Canopies and Pop-Ups

Gathering up your family or friends and heading out on a fishing trip is one of the best ways to take a much-needed break from everyday life. Not only will you have a chance to connect with nature, but you’ll also enjoy the thrill and excitement of hooking a fish, as well as the peace and serenity that comes with enjoying a day on the water.

While single-day trips are fun, there’s nothing quite like spending several days on a fishing camping trip. This will give you plenty of time to spend on the water and a few nights to enjoy bonding around the campfire. As long as you take some time to fully prepare, nothing will ruin your good time.

Not sure how to plan your fishing trip? Check out our round-up of top tips and a list of important fishing trip essentials you won't want to leave home without. By the time you're done, you'll be planning trips like a pro.

If you’ve got a green thumb and you’re looking for a fun way to make some money, setting up a farmers market stand is a great idea! Fresh, locally grown produce is in high demand, and growing and selling your own food is incredibly rewarding.

Even if you don’t live on a large farm, you can still grow a wide variety of fruits and vegetables to sell at a farm stand. In fact, urban farming has become one of the hottest new trends. From hydroponic systems set up on rooftops to outdoor greenhouses, there are plenty of creative ways to get your garden growing.

Before you can start selling your goods, you’ll need to set up your space. Luckily, creating a roadside farm stand is a simple project that won’t cost you a ton of money. Here’s a look at some of the best farm stand ideas for setting up produce stands at outdoor markets.

First, Learn the Rules of Setting Up Produce Stands at Outdoor Markets

If you’re setting up afarm  stand at an established farmers market, check with them to make sure you understand all the rules before you get started. You’ll need to make sure they’ve approved the items you’re planning on selling and that the farm stand spac

No matter the season, an outdoor pop-up canopy is a must-have accessory for any outdoor adventure. Outdoor canopies for shade provide comfort, convenience, and most importantly protection from harmful UV-rays. It’s important to find a dependable product that fits your needs whether you’re on the go, on the job, or on vacation.

When deciding which outdoor pop-up canopy is right for you, first think about how much shade you need. Will you be covering a larger group, or just yourself and a friend? Then decide on other features like slant leg or straight leg options for a little extra strength. These shade solutions are versatile enough to bring just about anywhere. Here are 5 ways to use your shade canopy to transform your next trip outside.

1. Bring Shade to Any Backyard

While you may think an outdoor pop-up canopy is just for an exciting trip to the beach, remember to bring coverage from the sun on an average day in your backyard. Add outdoor canopies for shade while watching your family splash around in the pool or for a respite fro

There’s a big football game being played on Sunday, and there will be a championship feeling in the air. Whether your favorite team is playing, or you have no rooting interest at all, the best way to celebrate the day is with a small backyard homegate party!

While a tailgate party is an outdoor bash that takes place before a sporting event at the parking lot of a stadium, a homegate party that you hold in your backyard. A tailgate party will include a grill, a tailgate canopy, portable folding chairs, a sturdy but compact camping table, a trusty metal cooler, and plenty of food and drinks.

A homegate party gives you all the benefits of a tailgate without the added stress of gameday traffic, need to prep food the night before, or the need to pack your car or truck with tailgating gear. Additionally, homegating allows you to keep your party as intimate as you’d like. You can make it a family affair, or just invite the neighbors over for a pre-game meal.

While the big game atmosphere can make tailgating a unique experience, you can replicate the feel in your own backyard. In fact, when you’re homegating, you aren’t restricted to one or two parking spaces. You’ll have more room to set up tables and chairs, games like cornhole, and to generally just stretch out. Also, you’ll have the convenience of setting up and breaking down your backyard in your own time frame, and not when the stadium parking lot is open.

It doesn’t matter if you live in the cold Kansas City area, the warmth of the Tampa Bay area, or anywhere else in the United States. Even thought the 54 of the 55 of big championship football games have been played in warmer weather or indoor stadiums, it’s a sport that’s played in just about any weather. Those who tailgate at Kansas City games dress in layers to stay warm. Fans of the team in Tampa know how to stay cool under the blazing sun.

Whether you’re heading out to the big game or you’re hosting a backyard BBQ, having a tailgate tent or a pop-up canopy can make all the difference. This is one of the best ways to protect you and your guests from the elements and ensure everyone has a great time.

If you don’t already own a shade tent, you might wonder whether it’s really worth the effort and expense. The answer is a resounding yes! Once you have a portable shade solution, you’ll wonder why you didn’t get one sooner.

Still not convinced? Let’s take a look at the benefits of owning a tailgate tent, some fun ways to use them, and some of the most popular sizes and styles you can choose from.

 

Benefits of a Tailgate Tent

A pop-up canopy or shade tent will provide you with protection from the sun, rain, wind, and other elements. Since they come in a wide variety of sizes and styles, they’re very versatile. It’s also easy to find one that will fit your budget. If you choose a durable canopy from a reputable company – like ShelterLogic – you can use it season after season and have the confidence of knowing it will continue to look great and perform as it should.

Most pop-up canopies are lightweight, compact, and easy to assemble in just a couple of minutes – especially if you have a few people to help you. This makes it easy to take them with you when you go to football games, picnics in the park, and any other type of event where people gather. When tailgating in a parking lot, setting up a shade canopy will also mark your designated space. This can come in handy when you’re surrounded by other tailgaters or event attendees.

