Everyday Alaska

Everyday Life in The Last Frontier

Camping

The 10 Best Freeze Dried Meals

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There has really been a huge increase in the freeze dried meal business. More brands, more options, more variety of meals. But, what are the best freeze dried meals? Check out the list below to find out!

Peak Refuel freeze dried camping mea.
My favorite freeze dried meal: Peak Alfredo.

Please note that this post contains affiliate links which I may earn commission from. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Commissions from these qualifying purchases help support Everyday Alaska at no extra cost to you. Please follow the instructions on all of the recommended items. All of the information provided is my personal opinion, unless otherwise cited or noted.

What is a freeze dried meal?

Freeze dried meals are regular meals that have gone through the freeze drying process which removes moisture from the food. This creates long lasting, shelf stable meals that can be rehydrated and used on the go.

Eating Peak Refuel at the cabin.
Refueling with Peak at the cabin.

Who would find freeze dried meals useful?

Anyone! Freeze dried meals are good for backpacking, camping, hiking, and hunting, so they are a favorite of outdoor lovers. Also, they are fantastic for emergency food storage. If you have a natural disaster emergency kit, these are a perfect and necessary addition. There are so many benefits to this type of meal that makes them useful for everyone.

Freeze dried meal storage.
These meals are great for emergency food storage.

Why should I buy freeze dried meals and what are the benefits?

Freeze dried meals are shelf stable and have long expiration dates. They’re also relatively compact, and since they require no refrigeration it makes them easy to store. Plus, they’re are very lightweight, which makes them handy when packing for hiking and camping. According to Harvest Right and other sources, freeze dried food keeps about 97% of it’s nutritional value, which is a huge benefit, too.

Warm up at camp with some mac and cheese!

How do I cook freeze dried meals?

Just follow the simple directions on the meal bag to cook them. For most meals, you can take boiling water and pour directly into the meal pouch. Let it sit for the recommended time, stir, let it sit a bit more, and enjoy! Check into Jetboils to boil the water in a jiffy. You’ll also want a long spoon that’s made for meals like these to stir up all the ingredients in the bottom of the bag with ease.

Peak Refuel freeze dried breakfast skillet while ice fishing.
Enjoying a delicious Peak breakfast while ice fishing.

What are the best brands of meals?

As you’ll see in the list below, I think the best brands are Mountain House and Peak Refuel. They have everything from filling breakfasts and savory lunches to tasty snacks and sweet desserts. Check out my list of the best freeze dried meals below to see some of our favorites!

Peak Refuel Breakfast Skillet

Peak Refuel Mountain Berry Granola

Mountain House Macaroni and Cheese

Mountain House Chicken Fajita Bowl

Peak Refuel Chicken Pesto Pasta

Mountain House Chili Mac with Beef

Peak Refuel Sweet Pork and Rice

Mountain House Spaghetti

Peak Refuel Chicken Alfredo Pasta

Mountain House Beef Stroganoff

These meals will keep you full and fueled up for all your outdoor adventures, whether it be hiking, fishing, camping, hunting, or preparing an emergency kit. I hope you enjoy them as much as we do!

Is the Garmin inReach Really Worth It?

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Is the Garmin inReach really worth it? Considering the price tag, that’s a great question to ask before you purchase one. In this post, I’ll share with you both the perspectives of an inReach user and of the recipient of inReach messages, and let you know the pros and cons of purchasing a Garmin inReach. 

What is the Garmin inReach?

The Garmin inReach is a satellite communication device that allows for two way text communication, route tracking and sharing, and an emergency SOS button, among other things. You can Bluetooth these devices to your phone to easily text people updates, and send links to loved ones so they can track your adventures. There are a few different versions of the inReach, such as the Explorer, Mini, and Messenger. We have the full size Explorer, which I think is a little more user friendly, but the Mini is definitely more compact and lighter weight along with the Messenger, so there are perks to either model.

Please note that this post contains affiliate links which I may earn commission from. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Commissions from these qualifying purchases help support Everyday Alaska at no extra cost to you. Please follow the instructions on all of the recommended items. All of the information provided is my personal opinion, unless otherwise cited or noted.

