the Snappy Camper

Cape Cod Camp Resort, you're cool beans!

Jennifer@theSnappyCamper.com (Jennifer) — 2009-09-28T19:34:00Z

I recently took an early 'off-season' trip to Cape Cod Camp Resort and boy did I return a happy camper! At the off-season rate of $39 a night (including water & electric) I have to say this was the bargain of the year. I pitched my tent in site 'A', which was close enough to the office to pick up the campground's free wifi signal as an added bonus. The enormously large 200+ site campground is comprised of a big rig area, tent city and cabins. I would classify the sites as medium sized, and all have fire pits. Some, like site 'A', also have grills.

The amenities department is where the Resort really differs from other campgrounds. Can you say 3 pools and a jacuzzi? (With one pool AND the jacuzzi being for the 21+ set). Now add a lake, basketball court, large open field and the most modern bathrooms I have ever seen in a campground. Both vino and Fido are a-okay here. The only 'know before you go' concerns the beach-it is definitely not within walking distance, and about a 35 minute trip by rollerblade. You can get there by car in 5 to 10, but parking is limited or non-existent on some of the nicest stretch of sand. Still, I consider it a fair price to pay for the most luxurious camping trip on Cape Cod.

Now THATS snappy camping!

Hammonasset, you are as constant as the Northern Star

Jennifer@theSnappyCamper.com (Jennifer) — 2009-09-13T13:36:00Z

The snappy campers recently journeyed to that old favorite, Hammonasset State Park. This time around we stayed in the Mohawk area on site 19 (among others). As a corner site bordering the road, number 19 provides the benefit of privacy on 3 of the 4 sides. There was just the right amount of room to fit 2 large tents, 2 large canopies and a couple of camping kitchens. (Warning: the same cannot be said about neighboring Mohawk G.) The more spacious sites in Mohawk can be found accross the street, as they all abut an open field. There is minimal shade in the Mohawk region, and all sites offer little privacy. That said, Hammonasset boasts some of the largest coastal campsites around.

Despite the recent fee hike, the trip was still a real bargain at $20 a night (with a $9 booking fee added on for online reservations which can only be made at ReserveAmerica.com). The campground borders an amazing stretch of beautiful beach with warm-ish water. Amenities include free hot showers, a volleyball court, an outdoor movie theater and a well stocked camp store (with a travelling golf cart that makes the rounds during the day brining campers ice and ice cream). The nightly fee covers up to 6 people and 2 cars. Alcohol is allowed, but pets are prohibited. The sites do not have fire pits (you either need to bring your own or rent one from the camp store).

Reservations can now be made 11 months in advance, so if you want to jump on the snappy camper bandwagon for the 2010 season, you really need to stop making excuses and start making reservations.

Be prepared for a morning visitor or 20 when visiting Hammonasset during the off-season.

Old Orchard Beach, you're just not that snappy

Jennifer@theSnappyCamper.com (Jennifer) — 2009-08-22T23:16:00Z

I recently ventured to Old Orchard Beach for the first time and must say that I was much less than impressed with what I found. Although the campground had it's quaint charms, the beach itself was the stuff that bad dreams are made of. At the outskirts of the madness lies a deceivingly tranquil park. It's lush lawn is dotted with well manicured gardens, monuments, playground, bandstand and a gated area where dogs can run free. I have to give the town an A+ in both urban planning and landscape architecture for this one. However, once one rounds the corner the onset of bad taste looms in the air, and at the epicenter a sprawling swarm of commercial catastrophe is dumped on top of one of the most naturally beautiful beaches in the northeast. It's almost a crime against nature.

The streets are lined with stores that almost exclusively sell fried food, tasteless t-shirts and/or tattoos. Sure, every seaside town should have fried dough and the customary 'my (fill in the blank) went to Old Orchard and all I got was this lousy shirt'. BUT NOT IN EVERY STORE! And the vendors at Old Orchard take it to a new level when the front window is plastered with prints that say things like (I kid you not) 'I'm not a gynecologist but I can take a look'. Every once in a while a bar or restaurant with tables pops up, with signs like 'absolutely no club colors' in the window (the audience for which is the large number of biker gang types that enjoy heading to the beach in 90+ degree weather dressed in leather jackets and matching pants). Then there's the carnival with rows and rows of games that you can play for $2 a shot, with the chance to win something that the local dollar store rejected because it was just too cheap and cheesy to fit in with the 'everything under a dollar' image. The icing on the cake is the bathroom on the pier that costs .50 per person per use with large creepy bouncers collecting the fare. I felt like one of the Three Billy Goats Gruff every time I had to pee. The police put on the grand finale every afternoon when they converge on the beach wearing guns and bright yellow polo shirts. They swiftly move from blanket to blanket (true story) SNIFFING the cups, cans, and bottles of almost each and every beach goer (even following some into the water). Apparently alcohol is only A-OK when it is consumed 50 feet from the beach in a 'no club color' biker bar. Those without a little rum in their Coke only get humiliated. Those with (that are lucky) get to dump the offending contents into the sand. The rest get slapped with a ticket and a fine.

