Storms kill 6 in the South and Midwest as forecasters warn of catastrophic rains, floods this week

By ADRIAN SAINZ, GEORGE WALKER IV and JOHN SEEWER

LAKE CITY, Ark. (AP) — Tornadoes and violent winds flattened homes and ripped apart buildings from Oklahoma to Indiana in the first round of lingering storms that are expected to bring record-setting rains and life-threatening flash floods across the nation’s midsection in the coming days.

At least six people were killed in western Tennessee, Missouri and Indiana in the first wave on Wednesday and early Thursday that spawned powerful tornadoes — one launching light debris nearly 5 miles (8 kilometers) above the ground in Arkansas.

Workers on bulldozers cleared rubble along the highway that crosses through Lake City, Arkansas, where a tornado sheared the roofs off homes, collapsed brick walls and tossed cars into trees.

“I don’t really know how to explain it,” said Cody Ferguson, who hid in a storm shelter with neighbors while the twister roared above them. “Just real loud rumbling, a lot of bangs, debris.”

His home that he built from the ground up was demolished, and he said a neighbor across the street was seriously injured.

Those killed included a man and his teenage daughter whose home was destroyed in western Tennessee, and a man who died after his pickup struck downed powerlines in Indiana.

Forecasters on Thursday warned of catastrophic weather soon ahead. Satellite imagery showed thunderstorms lining up like freight trains — taking the same tracks over communities in Arkansas, Tennessee and Kentucky, according to the national Weather Prediction Center in Maryland.

The bullseye was centered on a swath along the Mississippi River and includes the more than 1.3 million people around Memphis, Tennessee.

More than 90 million people were at risk of severe weather — from Texas to Minnesota and Maine, according to the Oklahoma-based Storm Prediction Center.

Flash flood threat looms over many states

Round after round of heavy rains are expected in the central U.S. through Saturday and could produce dangerous flash floods capable of sweeping away cars. The potent storm system will bring “significant, life-threatening flash flooding” each day, the National Weather Service said.

With more than a foot (30 centimeters) of rain possible over the next four days, the prolonged deluge “happens once in a generation to once in a lifetime,” the weather service said. “Historic rainfall totals and impacts are possible.”

Water rescue teams and sandbagging operations were being staged across the region and the Federal Emergency Management Agency was ready to distribute food, water, cots, generators and meals.

There already were some water rescues on Thursday in flooded parts of Nashville, Tennessee, where the rain could persist for days after an unnerving night of tornado warnings that drained the batteries of some sirens across the city, the fire department said.

Western Kentucky residents were bracing for historic amounts of rain and flooding in places that normally don’t get overwhelmed by water, Gov. Andy Beshear said.

Flash flooding is particularly worrisome in rural areas of the state, where floodwaters can quickly rush off the mountains into the hollows. Less than four years ago, dozens died in flooding across eastern Kentucky.

Forecasters attributed the violent weather to warm temperatures, an unstable atmosphere, strong wind shear and abundant moisture streaming from the Gulf.

Tornadoes leave path of damage, and more could be coming

Under darkened skies Thursday morning, the remains of a used car dealership in Selmer, Tennessee, stood roofless and gutted by the storm. Shards of debris scattered across the car lot and wrapped around mangled trees. Some homes were leveled to their foundations around the town where three tornadoes were suspected of touching down.

The Tennessee Highway Patrol released video of lightning illuminating the sky as troopers, Selmer police, sheriff’s deputies and firefighters scoured the rubble of a decimated home early Thursday morning, looking for anyone trapped.

In neighboring Arkansas, a tornado emergency, the weather service’s highest alert, was briefly declared around Blytheville on Wednesday evening, with debris lofted at least 25,000 feet (7.6 kilometers), according to weather service meteorologist Chelly Amin.

The Arkansas Division of Emergency Management reported damage in 22 counties due to tornadoes, wind gusts, hail and flash flooding.

In far western Kentucky, four people were injured while taking shelter in a vehicle under a church carport, said the emergency management office in Ballard County.

Crews dig out trapped warehouse worker

Emergency crews worked for several hours to free a warehouse worker trapped after a roof and a wall collapsed near Indianapolis. The woman was conscious and talking throughout the effort on Wednesday.