Who would the Garmin inReach be useful for? 

The inReach is useful for everyone. Whether you are a hunter or a hiker, a biker or a road tripper, living off grid, camping, or just traveling where there is poor cell service, having an inReach as part of your gear is a necessity. Why would I say it’s a necessity? Read ahead to find out.

The inReach is great for roadtrips where you may not have cell service.

Why should I purchase an inReach?

It could save your life. Truly, I’m not exaggerating. Whether you run into a life threatening emergency while out in the woods, or have a medical emergency on a stretch of road with no cell service, the SOS button on your inReach will connect you with the Garmin Response Team who will contact the necessary emergency services, pinpoint your location, and stay in contact with you via two way texting during your emergency until emergency and rescue services arrive.

Not only is having an inReach a safety feature, it also gives you and your loved ones peace of mind. My husband brought our inReach Explorer on a sheep hunt, which ended up lasting seventeen days. It gave me peace of mind getting updates from him, he had peace of mind knowing they could contact someone in an emergency, and they could contact their transport service to arrange for a pick up as well. My parents also have an inReach. When they’re heading out on longer adventures they turn on tracking, and I can receive a tracking link to make sure they’ve made it to their destination, along with receiving text messages from them on via their inReach as well.

Garmin inReach communication.
Tracking and updates from sheep camp.

Where does the inReach work?

As you probably know, there are many parts of Alaska that are quite remote. Considering that’s where we live, it’s a pretty good place to test out a communication device like this. So far, we’ve had great luck with it. It really works everywhere, but some messages may take a little more time to send depending on where you’re at.  

When can I use this device?

Anytime. There are monthly, no contract plans for short term use, and annual service plans as well. 

What are the pros and cons of the Garmin inReach?

Okay, let’s get into it. Clearly, there are pros and cons to anything you’ll purchase. From what you’ve already read, I’m sure you can tell that I do think the Garmin inReach is really worth it, but below I’ll list the positives and negatives of this communication device so you can decide for yourself.

Cons

Cost
None of the inReach devices are cheap, but can you really put a price on safety and peace of mind? The investment you’ll make into an inReach is well worth it. If you want to save a bit of money, you can compare the different versions and see which is best for you, as prices vary depending on which device you choose. Also, there are monthly service plans, and prices vary depending on use, just like cell phone plans. But, you can activate plans for just a month at a time, and pause service when you don’t need it. 

Learning Curve
As with all new gear you’ll be using outdoors, test it at home before you take it out with you. Depending on how tech savvy you are, there may be a bit of a learning curve. Plus, you can get it paired with your phone while you’re home so you’re ready to head out in the field or road trip through with wilderness.

Take it with you anywhere, from walks in the woods with your pup to hiking up mountains.

Pros

Safety and Peace of Mind
As I mentioned above, one of the times we relied most on our inReach was during my husband’s Dall sheep hunt. He had over two weeks of strenuous hunting in the mountains of Alaska. Needless to say, without the inReach I would have been a wreck worrying about him. Thankfully, I was able to get updates from him and his hunting partner via the inReach. I also got to track parts of their trek, and received check in messages as well. “Check-in messages are messages with predefined text and recipients”, as explained by Garmin, and work great to let loved ones know things such as “made it to the campsite”, “heading back down the mountain”, or “flying out tomorrow” easily and quickly. Not only will the inReach give that peace of mind, but, as you read earlier, it can save your life, and/or the lives of those you’re with.

SOS Button
In the event of an extreme emergency, there is an SOS button on the inReach. It’s covered by a cap so you won’t accidentally press it. If there is an instance where you do have to use the SOS, the Garmin Response Team will coordinate with the appropriate agencies to assist in a solution to the emergency, all while keeping in touch with you via your inReach. To get more details on the inReach SOS, check out this article here.

Battery Life
Obviously, battery life will depend on how much you use it, and how you use it. Will you use it for tracking? How many messages will you send? This varies depending on which of the inReach devices you get as well. We have had our inReach for years now, and I really feel like it has great battery life. There are statistics on the Garmin website for usage versus batter life that will give you a good idea of how often you’ll need to charge it.