Soooo, if you are considering heading to Old Orchard for a weekend of fun in the sun, I would have to warn you to do so at your own risk.

Crowds + carnival + drink sniffing police = Circle of Hell that even Dante couldn't imagine.

Ne're Beach is true to name

Jennifer@theSnappyCamper.com (Jennifer) — 2009-08-16T13:51:00Z

This weekend I ventured up to the northern New England resort town of Old Orchard Beach and set up camp at Ne're Beach Family Campground. I just have to say-there's a lot going on in a little bit of space. Ne're Beach is just that: near the beach. The playa and all of the surrounding excitement is within walking distance of the campground. Just about anything you could want to eat, buy, ride or swim is a short trip away by foot. Which is a good thing, as it costs 20 bucks a day to park anywhere close to the boardwalk.

The campground itself is just about the smallest I have ever seen. One can literally see all other campsites from anywhere on the grounds. If the sites were people, they would definitely need to shop in the 'petite' department. We barely squeezed all of our snappy gear in the allotted space. I was practically sitting on my neighbor's lap while stationed at my own campfire. If you are a privacy nut, this is not the place for you.

That said, all in all the experience was a good one. The partial shade provided just the right amount of reprieve from the blistering mid-August sun and the on site pool was quite a refreshing post-script to a day at the beach. At $45 a night (including water and electricity), it's a real bargain considering how close it is to the hustle and bustle of downtown. Also, most campers are gone all day and well into the night due to the endless nearby attractions. Dogs are welcome, alcohol is allowed and the folks that run the campground are a laid back set that don't get hung up on enforcing every rule to the letter of the law. Each site can accommodate 1 tent, 1 canopy, 1 car and no more than 4 people (you can pay extra to bring more, but I would strongly recommend booking a 2nd campsite if you bring extra campers.)

So, if you're headed to Old Orchard and want to camp near the beach, Ne're Beach may just be the place for you.

The sub-compact sites at Ne're Beach measure about 21' x 41'

Good Libations

Jennifer@theSnappyCamper.com (Jennifer) — 2009-08-11T02:09:00Z

The creativity juices are really flowing at theSnappyCamper.com this month! Last weekend, my baby boy celebrated his EIGHTEENTH birthday and I marked the occasion by creating yet another "one for the road" that I aptly named the 'Happy Birthday' (for the over 21 set, of course):

Ingredients:
8 oz container of Fruit Naturals Red Grapefruit (drained)
20 oz can of Dole Pineapple Chunks (in juice)
20 oz Orange Juice
20 oz Bacardi White Rum
half a shot of grenadine

Directions:
Put all ingredients in a blender and puree. Serve over ice. ENJOY!

The Marine Rechargeable Portable Blender makes taking the 'Happy Birthday" on the road a snap!

The Snappy Camper Signature Drink

Jennifer@theSnappyCamper.com (Jennifer) — 2009-08-09T17:27:00Z

The Snappy Campers recently spent a glorious weekend in Brewster. An impromptu visit to the Satucket Farm Stand left us with more fresh fruits and veggies than we knew what to do with. After dabbling in the camping kitchen for a few minutes, it became very clear that a new drink was born. World, meet the 'Snappy Camper':

Ingredients:
1 quart of lemonade
1 cup triple sec
1 cup gin
1 cup tequila
6 fresh limes
12 fresh strawberries

Directions:
Pour 1 quart of lemonade into a 2 quart container. Add the triple sec, gin and tequila. Slice the limes into quarters, squeeze juice into the pitcher. Slice the strawberries and add to pitcher. Stir and let sit for at least 1 hour. Serve over ice in a TALLLLLL glass. Enjoy.

Enjoying a 'Snappy Camper' on the Brewster Flats

The Snappy Camper Guide to Brewster Beaches

Jennifer@theSnappyCamper.com (Jennifer) — 2009-08-06T20:32:00Z

Last weekend the snappy campers pitched their tents in Sweetwater Forest Campground in Brewster. As there are 8 ocean beaches that run along the town's border, we spent an entire day just doing playa recon in order to scope out the best semi-permanent home for the next 3 days.

Here's the 411:

All beaches enjoy an almost tropical water temperature (at this time of year) of 70+ degrees. This is due to the bay side location along with the unique phenomenon known as the Brewster Flats. Normally to brave the über cold waters of New England, one either must be drunk or under the age of 7. Not so in Brewster.

Parking is $15/day or $50/week. Stickers are required from 9-3, 7 days a week and can ONLY be purchased at the visitor center. One sticker gets you into all the beaches.

The, er, bathrooms consist of porta-potties that get REALLY full on a hot summer day.

The space in each of the parking lots is limited, so arrive early if you have your heart set on a particular beach.

There are no lifeguards, rangers, etc. on any of the beaches.

