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RECONNECT
WITH FRIENDS
(in person!)
GET OUTSIDE!
Plan the perfect camping Feel the love with BBQ recipes
experience for you from the BestReviews team
Find freedom out on the water Prepare for huge savings with
with a kayak Amazon Prime Day 2021
RECONNECT, family members while taking advantage of everything
nature has to offer. In this same spirit of community,
CONTENTS
STAY
3 PLAN A SMALL-GROUP
CAMPING TRIP
What you’ll need, where to go
PLAY
7 GO KAYAKING WITH FRIENDS
Getting out on the water is liberating
EAT
SAVE
16 PRIME DAY 2021
Get ready to snag some incredible deals
How to plan a
SMALL-GROUP
CAMPING TRIP
Whether you’re a beginner or a camping pro, careful
planning is the key to a successful and fun experience.
Summer 2021 3
Car camping other private campgrounds can be Many campsites come equipped
with a grill for cooking, and you’ll
Car camping is a great place to accessed on sites such as Hipcamp
just need to bring your own fuel.
start if you haven’t camped before or Harvest Hosts, or you can do
or you have a young family. You a Google Maps search. Some
can ease into the experience with Airbnb properties even offer
an overnight campout, not too far camping or glamping options.
from home. A typical campsite has An alternative is campgrounds
a parking spot, a place to pitch a that are open on a first-come, first-
tent and a picnic table. served basis. These sites can be very
accessible if you’re making a last-
Destinations minute plan. Just make sure you
Camping is always popular and get there early in the morning, and
is especially so in the summer be prepared to wait for a site to
months, so it’s best to try and make open up. The website rvshare.com
your campground reservations well keeps a list of these campsites
in advance. As you might expect, around the country and many of
many national parks are booked up them border national parks.
months ahead, but there are a num-
ber of other options and websites
to help you plan. Recreation.gov
Facing your tent opening into
and Camp America run most state the breeze helps keep inside
and federal campsites. KOA and temperatures cooler.
Summer 2021 4
PACKING LIST
1
Equipment
1. A tent with more than enough room for your group
size: a two-person tent is usually fine for a couple; a
six-person tent gives a bit more space to a family of
four. Choose a tent with a higher peak height if you
are tall or prefer a tent that you can stand up in.
2. A sleeping bag with an adequate temperature
rating. For casual campers, a summer-weight bag
is good enough, but if you plan to camp often it’s
worth investing in a three-season bag.
3. A sleeping pad with both cushioning and high-
tech insulation (R-value).
4. A flashlight or a headlamp for performing tasks at
night and a lantern.
5. A two-burner propane camp stove with a couple
of fuel canisters and a lighter.
6. A cooler big enough to store your perishable food
and ice. 2
7. Pots, plates, cups and utensils along with wash-
ing-up supplies.
8. Camping chairs for downtime.
Clothing
Quick-dry fabrics are optimal for camping trips. It’s
always useful to pack lightweight layers, gloves, a
hat and warm socks for nighttime, along with a rain
jacket. If you’re going to be walking, pack some slip-on
shoes as well as walking shoes, for the evening.
Toiletries
In addition to personal toiletries, it’s worth bringing a
comprehensive first-aid kit, sunscreen and bug spray.
Hand sanitizer is a good idea too.
Food
You can pack any combination of canned and fresh 6
food, but be sure to bring plenty of snacks.
Summer 2021 6
PLAY
Summer 2021 7
Kayaking in calm
waters can relieve
stress and help you feel
relaxed.
Summer 2021 8
but yourself. Studies have shown An inflatable kayak is stable Inflation is not time-
that when individuals see or hear The feature that gives a hardshell consuming
the soothing sounds of gently kayak its reputation for being If you are worried about inflation
moving water, it triggers a flood of relatively easy to tip is its slim time, a manual pump will allow
chemicals that induce relaxation design. Inflatable kayaks tend to you to fully inflate your kayak in
and relieve stress. be a bit wider, and they are filled under 10 minutes. If you choose an
with air, so they offer greater electric pump, you’ll be ready for
Guide to inflatable stability than hardshell models. your adventure in about 2 minutes.
kayaks In fact, some inflatable kayaks How to care for your
An inflatable kayak is durable are so wide you’d have a hard inflatable kayak
It is easy to hear the word inflat- time tipping them on purpose, let With the proper care, an inflatable
able and think fragile because you alone by accident. On the down- kayak can provide enjoyment for
relate it to a balloon. However, side, an inflatable kayak won’t be up to a decade (or more). Con-
if you’ve ever been whitewater as fast or as nimble as a hardshell versely, misuse and neglect can
rafting, you realize that inflatable model, but for most individuals shorten an inflatable kayak’s active
boats can be extremely rugged that isn’t a big concern. lifespan down to just a season or
items that are capable of handling two. Following are a few tips to
An inflatable kayak is portable
a little abuse. help you get the longest life out of
Arguably the most desirable
While price is a definite factor your kayak.
feature of an inflatable kayak is its
in how tough your inflatable kayak • Rinse your kayak off with fresh
portability. Before inflation, this
will be — an $80 vinyl kayak will water after every outing.
type of kayak can easily be carried
not be as durable as an $800 PVC • Thoroughly dry your kayak
by one person. Even better, it
model — the construction of an before folding or storing.
is small enough to fit inside a
inflatable kayak is fairly basic. An • Do not overinflate your kayak.
compact car, if needed. This
inflatable kayak has a fabric core, Check your owner’s manual to
makes an inflatable kayak much
which gives the boat its shape and learn the maximum pressure
more versatile and easier to store
some sort of a synthetic protective your kayak can handle. Overin-
than a hardshell kayak.
covering that makes the kayak flation can damage the seams.
airtight while protecting it against • Be careful on hot days. The heat
abrasion and UV rays. from the sun will cause the air
Summer 2021 9
Explore a river region or
coastline up close on a
kayaking tour.
pressure inside your inflatable Cal Coast Adventures Channel Islands, Stearns Wharf
kayak to increase. If this gets too If you will be in or around Santa and more. You will come within
high, it can damage the seams. Barbara, there are three easy to feet of seals and sea lions, and
• Roll your inflatable kayak moderate kayak tours that allow gain insight into historical land-
loosely, trying not to have any you to explore the region and marks and regional wildlife.
creases, which can eventually experience the sea life up close. Hidden Canyon Kayak
create a weak spot in your The tour will offer panoramic For an unforgettable experience,
kayak. views of Santa Ynez Mountains, individuals in the Page, Arizona,
• Store your kayak uninflated in
a cool dry area with a consistent
temperature.
