Camping in Texas | Lake Palestine Resort

Easy Camping Desserts for the Whole Family

May 26, 2018 by lakepale_kLz9Xky

There’s no reason to give up delicious desserts when you’re camping. You can feed a crowd with little more than a few ingredients and a nice, hot fire. We found some you might like to try the next time you’re camping with us.

Image Source: Mother Nature Network

Blueberry Cobbler – You can use a disposable aluminum pan or make this in your Dutch Oven. Either way it is absolutely delicious. You’ll need some tasty blueberries, sugar, flour, and canned biscuits. That’s it! Once you add them all together you have a real crowd-pleaser.

Camp Tiramisu – Oh, this is so, so good. You can make some of it ahead and bring it to camp in plastic bags. You’ll need instant espresso powder, a smidge of Kahlua, instant white chocolate pudding mix, powdered milk, a dozen or so ladyfingers, and a dark chocolate bar.

Skillet Cookies – You can use your trusty cast iron pan for this and make one big cookie for the whole group. You’ll be mixing butter, brown sugar, white sugar, eggs, vanilla, flour, quick oats, salt, soda, and chocolate chips.

These are some camping desserts to get you started. You can find many more at 11 “To Die For” Camping Recipes. We hope your camping is as sweet as your desserts.

Container Gardens for Campers

May 19, 2018 by lakepale_kLz9Xky

Many people like to bring their love of plants and home-grown vegetables along with them when they are camping. It’s easy enough to do these days and provides an additional sentiment of “home” while they are away.

Deciding on the size and style of pot you want to use as a starting point. There are many available from plastic to ceramic and each has features to consider. Plastic pots tend to be lighter so they’re not as challenging to carry in and out of the RV but they may not last as long. Long-term exposure in sun can deteriorate the plastic. Clay pots work well though they are a little heavier than the plastic. They might break easier and you need to be sure the interior of the clay pot isn’t coated with a chemical of any kind.

If you want to have green plants in your container garden there are many varieties to choose from. You may want small pots with variegated plants in them or a large pot with a taller plant that has larger leaves. For vegetables, the preferred plants that people typically choose are small and not likely to grow long vines. You could plant potatoes, tomatoes, carrots, or small pepper plants. You might avoid vine growing plants such as cucumbers and squash.

Herbs are another favorite of RV years for container gardening. It’s wonderful to have a fresh supply of herbs for your campground cooking and salads right at your fingertips. Good choices are basil, chives, sage, parsley, or coriander.

We want your vacation time to be pleasant and relaxed and for some campers that means being able to work in their garden. If that applies to you then try container gardening as you travel in your RV.

Some Helpful Items to Bring for the Kids

May 12, 2018 by lakepale_kLz9Xky

If you have children in your home you have probably customized your environment for everyone from the infants to the teens. You may have step stools, booster chairs, and other items to help them be a part of the family gatherings. There are a few things you can bring along on your camping trip to make things easier for all of you as well. Some are useful and some are fun.

These Washi Tape Walking Sticks are a big hit with the kids. They can help make them and each can customize their own. Get them involved in making them and they will love using them as you take a hike with the family. The walking sticks are as useful as they are cute because they can assist those little legs on the trip.

They’ll love this Crank Lantern and you won’t have to be concerned about batteries or having an electrical outlet. The kids will enjoy helping to keep it cranked up to illuminate your way in the dark.

This Hanging Closet Organizer will help you keep the kids clothes up off the floor. Each child can have their own shelf and can also use it to hold the treasures they collect along the way. It’s easy to store and very light weight.

We’ve seen a lot of portable cots for kids lately and parents seem to like them quite a bit. The kids think they are cool and most are made to collapse and pack away in a few simple motions. They can hold up to 100 lbs. and will keep the little ones up off the floor.

You can see some more ideas for making your camping trip a big success for you and the whole family at 14 Must-Haves for Camping with Kids. Sometimes one or two specialty items can make the most difference in convenience for all.

There is Nothing Like That Morning Cup of Coffee at the Campground

May 5, 2018 by lakepale_kLz9Xky

You can smell it wafting all through the campground beginning very early in the morning. That rich, fragrant aroma of the campers’ first cup of coffee. Some like it bold and others like it sweetened with flavored creamers. We’ve seen every type of coffee maker you can imagine over the years.

Back in the day it was either the good old percolator or the trendy new Mr. Coffee maker and that was about it. Do you remember the sound of the coffee perking and bubbling over the campfire? Kids especially are fascinated with how those percolators worked. Plenty of campers still use them today. In fact, some people have had theirs for decades and treasure them. Today is different, though, and there are as many ways to make your morning camping coffee as there are campers.

