Rancho Los Coches RV Park

San Diego's best kept secret

Don’t Forget That Camping First Aid Kit

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RV First Aid KitIt’s really important to carry a first aid kit with you and have it stocked for your family, including your pets. You never know when someone will get a bump, a bruise, or have an allergic reaction so being prepared will greatly reduce your stress and get that person back to feeling better faster.

For the humans in your family, you will need the following items:

For bumps, slivers, rashes:
Bandages, gauze pads, ace wraps, adhesive tape, rubbing alcohol, antibacterial cream, sunscreen, aloe, eye wash, Calamine lotion, pain reliever, cough & cold medicine, Benadryl, and something for tooth ache.

Tools you’ll need are:
Latex free gloves, tweezers, magnifying glass, ice paks, small scissors, eye dropper, small flashlight, and thermometer.

For your pet, you’ll need:
Phone number of your regular Vet, vaccination records, and all of the above plus their prescriptions and maybe needle-nose pliers. (if you’re going into porcupine country)

Once you have assembled your first aid kit you will need to be sure and check it regularly. Some of the items will have an expiration date so be sure to replace them as needed. Keeping a dedicated kit with you whenever you travel will provide peace of mind and just may provide exactly what you need when one of your loved ones is hurt or not feeling well.

Foil Packs are Perfect for Grilling

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foil packs on the grillEveryone wants to eat well when they are RVing but no one wants to spend a lot of time cooking and cleaning up. Who can blame them? It’s supposed to be a vacation away from work and as many chores as possible. So cooking food in foil packets can be the perfect answer. You can clean, cut, and pack in the morning and then spend the rest of the day doing whatever you want to do.

The concept is simple. You use sheets of heavy duty tinfoil and your favorite meats, potatoes, rice, veggies, and fruit. Seal it all up into a little tinfoil pillow and drop them on the grill.

Here are a few things to try:

Garlic Shrimp:
Drop some shrimp onto the foil and dollop some softened butter mixed with parsley, garlic, salt and pepper. It’s simple and delicious.

Zucchini and Tomatoes:
These veggies will be steamed and tasty. Slice and dice a couple of zucchini and tomatoes to your liking. sprinkle them with olive oil, garlic, basil, salt & pepper. They only need to cook for about 10 minutes. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and you are good to go.
Mustard-Dill Salmon:
Layer some lovely Salmon fillets with dill sprigs and lemon slices. Sprinkle with brown sugar, ground coriander, and some salt. Add a little whole grain mustard on top then seal the foil and get ready for a delicious dinner.

Pineapple Upside-Down Cakes
You have to have dessert and these will fill the bill. Drop a spoon of brown sugar and some butter on the tinfoil. Add a slice of pineapple and a maraschino cherry. Top that with a shortcake and get them on the grill. The smell will bring the neighbors over to find out what’s cooking.

There really is so much more you can cook in foil packs. Is only limited to your imagination. Go ahead, spare yourself some time washing dishes. You’ll be glad you did.

Cast Iron Cooking

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cast iron for campingCast Iron is a favorite of campers. It lasts for years and can withstand the heat of cooking with it over a campfire. Dutch Ovens are one of the most common pieces that campers use though large skillets come in handy, too. Cast iron is durable as long as it’s cared for correctly. It must be seasoned after each use with some oil and dried well before being put away,to keep it from rusting and extend the life of the piece. It is heavy but most campers are willing to bring it along because of its usefulness at the campsite.

Cast iron provides an even heat distribution along the bottom and walls of the vessel. This makes cooking much more predictable when you are cooking over a source that cannot be easily controlled. It is naturally non-stick, particularly when you keep them well seasoned. Cast iron is also good for fortifying the food with iron. A small amount of iron gets absorbed into the food as it cooks.

They are a safe departure from some of the coatings that are applied to pots and pans these days. It is less toxic, which is a very good thing. Cast iron is low cost and has been used for thousands of years. We see many campers with cast iron pans they have owned for decades. It also comes in a variety of colors these days and can be quite attractive.

We hope you enjoy all your camping meals and we bet you’d be very happy with cast iron.

The Importance of Food Safety While RVing

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Food Safety while RVingSharing meals with friends and family is one of the cornerstones of camping and RVing. There is something about the time spent outdoors that brings people together and when people come together, they bring food.

Summer temperatures can increase the risk of foodborne illnesses so extra care should be taken during these times. There are three primary times in which to practice caution with food. We’ll share some guidelines for transporting, preparing, and serving those delicious summer dishes.

Transporting
Cold food must stay cold. It is recommended that you keep food temperature below 40°F. Use ice or freezer packs to keep food at the correct temperature.

