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Gearing up!

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IOO Full Face Snorkel Mask GoPro Compatible

The price on these popular full-face snorkel masks has come down, and now they come with a way to attach your Go Pro camera. This style mask eliminates swallowing salty water and makes breathing easier. Buy Now: $29 on Amazon.

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Aqua Sphere Kayenne Swim Goggles

These swim goggles were recommended by the New York Times consumer site The Wirecutter. They are good for lap swimmers, but they also stay on in the surf, and you can order them with polarized glass. (Made in Italy)  Buy Now: $23.92 on Amazon

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Aqua Sphere Kayenne Junior Swim Goggle

Selected the best swim goggles for children by the New York Times consumer web site, The Wirecutter. (Made in Italy) Buy It Now: $17.47 on Amazon
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JIASUQI Womens and Mens Water Socks

Whether you are tubing, kayaking or walking on a shell-laden beach, Florida summers require you bring along a pair of water shoes. They come in three dozen colors and they are the top choice at Amazon. In fact, at under $14, we just ordered a pair for ourselves! Buy It Now: $13.89 on Amazon

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Stanley Adventure Vacuum Insulated Food Jar

Going for a long hike or overnight? Prepare a hot meal such as chili in advance and pack in this 24-ounce stainless steel, vacuum insulated and widemouth food jar. Leakproof so you can stash it safely in your backpack. Buy it now: $23 on Amazon.

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Mustang Survival Inflatable Belt Pack PFD.

Stay safe but eliminate the bulk with this Coast Guard-approved Type III personal flotation device that packs into a belt. Manually deployed by pulling the cord, as opposed to styles that inflate automatically after contact with the water. Good choice for kayakers. Buy it Now: $103 on Amazon

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Montem Ultra Strong Trekking Poles

If you’re looking for a fine, sturdy, simple set of trekking poles, Montem’s Ultra Strong Trekking Poles are our pick. Easily adjustable from 24” to 53”, these poles are made from high-strength aluminum weighing just 9.6 ounces per pole, they rival expensive graphite poles in strength and endurance. Buy it Now: $50 on Amazon.

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Other Summer Necessities:

SunScreen: Consumer Reports rates Walmart’s Equate Sport Lotion SPF 50 at the top of the charts. Just $6 at Walmart. Insect Repellent: Deet is the best repellent for mosquitoes and ticks, and CVS’ Total Home Woodland Scent Insect Repellent with 30% Deet gets excellent ratings. Just $6 at CVS. (Not available online.) Cooling Towels: For basics, just throw a wet microfiber towel around your neck. Take a step up and spend $8 on a Balhvit Cooling Towel, an Amazon best seller. Just $8 on Amazon. Tide Travel Packets: Wash your clothes on the go in a bucket or a sink. I always carry a few of these handy packets when camping or traveling. Pack of 6 just $7 on Amazon.

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Big Ticket Items (New)

Honda EU2200i Portable Generator

Both Wirecutter and Consumer Reports rate the Honda EU2000i as the best portable generator that money can buy. I have an earlier version of this generator that I purchased more than 10 years ago, and I can attest to its quality and longevity. This EU2000i is super quiet and weighs only 47 pounds. We carry it in our RV for dry-docking and use at home when the power goes out. With 2200 watts and 120 volts, it will power a refrigerator, a fan and a light. For more power, buy the companion EU2200ic companion generator for a 30-amp connection that will power the A/C unit in your RV. Buy it now: $999 on Amazon.

Ocean Kayak Sit-On-Top Recreational Kayak

A friend who sells kayaks has one of these in his fleet, so that should tell you something. It’s only 9 feet long and weighs 43 pounds, making it easily transportable on a car top or a pickup. Ideal for snorkelers and divers because you can store your gear on the stern. Very stable for a small kayak, and an excellent surf rider. And it consistently shows up on “Best Kayak” lists. Buy it Now: $500 on Amazon. Old Town Sit-Inside Vapor 10 Another yak that consistently ranks high o Best Kayak lists, the Vapor 10 is ideal for use on Florida’s slow-moving rivers and lakes. Weighing 44 pounds with a capacity of 325 pounds, it’s easy to handle with modest on-board storage storage. The seat and foot pegs are adjustable, and the package includes thigh and knee pads for additional comfort. The price is right. Buy it Now: $400 on Amazon.

Clam Corporation 9281 Quick-Set Escape Shelter 11.5 X 11.5

A pop-up shade canopy with a no-see-um-proof screen and a waterproof roof is essential for summer camping in Florida. But the best features is that it sets up in less than a minute. I have owned two canopies over the years, happy with both with one exception: setting them up is a hassle. With 94 square feet of space, the Quick-Set Escape Screen Shelter can fit a standard picnic table inside Buy it Now: $214 to $279 on Amazon.

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