Spring and summer just can’t get here soon enough for you?  High gas prices threatening to cancel some road trips?

Here are some ideas to start planning for our upcoming seasons and spending them closer to home.

Go through your freezer:

Take inventory of brats, Italians, hamburgers, etc. Use these up over the next few weeks. Using these up now will free up freezer space and make room for fresh packages as sales of grilling foods become more frequent. Be the first in 2008 to invite your friends over for a cookout!

Put up a bat house:

Bats eat thousands of flying insects a week. Give them a new home this year. (More information here)

Plan fishing trips:

Spring walleye and white bass runs are hard to plan, but family trips and reservations can be done and don’t have to be expensive.

Prepare fishing equipment:

Replace the line on your reels. Sun and use, weaken line and knots. Sharpen your hooks. Store bought hooks may be sharp, but almost always can be made more so. Hook sharpeners are inexpensive too. Why risk losing a fish of your dreams for a few dollars and a few minutes of your time.

Visit a bookstore:

An odd suggestion you say? You don’t have to hunt or fish to get outdoors. Field guides of animals, trees, plants, etc. are available and can add a fun factor to a camping trip, an afternoon in a park, or walk around the block. Kids love this and you may be able to find the books at used bookstores or flea markets.

Plan Camping Trips:

Book campgrounds now. They will fill up fast as the temperature warms. There are many campgrounds within an hour or two drive. Save on gas and road trip worries.

Prepare Camping Equipment:

Did you find a rip in the tent last year? Now you have time to fix or replace it. Need new fire starting materials or camp cookware? Coming up with a list of desires or needs and keeping it handy will allow you to watch for sales.

Birdhouses and maintenance:

This is the time of year to clean old nesting materials out of any past houses you have put up. Migratory birds will be here soon looking for nesting areas. If you don’t have any, build or buy some and put them up now. While at the bookstore, look for identification and feeding guides as well as birdhouse plans. Deciding what type of birds to try to attract to your yard can involve even the littlest of family members.

The outdoor lifestyle and equipment can be expensive, but it doesn’t have to be.  Sometimes it just takes a little planning.

See you ‘round the campfire.