You may want to bring a single serving Keurig type machine or one of the new easy espresso makers. It could be as simple as a coffee “teabag” or even a spoonful of instant coffee in hot water. To each his own when it comes to the flavors and forms of that morning coffee as you wake up at the campground. We want you to have your coffee and drink it too when you’re here. We love knowing you’re sharing those few moments with the people who matter most to you and you are starting your day out on the right foot.

And if you’re not a coffee person we’re all for seeing you enjoy your tea, juice, soda, or whatever you like to get your camping day started off on the right foot. You waited long enough for this vacation and we want it to be good from the moment you open your eyes to the moment you drop off to sleep every day you’re here.

Call us to make a reservation. We look forward to seeing you here in 2017.

Camping Friends You Haven’t Met Yet

April 28, 2018 by lakepale_kLz9Xky

Campers are, by nature, friendly people. They are more likely than the general public to wave as you pass by their campsite, say hello to you in the store, and offer help when they see you struggle with something.

We love seeing those of our campers who met each other here in the campground and have now been friends for years. Over time they have begun to look forward to each other’s arrival and it’s fun to watch them laugh and hug when they see each other again. Soon they are catching up over a meal or a campfire and updating each other on who got engaged, married, had a baby, graduated, or unfortunately, fell ill.

Many of them don’t stay in touch when they go back to their “real lives” or only on Facebook or Instagram. When they see each other in the summer, though, you’d think they were best friends and had known each other forever. We love when that happens. And when they call to make their reservation and check to be sure the others have made theirs, we just have to smile. Camping families are not fair weather families. They are extended families that really matter to each other. They laugh together, cry together, and are sad when they have to part but time disappears when they are together.

We just consider ourselves lucky to be able to experience it and a lot of those families feel like family members to us, too. We can’t wait to see you all and hear what’s been going on in your life since you were here last.

Amish Onion Patties for the Win

April 21, 2018 by lakepale_kLz9Xky

If you’ve ever tried to make your own onion rings you know it can be time consuming and messy. Most recipes call for dredging the onion rings in seasoned flour, an egg mixture, and then in bread crumbs. By the time you finish this process your fingers and the counter can be quite a mess.

These Amish Onion Patties will taste like your beloved onion rings and are easy enough to make right at the campsite. You’ll be mixing up some flour, sugar, cornmeal, baking powder, salt, milk, and a whole lot of chopped onions. You can drop these by spoonful into some hot oil and let them cook until nice and brown. You’ll have a new dinner favorite that is crispy on the outside and creamy on the inside without much work at all.

Image Source: Group Recipes

It can be challenging to know what to cook when you are camping. You may start to miss some of your favorites from home. With just a little ingenuity you can create something just as appealing that is easy to make when camping. These fill the bill when you’re hungry for onion rings and need to make enough for a group of people.

We look forward to seeing you around the campground this year so make your reservation soon. We’re looking forward to your visit.

The Basics of a Good Granola You Can Make Yourself

April 14, 2018 by lakepale_kLz9Xky

Kids play hard when they’re camping and that means they get hungry, a lot! You can provide a healthy snack for them that won’t ruin their dinner by offering them some of your homemade granola.

Photo Source: Epicurious

The best granola comes from the list you keep in your head of what foods your family likes best. There really is no limit to the variety of granola you can make at home with just a little experimentation. Cook up a batch or two before your trip and bring it along with you. The kids will enjoy the snack and they may not even know it’s good for them.

The basic recipe for granola is 6 parts dry ingredients to 1 part wet ingredients. You toss it all together until well coated and spread on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Spread the granola out well so it will cook evenly and then bake at 300 degrees for 30 minutes.

You’ll need to begin with oats as the base of your dry ingredients but the rest can be whatever you choose. Some ideas for adding flavor and personality to your granola are nuts, seeds, and other grains that you like. You can add coconut flakes, chocolate chips, or dried fruit. For a nice ratio of ingredients you can combine 1 part oats, 1 part nuts, 1 part seeds, and 1 part anything else you love.

Combine your wet ingredients separately and add them to the dry. This can be coconut oil, olive oil, grapeseed or canola oil. Sweeten it to taste with your favorite sugar or syrup. Then season it with vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, or any spices you choose. Be sure to add a little salt to balance things.

Spread it on a cookie sheet and bake. Let it cool on the counter and put it in sealed bags for your camping trip. It’s really that easy to make and take for your next camping adventure. You can read the details for making your own granola at Granola is Better and Easier to Make Without a Recipe.