The signs say no dogs or alcohol. The beach goers seem to say different. Anarchy at it's finest (see above bullet).

Beach Blanket Bingo:

Paines Creek-Best beach for small children. The curving sand dunes carve out a mini-lagoon that is super safe, and never gets too deep. Note: If you do NOT wish to be surrounded by small children, this is not the beach for you.

Robbins Hill Beach-Nice beach; not as nice as the beaches farther east. Good backup if parking gets tough to find.

Saint's Landing-See above.

Breakwater Beach-If you like muck, rocks and tall grass coupled with a peculiar smell, then this is the beach for you.

Point of Rocks Landing-Not as nice (or spacious) as Crosby or Linnell, other beaches are better choices.

Ellis Landing-See below.

Linnell Landing-Close to Crosby Landing with similar features. Good backup if parking is not available at Crosby.

Crosby Landing-Savin' the best for last. My personal favorite and where we ended up spending the majority of our time. Spacious beach with perfect sand and a really nice atmosphere. Plenty of room to branch out and take advantage of the fantastic view of the flats in front and dunes behind. Definitely gets the snappy camper seal of approval.

All in all I have to say Brewster has just about the best beaches of Cape Cod. The strategy of keeping parking to a minimum has worked to keep the beaches clean and peaceful. I really have to hand it to the town for providing exactly the right amount of infrastructure and allowing people to just relax and enjoy themselves. I <heart> you Brewster. See you next year!

Jackie and I enjoy a leisurely stroll through the beautiful Brewster Flats.

Sweetwater Forest, you sure are sweet!

Jennifer@theSnappyCamper.com (Jennifer) — 2009-08-05T19:38:00Z

The snappy campers just returned from a trip to Sweetwater Forest Campground in Brewster, Massachusetts. Nestled in the inner elbow of Cape Cod, Brewster is a rockin' place to spend a snappy weekend in July. A great time was had by all, and the trip deemed a two snaps up success.

What we paid-$32 a night for a no water, no electric site (rate includes 2 adults, 2 children & 2 vehicles). Water was available across the street from our site. All sites in the campground are shaded and private.

Where we stayed-Sites B-26 & B-28. The latter was the larger site, accommodating 2 19' x 19' tents, 2 canopies and 2 cars. The trail to the bathroom (aka 'Comfort Station' ) is directly across from B-26. The in-campground pond, the recreational 'Lodge', camp store and playgrounds were all a short walk.

Plans we made-Sweetwater has a better than average set of amenities. Within the boundaries there is a horse farm (looking only, no touching), a pond (with canoe rentals or byoc), a mini-golf course ($2.50 per person), 5 (yes 5) playgrounds, a lighted basketball court and the ever-popular 'Lodge' (where we had a very snappy time playing pool <.75 per game> and ping pong <.50 for a ball or byoppb>. The 7 beaches of Brewster are between 1.5-3 miles from the campground, along with several liquor carrying convenience store and the succulent Satucket Farm stand overflowing with fresh fruit and native corn.

Lemonade-<non sequitor inserted for rhyming purposes only.>

Things to know before you go:

As the campground is located in a forest (and as such, 'foresty'), bring bug spray. You will need it.
Quiet hours are advertised as beginning at 9 PM (the earliest I have ever heard of). Campers were definitely up well past 9, and without incident, though.
Keep your fire in your fire ring (which should be common sense, especially in the woods during the dry summer months).
The upper level of the 'Lodge' is advertised on the website as adults only. The times we vised in the evening, everyone and their second cousin seemed to bring a mini-me with them. This was a little disappointing, as the concept of a game of pool (without diapers, crying and/or Dora) was something we were looking forward to.
Pets are welcome with proof of vaccination.
Alcohol is A-ok.
If your party includes more than 2 adults, the additional fee is $10 per night, per grownup.

All in all, we had one of our best trips ever. The grounds were beautiful, the location near perfect, and the staff was friendly and non-intrusive. Sweetwater Farms has earned this snappy camper's seal of approval.

Sweetwater Forest Campground is really in the middle of a forest. No lie.

A room with a view

Jennifer@theSnappyCamper.com (Jennifer) — 2009-07-26T15:50:00Z

The snappy campers recently returned from a trip to that 'Old Faithful', Salisbury Beach State Reservation. We stayed in our 'usual spot' on Y Street, with base camp set up at Y-01. I started staying in this site years ago as a result of a last-minute decision to head to the beach. As this (along with most of the other Y sites) is a tent-only area, it does not book out 5 or 6 months in advance like the spots in A, B, C, etc. do. For the life of me I don't understand why there isn't a wait list miles long for this site, as the view is the most magnificent I have ever seen on any site, any campground, anywhere. A couple months back, I stayed on A Street and sorely missed the view from 'Y'. The trek to the beach takes an extra 8 or 9 minutes, but it is well worth it (and counts towards my daily cardio requirement!)