Can't go to the game, race, or concert? That doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the same tailgate party experience at home. here's what you need to make it happen

Every year, when Thanksgiving comes around, most of us spend a lot of time in the kitchen getting ready all the dishes that will leave us needing individual wheelbarrows to get us back to our beds at the end of the day. The main draw of the Thanksgiving meal is undoubtedly the turkey. That alone takes plenty of time, starting with picking it out, cooking it, and then stuffing and carving it.

Almost everyone knows what an excellent roasted turkey should taste like. However, there's no reason that you have to repeat the same method of preparation each year. 

Do you want to try something different this Thanksgiving? Don't worry—we aren't talking about Tofurkey. Instead, how about a fried or smoked turkey versus the classic roasted turkey? In this article, we dig into the turkey and the various ways you can safely prepare it for your family.

Ways to Cook a Turkey and How They Differ

Roasting a turkey is the typical way to prepare them for the Thanksgiving season. Roasting is a pretty drawn-out process, particularly if you want to stuff the turkey. You will need to have a stuffed turkey in the oven at 350°F for 15 minutes per pound of turkey. For example, when preparing a 12-pound turkey, you need to keep it in the oven for about three hours.

Fried Turkey

However, there are other options when it comes to turkey preparation. For instance, you can fry the turkey. A deep-fried turkey will likely appeal to the younger generation of Thanksgiving attendees. However, the succulent skin you get when you have a fried turkey will appeal to almost anyone.

Pros of a Fried Turkey:

• Frying a turkey is likely one of the fastest ways you can get this bird cooked. That means if you wake up late on the fateful morning, you can still have the turkey deliciously cooked through in no time. Compared to the 15 minutes per pound for a roasted turkey, the cooking time of fried turkey is about three

Hiking is a fun way to stay in shape and enjoy the great outdoors. But, it can quickly change from a fun adventure to an uncomfortable or even dangerous situation if you're not prepared. Whether you’re taking a stroll to check out a nearby waterfall or tackling a difficult summit, it’s absolutely critical to have the right equipment.

The more prepared you are, the more you’ll enjoy your next day hike. However, since you also have to carry everything you bring, you also don’t want to lug around a bunch of stuff you’ll never use. That’s why it’s so important to understand exactly what to pack for hiking – and what to leave at home. The following list of ten hiking essentials will help ensure you have everything you need and none of the stuff you don’t.

1. Navigation Tools

Even if you think you know exactly where you’re going, it’s important to bring a map and a compass with you on your hike. Sure, you can use your phone’s GPS in most cases, but don’t forget that the further you venture out into nature, the more likely you will lose cell reception. If you happen to get lost and can’t find a signal, you’ll be glad to have an old-school backup.

Choose a waterproof and tear-proof map that will stand up to the elements. Also, spend some time brushing up on your map-reading and compass-using skills so you feel as comfortable as possible before you head out. 

2. Sun & Insect Protection

If you don’t remember anything else when you start to pack for hiking, you must remember to bring sun protection. Even if the weather looks cloudy or you're hiking in the snow, you’ll still be impacted by the sun’s harsh rays. A bad sunburn or cracked and peeling lips are sure to ruin your hike and make you suffer for days after.

Sunscreen, SPF lip balm, polarized sunglasses, a brimmed hat, and protective cloth

When you need to take your backyard BBQing to the next level, it’s time to invest in a meat smoker. There’s hardly a better way to get delicious, juicy, fall-off-the-bone meat than a slow-cooking smoker that infuses an iconic smoked flavor into your meat. Even a cheap cut of chuck beef can end up becoming a delicious, tender roast that will impress your guests — and you can keep the price of your meal your best-kept secret! 

This guide will discuss the six types of smokers, how to use them, where to use them, how long it takes to smoke meat, and the health benefits of smoked meats. Also, you’ll discover how hardtop shelters are a must for protecting your meat smoker from the elements. 

What Is a Meat Smoker?

A meat smoker is a device that cooks meat slowly through a tried-and-true method of cooking meat under low heat and smoke. This art has been passed down from generation to generation and was once one of the only ways to preserve meat without a refrigerator. Not only was smoked meat vital for survival, but its delicious flavor has also kept it in BBQ cookbooks long after refrigerators became mainstream. There’s no denying the quality and texture of smoked meat that can only be produced by a meat smoker. 

Depending on your abilities and needs, there are several types of smokers to enhance your BBQ

Camping is a fun getaway for all ages. But sometimes, it can be hard to keep the kids from being bored — especially in the digital age when a lot of the imagination is done for them. But when you bring back old-fashioned screen-free fun, you can return to nature as a family and have a much-needed break from the busyness of modern life. 

This article will discuss fun camping activities for kids of all ages to help everyone pass the time and make fond memories.  

The Best Camping Activities for Small Kids

If you plan to go anywhere with small children, you know how important it is to be prepared. While it takes more work to go to a new place with small kids, keeping them entertained is fairly simple. Little kids are easily distracted by small wonders and enjoy engaging in tactile activities like playing with sand or simply running around outside. 

Therefore, to keep small kids entertained on a campground, your main concern is safety. Bring gear like portable gates for little walkers, GPS bracelets, potty seats, high chairs, baby carriers, shelters, privacy tents, and any other necessities to keep your small children in a safe place. When you know that you have everything you need to manage your children w