Keep the cooler closed and pack it accordingly. Packing a separate cooler for drinks will reduce the number of times the lid is opened because each time this happens the air inside the cooler becomes warmer.

Raw meat should be wrapped and fruits & veggies washed. Keep raw meats from contaminating other foods by making sure they are securely wrapped before putting them in the cooler. Give fruits & veggies a good scrub before you pack them too.

Preparing

Marinate Foods in the Refrigerator. Keeping meats cool until the time you plan to cook them is key. Marinade intended for dipping sauce should be from a seperate batch, not from the marinade you kept the meat in.

Hot food must stay hot. Keep food on the warming side of the grill or use crockpots and warming trays to keep food from cooling down.

Serving
Cold food should be below 40°F and warm food should remain above 140°F in order to be safe to eat. This means those cold salads should not stay out more than two hours once served and placing them on a tray of ice is recommended. Hot food can be enclosed in a heat sealing container and should not be left out more than two hours as well.

These are just a few food safety tips to make your summer meals safe and enjoyable for everyone. You can learn more about safe food handling at Eating Outdoors, Handling Food Safely

Is Your RV Mattress a Pain in the Back?

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RV MattressThough they have come a long way through the years, we still hear some people voice concerns over mattresses they don’t find comfortable. Most of the time people are saying the mattresses that came with their RV is too firm. It’s understandable when you consider that most of us have some very nice pillow top mattresses at home and are used to a nice, cozy, comfy bed to sleep in.

We’ve heard of a few remedies that RVers have shared with each other. Much of the time it boils down to getting a Memory Foam topper and adding it to the bed. It will increase the height of the bed which may be a problem for some. It also may be too long because RV bed dimensions are not standard with beds we have in homes. It’s best to buy one from an RV dealer in order to get the right dimensions.

Some people choose and egg-crate topper which comes in various heights from 2 – 4″. There are feather toppers, air mattresses, Merino Wool, and a Tempurpedic replacement mattress . It all depends on your budget and preferences.

Consider placing a non-slip liner between layers to keep things from shifting as you sleep. It’s unfortunate to have to replace your mattress or add toppers but a good night’s sleep is well worth the effort. Most people are so happy with everthing else in their RV that they consider this a minor fix.

We hope you sleep well and wake to a beautiful day in our RV park. Life is good and so is a comfy mattress.

Choosing the Best Sleeping Bag

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Sleeping bagsSleeping bags are the staple of the camping and RVing community. There are many choices available and your needs will differ, depending on where you are camping and what you are camping in.

You can find sleeping bags in all weights and fabrics. They can be drab green or colored and shaped like cartoon characters. Some will fit a tall person and others will fit a toddler. As your needs change you will find yourself purchasing new sleeping bags so these are a few things to look for.

Make sure the sleeping bag is durable and will hold up to whatever abuse you can dish out. You’ll be using it for more things than just sleep. You’ll find yourself pulling out a sleeping bag to cover laps around the campfire on a cool night, or laying one down for people to sit on picnic-style. The sleeping bag will be crammed into closets and stuffed into trunks so make sure it is one that will last.

It has to be comfortable. If it crinkles each time you move or makes you sweat because it doesn’t breathe you will not be happy with your purchase. There are all kinds of fabrics available these days so choose accordingly.  Do you need a fat, downy one or a thin one that can be rolled and clipped on a backpack as you hike. Decide what you will be using it for and shop for the best one in that category that you can find.

Whether you are camping in a tent or in a motorhome you will find plenty of uses for your sleeping bags. We hope yours offers you a great night’s sleep and a feeling of being refreshed in the morning.

Three Camping Crockpot Recipes

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Potato Soup a campers favoriteIf you wish to bring the comforts of contemporary cooking with you at the campsite, a crockpot is undoubtedly an absolute blessing! You’ll need a good crockpot and a few ingredients to get you on your way to some of the easiest camping meals you’ve cooked in a long time.

Campground Crockpot Tacos
For these particular mouth watering tacos, you toss an envelope of yourfavorite taco seasoning, 6 thawed boneless chicken breasts, a whole jar of salsa, and your favorite cheese dip into the crockpot. Make sure you a use a crockpot liner to make for easy cleanup. Cook for about 4 hours on high and dinner is served.

When your chicken is tender enough to easily shred using a fork, you’ll know it’s ready. Next up, add a cup of shredded Mexican cheese, and top with guacamole or sour cream to taste, have plenty of shredded lettuce ready to add to your tacos. Then, you’ll be ready to disperse the mixture between 8 to 10 warmed soft tortillas.