This time around, we bore witness to the nightmare experienced by a group campers staying over on 'Z' Street who had the misfortune to have a park ranger catch sight of a beer can. Within minutes, a State Trooper arrived for a thorough tent/car/cooler cavity search and unearthed a heck of a lot more from where that came from. Several members of the group were ticketed, and all campers in the party were evicted from the 3 campsites they occupied. Like I've said before, bad things happen when good people don't follow the rules.

All in all, OUR stay was just MAHVELAS. Mother Nature cooperated nicely with our plans (for the first time this season) and even provided a couple of extra special sunsets and particularly starry nights. If you can only camp one night this season, head up to Salisbury Beach and check into Y-01. You will not be disappointed.

There's nothing like the view you get from the Y-01 campsite at Salisbury beach.

Dunes' Edge, you knock my socks off!

Jennifer@theSnappyCamper.com (Jennifer) — 2009-07-11T21:27:00Z

Last weekend, 22 Snappy Campers made the annual pilgrimage to Provincetown, Massachusetts (which, coincidentally was the first landing place of the Pilgrims of Mayflower fame; they hit Plymouth Rock SECOND contrary to popular belief-even Schoolhouse Rock got that one wrong). We stayed at Dunes' Edge Campground for the second consecutive year and boy did we have a snappy time!

The best thing about Dune's Edge: location, location, location. Race Point Beach is a mile or so down the road in one direction (Herring Cove is a skosh more) , and Commercial Street is equidistant in the other. Pretty much anything you could want or need is no more than a 30 minute walk or 5 minute car ride away. A cornucopia of Beautiful beaches, biking/hiking trails, amazing boutiques and art galleries, whale watching, fine dining, comedy shows, and very groovy nightclubs are all just a stone's throw away (well, if you have a really good arm). (Note: if you do take the car, be prepared to shell out 15 clams to park it; P-Town offers the very snappy pedicab and Mercedes cab public transportation alternatives). The campground itself is nestled in the dunes, and shaded by a forest of Scrub Pines.

Dunes' Edge has all the amenities you would expect to find, with a friendly and efficient staff. The neighboring campers were a real hoot, making us feel like we were at home in a neighborhood, rather than paying overnight guests sleeping in a sea of strangers. We paid the in-season rate of $40/night for the first 2 people (kiddos are another 5 bucks, big boys 10). One car per site is allowed, but you can bring a second for $14/night with advance notice if space permits. Fires are not allowed (by law), but if you call the National Park Service 3 days ahead of time, you can snag a beach fire permit free of charge. The showers are clean and hot and cost a quarter or 2 to rinse off the dust of the day. If you are a tent camper, make sure to let the staff know the size of your equipment ahead of time. Many of the tent sites were able to more than accommodate the snappy campers' 19' x 19' tent castles, but a few of them were designed more for the 4 person dome variety. Sites 32, 33, 42, 43, 44 & 45 were among the larger plots. Pets are welcome and you can bring the Margaritas, but be prepared to participate in the campground's mandatory recycling program (which, IMHO I think more campgrounds should adopt). The camp store is well stocked, and a large grocery and liquor store are nearby.

As I've said before, P-town is ground zero for all things snappy. And Dunes' Edge is the perfect place for me to lay my (feather boa) hat.

G-Ma relaxing in the mostly shaded site 45 at Dunes Edge Campground

P-Town: the other Magic Kingdom

Jennifer@theSnappyCamper.com (Jennifer) — 2009-07-07T18:43:00Z

There are different types of magic in this world-the kind you can buy with lots of money and little taste (think: Neverland), something so naturally beautiful that it could only be a result of some kind of sorcery (like, say, the Amazon rain forest) and that je ne sais quoi that seems to grow and metamorphosize from the creativity of the human spirit. Provincetown, Massachusetts is simply erupting with the latter.

I know, I know, it's cliché to say there's something for everyone. When the tourist brochures of vacation destinations say it, they mean you can play golf while your wife shops and your kids swim in the pool. But for P-Town, it might actually be true. There REALLY is SOMETHING for EVERYONE.

Somehow, someway people have carved out a creative wonderland in this natural paradise at the absolute edge of the East Coast. Surrounded by sand dunes and sea, drag queens, fisherman, artists, artisans, comedians, Shakespearean actors and everything in between, next to, over, under, above and below goes about the daily business of doing 'their thing'. And what a thing it is.

We're talking about a town that's dog friendly, kid friendly, family friendly, gay friendly, multi-culturally sensitive and still just a little redneck at heart. All crammed into about a 17 square mile radius.

Ever since I was old enough to drive, I have made an effort to introduce someone to P-Town as often as I could. And I have watched people from all walks of life fall in love at first sight. If you have never been to Provincetown before, raise your right hand. Swear that you will go before you die. You will not regret it. And if you have been, double pinky swear with me that you will go back every year UNTIL you die.