• Occasionally, give your inflat- paddle
able kayak a thorough cleaning.
Summer 2021 10
region can explore Lake Powell in the
Glen Canyon National Recreation Area
by kayak. You have the option of creating
your own adventure through the deep slot
canyons or to book a tour that can range
Sharing the experience with from one to multiple days.
a friend or loved one makes it
even more memorable. Eleven Point National Scenic River
If you prefer a river trip, the Eleven Point
National Scenic River in southern Mis-
souri is an ideal destination. This stretch
of mostly undeveloped country is 44 miles
long and offers a picturesque view of the
Ozarks. There are four kayak outfitters
located in the region that can provide you
with rental and shuttle services.
Summer 2021 11
EAT
F iring up the grill is a great way to kick off the summer season. Much
like the kitchen, the barbeque is a natural gathering place, where
friends come to talk, laugh and watch a feast being prepared. As we look
forward to barbeque season and getting together with small groups of
friends outside, we decided to crowdsource some of our staff’s favorite
barbeque recipes and share them with you. Enjoy!
Summer 2021 12
4 limes
1 1/2 tbsp lime zest
1 large white onion
Tortillas
Cumin
Salt
Avocado oil
Directions
1. Season chicken on both sides with
cumin and salt.
2. Cook chicken on a medium-hot
grill until it reaches an internal
temperature of 165 degrees (a grill
thermometer is helpful here), leaving
one zone of the grill unused.
3. With about 10-12 minutes left on
the chicken, turn the unused zone
to the highest setting and heat a
cast iron skillet with avocado oil in
it for 5 minutes.
4. Add the onions and peppers
(except the chipotle) to the skillet
and cook for 2-3 minutes until
they’re nice and blistered, then
add the chipotle peppers and some
of the adobo sauce and cook for 3
more minutes. Turn the tempera-
ture down to simmer.
5. In a bowl, mix together the sour
cream, lime zest, lime juice and a
dash of salt. Set aside.
6. Cut the cooked chicken into strips,
GRILLED CHICKEN Ingredients then add it to the pan with the
FAJITAS 1 3/4 lbs chicken veggies and the rest of the adobo
sauce. Generously squeeze lime
I do chicken fajitas all on the 1 red bell pepper (or two depending
juice onto the mixture (at least
grill every summer and have on size)
1.5 lime’s worth) and continue to
been working on this recipe 2 green bell pepper
simmer for 5-10 more minutes.
for well over 10 years now. The 2 Anaheim peppers 7. Warm up the beans in a saucepan
spicier the better for me, but
1 serrano pepper (optional) or microwave.
you can definitely leave out the
2 cans (8 oz) of chipotle peppers in 8. Warm tortillas directly on the grill
serrano if you prefer less of a
adobo sauce (peppers pulled out and then serve all together.
kick. and cut up) 9. Top with avocado, guacamole,
— Jacob, Director of Digital 1 can (15 oz) refried beans cilantro or fresh jalapeños for even
Content more of a kick!
5 tbsp sour cream
Summer 2021 13
Ingredients
2 lbs bison meat
2 tbsp each of coriander, liquid
smoke, Worcestershire sauce,
favorite BBQ sauce, diced garlic
and diced green onions.
2 tbsp butter
BBQ BISON BURGER
I’m an avid motorcyclist/sidecarist. One day, I rode out to the rally in
Directions
Sturgis, South Dakota, where I stopped at a little hole-in-the-wall bar,
1. Mix all ingredients together and
feeling faint from hunger. Up until that point, I had only had frozen form burger patties.
bison burgers and so I thought I didn’t like bison. But that place had 2. Baste patties with 2 tablespoons of
fresh ground bison, cooked to perfection by a Jersey transplant, and melted butter.
I was in heaven. I have been trying to recreate the recipe ever since, 3. Sear on very high heat to char the
and this is the closest I’ve come. outside and seal in the juices, then
— Lucinda, Photo Editor slow grill to preferred doneness.
Ingredients
8-9 large potatoes (approx. 5 lbs)
1 8 oz pack of cream cheese
1 cup of sour cream
2 tsp onion powder
1 tsp salt
Dash of ground black pepper
Summer 2021 14
Ingredients
1 large head cabbage, shredded
finely (I use my food processor)
1 cup white vinegar
1 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon salt
VINEGARY COLESLAW
Directions
One cold side a lot of Southern BBQ places offer is a vinegar-based
1. Combine ingredients in a bowl
slaw. They either serve it as a side or put it directly on pulled pork with a tight-fitting lid or in a gallon
sandwiches. I don’t like a lot of mayonnaise, so this is my favorite zip bag.
slaw recipe. 2. Marinate for at least 12 hours, stir-
— Michael, Content Writer ring every 2-3 hours.
Image courtesy of
Big Bob Gibson
Summer 2021 15
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Get prepared to snag deals on Prime Day
this June
Summer 2021 17
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Summer 2021
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Summer 2021 20