Camping

5 Remedies for Mosquito Bite Relief

July 7, 2018 by Everyday Alaska

Buzzzzzzzz. Buzzzz. Buzzz. Buzzzzzzzz. The dreaded song of the mosquito plays right by your ear and then silence. You look around for the annoying little fella, and there he is on your arm, having himself a blood buffet. If you’re like me, two seconds later your arm is swollen up like ballon, and then the itching begins. Have no fear, though, with the mosquitoes love for me and my hatred for them, I’ve had plenty of mosquito bite experiences and am going to share my remedies for mosquito bite relief with you!

Mosquito bite remedies alaska — The dreaded mosquito looking for a snack.

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1. The Pink Lotion

When the mosquitos attack, reach for the pink lotion, aka calamine lotion. It is basically just a watered down lotion that happens to be pink and is medicated to quickly stop itching. You can get it pretty much anywhere, it’s inexpensive, and works great.

2. Aveeno Lotion

This is more or less the same as option one, just with a brand name if you are more comfortable with that. This lotion can treat a variety of issues from chicken pox rash to poison ivy, along with the insect bite relief.

3. After Bite

After Bite has been the mosquito bite cure of choice since I was a two feet tall. Its convient marker-like shape is great for camping and other travel. It applies quickly, easily, and with only a minor sting which is well worth the instantaneous itch relief.

Bug and mosquito bites on legs mosquito bite relief Alaska — Just a few bug bites…..

4. Ice

If you don’t have any of the above items and are in need of some mosquito bite relief, try icing the bite. There’s a good chance you have some ice in your freezer at home or cooler if your camping, and this will help a great deal. You just wrap it in a cloth and put it on the bite. This will help relieve some of the itching for while. If you happen to have ice packs around, those would work great, too!

5. Avoid the Bites

The best mosquito bite remedy is to avoid the bites altogether. Some things I suggest are Ben’s bug dope, a Thermacell, coils, or if you’re really serious about getting rid of those pests, a propane mosquito vacuum. You can even get a bug zapper and go crazy with that! There are also a few natural mosquito deterrents out there. I have yet to try those, but I’ll keep you posted if I give them a try!

8 Great Gift Ideas for the Outdoorswoman in your Life

May 3, 2018 by Everyday Alaska

Girl walking across log bridge — Just taking a stroll across the log bridge.

With Mother’s Day fast approaching I thought it only seemed appropriate to make a list of unique and useful gifts for the outdoorswoman in your life. It can sometimes be difficult to find a gift for such a special person in your life, but checking out the list below will help you pick something she will surely enjoy.

This gift list is not exclusive to Mother’s Day, or even ladies for that matter, though. Any guy or gal who enjoys the great outdoors would benefit from any (or all if they really hit the jackpot!) of these items for birthdays, anniversaries, Christmas, Valentine’s Day, and more!

1. If you’re looking for a great gift for an outdoorsy gal under $25, check out this post here. With ideas ranging from LifeStraws to first aid kits, and the perfect camping pillow to dry bags, you’re sure to find a fantastic gift.

2. If she’s outdoorsey she might like cooking outdoors as well. What better thing to do some outdoor cooking in than some American made Lodge Cast Iron! You can get them in a variety of sizes and shapes, and they’re very affordable. Plus, many of them have neat patterns on the bottom. You can check out Everyday Alaska’s list of reasons to start using cast iron here!

3. If your outdoorsy momma enjoys hunting, she’ll need some good optics. For a gift she’ll have for a lifetime (literally, check out their warranty!), shop Vortex Optics. Everything they make is top notch and will make a huge difference in the field.

Using Vortex binoculars — Using my Vortex binoculars and HotHands while looking for sheep.

4. Anyone who loves the outdoors needs a good knife to bring along on their adventures. The knives from Outdoor Edge are awesome. They are incredibly durable, sharp, and have easily replaceable blades to help save you time and money.

5. Jetboil. If they don’t have one, they need one. This is great for hunting, camping, fishing, hiking, or any activity where you may want to stop and have some coffee or make a delicious Peak Refuel meal.

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

6. Need a great snack for hiking? Dehydrated fruit is great to take along while exploring, and it’s also fun to make! I got a dehydrator as a gift and have had a blast using it and eating some delicious dehydrated apples, berries, and even jerky as a result.

Moose jerky on the dehydrator in Soldotna, Alaska. — Moose jerky on the dehydrator.

7. Along with snacks, having a water bottle along on any outdoor excursion is a must. Check out Liberty Bottleworks to see their awesome collection of American-made water bottles. They have every design imaginable and you can even have them customize one! Talk about a unique gift!