One thing to note, though, is the battery life of your phone. If you’ll have them paired and will be texting form your phone, it would be best to bring a charging cord and solar charger or small potable charger to keep everything charged up.

Size
The size of your inReach device will depend on which one you get, but they are all convenient and lightweight to carry on any treks.

So, is the Garmin inReach really worth it?

From what you’ve read above, do you think this communication device is worth it? I sure think it is. Any outdoor enthusiast, traveler, or individual living remotely should have an inReach. You really can’t put a price on safety or peace of mind, so check out the inReach here.

Essential Things You Need to Do When Preparing Your Camper for Winter

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Please note that this post contains affiliate links which I may earn commission from. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Please follow the instructions on all of the recommended items. All of the information provided is my personal opinion, unless otherwise cited or noted.

Winterizing. Yup, I said it. The time is upon us to get our campers, RVs, fifth wheels, toy haulers, and travel trailers ready for winter. Winter comes early here, so our fifth wheel is already winterized and parked for the snowy season. Now that we’ve gone through this winterization process for many seasons, I feel like I’ve got a good system down and can let you know about all the essential things you need to have and do to prepare you camper for winter.

The last trip of the season before the snow came.

Empty Your Tanks

This is an essential step, and my least favorite part of camper chores. It’s time to dump the tanks. Gray tanks, black tanks, fresh water, it all needs to be out so nothing freezes up. By the time our fifth wheel camping ends, dump stations here are already closed. If you have the same problem in your area, check into septic pumping services near you. That’s what I did this season, and they come right to your house to pump your tanks out for you. So convenient! Just be sure to follow the instructions on your individual RV to dump your camper properly and completely.

Pro Tip: Using a clear elbow when dumping your tanks makes a major difference. You can ensure that it’s completely empty, and see if it needs to be flushed out more, if you have that option on your camper. Check them out here!

Empty Out Your Food

Even if that pasta sauce’s expiration date isn’t until next summer, and you’ll be back in your camper by then, take it out. Any perishable item, even if it’s in a can or jar, should be out of you travel trailer. You don’t want any rodents or other pests to be moving in for the winter, so take the food source out. Also, during the freeze/thaw of winter, things will expand, contract, and possibly explode. No one wants to open their camper up to the remnants of summer soda pop’s past splattered all over their walls.

There was a lot to clean out after our last trip! Hopefully we’ll be more organized next year!

Pest Control

Knock on wood, we haven’t had this problem in our fifth wheel, and I hope we never do. “Prevention is the best cure” though, so stop your pest problem before it starts. My aunt suggested Irish Spring Soap to keep mice away, which I’m going to buy this weekend to leave in our camper for the winter. I’ve also heard that the scent of peppermint and a few other things keeps unwanted guests away. Have you tried these options or any others before? If so, please leave a comment, and let everyone know how it worked!

Antifreeze

Now it’s time to prevent any freezing in your camper’s plumbing. We use -50°F antifreeze, but you can use whatever formula is appropriate for your winter temperatures. Follow the instructions provided with your RV to complete this step, or hire someone who can do this for you.

Pro Tip: From what I have experienced, it seems like Walmart is the cheapest place to purchase your RV antifreeze, but shop around in your area as well for the best price

Setting out the DampRid for winter.

DampRid

There is a surprising amount of condensation and moisture that occurs in your camper over the winter. I wouldn’t have realized this until we started using DampRid. DampRid buckets absorb moisture in the air and trap in within the absorbent crystals in the buckets. We use large buckets in our toy haulers garage and living room, and smaller ones for the bathroom and bedroom. They do a fantastic job of keeping our toy hauler free of excess moisture.

Cleaning and Maintenance

Unfortunately, we didn’t have a lot of time to do this before freeze up this year, but cleaning and maintenance are important steps in preparing your camper for winter. Make sure slide out seals are conditioned, inspect your roof for leaks or damage, reseal any areas that need it, wash your camper, and do whatever else needs to be done so you can hop on in and start camping ASAP once spring hits!

Pro Tip: Double check that all of your roof vents are closed! Leaks from snow and rain can cause serious damage to your camper, so it’s always good to make 100% sure these are closed.