“It was just heavy debris that had fallen on top of her,” Brownsburg Fire Department spokesperson Kamrick Holding told WTHR-TV. “She happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.”

Wind gusts blew over semitrucks, downed power lines and caused power outages that disrupted classes in at least 10 school districts in Indiana.

More than half a million customers in Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, Arkansas, Tennessee, West Virginia, Mississippi, Missouri and Texas were without power early Thursday following the peak of the storms, according to PowerOutage.us.

Source: Storms kill 6 in the South and Midwest as forecasters warn of catastrophic rains, floods this week

Tying Tuesday: High and Low Patterns

This week's Tying Tuesday features a big attractor dry, a deep-diving nymph, and a cool tube fly. (A reader recently requested a tube-fly video, and we aim to please.) We kick things off with a video from McFly Angler, who teaches us to tie the legendary Madam X, designed by Doug Swisher in the 1980s. This is a great attractor pattern, and one that works well in a dry-dropper setup. Next, Travis Hanson from AvidMax walks us through the steps to create a cool caddis nymph that’s extremely buggy. Finally, we serve up something a little different: a tube fly. The excellently named Håkan Karsnäser shows you how to set the tube in the vise, and then how to dress it up. The end result is an elegant tube streamer for salmon or trout.

Madam X

Hook: Curved-shank nymph/dry hook (here a Risen 2312), size 12.

Thread: Yellow, 6/0 or 140-denier.

Underbody/tail: Natural deer hair, cleaned and stacked.

Body: Tying thread, flattened.

Wing: Natural deer hair, cleaned and stacked..

Legs: Speckled yellow MFC Centipede Legs, medium.

Adhesive: UV-cure resin (here Solarez Ultra Thin).

Iced Apple Caddis

Hook: Shrimp/caddis-pupa hook (here a TMC 2487), size 12 or 14.

Bead: Silver bead, 5/32-inch.

Thread: Olive, 8/0 or 70-denier.

Body: Olive Micro Tubing.

Underbody: Silver Veevus Holographic Tinsel, medium.

Wing:  Brown Olive Scud Dub and Olive Ice Dub, mixed.

Thorax: Brown Olive Scud Dub and Olive Ice Dub, mixed.

Collar: Wapsi SLF Squirrel Dub.

Tools: Dubbing whirl, dubbing brush.

Silver Grey Tube Fly

Tube: Pro Sportfisher FlexiTube Clear.

Weight: Silver, 30mm.

Thread: White GSP.

Rear Hackle: Grizzly Soft Hackle.

Underwing: White marble fox.

Flash: Silver Angel Hair.

Front Hackle: Coq de Leon hen cape feather.

Wing: Natural silver fox.

Topping: Peacock herl.

Sides: Faux Jungle Cock, small.

Adhesive: Superglue.

Head: Silver cone.

The post Tying Tuesday: High and Low Patterns appeared first on MidCurrent.

Source: Tying Tuesday: High and Low Patterns

Our Top Tips & Tricks For Growing Succulents

Feel like you’ve not got a green thumb, but love plants? These tips and tricks for growing succulents will help greenify your life!

By Lora O’Brien

Decorating your home with succulents will bring life into your home. These gorgeous plants are pretty easy to care for, and are perfect if you’re new to keeping plants. Plus they come in many shapes, sizes and colours, too!

The benefits of adding plants to your home are plentiful. Not only do they brighten up a space, but they can:

Improve humidity: Plants naturally release water. The increased moisture in a room can help with various health ailments such as sore throats, a dry cough, dry itchy skin and common cold symptoms.

Purify air: When plants release water vapour, this generates a pumping action which then works to filter contaminated air, pulling it down into the roots of the plant. Succulents are great at cleansing the air of toxins.

Boost oxygen: Some plants release carbon dioxide at night, but succulents don’t. Instead, they continue to produce oxygen. Every time thus oxygen is released, it adds fresh air to your home. This helps improve your ability to breathe! Succulents thrive in environments where we need fresher air, such as the kitchen or bathroom.

And succulents are a popular choice for many due to the fact they can thrive in most climates. Plus, when in season, they bloom, adding a splash of colour to your home.

Not sure how to best care for them? Read on for 15 tips!

15 Tips & Tricks For Succulent Plants

1. Use the right soil

One of the first ways people can harm succulents is by growing them in the wrong type of soil. Many succulent breeds are native to desert conditions, so they will need soil to mimic this.