8. Don’t judge me too harshly, but I believe Crocs are a must have. They are comfortable, lightweight, and a nice break for your feet after camping, hiking, or hunting. They make a great gift that will be used over and over again.

Bonus idea! If she’s not using them already, grab your gal some HotHands! They are an outdoor game changer since they keep your hands, feet, and body toasty warm!

Any of these gifts are sure to be a winner for any outdoor lover in your life. Whether it’s for Mother’s Day or just a gift to show your appreciation for someone, this list will help you pick a gift that will surely bring a smile to their face and be useful for any of their outdoor adventures.

Looking for gifts for the guys, too? Be sure to check out this post!

10+ Great Gift Ideas for the Outdoorsman in your Life

June 12, 2017 by Everyday Alaska

onXmaps used in Alaska — Using onXmaps out on the trail.

Updated January 16, 2024

If you’re looking for the perfect gift for the outdoorsman or woman on your gift list, you’ve come to the right place. Below is a list of ideas that make great gifts for birthdays, Christmas, anniversaries, Father’s Day, or any occasion. These unique and useful gift ideas for the outdoorsman range from camping gear, to the ultimate outdoor snacks, to hiking and survival gear and more.

1. Jetboil. If they don’t have one, they need one. This is great for hunting, camping, fishing, hiking, or any activity where you may want to stop and have some coffee or make up a delicious Mountain House or Peak meal. Check out my full review of the Jetboil here.

Check out my **full Jetboil review here**.

2. OnXmaps not only has clear and accurate maps, but they tell you where property lines are as well, which is a huge help if you’re hunting, hiking, or camping. There are specific maps for off-roading, hunting, and backcountry adventure. If you gift someone a subscription to OnXmaps it will definitely be one of their most used outdoor items.

3. Gift a pair of Crocs. These lightweight, comfy “house shoes” make for a nice break for your feet after camping, hiking, or hunting. They work great for around camp and at home as well.

4. Trekking poles are useful in a variety of situations. Whether it be on a short hike, snowshoeing, or climbing mountains, they make a great gift for outdoorsman who have a variety of outdoor hobbies.

5. The knives from Outdoor Edge are awesome. The first time we used one was on a moose and it was impressive how well it worked. My husband’s uncle even put down his ulu to use our Outdoor Edge knife! They have replaceable blades so you don’t need to worry about sharpening while skinning your animal, and there is a gutting blade on one side to make the process even easier. I highly recommend any of the Outdoor Edge knives as gifts (or even for yourself) because they greatly assist in the cleaning of any game and will hold up to whatever tasks they’re put through.

6. If they’re going to be shooting, they’ll need some good optics. For a gift they’ll have for a lifetime (literally, check out their warranty!), shop Vortex Optics.

Glassing for moose with our Vortex spotting scope in Alaska in fall — Glassing for moose with our Vortex spotting scope.

7. Getting hangry while out camping, hiking, or hunting can really put a damper on outdoor fun. Check out Peak Refuel and Mountain House meals for some great camp food ideas to give as a useful and necessary gift idea.

8. Check out this tripod. This is a great gift idea that can be used with a spotting scope or binoculars, or for wildlife photography! We’ve had ours for years now, and it has been extremely useful in many outdoor applications.

9. Not all outdoor experiences need to be strenuous. Give the gift of some outdoor R&R with a hammock.

10. Keep their hands, feet, body, and toes toasty while in the great outdoors with some HotHands. I have these with me constantly when I’m outside during the winter.

11. Needed for any overnight outdoor adventure, a sleeping pad makes a great gift for any outdoorsman.

Keeping my hands toasty warm while berry picking.

What are some gifts for outdoorsmen under $25?

If you’re looking for a great gift for an outdoorsy person under $25, check out this post here. With ideas ranging from LifeStraws to first aid kits, and the perfect camping pillow to dry bags, you’re sure to find a fantastic gift.

Any of the gifts listed above are sure to be a winner for any outdoor lover in your life. Whether it’s for a holiday, birthday, or just a gift to show your appreciation for someone, this list will help you pick a gift that will surely bring a smile to their face and be useful for any of their outdoor adventures.

21 Must Have Items to Save you from a Camping Catastrophe

May 29, 2017 by Everyday Alaska

Camping spot by lake reflection. — Camping spots have the best views.

