Cheerful Valley Campground

Come Camping in New York’s Finger Lakes Region

1412 Route 14, Phelps, NY 14532, 315.781.1222    Email Us

Homemade Insect Repellant

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herbal insect repellentCamping trips, patio drinks, beach parties, and BBQs will expose you and your guests to numerous insects in the area. Most insects carry germs that could infect you during such occasions. That is why you need to have the right insect repellents to get rid of these unwanted pests. Most over-the-counter insect repellents are made of strong chemicals that are not good for your health and well-being over time. That’s why you need to make use of homemade insect repellents to get rid of these insects.
Essential oils are the most effective when it comes to repelling insects. Tea tree oil is great against ticks, deer flies, and chiggers. Lemon and eucalyptus are great against mosquitoes and black flies. Geranium and peppermint oil blended together is also an effective mosquito repellent.

You should not apply a full-strength essential oil directly on your skin. It should always be mixed with a carrier oil before rubbing on the skin. It is better to use one essential oil at a time when preparing the homemade insect repellent.

But if you plan to mix the scents, you should mix oils within the same scent family. For example, lemon and lemongrass go together while eucalyptus and lavender could be mixed together. Tea tree and clove oil should be used on their own. Lavender oil could also be mixed with rosemary and peppermint to make an insect repellent. These are very important things to consider when making your own homemade insect repellent.

We’ve seen an increase in the use of non-toxic oils for insect repellent lately and thought you’d like to give it a try.

Your Fur Kids Love Camping With You

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Pets at the campgroundEach year we see more and more campers bringing their beloved pets along with them on their camping vacation. It makes sense that they are members of the family and will get just as much enjoyment out of camping as you do. There are a couple of things you can do to help them navigate their way around an unfamiliar campground for the first time.

Keep them near you – They may be a little nervous when they see all the unfamiliar people and smell unfamiliar smells. If you keep them near you and try not to leave them alone on the campsite, they have a better chance of quickly becoming comfortable in their new surroundings.

Bring prescriptions – Make sure you bring plenty of their medications, both over the counter and prescriptions. Have a few days extra on hand just in case you decide you’d like to extend your stay or take your time going home. Having an extra few days worth will come in handy.

Food, Beds, and Toys – Bring as many of their familiar favorites from home as you can. It can be quite comforting for a pet who is nervous over their new surroundings to be able to snuggle into their own bed with their own toys.

These small things should help you get the most out of your camping trip for you and for your pets. We look forward to seeing you here this year.

Grilling Fruit & Veggies at the Campsite

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Juicy steaks, chicken, burgers, and hotdogs are great on the grill but you can make some delicious taste treats by grilling your fruits & veggies, too. They are a fresh option to add to a meal and it’s a good way to get the kids to get their fiber while they are here.

You can grill pineapple rings or peach halves and then serve them with cool and creamy vanilla bean ice cream. The heat from the grill will caramelize the fruit and make it even sweeter. You can grill them as is or, as is done in the video below, you can add balsamic vinegar, maple syrup, black pepper, vanilla, and apricot preserves. Doesn’t that sound delicious?

Kebabs are a way to grill your veggies and the kids love eating them off a stick. It’s just more fun that way. This recipe nice, fat mushrooms, sections of corn on the cob, and a variety of other veggies. Add some garlic, lemon, and lots of fresh herbs. It will be wonderful.

Fresh fruits and veggies will balance the other favorites on your camping menu and they are so easy to prepare and serve. We hope you’ll give them a try and we’re looking forward to seeing you here again soon.

Growing an RV Herb Garden

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RV herb gardenIf you have managed to master the skills needed to cook in your RV, why not incorporate fresh flavors into your meals with your own herbs grown inside your RV. Herb gardens are compact and very easy to maintain and care for which makes them an ideal option for just about any type of mobile home.

Choosing Your Herbs

Avoid the types of herbs that may grow too large to keep in small containers. Some of the preferred smaller options will include marjoram, basil, chives, thyme, oregano and rosemary.

Planting

Choose deeper pots that come with drainage holes situated at the bottom so that any excess water can easily drain away. Use a thin layer of tiny pebbles at the bottom and then add a good quality potting soil. From seeds to the point that they are ready to use in meals, growing herbs in your RV can take as little as 3 to 4 weeks.

You must make sure that you give your herbs enough water and that they are able to receive adequate sunlight in order to enhance the growing processes. From time to time you can consider organic fertilizer to make sure the herbs are receiving all the nutrients that they need for growth.

Pruning

When you regularly prune the herbs you are growing you offer the plant with the best way to grow vigorously into hardy specimens. Remember that the more that you are able to prune the more your herbs will grow.

To enjoy the most out of your herb garden make sure you frequently check on the soil and to ensure it does not dry out. Also try to ensure that your herbs are exposed to a minimum of 6 hours of sunlight every day.

