Discounted winter camping rates in SC

Most of you know I take every opportunity to get outdoors and camp on weekends and holidays.

I came across this article: http://www.southcarolinaparks.com/

According to the website you can hit many coastal campgrounds for half off if you book quickly. More details are below:

The South Carolina State Park campgrounds at Colleton, Edisto Beach, Givhans Ferry, Hunting Island,Huntington Beach, Myrtle Beach and Sesquicentennial (in Columbia) would like to offer you a 30-day campsite reservation at half price!  50% OFF!  This special is valid for reservations that encompass the period of December 1, 2014 through February 28, 2015.

There’s beautiful weather during this time of year in South Carolina and still so much to do on the park and in the nearby area.

To take advantage of this offer, here's what you need to do:

• Call one of the seven parks that you are interested in reserving your campsite, and make your reservation. You cannot make your reservation online or via the toll-free number.
• Mention you are interested in the 30-day snowbird camping special.
• Pay for your entire month (30 days) at the time of registration.
• There are no refunds for early departure.
• Arrive and enjoy your stay!

I have been to all of these campgrounds except Givhans Ferry.

Edisto Beach is the kind of place you can really stay for an entire weekend and not tire of it. The sand is soft and makes setting up camp really easy.

You can sleep so close to the beach that it is hard to stay awake with the sounds of the tide.









Hunting Island gives you the opportunity to have more placid water.
If you enjoy fishing, this campground is a win for you. I have spent many hours with my headphones on casting my rod without seeing another human.

What is your favorite SC park to camp?

Foraging for Edibles

I just added an example of an edibles guide on my pinterest Michael Asimos Camping board. Understanding what mushrooms, berries, leaves, bark, etc that are safe can keep you alive in an emergency. That aside, I enjoy cooking with fresh ingredients that I find while on my outings.

The time to educate yourself on what plants in your areas are safe and what aren't isn't when you're starving after dark. Take the time to learn about indigenous plants and mushrooms that are specific to your geographic region before you need to. There are plenty of resources online and at the library, and a small field manual isn't a bad idea either.

I have a small emergency sheet that's laminated that goes inside my backpack.

If you plan your camping trip in areas that you know are abundant with edibles, you can pack less and use it fresh when you get there.

One word of advice -- don't eat anything that you can not identify 100%. If there is an extra band on the stalk or the leaf is "almost" identical, it isn't worth the risk.

Once you become familiar with the wild plants that are available in your area, you will feel more confident lightening your pack and it's a lot of fun to share your knowledge with other people who are hesitant or haven't been exposed to foraging before.

And if you ever come across a cache of Huckleberries --- let me know!

- Mike

Spring and Summer 2013 means Music!

While procrastinating doing my biology homework, I wanted to find out if anyone had input around some of the major music festivals that happen annually in the US. Between school and work I will probably only get to travel out of the state for one concert this year, but next year, if reviews are good, I want to try to plan ahead more. Weigh in on which concert you would attend and help me decide which one is worth swimming through a sea of sweaty people slamming monster energy drinks.

SXSW : "Michael, Texas is too far away" says the ever protective Mrs. Asimos. Thanks, mom, but SXSW is probably the most mentioned music festival of my generation (with Bonnaroo running a close second).  Not as much of my style of music as Bonnaroo, but it seems to be sticking around and that means something, right? I'm certainly too late for this concert this year, but maybe next year.

Coachella : Seems to be heavily focused on electronica - a nice shift from my usual folk-based selections. It's all the way in California, but with as many acts as they have I'm certain to find either good people or good dance sessions. And let's face it, there are some really wicked camping spots along the way to the west coast to take advantage of!

Bonnaroo : Bonnaroo is my favorite concert event yet, though as you can probably tell by this post I haven't been able to make many more. Weird Al Yankovic is there this year which is just, well, weird, but the lineup makes my soul happy and I know I'll see a lot of my brothers and sisters there from past shows. What is better than good music and great company?

So thoughts? Thoughts for me to pass along to Mrs. Asimos? Great campin spots nearby any of them that may sway me hard to new lands and adventures?


Mike
Peace out!

Best day packs for shows and camping?

Flash 18 Pack - Mike Asimos

I know that day packs range from $30 to $300, depending on all of the features. I like to check our REI when they have outlet sales (or whenever I can make it up in the Charlotte area) and I have gotten some nice packs. I have an older military rucksack too. Some of them have water bladders and others don't. I have noticed that if the straps aren't padded enough and I'm carrying water bottles, other heavy items, I feel some real shoulder strain as the day goes on. This is the case with my Flash 18 pack.

I struggle with breathable material vs waterproof. Smells, spills, etc all seem to happen during the most inconvenient times.

Do you have a favorite pack? -- Mike

Show Tripping Weekend Packing List

I always camp when travelling for a show and the opportunity presents itself as an option. Gimme that sweet quiet away from the energy and noise of the crowds. When I've reached my limit of action and interactions I want to lay my head in the grass and think about the experience and rest and relax under the trees the way we're meant to be.

Since there aren't many shows in SC, usually have to pack something that will fit in the community car without taking too much space but still have what I need. Below is what I usually pack to get me through a weekend, not including what I'm wearing the day I leave.

Mike's Show Trip Weekend (Car Camping with the option to separate if the wind blows me)

Flip Flops
Bandana
Small first aid kit
2 shirts
1 change of pants
1 change of underwear
1 change of socks
Camel back water bladder
1 package beef jerky
1 ultralight tent
1 ultrawarm sleeping bag
1 headlamp
1 gigastove
1 mess / cooking kit
4 freeze dried meals

I've been researching small solar chargers for my phone but I am not yet sure the trust is there to warrant the expense.

Camping Food

I found some eazy camping recipes on Pinterest of all places. Like fritos pie by just dumping cheese and chili into the bag, mix, eat. It's always cheaper when I travel for music shows to bring my own food and I'm down to chow most of the time >> GROWIN!

At any rate - here's a link to my pinterest board where I have already put some and will put more. Please let me know if you have any easy and portable recipes that you like. I'm gonna make social media delicious!
--Mike

I'm Mike and I like to Camp!

I have liked being outdoors all my life. Even with college in full swing I've tried to get away for music shows and always opt to camp nearby. Sometimes the campgrounds if they are close by get noisy but I have found that I enjoy the comradery that comes from people camping vs parking lots that can turn into tail gate parties.

Don't get me wrong - I enjoy tailgating for SEC games, but if it's up to me I will alwayz pick the woods.

This weekend I hit Pisgah National Forest (Pisgah National Forest 411). It is one of my favorite places in the world for solo and group camping. It got cold but I got a new sleeping bag for the holidaze that I was ready to test. Thank you Dad!

I also got to test some of my pinterest recipes that I found (michal asimos camping pinterest board ) and the ham and cheese bake was bomb.

I'm excited for winter to be over so that I can go to the west coast for some adventures. Any good show venues folkz can recommend?