Camping – Bailey Gaddis Blog

How to Prevent Bug Bites During Pregnancy

September 4, 2018September 4, 2018 baileysandbabiesblog

*Note: I was not paid for this post, but did receive the product for free. I only decided to post about it after successfully testing it out on two camping trips in mosquito-infested areas 🙂

Pregnant women hear “no” a lot. No soft cheese. No coffee. No mimosas. No kitty litter (can I get a hallelujah!) But, the “no” that is given for most insect repellents often leaves that glowing pregnant skin littered with itchy bites. Ladies growing babies don’t deserve that hassle, which is why it’s important to find a repellent that works, but also, won’t cause your baby to grow an eleventh toe.

Enter Stay Away® Mosquitoes Skin Friendly Insect Repellent from EarthKind®. This stuff offers 14-hour effective (!) protection from mosquitoes and ticks including mosquitoes that may transmit West Nile Virus, Chikungunya, Dengue and ZIKA and ticks that may transmit Lyme Disease. Repels biting flies, gnats and chiggers for up to 8 hours.

In addition, this spray is DEET-free, EPA registered, non-flammable and made with a water-resistant formula that includes Picaridin, a natural chemical, bio identical to pepper. And beyond pregnant women, Stay Away® can be used on children 2 years and older.

Good news: You can try it out for $0. Go here to order your free sample.

Visual reminder for my husband that I do (sometimes) say yes to camping.

Here are a few other tips for keeping the itchies, and more serious funk (like Zika) from infiltrating your baby-growing sanctuary.

Reapply insect repellent as directed.
Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants. If you’re in a hot environment, choose a breathable fabric like linen to help prevent overheating.
Use screens on windows and doors.
Use air conditioning, if available.
Prevent mosquitoes from laying eggs in or near water by emptying standing water from all outdoor containers.

Click here for more tips from the CDC.

Camping, Travel, Uncategorized

How to Take Your Camping Cuisine to The Next Level

August 2, 2016August 2, 2016 baileysandbabiesblog

Food prep has always been the metaphorical poison oak rubbing on my leg when I go camping- my main criteria being “what will be the least fussy food to make?” After spending half a day using my mad-Tetris skills packing my car with half my house, I have no desire to be a short order cook of crappy food when I get to the camp site.

But, what if campfire food could be both easy and delicious? (I would go camping more.)

I spoke with Shane Hammett, avid camper and chef de cuisine at the Lone Eagle Grille in the Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Resort, to get the (beefed-up) skinny on how to make campout eating a (easy) fine dining experience- albeit fine dining a la fold out chairs, dust and bug spray.

Here’s how to jazz up your campfire cuisine without having to skip the hike because you need to clean up after lunch and start prepping dinner.

1. Build the Right Kind of Fire.

Trying to cook on a campfire without the right kind of fire is like trying to scale a mountain trail in heels- you can do it, but it will take a long time- and it will suck.

9 Insider Tips for Family Camping on the California Coast

June 20, 2016June 20, 2016 baileysandbabiesblog

There’s a rare form of magic in the crisp air along the California Coast, which is why it’s best enjoyed outdoors. Camping along these beaches rich with ancient trees, active sea life and a bounty of activities (for all ages!) will support you in creating the ideal vacation for your entire family. To ensure it’s more fun than frustrating, follow these tips.

1. Find the Perfect Spot.

It’s hard to go wrong when finding a site to camp along the West Coast, but depending on your family’s specific needs, some locations will suit your family better than others. Take your preferences for sites (e.g., not near cliffs, activities for young children and a beach with a mellow break) and find a few spots that meet your needs.