There are three essential pieces of equipment that any would-be outdoorsman must contemplate purchasing before heading out to the wide open spaces. We will give you a basic understanding of what to look for and how to maintain the most important parts of your kit. Fear not because at the Prepared Idiot, I have made all the mistakes for you so that you don’t have to look like an idiot when you are shopping, carrying, and maintaining your gear. So, let take a look at the big three of camping. 
Dumb Questions
Those Sneaky Bears!
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her episodes on iTunes and Stitcher!
I want to here you backpacking stories! Do you have any tips or awesome pics you want to share? I would love to here from you! Post a comment or shoot me an email at Preparedidiot@gmail.com.
There are three essential pieces of equipment that any would-be outdoorsman must contemplate purchasing before heading out to the wide open spaces. We will give you a basic understanding of what to look for and how to maintain the most important parts of your kit. Fear not because at the Prepared Idiot, I have made all the mistakes for you so that you don’t have to look like an idiot when you are shopping, carrying, and maintaining your gear. So, let take a look at the big three of camping.
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Buying Wine, How to Read a Wine Label and Select a Great Bottle of Wine!
І must ad
mit, thаt fоr mаnу оf us, walking іntо а store tо buy а bottle оf wine саn bе а lіttlе lіkе visiting а foreign country аnd nоt knowing thе language. Іf you’re buying wine fоr уоursеlf that’s рrоbаblу nоt а big deal, аlthоugh іt mіght bе nice tо bе sоmеwhаt knowledgeable sо thаt you’re mоrе lіkеlу tо buy sоmеthіng уоu will enjoy. Ноwеvеr, іf уоu аrе buying а bottle оf wine аs а gift, thеn bеіng аblе tо interpret іnfоrmаtіоn оn thе label bесоmеs а bit mоrе іmроrtаnt. Вut, fіrst things, first. Continue reading
The Prepared Idiot’s Guide to Hiking (Part 1of the Backpacking series)
In the age of social m
edia and jobs that require long hours of cubical sitting most modern humans have forgotten the basic skill of walking. Except for in large cities where motor vehicle travel is unpractical the quick trip around the corner to get a gallon of milk is done in our cars. Many children in the Southern California area where I live don’t walk to school anymore and thought of and evening stroll is a terror inducing event for many teenagers. So, we are increasingly spending more and more time sitting on our posteriors plugged into a screen and watching others have adventures and live their lives. While it is not realistic to think that you can escape the modern day working environments entirely you should also be aware of the potential risks of all that sitting. Continue reading
How to use a Suction Dredge for Gold Prospecting
Most people have heard old 
stories of the California Gold Rush in the mid-19th century. Prospectors from across the United States, and even across the world, headed for the West Coast in hopes of striking it rich. Some of them found their fortunes, others were not so lucky, but the thought of such an endeavor may be exciting enough to make 21st century folks wish it were 1848 all over again.
What many people don’t realize is that the gold rush is not over. Well, perhaps the ‘rush’ part is a thing of the past, but that is not to say that people don’t still find gold. Gold prospecting is alive and well for those that have the ambition and spirit to do it. For those adventurous few, there may be no better method than suction dredging.
Continue reading
2014 Napa Earthquake Wine! (Too soon?)
Learn more about wine so you don’t have to look like an “Idiot”
The Prepared Idiot’s Guide to Backpacking
About three weeks 
ago one of my older sons came up to me and stated that he wanted to go backpacking. It is amazing as an adult how easy it is to put things off and then before you know it you can’t seem to figure out how to fit fun and adventure into the schedule. I would like to change this. Continue reading
How to Pan for Gold
To be the most su
ccessful in your endeavor to pan for gold you will need some basic equipment and some practice. The good news is that the equipment is fairly easy to get. As for the practice that is up to you. Here is list of basic equipment for the job.
- Gold Pan Black or Green Plastic doesn’t matter you just need something to contrast the color of gold.
- Shovel
- Magnet
- Tweezers
- Snuffer bottle
- Small squeeze bottle of dish soap
- Classifier in size 1/4 inch (4 mesh)
- Small glass vial with lid
If Only….
Learn more about wine so you don’t have to look like an “Idiot”
How to Bring Wine As a Gift to a Party.
Many people like to pla
y the “what if” scenario, so it’s a good thing to do. What happens if you don’t chill the wine before presenting it to someone? Well, it depends on why you are bringing the wine over. If it is as a hostess gift, it doesn’t matter whether you chill it or not because you are giving it as a gift. The people are likely going to set the wine aside to be enjoyed by them at a later date. If you were to provide it chilled, it is as though you are asking for a portion of your gift and that is rude. Continue reading
The Prepared Idiot 