I hope this list has helped you prepare you RV, camper, fifth wheel, or travel trailer for the winter ahead. Putting away our camper is usually the last winter chore we have before the snow really starts, so it’s the official end of fall for us. But don’t fret, there’s plenty of things to enjoy during winter as well! And it’s the perfect time to plan your summer camping trips and determine what else you need in your RV! Winter isn’t the end of camping, it’s just a season to plan your next adventure. Happy planning, folks!

A Jetboil Review

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Please note that this post contains affiliate links which I may earn commission from. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Please follow the instructions on all of the recommended items. All of the information provided is my personal opinion, unless otherwise cited or noted.

Are you considering purchasing a Jetboil, but are hoping to learn a bit more about what it is and if it’s worth getting? Perfect, you’ve come to the right place! I’ve been using a Jetboil for years now and am going to give you the lowdown in this Jetboil review.

What is a Jetboil?

The Jetboil is a super speedy water boiling system. This system has a tall container to hold water, supported by a stand with an igniter, which attaches to a small fuel canister. You light the flame, watch the indicator on the outside for boiling progress, and before you know it you’ve got boiling water! I know it’s a simple explanation, but that’s just what it is. Jetboil has expanded their line to include other cookware such as a skillet and cook pot. For now, I’ll be reviewing the stove cooking system/super speedy boiling system as I haven’t yet tried the other cookware.

A Jetboil heated up in fall. The Jetboil gets a great review for ease of use.
The full orange ”flame” under the clear overlay indicates that the water is boiling and ready to use.

Who would benefit from having a Jetboil, and when would it be useful ?

Honestly, I think everyone should own a Jetboil, and this is why. First of all, they are great for emergencies. If you go through a natural disaster or some other event where you may not have access to clean water, you’ll want a Jetboil. Having one in your emergency preparedness kit can give you the ability to boil water for purifying, keeping you hydrated and hopefully preventing you from getting a water born illness.

Secondly, Jetboils are great for the outdoorsey folks. If you’re into hiking, biking, camping, hunting, or other outdoor hobbies, a Jetboil is for you. You can heat up water for coffee, dehydrated meals and more. The Jetboil is so compact and easy to carry that you’ll want to bring it on all your adventures.

A cozy lunch. You can take the Jetboil on all your adventures.

What are the pros of having a Jetboil?

The Jetboil is a must-have addition to your emergency preparedness kit and outdoor gear. It’s compact, convenient, lightweight, portable and easy to use. They now have the ”Stash”, which I haven’t tried yet, that is even more compact and lightweight. Jetboils are also easy to clean, which is handy when you are out in the mountains and quite far from the nearest sink! It’s a bit of an investment, but well worth it for warm food and drinks while enjoying the great outdoors.

Breakfast with a view. Nothing like oatmeal straight from the Jetboil.

Are there any cons to the Jetboil?

Clearly, this is a very positive Jetboil review, but there are cons to even the best of gear. Thankfully, I really only have one thing I’d consider a con for the Jetboil. During our most recent use of our Jetboil, we had problems with the igniter. Luckily, we had plenty of matches (as you should while you’re in the wilderness) to start it with. There is a troubleshooting video on their YouTube, though, and it looks like an easy fix, but as with all gear, we should have made sure it was in working order before we left.

I hope this review has helped answer your questions about the Jetboil. I really believe that you can’t go wrong with purchasing this cooking system. There are so many benefits to having one, and it comes in handy during a variety of different activities. If you have additional questions about the Jetboil, please feel free to ask them in the comments, and I’ll get back to you with an answer ASAP.


The Pros and Cons of Cooking with Cast Iron

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Please note that this post contains affiliate links which I may earn commission from. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Please follow the instructions on all of the recommended items. All of the information provided is my personal opinion, unless otherwise cited or noted.

Cooking with cast iron makes me feel like I’m in Little House on the Prairie, or all cozied up in a little cabin somewhere. I don’t know why, maybe its the old-timey feel or the hearty meals that come from them, but those skillets and dutch ovens have won me over. For a minute, I was a little intimidated to use them, but now I’m hooked, and I’ll tell you why.