To make them thrive, one of our top tips & tricks for growing succulents is to use the right soil. The perfect soil is mostly sandy, rocky and with low organic matter. You can make this yourself for cheap, or buy a pre-made soil mix if you’d prefer.

Image credit: Pinterest

2. Get the temperature right

The general rule of thumb for succulents is that they thrive best in temperatures that range from 40-80°F. However, there are some succulents which can live outdoors all year round, and can even thrive well in snowy climates.

If they’re outside, during the hottest days in summer, be sure to protect your succulents with plenty of shade to prevent them from getting sunburned. If you have large succulents, you may want to plant directly into the earth, since soil stays relatively cool even during changing seasons.

Be mindful of what you plant them in. Concrete, ceramic and wood planters are great because they insulate plants, protecting them against drastic temperature changes.

In the winter, protect succulents from frost damage by helping them to stay above freezing point in temperature. You should bring them indoors, or cover them with cloth if they stay outside.

Image credit: Pinterest

3. Make them pretty

Don’t just shove your succulent on a shelf someplace! Use them to make your home stylish while reaping the benefits these fabulous plants offer.

My suggestion? Store them in a gorgeous pot and display them as a centrepiece on your kitchen or coffee table. The greenery will brighten any room, and you’ll love looking at these while you eat!

4. Mix & match

Succulents come in all kinds of colours, textures and shapes. From pointy aloe vera and spiky agave to soft, rounded hens and chicks, from bruised black princes to bright red ‘sticks on fire’ you’ll find a wide variety of succulent types to choose from. Which is great! Because succulents are at their most gorgeous when they are mixed and matched with contrasting plants.

One of my best tips & tricks for growing succulents? Mix up textures, sizes and colours for the best effects. That’s as true for pots as it is for plants in the ground!

Image credit: Pinterest

5. Don’t be afraid to prune

When you’re trying to help your plants to grow, it can seem daunting to trim them. Many of us are scared we’ll kill our plants by pruning them, since you are technically removing part of the plant. However, with succulents, the opposite is true.

One of my top tips & tricks for growing succulents is to cut them back if they get leggy. Regular trimming of your succulents will help them to grow more. And doing so helps them to stay healthy, grow new buds and helps manage the size of the plant.

Not sure how to do it? Check out this video!

Image credit: Pinterest

6. Make more!

The wonderful thing about trimming your succulent plant is that you can use it to propagate and to spread the love! that offers several easy ways to make more baby succulents. It’s perfect for adding new plants to areas that look sparse.

Image credit here.

7. Feed your babies

During the summer months, succulents can be hungry and in need of a little more TLC. This is when you may want to use a fertiliser to give them a light feeding.

As with watering, a little goes a long way. Be careful not to over-fertilise, as this can cause them to grow too quickly and become weak.

One of the best tips & tricks for growing succulents is the “half rule”. That just means read the fertiliser instructions, and then use half the recommended dose when feeding.

8. Don’t forget to water

Succulents are known to be hardy and drought resistant. But as with any plant, they still need careful watering.

During the summer months, they will need water around once per week, whereas once every few weeks will suffice during the winter months. When watering succulents, you’ll want to thoroughly soak the roots.

Between waterings, make sure the soil is almost, but not entirely dry before watering again.

Image credit: Pinterest

9. Try making a tapestry

Create a succulent tapestry for your house – indoors or out. All you need to do is get a frame, some soil and succulents of different shapes and colours. Try planting them closely together in the design of your choice. Interweave them and produce a living work of art!

Note: Most brightly coloured succulents will lose their brilliance (and likely just turn green) if not put into direct sun.

Image: Pinterest

10. Watch out for pests & problems

Succulents are strong! But they’re not bulletproof. So another of my top tips & tricks for growing succulents is to monitor them regularly for pests and problems.

Under-watering them occasionally won’t do much harm, as these plants do store a lot of water in their leaves. But over-watering can lead to root rot, and/or bacterial or fungal disease.

Another thing you’ll want to watch out for is pests! Scale, mealy bugs and root mealy bugs are some of the more common pests, but spider mites and fungus gnats can also wreak havoc.