Posing for a family portrait at the Provincetown Fourth of July festivities

Five super-duper space saving camping tips

Jennifer@theSnappyCamper.com (Jennifer) — 2009-06-27T16:09:00Z

I camp out of my Jetta, and space is a valuable commodity; on par with, say, real estate in downtown Manhattan. Never one to leave any of my snappy gear behind, I have developed a strategic plan for taking everything with. Here are my five fave tips for cramming it all in:

♪ Last night a food storage container saved my life ♫ These little buggers are great for pre-measuring 'just enough' of whatever you are taking with you. I pack spices, sauces, condiments, pasta and rice into one of these bad boys. When the ingredients are gone, they also double as a great place to keep leftovers and fit easily and air-tightly in the cooler.
Powdered drink mix Each snappy camper needs only one water bottle. The magic of Crystal Light does the rest. It's like Stone Soup for drinks. You can pack a weekend worth of beverages in your pockets. Now try that with a case of Diet Coke (and then send my a pic, please when you do!)
Know what you can leave behind Use the power of the information superhighway to scout out the local grocery and (if applicable) liquor store before you go. You may be able to save an entire cooler's worth of space by planning to pick up eggs, milk and a thirty pack on arrival. Note: not worth it if you need to drive a town or two away when you get there. It's snappy camping, after all; not a scavenger hunt.
You need less than you think you do My dearest, dear heart camping and life companion just can not understand that one DOES NOT NEED 4 sweatshirts for a 3 day trip. Hopefully, dear reader, you are a quicker study. You don't. Nor do you need enough wardrobe changes to make your own off Broadway play. It's camping. Pretty much as soon as you put your fabric freshener fresh sweatshirt it will smell like smoke and be covered in dirt. Trust me, I know. We have conducted independent double blind empirical studies and get the same results every time.
Thermal Blankets Give you all the warmth at a fraction of the space. One or two of these will get you through a chilly New England spring or summer night and give you enough room to pack the important things, like tiki umbrellas and portable blenders.

With a little advance planning, you can bring all of your snappiness with you without renting a minivan or Mack truck.

Food storage containers can give you space you never knew you had when packing for your next camping trip.

Rockin out at Rocky Neck

Jennifer@theSnappyCamper.com (Jennifer) — 2009-06-22T19:18:00Z

This weekend we gathered 23 or so snappy campers for that annual pilgrimage to Rocky Neck State Park in Niantic (aka East Lyme) Connecticut. We stayed in the Seagull area, in site 18. I'm not sure if there are strong enough (good) words in the English language to describe just how snappy this little patch of earth is. As I have said time and time again, Rocky Neck is on my top 5 places to camp, bar none. This visit was no exception.

As we hit the ground running a little early in the season (and suffered through a series of never ending rain showers on day one), the area was pretty much deserted on arrival, which gave us a wonderful opportunity to sit back and watch the wildlife that shares the park with the seasonal transient visitors. During our stay, we spotted deer grazing at the edge of our campsite, along with a turkey that appeared to be about 5 feet 2 inches tall. Wild bunnies were hopping around, and seagulls were plucking blue crabs from the water and gobbling them down an arm's reach away. Seagull 18 has the benefit of being directly across from the bathroom (with it's customary free, hot! showers), with plenty of shade trees, and abuts a VERY large open field. The kiddos were able to run wild to their hearts content, while the bigger boys hit the basketball court at the edge of the clearing. The camp store did not appear to be open, but firewood was available for purchase at the gate. The gas station down the street sold piles of ice at discount prices, so we didn't want for much. The only know before you go on this trip is that liquor stores are not open in CT on Sundays. Rocky Neck does allow alcohol in the park, so if you have a Sunday trip on your itinerary, stock up or be prepared to run out.

Still the most economical spot on the planet, rates have gone up to $20 a night for out of staters, and ReserveAmerica adds a $9 service fee to the total. Book early, as CT Parks now accept reservations a whopping 11 months in advance. Rocky Neck allows 6 people and 2 vehicles per site (ReserveAmerica.com erroneously indicates only 1 car is allowed), and each site is equipped with a fire ring with grill (no electricity or hookups are available). Alcohol is a-ok, but pets are strictly prohibited. The Long Island Sound beach is located within the park, and is within walking distance of all campsites (with the Tent Area and Seagull boasting the shortest walk). If you can only get away to the campground once this season, Rocky Neck rocks like no other!

Rocky Neck is so cool even your teenagers will like it.

