Edible Wild Plants For Backpackers

Knowing a few edible wild plants can make your next backpacking trip, or any trip into the wilderness, a lot more enjoyable.

You can pack lighter if you eat wild berries every morning for breakfast, for example, and leave your oatmeal behind. So push the bears out of the way and gorge yourself on blueberries. Less weight on your back always feels better.

You'll also enjoy your backpacking more when you know that you won't be completely helpless the moment you lose your pack, or a raccoon empties it for you. You don't have to be a survivalist to see the value of knowing which of the wild plants around you can be eaten.

I eat dandelions, wild courants, pine nuts and other edible wild plants regularly. I ate hundreds of calories in wild rasberries during a break, while hiking in the Colorado Rockies. During a kayak trip on Lake Superior, a friend and I spent half a day stopping at every litle island, to fill our stomachs with wild blueberries. We were almost out of food, so our foraging helped us get through the rest of the trip. Edible Berries

Here are just some of the wild berries my wife and I ate while hiking to Grinnel Glacier in Glacier National Park: Blueberries, Service Berries, Rose Hips, Blackberries, High Bush Cranberries, Strawberries, Rasberries, Thimbleberries, and Currants. Berries are the most convenient, calorie rich and nutritious of the edible wild plants out there. They are also the easiest to learn to identify

Edible Wild Plants And Survival

If you travel in isolated wilderness areas, learning to identify a few edible wild plants can keep you safe also. Someday you may be lost or injured, or a bear will push you out of the way to gorge himself your freeze-dried meals. In a survival situation, food isn't usually a priority (warmth and water are), but a pile of roasted cattail hearts sure will cheer you up and warm you up, and they even taste good.

Stay away from protected plants, of course, unless you are in a true life-or-death situation. Also, don't eat all the beautiful flowers, or kill off the lilies by eating all the bulbs. Use common sense. If you aren't sure if you're doing harm, stick to eating wild berries.

Check out a few books on harvesting wild food. You don't need to become a wilderness survival fanatic. You really only need to learn to recognise a dozen high-calorie, abundant wild edible plants to be a lot safer in the wilderness, and to enjoy it more.

Steve Gillman is a long-time backpacker, and advocate ultralight backpacking. His advice and stories can be found at <a target="_new" href="http://www.The-Ultralight-Site.com">http://www.TheUltralightBackpackingSite.com</a>

Review: Russell Shortos The Island At The Center Of The World

Up to now the preponderant view held by many historians is that Dutch contribution to American history and particularly to that of New York has been one of irrelevancy. As we no doubt realize, the winners write history, and unfortunately, whatever the losers may have contributed, it seems to be lost or forgotten in the shuffle.

Fortunately, during the past thirty years and thanks to the translation of many Dutch records that have been recently discovered pertaining to the early colony of New Netherlands, a different picture has emerged. It is this new perspective that author Russell Shorto has vividly and brilliantly captured in his latest gem of a book entitled, The Island at the Center of the World.

Shorto devotes considerable ink in defending his thesis that the success of Manhattan as a commercial center, or New York, as it was renamed after the British takeover, did not begin with the English but rather had very deep roots in the early Dutch community. It was in fact in the late 1640s that the city of New Amsterdam under Dutch rule began its rise to become North American's shipping hub. Furthermore, one of the key actors who played a pivotal role in the community was, up to now, a long forgotten visionary, Adriaen van der Donck, who often found himself, locked in a power- struggle with Peter Stuyvesant. The latter has always been more recognizable than the former, particularly due to the fact that it was he who surrendered the Dutch colony to the British.

What was very little publicized up to now was that van der Donck had being heavily influenced by the more progressive thinking of some of Europe's most enlightened thinkers as Descartes, Grotius, and Spinoza. It is the freedoms espoused by these thinkers that van der Donck believed in. Eventually, they would find root in the Dutch colony, ultimately becoming the foundation of many of the democratic principles forming the basis of the American cultural, economic and sociological psyche. On the other hand, Stuyvesant, who lacked the same formal education as van der Donck, was stuck in his old tyrannical concepts and narrow- minded prejudices, which effect was to stifle the aspirations of the inhabitants of the Dutch colony. It is fortunate for the USA that the theories and beliefs of van der Donck won out.

As a side note and to indicate the extent of the Dutch influence on American culture, Shorto also reveals such interesting tidbits as what settlers emigrating to the Dutch colony would bring along with them, the derivation of words such as cookies, cole slaw and Santa Claus, that can all trace their roots to the Dutch colony of New Netherlands. We also have an overview and some fascinating insights as to what actually transpired between the Dutch and the English at the time the latter took possession of New Nederland.

Shorto's animated characterizations of individuals and events is consistently enlightening entertaining, informative and balanced, all of which make for a powerful analysis of events that have had an unbelievable influence on American culture, political and economic institutions.

The review was contributed by: NORM GOLDMAN EDITOR OF BOOKPLEASURES
_______________________________________________________________

Norm Goldman is editor of the book reviewing site, Bookpleasures.com and is also editor of the travel site, <a target="_new" href="http://www.Sketchandtravel.com">www.Sketchandtravel.com</a>.

Norm is a regular contributor to many book reviewing sites as well as travel sites.

Norm and his wife Lily are a unique couple as they meld words with watercolors focusing on romantic and wedding destinations.

They are always open to invitations to visit romantic and wedding destinations in New England, Florida and New York.

Inflatable Boats: An Overview

Inflatable boats are made from flexible material, usually rubber, canvas, or neoprene, and hold air at high volume but low pressure. They need to be fitted with a frame to which an oarlock mount is firmly attached. Such frames are either made of metal or wood, or a combination of the two.

Inflatable boats with motors are high speed, maneuverable, stable and can be easily launched from a ship. For this reason, US Navy SEAL's use the inflatable boat small (IBS) for their operations.

Twenty-three foot long Rigid Hull inflatable boats are best suited for retrieving people stranded on rocky pinnacles among the waves, and are used by the US Coast Guard during Search & Rescue operations.

There has been a lot of development in Inflatable boats. The large inflatable boats have rigid boards in them, and are called Rigid Inflatable Boats (RIB's). They can be driven by oars or outboard engines. The large ones are considered good enough to be used by the Lifeboat men.

The modern life raft is a well thought out, well-equipped, seaworthy fully inflated boat. However, if there isn't enough air inside, inflatable boats are apt to fold in the middle. Thus, they need to be pumped up to the proper pressure using bellows.

Most Inflatable Boats are portable rafts. An inflatable yacht that is 8 feet (2.4 m) long is rated to carry three people when used with a motor. It weighs 35 pounds (15 kgs.) when dry, which makes it a reasonable load for one person to carry for a long distance if necessary. The next size is 9 feet long, which does not sound much more, but the difference is great, in fact. The 9 feet boat is heavier and has much larger air tubes.

People use inflatable boats for exploring, and manually haul them to remote places. There are many brands of high quality inflatable boats available in the market, but whatever brand is chosen should be roughly 8 feet long, rated for 3 people, have a motor, be a reasonable load for one person to carry, and does not have a wooden floor, or other heavy parts.

Inflatable Boat Sales are taking place online. Inflatable boats are available for sales ? both as new ones, and as used boats. Prices range from $25 right up to $2,800. The range covers 8-foot yacht tenders, fishing boats, and 14-foot inflatable sail boats.

<a target="_new" href="http://www.e-inflatableboats.com">Inflatable Boats Info</a> provides detailed information on pontoon, rigid and fishing inflatable boats, as well as trailers, repairs, used inflatable boats and manufacturers. Inflatable Boats Info is the sister site of <a target="_new" href="http://www.e-riverrafting.com">River Rafting Web</a>.

RV Vacations: Ten Tips

Perhaps you have wondered about taking an RV vacation. It seems like fun and you'd like to try it, but you aren't sure if it's for you. Well, it's a growing industry. Annual RV retail sales topped $14 billion in 2004. As baby boomers take to the road, the RVing pastime and lifestyle are becoming increasingly popular. If you have a hint of the RV itch, then here are 10 common reasons for taking an RV vacation:

<li> Getting Back to Nature: </B> If you are interested in the great outdoors, an RV is a great way to vacation. You can visit state or national parks, tour famous landmarks and simply enjoy some fresh air and natural settings. Take a hike or go fishing. Try white water rafting or canoeing. Play some golf, go swimming, ride your bike. Get some exercise or simply do nothing but enjoy your surroundings.

<li> The Comforts of Home: In an RV, you can have the best of both worlds. Enjoy the great outdoors with more creature comforts than tent camping. Whether you own an RV or try a rental, most RVs are well equipped. You will likely have a kitchen with microwave, fridge and stove, a TV and VCR, beds, living and dining areas and bathroom with shower. Many RVs have slide out rooms that increase the living area at the touch of a button. You can sit outside under your awning, get out of the rain if the weather changes, and turn on the air conditioner if it gets too hot.

<li> Family Matters: Family members of all ages tend to connect with each other when they are away from their normal routine enjoying a simpler lifestyle. Remember that family togetherness can be a double-edged sword. While the RV is comfortable, it is a small living area for a large family. If you are renting, bear this in mind in choosing the size of your rental RV. During the day, try to spend time outdoors or in different activities, so that each family member gets a bit of personal space and time for themselves. But the minor logistics can be managed. The general consensus among RVing families is that an RV vacation tends to bring the family closer together with more communication and the sharing of good times.

<li> Cool for Kids: An RV vacation can be a great way to travel with children. They can go out to play or take part in campground activities. There are likely to be other kids to meet and new places to explore. Children of all ages will enjoy an old-fashioned campfire complete with stories, songs and stargazing. And most kids think it's pretty cool to be in an RV "home on wheels".

<li> Campgrounds: There are many choices in campgrounds and RV parks. In peak season and tourist areas, you should make reservations. Look for the amenities that are important to you. Campgrounds may have swimming pools, lakes, boating, fishing ponds, miniature golf, playgrounds, hiking trails, game rooms, walking or bike paths, tennis courts and activities for kids and adults. You may find dances, barbeques, contests or other entertainment. <a target="_new" href="http://www.your-rv-lifestyle.com/RV-clubs.html">RV Clubs</a> are worth joining to get campground discounts and other services. Consider the size and setting of the campsites and check out overall campground ratings in campground directories. Also consider proximity to other attractions or landmarks that you want to visit.

<li> Flexibility: In an RV, you have the flexibility to change locations if you get the whim. But take this with a grain of salt. For popular destinations, you may not be able to pick up and find another campground without a reservation. You also want to strike the right balance between seeing different areas, the amount of time spent driving and ensuring you have enough time to relax. Cautions aside, an RV can give you a lot of freedom and spontaneity. RV travel appeals to an inner pioneering spirit and allows you to create your own adventure as you go along your way. You can explore the country at your own pace or take off for last minute mini-vacations, tailgating events and weekend trips.

<li> Affordability: The question of whether it is cheaper to take an RV vacation doesn't have a "one size fits all" answer. The comparison really depends on the type of vacations you would take instead, as well as the way in which you plan to RV. For a one-time trip, you can compare the costs of renting a suitable RV to the costs of hotels, airfare or other means of travel. Or if you are considering regular RV vacations, you may want to purchase a motorhome or towable trailer. In this case, you would need to factor in operating costs, maintenance and the purchase price. In an RV, you can save money by cooking meals at home vs. dining out. You can minimize expenses if you take advantage of activities and amenities already included in the campground rate. Fuel expenses can be managed by reducing the distances traveled and staying longer at a given campground or park.

<li> Driving the RV: Driving yourself gives you control over where you go and the pace of your travel. You don't have the hassle of airline counters and keeping to schedules. You can stop and take a break when you choose. You don't need a special license to drive an RV. Sure, it takes some getting used to -- but the number of RVs on the road should tell you that it is doable. Practice on your own (or with one other person) before you load up your passengers. Take advantage of any classes available through your dealer or one of the many RV organizations.

<li> How about a relaxing vacation for a change? How many times have you returned from a trip saying you need a vacation from the vacation? Now don't kid yourself - if you are the type who likes to schedule all the details of a trip, that's not going to change simply because you are traveling in an RV. But in choosing an RV vacation, you may shift your thinking and be more apt to use your time off as an opportunity to truly relax and unwind.

<li> Test out the RV Lifestyle: The RV vacation may serve as a test drive to gauge your overall interest in the RV lifestyle. There are RVers who spend several weeks per year in RV travel. Other RVers take off for months. Snowbirds are RVers who make an annual trek to warmer climates for the winter season. And then there are fulltime RVers whose only home is their RV. Many of these people started out by vacationing in an RV as a way to try out the RV lifestyle.

Copyright 2005 <a target="_new" href="http://www.your-rv-lifestyle.com">Your RV Lifestyle</a>, all rights reserved. Reprinted with permission.

Publication is permitted provided the resource information at the end of the article remains intact, and links are live. Please notify the author via the Contact Us form at <a target="_new" href="http://www.your-rv-lifestyle.com">http://www.your-rv-lifestyle.com</a>, providing a link to the location of the article, or a copy of the newsletter.

About The Author
Jill is a fulltime RVer and the editor of <a target="_new" href="http://www.your-rv-lifestyle.com/your-rv-lifestyle.html">http://www.your-rv-lifestyle.com</a>, where you can find more advice for choosing, affording and enjoying your RV lifestyle.

Alaska - Brief Travel Guide

WHAT TO SEE, TO DO AND WHERE: Mount McKinley is the highest mountain in North America (6,194 m or 20,306 feet), 150 miles from Fairbanks. Mountain climbing season is very short because of cold weather, strong winds and avalanche hazards. Nearly 1,000 people each season attempt the mountain, the best climbing conditions are in June.The peak is located in Denali National Park that offers superb mountain scenery and incomparable wildlife viewing, from 400-kg (900 lbs) grizzlies to Alaska state birds, willow ptarmigans, from Dall sheep to porcupines.

Many visitors come to Alaska in winter to see Aurora Borealis when Northern Lights glow in all its glory. Birdwatching is also very popular among Alaska visitors, over 250 bird species inhabit the area, especially the southwest region. You can find all Alaska nature watch viewing sites including detail maps here. Whale watching boat trips allow the visitors an opportunity to observe and photograph Beluga, Orca, Humpback and Gray whales, along with many other marine mammals, in their natural environment. Available Alaska whale watching tours are listed by geographic region here. There many miles of trails for backpackers- from the pristine glaciers and fjords of remote Wrangell-St Elias National Park to the famous Chilkoot Trail where you follow the footsteps of the Klondike gold prospectors on this demanding 33-mile route near Skagway. It is a difficult hike and usually takes three to five days.

The Alaska Trail system has over 40 both land and water-based trails with recognized recreational, scenic, and historic value. If you travel by RV or motorcoach, you need to know where to camp. Alaska RV parks index comes in handy.

Do not also forget to visit Talkeetna - every Alaska visitor's favorite small town is the base for superb flightseeing trips around Mount McKinley. Alaska's capital Juneau is worth seeing. Founded as a roughneck mining town in 1880, Juneau is very much urbane these days. The city is also close to breathtaking glacier lookouts. If you enjoy driving, challenge the lonely Dalton Highway , a 500-mile road leading from Fairbanks to the Arctic Ocean. On the way you can try recreational gold panning on any Federal stream segments along the Dalton highway south of Atigun Pass. For those looking for downhill skiing opportunities, Alyeska Ski Resort, located 40 miles south of Anchorage, offers 3 double chairs, 2 fixed quads, 1 high-speed detachable quad and a 60-passenger tram to move you 840 m (2,800 feet) above scenic landscapes. For cross-country skiing fans Alaska's many trails are available to trek through mountain valleys or to ski beside the ocean.

Annual sled dog races (dog mushing) is Alaska's official sport that attract participants and spectators from all over the world. The most famous race, Iditarod, runs for 1680 km (1,049 miles) from Anchorage to Nom and lasts 9 days starting on the first Saturday in March. Throughout the year many Alaska's communities host festivals and carnivals, there are interesting events for everyone. One of them is World Ice Art Championships held at Fairbanks in February-March where competitors carve magnificent sculptures from blocks of ice. Among other outdoor activities we would like to mention are boating on Alaska waterways, snowmachining and ATV-ing. We also devoted three separate web pages to Alaska Sport Fishing , Hunting and Cruises.

WHEN TO GO: Alaskan summers are cool, the average temperature is +14 deg.C (58 F) in summer and -12 deg.C (11 F) in winter. It receives midnight sunshine in May- July and goes into 24-hour darkness during the part of winter. May to September are the best months to visit for warm time activities. You can check next week weather forecast for Anchorage here.