Due to the bugs being small, they can be hard to see. Keep an eye out for stickiness or black mould, but also weak or shrivelled leaves.

Image credit: Pinterest

11. Rearrange them

The majority of succulents love direct sunlight, but they can get too much of a good thing! If one side of the plant is getting more light than the other, it’s best to rotate the plant so that it gets an even amount of sunlight.

Tip: If a succulent is leaning notably towards the sun, it’s time to move it. By rotating and rearranging them often, you’ll prevent this from occurring.

 

12. Provide housekeeping

No matter where you plant your succulents, ensure they stay pretty and healthy by cleaning them up! Pluck off wilted, yellowed or browned leaves. And if your plant is indoors, clean off surface dust. This blocks the succulent from getting maximum sunlight. Just very carefully wipe the leaves off with a damp cloth.

13. Suspend your succulents

If you’re limited to space, why not hang your succulents? The gorgeous hues will help to accentuate any room, especially if they’re in a lovely pot and hanger. Suspending them may help prevent them from being overwatered, too!

Tip: Hang them where you won’t walk into them and bump your head!

Do you have any tips & tricks for growing succulents you’d like to share? Let us know in the comments, below!

 

The post Our Top Tips & Tricks For Growing Succulents appeared first on Eco Home Magazine.

Source: Our Top Tips & Tricks For Growing Succulents

Butterfly Gardens Around the World

"This is interesting." My friend looked up from her gardening magazine — yes, she subscribes to the real thing. A paper copy (as do I). It’s much better than surfing the net.

"What's that?" I looked up from an issue I’d found on the table next to me.

"Butterfly gardens," she answered, pausing to read more. "People are becoming more astute about planting pollinator-friendly plants. There are public gardens around the world that specialize in attracting butterflies. The biggest is in Florida, but we have lots of them closer to home."

Where can you find a butterfly paradise? Well, here are a few that may spark your interest. If you happen to live nearby one, it's well worth a visit.

1. Butterfly World – Encompassing 3 acres of butterfly aviaries, botanical gardens, a working butterfly farm, a research center, and over 20,000 live butterflies, this sanctuary is considered the largest butterfly garden in the world. Located in Tradewinds Park in Coconut Creek, Florida, it opened in 1988 and was the first of its kind in the Western Hemisphere.





2. Butterflyhouse Hofburg Palace – Part of the Hofburg Palace located in Vienna, it's a historical Jugendstil greenhouse where hundreds of butterflies fly free in a tropical environment.





3. Changi Airport Butterfly Garden – Located in Singapore, it's noted to be the world's first butterfly garden located in an airport. With over 1,000 tropical butterflies, representing at least 40 species, this tropical paradise is both entertaining and educational.





4. Bornholm Tropical Garden – Located on a Danish island in the Baltic Sea just east of Denmark, the Bornholm Tropical Garden and Butterfly Park is an exotic experience. As well as being home to exotic plants and animals, it's a paradise for butterflies from around the world.





5. Niagara Parks – Located in Niagara Falls, this glass-enclosed butterfly conservatory is one of the largest in North America. It's a tropical oasis featuring over 2,000 butterflies from around the world in a lush, exotic environment, complete with waterfalls.





6. Stratford Butterfly Farm – Located in Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, UK, this tropical paradise is home to hundreds of exotic butterflies from around the world.





7. Victoria Butterfly Gardens – Located in Victoria, British Columbia on Vancouver Island, this tropical paradise is more than a butterfly garden. It's a jungle complete with poison dart frogs, macaws, flamingos, which includes a marvelous array of colorful butterflies. There's the well-known monarch butterfly, the exotic Julia butterfly from Costa Rica, and the white tree nymph and tailed jay from the Philippines.





8. Cecil B. Day Butterfly Center – Located at the Callaway Gardens in Pine Mountain, Georgia (just south of Atlanta), this octagonal conservatory houses over a thousand free-flying butterflies as well as tropical birds. Chrysalides are brought in from around the world, and they hang during their metamorphosis to butterflies. It's a sight to watch, observe, and learn.

Of course, this isn't a complete list of butterfly gardens. Remember to check out local universities and colleges, as many have their own butterfly gardens for educational purposes and research. They may be open to the public for limited periods.