Baked Potato Soup
Here’s one that’s great for cold nights! Place a healthy amount of diced and peeled russet and red potatoes into the crockpot as well as garlic, a good amount of chicken broth, a cup of water, along with a tbsp of your favorite seasoning. You ought to allow it to simmer for a minimum of 6 hours on high heat. Then, add 2 medium sized cubes of cream cheese and mix them in liberally. You can blend the whole recipe with an immersion blender for a smoother consistency, and you will be ready to serve!

Crockpot Oats
Finally, here’s a simple breakfast you can make. Place 2 peeled apples sprinkled with a tsp of cinnamon and a 1/3 cup of sugar in your crockpot, then sprinkle on 2 cups of rolled oats. Next, add enough milk to make the mixture slightly soupy along with a tsp of vanilla. You can let the mixture sit overnight and it will magically turn into overnight oats while you sleep. In the morning you can eat it cold with fresh berries or turn the crockpot on high for about half an hour to eat it warm.

Simple Home Remedies for Treating Sunburn

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sun protection while campingPart of the joy in camping is getting some long awaited time outdoors, in the sunshine and fresh air. This can lead to over-exposure, however, and you may find yourself with a sunburn. The sun is really a natural method to obtain Vitamin D, but long exposures to the Ultra violet rays causes sunburns. Severe sunburns can trigger skin problems for example freckles,  flaking, scarring, and irregular pigmentation among other issues.

Sunburn might be itchy and painful, treating burns can be done naturally by reducing your time in the direct sunlight and utilizing home cures known to be gentle on your skin. Here are some of the simplest yet very successful natural home remedies you can use to treat your sunburns.

Witch Hazel – It is known to have excellent properties that assist in healing and rejuvenating damaged skin. Dab the witch hazel on the affected skin. It will also reduce the redness and promote fast healing.

Plain Yogurt – Its content has healthy enzymes and probiotics that really work wonders on the skin. Just take plain, unflavored yogurt and put it to use on the sunburned skin. Allow it to soak in for about a quarter-hour before washing it off gently with clean water and applying a light cover to the area.

Aloe-vera – It is known to be an efficient solution for sunburn and kitchen burns as well. Aloe-Vera has glycoproteins that promote quick healing as well as eliminating pain and swelling.

Coconut milk – This remedy will sooth the skin and moisturize to reduce the chances of pealing. You can substitute with coconut oil, or coconut butter if that is what you have on hand.

Tips for Quickly Cleaning Your Grill

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Clean your grillTo get a grill looking neat and sparkling, follow these simple tips.

1 – First, ensure that the grill is switched off. When it is a propane gas grill, make sure that the gas is disconnected. The best time to clean a grill is while it is slightly warm, e.g. a short while after cooking.

2 – Wear a good pair of rubber gloves and remove the grates and metal plates. Put them in a bucket of hot soap and water.

3 – Loosely wrap the grill’s heating elements with foil so they do not get damaged. Utilize a brush to scrub the underside of your hood, to remove any greasy, smokey residue. Scrub the interior walls at the same time and wipe them clean with a damp paper towel.

4 – Remove the drip pan and empty the contents into the trash, you may want to scoop it all out with paper towels. Put the (mostly cleaned) drip pan into the bucket of warm soap and water and allow it soak for several minutes.

5 -Soak the grates as well as the drip pan and after that scrub them with the grill brush, after which rinse them clean. Do not try this from the sink, because any fat washed off could clog your plumbing.

6 – Take away the foil, and gently clean the elements with a grill brush. Replace the drip pan, grates and metal plates.

7 – Wipe the exterior of the grill with a damp cloth, then buff by using a dry cloth.

It is advisable to clean your grill regularly to prevent excessive grease buildup. Fat can catch fire , so getting rid of it whenever feasible is a good idea.

If you do this often enough and make it a regular part of your RV maintenance it won’t take long at all. You’ll be surprised how quickly the job will be complete when you keep up with it and your food will taste amazing.

Pressure Cookers Are All The Rage Again

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pressure cooker for the rvDo you remember the warnings given to you by your elders and the stories of pressure cookers exploding on unsuspecting people? Most of us heard them and most of us have been a little of leary of pressure cookers ever since.

They are making a resurgence, though, and are pretty well suited to RVing. They cook your food in an amazingly short period of time while still offering the hands-free use of a crockpot. It is also being said that pressure cooking can better preserve the nutrients in food due to the reduced cooking time. As for those old exploding ones your Aunt used to warn you about…they have been completely redesigned and are safe to use these days.

RVers like their freedom and most are not interested in being tied to the stove for the day. A pressure cooker can serve up a hearty beef stew in about 30 minutes. Most people rave about how tender the food is and how happy they are with their new-old appliance. The new designs are sturdy and energy efficient as well.

Lots of things come and go for campers and we see our share of trends. We have been hearing more and more about the new style of pressure cookers and expect to see more of them around the campground.