Choosing a Cooler

Of all of the things that you purchase for a camping trip, a cooler is the most important to stay healthy.  It is also one of those things that many people overlook and figure that if everything else can be cheap, why can't it?  The answer is found using two words:  FOOD POISONING!

Food Danger

I spent close to 15 years in the restaurant industry and keeping food cold is extremely important.  Generally speaking, you want to aim at keeping cold food (meat and dairy especially) at 4^o C or colder.  If you are tent camping, chances are you didn't bring a fridge, so we need coolers and we need to use high quality coolers.

Salmonella, as an example, requires no more than two hours to grow to an amount enough to make you sick for 1 to 7 days.  Your camping trip could be over before it really begins.

Choosing a Cooler

Choosing a cooler is difficult and store flyers make the selection even more difficult.  In my opinion, you should consider two major points:

• Size required (food + ice)
• Length of time required

Coleman, as an example, has a fantastic series of Xtreme Coolers.  They can be pricey, but state that they can keep ice for up to 6 days at 32^o C outside temperature.  I have achieved that, but with proper prep.  I try to keep only enough food for a weekend in them.  Better safe than sorry.

Tips

1.  Cool your cooler and food before hand.  A warm cooler takes a while to cool down.  Many people, in a rush, will throw their food into a cooler, top it off with ice and head off.  Unfortunately, this could endanger all of the food in your cooler and you have just wasted ice.  If possible, place a bag of ice or two in your cooler the night before and bring it indoors (don't leave it in the car!). 

2.  Freeze your food and save on ice!  If your cooler has been pre-cooled, your frozen food will help keep the cooler cool.

3.  Keep your cooler in the shade.  The sun will warm the cooler.  Many people also keep the cooler in their cars to prevent animals from getting a free snack.  Your car will become an oven in the sun, thus endangering your food and possibly making unfit for consumption.

4.  Keep it closed!  Every time you open your cooler you allow cold air out and warm air in.  Your cooler is most efficient when closed.

5.  Use several coolers.  I use one cooler strictly for drinks like beer and juice.  I would rather go to the washroom for a pee after a beer, than to vomit after eating a bad burger.  I also try to keep other often used items (condiments, breads) in a separate cooler to avoid cross contamination.

6.  Shop often if you are on an extended trip.  Don't try to fill up your cooler for an entire trip unless necessary.  Pack for two to three days, then buy fresh food.


Have fun and eat safely!

Glengarry Park, St Lawrence Parks, Lancaster Ontario

My three kids and I were finally able to get away for a weekend of camping.  It was our first trip of the summer and hopefully not our last. 

Glengarry Campground

The campground is part of the St Lawrence Parks Commission.  It is the furthest East of the parks, nestled just outside the town of Lancaster, Ontario, on the banks of the St Lawrence River.  Located just off Highway 401, it is about 91 km from Montreal, Quebec.

There are some 180 campsites, all with old growth pine, providing great shade on most sites.  17 of those sites are located directly on the banks of the river and for the most part, are only usable by tents (though a couple of brave trailer campers will try!).

There are toilets and showers and plenty of potable drinking taps.  A playground is found in the campers' only area and a small store has your basic needs.

There is a beach, sports field and another playground in the public day-use area along with ample parking for additional vehicles.

My Experience

I showed up Friday evening just after supper, only to find out that there was a mix up with the campsite that I had reserved.  My site, it appeared, was occupied by someone else.  When the cause of the mess up was understood, it all started with a couple of campers just couldn't be bothered to do things right the first time.  Being late and with the warden's permission, I grabbed an unoccupied spot along the river and set up camp as the sun went down.

I took a quick walk around the the grounds with the kids to find the important things.  The washrooms and showers were relatively clean and well lit.  The potable water filling areas were easy to find and the garbage dumpsters were located in the parking lot, far enough away to keep any unwanted animals away.  The grounds, in my area, were only about 50% occupied and relatively quiet.  Falling asleep, most importantly getting the kids to sleep, was relatively easy.

Woke up to the sounds of waves and chirping birds.  Other than the constant urge to go pee all night, I had a great night's sleep. 

After breakfast I gathered up the family and headed to the beech.  It didn't take long to see that this day-use area would soon be infested by extremely large groups of ignorant people.  By 11am, the beach area was packed, no picnic tables could be found and every park rule possible was being broken.  Going camping is about relaxing.  I shouldn't have to worry about dodging dog poop and discarded beer bottle caps.

The kids didn't seem to notice.........and at least the sand area was fairly clean.  They had fun just the same.



Upon returning back to my campsite, I noticed that the day-use area was filled beyond capacity.  Some people had decided to use campsites as a picnic area.  Normally day-use people are not permitted in the campers' area but here, by 11am, the entire Glengarry Park appeared to be a free for all.

By supper time, the conditions at park had greatly deteriorated.  While the staff were all extremely friendly and helpful, the park seemed to be short staffed.  The washrooms at this point were disgusting and the day use area was looked like the Bell Centre after a Montreal Canadiens hockey game.  Those day-use people who used campsites for a picnic just left their gargabe at the site, driving past the dumpsters, to leave the park.  It was still there Sunday morning.

After supper we began to settle in for the night.  Got a camp fire started.  Got the marshmallows out and snuggled up on a blanket with a beautiful view of river.  Other campers had began the same routine and we felt secure in knowing that that it would a quiet and peaceful night under the stars (my tent has a screened roof).

By 10pm we began to realize that things would not be so quiet.  One of the neighbouring sites forgot that all campgrounds have curfews (quiet hours) and Glengarry Park is quiet 24 hours.  By 11pm I had had enough and complained directly to the Warden (who was still available).  Within minutes the music, chatter, singing and laughing was done.  The Warden, again, very friendly, considerate and no nonsense.  I was out cold not long after..............................the sound of the waves is very calming.

Woke up Sunday, again to the sounds of birds and waves.........................and the urge to pee. 

After a very short visit to the washrooms, I realized that there are some very disgusting people out there.  I would just have to hold it until they were cleaned..........................and they were, albeit after breakfast.

We packed up soon after (we like to be home for lunch).  Being nice campers, we cleaned up all of the garbage on our site that we could find and as quietly as we could.  We loaded the car, grabbed our half full  garbage bag and headed out of the park..........................watching the day use area fill up with more ignorant people (ha, ha  they are calling for rain).  I won't need to deal with them today.

Will I return?

Honestly, I would give Glengarry Park another try.  The staff were extremely friendly and always available.  I just don't think that there were enough to keep the facilities clean and supervise the day use area.

Glengarry Park is beautiful, easy to access, well developed and well planned.  A true hidden jewel.  Lancaster is located only 5 minutes away with a Tim Horton's, Mc Donald's, Denny's and gas stations. 

The river side campsites are amazing.  You can fish while sitting at your picnic table or sneak a late night skinny dip :)  You'll need to reserve in advance.

Part of the problem with camping at any camp ground is the other campers.  In my case, over this weekend, a couple of ignorant campers and day use people placed a huge downer on my weekend.  Hopefully those few terrible fellow campers will be returning their used only once camping gear to Wal-Mart and leave the rest of the summer to my family and I.

To buy before my next trip.....

I really need a solar powered smart phone charger.  Using the camera really eats up the battery.