“Hey, did we forget the…”

That’s one of the last things you want to hear when you’re out camping. You’re usually far away from stores, have no neighbors to borrow that can opener from, and you need it for your next meal. We’ve all been there, but you never have to be there again! Below, I’ve compiled a list to save you from another camping catastrophe.

1. Cans are good. Cans are great. You can pack ’em, stack ’em, and best of all they can have food in them! They’re perfect for your camping adventures. The unfortunate thing is that the essential can opener is often forgotten, and you end up using a bottle opener to try poke holes all around the edge to open it (Come on, I know I’m not the only one who has done this!), which then leads to you cutting your finger, throwing the can down, the dog licking up the chili that spilled out, and it’s just a bad time for everyone (Except the dog!). So save yourself the hassle and the bandaid by putting a can opener on your packing list.

2. Pizza cutter. Whether it’s frozen or you create you’re own over the campfire, your pizza will need to be cut, so packing this is strongly suggested.

3. Bottle opener. Refer to #1. If you forget that, or just don’t have the room, this can still do the trick.

4. If you plan on grilling while you’re out, don’t forget the tongs. It’s a little hard to flip ribs or steaks with two sticks, but tongs will do the trick.

5. Another must-have camping kitchen utensil is the spatula. Camping breakfast is the best, but it can’t be made without a spatula, so be sure to bring one.

6. Ok, so maybe these aren’t necessities, but they are awesome. These red drink cups are sturdy, fun, and massive. Most importantly, they can hold a ton of tang, which is my go-to camping drink.

7. If you like tea, hot chocolate, coffee, Mountain House, or Peak Refuel, you need a Jetboil. They’re compact, lightweight, and can heat up water in no time. My mom got one for a camping trip so she could have her coffee fix, and I ended up getting hooked on it too, so now we have one. Just remember to buy the Jetboil fuel canisters so you’ll be all set to use it for your trip. You can check out my full Jetboil review here.

Jetboil and Peak Refuel Time on a hunt — Jetboil and Peak Refuel: two of the best things to bring with for a great meal outdoors.

8. On the same note, don’t forget to bring propane canisters for your grill or other items.

9. Other essential items are matches and/or a lighter. You can’t go camping without having a fire, so these are must-haves. And don’t forget the s’more ingredients!

S’mores camping desert — My favorite camping dessert.

10. One very important thing to have with you when camping and in general is a first aid kit. There are some great pre-made kits out there, or you can build your own. It may get a little expensive, but the peace of mind is worth it.

11. Many people forget to pack their medications when camping. This could lead to a pretty shortened camping trip, so it’s best to have at least a couple days of medications packed in a pill organizer ahead of time, that way if you do forget the others you’ll at least have a backup.

12. Getting a sunburn can really ruin your trip, so add sunscreen to your list and save yourself the pain.

13. Bug bites can be a real camping buzz-kill (sorry, I couldn’t help it), so keeping those guys away to begin with is essential. Some things I suggest are Ben’s bug dope, a Thermacell, coils, or if you’re really serious about getting rid of those pests, a propane mosquito vacuum. If you still end up getting bit, try After Bite. I’ve been using it since I was little, and let me tell you it works fast. The initial sting is worth it to get rid of the itch. You can check out other mosquito bite remedies here.

14. It’s always helpful to have a flashlight or lantern around when camping. Even though we all have lights on our phones now, its good to have options so you don’t kill your battery and can see a bigger area.

15. Where there’s gear, there’s batteries. Make sure to grab enough batteries to power your Thermacell, flashlights, and other camping supplies.

16. If you’re bringing your phone, camera, tablet, or other electronics with you don’t forget your chargers for your vehicle, or even bring a solar charger with you.

17. If you’re camping in louder areas it helps to bring ear plugs to get a good nights sleep.

18. Whether you’re camping in a tent or a camper, you’ll need toilet paper. If you’re in a camper, fifth wheel, or rv, just remember to bring the septic safe kind.

19. You may not have a way to shower while you’re camping, but baby wipes can do the trick for awhile.

20. While we’re on the subject of camping hygiene, hand sanitizer is something you definitely don’t want to forget.

21. To help keep your camper/tent/campsite clean, bring lots of inexpensive towels. It’s good to have some for muddy kids, muddy dogs, muddy boots, showers, or for yourself if you have an impromptu dive in the lake!

This is where those extra towels come in handy.

Adding at least some of these items to your packing list will help you be more prepared for your next wilderness getaway. Happy camping!

P.S. If you plan on ordering any of these items from Amazon, be sure to check out the Amazon Prime 30-Day Free Trial to get free shipping on items that are Prime.

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