Category: Netherlands Camping

Camping at Kuinderbos, NL

The Cedar Journal September 29, 2020

When we attended the Dutch Open Canoe Festival a few weeks ago we decided to accept a suggestion of staying at a less busy camping location not far from the Weerribben.

The area map showed all the places to explore

The Hubby and I had visited another area of this forest earlier this Spring and knew it had features we wanted to explore including a lake.

As we pushed the canoe cart towards the lake we were stopped by the Park Ranger who was clearly a wooden canoe enthusiast. He asked us all the normal questions we get about the canoe. Did we build it? How it was made? How does it paddle?

Then he informed us that the beautiful lake was not available to paddle but that he would allow us if we respected the wildlife. We quickly thanked him and continued to the lake and had a very nice paddle on a lake that reminded us both of areas in Northern Minnesota.

A man made natural shoreline of the park lake.

The sky reflected on the lake was just beautiful.

Some of the wildlife that the Park Ranger is trying to make sure is undisturbed with loud boats on the lake. We were respectful that we shared the lake and maintained our distance.

The campsite was spacious and the campground had done a great job of making it as COVID 19 social distancing proof as possible. This was comforting as we camped through the busy weekend we never once felt we were at risk of catching the virus from any of the other campers.

Direction signs clearly posted to the common shower/toilet facilities

Bricks placed at the 1.5meter distance taking the guesswork out of “how close is that person?”.

Handy indicators on what was available inside the facility.

Sinks were taped off and the taps removed so that it was very clear what could be used and which ones were not available.

There are a number of hiking trails located within walking distance of the campground. With hidden treasures of nature or man made features waiting to be discovered.

One of the trails close to the campground with a wise wooden caretaker.

This area of pine trees just off the trail could easily be from Minnesota, but it is The Netherlands!

This forest is known for the European Oriole. We thought we heard them but in the end we only were able to get a picture of the beautiful tree canopy.

The park has several tipis for rent but this one seemed to be used for nature programs that the Park Rangers provided.

This trail was guarded by a gnome. What other surprises did it hold?

Possible hummm? A gnome house just off the trail.

Not that a small gnome house would be surprising to see on this trail. It was a children trail and what better way to inspire children in nature than to feature gnomes and a small house.

I would recommend this beautiful forest location for anyone who would like to get out of the house and into nature.

Limburg Camping Escape

The Cedar Journal August 20, 2020

We have accomplished another short escape from the Amsterdam area. This time we headed to Limburg.

A window box of flowers in Eygelshoven. We saw many of these along our bike ride.

Normally we stay at a wonderful B&B (Meens B&B) in Schinnen but this time of the year, most vacation lodging is booked far in advance. This year with Covid running rampant in European vacation locations outside of the Netherlands, many Dutch have decided to stay and vacation here inside the country. This has made getting accommodations (even camping spots) challenging.

We decided on very short notice to go to Limburg. We were very lucky to find a farm camping location in the outskirts of Landgraaf.

I worked in Limburg for a couple of years prior to my retirement and knew that Landgraaf has a downhill ski facility and hosts a summer music festival (that didn’t happen this summer). As in most locations where I have worked sometimes I didn’t really explore as much as I would have liked due to time constraints. It is nice now to really enjoy the areas around where I spent my last two years of employment with the US Government.

We were nicely surprised at this camping location. Large roomy bathroom facilities. Trees between the camping spots that provide some much needed shade as the temperatures creeped towards 30C. A expansive view of the Limburg landscape reaching into Germany. The German border is only 2 kilometers (approximately 1 mile) from where we camped.

The differences in Limburg from Amsterdam area are vast. Hills instead of flat land make it great for bicycle training. The Dutch language also changes here into something that is part German, local Dutch and influenced also by the Belgium speakers of French, making hard even for my Dutch hubby to understand.

It was a nice getaway. Biking in the Limburg area, relaxing at the campsite. Too short in duration, different too from other vacations as we can’t just shop without a mask or are constantly thinking is this or that safe. It was a time to regroup, reconnect, listen to nature and re-energize.

A few thousand free range chickens next to the camping.

These cattle were trying to stay cool and keep the flies away. Much like the campers

Loaded down with the last of my American shopping for the year we head home to Amsterdam.

My bike loaded with American products from the military commissary.

Weekend Escape

The Cedar Journal July 28, 2020

It finally happened, a weekend away. It didn’t happen without a risk assessment and long discussion about the risks. This trip almost didn’t happen at the last minute as warnings about increased cases in our local area on Wednesday had us thinking once again about the risks. Then, I started sneezing like crazy (I have crazy allergies…but in this day and age of rampant virus I questioned myself). We held our breath, I popped some Claritin and we packed the Caddy.

First canoe camping weekend with all our gear this year.

On Thursday (with no news of the threatened local lockdown) we hit the road, heading towards one of our favorite places to canoe paddle the Weerribben National Park.

First a cup of coffee before setting up camp!

Once we had arrived and set up our campsite, we headed out for a short evening paddle. Our paddle muscles cried out as we inched along. Months of sitting dormant and this sudden burst of use was a surprise for muscles that normally mid summer are well accustomed to paddling use.

What better way to give the muscles a real boost than to prepare chocolate pastries on the grill.

First time we have used our pizza stone for our grill to make pastries. A real muscle moral booster.

As with any camping trip we had the threat of rainy weather. We kept a close eye on the weather radar app on our phones the entire weekend. Scheduling our outings between rain storms. We accomplished that with success this weekend as we managed a 12km canoe paddle on Friday and a 20km bike ride on Saturday. Just as we finished up our bike ride the sky opened up and poured rain on us the entire night into Sunday morning. We stayed nice and dry inside the Caddy although we did have to battle a few mosquitos.

Friday canoe paddle with water lilies blooming.

Oh no! We forgot our tools to eat!!! No knife! What can we do?

A butterfly that thought the blue dry sack was a nice place to hang out.

Cedar at our lunch stop point. The canals were very busy with vacation people either paddling or with the slow electric motor boats constantly going past.

Winter Camping NL- Part Two

The Cedar Journal January 8, 2020

Ahhh…The start of a New Year, an escape to nature. We had planned for weeks to escape the fireworks in our part of The Netherlands to a nice quiet location in the eastern woods of Drenthe.

New Year Winter Camping- NL

The Cedar Journal January 5, 2020

Our New Year here at The Cedar Journal has finally started and with a huge bang. As promised we headed to our scheduled escape from the yearly fireworks of New Years Eve. I visited the last of the 12 provinces on my Dutch “must do” list with this camping adventure to Drenthe.

With about everything except the kitchen sink, we loaded our VW Caddy and set out on our two hour drive across the country towards the German border.