GETTING THERE: There are many direct or one-stop flights from major US cities. The largest Alaska's city, Anchorage, is under 4 hours from Seattle by air. Anchorage is 2,463 road miles from Seattle, 3,608 miles from Los Angeles. It is more convenient to fly to Anchorage and rent a car or RV on the spot. To travel by water you can take a cruise to Alaska or use the Alaska Marine Highway Ferry.

TRAVEL TIPS: Northern weather can be unpredictable. Consider taking with you and wearing multiple layers of clothes in response to a wide variety of temperatures and weather conditions. Alaska is more expensive than most other states: apart from two dozen hostels there's little budget accommodation, and eating and drinking will set you back at least twenty percent more than in the Lower states. Still, experiencing Alaska on a low budget is possible, though it requires planning and off-peak travel. From June to August room prices are very high. May and September, when tariffs are relaxed and the weather only slightly chillier, are just as good times to go, and in April or October you'll have the place to yourself, together with a smaller range of places to stay and eat. Winter months are becoming increasingly popular, particularly for the spectacular aurora borealis . At this time of year hotel rates drop by as much as half.

We wish you a nice and safe trip!

Visit us at: <a target="_new" href="http://www.travelmake.com/alaska.html">http://www.travelmake.com/alaska.html</a> for more information on travel to Alaska.

<a target="_new" href="http://www.travelmake.com">http://www.travelmake.com</a> - one of leading discount travel agencies, a source of useful travel information.

No Artificial Ingredients Indeed

Back from our family's vacation to Costa Rica, I am left feeling extremely grateful for not only the well-received rest and relaxation with family; I enjoyed exhilarating experiences previously unimaginable.

Costa Rica's ad in this Sunday's New York Times includes the tagline "No Artificial Ingredients." I'll say. What with monkeys offering our singular wake-up call swinging limb to limb just outside our hotel balcony, to iguanas joining us on our walk to breakfast, to a highly venomous snake slithering right before our eyes on our drive to dinner, to native raccoon-like critters sharing the bar under the grass-thatched hut where we dined for most meals...nature called out loud and clear. Everywhere.

We watched the volcano erupt at Arenal and watched with delight when we saw it played again on the national news that night; patted the frogs which resident caretaker Valencio sheltered and raised; glared at the crocodile swimming in the same water where we white-water rafted; and enthusiastically spread mud on our faces while we sipped organic coffee at a mountaintop caf?. (I never thought I'd be wearing a volcanic mud mask in the middle of Costa Rica in front of strangers...but then again, I figured I'd never see these people again, either.)

I have to admit: my more frequent attire, when traveling south, looks a lot more like it leapt out of a Lilly Pulitzer closet. A couple of loudly colorful capris, coordinating Jack Rogers shoes, and cute straw bags can usually get me about anywhere in the summer.

But not in Costa Rica. It was the place for hiking boots, surfer shorts, and fanny packs. I was totally out of my element.

Risk taking is one of the things I heartily recommend for creative living. It is one of the secrets of creating creative genius. All creative people take risks. They live outside of their comfort zone. They engage in new activities, surround themselves with different types of people, and deliberately put themselves into foreign surroundings. They create situations over which they have little or no control over the outcome.

Such was the case with my family on our summer vacation. I was in totally foreign territory. I don't speak Spanish, and my feeble attempts at putting an "el" in front of every word with an "o" behind it (i.e. "el guide-o") were only met with side-splitting laughter by my fluent husband and kids. "Por favor, club soda with lemon" became another mealtime joke.

I also don't hang out in surfer shorts and those tight-fitting surfer tops. I can't surf. My husband and kids took lessons everyday while at the beach, but because of my mangled right leg (car accident twenty-seven years ago), I can't even think about it. Everybody at the beach in Costa Rica surfs. I was odd-man out there, too. I had no particular affinity for night hiking in the cloud forest, though my husband and sons found that to be one adventure they would not go home without experiencing firsthand. Nor did I desire a night trek beyond the "No Trespassing" signs at the erupting volcano, (can you even imagine what might lurk out there in the dark?) but my husband and sons found that irresistible. When we stopped for lunch at a local "soda" on the side of the road (literally) I announced that I wouldn't eat there for fear of catching malaria. But I was hungry. I ate there. It was good. I didn't catch malaria. But I did get laughed at-once again-by my husband and kids.

We traveled by SUV on paths that could only be described as just that. To call them roads would be incredible overstatement. Boulder-studded and dirt-lined, they were beyond anything I had ever seen-except when traveling to Panama. Signage was, well, confusing at best and non-existent at worst. We figured it was the native's conspiracy against US tourists.

But we're already anxious to go back. Costa Rica's national motto is "pura vida." The pure life. Or "life is good." And when all was said and done, I was very glad to have lived for a couple weeks with no artificial ingredients. No make-up...only volcanic mud on my middle-aged skin. No clothing labels...just cotton t's and baggy shorts. No jewelry..except for the green cat's eye cross-and-beaded-trinket I bought from a native craftswoman on the beach.

I walked on the most incredible beaches I'd ever seen, rode horseback through the woods, paddled down white-water rapids, and witnessed the cloud forest from 400 meters above ground level. I came back home sore and exhausted, but exhilarated and happy.

My biggest challenge now is figuring out how to translate all of Costa Rica's charm-and "pura vida" mantra-into my New England culture, family life, and schedule. But no artificial ingredients? Now that's a tough one.

Carolina Fernandez earned an M.B.A. and worked at IBM and as a stockbroker at Merrill Lynch before coming home to work as a wife and mother of four. She totally re-invented herself along the way. Strong convictions were born about the role of the arts in child development; homeschooling for ten years provided fertile soil for devising creative parenting strategies. These are played out in ROCKET MOM! 7 Strategies To Blast You Into Brilliance. It is available on Amazon.com, in bookstores everywhere, or by calling 888-476-2493. She writes extensively for a variety of parenting resources and teaches other moms via parenting classes and radio and TV interviews.

Please visit <a target="_new" href="http://www.rocketmom.com">http://www.rocketmom.com</a> to subscribe to her free ezine and get a weekly shot of inspiration.

Old Sturbridge Village ? Links to Our Past Guide, Part 2

Once described in a 1950 article as "The Town That Wants to Be Out of Date," Old Sturbridge Village in Sturbridge, Massachusetts is a lovingly recreated village of early 19th century New England. You'll be whisked back to the dawn of modern commerce and experience what life was like in a typical New England Village of that time.

This is the second part in the series of popular attractions for New England vacations with a historical theme. Others in the series are Plymouth Plantation, Mayflower II, and Mystic Seaport.

Old Sturbridge Village opened to the public in 1946 and received 5,000 visitors in its first year of operation. Today nearly half a million visitors a year experience the authentic buildings and wonderful collections of artifacts on display.

Located 60 miles west of Boston off exit 9 on Route 90, Sturbridge Village is set among 200 acres of rural Central Massachusetts.

Since opening nearly 60 years ago the village has survived a destructive hurricane, flooding, and the occasional fire - look for the high water mark notched on the Gristmill on the millpond from Hurricane Diane.

Where Plymouth Plantation focuses on the early years of settlement in the region, Old Sturbridge Village covers the beginning of prosperity, and a more sophisticated existence built around the emerging commerce of 1830s America.

A word about the buildings?

Many of the structures are original and moved here from villages in Vermont, Connecticut, and Massachusetts. Reconstructed and restored with painstaking care they tingle your senses with their rustic charm, and simple designs.

Unpaved country roads lead you around the common and to outlying areas of inviting barns and craftsmen establishments, such as the shoe and tin shops. Here you'll see and talk to role-playing 19th century craftsmen. Marvel as they skillfully produce goods using only the tools and resources available in the 1830s.

Both a museum and educational resource, Old Sturbridge Village is primarily a place to explore for all ages. The centerpiece is the recreated New England town and outlying areas containing more than 40 buildings to visit, experience, and enjoy.

Sturbridge Village contains both residential homes, as well as a bank, printing office, and stores and shops. You'll learn why banks didn't do personal loans, but who did. And why the buildings called Meetinghouses, weren't called churches - even though each Sunday most villagers spent four hours worshipping in them.

Pay a call on the Salem household in their handsome Towne House, and then stop by and have tea at the Parsonage before visiting the Fenno and Fitch dwellings. These residential homes on the common in Sturbridge Village are full of surprises and homely comforts.

And if you need to stop for refreshment, Sturbridge Village has plenty of picnic areas if you've brought your own food, or you can purchase hot and cold fare at Bullard Tavern, or treats at Little Cakes. Options to eat change with the seasons so be sure to check the guide the day you visit.

The vision of the original founders of Old Sturbridge Village was for a place to learn by doing and direct experience ? an active outdoors museum. I've always found Sturbridge Village a welcome change of pace and reminder that quality of life has nothing to do with a car or the latest wide screen TV.

Plan to spend at least 3-4 hours at Old Sturbridge Village. Remember a ticket to Sturbridge Village is good for two days within a 10-day period. For more information on schedule, events, and ticket prices, check out the official web site at: www.osv.org.

Cliff Calderwood is the owner and contributing writer of the <a target="_new" href="http://www.new-england-vacations-guide.com/">New England vacations guide</a> . You can read more about Old Sturbridge Village and get a free travel report at his <a target="_new" href="http://www.new-england-vacations-guide.com/">New England vacation</a> site.

Find Outdoor Camping Gear Online at Great Discount Prices

Before you take off on that great outdoor adventure, be sure to write a list of all of the outdoor camping gear you will need with you and your family when on that camping trip. Some of the most important items to remember to bring are backpacks, tents, sleeping bags and camping furniture to name a few items.

Other outdoor camp gear accessories you should think of bringing should be based on the type of camping trip your taking and at what time of year. For example, if you know that it's going to be rainy season, a good durable tarp to cover the ground and go over the tent is a good camp item to have. Also, if you and your family are sensitive to temperature when sleeping, you may want to bring along a tent heater and an air mattress for more sleeping comfort in that cozy sleeping bag.

Also write out a list of camping food you will need. Along with your food list you may also want to consider the many outdoor camping cooking equipment you will need like a camp stove or campfire grill, pots, pans, matches and more. Do your research by reading online reviews and ratings at epinions.com on some of the best camping gear and supplies available today to help make your choice a little easier.

Keep searching and you will find sales and discounts on just about anything you can think of that you would need when outdoor camping. Check out outdoor manufacturers like Coleman, North Face, Motorcycle, Kelty, Wenzel, Ozark and more.

L. Dente is a successful author and publisher of <a target="_new" href="http://www.discount-camping-gear.org">http://www.discount-camping-gear.org</a> Get information on camping gear, backpacks, tents, sleeping bags, furniture and other camping supplies.

Taking an Alaskan Cruise ? What to Pack

Packing in general can be a hassle. But when going on an Alaskan cruise, it can be even harder because of the colder weather. Here are some general suggestions to make this task a little easier.

Casual clothing ? You will want to take some casual clothing for the daytime. This will include jeans, cords, turtlenecks, and sweaters.

Dress in layers ? If you dress in layers, you can add or subtract layers as the weather dictates.

Outerwear ? You probably will not need a heavy down coat if you dress in layers, however, you will need a jacket.

Dinner wear ? You will want to dress up for dinner each night. If you stick to a core wardrobe color, you can mix and match. Use bold accessories such as pins, necklaces, and scarves to change up the look.

Shoes ? Try to plan your wardrobe around one basic color so that your shoes will match everything. Of course, dinner shoes will be different from every-day shoes.

Misc ? Remember to take your camera and binoculars. Don't forget the film and extra batteries. An umbrella may also be needed.

By packing this way, you may be able to get everything into one suitcase and a backpack that you can carry with you on the plane. You'll be prepared and worry free!

Copyright ? 2005 Susan Daniel and Debbie Overstreet

About Susan and Debbie: Susan and Debbie are internet marketers. You can review more articles and Web sites on Alaskan cruises by visiting <a target="_new" href="http://www.gocruisevacations.com">http://www.gocruisevacations.com</a>

Driving in Greece - How Bad is it?

Generally speaking, Greek drivers are not the best in Europe, but they are not the worst ? those people know who they are!

I have been in driving in Greece for a while now and have witnessed many examples of bad habits on the road, which have shocked my rapidly departing British sensibilities. It is not uncommon for drivers to hoot their horns at traffic lights, even when they are still on red and to fly through red lights. There is a reason of sorts for some of the occasions when the latter occurs. Traffic lights, even in the capital, are not remotely controlled at different times of the day to allow for changes in traffic flow. Therefore in rush hour, for example, there can be dozens of cars waiting to go through a traffic light, which stays green for only ten seconds or less. This results in stressed out drivers sneaking through on red because they are tired of waiting. I have also been surprised on more than one occasion when going down a one-way street, by someone coming at speed in the opposite direction towards me. I have decided that if I ever dent the front of my car, I'll head straight for the next car heading at me the wrong way up a one-way street and let the other guy's insurance company cover it. Sounds good in theory at least.

The Greeks seem to have a blatant disregard for their own safety ? drivers and pedestrians alike (watch out for Greek grannies walking down the middle of the road with their shopping). Seatbelts are rarely worn and children can often be seen jumping up and down on the back seat, as though they were playing in their rooms, or wedged between two adults on a motorbike. There is very much a &quot;it will never happen to me&quot; mentality, but the statistics show that unfortunately it does happen. I always wear a seatbelt, whether I am driving or I am in someone elses car. It often raises a strange look from Greek taxi drivers, as though you are somehow questioning their ability to drive.

A Few Tips

Now for some tips. The first and most important one is to just be alert. This will keep you safe on Greek roads 99.99% of the time. I realised recently that I am now no longer just looking at the car in front of me, but I am also unconsciously looking through his windshield at the car in front of him. You will soon develop quicker reactions and a sixth sense for when someone is going to do something unorthodox. Driving in the UK would probably feel positively dull now! Care needs to be taken on roundabouts, because it often seems that the rule is the person who drives most aggressively, regardless of whether they are on the roundabout or entering it, is the one who has priority.

Unlike in the UK, when another driver flashes his headlights at you, he is not letting you pass ? the opposite is true - he is warning you that he is coming. In built-up areas, go carefully through crossroads, because people do not always respect stop signs and may also have their view of you blocked by cars parked right on the street corner. In response to what I said earlier about red traffic lights, when the lights turn green do not move off without checking that there are no stragglers coming from another junction. When I first arrived in Athens, I thought that the drivers had a slow reaction time when the light turns green lights but now I think, as with driving anywhere, it is safer to take your time.

About the author: Emmanuel Mendonca is the webmaster of <a target="_new" href="http://www.athensroom.com/greece_travel_guide.html"> Greece Travel Articles </a> - a source of interesting articles and information about visiting, living and working in Greece.

River Cruise in Bangkok ? Sightseeing on the Chao Phraya

A river cruise in Bangkok gives an insight to the community life on the Chao Phraya River and the legacies on this river of kings, a picture of stark contrasts.

It needn't have to be an elaborate affair; you can cut the frills and expenses. Plan the river cruise yourself for a more meaningful Bangkok sightseeing tour from the Chao Phraya River.

The Chao Phraya River is the longest river in Thailand stretching 370 km from Nakhon Sawan, more than 200 km north of Bangkok. The river continues past Bangkok to flow into the Gulf of Thailand in Samut Prakan to the south.

Chao Phraya is also the highest title in ancient Thai nobility, similar to the Duke in British nobility. The title is no longer in use.

Attractions, landmarks and views in a river cruise in Bangkok

Start the river cruise from the Sathorn Pier near the Taksin Bridge; five minutes walk from the Taksin Bridge skytrain station, the terminal station for trains from the city center.

Proceed northwards passing the scenic water front hotels like the old Oriental Bangkok where famous writers like Joseph Conrad and Somerset Maugham left their mark.

The first recommended stopover, in a river cruise in Bangkok, is the Ratchawong Pier which leads to Yaowarat Chinatown, Soi Sampheng where Chinatown started and Soi Sun Yat Sen named after the father of the Chinese Revolution.

The Memorial Bridge, the next stop, is dedicated to King Rama I, the founder of Bangkok. His monument, near the bridge, depicts King Rama I on a throne gazing at the bustling city he founded more than 220 years ago. Pahurat, the Indian community in Bangkok is further inland.

Historical aspects of the Chao Phraya

Further upriver on the Thonburi bank, near the mouth of the Bangkok Yai Canal, the white ramparts of Fort Vichai Prasit come into view. This was an old Ayutthaya fort built in 1688. King Taksin's Palace is here in the complex that's now the Royal Thai Navy HQ.

Next to this old citadel, stands the glittering Wat Arun, Temple of Dawn, a temple built in the Ayutthaya era.

The Bangkok Yai Canal and the Bangkok Noi Canal, further upriver, used to be the original course of the Chao Phraya River.