How about creating your own butterfly garden? Or, if you don't have a yard, join a community garden project, and create your own piece of butterfly paradise. Here are some suggestions on how to create an easy-to-care-for butterfly garden. Then you can progress to a more prolific garden to attract these delightful creatures.

You need to consider two types of plants for a butterfly garden. First, you need the most obvious: Plants with blossoms that offer nectar like coneflowers, bee balm, butterfly bush, and black-eyed Susan. My plots of black-eyed Susan are a big attraction to Monarch butterflies, and it's not unusual to find a kaleidoscope of Monarchs soaking up the supply of nectar.

As well as high-nectar flowering plants, you need to consider a few rocks to provide perches, allowing a place for butterflies to sun themselves. They enjoy a sun-bath as much as we do. You also need some leafy plants such as parsley and sweet alyssum, to provide nourishment for the larvae. A birdbath nearby is a good idea, too, as butterflies, like all other living things, thrive on water.

Maturing butterflies depend on milkweed. In fact, the survival of Monarch butterflies, in particular, depends on an abundant quantity of milkweed. The newly hatched caterpillar munches on milkweed relentlessly for up to 18 days.

Then it creates its cocoon in which it hangs upside-down for another 18 days before emerging as a butterfly. The poison extracted from the white juice of milkweed is stored in the butterfly's body as a protective toxin to discourage predators.

If all you have is a balcony or even a window in a sunny location, you can still create a small butterfly haven. Plant the high-nectar and leafy plants in pots, and see what colorful butterflies you can attract.

All pollinators are crucial to our ecosystem. Not only are they beautiful (like the butterflies), but their pollination ensures our food crops. And honey bees produce a treat that many of us enjoy.

So take the time to visit the pollinator gardens in your area, and pursue the possibility of creating your own. It's well worth the experience.

Originally published on Butterfly Gardens Around the World

© Insteading

Source: Butterfly Gardens Around the World

Transfer rumors, news: Man United eye Bruno, Wharton for midfield revamp

Manchester United want Newcastle's Bruno Guimarães and Crystal Palace's Adam Wharton to strengthen in midfield. Transfer Talk has the latest.
Source: Transfer rumors, news: Man United eye Bruno, Wharton for midfield revamp

CO Poisoning: Are You Unknowingly Breathing in Danger?

Many people rely on generators, fireplaces, and gas stoves to stay warm during blackouts. Yes, these appliances can be lifesavers but when used incorrectly, they can quickly fill a home with dangerous carbon monoxide (CO) levels. This article covers the dangers of carbon monoxide. We'll also check out safe heating practices and other essential steps that prevent CO poisoning during a power outage. By taking the right precautions, families can stay warm without risking their lives.

Understanding the Dangers of Carbon Monoxide

Carbon monoxide is often called the "silent killer" because it's a gas that has no smell, color, or taste. When people inhale too much CO, their bodies start to replace oxygen with it. This leads to symptoms like dizziness, nausea, headaches, and confusion. If CO exposure continues, it can cause unconsciousness or, ultimately, death.

Many people ignore the early signs because CO poisoning's initial symptoms are the same as flu's. Since CO is invisible and odorless, people often don't realize they are breathing the gas in until it's too late.

To avoid carbon monoxide dangers, learn how to make your home as safe as possible from CO.

Safe Heating Practices During Power Outages

When the electricity goes out, many people turn to alternative heat sources. However, not all heating methods are safe as some can silently fill your home with deadly CO. Here are the safest ways to keep warm during a power outage:

1. Never Use a Generator Indoors

Generators help keep the lights on during power outages, but they also release large amounts of CO. To stay safe, always keep them outside at least 20 feet away from doors and windows. Running them in an enclosed space like a garage or basement can also be dangerous.

Moreover, position the exhaust pipe facing away from your home. When placed correctly, generators won't cause harmful gas to build up indoors.

2. Do Not Use Gas Stoves or Ovens for Heat

A gas stove or oven might seem like a good way to heat a home, but they're actually extremely dangerous. When left on for too long, these appliances release CO. Instead of using stoves or ovens for warmth, wear extra layers, use blankets, and seal off any cold drafts.

An even better option is to use an indoor-safe heater made for emergencies. These heaters are specifically designed to prevent CO buildup.