Five fab frugal camping tips

Jennifer@theSnappyCamper.com (Jennifer) — 2009-06-13T12:41:00Z

It doesn't take a lot of duckets to be a snappy camper. Here are 5 ways to NOT burn money like firewood:

He ain't heavy, he's my brother-Many campgrounds allow 4-6 people and 2 vehicles on a campsite. Team up with another couple of campers and divide the dollars. Splitting the bill will not only decrease your expenses, it will increase your good times. Just make sure you bring the right people with you on your road trip.
Burn baby, burn-With a bundle of wood averaging 5 to 6 bucks, and a dusk to quiet hours fire consuming 2-3 bundles, the cost of lighting up the night can easily exceed the cost of your campsite. Scouting for downed wood at the campground and/or saving wood throughout the year to bring with you on your summer excursions can all but eliminate this expense. Word of caution: make sure your DIY firewood is properly seasoned or you will end up with more smoke than fire on your site.
Ice ice baby-This most critical of camping necessities pretty much doubles in cost once you reach the boundaries of the campground. You can buy 25 pounds of ice for under 3 bucks at a wholesale club the night before you leave, or pay a dollar a pound at the camp store on arrival. Do the math. For the most frugal of campers, start filling bags in your freezer a week or 2 ahead of time for a cost free way to chill out.
Going, going, gone!-You can find all of your camping essentials for a fraction of the cost on eBay. Auctions almost guarantee you'll pay the lowest price. A little patience can help you score both new in box and gently used gear for less than half the retail price. Word of caution: make sure to research the current retail rate at a site like Amazon to avoid over-bidding.
Come on baby light my fire-Sometimes the best things in life really are free. DIY fire starters are a great example. You can make these bad boys from remnants around the house that would otherwise be tossed, and they are more effective than the costlier version for sale in the camp store. My snappy camper secret recipe: take a handful of dryer lint, place on a piece of wax paper, pour melted candle wax over the lint, place in a paper sandwich bag and voilà, you have the world's best fire starter.

Contrary to popular belief, mo' money does not always equal mo' problems. A little creativity on the spending side can save you some green without compromising your snappiness!

Homemade fire starters will have your campfire rocking and rolling in no time at no cost

Back in the saddle at Salisbury Beach

Jennifer@theSnappyCamper.com (Jennifer) — 2009-06-06T14:52:00Z

This weekend a few of the Snappy Campers headed to that old favorite, Salisbury Beach State Reservation on the north shore of the Bay State. This campground is located right on the ocean, framed by a pristine salt marsh, and one can sit for hours watching the Merrimack River merge with the Atlantic Ocean. A diverse group of campers populates the sites; on this trip I had neighbors conversing in German, French, Spanish and English.

As early June is the beginning of the Massachusetts beach camping season, we were able to snag prime sites on 'A' Street without a lot of advance planning (Salisbury campers usually need to book their sites 6 months in advance to land on this 'closest to the beach' lane). As much as I dig the short walk, I still prefer the amazing view afforded of the sun setting over the water from the XYZ area.

The 411 on Salisbury Beach Camping:

Reservations can be made through Reserve America. Nightly fees are $22 with a $9.25 surcharge per reservation.
Reservations are accepted 6 months in advance. Book early, as this place fills up faster than just about any other campground in the northeast.
Each campsite can accommodate up to 4 people and 2 cars.
Water, electricity, grills and fire rings are included on all sites.
Pretty much all sites have limited shade and privacy.
Alcohol is prohibited. State troopers patrol on horseback to remind campers of this. Continuously. Get creative if you want to give your lemonade a grownup twist and/or bring enough bail money for everyone in your party.
Pets are welcome with proof of vaccination.
Showers are hot and free.
There is an on-site well stocked camp store and pretty extensive playground.

Salisbury Beach remains the perfect place in this snappy campers heart to enjoy the very unique beauty of the Massachusetts coastline.

You really need to have a superpower or two to brave the waters of the North Shore in early June.

2009 Camping Essentials: What the cool kids are pitching besides their tents

Jennifer@theSnappyCamper.com (Jennifer) — 2009-05-30T11:51:00Z

Top ten countdown to camping nirvana:

10. Coleman Elite WeatherMaster Tent. As many cool features as this tent has, the one that counts the most is the HINGED DOOR. After all, broken noisy zippers are SO 2008! For $217 and some change, it's a real, as they say down the Cape, 'bah-gin'.

9. Coleman Slow Cooker. It's like a crock pot. Only for camping. $89 buckaroos on Amazon.

8. Table top grilling rocks my world. This bad boy moves easily from campsite to beach and at $19.99 they're practically giving them away.

7. It is so not snappy to start your day without a good cup of coffee. I just have to say 'Thank you, Coleman' for making this Camp Coffeemaker that snaps right onto any standard camping stove. Get one for yourself for $45 clams.

6. Excursion Deluxe Rolling Cooler. Don't let the name fool you-this isn't a cooler, it's 5 star room service on wheels. It comes with service for 4 (plates, cotton napkins, acrylic wine glasses, picnic blanket, stainless knives, forks & spoons, bottle stopper, corkscrew, salt & pepper shakers, cheese board with knife), and has room for as many bottles of wine, and separate insulated food and beverage sections. Can I haz one? PLEEZ? $179.95 on Amazon.

5. What's a tiki umbrella without a little fuego? Grab these attachable torches for $19.95 and light up the night!

4. Coleman Camp Oven. This little bugger sits right on the fire. For $29.95 you can channel your inner Betty Crocker campside.