This long meander was straightened out by a canal in 1542 to shorten sailing time to Ayutthaya. The new canal subsequently became the present course of the Chao Phraya River.

The river cruise in Bangkok will now pass the most majestic sight along the Chao Phraya River, the Grand Palace and the Temple of the Emerald Buddha in old Rattanakosin, the historical center, which is the origin of modern Bangkok.

The Thonburi bank, across from the Grand Palace, is where old communities have lived long before Bangkok was established as the capital. The Bangkok Noi Museum, further inland, preserves the history of these communities.

The Royal Barge Museum is located in the Bangkok Noi Canal near the Phra Pin Klao Bridge.

The river cruise in Bangkok next passes Fort Phra Sumen, built in 1783 to fortify the old city. Located near the mouth of the Banglampoo Canal, the second protective canal ring, it's one of the two remaining forts left from the Bangkok era.

River life and scenes on the Chao Phraya

On the banks, rickety old wooden houses on stilts can be seen in stark contrast to the spanking new houses and condominiums. The noodle vendor in a boat sells her food from house to house as restaurants provide riverside dining near the some of the piers.

The most spectacular bridge across the Chao Phraya River encountered in a river cruise in Bangkok is the King Rama VIII Bridge, a suspension bridge that stands out like a giant harp over the water. Bang Khun Phrom Palace, which houses the Bank of Thailand Museum, is nearby.

Bridges across the Chao Phraya River serve as useful landmarks in a river cruise in Bangkok. Some piers, located near these bridges, are named after them. You'll pass under eight bridges in the entire river cruise.

Further upriver life gets less touristy and more rustic, particularly on the Thonburi bank. Many piers are named after wats (temples) located nearby, around which community life is built. Some of these temples, though less well known, are equally beautiful as their city counterparts.

Chao Phraya boat services for a river cruise of Bangkok

<a target="_new" href="http://www.tour-bangkok-legacies.com/chao-phraya-river-boats.html">Chao Phraya River boats</a> ply along the river during the day stopping at regular piers. These boats are an inexpensive and convenient way for a Bangkok sightseeing tour of the river.

A Chao Phraya tourist boat service is also available for a day tour of selected areas and piers. Boat rental services are also available for groups of 20 or more.

A total of 34 Chao Phraya river piers located along this 25 km winding stretch of river. You don't have to go all the way though, just take your pick and get on and off where you wish.

A river cruise in Bangkok provides a very different perspective of life in the city on the banks of the Chao Phraya River, an aspect you can't get from the usual Bangkok city tour.

<a target="_new" href="http://www.tour-bangkok-legacies.com/river-cruise-in-bangkok.html">This article</a>, by Eric Lim, first appeared in <a target="_new" href="http://www.tour-bangkok-legacies.com/">Tour Bangkok Legacies</a>, a historical travel site on people, places and events that shaped the landscape of Bangkok. Lim, a free-lance writer, lives in Bangkok Thailand.

Visiting Plitvice Lakes National Park

If anyplace on earth is a natural paradise, Plitvice Lakes National Park in Croatia is that place. Of all Croatia's eight National Parks, Plitvice is the oldest and most visited. It's easy to see why. Bears and wolves lurk in its primeval forest; schools of silvery fish dart through its pristine rivers; its beech trees are a cacophony of chattering birds. The crown jewels are the 16 translucent lakes connected to each other by a breathtaking series of cascades. Dazzling as the Plitvice national park appeared on a recent visit, I couldn't help recalling that this exceptional site was a war zone during the breakup of former Yugoslavia.

Located near Croatia's then- disputed border with Bosnia-Hercegovina, the park's troubles began in 1991 when the Yugoslav army seized the park and turned it into an army barracks. The Croatian army forced them out in 1995 but, a year later, the effects of war were everywhere. The area surrounding the park was a nightmarish landscape of bombed out houses and abandoned farms. The park's three hotels were shot to pieces and part of the lake system was closed while specialists removed mines from the falls and forests.

Shaking off the aura of gloom, I set out to tour the park that UNESCO had named a world heritage site. Even with only half the park open, I was soon entranced.

Miles of wooden walkways wound over, under and alongside the falls. From merry two-foot bubblers to long walls laced with foam, the falling water was everywhere. I resolved to return one day when the park had been rebuilt.

It happened that my grand return to Plitvice occurred this year at the end of a long, hard winter in central Croatia. Although I had visions of tranquil lakes shimmering under a blue sky the weather turned out to be cold, foggy and damp. But damp is good in Plitvice. Between the melting winter snow and days of rain, much of the park was a roaring mass of water. Water pounded into swollen lakes, flooded out the walkways and splashed through the trees. It was splendid.

Even better was the lack of other visitors. In the intervening nine years, Plitvice Lakes National Park has become Croatia's busiest tourist attraction welcoming some 750,000 tourists a year. Nearly all come in July and August. &quot;Please tell people to come in spring and autumn, if they can&quot; my guide begged me. The newly renovated hotels are now completely booked up in the summer and the walkways are elbow to elbow with camera clickers.

Although missing the summer greenery, I quickly grew to appreciate the bare trees that allowed an unobstructed view of the lakes and falls. It was clear that the lake system is divided into four lower and twelve upper lakes. Just past the main entrance, the Korana River drops a torrent of water 258 feet into a frothing pool that begins the lower lakes. Lying at the bottom of a canyon, the narrow lower lakes are bordered by steep limestone walls and climb like a giant staircase to the upper lakes. Wider and surrounded by dense forest, the upper lakes lie on a bed of dolomite. At the very top, the White and Black rivers are the spigots that water the park. The high mineral content of the lakes explains their extraordinary colors, which range from day-glow green to deep azure.

Examining the crystalline water of the top lake, I noticed that the leaves and branches settled on the bottom were acquiring a metallic coating. It was the travertine process in action. The water absorbs minerals from the dolomite underlying the upper lakes and coats the plant life, turning it to porous travertine stone. The new travertine sprouts moss and plants that again petrify and the process repeats itself. All the barriers separating the upper lakes are composed of travertine constantly growing and changing shape.

If you go to Plitvice, you don't need to stay long enough to turn to travertine but the park merits more time than it usually gets. Lying about 85 miles north of Zadar and south of Zagreb, many people rush through the park on their way to or from the coast. It's possible to see a lot of waterfalls in three or four hours but you'll need a number of days to fully explore the trails. The three-star Hotel Jezero is the best of the park's three hotels but there are plenty of small pensions and private rooms in the villages around the park.

Jeanne Oliver has written all three editions of Lonely Planet's Croatia guidebook. To find out more about traveling to Croatia and to book your trip, visit Jeanne's website, <a target="_new" href="http://www.croatiatraveller.com">http://www.croatiatraveller.com</a>

Find Outdoor Camping Gear Online at Great Discount Prices

Before you take off on that great outdoor adventure, be sure to write a list of all of the outdoor camping gear you will need with you and your family when on that camping trip. Some of the most important items to remember to bring are backpacks, tents, sleeping bags and camping furniture to name a few items.

Other outdoor camp gear accessories you should think of bringing should be based on the type of camping trip your taking and at what time of year. For example, if you know that it's going to be rainy season, a good durable tarp to cover the ground and go over the tent is a good camp item to have. Also, if you and your family are sensitive to temperature when sleeping, you may want to bring along a tent heater and an air mattress for more sleeping comfort in that cozy sleeping bag.

Also write out a list of camping food you will need. Along with your food list you may also want to consider the many outdoor camping cooking equipment you will need like a camp stove or campfire grill, pots, pans, matches and more. Do your research by reading online reviews and ratings at epinions.com on some of the best camping gear and supplies available today to help make your choice a little easier.

Keep searching and you will find sales and discounts on just about anything you can think of that you would need when outdoor camping. Check out outdoor manufacturers like Coleman, North Face, Motorcycle, Kelty, Wenzel, Ozark and more.

L. Dente is a successful author and publisher of <a target="_new" href="http://www.discount-camping-gear.org">http://www.discount-camping-gear.org</a> Get information on camping gear, backpacks, tents, sleeping bags, furniture and other camping supplies.

Journey to Haypress Creek

It was the end of my first year as a graduate student, and my personal stock had risen somewhat due to long hours of hard work. Now a fabulous opportunity presented itself in the form of a research project in the northern Sierras in a locality known as Haypress Creek, which fell into my lap as a result of shifting academic fortunes. The hapless fellow who had been slated to go began an academic tailspin despite the initial excitement generated in the department by his excellent undergraduate grades. Meanwhile, my long hours of diligent work that first semester, in contrast to undergraduate grades that had not only failed to generate excitement among the faculty, but had gained grudging admittance on a probationary status, captured the slot. Good, graduate school had been an all-or-nothing proposition on which everything was gambled on making a success of the first semester.

I rolled northwest out of Fort Worth in my bright blue 1973 Dodge Charger, sliding past the luxuriant green prairie toward Amarillo. The Charger had been with me for just over five years, since being resurrected from what amounted to an open grave where it moldered under a tree in a biker-guy's yard. Acquired in California during the Army, it had made several cross-country trips with its new engine, and I had little doubt that it would make the journey from Texas to California. Besides, as a poor graduate student, there was really no choice but to utilize the resources at my disposal. The character of the country changed as I approached Amarillo, the green waving grass replaced by blowing dust. Mexican migrant workers shuffled along the road, bandanas tied over their faces as protection against the sediment-laden driving wind, in a scene reminiscent of the Grapes of Wrath. The dust storm cleared, revealing layered red, beige, and white sandstone and scrub grass, heralding my entrance into New Mexico. The varicolored desert slid past interminably as the blazing sun beat down. Due to the expanse and sameness of the scenery, a fixed point on the horizon never seemed to draw closer. Objects on the lateral horizons never seemed to draw abreast, making it seem as though I were simply sitting on the highway with the engine running. The thermometer on my Avocet watch read 105, but continuous glances at the temperature gauge revealed no impending doom beneath the hood.

After making the diversion to the Grand Canyon, too close to pass up spending half a day to see it, I resumed the westward journey on I-40. Nearing Kingman, the signs for Needles again reminded me of the Grapes of Wrath, although my path led northwest across the Hoover Dam. Fantastic rock formations, representing massive mudslides of past eons, lined the twisting descent into the concrete modified canyon, through which the hot breath of the desert was channeled. Crossing the dam, with the distinctive four intake towers protruding what appeared to be a short distance above the surface of the reservoir on the right, belied the dizzying crag on the left. The 318 chugged and rattled up the steep incline, straining to propel the steel body of the Charger onward to Las Vegas. Dusk, then darkness, descended as I guided the Charger along the bustling thoroughfare, nervously increasing speed well above the posted limit, but still cars flowed past me like water diverging around an obdurate boulder in a stream. My plan had been to stop for the night in Las Vegas, where it was rumored that good hotels were cheap. A casino hotel beckoned from the urban strip off the highway, but much to my consternation, I was unable to find the road to the entrance and could not reach what stood right before my eyes. Frustrated, I continued northwest, determined to find a motel that required less sophisticated navigation skills to reach. With tired, frayed nerves after a long day of driving, the subsequent miles to Indian Springs were like sleep deprivation torture, but finally a "motel" sign beckoned.

In the morning, much refreshed, I started early in hopes of making a detour through Death Valley. Similarly to my brief detour to the Grand Canyon, I felt that I couldn't pass so famous a place as Death Valley without seeing it. The thermometer at the visitor's center indicated 100 at 10 am, as I meandered north through the park. Whether because of the high temperature, or increased air pressure at this low altitude, the Charger's temperature gauge began a steady, inexorable climb. I watched nervously as the sun-faded orange needle passed middle ground and reached the second-to-highest tick, then began the final push on the short, intervening distance to the last mark. Every extra bit of work required from the engine, even to climb the smallest hill, was matched with a corresponding rise in the temperature gauge needle. On downhill stretches, rolling in neutral at idle forced a retreat of the troublesome instrument. Climbing the last hill, the needle pegged on the top mark as I gently urged the 318 onward. I waited for the impending clouds of steam to boil from beneath the hood, but none came. Upon cresting the ridge of the Funeral Mountains, I immediate shifted into neutral and coasted down the long grade into Beatty, relieved at the corresponding rapid descent of the temperature gauge needle.

Now my spirits rose as my destination seemed within a day's reach. Passing through Hawthorne stirred memories of a previous visit to the army depot located there, which I had visited six years before. Finally, past Yerington and the short distance to I-80, and I was truly in familiar territory. While in the Army in Monterrey, California, I had traverse I-80 on so many occasions that the route was memorized. I rolled west on I-80, now retracing a stretch of road that was very familiar. Through Reno, there was the famous Circus-Circus that had always attracted my interest on previous trips. Here was some overlap with the past, as I had actually once stayed at the Circus-Circus while traveling for the Army. The hotel was also the last landmark that I remembered before my old 1964 Dodge had thrown a rod in the middle of Nevada, during an attempted return home for Christmas vacation some six years earlier. After Reno, I relived the experience of crossing into California, with the fir-covered slopes opposite the interstate. At last I reached Truckee, where I had also stopped during my first trip to California. In a d?j? vu-like experience, I found myself in front of the same motel in which I had stayed on that initial trip. It caused me to reflect that history was in some ways repeating itself, as if two lives were superimposed, the present upon the past. Although the places were the same, the circumstances were certainly different. On that first trip, I had been traveling to my first permanent Army duty station in Monterrey, fresh out of High School and running from a dead-end small town. My experiences in the Army had motivated me to go to college, and then on to graduate school. Now, here as a graduate student, I felt that I had come up in the word several notches from the first time that I had crossed the High Sierra.

Years later, I again had reason to return to Reno. This trip, nine years after the summer of field work in Haypress Creek, reflected a continued rise in my fortunes. In the intervening years I had continued in graduate school and acquired a doctorate, and this trip was not undertaken with an underlying feeling of desperation in an old car that required continual observation of the gauge cluster. This trip was all expense paid, accomplished with a cross-country flight and rental car at the airport. But in another episode of d?j? vu, I found myself at the Reno Circus-Circus! The temptation was too great to resist, and I pointed the rental car west toward Truckee, then north to Haypress Creek. If anything, the area seemed even more primitive, the roads even more narrow. But after working in the Rocky Mountains and Andes, the peaks no longer seemed as high and rugged as when I had first viewed them.

About The Author

I am a geologist, and have had some interesting experiences and travels over the years. I thought this was a particularly fun story because it shows how a person's condition in life can improve as measured against something stationary, like a place that you visit under different circumstances over the years. My real emphasis is on geology and mining, but it is fun to write some short stories. I have some more serious geology-related items at my web page:

<a href="http://sedward.home.netcom.com/petrography.html" target="_new">http://sedward.home.netcom.com/petrography.html</a>

<a href="mailto:sedward@ix.netcom.com">sedward@ix.netcom.com</a>

The Pyramids of Giza

The most famous Egyptian pyramids to be built are the Great Pyramids of Giza, located in the outskirts of present-day Cairo. There are over 100 Egyptian pyramids of various sizes, and over 50 more in neighboring Sudan. However, the three Great Pyramids of Giza earn their fame by being the largest of these.

In the most popular pictures of the Pyramids of Giza, like the one shown below, the middle pyramid, that of Khafre (Chephren), appears larger due to the angle and because it was built on higher ground. The largest pyramid is actually the Great Pyramid of Khufu (Cheops), the one on the left.

The Great Pyramid of Khufu

Contrary to popular belief, not all the Great Pyramids of Giza are considered part of the Seven Wonders of the World. Only the largest, the Great Pyramid of Khufu, is a member, and is the only one of the Seven Wonders that still stands. Egypt was also home to another of the Seven Wonders of the World, the Lighthouse of Alexandria, which was destroyed long ago.

The Pyramid of Khufu has a height of 145 m (475 ft) and a base area of 52,400 sqm (562,500 sqft). That area is large enough to fit over 20 Olympic-size swimming pools! And for thousands of years, until the rise of modern-day skyscrapers, the pyramid was the tallest building in the world.

What makes the pyramid an architectural triumph and one of the Seven Wonders of the World is the fact that the rocks used in its construction each way more than 2 tons. And there are more than 2 million of those rocks.

Greek travelers to ancient Giza wrote that it took a hundred thousand slaves 20 years to construct the pyramid. However, since they visited Egypt more than 2 thousand years after the Egyptian pyramids were built, the truth of their accounts are suspect. Modern engineers estimate that it would likely take less people and less time to build the pyramid using technology that was available at that time.

Treasures of the Pharaoh

The Pyramid of Khufu was built by the Egyptian Pharaoh Khufu (Cheops) in the 4th Dynasty circa 2560 BC, making it over 4500 years old! It is widely accepted that the pyramid was built to bury Pharaoh Khufu when he died. However, many other conspiracy theories abound as to why the pyramids were built, ranging from astronomical observatories to alien artifacts.