3. Keep Fireplaces Ventilated

A fireplace provides heat during a blackout, but it can also trap CO inside if not used correctly. A blocked or partially closed chimney can cause dangerous fumes to fill the room. Before starting a fire, always check the flue to see if it's fully open and free of debris.

Opening a nearby window just a little bit can also improve your room's airflow. This allows fresh air to enter and pushes harmful gases outside.

4. Use Kerosene and Propane Heaters With Caution

Some emergency heaters can work fine indoors, but only if used properly. These devices need the right amount of ventilation to stay safe. Sleeping while they are running increases the risk of CO poisoning. Moreover, propane requires proper ventilation so keep a window or door slightly open to avoid CO buildup.

Why Every Home Needs a Carbon Monoxide Detector

The only way to detect CO inside a home is with a carbon monoxide detector. These devices work like smoke alarms that warn people when CO levels become dangerous. Without one, there is no way to know if CO is in the air.

To stay protected, place CO detectors on every level of the home, especially near bedrooms. Battery-operated models are best because they keep working during blackouts. Testing the detectors monthly and changing the batteries twice a year makes sure they stay reliable. When the alarm sounds, everyone should leave the house right away and call 911.

What to Do If Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Happens

If someone feels dizzy, weak, or sick while indoors, get them out and immediately have them take some fresh air. If multiple people or pets show similar symptoms, act fast to avoid serious harm. Here are some helpful tips when that happens:

• Open all windows and doors to bring in fresh air.


• Call 911 and tell emergency responders that CO poisoning is suspected.


• Leave the home immediately and do not return until authorities say it is safe.

Even a small amount of CO exposure can cause lasting health problems. Quick action can prevent serious complications and save lives.

Smart Heating, Safe Living

Carbon monoxide poisoning happens fast, but the right precautions can completely prevent it. Using heating sources correctly, keeping your home ventilated, and installing CO detectors will reduce the risk and keep your family safe during a power outage. A few smart choices today can save lives tomorrow.

Your safety—and the safety of those around you—depends on awareness. Share this with family and friends so they can stay safe, too.

Spread the Word & Save Lives

Many people do not realize how dangerous CO exposure can be. Sharing this information helps others stay safe during power outages. Pass this along to family and friends so they can prepare as well!

FAQs: CO Poisoning Prevention

1. How fast does carbon monoxide poisoning happen?
   
   It depends on the amount of CO in the air. High levels can kill within minutes, while lower levels cause symptoms over time.


2. Will opening windows prevent CO poisoning?
   
   It helps, but it won't fully remove the risk. The safest option is to use CO detectors and follow proper ventilation guidelines.


3. What are the first signs of CO poisoning?
   
   Common symptoms include headaches, dizziness, nausea, and confusion. If several people feel sick at once, CO is likely the cause.


4. Can pets detect carbon monoxide?
   
   No, but pets may show symptoms before humans. If an animal appears weak or disoriented, check for CO immediately.


5. Do all heaters produce carbon monoxide?
   
   Electric heaters do not, but gas, propane, and kerosene heaters do. When using fuel-burning heaters, always use proper ventilation.

Source: CO Poisoning: Are You Unknowingly Breathing in Danger?

Whitaker Family YMCA to host "Spring Fling"

LEXINGTON, Ky. (ABC 36 NEWS NOW) — The Whitaker Family YMCA is inviting families to join them this weekend for a free Spring Fling celebration.

According to organizers, the event will take place Saturday, from 2 to 4 p.m., at the Whitaker Family YMCA on Old Rosebud Road.

Activities include an Easter egg hunt, inflatables, face painting, and Kona Ice — all free and open to the community.

Families are encouraged to bring their kids out for a fun afternoon filled with spring-themed activities.

Source: Whitaker Family YMCA to host "Spring Fling"

How Will Cuts to Climate Research Funding Affect Our Health?

The National Institutes of Health is set to cut funding for research that seeks to understand the health effects of climate change. The policy change would stymie a wide body of research that scientists say is critical to protecting people against the dangers of climate change. Maggie Astor, a Well reporter, explains.
Source: How Will Cuts to Climate Research Funding Affect Our Health?