One of the benefits of a RV herb garden is that it can easily be transported between your normal residence and the RV home between camping trips. Fresh herbs are a fantastic way to enhance your cooking skills especially when you are away from home.

Clothing to Protect You From the Sun

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sun protection clothing at campClothing is the very “first line” of defense against harmful ultraviolet rays from the sun that protects our bodies from blocking or absorbing this radiation. When outdoors on a camping trip the more you are able to cover your skin the better.

What Is UPF?

UPF is short for Ultraviolet Protection Factor and is an indication of the fraction of the UV rays is able to penetrate a fabric. For example, a shirt that has a UPF of 50 will allow only 1/50th of UV radiation from the sun to absorb into the skin.

Fabric Factors

Even when you wear clothing that covers every inch of the body, if the sun is able to get through, the clothing is not very useful. The fabrics are designed with many tiny fibers that are knitted or woven together. When looking through a microscope there are spaces between these fiber and this is where the UV rays can pass through the holes and reach your skin. The tighter weaves and knits mean smaller holes which mean less UV is able to pass through. The twill used in making denim or tweeds is examples of tightly woven fabrics.

When thinking about the clothes to wear for a camping trip keep in mind that synthetic fibers like acrylic, nylon, lycra and polyester are more protective options than lustrous or shiny semi-synthetic fabrics such as rayon or bleached cotton that reflect more of the UV rays than matte fabrics such as linen that absorb. Finally consider the density and weight of the fabric. Sheer and light silk gauze provides a lot less protection when compared to a cotton, heavier denim. Look out for the clothing items that have a minimum of UPF 30 and rather choose items of clothing that cover more of your skin.

Light and Tasty Camping Salads

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summer saladSummer will be back before we know it, so there’s no wonder many people are already planning their camping trips. Having a nice meal in the wilderness is among the favorite activities of most people. Whether you love hamburgers or you’d rather have some hot dogs, a light summer salad is always going to complement your outdoor meals. You can find here, below, two favorites to try on your next camping holiday.

Summertime Strawberry Jello Salad With Walnuts

Ingredients:
1 15 oz pineapple (canned, crushed)
1 pack of strawberry jello
1 small Cool Whip
1/2 cup walnuts (raw, chopped)
16 oz cottage cheese

Drain the crushed pineapple in a colander as much as you can.
Put the cottage cheese in a large bowl and mix it with the jello.
Add the Cool Whip and the pineapple, and mix everything very well.
Add the walnuts, stir some more, and then let the bowl set in the refrigerator for one hour.
You can either put your salad in a covered bowl or in several individual containers. Keep it in a cooler. you can serve this salad as a meal course or as dessert.

 

Ingredients:
1 pack rainbow rotini pasta, cooked as instructed on the label
1 pack broccoli (drained and cooked)
1/4 pound of salami (diced)
1/4 pound of provolone cheese (diced)
1/4 cup black olives (pitted, sliced)
1/2 cup parmesan cheese (grated)
1 pack Zesty Italian Dressing, prepared as per the instructions on the pack.

Put all ingredients in a large bowl, and mix them thoroughly. Add the dressing, and stir it in carefully, until you obtain a homogenous mix. You’ll obtain a light and delicious pasta salad that goes very well with any dish.

These are only two summer salad ideas. Try them, you’re going to love them! Your family and friends are going to love you, as well!

You Can Make Your Own Insect Repellent

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make your own mosquito repellentAny outdoors activity will expose you and guests to insects. This includes your camping trips, drinks out on the patio, parties at the beach and barbecues. Most of these insects have germs that can cause illnesses. For this reason, you’ll want to have plenty of insect repellent on hand during your outdoor activities. Most of the over the counter remedies have strong chemicals that aren’t good for your health or your body over the course of time. For this reason, you’ll want to make your own healthier versions of insect repellent. Here you’ll learn some very effective homemade insect repellent recipes.

There are some ideal essential oils out there that are very effective at repelling those vicious insects. Tea tree oil is one that works well against deer flies, ticks, and chiggers. If you’re out to alleviate black flies or mosquitos you’ll want to try some eucalyptus and lemon. Both of these work very well to help eliminate them. Another great remedy is peppermint oil and geranium oil blended together.

Never apply full-strength essential oil on your skin, it may burn your skin and cause a serious allergic reaction. Always mix it with a carrier oil prior to putting it on your skin. It’s far better to use one essential oil at a time as you prepare an insect repellent. If you’re going to mix the scents always choose essential oils that are from the same family. Lemon and lemongrass go well together as do lavender and eucalyptus. Tea tree oil and clove oil should always be used alone.