Since Egyptian Pharaohs were noted for being buried with their great treasure, Arab conquerors attempted to gain entrance into the Pyramid of Khufu in order to plunder it.

They managed to find a few narrow passages that led both up into the center of the pyramid, and down beneath the massive structure. However, all they managed to find at the end of these passages were empty chambers. No mummies or treasure was found in the pyramid.

During the Arabs' excavation of the Pyramid of Khufu, they encountered various boulders and slabs that were used to seal the passages and chambers within the pyramid. They also found hidden doors. This probably fueled the many myths about the Egyptian pyramids being booby-trapped, and where a grave robber who managed to get in would never get out alive.

A 17th century Englishman managed to uncover another shaft connecting the passages, but still no treasure was to be found.

Two conclusions can be derived from this. One, ancient tomb raiders have long since plundered all the treasure from the pyramid, leaving behind nothing but a few empty chambers. Or two, Khufu's mummy and treasure is still cleverly hidden within (or beneath) the Great Pyramid.

Steven maintains the informational website Wonders of Ancient Egypt at <a target="_new" href="http://www.nekhebet.com">http://www.nekhebet.com</a> . Do visit if you want to find out more about the wonders of Egypt such as the Pyramids and the Lighthouse; or mysteries such as mummifcation and conspiracy theories; or its religion and history.

Two Person Hammocks ? Snuggle With Your Beau in Style

How many of you take the time to just relax in a hammock? When I even think of a hammock, I just want to fall asleep. A single person hammock is great but two person hammocks are even better. Snuggle up with your beau and watch the clouds role by, or have a picnic included in your outdoor entertaining. The sophistication of a hammock today is like owning casual living furniture. The hammocks of today don't have to be some knots tied together. Hammocks for two enable you to take a little mini-vacation anytime you want. Some styles of interest for this hot trend in casual furniture are:

? Hammacher Schlemmer offers a durable two person hammock that is washable. This isn't the norm, but the spreader bars are removable
? Nikamaca? offers no bar, crocheted family size hammock that is poly-cotton in white or natural
? Slumberjack offers a two person hammock that sets up in minutes. It's 100 % cotton rope with spreader bars
? The Islander two person hammock is 100 % cotton crochet and macram? hand work
? The Presidential polyrope hammock by Pawley's Island is large enough for a small family. It is 100 % spun polyester rope.
? Brazilian hammocks are known for their comfort and beauty. Handcrafted of Brazilian cotton have no spreader bars, they sleep on them diagonally so the hammock creates a flatter surface
? Don't limit your two person hammock to the outdoors. There are many beautiful styles available for a bedroom or family room too. How romantic would your two person hammock be beside the sliding doors overlooking the ocean
? Try a quilted hammock. This soft padded fabric is far better than the scratchy rope styles
? If you must keep a rope hammock, try getting a hammock pad for better comfort

When it comes to hanging a <a href="http://www.patio-furniture-4u.com/Hammocks.htm" target="_new">hammock</a>, what are your alternatives if you don't have trees available? You can have any size hammock stand that will hold your two person hammock just fine. They are great for poolside or to take with you to the beach. They will assemble in about an hour and go anywhere you want them to go. Move them around as the sun moves in the backyard. Many like to get a tan in the sun, but if you like to snooze in the shade like I do; let your hammock be under the trees. If you decide a two person hammock or even single hammock is not for you, try a hammock chair. These can be suspended from a porch or the eaves of a home. If you decide a hammock is what you want for your backyard, why go with a single hammock when hammocks for two are so much more versatile and fun.

Casual furniture for easy living comes in many shapes and styles, a hammock may be just the thing you are looking for. If hammocks are a little too casual for your taste, there is a whole host of casual living furniture available for your patio and backyard. You can find just what you need online; or shop the nearest home and garden store for the perfect casual patio set. When you are planning the look of your patio, be aware of the soft curve a hammock presents. If you have strong lines in patio furniture or sharp angles, a hammock will give you the right softness to curb those sharp points and angles. You'd be surprised the pleasant form a hammock will give your backyard. Hammocks are beautiful, comfortable and a nice piece of &quot;furniture&quot;. Take advantage of the differences in size and just relax and watch the clouds role by.

Beverly Marshall is a successful freelance writer offering guidance and suggestions for consumers buying <a target="_new" href="http://www.patio-furniture-4u.com">patio and outdoor furniture</a>, <a target="_new" href="http://www.patio-furniture-4u.com/Outdoor">outdoor kitchen ideas</a> gas grills, picnic tables, hammocks, above ground pools and more. She gives information and tips to help you save money and make informed buying decisions.

Topographic Maps 101

The intricate details on a topographic map can be befuddling, even frustrating, if you are learning while out in the backcountry. But once you get familiar with the markings and symbols, reading maps will become a friendly aid, rather than a dreaded assignment.

Topographic Maps Grid System

Lines of latitude run parallel to the equator (east and west), and lines of longitude run perpendicular to the equator (north and south). These lines form a pattern of squares across the surface of the earth like a checker board.

One square, formed by lines of longitude and latitude, measures 90 degrees x 90 degrees. Degrees are further subdivided into minutes and seconds.

? 1 degree = 60 minutes
? 1 minute = 60 seconds

The important thing to understand, when we look for a topographic map for our hiking adventures, is that it will be located within this larger context of degrees, minutes, and seconds. Fortunately, it will also, usually, be identified with a place name.

An alternative method of notation within the Geographic Coordinate System is the decimal degree system. In the decimal degree system, minutes and seconds are replaced by a percentage of a degree, expressed as a decimal up to four places long. It is often used for Geographic Information Systems (GIS) applications,

Topographic Maps Scale Explained

A topographic map lists its scale in the margin or legend. The scale is the relationship between distances on a map and the corresponding distance on the ground. For example, a map with a scale of 1:50,000 means that 1 unit of measurement on the map equals 50,000 equivalent units on the ground.

Units can be in inches, feet, centimeters, or meters, depending on what scale map you are looking at and what measuring system the country uses. Most USGS maps are 1:24,000, also known as 7 ? minute maps. On this map, 1 inch = 24,000 inches on the ground. In Canada, most hiking maps are 1:50,000 scale, where 1 cm = 50,000 cm on the ground.

A small scale map (ex. 1:100,000) covers a large area; it shows less detail with fewer features. A large scale map (ex. 1:10,000) covers a small area; it shows great detail and small features. A 1:2,500, large scale map would show individual houses and street lights.

Topographic Maps Symbols and Colors

The symbols and colors used on Topographic maps are fairly straight forward:

? Black - man-made, &quot;cultural,&quot; features such as roads, buildings, etc. It is also used to show geographical names (toponymy), certain symbols, geographic coordinates, precise elevations, border information and surround information.

? Blue ?water, lakes, rivers, streams, etc. The names of bodies of water and water courses are also shown in blue, as are magnetic declination and UTM (Universal Transverse Mercator) grid information.

? Brown - contour lines, contour elevations, spot elevations, sand.

? Green - areas with substantial vegetation like a forest, orchard, or vineyard

? Grey - used on the back of the map where the different symbols and a glossary of terms and abbreviations can be found.

? Orange - unpaved roads and unclassified roads and streets.

? Purple - features added to the map since the original survey. These features are based on aerial photographs but have not been checked on land.

? Red - major highways; boundaries of public land areas. A red tint is used to show an urban development.

? White - areas with little or no vegetation; also used to depict permanent snowfields and glaciers

Topographic Maps Glossary

? Bearing - Angular direction expressed in degrees.

? Contour Lines ? A line on a map joining points of equal elevation. These lines are used to illustrate relief on a map.

? Distortion - The difference in shape between the actual curved surface of the earth and the flat representation of a topographic map.

? Grid - A system of horizontal and vertical lines that provide coordinates for locating points on an image.

? Magnetic Declination - The angle between magnetic north and true north, expressed in degrees and minutes, east or west from true north.

? Magnetic North - The direction your compass needle points.

? Projection - A method by which the curved shape of the earth is represented on a flat surface, overcoming distortion.

? Relief ? The variations in elevation of the earth's surface.

? Scale ? The relationship between distance on a map and the corresponding distance on the ground. For example, a map with a scale of 1:50,000 means that 1 unit of measurement on the map equals 50,000 equivalent units on the ground.

? Topographic Map ? An illustration of the earth's different elevation levels by means of contour lines. They present both natural and manmade features.

? True North - Direction of the northern rotational axis of the earth ? the North Pole.

Outdoors Adventurer, Writer and Webmaster Will Robertson lives with his family in Little Rock, Arkansas.

Explore the best hiking vacations and gear on the planet at: <a target="_new" href="http://www.hiking-vacations-and-gear.com">http://www.hiking-vacations-and-gear.com</a>

Scuba diving in South Africa

This truly beautiful country at the southern tip of dark and mysterious Africa offers diving and wildlife experiences beyond your wildest dreams...

Whether you want to dive sharks and wrecks on rugged wild coasts, or simply relax with whales and dolphins and enjoy pristine coral reefs and abundant wildlife, this should definately be your next diving destination.

Scuba diving in South Africa is a fast growing sport and of a high standard. All major organization's qualifications are recognized and good quality dive gear is easily hired. Foreign divers are welcomed with typical South African hospitality and are without exception made to feel at home.

The coastline ranges from about 35?S to 27?S, and that means that one has a choice of diving in the cold waters of the Cape Province, the warmer waters of KwaZulu Natal or the tropical waters of Mozambique.

The Cape Province is mostly good for wrecks, white sharks, kelp and colourful sponges. KwaZulu Natal is primarily for mantas, rays, sharks, wrecks, whales, dolphins, turtles, reef and pelagic fish, hard and soft coral reefs, and Mozambique for whale sharks, mantas, turtles, dugongs and tropical hard coral reefs.

Most of the diving are done from semi-rigid boats, with a few hard boat and shore entries. The only "liveaboards" are found in Mozambique and are not of international standard and size.

South African scuba diving, marine and environmental news <a target="_new" href="http://divesouthafrica.blogspot.com">http://divesouthafrica.blogspot.com</a>

Protection from Lightning - Smart Strategies for Hikers and All Outdoor Enthusiasts

Prevention is your best protection against lightning. Be sure to check your local weather report before you head outside. Learn how to read the sky and where to run for cover. Lightning can and does strike in the same place twice, do not make yourself vulnerable by becoming a target.

<B>Reading the Sky</B> Stay aware of the sky above you with your eyes and ears. To estimate how far away a lightening storm is, count the time between the lightning flash and the sound of thunder. Every five seconds difference in time equals one mile in distance. If you hear thunder 12 seconds after you see a flash, the lightning struck just over 2 miles away (2 2/5 miles).

<B>Things and Places to Avoid </B> <ul> <li> If lightning is moving toward you, stay away from: Fences, metal pipes, clotheslines, power lines, rails and other metallic paths that could carry lightning to you from a distance.</li> <li> Natural lightning rods such as a tall isolated tree in an open area.</li> <li> Metal objects you may be holding or carrying (bicycles, ski poles, golf clubs, etc.).</li> <li> Isolated sheds or other small structures in open areas. </li> </ul>

<B>Safe Havens</B> The preferred (safest) place to be during a lightning storm is inside a home, large building or a car (but, never a convertible). <ul> <li>If you are miles from a suitable shelter, you must seek refuge in low areas away from tall objects such as trees, towers, or mountain ridges.</li> <li> In flat country, head for dense woods, ravines or large groves of young trees.</li><li> For shelter in the forest, find a low area under a thick growth of small trees.</li> <li> If you are caught in an open area, crouch in a low place like a valley or ravine. Be watchful of flash floods. </li> </ul>

<B>Stuck in the Storm</B> To do your best to avoid injury: <ul> <li> Get on your hands and knees - just drop to your knees and bend forward. Never lie flat on the ground.</li> <li> Use whatever insulation you may have available. Attempt to have as little of your body touching the ground as possible. Crouch on a log or your sleeping bag or foam pad.</li> <li> Get out of your tent if it contains metal poles or other parts.</li> <li> If your hair starts to stand on end, act quickly because lightning is about to strike.</li> <ul>

Copyright 2005. Karen B. Cohen All Rights Reserved

Karen B. Cohen is a performance and wellness coach living in a college town in rural Virginia. A lifelong outdoor enthusiast, Karen enjoys a variety of pursuits in the Upper Shenandoah Valley and the Blue Ridge Mountains. She is an expert yoga instructor and occasionally leads yoga hikes near her home. She is available for seminars, workshops and individual coaching, and can be reached through her latest project <a target="_new" href="http://www.RockbridgeMag.com">http://www.RockbridgeMag.com</a> (Karen@RockbridgeMag.com).

How Are Minerals Formed?

HOW ARE MINERALS FORMED?

MINERALS are naturally occuring, inorganic solids, with a characteristic chemical composition, having a regular atomic structure throughout. Man-made industrial diamonds are not considered true minerals. Having said that, there are also some Organic Minerals, such as Amber. Purists are reluctant to call organic minerals minerals, but they satisfy at least three of the criteria for inorganic mineral makeup, and therefore the point is open to debate.

How Many Minerals are there? There are about 4000 listed minerals on this planet but only a relatively few have gained popularity due to their pleasing apperance, often bizarre shapes, exquisite spectrum of colours, and trading value. Minerals are generally composed of more than one element or compound. Those which are made up of only one element are called Native Elements e.g. gold, silver, mercury, copper. The Conquistadores fell in love with New World gold and "liberated" it by the ship-load to fill the coffers of Government and Church in Spain. Silver too, along with Topaz, Tourmaline, Agate, Ruby, Diamond and many other precious rocks and minerals, have been highly prized for as long as Man was first enchanted by their beauty, commercial value and status it imparted to the wearer.

So, just how are minerals formed? Minerals can be formed in a wide variety of geological environments; deep inside volcanos, at the bottoms of deep oceans, deserts, salt lakes and cooling deep deposits of molten rock. Also, under the influence of heat and or pressure, when solutions and gasses holding concentrations of specific elements cool or evaporate, minerals growths are deposited inside rock fissures or voids. These minerals are sometimes forced through as a suspension in water, the water then evaporating leaving the mineral deposits as crystals (e.g. Amethyst) when the rock void is not fully filled or as Agates, when the rock is completely filled. These minerals are only visible when the rock is split open; it takes some skill to decide which rock to crack open! More about that later. An example of such crystal and mineral specimens for collectors are Geodes which are round rocks containing precipitated mineral salts, these being comomonly Agates (caused by mineral salt crystals forming inside Basalt rocks), Amethysts, Quartz, Jasper.

Minerals don't necessarily need heat or pressure to be formed; water saturated with mineral salts can leave deposits (Stalactites) as it drips down from the roof of a cave, forming corresponding Stalagmites directly below, over the centuries, where the drips hit. Eventually both grow to meet each other and thicken over the years. Sometimes, as a novelty, tourists can hang an item on a line at a cave, over which calcium carbonate saturated water runs; over a period of a few months it becomes encased in a hardening deposit of Calcium Carbonate.

THE THREE TYPES OF ROCK . Ok, the basic scene has been set, now let's examine in more detail the different mechanisms involved in mineral formation. All minerals are formed from ROCKS , which are an aggregate or mixture of various minerals and are the basic materials from which a mineral is formed. Rocks can be either:
Igneous - formed due to volcanic activity from the Earth's core.
Metamorphic - formed because of pressure or heat (e.g. tectonic plates colliding) on existing rocks, changing them into another type of rock.
Sedimentary - resulting from the layered compaction of weathered rock materials and/or shells.

Let us examine these rocks a little further:-

IGNEOUS ROCKS (from the Latin ignis - fire) can be further categorised as being

Topographic Maps 101

The intricate details on a topographic map can be befuddling, even frustrating, if you are learning while out in the backcountry. But once you get familiar with the markings and symbols, reading maps will become a friendly aid, rather than a dreaded assignment.

Topographic Maps Grid System

Lines of latitude run parallel to the equator (east and west), and lines of longitude run perpendicular to the equator (north and south). These lines form a pattern of squares across the surface of the earth like a checker board.

One square, formed by lines of longitude and latitude, measures 90 degrees x 90 degrees. Degrees are further subdivided into minutes and seconds.

? 1 degree = 60 minutes
? 1 minute = 60 seconds

The important thing to understand, when we look for a topographic map for our hiking adventures, is that it will be located within this larger context of degrees, minutes, and seconds. Fortunately, it will also, usually, be identified with a place name.

