Tom Watson, Author at Guide Outdoors

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Author

Tom Watson

Tom Watson is an award-winning writer who honed his outdoor skills while living in Minnesota and Kodiak, Al...

Tom Watson is an award-winning writer who honed his outdoor skills while living in Minnesota and Kodiak, Alaska. He is a frequent contributor to several outdoor magazines, author of four books: "Sixty Hikes within Sixty Miles of Minneapolis," "Best Tent Camping-Minnesota," "How to Think Like a Survivor," and "Kids Gone Paddlin' ." He's also an avid kayaker and canoer, camper, naturalist, writer/ photographer specializing in paddle sports, outdoor adventuring and self-reliance skills. He resides in western Minnesota. He writes a column on camping/outdoor adventure tips.

Egg Carton Briquet Starter

Dog and women holding a mug sitting around a campfire

There are several ways to ignite charcoal briquets for developing a bed of embers for cooking – whether in the home barbie or over a campfire.

Bug Banquet

Two men camping in woods with chair, cooler, fire, and tent

I’m sure you’ve seen ‘survival’ programs where the expert host turns over a log, finds a solitary grub and goes on to explain how insects are a great resource, especially in emergency backcountry situations.

Steak on a Stick

Steak, peppers, and mushrooms on the grill

Hot dogs with a side of canned beans, the quintessential camp dinner! While I’ll admit I’ve eaten my share of this tradition fare, my preference for what kind of meat is on the end of my roasting stick held over the fire is a good slice of steak!

Considering a Double Kayak?

A big trend in outdoor recreation continues to be kayaking – from fishing platforms to boats for recreational paddling in protected waters.

Back Country Cooking & One-Pot Grills

Once your cooking prowess advances beyond marshmallows and hotdogs on a stick, the use of pots and pans to prepare dinner becomes an essential task on most camping trips.

An Eye on the Weather

You don’t need sophisticated instruments to make fairly sound weather predictions – especially if you know a few basic principles – and can read the local skies.

Campsite Hygiene Aids

People sitting around campfire with Guide Gear Tent

Basic hygiene doesn’t stay at home when you head out to the great outdoors.

Snowshoe Maintenance & Repair

Snowshoers know the importance of maintaining their unique footwear. Both the traditional wood-framed classic styles and the modern, high-tech models have their own specific needs to keep them in sustainable, serviceable condition. Let’s look at the basic care needs and applications for each type: