You have spent weeks planning and packing for a great camping trip, just to arrive and find the campground packed full! You should have checked ahead if time and made a reservation. Seasoned campers are already aware of this and plan ahead. But, if you are new to camping or just camp once in a while, you should be aware that many campgrounds can fill up quickly.

We have our favorite campground and have a favorite campsite, problem is that it seems to be a favorite of many campers. Knowing this we try to plan ahead and make reservations as far in advance as possible. Having reservations avoids the hassle of driving around and around trying to find a suitable spot to setup camp. If you are going to a new campground try and research as much as possible to find a good site.

The following are some tips we use for making reservations:

• Plan as far in advance as possible
• Check on line for site photos and campground maps to help find the perfect site
• If you frequent the same campground get a map and make a list of sites you like, this helps avoid surprises
• Visit camping forums and ask what campsites are good and what campsites to avoid
• Scout ahead if possible

Tubing and canoeing has always been one of our favorite activities while camping. Having small children put a stop to the day long tube or canoe float. Wanting to get back on the river we decided that rafting would be a safe alternative to get us back on the water. After researching the prices the outfitters charge for rafts, we decided to purchase our own boat.
Doing what anyone else would do we turned to the internet and started doing research. We finally decided to purchase a inflatable raft from Sea Eagle. The raft of choice was the Sea Eagle 9 with the startup package. The start up package includes the boat, oar set, foot pump, high seat and rowing seat. We purchased directly from Sea Eagle and received free shipping on the entire package. Having small children on the raft we also decided to purchase the optional canopy to keep the little ones shaded during the trip. We hit a few snags during the ordering process, but there customer service is top notch and took care of our problem promptly.

Once the raft arrived we opened up the packaging and found everything to be in perfect condition. The raft has five separate chambers made from 38 mil polykrylar, and I must say this material feels very strong. The raft weighs in at 38 lbs. and is very easy to carry. Wanting to get a feel for everything prior to hitting the river we followed the instructions to inflate the boat. Using the foot pump was very fast and the deluxe valves made the inflation process painless. Once inflated the children got in for a closer inspection and it of course passed. Take down was just as fast using the deluxe valves, following the directions the raft folded up very nicely.

The real test came in July when we took the raft to Jacks Fork river in southern Missouri. After shuttling vehicles around we set up the raft for our trip which was an 8 mile float from Alley Springs to Emminence. Again set up fast and uneventful and we set out on our trip. The Jacks Fork river is somewhat shallow this time of year so dragging was definitely an issue. The raft handled the river rocks and the stray tree stumps without suffering any damage. The canopy was a great add-on as it kept the front passenger in the shade and out of the cold rain that caught us about 1 mile from the take out point. We also managed to hit a few low hanging trees with the canopy and it made it through without damage.

The Sea Eagle 9 also has a motor-mount option that allows the use of up to a 4 hp gas motor. Wood floorboards are also available to allow a fisherman to stand in the boat. Overall I would say the SE 9 is a great value for the weekend rafter. I would not hesitate to purchase another boat from Sea Eagle. They also have inflatable kayaks, yacht tenders and small sailboats.

It won’t be long before the leaves begin to change and temperature drops, but that should not stop you from camping. Camping in the fall is very enjoyable and can be a whole new experience. Many things change during the fall. The trees begin to change, the animals prepare for the winter and most notable the temperature begins to fall. When packing for a fall trip care must be taken to bring the appropriate clothing and bedding. Shorts and t-shirts may be comfortable during the day, but as the sun begins to set the temperatures can drop by 30 degrees or more. Taking care to pack long pants and jackets is very important to insure a fun filled trip. Bedding is another area that must be addressed. While packing for the trip make sure to include extra covers or sleeping bags. When you think you have packed enough add one more just to be sure, you can always remove layers if needed.

Activities also change this time of year as swimming gives way to hiking or biking. Taking a little time to plan ahead will make for a wonderful trip. Research the area where you will be camping and find out what activities are available. Many parks and campgrounds offer special programs in the fall, these can be very fun especially if you have little ones coming along. Be sure to bring along the camera, as the fall foliage can make for some very spectacular photos. Last but not least have fun.