An alternative method of notation within the Geographic Coordinate System is the decimal degree system. In the decimal degree system, minutes and seconds are replaced by a percentage of a degree, expressed as a decimal up to four places long. It is often used for Geographic Information Systems (GIS) applications,

Topographic Maps Scale Explained

A topographic map lists its scale in the margin or legend. The scale is the relationship between distances on a map and the corresponding distance on the ground. For example, a map with a scale of 1:50,000 means that 1 unit of measurement on the map equals 50,000 equivalent units on the ground.

Units can be in inches, feet, centimeters, or meters, depending on what scale map you are looking at and what measuring system the country uses. Most USGS maps are 1:24,000, also known as 7 ? minute maps. On this map, 1 inch = 24,000 inches on the ground. In Canada, most hiking maps are 1:50,000 scale, where 1 cm = 50,000 cm on the ground.

A small scale map (ex. 1:100,000) covers a large area; it shows less detail with fewer features. A large scale map (ex. 1:10,000) covers a small area; it shows great detail and small features. A 1:2,500, large scale map would show individual houses and street lights.

Topographic Maps Symbols and Colors

The symbols and colors used on Topographic maps are fairly straight forward:

? Black - man-made, &quot;cultural,&quot; features such as roads, buildings, etc. It is also used to show geographical names (toponymy), certain symbols, geographic coordinates, precise elevations, border information and surround information.

? Blue ?water, lakes, rivers, streams, etc. The names of bodies of water and water courses are also shown in blue, as are magnetic declination and UTM (Universal Transverse Mercator) grid information.

? Brown - contour lines, contour elevations, spot elevations, sand.

? Green - areas with substantial vegetation like a forest, orchard, or vineyard

? Grey - used on the back of the map where the different symbols and a glossary of terms and abbreviations can be found.

? Orange - unpaved roads and unclassified roads and streets.

? Purple - features added to the map since the original survey. These features are based on aerial photographs but have not been checked on land.

? Red - major highways; boundaries of public land areas. A red tint is used to show an urban development.

? White - areas with little or no vegetation; also used to depict permanent snowfields and glaciers

Topographic Maps Glossary

? Bearing - Angular direction expressed in degrees.

? Contour Lines ? A line on a map joining points of equal elevation. These lines are used to illustrate relief on a map.

? Distortion - The difference in shape between the actual curved surface of the earth and the flat representation of a topographic map.

? Grid - A system of horizontal and vertical lines that provide coordinates for locating points on an image.

? Magnetic Declination - The angle between magnetic north and true north, expressed in degrees and minutes, east or west from true north.

? Magnetic North - The direction your compass needle points.

? Projection - A method by which the curved shape of the earth is represented on a flat surface, overcoming distortion.

? Relief ? The variations in elevation of the earth's surface.

? Scale ? The relationship between distance on a map and the corresponding distance on the ground. For example, a map with a scale of 1:50,000 means that 1 unit of measurement on the map equals 50,000 equivalent units on the ground.

? Topographic Map ? An illustration of the earth's different elevation levels by means of contour lines. They present both natural and manmade features.

? True North - Direction of the northern rotational axis of the earth ? the North Pole.

Outdoors Adventurer, Writer and Webmaster Will Robertson lives with his family in Little Rock, Arkansas.

Explore the best hiking vacations and gear on the planet at: <a target="_new" href="http://www.hiking-vacations-and-gear.com">http://www.hiking-vacations-and-gear.com</a>

Solo Backpacking Tips

Solo backpacking means peace and quiet. No one to talk to means no words are put between you and the beauty around you. The miles just flow. It's entirely up to you to say when you eat or take a break. Want to jump in that alpine lake? It's your decision alone. It's a unique experience.

A solo backpacker also is vulnerable. Twist your ankle, and there's nobody there to help you. Have you ever been stuck alone without food for days? How can you make your solo backpacking trip safe? You can't. It's inherently more dangerous to go alone into the wilderness. What you can do though, is make it safer.

Some Solo Backpacking Tips

1. Tell someone where you'll be, and when you expect to return. It's probably best if you leave a map with them, and let them know who to call if you don't return on time.

2. Bring a cell phone. I don't do this yet myself, but many lives have now been saved by cell phones. Turn it off and put it in the bottom of your pack so it won't bother you.

3. Bring the usual safety items (matches, 1st aid, iodine tablets, etc), but double-check to see if they are there and in working order, as you'll have nobody elses supplies to back you up.

4. If you're not sure of your abilities, or have a bad knee or other potential problem, stick to well-traveled trails. On many routes, another backpacker will be by every hour. That's good to know if you're in trouble.

5. Learn well how to read a map and use a compass. If you are two miles off route and can't get a signal on your phone when your knee gives out, you're in trouble. Even if you like to wander, you should be able to know where you are on the map for safety.

6. Know your abilities. Don't plan on twenty-mile days if you haven't done them before.

7. Learn to lighten your load. When you're alone, you lose the efficiency of sharing the load for stoves, tents and other common items. It's easy - and dangerous - to become overloaded when yours is the only backpack. You might want to read up on ultralight backpacking.

Solo backpacking is riskier, but for some of us, it's well worth the risk. Try it, and you might agree. Just be sure to take the necessary precautions.

Steve Gillman is a long-time backpacker, and advocate of ultralight backpacking. His advice and stories can be found at <a target="_new" href="http://www.thebackpackingsite.com">http://www.TheBackpackingSite.com</a>

Hawaii Volcano Tour

A Hawaii volcano tour can be a most memorable experience, and is readily available (short of eruptions!) year round. While each island boasts some volcanic heritage, The Big Island is where all the action is.

A Hawaii volcano tour of necessity begins in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, established in 1916. This park, containing more than 218,000 acres, is open daily and offers guided tours and more. It encompasses both the world's most massive volcano, Mauna Kea, at 13,796 feet, and Kilauea, the world's most active volcano. Mauna Kea, which in Hawaiian means literally "white mountain", gets this name from the fact that it is quite often snow-capped. It is also thought to be the world's tallest mountain when measured from it's undersea base to the summit. Currently dormant, Mauna Kea has also become the home of an important astronomical center, where astronomers from all over the world vie for spots atop the summit to view the heavens.

Kilauea, which has been in continual eruption since 1983, gives visitors on a Hawaii volcano tour stunning views of molten lava flows, steam vents, and vast lava fields. It is said that this eruption has added more than 500 acres to the Big Island since it's eruption! One more fascinating tidbit about Kilauea, is that perched atop the crater rim overlooking the caldera is the Volcano House, Hawaii's oldest continually-operated hotel, dating from 1846. Probably not hard to keep warm at night!

On Maui, one volcano not to overlook is Haleakala, a dormant volcano in the middle of the island, long renowned for it's fantastic sunsets. It's also a great place to hike or camp, and especially ride a bike down! (Very Cool!) Good reason to go to Maui. (As if you needed one!)

When you plan your Hawaii volcano tour, be sure to plan some time to take in some or all of these sights. You'll be forever changed!

Keith Thompson is the webmaster at <a target="_new" href="http://www.Hawaii-Vacation-Directory.com">http://www.Hawaii-Vacation-Directory.com</a>, where you can find all sorts of links and resources to make your <a target="_new" href="http://www.hawaii-vacation-directory.com"> Hawaii volcano tour </a> one you'll remember!

A Fishy Road Trip in Cairns

The Cairns Fishing Adventure
A Great Australia Road Trip

You love holidays? You love to fish? Then you'll need to come to Cairns, Australia where the fishing is, quite simply, bloody fantastic.

You've got options coming out of your ears when you fish in Cairns on your next Great Australian Road Trip. It has almost every species of Pacific game fish in the blue waters near the reef. You can go fishing in the estuaries; you can go fishing in the rivers. You can go fishing offshore, onshore, and in sections of the reef. In fact, we can't be sure if anyone does anything else up in Cairns. You can self drive at your own leisure, or hire out a charter and go on a great adventure, cashing in on local knowledge for all the best fishing spots.

The Cairns Plan
So, the plan is - fly into Cairns Airport and venture off in your new car rental to start hunting some cold-blooded scaley things. The mighty Black Marlin, the Barracuda, the Giant Trevally -- they're all lurking out there. Go get'em!

If you feel a little overwhelmed by the array of fishing alternatives before you, you can always start out locally. There's some great fishing to be had at some of the northern beaches just a short drive from Cairns city.

Palm Cove is about 25 kilometres from the centre, Yorkeys Knob (and who could resist fishing somewhere called Yorkeys Knob?) is even closer. Or right in the centre you've got Barron River, where you can bag yourself all sorts of tropical river and estuarine fish.

The Serious Road Trip Begins
But why come all the way up to Cairns just to cling to her skirts and miss out on some excellent fishing spots further out? Get yourself a <a href="http://www.vroomvroomvroom.com.au/locations/cairns/">Cairns car hire</a> and take a road trip to Australia's ultimate fishing adventure.

Spectacular fishing, depending on the time of year, can also be had in the Russel Mulgrave river (40 kilometres south of Cairns) and the mighty Daintree river (just north of Port Douglas) which lines the Daintree National Park.

And if you've scored yourself a 4WD there's nothing stopping you from fare-welling the beautiful and languid Port Douglas, after you've hauled in some beauties whilst floating about on the Daintree River, to burrow right on past Cooktown (good fishing there too surprise surprise) and into the wilds of Cape York.

Throw yourself about in the depths of surrounding national parks, like Cape Melville, Jardine River, Lakefield, and Iron Range. It's at this point you may start considering staying up here, growing a very long beard and spending the rest of your life in a pair of short shorts.

No car in Cairns? Rent One!
Rental cars are available everywhere in Cairns. Try searching google for something like <a target="_new" href="http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=mozclient&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&q=cairns+car+hire+deals">cairns car hire deals</a> and you'll be able to "snapper" up a cheap deal.

Drive Safe and Happy Fishing!

Richard Eastes<Br> VroomVroomVroom Car Hire
<a target="_new" href="http://www.vroomvroomvroom.com.au">http://www.vroomvroomvroom.com.au</a>

Going it Alone: The Waterfall at Mendenhall Glacier, Alaska

I stood at the observation point on the balcony at the Visitor Center overlooking the great Mendenhall Glacier at Juneau, Alaska. Before me was a beautiful scene. The glacier reflected in the large lake. Ooh, ahh. Both to the left and right were mountains. It was a beautiful clear day. I watched the people too, walking around taking photos, and looking at the scenery before us and at the displays in the center, just a few feet away.

A constant roar came from a tall and full waterfall to the right of the glacier. Once, the glacier covered the waterfall. No one was aware of its presence before the glacier receded. I looked closer at the base of the waterfall. There seemed to be a sandbar and people walking on it. With my binoculars I traced the path they must have taken below me. It crossed large sandbars separated by streams and covered with bushes. I found the general location of the beginning of the path. A ranger told me that there was a way to get out there, but it wasn't official, and that it was a little steep at one point. I decided that the best way to see such a beautiful place was up close, so I decided to try it. My mom and my husband were along with me. I told them I wanted to try the path, and asked if they wouldn't mind just hanging around waiting for me since they didn't want to join me.

Into the bushes I went. Immediately, I had to scramble along steep wet slate under the cover of brush. After following some wrong trails and trying again, I found myself in the large bush-covered sandy area heading towards the waterfall. I jumped little streams and plotted my course across to my goal. My last obstacles were climbing a large rock, and then traversing a 20 ft. wide stream dotted with well-placed stepping stones.

I walked right up to the roaring waterfall, and even climbed up along side it a ways on large rocks. Walking away from the waterfall I encountered a large cloud of mist that emanated from its base. I walked out along the sandbar towards the center of the lake and found a large rock to sit on. I had a snack, enjoying being present in this amazing location -- surrounded by the lake and flanked by a glacier, a grand waterfall and mountains. I met people too. Some kids were climbing up much higher than I had on the rocks. A gentleman from Germany took my photo, and I took a photo of two girls out on their own adventure.

After an hour of 'hanging around,' I turned back. I crossed the creek, climbed the rock, and then looked for hikers emerging from the bushes to find the best path back. A couple times I had to stop and wait for new hikers so I could find the path again. The sun was setting, the floating icebergs were glimmering on the lake, and I enjoyed every moment of delay.

My entire trek took about two hours -- worth every moment. My husband and my mom were very understanding and said they enjoyed the visitor center and the scenery (which included me through the telescope!) I'm glad I had the courage to ask for that time. It would have been easy just to do the scheduled tour, and to take no risks. William Shedd once said, 'A ship in the harbor is safe, but that is not what ships are built for.' I find that when I go further, it makes all the difference. It creates treasured memories.

About The Author

Paths began to beckon Theresa when she was 12, visiting the Bridger Wilderness in Wyoming. Walking, dancing, and movement are a part of her, nourished by John Denver*s musical challenge for her to *fly.* Join her *walking with women* Life Discovery Tours.

Learn more about Theresa Gabriel - Women Summit LLC

<a href="http://www.womensummit.com" target="_new">http://www.womensummit.com</a> - Life Discovery Tours, Women*s Retreats

Traveling To and Around Hawaii, A First-Time Visitors Primer

Six different islands in Hawaii are open to tourism. Most first-timers planning a trip to one or more than one island have numerous questions relating to where exactly to go and how exactly to get there. This primer will answer those questions.

All interisland flights are through Hawaiian Airlines, Aloha Airlines, or Island Air. Best prices will usually be through the website or through your mainland flight company.

Oahu is the hub of Hawaii transportation. Most mainland and International flights will fly into the Honolulu International Airport (HNL). Travelers heading on to another island may have to deplane and get on an interisland flight to reach their final destination. The airport is located on the outskirts of Honolulu, about a 20 minute drive to Waikiki, and about a 45 minute drive to the North Shore. There are no ferries from Oahu to any other island.

Maui has three airports. The major airport is Kahalui Airport (OGG) which allows direct flights from the West coast of the U.S. mainland. The drive from the airport to Kihei or Wailea is less than half an hour, but can take an hour to Lahaina or Kaanapali. Much closer to the Lahaina area is Kapalua Airport (JHM) but you can only fly there from Honolulu. Hana (HNM) also has an airport if you don't want to drive, but you'll be taking a very small plane. Check with Pacific Wings. You can normally find day ferries from Maui to Lanai and Molokai.

The Big Island (named Hawaii, but called the Big Island to avoid confusion) has two airports, Hilo International Airport (ITO), and Keahole Airport (KOA). These two airports are a 2.5 hour drive from each other. Hilo is closest to Honokaa, Kapoho, and Volcano. Keahole is in Kailua-Kona which is closest to all of Kona, Puako, Kohala, Waikoloa, and Waimea. There are direct flights from the mainland only to Keahole. There are no ferries from the Big Island to any other island.

Kauai has one airport, Lihue Airport (LIH), in Lihue, and you can find direct flights from the mainland on some carriers. Lihue is about halfway to everything on the island - but a bit closer to Poipu than Princeville. There are no ferrys from Kauai to any other island.

Molokai has one airport, Molokai Airport (MKK) in central Molokai. You will probably have to take a small airplane in, usually no bigger than a 20 seater. Island Air will fly you in from Honolulu or Kahului. Small commercial boats will ferry you from Maui to Molokai.

Lanai has one airport, Lanai Airport (LNY), near Lanai City. Lanai airport also only accepts small airplanes. Island Air will fly you in from Honolulu. Small commercial boats will ferry you from Maui to Molokai.

By 2007 Hawaii Super Ferry should be operating between all the islands and will hopefully revolutionize our current expensive and inefficient interisland travel systems. Until then, book your flight online and early.

Lisa lives on the Big Island of Hawaii and operates an online Hawaii travel guide at <a target="_new" href="http://www.andhawaii.com/">andHawaii.com</a>

Japanese Garden of Monaco

Have you ever seen an authentic Japanese garden? Well, I had the chance of seeing the one in Monaco and was really impressed too. Wanna taste a little Japanese culture? Stepping on this ground is escaping from the real world into a fantasy land. You suddenly find yourself in a typical Japanese natural setting like the ones you see in marvelous paintings. The only thing that's missing is the fog. Instead, the Mediterranean sun reveals all minute details in a warm light.

With Japanese gardens, what you see is not all; the surface of things is the mere reflection of the psyche of an ancient culture. One really needs to be literally "cultured" in this direction to best appreciate the value of this art. (which I myself was not at the time of my visit! And it was a pity as I did not know what to look for and what to analyze better!) One can speak of a philosophy of gardening coming from the ancient Japan. Japanese gardening is an art fetched beyond the arrangements of vegetation, water and stone but is full of symbols:

* Koko - the veneration of timeless age;

* Shizen - the avoidance of the artificial;

* Yugen, or darkness - imply the mysterious or subtle;

* Miegakure - the avoidance of full expression

The perception of nature is different in the Japanese culture from that of the European one. Instead of viewing nature only as something to be subjugated and transformed according to man-made ideal of beauty, Japanese developed a close connection to nature, considering it sacred, an ally in putting food on the table and an ideal of beauty in itself. That is why the Japanese gardens are the synthesis of nature in miniature instead of correction of nature as with European gardens.

Actually, the design of Japanese gardens come from the Chinese model. The history goes back in time, around year 100BC when the emperor of China, Wu Di of the Han Dynasty established a garden that contained three small islands, mimicking the Isles of the Immortals, who were the main Taoist deities. An envoy of Japan saw it and took the idea to Japan, improving the existing Japanese practices.

The Japanese Garden of Monaco was designed at the request of Prince Rainier who thus fulfilled a desire Princess Grace had expressed during her life-time. The garden was designed by the landscape-architect Yasuo Beppu, has 7,000 square meters, its construction took 3 years and it was inaugurated in 1994.

Specific elements

* The wall (He?) with an intermediary bamboo fencing (Tak?gaki) that stands for fragility and simplicity.

* The main gate (Sh?-mon)

* The stone lanterns (T?r?) - each having special different characteristics;

* The lake (Ik?) with large swishing gold fish.

* The stone fountain (Fusen-Ishi)

* The covered terrace (Kyuke?jo)

* The islands (Shima) - represent two long-living animals - the tortoise and the crane, symbols of complementarity expressed

* The Tea house (Chatshitsu)- named the Garden of Grace (Ga-?n)

* The dry landscape (Kar?sansui) - quintessence of Cosmos

* The Belvedere (Azumaya) - a house on a hill allowing view in all four corners

* The waterfall (Taki) - symbolizes the strength of Man and Nature, contrasting to the horizontality of the lake.

* The arched red bridge (Ta?kobashi) - is red, the color of happiness and is narrow so as to make access to the divine island more difficult.

There are olive trees, cherry trees, conifers, azaleas, rhododendrons and camellias, a varied, rich vegetation of Mediterranean, South American, Australia, African and Asian origin, pruned according to the Japanese tradition.

Walking in the crowded Monaco, with all its stone, steel and glass, you can find in the Japanese Garden a peaceful, green oasis where even the great number of tourists pass unnoticed, wandering on the winding paths, through the thicket of the garden.

Laura Ciocan writes for <a target="_new" href="http://www.ilovemontecarlo.com/">http://www.ilovemontecarlo.com/</a> where you can find all you want to know about <a href="http://www.ilovemontecarlo.com/learn">living in Monaco</a> Please feel free to use this article in your Newsletter or on your website. If you use this article, please include the resource box and send a brief message to let me know where it appeared: mailto:lauracio@gmail.com

A Review of Inflatable Boat Manufacturers

There are many manufacturers of inflatable boats on the market today. Included below is an overview of each of the key manufacturers.

Zodiac Inflatable Boats: Zodiac Inflatable Boats can be set up in no time, stored in a closet at home, transported in the trunk of the user's car, or kept in a locker on board. Zodiac Inflatable Boats are for safe, economical, hassle free boating. Their models are Cadet S, Cadet Yachtline, Cadet Fastroller, Touring S, Futura S, Futura Fastroller, and Futura Sport.

Avon Inflatable Boats: Since 1959, Avon Inflatable Boats have produced over 200,000 inflatable and rigid inflatable boats, from the traditional Redstart Dinghy to highly sophisticated 8 meter Searider rigid hull craft, and encompassing a very comprehensive range, covering all sectors of leisure, commercial, rescue and defense needs. Avon makes all their products in the same factory, to the same exacting standards, not only for the user's enjoyment, but also for their total safety and security.

Sevylor Inflatable Boats: Sevylor makes a wide range of products to meet the needs of most recreational boat users. Sevylor Inflatable Boat models include the Sevylor SV series, the HF series, the XR series, the K series, the Sun series, the SVX series, and the T series.

Mercury Inflatable Boats: Mercury Inflatable Boats are built light and strong. They are even stronger now, and therefore capable of taking the additional weight of today's Four Stroke outboard motors. Whatever can be done in a conventional boat can be done in a Mercury Inflatable Boat ? from fishing, cruising, exploring an estuary or waterway near your campsite, to the high-energy action of skiing and wakeboarding.

Sea Eagle Inflatable Boats: For over 36 years, Sea Eagle has been producing inflatable boats for all kinds of waters. Whether the user is looking for a yacht tender, fishing boat, or inflatable sail boat, Sea Eagle has a model that suits the need. Sea Eagle's largest Inflatable Boat, the 14sr can take a 40 hp motor and will easily pull a teenage wakeboarder.

Achilles Inflatable Boats: Every Achilles Inflatable Boat is made with proven four-layered fabric reinforced with DuPont Hypalon?. Even though it takes more time to hand glue a Hypalon? boat, no fabric is more effective in resisting damage from the elements, oil, gasoline or abrasions. And nothing is better for air retention than the interior Neoprene? coating Achilles Inflatable Boats use. So Achilles takes the extra time Hypalon? hand-gluing requires to insure that unsurpassed quality, safety and durability are built into every Inflatable Boat, from their smallest dinghy to the largest utility boat.

Coleman Inflatable Boats: Coleman sells Inflatable Boats and Kayaks. For example, the Inflatable Boats of Coleman include the 2-person, 3-person and 4-person Colossus Boats with oars. Coleman also sells the Navigator 1-person, 2-person, 3-person and 4-person boats without oars. Coleman gives a guarantee to the user against leaks for all of their inflatable products.

<a target="_new" href="http://www.e-inflatableboats.com">Inflatable Boats Info</a> provides detailed information on pontoon, rigid and fishing inflatable boats, as well as trailers, repairs, used inflatable boats and manufacturers. Inflatable Boats Info is the sister site of <a target="_new" href="http://www.e-riverrafting.com">River Rafting Web</a>.

Bicycling Down The River

My river-rafting adventure started on a bicycle. The small daypack I wore carried a hatchet, a saw, some scraps of rope, food, water, a garbage bag bivy sack, a hat, and odds and ends. It weighed less than fifteen pounds total.

It was late May, so Id stay warm in my homemade bivy, without a sleeping bag. I might wear my hat, and pile up some leaves to sleep on. If the mosquitos were bad, I'd use my headnet, which, I had learned, would also trap warm air around my head, keeping me warmer. I had matches and a lighter, in case I needed a fire in an emergency.

Thirty miles of pedaling had brought me from my home in Traverse City, Michigan, down the backroads to the Baxter Bridge, on the Manistee River. It was almost 10 a.m. I pushed the bicycle into the woods, and rolled it along, lifting it over logs, until I was a mile upstream. Looking around at the trees, I knew this was the place to start the river rafting part of the trip.

Sometimes Adventure Involves A Lot Of Work

The first tree was the biggest, and I almost couldn't drag the ten-foot sections to the river after cutting them. They were perfect, however. Dead, dry-rotted Poplar was always good, because it was like styrofoam inside. It cut easy, and floated well. White Cedar was the best quality, but it was more difficult to find, and to cut.

When I had hauled enough logs to the river, I got into the water and pulled the first two pieces in after me. I tied them together, then tied two long thin poles to them perpendicularly near either end. The other logs were guided, one by one, under these two rails, and tied in place.

By early afternoon I was finished. With the last piece of rope, I tied the raft to shore. I cut a good rafting pole to guide me. I was ready.

Tom Sawyer Day

My first river rafting adventure had involved four of us. I advertised it to my friends as an adventure-disaster, sure to get them wet and cold. Three took the bait. Apart from snacks and water, we took only a hatchet, a small saw, and whatever scraps of rope we could find. It all fit into a small backpack.

We parked near the river and hiked a trail upstream until we were a few miles from the car. The plan was to build a raft, using only dead trees and our scraps of rope. We would then get on it and go rafting back to the car.

It was dubbed "Tom Sawyer Day," and became a much anticipated event among an ever-changing group of participants. Since it was, in equal parts, fun and dangerous, we didn't usually bring beer. Even sober, it was enough of a challenge to keep a thousand-pound pile of logs, with four people on it, from going where it wanted to go. Where it wanted to go inevitably involved pain and cold water, but with each trip I managed to learn a little. Sometimes we even stayed dry.

Sometimes Adventure Involves Math

The first trip, Roland and I were cutting and hauling logs to the river, while Cathy and Leslie cooked hotdogs over a fire. We began to do geometry on a piece of birchbark, trying to figure out how many logs were needed, allowing for the dishonesty of the women's stated weights.

"Cedar weighs 37 pounds per cubic foot," I told Roland, "leaving a lifting capacity of about 27 pounds, given that water is 64 pounds per cubic foot." The girls were laughing at me. "The volume of a cylindrical object is pi times the radius squared, times the length, right?"

Roland agreed. We counted out the logs and began to build the raft. When finished, we had a floating pile of old rotten logs and two frightened women.

Sometimes Adventure Involves Getting Wet

Leslie and Cathy sat on a stump in the middle of the raft. Roland and I stood with our poles, ready to fend off the banks of the river and the overhanging trees. We did this successfully for at least fifteen minutes.

Then, when a low, horizontal tree refused to move, Roland pushed us all off in order to regain his balance. We quickly gave up trying to find the bottom of the river, and swam after the raft. Sputtering and cursing at Roland, the three of us climbed back on.

This first rafting trip was in late April, when the water is still like ice. The sun warmed us, but our feet were almost always in the water. It was bad enough that the raft didn't float very high off the water, but then it began to change shape before our eyes and under our feet. "It's a square. No wait! It's a parallelagram... Now it's a square again." The girls decided that there was too much geometry in river rafting, so a few minutes later we let the raft drift close to the shore, where they stepped off into the shallow water.

The water, however, wasn't shallow. Once the girls had resurfaced, and climbed up the sandy bank of the river, we waved goodbye. The trail took them to and from the river on their way to the car.

The next time we saw them, Leslie was hiking in her wet bra and panties. This part of the adventure story was crucial to recruiting other young males in the future. The trail went into the forest again, and the girls didn't see us for thirty minutes.

Sometimes Adventure Involves Running

Actually, they saw the raft first, floating quietly down the river by itself. Soon they saw Roland and I, running along the opposite side, trying to catch up. This was because of a tree that stuck out from the bank, low to the water.

We were unable to avoid it, despite our excellent rafting skills, but we thought we could jump over it as the raft passed underneath. It seemed like a reasonable plan at the time. It didn't seem so reasonable when Roland was pushing my face into the sicks in the tree while climbing over me to get to shore.

The raft went on, not noticing our absence. We ran through swamp and woods, pretending this was part of the plan when the girls saw us. The raft came near the riverbank just as we caught up to it. We leapt for it, and we were back in control. More or less.

"How do we get off?" Roland asked, when we were near the car. We decided that we just had to get close to shore and jump. It seemed like a good idea. Roland was still hanging over the river from a tree when I started up the big hill to the car. Tom Sawyer Days went a little smoother after this first one.

Sometimes Adventure Involves Being Pointed At

After pedaling thirty miles and hauling logs for hours, I was tired, but satisfied. It was the best raft yet, and I was soon rafting down the river, under Baxter Bridge, and into the National Forest. I noticed immediately that these rafts float better with only one person on them. There was just one small group of houses to pass before a long uninhabited stretch. My bicycle stood proudly in the center of the raft, tied in place, with the backpack on the handlebars. The first guy to see me yelled hello, and pointed me out to his wife. The second didn't know what to say. The Manistee is not a well-traveled river, especially not by bicyclists. A few minutes later I was past the houses. Around the next bend, a whitetail deer saw me and backed off through the cattails.

I floated for hours. Apparently my previous river rafting experience was paying off, because I managed to miss the trees, rocks, riverbanks, and to stay dry. I was even able to sit down and soak up the sun for a minute or two at a time. The latter was always interrupted, of course, by the necessity to jump up and use the pole to avoid something.

In the evening, I stopped, disassembled the raft, and began pushing my bicycle through the woods. A mile later I found a trail, and started pedalling. A mile after that I met two guys on a two-track, with there truck. The ice-cold beer they gave me made them instant friends, so I told them that, no, I wasn't out bicycling. I was river rafting. Then they weren't sure they wanted a new friend, so I traveled on.

Sixty miles of bicycling, miles of pushing the bike through the woods, three hours of log-hauling, and five hours of rafting, all in one day, seemed like a worthy goal, so I decided to just head for home. And the mosquitos were worse than I had anticipated.

Sometime after dark I rolled into the driveway, dropped the bike, and stumbled into the house. I took a shower and answered the phone. It was time to go dancing.

Steve Gillman has been hiking, biking, floating and adventuring in general for decades. For more of his stories and outdoor advice, you can visit <a target="_new" href="http://www.TheMountainHikingSite.com">http://www.TheMountainHikingSite.com</a>

Where to Find Some of the Best Beaches in the World

We think that Cape Town has some of the best beaches in the world.

You can choose beaches which are on the Indian Ocean, with warm water, or those on the colder Atlantic Ocean. Neither coast is very distant from the other, so travelling between the two is easy by road or rail.

Most of the beaches, which stretch around the coastline are long with white sand. On some of the beaches like Muizenberg you'll find lifeguards, so they are safe to surf from.

Other beaches, like Boulders Beach, you'll find plenty of animals. On Boulders beach it's the African Penguins that live there. Beware, they can be rather smelly and they do bite if you get too close to them, but don't let that stop you diving into the water to swim with them. The penguins appear very tolerant of their fellow human sunbathers and are quite happy to live harmoniously with us! Let's face it, where else can you get an experience like this?

Seals and fish life abound, which in turn brings the bird life. Whilst sitting on the back verandah of the house we constantly see the more common birds such as Turns, Black-Backed Seagulls, Cormorants, but great excitement happens when the African Pelicans come to visit. Huge jumbo jets of birds, serenely floating along like the QE2 in full sail!

The African Pelicans seem to like to come to visit during the evening time at dusk, staying all night on the sand bank just across the water. It's almost as if they come for an overnight or weekend stay. Obviously like the Hilton to them.

Other visitors that we love to see on our lagoon are the Egrets, Herons and Oyster Catchers. Wonderful wading birds, all with their own characteristics, which you could sit and watch all day long, just wading up and down, dancing their flirty dances to attract the fish, or at least confuse the fish sufficiently for the bird to suddenly dip its head and peck the fish straight out of the water and into it's gullet.

Beaches with facilities, life and people, beaches without anything except for the birdlife. The choice is yours. Often you can find beaches not far away from the hubbub and find not one soul upon it, real desert island stuff.

Spectacular scenery is also the norm for Cape Town beaches. Just think of the bay of Cape Town with it's flat-topped mountain in the background. The whole of the bay is infact, one long sandy beach, stetching for miles around Table Bay.

Next time you're thinking about taking a beach holiday, take a look at Cape Town - you'll not be disappointed.

Helen Palmer is the author of the website <a target="_new" href="http://www.magical-cape-town-vacations.com">http://www.magical-cape-town-vacations.com</a>, whose family's love of Cape Town was spawned some 30 years ago, when her aunt moved there to live. Regular visits and a genuine love of travel persuaded Helen to share her passion.

Backyard Camping Trip

Are your kids begging you to take them camping, but you just can't find the time to take them on a camping trip? Or would you like to introduce your kids to the fun of camping for the first time, but aren't sure if they will enjoy it, or might get scared? Either way, camping out in your backyard will be a fun way to spend the evening and night with your kids.

Get the kids involved in setting up camp in your backyard. Have them help you set up the tent. Put them in charge of getting their sleeping bags, flashlights and anything else they may need into the tent. If it's an option for you, you may even want to make a campfire in your backyard. Check with your fire department before hand if this is an option in your area. If not, just dig out the charcoal or gas grill. Grill some hotdogs and make some foil backed potatoes for dinner, and of course you'll need some s'mores for desert. If you are roasting the marshmallows over your grill, put some aluminum foil over the grate to keep the melting marshmallow from dripping onto your grill.

Don't have a tent, or even a backyard for that matter? That's no reason not to camp out. Just spread out your sleeping bags, or even just some blanket in the living room. Turn off the TV, radio and video games. If you have a fireplace, build a fire. Otherwise, order some pizza and pop some popcorn and you can even make s'mores in the microwave.

No matter where you decide to have your close to home camping trip, take some time to sit together and talk. Telling stories, whether a campfire is involved or not, is always fun. Your kids' imagination in creating new stories may surprise you. Don't forget to tell some handed down family tales.

Above all, think back about your favorite camping memories and recreate them with your kids. Do you remember any good scary stories? Are there any games you enjoyed playing? What's your favorite card game?

Have some fun with this, enjoy your kids and create some memories.