3. Outdoor Wine Goblets. Nothing says 'snappy' like a good bottle of wine enjoyed while watching the sunset over the Atlantic Ocean and drunk from a medieval style goblet. Amen. $10 buckaroos for this little guy.

2. Inflatable Sofa Bed. I recently bought this bad boy for $56 for those unexpected overnight camping guests. (Skunks, raccoons, and wild turkeys need not apply).

1. And the number one camping essential for 2009 is (drum roll please). The Battery Operated Lighted Palm Tree. Get your beach on for $13.99.

Having a snappy time in South Dennis

Jennifer@theSnappyCamper.com (Jennifer) — 2009-05-25T11:40:00Z

This snappy camper had so much fun on Cape Cod a couple of weeks back that I just had to go and visit again. This time I made a slightly longer trek to the mid-cape resort town of South Dennis.

I pitched my tent at Old Chatham RV Resort and am having a most snappenin' time indeed. Old Chatham is equidistant to both the Atlantic and Bay Side beaches, making it a great place to set up base camp. Be forewarned, however, that the beaches are not in walking distance. The good news is you can bike or blade to either side in about 20-30 minutes. Be double forewarned that the water temperature in late May is akin to running naked through the Alaskan wilderness in mid-December (as I found out yesterday). The quiet enjoyment of Cape Cod in the pre-season is more than worth the slight chill in the air and big chill in the water, though.

Old Chatham Resort is more like a big, friendly neighborhood than a campground. The population here is overwhelmingly seasonal trailers, with not many transients (or tents). Both the staff and campers make temporary guests feel extremely welcome, and the awkward feeling of being the new kid on the block fades about 30 seconds after arrival. We stayed in site A 98 (what appears to be one of the few short term stay spots), and paid $48 a night. The site size is about average with not a lot of privacy. All sites have water and electricity, and none have grills or fire pits. Fires are only allowed in store bought fireplaces with a screen cover. Two Cars and two people are allowed on your site, and you can bring both your dog and your beer (woo-hoo!) The bathrooms are what you would expect to find in a campground with free (and hot) showers. This campground bills itself as a 'resort' and certainly has more amenities than a traditional campground. There are the customary playgrounds, a pavilion, pool and library/wifi center. The wifi is provided by TengoInternet, and Boingo customers can also ride the signal wave. There is daily curbside trash pickup, which is nice as there are no stinky, overflowing dumpsters like the ones that befoul so many other campgrounds.

If you are considering a trip to the mid-cape, Old Chatham is pretty darn snappy place to stay (if I do say so myself!)

Atlantic side beaches are about a 5 mile roller blade ride away from Old Chatham RV Resort

Ten things to bring to make your camping trip snappy

Jennifer@theSnappyCamper.com (Jennifer) — 2009-05-17T17:28:00Z

There's more to setting up camp than just pitching a tent. This snappy camper checklist will make sure you don't forget the little things that can make a big difference:

Linens-Invest in commercial grade tablecloths. They will last forever and are much snappier than the plastic checkerboard version everyone else has.
Candles-Nothing lights up a campsite like a few funky wax stacks.
Lighting-Kerosene or propane lanterns? No way, José! There are much cooler ways to light up the night. Battery operated paper lanterns don't require electric hookups, are portable, and very, very snappy.
Bedding-Grab your off-season extra or get a 'just for camping' funky comforter set for your air mattress. Don't forget the throw pillows!
Musica-Have iPod will travel. Connect to Pandora and grab some self-powered speakers.
Wheels-Bikes, blades, boards: bring one! You know they saying 'getting there is half the fun'? It's totally true when your ride to the beach is the wheels on your feet.
Glassware-Friends don't let friends drink a cup of fresh brewed coffee (or a really good bottle of wine) out of a paper and/or plastic cup. Bring at least a couple of 'real' mugs, glasses and stemware.
Camera-You will be so sorry if you don't bring some way of recording your trip. How else will you be able to look back and see all of the fun you didn't even realize you were having?
Movies-I like to buy random lots of used DVDs on eBay and slip them into a laptop when it's time to settle in for the night (or for when Accuweather isn't so 'accu'; the rain time passes much faster when watching obscure films from the 60's and 70's).
Good bottle of wine-Watch an episode or two of Wine Library TV and your odds of picking the perfect traveling companion will increase exponentially.

palm tree paper lanterns make this tent super snappy!

Greetings from Bourne Scenic Park

Jennifer@theSnappyCamper.com (Jennifer) — 2009-05-09T12:31:00Z

This year, I just couldn't wait for the '09 official camping season to kick off, so I decided to 'pre-game' it by taking an impromptu trip to Cape Cod. And boy, I am ever glad I did.

I have driven past Bourne Scenic Park for years (and even made an emergency pit stop in the entryway a couple of summers ago to nurse one overheating Jetta), but never considered staying here before. It just seemed like I needed to go 'deeper' into the Cape to get the full effect, or to 'get away from it all'. OK, I'll just say it. I WAS WRONG.