Another way to use lavender oil is to mix it with rosemary and peppermint oil to form your own version of an insect repellent. These are vital things to remember when you’re preparing your own versions of insect repellent.

Thus, your camping trips, barbecues and your parties on the beach or patio will be far more enjoyable when you employ these techniques to avoid insect bites. You’ll learn to mix and match your own preferred versions of these as you go. Just mix them in a spray bottle for best results.

Staying Cool in Warm Weather

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hot weather campingIt can be a challenge to stay cool when the weather is hot. Too much heat, during warmer weather, can lead to exhaustion, dehydration, heat stress, and even heat stroke. Here are some helpful tips that can be used to help you stay cool when the weather is hot.

Stay Hydrated – Water is essential for staying cool in warm or hot weather. It can help to cool your body and keep your tissues hydrated. Drink water on hot days, even if you don’t feel thirsty. Avoid sugary drinks and soda, as well as alcohol and coffee, because they can have a diuretic effect. Water is best for cooling off on hot days.

Consume Foods That Are Cooling – Foods can help keep you cool. Choose foods like fresh raw vegetables, fruits, and salads. Make an effort to eat smaller meals which can help keep your core temperature down. When you eat a large meal, your body has a hard time breaking it down, which can raise your body temperature. So, eat small means filled with cooling, fresh foods.

Plan Your Time in the Sun – Avoid doing outside activities during the peak time of the mid-day sun. That means you should limit your sun exposure between the hours of 10 am and 4 pm when the weather is warm or hot. If you must be outside at these times, limit your sun exposure, as much as possible. Children, the elderly, and people with sensitive skin should consider staying a cool area and limiting the amount of time they spend in the sun.

Here are some additional tips. Get to know your body and look for signs of overheating or heat exhaustion. Wear light-colored, protective clothes. And, make sure to drink lots of fluids, especially water. Following these tips will help keep your body healthy, happy, and cool, even on the hottest days of the year.

Easy Energy Bars for Camping Treats

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camping energy barsHave you recently been to a grocery store and priced out a box of energy bars? If you are outraged at the high price that is required for a few energy bars then you may want to consider making your own energy bars at home. In fact, not only will this save you money but it will be a great opportunity to spend some time with your children as they help you put together a variety of energy bar recipes.

One energy bar recipe that your kids will truly love is a peanut energy bar. A peanut energy bar is delicious and nutritious because it is packed full of seeds, nuts, fruit, and peanuts. It is a great grab-and-go breakfast alternative for parents and children who are on a busy schedule. The recipe requires peanuts, sunflower seeds, raisins, rolled oats, rice cereal, and wheat germ.

Another no bake energy bar that has delicious wholesome ingredients is the Mediterranean no bake energy bar. This energy bar is made with almonds, dried dates, spicy cinnamon, and flaxseeds. All you need for this amazing treat is a food processor. After you have mixed all of the ingredients in a food processor you can pour the mixture into a pan of your choice that is lined with wax paper. Press the mixture down into the pan, cover it with Saran wrap, and chill in the refrigerator until the mixture is hard.

A unique energy bar that will be a big sensation in your home is the pear and ginger energy bar. This energy bar requires one pear, fresh ginger, flour, dried dates, walnuts, sunflower seeds, and ground flaxseed. Once again you will need only a food processor. Do the same process as you would with the Mediterranean no bake energy bar. All of the above recipes can be made easily at home but you can also make an energy bar of your own design by simply using your imagination.

How To Protect Your Pets’ Paws When You’re Traveling In Your RV

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protect pets' pawsIf you have a pet, it’s very likely that he or she is a part of your family and often goes with you in your RV. However, your pet isn’t at home and can be at a higher risk for injury if you’re not being mindful of their paws.

To protect your pet’s paws ensure that you have some special paw pads available for those times that your pet may have to go outside but you’re not in an area that has softer grass or pavement.

Keep in mind, too, that pavement can get hot and burn your pet’s paws. Help your pet before you ever leave home by working with them to get used to paw protectors before the trip. This way, when you put them on during the trip your pet won’t mind wearing them.

Keep your pet on a leash at all times to ensure that they don’t run off into an area that could be potentially dangerous for their paws. Even the most well-behaved pet will sometimes run off in an unfamiliar area. Be sure to stay with your pet at all times when they are outside of your RV.

Always do a sweep of the campsite area before letting your pet out of the RV. Shards of glass and other sharp objects can seriously injure your pet’s paws. We work hard to make sure your site is clean as a whistle when you arrive but doing an extra look-around can’t hurt.

Keep a ground cover available for your RV so that when your pet emerges he or she will have something familiar to walk on.

Remove pet paw covers when your pet is inside of the RV and make sure that you teach your pet that these are for their safety and comfort. It will help you to protect them if they get into the habit of wearing these on their feet.