About the author
Susanne Myers is the founder of <a target="_new" href="http://www.kinderinfo.com">http://www.kinderinfo.com</a>. Did you find this information useful and helpful? Be sure to sign up for our bi-monthly newsletter so you can recceive our child care tips and family fun ideas right in your inbox! Sign up today at <a target="_new" href="http://www.kinderinfo.com/newsletter">http://www.kinderinfo.com/newsletter</a> and receive a FREE copy of our latest e-book, Summer Fun!

Mammoth Cave: One of the Most Beautiful in Our National Park System

Directly south of Louisville, just off Interstate 65 and not far from Cave City, Mammoth Cave National Park sits nestled in the rolling, wooded hills of west-central Kentucky. Cedar trees dominate the landscape around the park, broken only by grazing cattle, small tobacco fields, and immense limestone outcroppings.

Limestone is what makes this area special-a 600-foot thick slab of the stuff. Looking at the many road-cuts along the highway, one can see the layers, each possessing its own characteristics and each named after the location where these characteristics were identified: St. Genevieve, St. Louis, Paoli, Aux Vases, Karnak. Each layer is incredibly older than its sibling just above. And limestone is where Kentucky caves are formed.

Once inside the park, the scenery changes from touristy to natural beauty. Well-groomed roads with wide, grassy shoulders wind through deep forest. Whitetail deer browse the edges of ancient cemeteries and wild turkey are everywhere. Mammoth Cave is one of the most beautiful in our national park system. Sprawling over more than 52,000 acres (most of it dense hardwood forest) the park features a diverse community of plants and wildlife; from the smallest insects, to birds, to aquatic life, to cave life. It is home to dozens of endangered or threatened species.

In spite of hosting two million visitors a year, the roads through Mammoth Cave National Park are surprisingly free of traffic. But near the visitor center, there is a constant bustle of activity, where campers, picnickers, and cave tourists crowd through the visitor center and ticket office. Every few minutes, loudspeakers announce the beginning of the next tour and groups of strangers form lines to become fellow travelers through a section of the cave.

During the summer, the park offers tours into several different entrances and family groups huddle around descriptive signs planning this portion of their summer vacation. The most popular is the Historic Tour. Starting every 40 minutes, over a hundred people herd through the historic section of the cave. The Lantern Tour, Frozen Niagara, and Half-Day tours are sold out every day throughout the tourist season. Occasionally the park gives tours into Great Onyx Cave, but those arriving too late in the day, or those that choose not to go on a guided tour can opt for the Discovery tour - a self guided walk through the historic section near the entrance.

Of the hundreds of caves that pock the hills and valleys of the park, many are worthy of the tourist dollar. Crystal Cave, Colossal, Bedquilt, Lee, White, and others-now, all gated. The park no longer shows these caves. And when hiking the 73 miles of surface trails in the park, one must be mindful to stay on the established trails. Poking around in one of the little caves along the way is strictly forbidden. There are plenty of tours to keep even the most adventurous of tourists busy.

Of all the parks protected by our national park system, Mammoth Cave is certainly one of the most beautiful and one of the most popular. A great vacation destination.

Norm Rogers is the author of Underground Legacy, a Fellow of the National Speleological Society, and member of the Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels. You can visit his website at <a target="_new" href="http://www.normrogers.8m.com/">http://www.normrogers.8m.com/</a>

Trekking Poles And Walking Sticks

Are walking sticks longer than trekking poles? What about hiking staffs and hiking sticks? Whatever you call them, and whatever their differences, they are supposed to help your knees more than anything. This they do very well, at least when you're going downhill.

What else are they good for? They help you keep your balance. You can use them as defense against wild animals as well. I use a walking stick to rest my head on from time to time, and I also use it as a monopod for steadying the camera.

<B>Do You Need Trekking Poles?</B>

What if you don't have knee problems, and you are hiking on level ground? Then maybe there is no point to using trekking poles. They can be just more things to carry.

Do they save energy? They take weight off your joints, but logic says you'll expend more energy by carrying them. I use a walking stick at times, when my knees insist, and it's fun to poke at things, but it's not a necessity. For what it's worth, Ray Jardine, the "father" of ultralight backpacking, doesn't recommend trekking poles.

If you decide to use them, consider the incredible Bozeman Mountain Works Stix Xls Trekking Poles. They're made of a high-strength carbon fiber and weigh 2.7 ounces each! That's is half the weight of the nearest competition.

<B>Walking Sticks and Other Options</B>

I often cut dead sticks and use them until I lose them. I always lose my walking stick - a good reason not to buy the expensive ones. If I do still have it at the end of the trail, I leave it for the next hiker. Hand-cut walking sticks are heavier than high-tech trekking poles, but you can just leave them behind when you get tired of them.

You can use bamboo to make good light hiking staffs. It's stronger than it looks, so use a piece that's only about 3/4" thick. I bought cheap decorative bamboo at Pier One Imports, and cut it to size. You can glue some soft scrap leather on for a comfortable handgrip.

Finally, ski poles work as trekking poles. It's best if you remove the baskets, especially if you're hiking in wooded areas where they may catch on something.

Steve Gillman is a long-time backpacker, and advocate of lightweight backpacking. His advice and stories can be found at <a target="_new" href="http://www.The-Ultralight-Site.com">http://www.TheUltralightBackpackingSite.com</a>

Visiting Plitvice Lakes National Park

If anyplace on earth is a natural paradise, Plitvice Lakes National Park in Croatia is that place. Of all Croatia's eight National Parks, Plitvice is the oldest and most visited. It's easy to see why. Bears and wolves lurk in its primeval forest; schools of silvery fish dart through its pristine rivers; its beech trees are a cacophony of chattering birds. The crown jewels are the 16 translucent lakes connected to each other by a breathtaking series of cascades. Dazzling as the Plitvice national park appeared on a recent visit, I couldn't help recalling that this exceptional site was a war zone during the breakup of former Yugoslavia.

Located near Croatia's then- disputed border with Bosnia-Hercegovina, the park's troubles began in 1991 when the Yugoslav army seized the park and turned it into an army barracks. The Croatian army forced them out in 1995 but, a year later, the effects of war were everywhere. The area surrounding the park was a nightmarish landscape of bombed out houses and abandoned farms. The park's three hotels were shot to pieces and part of the lake system was closed while specialists removed mines from the falls and forests.

Shaking off the aura of gloom, I set out to tour the park that UNESCO had named a world heritage site. Even with only half the park open, I was soon entranced.

Miles of wooden walkways wound over, under and alongside the falls. From merry two-foot bubblers to long walls laced with foam, the falling water was everywhere. I resolved to return one day when the park had been rebuilt.

It happened that my grand return to Plitvice occurred this year at the end of a long, hard winter in central Croatia. Although I had visions of tranquil lakes shimmering under a blue sky the weather turned out to be cold, foggy and damp. But damp is good in Plitvice. Between the melting winter snow and days of rain, much of the park was a roaring mass of water. Water pounded into swollen lakes, flooded out the walkways and splashed through the trees. It was splendid.

Even better was the lack of other visitors. In the intervening nine years, Plitvice Lakes National Park has become Croatia's busiest tourist attraction welcoming some 750,000 tourists a year. Nearly all come in July and August. &quot;Please tell people to come in spring and autumn, if they can&quot; my guide begged me. The newly renovated hotels are now completely booked up in the summer and the walkways are elbow to elbow with camera clickers.

Although missing the summer greenery, I quickly grew to appreciate the bare trees that allowed an unobstructed view of the lakes and falls. It was clear that the lake system is divided into four lower and twelve upper lakes. Just past the main entrance, the Korana River drops a torrent of water 258 feet into a frothing pool that begins the lower lakes. Lying at the bottom of a canyon, the narrow lower lakes are bordered by steep limestone walls and climb like a giant staircase to the upper lakes. Wider and surrounded by dense forest, the upper lakes lie on a bed of dolomite. At the very top, the White and Black rivers are the spigots that water the park. The high mineral content of the lakes explains their extraordinary colors, which range from day-glow green to deep azure.

Examining the crystalline water of the top lake, I noticed that the leaves and branches settled on the bottom were acquiring a metallic coating. It was the travertine process in action. The water absorbs minerals from the dolomite underlying the upper lakes and coats the plant life, turning it to porous travertine stone. The new travertine sprouts moss and plants that again petrify and the process repeats itself. All the barriers separating the upper lakes are composed of travertine constantly growing and changing shape.

If you go to Plitvice, you don't need to stay long enough to turn to travertine but the park merits more time than it usually gets. Lying about 85 miles north of Zadar and south of Zagreb, many people rush through the park on their way to or from the coast. It's possible to see a lot of waterfalls in three or four hours but you'll need a number of days to fully explore the trails. The three-star Hotel Jezero is the best of the park's three hotels but there are plenty of small pensions and private rooms in the villages around the park.

Jeanne Oliver has written all three editions of Lonely Planet's Croatia guidebook. To find out more about traveling to Croatia and to book your trip, visit Jeanne's website, <a target="_new" href="http://www.croatiatraveller.com">http://www.croatiatraveller.com</a>

Hard Labor Creek State Park Earned Its Name

One afternoon during a trip across the country in our fifth wheel, we were racing the sun to an RV park before sunset. We were driving through Georgia and convenient RV parks near the highway were sparse. Hard Labor Creek State Park was near our path and reachable before dark.

That evening we had very unpleasant lessons in maneuvering tight spaces in a park built years ago for much smaller RV's. Let me start by saying that Hard Labor Creek State Park near Rutledge, Georgia, is a very nice park with many activities nearby. The lots were all shaded with mature trees in a wooded setting. Our experience was soured only because we were in a 36' fifth wheel and the staff did not warn us about the tight conditions in the park, even though we specifically asked while making reservations.

We called the park from the road and reserved the last open slot for the evening. We asked and they reassured us that the slots are large enough to accommodate the 36' trailer and truck. By the time we reached the park, the January sun was close to setting and left us with just enough sunlight to set up camp.

The park seemed inviting with large trees next to all paths and over the campsites. As we drove further into the park, the road narrowed to the point that only about a foot remained on each side of the wheels. Evidence of vehicles going off the pavement were recorded by many deep gashes in the asphalt. Parts of the pavement were broken off along the edges almost everywhere.

Taking great care to stay on the pavement, we towed the RV over very narrow roads deeper into the park. Our slot appeared unoccupied, but a slip of paper attached to the board indicated that it was reserved by someone else. We called the office to let them know that our slot was already taken. They apologized and graciously offered us their truly last slot-the handicapped space.

In most RV parks the roads are loops, allowing entrance on one side and exit on the other. This road was not a loop, but it did have a small circle on the end for turning around. As we pulled up to the turn-around circle, my heart sank when I saw how small it was and that the middle was full of trees. I was convinced that we would not be able to turn around. Backing up was not an option either-that section of the road was several hundred feet long, hemmed in by trees on both sides.

I got out of the truck and walked around the circle to get a better look. On one side of the circle a steep, wooded hill descended down to the lake. On all other sides trees and vehicles made for a narrow passage. Having no other good choices, I decided that we can probably make the turn by going off the pavement in a couple of places. A small audience of campers looked on, wondering how we are going to get out of this predicament.

With my wife's assistance outside, I managed to make the turn by dragging the left wheels of the RV through the mud. At this point we should have considered ourselves lucky and left the park. Assuming that it could not get any worse, and needing full hookups for the night, we drove to the handicapped slot.

The handicapped slot was deep and wide, but the entrance was obstructed by large, decorative boulders and trees. After numerous attempts of going around the obstacles in reverse, we backed the trailer into the slot.

By the time we hooked up all facilities it was completely dark. A neighbor walking his dog stopped by to tell us he was watching as we were backing in the trailer, and was surprised we got it in. He was in a smaller RV now, but in the past he has brought his 30' trailer to Hard Labor Creek and felt it was a challenge parking it.

In the morning we got an early start, but first had to deal with getting out of the slot. Exiting had its own challenges due to the obstructions in front of the entrance and railroad ties bordering the sides. No matter how we positioned the trailer in the slot, we were unable to clear about two feet of the railroad tie. In the end we used scraps of lumber to build up a small ramp so we could tow the trailer's left wheels onto the railroad tie and down the other side.

As you can imagine, we happily left this park behind. If you are considering RV camping in Hard Labor Creek State Park with a 30' or longer RV, call ahead and reserve one of the few pull through slots. If those are not available, please re-consider, unless you are an expert at maneuvering in tight spaces and don't mind a bit of "hard labor".

Charles Kerekes is a fulltime RVer traveling the US with his family and maintains the <a target="_new" href="http://ChanginGears.com">ChanginGears.com</a> RV web site.

How To Buy a Used RV - Part 2

The key to getting a good bargin, instead of a lemon, when buying your used RV is knowing what to look for. Here is a useful checklist to help with your search.

1. Does the trailer jack work?

2. Do the propane bottles need updating and inspection? This can be costly if the bottles need to be replaced. Generally, if an RV propane tank is older than twelve years, it will have to be reinspected every five years. Also, it is mandatory that the propane tank have an OPD valve. If you don't know what an OPD valve is, the official description is "Overfilling Protection Device".

3. Check the hoses leading away from the propane bottle for cracks and splits. You do not want a leaking propane connection. Check the nut that screws into the propane tank. Is it worn? If so, it may need to be replaced.

4. The LP Gas regulator is usually located just a few inches away from the propane tanks. You'll see the hoses leading from the propane tanks into a device with one pipe at the bottom of it that runs beneath the RV. Regulators begin to leak when they are approximately ten years old. For your information, leaking propane is not a good thing. Don't hesitate to replace the regulator if it is leaking.

5. Batteries are often dead, or not too far from dead, in an older RV. Check and make sure it still works. If the bulbs inside burn bright, the battery(s) may still be in decent condition.

6. Does the converter still work? What's a converter? Well, it is a device that recharges your battery and converts regular household electrical current from AC to DC allowing your 12-Volt fixtures and appliances to operate. Test this by plugging in the electrical cord and unhooking the battery (unhook the battery before you plug in the RV power cord to prevent electrocution). If the 12-Volt lights and water pump still work, the converter is still working.

7. Do the stabilizers beneath the trailer still let up and down? You'll be glad to have stabilizers when you park in an area with constant wind gusts like the south Texas coast.

8. Are the tires still in good condition? Check for cracks and splits and look at tread depth on all tires.

9. It is absolutely mandatory that you understand the condition of the braking system. Have the owner hook up the RV and allow you to tow for a short distance and test test the brakes. Brake repairs are expensive. Your life and the safety of your vehicle and RV depend on the RV brakes functioning properly every time.

10. Does the door step let up and down easily?

11. Can you open and close all outside compartments easily? Do the gaskets need to be replaced? Worn or missing gaskets permit air and moisture to penetrate the RV.

12. Make sure that all the windows open and close easily. latches can rust shut. Are the screens on the windows and vents rusted or torn?

13. Open and close roof vents and make sure that vent fans run properly.

14. Fire up the hot water heater and make sure it works.

15. Test the refrigerator on both the gas and electric settings. Repairs can be expensive and you are going to want to use both the gas and electric options. Watch for frost beginning to form in the freezer to confirm that it is cooling properly. Make sure the door will latch and lock securely. When you are on the road, you don't want the fridge contents strewn through your RV.

16. Check the furnace. Does it blow hot air? Don't wait until it's thirty degrees outside to find out.

17. Crank up the air conditioner. Does it blow cold air? If it has a heating element does that work as well?

18. Turn on the water tap without being hooked up to city water. Does the water pump work?

19. Check out the toilet. Does it flush properly.

20. Hook up the city water. Check for leaks inside and outside the RV.

21. Inquire about the condition of the waste water valves. Better yet, if the RV is hooked up to a sewer drain, open and close the valves to make sure they work.

22. Check the cooking range and oven. Do all burners function? Does the oven burner function?

23. Do all interior cabinets and drawers open and then latch securely? If not, you may have your belongings scattered throughout your RV when you are in transit.

24. Check for soft spots on the floor, particularly in the bathroom area. The plywood may be rotted through.

25. Is the flooring in good condition? How about interior walls?

26. Make sure curtains are not dry rotted. Can they be easily cleaned? Are the blinds still in good condition?

27. External lights - Test the external running lights. If you tow at night, and it is very likely that you will, you'll want to make sure that the rear tail lights are operable. Simply hook up to the tow vehicle and turn on the headlights. You'll also want to make sure that the brake lights work, that the right and left turn signal lights work, and that the backup lights work. If there is a problem, it could be a faulty bulb, or the bulb fixture simply needs cleaning. Otherwise, you may be faced with an electrical problem.

28. Test exhaust vent fans to make sure they work. Typically you will find them in the living area, over the cooking range, and in the bathroom.