The Campground

The office was sparkly clean and newly remodeled with the nicest, pleasantest and most helpful staff I have ever encountered in a campground. They offered us the pick of tent sites, and suggested their favorites. We chose site D-1 (one of the three tent sites with water and electricity) and paid the off-season rate of $32/night (which covers 2 adults, 2 children and 2 cars). D-1 was more than big enough to accommodate all of our snappy gear, and offered a decent amount of privacy. Most of the sites have a fire ring, and for 5 bucks, the friendly folks at the office will deliver enough wood to your site to keep your fire roaring until quiet hours. The campground, bathrooms and store were all super clean and well maintained. The pavilion area offered free wifi. The showers were free and HOT! There are only a couple of things to 'know before you go' about this campground. The convenient location means that the local highway is on the boundary. You will probably hear the traffic during your stay. This cloud does, however, have a silver lining. Bands of wild turkeys, bear families, etc. generally do not thrive in places like this. The danger of animals throwing and after hours party in your campsite is relatively low. Also, for some reason, the newly remodeled bathrooms have stainless steel toilets with no toilet seats. Which is probably normal if you are in jail awaiting trail. Camping, not so much. Early May in Massachusetts + stainless steel toilet = just about the weirdest thing I have ever felt. The natural beauty and great atmosphere more than make up for this little design faux-pas, though.

The Area

Just as Brewster offers a truly unique experience via the Flats, and Provincetown is, well, like no place on Earth, the Bourne/Buzzards Bay area has it's own charm and characteristics that can only be felt by staying here. And Bourne Scenic Park is ground zero. The Cape Cod Canal runs parallel to the campground, and some of the sites are so close to it they are practically underwater (OK, minor exaggeration, but one can see/hear/smell/taste the canal from just about any vantage point in the park). Access to the eight mile paved trail that surrounds the canal was a thirty second walk from my campsite (no exaggeration). One can lose an entire day (in a good-way) walking, biking, blading, (or if you are feeling particularly murderous) fishing the canal. For those that make it about halfway down the eastern end of the trail, the Seafood Shanty awaits across the street just calling your name like a siren.

So, if you are planning a summer jaunt to Cape Cod, consider making your drive an hour or two shorter by staying here. Bourne Scenic Park most definitely gets the Snappy Camper seal of approval!

With Bourne Scenic Park on one side and Cape Cod Canal on the other, this trail is a Snappy Camper's paradise.

Places to go (or not to go) snappy camping

Jennifer@theSnappyCamper.com (Jennifer) — 2009-05-01T12:57:00Z

As a lifelong New Englander (and camper), I have spent a relatively long time camping along the relatively short northeastern coastline. Check out this snappy camper's short list of campground yays and nays.

All time faves:

Dune's Edge Campground, Provincetown Massachusetts-If I've said it once, I've said it a thousand times. There's no place like P-Town. And I mean that in the very best 'good way'. This locale is the mecca for all things snappy and Dune's Edge is THE place to stay to be as close as possible to the action.
Rocky Neck and/or Hammonasset State Park Campgrounds, Long Island Sound Connecticut-Beautiful beaches, warmish water, roomy sites at bargain basement rates. The best across the board value in camping. Bar none.
Salisbury Beach State Campground, Massachusetts-On the water camping where the river meets the sea. Site Y-1 is my favorite campsite in any campground anywhere.
Sippewisset Campground, Falmouth Massachusetts-The folks at Sippewisset understand that variety is the spice of life. Have it your way by renting a campsite, cabin or tee pee. Trails run through the campground that provide miles of hiking, biking and blading that lead to a long stretch of relatively private beach. Stop for a bite across the street at Dana's Kitchen while you're there. You will NOT be disappointed. Double pinky swear.

Anywhere but here:

Scusset Beach State Reservation, Sandwich Massachusetts-Don't get me wrong, the beach is beautiful and can be accessed from the campground. The thing is, there are only four tent sites. Also, the RV-only area which is closest to the beach looks more like a parking lot than a campground and soils the view. Lastly, the staff could use a little 'how not to be an a-hole' training.
Horseneck Beach State Reservation, Westport Point Massachusetts-Small sites, no privacy and nothing to do but head to the less than clean beach make this place a two thumbs down camping experience.
State of New Hampshire-'Live Free or Die'. Unless you are suspected of being an undocumented immigrant, that is. Ever since the State of New Hampshire decided to create it's own laws on the fly, NH is most definitely off of my snappy camping list. Not because I support less-than-legal immigration, but because I don't think people with accents and/or brown skin have to constantly validate their immigration status at every twist and turn. Especially not while on vacation.
Harold Parker State Forest, Andover Massachusetts-If you absolutely love being in the middle of a plague of mosquitoes, un-swimmable pond water, and frogs ribbiting so loudly it is maddening, than this swamp side resort is just the place for you. Enough said.

Just remember, where you stake your tent can make or break your trip.

Sippewisset Campground just might be the snappiest place on earth.