There are so many pros to cooking with cast iron, and very few cons. Clearly, in my opinion, the benefits to cast iron cooking heavily outweigh the minute amount of cons. Below, I’ll give you the lowdown and hopefully convince you to grab a skillet and join me in some cast iron cooking!

Cooking with cast iron over charcoal
Camping queso prepped and ready to heat up!

Ease of Cleaning

It doesn’t take anything technical to clean cast iron. A little soap, water, and a quick soak if necessary. If there are any stubborn, stuck on pieces, take your scraper to them after a short soak. Dry it completely, and oil it lightly. You’re good to go!

The only downside is you need to clean this shortly after use; no letting it sit on the stove to wash in the morning or it may begin to rust. On the bright side, if you don’t get to it right away and a bit of rust shows up you can use this handy tool and then re-season it. And if you’re looking for more handy kitchen tools and gadgets, click here!

Less Cleanup

Speaking of cleaning, when you start cooking with cast iron you’ll have less dishes do to! You may be asking yourself how this is possible. Well, let me tell you. You can use cast iron on your stovetop and in your oven, so if you’re frying up hamburger that needs to go in a casserole, you can cook it on the stove top, add the casserole ingredients to the skillet, and then pop it in the oven. So simple, and it saves you a dish!


Space Saving

Although cast iron may be a bit heavy and somewhat larger to store, it can end up saving you space. If you only need one skillet to do the work of a pan and baking dish, that saves you space and even money, too!


Durability

These pans are heavy duty. There’s no warping with this cookware, they seem to be virtually indestructible, and will last generations if well taken care of. Another bonus of this long-lasting durability is less waste. If you’re not going through a few sets of warped, peeling, and broken pots and pans in a lifetime, that’s a little less that gets sent to the landfill. The trade off? They are quite heavy. You’ll need some sturdy shelving or a storage area for them, but I just consider it a good little arm workout!

Even Cooking

From what I’ve experienced, cast iron seems to heat evenly, and retains heat well. This is very helpful, especially when cooking over an open flame or coals.

Cooking bread in a cast iron ditch oven
Savory jalapeño cheddar bread in the Dutch oven.

Classic

Cast iron cooking has been around for quite awhile now. Its classic look really goes with any kitchen decor, so if you store it in the open like I do it acts as both cookware and decor. Plus, Lodge Cast Iron has collections with a variety of cute patterns, such as the Wanderlust and Wildlife Series, which is what I have.

Made in America

There’s definitely no downside to this! My favorite thing about cooking with cast iron is that you can buy made in America cookware! Lodge Cast Iron makes their items in the USA, so not only are you buying some fantastic cookware, you’re supporting American made as well.

I hope these reasons help you decide to give cooking with cast iron a shot. You’ve got nothing to lose, and decades of delicious meals to gain! And speaking of meals, check out these handy cookbooks and magazines below for recipe inspiration.


A tasty apple crisp made while out camping.

The Ultimate Camping Checklist

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It doesn’t matter if you’re a first time camper or a seasoned RVer, it’s always good to have a checklist of things you want to bring with on a camping trip. Once you’re on the open road or tenting it in the wilderness chances are you may not be able to find the items you need. Check out the camping checklist below to be sure you have all you need for your camping adventures!

What type of camping is this camping checklist for?

This list is for any type of camping, but how you’re traveling and what you’re camping in will determine exactly what you need. There may be some things on this list that you might not need, or you may need all of them. Whether you’re camping in a tent, the bed of a truck, in a camper, or cruising in an RV, there are things on this list that you won’t want to go without. There are no photos in this list so you can easily print it out or copy and paste it into a document to use every time you head out on an adventure.

Please note that this post contains affiliate links which I may earn commission from. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Commissions from these qualifying purchases help support Everyday Alaska at no extra cost to you. Please follow the instructions on all of the recommended items. All of the information provided is my personal opinion, unless otherwise cited or noted.

Shelter and Sleep

Safety and First Aid

Tools, Gear, and Other Essentials

Camp Comfort

Toiletries

Food, Water, and Cooking Utensils

Fun and Games

Whether you’re glamping or roughing it in the wilderness I hope this list gets you prepared and on your way to your next camping adventure!

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