Family Seeks Answers After Death of American Tourist in the Bahamas

The police said that Dinari McAlmont, 23, of Bowie, Md., had drowned and that foul play was not suspected.
Source: Family Seeks Answers After Death of American Tourist in the Bahamas

AO Review – White Duck Outdoors 8′ x 9′ Rover Scout Tent (Sandstone)

A short backstory on myself in regards to camping is necessary as a precursor to the review of this White Duck Outdoors Rover Scout Tent. I was blessed to have spent my childhood hanging out of trees, scraping my knees, and exploring the world around me nearly unsupervised. Building dams like a beaver in small creek beds, starting fires with magnesium and flint firestarters, and lots of hunting. By the time I was 18, I had been black bear hunting in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness of Minnesota, mule deer hunting in the Big Horn Mountains of Wyoming, bowfishing for carp on the Mississippi River, and trapped every furbearing animal that you can in my home state of Minnesota. Glorious, childhood adventures like this forced allowed me to go camping in pup tents in both beautiful and horrific weather alike. I once slept in a pup tent while elk hunting near the Canadian border, and a tornado passed by me less than 1/4 mile away. All this being said, I am grateful for my life experiences and am utterly burnt out on camping… that is, until I met and married my adventurous wife, Andrea. While I still hunt, trap, and scrape my knees to this day, she has inspired me to go camping again (I have more than once told friends how I will gladly pay for a $200 hotel night’s stay because of the repeated rite-of-passages I endured in my youth). Yet, the perfect storm has beset me. My vibrant wife loves camping and White Duck Outdoors reached out to AllOutdoor to try one of their tents. So, today we are going to review the experiences Andrea and I had with the White Duck Outdoors 8′ x 9′ Rover Scout Tent in a Sandstone Beige colorway on the shores of Lake Superior in Minnesota. Let’s dive in!

White Duck Outdoors Coverage on AllOutdoor

• White Duck Outdoors Debuts its Newest Tent – The Regatta 360 Bell Tent
• PRIME DAY Deals from Thermacell, Maven Optics, White Duck & Wiley X
• AllOutdoor Review: White Duck Outdoors 13′ Regatta Bell Tent
• Cyber Monday Sale! Maven, Moultrie, Sitka, 5.11 & White Duck Outdoors

Specifications – White Duck Outdoors 8′ x 9′ Rover Scout Tent (Sandstone Beige)

I have been out of the game for awhile when it comes to camping, but what I can remember from my youth is that most tents were light, flimsy, and merely a thinly-veiled cloak separating you from Mother Nature. My very first impressions of the Rover Scout Tent is how sturdy, thick, and essentially, trustworthy it felt. This is not a paper-thin tarp and haphazard pile of poles. This felt like something of high-quality and Andrea echoed those thoughts (and she has much more experience camping than I do). All of the specs for the Rover Scout Tent can be read below as presented by White Duck Outdoors.

• Weatherproof DYNATEK fabric for superior performance
• Sustainable manufacturing with BCI Cotton and recycled ocean-bound plastics
• Completely water-repellent, exceptional performance in winds
• Generous dimensions with ample stand-up space inside the tent
• Rectangular floor dimensions make it easy to customize your space
• Roll up the doors and windows completely to enjoy 360-degree views
• Open up the mesh on front and back doors fully
• Sewn-in groundsheet makes setup and cleaning a breeze
• Quick pitching, set it up in under 15 minutes

White Duck Outdoors has a Limited Lifetime White Duck Warranty that covers all of their products against defects in materials and workmanship. This applies to the Rover Scout Tent in the rare event you may need components replaced or warrantied. In all honesty, after handling all of the pieces to the Rover Scout Tent, I wouldn’t foresee anyone cashing in on the warranty for years to come. It feels, handles, and functions like a high-quality, reliable tent.

• Canvas Type: Weatherproof DYNATEK Canvas
• Fabric Options: Fire Water Repellent
• Doors: 2
• Windows: 2
• Bug Mesh: No-See-Um Mesh
• Stove Jack: Not Included
• Floor Material: 7.5 Oz Biodegradable Sewn-In PE Groundsheet
• Guy Ropes/Adjustable Guylines: Polypropylene UV Resistant Reflective Rope
• Frame Material: Aluminum/Steel

• Door Pole: 0.984" Diameter | 0.063″ Thickness
• Zipper: Top Grade Waterproof Zippers
• Electric Cable Outlet: Included
• Rubber Mallet: 1
• Center Height: 7′
• Door Height: 7′
• Door Width: 7’9″
• Wall Height: 3’2″
• Total Weight: 51 Lb

Field Use – White Duck Outdoors 8′ x 9′ Rover Scout Tent (Sandstone Beige)

When it came to assembling our tent, I always try to do things without reading the instructions. Whether I am putting together IKEA furniture late at night, or “pitching a tent” with my wife (innuendos and jokes abound), I wanted to see how easy it was to put together the Rover Scout. To kick things off, we cut open the box that the Rover Scout Tent was shipped in. The cardboard was thick and protective which assured me the tent and other contents shouldn’t be damaged.

