Tag: Blog

Camp Furniture 

By Patrick K w/Mid Tn Outdoors

Ok so I have been camping since I was 13 so back then we sat on the ground or a log if one was around. When it was time for bed we had a foam pad on the ground if we were lucky back then, I am talking absolute caveman-type crap. Now that I have gotten older and wiser, well it hurts to do that crap today. I have elevated to the king of the woods and camping with chairs, cots, and even tables.

So now let’s talk about getting off that log and let’s get us a chair. There are many types of comfy butt holders out there. You can get bear bones three-legged stool or spend a little coin and get yourself one of those more comfortable chairs that rock and have fancy shocks in the back like an off-road monster. Let’s look at the room you have for storing such in your off-road rig, these chairs can eat up important real-estate quick. But get what you’re comfortable in. 

Off Road Chair

Lite Weight Small Package

Next, we are going to talk about your sleeping arrangements, if you’re a ground dweller like me and using a tent then you may want something like an air mattress or a cot. Now I have used both. From the loss of my youth to time, I am more attracted to a cot. The one I am using now is the Teton Outfitter XXL Camping Cot. Now the thing doesn’t fold down very small but boy am I comfy. With that said I sleep many years on an old army surplus cot and still have it. You, youngsters, can probably get away with an air mattress and I say go for it.

So the last thing I will talk about is tables and lord knows I have run the field with these things. The one I rock in the tent now is a table from the big blue store. Now as far as cooking or food prep table I was using a plastic half table for a while till baking cookies at camp and it started smoking. Now I have moved to a roll-top type table that is metal and hopefully won’t start smoking. 

To end this out I will recommend furniture that folds down flat as possible or even roll up to put away without taking up to much space. I will do a video soon on all of this so I can give a more visual look at what and why I use what I use camping. Stay tuned and well get out there and get your camp on. Be Prepared… 

Gear I use

I am going to drop some links to Amazon for gear I use for camping and filming my trips. If you buy anything off these lists I will get a small bonus from the sale and it will not cost you any extra.

The first list link is for camping gear I use and have reviewed on my YouTube Channel. http://a.co/dejW6IM

The second link is to camera gear I use to film my trips and adventures. https://a.co/5jUq0yG

Scouting Big South Fork NF

So I decided it was time to take a trip up and explore Big South Fork NF. Left home and headed northeast not knowing what I would find. Also knowing I was going to be dodging thunderstorms all day.

1920 Farmstead

As always with Gaia by my side and no real game plan, I took off looking for an adventure and I found one. Found some really cool old farmstead and some rock formations. Even found some more roads to venture down the next time I go back.

Chimney Rock

I know have an idea for an overland adventure that will encompass Big South Fork and Daniel Boone NF in one big trip. Stay tuned for more details to come.

Tuesday’s Video is Up

So in this video, we took a day trip to Big South Fork National Forest and scouted for more camping opportunities for this fall. Now storms tried their best to run me off but I weathered through them.

Fall Camping Season is Coming

Written by Patrick K of Mid Tn Outdoors

In the south for some of us, July and August are well dead months for us because the temp is in the 90s with humidity running near 70% which makes the temp feel into the 100’s and no one wants to sleep in that unless you have snake blood.

So we take this time to make repairs or even change up gear parts here and there (because we are never happy with what we have. So far I have replaced weather stripping on the bed cover, and kicked out the firewood for a propane fire pit.) To make things better, faster set up or easier set up at camp so we can be on the trail longer or cover more miles.

With that all said have I ever camped in the middle of summer, and the answer to that is YES. As a scout, we slept in canvas tents that hold in the heat as much as your kitchen oven. So I have done it for many years and as time went on I introduced a battery-operated fan. So now as an adult, I just choose to bypass these two months. Now you know why I choose not to camp in the dead of summer.

But don’t worry won’t be long before we are camping and Overlanding in new places like LBL, DBNF, and some of our great Tennessee State Park and just maybe some other state’s state parks. So stay tuned and well hope to see you out there.

Camp Setup

5 Tips for Business-Oriented Retirees Looking for a Vacation Home

Written By: Kathleen Cheng

5 Tips for Business-Oriented Retirees Looking for a Vacation Home

Many retirees want to invest in a vacation home. In fact, the business is booming and expected to grow over the next decade, especially since vacation homes aren’t just places where families can congregate. They can be used as a source of income. Mid Tn Outdoors shares some tips for the business-savvy retiree looking to invest.

1. Start a Rental Business

Converting your vacation home into a rental property could supply you with passive income. You could rent it out during your off-season months or make it function similarly to an Airbnb. Run your operations as a legitimate business to establish credibility and consider starting your business as an LLC to protect your personal assets, such as your first home. If you want to start an LLC, you can hire a lawyer or a formation service to form your business for you, but formation services are less expensive.

2. Choose the Right Location

The property should have appeal no matter what season it is. For you, your vacation home should have all the amenities you need when you want a vacation. However, if you want to also use it as a rental property, you need to know what renters look for. For example, in the summer months, many people want easy access to the beach, lake, or a pool, and in the winter months, they may want to ski. Additionally, make sure you live close enough to the property if you want to manage it yourself. This would include handling maintenance requests on top of all the other landlord responsibilities.

3. Budget Ahead of Time

The first major expense is the mortgage itself. Check local listings for average market values in the area of your choice. However, when budgeting, you can’t just consider the cost of the mortgage. There are plenty of business expenses to look out for, like management, maintenance, marketing, business permits, and landlord insurance. Some of those expenses may even be deductible, so factor those into your calculations so that you really know what you can afford. Vacation rental agencies might be a good resource for estimating how often you’d be able to rent out your property, giving you an idea of how much you could expect to make.

4. Watch Out for Properties Sold “As Is”

“As is” is a real estate term used to indicate that a seller will not be making repairs on a property prior to selling it. This could mean that the home has major issues, so before you buy the house, conduct a thorough inspection, paying close attention to common problem areas such as the foundation, the plumbing, and pest infestations. You should also take a look at the land records for anything suspicious. If in doubt, consult a lawyer or set up a contingency to protect yourself.

5. Know the Tax Laws

The property taxes for your vacation home are likely going to be different than where you currently live. Plus, If you end up using your vacation home as a rental property, you’ll have to pay income taxes on any rent you collect. How you manage your rental will determine your vacation home’s tax basis for depreciation, and staying on top of the law will ensure you don’t get into legal trouble down the road.

To make the most of your vacation home, turn it into a business endeavor when you’re not using it. This way, you’re making the most of passive income. Choosing the right location, forming an LLC, budgeting accordingly, and keeping abreast of the laws and regulations will set you up for success.