Essential Tent Camping Checklist

April 7, 2018 by lakepale_kLz9Xky

Making a checklist before you load up your car is one of the most critical parts of planning a camping trip. You are roughing it, and so, you should focus on taking along the essentials. Unfortunately, many people, particularly the novice campers do not know what the essentials are and end up carrying unnecessary items or forget the crucial ones. In this brief post, we are going to mention some of the most important things to include in your next tent camping checklist.

Tent
This is the first thing to include in your checklist. Before you leave, practice setting it up and taking it down. This will ensure that you have all the parts.

Sleeping Bags
You will also need a sleeping bag and a pillow. If you are able to bring your car, you can consider a sleeping pad, air mattress or cot.

Food and Cooking Equipment
Food is essential and so is cooking equipment. Consider a camp stove and a cooking pot and if you are backpacking, consider foods that will not spoil and are easy to carry around. If you have the luxury to bring a cooler, pack your favorite meals and drinks as well.

Water
You should have a way to get fresh water, and that means carrying a water filter, particularly if you are backpacking. However, if you are going to a campsite where fresh water is provided, just bring some jugs.

Footwear and Clothing
This will vary depending on what you are doing but, it’s important to have at least one change of clothes, socks, regular shoes and hiking boots. Also, consider a jacket to keep you warm on cold nights.

Personal Supplies
This varies widely depending on your needs, but you’ll certainly need some personal items to keep yourself clean. Toothbrush, lanterns, money, ID, credit cards, first aid kit, rope and duct tape are some of the things you shouldn’t forget to include on your checklist.

How To Keep Bugs Away On Your Camping Trip.

March 31, 2018 by lakepale_kLz9Xky

The outdoors is a lovely place to be. This is why many people enjoy camping. However, there is the issue of bugs which can ruin your whole trip if you do not know how to handle it. Here are some tips on ensuring you have a bug-free camping trip.

Avoid Perfumes And Deodorized Lotion.
Bugs are attracted to sweet smells. This means that if your skin smells sweet, then you are likely to get bit a lot. To prevent this, pack mild deodorant and odorless lotion or jelly for your trip. This will ensure your skin stays soft while keeping the bugs at bay.

Wear Long Sleeves.
Even when you have no perfume to attract the bugs, they may end up biting you if they have access to your arms and legs. This is why it is advisable to wear long-sleeved t-shirts and ensure that you have covered your legs properly. If it is too hot then you can wear light materials or lace.

Buy Bug Repellent Cream Or Spray.
You should invest in a good bug repellent cream or spray to keep the bugs away from your skin. Ensure that you check online for the creams or sprays that have had the best reviews and purchase them. This should help you have a comfortable trip with no disturbances from bugs.

Light A Fire.
Instead of a flashlight which will most likely attract bugs at night, light a campfire.

In addition to all these, try applying garlic or coconut oil. They’re good natural bug repellents.

Handy Tips For Grill-Roasting Chicken While Camping

January 31, 2018 by Strait Web Solutions

When it comes to any camping adventure, chicken is always a winning option for a protein that can become the star of the show. Whether you want to roast chicken legs or a whole chicken, there are plenty of incredible recipes that you can use to wow all of the campers in your party. These are some helpful tips that you can keep in mind that will allow you to make delicious, flawless chicken every time.

Marinades

There are a number of marinades that you can either make yourself or you can buy in bottles that travel easily. Flavors like applewood, hickory, and mesquite make for a lovely way to enhance the finished product to blend perfectly with a campfire meal.

Parboiling

Whenever possible, parboil some of the chicken pieces before you leave for your camping trip until they reach a temperature of 175 degrees. You can then package and chill the meat so that everything is cold to travel and ready to go when you hit the campsite. Parboiling is a nice way to have foolproof chicken that will grill even faster for you when it is ready to cook.

Kabobs

Using the skewer method to make kabobs is a wonderful way to please a number of tastes while also making your life easier as a cook. You can have a number of flavors and vegetables mixes with your chicken pieces to create a bit of variety and this is a fun way to grab a skewer to eat without needing utensils. In addition to the taste and convenience, using metal skewers for your kabobs will also help you to cook the food a bit faster over the flame.

Mind Your Sauces

You need to keep in mind that any barbecue sauce that contains sugar will burn over the grill rather quickly. Remember not to brush the chicken with any sweetened sauces until they are at least halfway done.

Whether you have yourself and one other person to feed or there is a whole group that you are cooking for while camping, chicken is an excellent option that is also extremely versatile. These helpful tips are a great way to make sure that each chicken dish you make is a memorable one on your camping adventure.