All of the tent stakes and the poles were neatly rolled up in a protective, organized pouch which impressed me, too. They also provide you with a rubber mallet which was very thoughtful. I have shattered a lot of plastic tent stakes in my day using a metal hatchet to pound them into the ground (inevitably destroying them with a 50% success or failure rate – depending on how you look at it).

After assessing everything we had to work with, we began the process of putting together our tent. First, we rolled out the main tent body. The floor to the tent was thick and felt like it would be less likely to wick moisture from the ground.

The stakes for this tent came in 2 different kinds/sizes. One set was what I would call “shiny rebar” looking metal while the other was an aluminum eyehook looking stake. Based on the number of stakes of each kind that the tent came with, we decided to use the shiny rebar stakes for guylines predominantly and the eyehook ones for the tent bottom. I would highly recommend reading the directions so you use the correct stakes in their intended locations. It was my stubborn confidence in assembling the Rover Scout Tent without directions from keeping us knowing precisely where the stakes were meant to be placed.

All the stakes were crisply embedded into the earth with the provided rubber mallet. While setting the guylines in conjunction with the tent stakes, I checked out the plastic piece thread into the guylines for tightening and loosening them. It was a thick chunk of plastic. I wondered how that might hold up under harsh, cold temps, but the converse of metal might cut the guyline ropes. So, White Duck Outdoors likely already factored that in opting for a sturdy piece of plastic.

White Duck Outdoors advertises the Rover Scout Tent as being something that can be setup in 15 minutes or less, and I believe Andrea and I beat that time. This was a straight-forward tent to put together, the materials felt strong, and it is very spacious. You can roll up the sides to let more air flow through the tent. If you want them down, they can be secured in place with Velcro to stay put. Also, the entry or door is the same height as the inside of the tent. You don’t need to duck to get inside. By many of the metrics that I used to harshly judge tents when I was younger, the Rover Scout does a fantastic job. I appreciated the height of the Rover Scout Tent because – being a 6’0″ tall guy – I am usually having to crouch down or hunch over in order to move around in a tent. It was a relief to be able to walk in-and-out of this tent as well as be inside while standing all the way up.

Final Thoughts – White Duck Outdoors 8′ x 9′ Rover Scout Tent (Sandstone Beige)

So, what are my final thoughts on the White Duck Outdoors 8′ x 9′ Rover Scout Tent in a Sandstone Beige colorway?… Overall, coming from this self-proclaimed guy that fell out of enjoying camping, I am very impressed with this tent! It is spacious, high-quality, easy to assemble, retains heat (keeps out the cold), and is leagues beyond the cruddy tents I used to inhabit as a young outdoorsman. Andrea also liked this tent appreciating the material feeling a lot more like canvas making it durable, having a strong wind resistance, and simply better longevity if you’re going to invest the money in a high-quality tent like this. For the MSRP of $750 for the 8′ x 9′ Rover Scout and $830 for the 8′ x 13′ size, both Andrea and I believe the Rover Scout Tent is worth the money.

In closing, I want to say thank you to White Duck Outdoors for allowing AllOutdoor and myself the opportunity to try out their White Duck Outdoors 8′ x 9′ Rover Scout Tent in a Sandstone Beige colorway. That is greatly appreciated. Also, we would like to know what all of you guys and gals think? Do you believe that the White Duck Outdoors 8′ x 9′ Rover Scout Tent in a Sandstone Beige colorway is something worth spending your money on? Would you deploy one for hunting this fall? Take it with you camping? As always, let us know all of your thoughts about White Duck Outdoors in the Comments below! We always appreciate your feedback.

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Source: AO Review – White Duck Outdoors 8′ x 9′ Rover Scout Tent (Sandstone)