check out Route 66 memorabilia and play with rabbits – the furry kind!

Route 66 Association Hall of Fame & Museum

The Route 66 Association Hall of Fame & Museum features thousands of artifacts and pieces of memorabilia including the bus and van of Route 66 artist and icon, Bob Waldmire. Stop in to learn the history of one of the most important highways in the U.S. and snap a picture in front of the largest Route 66 Shield mural painted on the back wall of the museum.

Navy Pier

Navy Pier is a 1000m long pier located along the Chicago shoreline of Lake Michigan. It has various attractions including sightseeing tours, dinner cruises, restaurants, shops, and fairground rides like the Centennial Wheel. The pier features a firework display on Wednesday and Sunday nights throughout the summer, and Friday and Saturday nights during the fall season.

Ambler’s Texaco Gas Station

This gas station has been identified as the longest operating gas station along U.S. Highway 66 dispensing fuel up until 1999 – 66 years of service! Ambler’s was the focal point of major restoration work from 2005-2007 and reopened as a Route 66 visitor’s center in May 2007. The community has done a fantastic job in restoring this gas station to its original glory and is staffed with knowledgeable volunteers.

The Muffler Men

The Muffler Men, previously used by businesses for promotional purposes, tower 14 to 25 feet tall alongside U.S. Highway 66 throughout Illinois. The Paul Bunyon Statue can’t be missed when driving past Atlanta, IL. The Gemini Giant stands alongside the Launching Pad Drive-In in Wilmington, IL. The Lauterbach Tire Man is found right outside Lauterbach Tires on Wabash Ave in Springfield. Keep an eye out for these 3 Route 66 icons!