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Think that you can’t enjoy the lake anymore because it’s too cold? Think again, there are lots of ways to extend your season at the lake by warming up the great outdoors!

Fires

This is a subject I can really warm up to. Everybody seems to love a good fire. It is the universal magnet for humans. We gravitate to them as if drawn by the beauty of the flames. You can turn any outdoor gathering into a special event by adding the warmth and radiant glow of a fire.

The traditional way to enjoy a fall evening outdoors and stay warm is a bonfire or a campfire. A bonfire is usually made for a very large group of people, and will require an open burning permit in many areas. Ensure that you have proper permissions before attempting to have a bonfire event. Campfires are nice, but they also require a lot of supervision to make sure they are under control. They have to be set up far from homes, and properly extinguished before they are left for the night.

One alternative, which has become popular for outdoor wood burning in recent years, is the fire pit. Sometimes these are called outdoor fireplaces. You can build one out of cinder blocks or bricks set into a patio, or you can buy a metal movable fire pit. These can be found at specialty stores as well as some larger general retail stores or home improvement/hardware stores in the outdoor department.

The nice thing about a movable fire pit is that they can be moved to an out-of-the way place when not in use. They come in different sizes, so just make sure the diameter is large enough to accommodate the wood you are likely to burn. They are usually about 3 feet tall. Since it is off the ground, the ashes are contained for safety and easy clean up. When you are done burning for the night, just extinguish the flames as you would any outdoor fire. Later you can empty the ashes.

Fire pits are typically cylindrical and the sides are made of metal mesh so that people can gather around and enjoy the warmth on a cool evening on a patio or in the yard. There is plenty of room for lots of toasting marshmallows. There are also many new decorative designs, so before deciding to buy, you should shop around and make sure you are getting the style that best suits your outdoor décor.

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