Friday, June 27, 2008

Save Some Gas By Relaxing in the Grass!

With the price of gas skyrocketing this summer, most families are avoiding the traditional cross country road trip. Instead of driving far, wrestling with bugs and taking chances with the weather, why not set up camp in your own back yard or closest national park?

Not everyone particularly enjoys the “natural” aspect of a camping trip, so here are some creative ideas for the adventurer who also seeks a little luxury:

Instead of the conventional sleeping bag, bring along an air mattress and pack a fitted sheet along with a couple of lightweight quilted throws. Backyard campers can decorate with colorful throw pillows and straw floor mats. Outdoor beanbag chairs and collapsible director’s chairs are a chic alternative to the traditional tree stump. For ambience, replace the flashlights with lanterns from Pottery Barn.

One of the best parts of camping is dinner fresh from the flame, but traditional camp cuisine won’t do in your newly lavish digs. Take foil foods to the next level by pre-packing a nice filet of fish, fresh vegetables and your favorite seasoning in homemade aluminum foil packets. By the time your campsite is ready, the food will be marinated to perfection and ready to throw into the pit. For dessert, reinvent s’mores by creating a graham cracker, chocolate and marshmallow pie!


Paper Lanterns-Pottery Barn $19.00




Air Mattress-Costco $36.99




Bean Bag-Bean Bag Blitz $79.95






Café Table-Ballard Design $79.95





Directors chairs.com $89.99