29. Does the TV antenna crank up and down easily? Better yet, find a hobby and skip TV.

William Smith lived, and traveled fulltime in an RV travel trailer for over 12 years, and maintains a website dedicated to educating people about the RV lifestyle.

Visit <a target="_new" href="http://www.happyvagabonds.com">http://www.happyvagabonds.com</a> to learn more about RV living.

The Kuan Yin Shrine, Bangkok ? the Goddess of Mercy on the Chao Phraya

The Kuan Yin Shrine in Bangkok is in an old Chinese building within a community on the Chao Phraya River where time seems to have stood still for the last 200 years.

The site originally had two shrines built in the reign of King Taksin (1767 ? 1782) by his Chinese supporters. The dilapidated buildings were torn down in the reign of King Rama III (1824 ? 1851) and rebuilt to house Kuan Yin, the goddess of mercy.

Today, the Kuan Yin Shrine is in the care of a local Chinese family living in the area. In Thai, the goddess of mercy is known as Jao Mae Kuan Im.

Kuan Yin, an ancient Chinese goddess, embodies the virtues of love, kindness, compassion and forgiveness, a legend that goes back to 300 BC.

The youngest daughter of a Chinese king, she was blessed with virtue and spurned her corrupted father's greed for wealth and power. When she rejected his order for an arranged marriage, he drove her out of their home.

Rejected, persecuted and exiled by her father, she dedicated her remaining years as a nun healing the sick and destitute and as a savior of shipwrecked sailors. When her father was mortally ill, she sacrificed her eyes and arms for the antidote to save him.

Her selflessness earned her eternal worship and the Kuan Yin Shrine became a Chinese cultural heritage. The early Chinese immigrants to Bangkok continued the tradition and built a shrine for the goddess of mercy on the Chao Phraya River near where they lived.

An elevated walkway, a recent addition, runs from the pier along the riverbanks and a small footbridge with a red arch links the walkway to the main gate of the shrine. At the end of a small red-tiled courtyard is the period Chinese structure housing the Kuan Yin Shrine.

Images of classical Chinese characters are engraved on the front walls and above the opened main door, two fiery dragons ride the crest of the roof, glaring down fiercely. The wooden doors in the sidewalls leading to the inner quarters behind are closed.

Inside the shrine, painted walls of Chinese warriors and old red Chinese lanterns hanging from the rafters create a mood reminiscent of ancient China, a mood seemingly unchanged over the years in the Kuan Yin Shrine.

A smaller altar with several Kuan Yin statues stands in the open yard in the center of the shrine. In the main altar, in the covered area to the rear, a metre-high gold statue of Kuan Yin, the goddess of mercy, sits serenely facing the Chao Phraya River.

It's not a busy shrine on non-festive days. The occasional worshipper comes in to pray and pay respects as the day goes lazily by. Life on the river is quiet except for a few children playing by the pier and the odd fisherman.

Meanwhile, in the Kuan Yin Shrine, the goddess of mercy, gazes benignly at the bustling river beyond as the riverboats go streaming by.

The Kuan Yin Shrine is one of the many <a target="_new" href="http://tour-bangkok-legacies.com/bangkok-shrines.html">Bangkok Shrines</a> in the old city.

The <a target="_new" href="http://tour-bangkok-legacies.com/kuan-yin-shrine.html">Kuan Yin Shrine</a> is one of the legacies that make up the rich cultural milieu of Bangkok. This article first appeared in <a target="_new" href="http://tour-bangkok-legacies.com/">Tour Bangkok Legacies,</a> a historical travel site on people, places and events that shaped the landscape of Bangkok. The author, Eric Lim, is a free-lance writer who lives in Bangkok Thailand.

Boondocking America

Boondocking is fun! Boondockers go anywhere they want, at any time they want and at any speed they want! If you are a member of Loners on Wheels (LoW) or any other single RV'ing group you will want to boondock at least some of the time.

Boondocking provides an almost perfect way to see America for little housing costs. I have parked on streets in small towns and explored all the town had to offer. (Get me to tell you about the two weeks I spent in Williams, Arizona, one night!) I've enjoyed libraries, bars, restaurants, parks and who knows how many retail stores. The towns benefit from my spending and I benefit by being able to see the out-of-the-way spots across this country.

Boondocking does take some planning, however.

Electricity is the first need. Most of us have solar panels on the roofs of our RVs. These panels serve one purpose and one purpose only - to recharge our house batteries. As a general rule you should plan on one solar panel for each house battery in your rig. Be sure you do not add batteries without adding solar panels. If you do, your panels will not provide sufficient recharging and you'll always have low batteries.

In addition to solar panels, many of us have a generator in the back of the pick-up or installed in our rigs. This makes it possible to sometimes run the air conditioner or microwave and to recharge batteries. The problem, of course, is that generators are noisy and drive your co-campers nuts.

After you have portable electrical output, you need propane for the space heater, water heater, stove and refrigerator. All rigs are equipped with the necessary propane tanks and most have a refrigerator that runs on electricity when you are connected to a land line and on gas when not connected. Check the propane often. You'll find that you only run out of propane on the coldest of nights at 1:00 A.M.

Finally, water must be carried. Many full-timers try to travel with a minimum of water to save weight. I prefer to have a full tank when I pull off the highway for an undetermined period of time.

Now, where will you camp?

Almost anywhere you want! K-Mart or Wal-Mart parking lots are my favorite on the road RV stop-overs. Some cities have ordinances against the use of such lots but the stores themselves generally like to have us. They have the space and don't like empty parking lots. We all spend a bunch of money in them when we stop and we provide an unofficial guard service for the stores. Please, if parking in one of their lots, don't unhook your rig or extend your slide-outs.

I often spend a night or two at a truck stop. They always have plenty of parking space but my problem is that I always park next to a diesel whose driver, for some unknown reason, keeps the damn truck running all night. (If anyone knows why they do that, please let me know.) If you can put up with the noise, there's always good food in their restaurants and plenty of air, water and fuel for your travels.

Roadside rest areas are also good stopping places. I've talked to lots of boondocking women and almost all have expressed fear of rest areas but none has ever experienced a problem. After trying the rest areas they all found that they enjoyed the fact that other travelers are around for company and protection. Clean restrooms and nice places to walk their dogs are high on their list of reasons for using highway rest stops.

Many of us are members of fraternal organizations which provide inexpensive camping for members. The Elks, Moose Lodge and VFW are a few of many such organizations. Use them! They want to meet you and have your patronize their clubs.

Finding a place to dump can be a problem for some. Not me, though! I have many times pulled into an RV park and asked if I could dump. I've never been turned down! Usually they charge about $5 to dump and refill the water holding tank. One dump a week is plenty.

Finally, I enjoy caravanning when I travel. Sunsets are prettier when you share them! I like the company and the protection of having friends with me when I'm traveling or staying overnight at some far removed spot. Get with some fellow LoWs and try boondocking for a week or two.

You'll love it!

Jack Matlock is a senior and single full time RVer who is enthusiastically endorsing the RVing lifestyle. He started his RVing with a small pick-up and a Coleman tent camper. He presently has a 33 foot 5th wheel with three slide outs.

As a single Jack quickly learned that we live in a mated society. Even the RVing society was based on couples. He wanted to escape into a world where he could socialize with other singles. He looked for a group of single campers who would share his coffee hours and fishing trips. He found Loners on Wheels, a singles only RVing club dedicated to enjoying the single lifestyle and retaining the independence and travel each RVer enjoys. For the past seven years he has enjoyed this group. He plans to enjoy it for the rest of his life! <a target="_new" href="http://www.lonersonwheels.com/">http://www.lonersonwheels.com/</a>

Hiking from Your Own Home

Picture this. You are stuck at home knee deep in household chores. Your mind wanders from taking out the trash to hiking on a scenic trail with heart pumping terrain. You are an avid hiker and yearn to strap on your hiking gear and hit the trails. Unfortunately, a hiking trail adventure is not in the cards for you today, but you can find the next best thing by logging onto your computer.

The Internet is filled with interesting websites dedicated to hiking and outdoor sports. Many hiking websites are packed with information about hiking gear, trails, and hiking vacation. However, you want more then just basic information. You desire to connect with other hikers. You are hungry for more information, experience, and the friendship of other hikers. Seek no further than hiking discussion boards and forums on the Internet. You can swap hiking stories with pals from around the globe. Discussion boards and forums allow you to ask hiking questions and receive many insightful answers and perspectives. Most importantly, you will feel a part of the hiking community even when you are unable to make it out to the trails.

There are a myriad of hiking discussion boards and forums to participate in. New forums pop up everyday as more and more people link up to the global community on the Internet. Some discussion boards and forums are free while others require a small fee. The key is to take advantage of the personalized forums and learn from fellow hikers. Often times you will hear the &quot;true&quot; story regarding hiking gear, trails, and vacations.

For example, you are interested in taking a hiking trip out West. You've scanned through different websites for information, but you want an insider's guide to the trip. Read through discussion boards as many forum members can provide an unbiased account of their trip as opposed to a hiking advertisement that depicts the hiking vacation as spectacular. The &quot;true&quot; story may not always be negative, in fact it may be better then advertisements claim. You can also garner tips from the discussion board to make your hiking adventure the best it can be.

Following are two hiking message boards to get you started.

Mountain Zone.com:

http://forums.mountainzone.com/mz_tools/forum/ This information intensive website about hiking and other outdoor sports has a great discussion board. The two main topics of the discussion board are hiking and gear. If you go into the hiking forum you will discover topics ranging from snowboarding to hiking trails. You are allowed to post a message to the boards once you create a free user name and password.

Trailplace.com:

http://trailplace.com/portal/forum_display.php?id=6 This is an Appalachian Trail resource site. Discuss everything you'll need when hiking the trail. They also present a forum for hiking in general. The message boards are used frequently and will supply you with ample information.

You can still feel connected to the hiking world even when you are sitting in your living room. Keep yourself current on hiking news, trails, and gear. The Internet brings hikers from every region of the world together. Join in the fun and log on to your computer right now.

Monica Marty is a hiking fan and the webmaster of <a target="_new" href="http://hikingtrailfinder.com/">http://hikingtrailfinder.com/</a> where you will find a directory and information on Hiking

A Fishy Road Trip in Cairns

The Cairns Fishing Adventure
A Great Australia Road Trip

You love holidays? You love to fish? Then you'll need to come to Cairns, Australia where the fishing is, quite simply, bloody fantastic.

You've got options coming out of your ears when you fish in Cairns on your next Great Australian Road Trip. It has almost every species of Pacific game fish in the blue waters near the reef. You can go fishing in the estuaries; you can go fishing in the rivers. You can go fishing offshore, onshore, and in sections of the reef. In fact, we can't be sure if anyone does anything else up in Cairns. You can self drive at your own leisure, or hire out a charter and go on a great adventure, cashing in on local knowledge for all the best fishing spots.

The Cairns Plan
So, the plan is - fly into Cairns Airport and venture off in your new car rental to start hunting some cold-blooded scaley things. The mighty Black Marlin, the Barracuda, the Giant Trevally -- they're all lurking out there. Go get'em!

If you feel a little overwhelmed by the array of fishing alternatives before you, you can always start out locally. There's some great fishing to be had at some of the northern beaches just a short drive from Cairns city.

Palm Cove is about 25 kilometres from the centre, Yorkeys Knob (and who could resist fishing somewhere called Yorkeys Knob?) is even closer. Or right in the centre you've got Barron River, where you can bag yourself all sorts of tropical river and estuarine fish.

The Serious Road Trip Begins
But why come all the way up to Cairns just to cling to her skirts and miss out on some excellent fishing spots further out? Get yourself a <a href="http://www.vroomvroomvroom.com.au/locations/cairns/">Cairns car hire</a> and take a road trip to Australia's ultimate fishing adventure.

Spectacular fishing, depending on the time of year, can also be had in the Russel Mulgrave river (40 kilometres south of Cairns) and the mighty Daintree river (just north of Port Douglas) which lines the Daintree National Park.

And if you've scored yourself a 4WD there's nothing stopping you from fare-welling the beautiful and languid Port Douglas, after you've hauled in some beauties whilst floating about on the Daintree River, to burrow right on past Cooktown (good fishing there too surprise surprise) and into the wilds of Cape York.

Throw yourself about in the depths of surrounding national parks, like Cape Melville, Jardine River, Lakefield, and Iron Range. It's at this point you may start considering staying up here, growing a very long beard and spending the rest of your life in a pair of short shorts.

No car in Cairns? Rent One!
Rental cars are available everywhere in Cairns. Try searching google for something like <a target="_new" href="http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=mozclient&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&q=cairns+car+hire+deals">cairns car hire deals</a> and you'll be able to "snapper" up a cheap deal.

Drive Safe and Happy Fishing!

Richard Eastes<Br> VroomVroomVroom Car Hire
<a target="_new" href="http://www.vroomvroomvroom.com.au">http://www.vroomvroomvroom.com.au</a>

Comal White Water or More Blue Green

White Water on the Comal river in Central Texas is more of of toobers paradise than a rafter or kayaker's dreamland, but for a fun and relaxing family adventure I highly recommend the trip. For the second time in the last two years my family and I spent a few days partaking of fun, water and sun in and around New Braunfels, Texas on the Comal and Guadalupe rivers. Day one was spent on the Comal floating gently down the lazy 72 degree water from Prince Solms Park to the Rockin R take out. I have always rented tubes from Rockin R for as long as I can remember Rockin R claims to have been established in 1979, so maybe that first time I went to Camp Warneke it wasn't called Rockin R, but it sure seems it was on the same corner. Though Camp Warneke is no longer, the signs along the river still point to a simpler time when multi-million dollar water parks didn't dominate the landscape of New Braunfels.

Rockin R does a great job of shuttling around the huge qualities of toobers in old airport rental car shuttles who enjoy the relaxing beer soaked float down the Comal. Tubes can be rented with or without bottoms and don't forget your cooler float. Ours came complete with a nice little Texas flag painted on the front of our cooler.

Our first day on the Comal was later voted as the family favorite. The relaxing float which started just above Prince Solms park in Landa Park featured four trips through the tube hoot for my son and I. It wasn't until the third trip through that I noticed that the park was closed and there were No Trespassing signs everywhere. Opps! On the forth trip the rest of the family finally braved the light rain having waited out all the thunder, lighting and most of the heavy rain under the large oaks on the shores of the Comal in Landa Park. To tell the truth I was more than a little apprehensive this labor day weekend as scattered thundershowers followed us the entire vacation. They say lighting never strikes twice, but I wasn't in the mood to tempt fate as I was shocked by a lighting surge the previous week working at my computer with my hand resting on the mouse. My pinky may never be the same again.

Our first trip with the entire family down the Comal was as a classic. Exciting start and a smooth, relaxing finish. The urban Comal River is 2.5 mile in length and is one of the largest springs in Texas with 8 million gallons of water flowing through every hour. The water is pure, clear and cold, and a constant 72 degrees. The calm cool waters of the Comal in Landa Park are created by a small dam to the right of which is the mild adrenaline rush of the dam's S shaped spillway called the Prince Solms Park Tube Chute.

After the mild adventure of the tube chute at the start we had a incredible day on the water given the fact that we only had two beers in the cooler. A tactical mistake given the cases of beer that toobers consume during the course of any given day on the Comal River in Texas. On a side note the beer at the Rockin R was, lets say priced like a piece of plywood in Florida this hurricane season on the black market.

At the end of our trip, Rockin R's exclusive exit was where our crew and toobs were graciously hoisted from the water by the Rockin R staff. At the top of the stairs our Rockin R cruise director asked of our future intentions to float the river. The Rockin R will haul you from the finish line to the start from sunup to sundown. The family decided to have another go at the river after lunch. With tubes loaded in the trailer our old rental car shuttles vinyl cover seats served as our latest venue of relaxation. Several dads with water guns provided the entertainment spraying innocent bikini clad women from the bus windows as we made our way back to the Rockin R store on Liberty Street. The gang decided on Pat's Place for some old fashion burgers and iced tea from mason jars as the lunch de jour. After a satisfying meal and great service our only compliant being they had no outdoor full service deck, we headed over to the corner store to pick up some reasonably priced refreshments. Having fully stocked the expedition, we took the shuttle back to our starting point in Landa park. This time we all took the refreshing plunge into the cool waters of the Comal quickly and rafted up for the descent down the tube chute.

Our final trip through the tube chute stared the same as the last, but my ten year-old daughter who was tied off with her grandmother broke away and got caught up in the whirlpool action just behind the dam. She couldn't get back across the main outflow of the spillway, and couldn't grab the high bank wall to get back to the steps just behind the dam. She made several attempts just below the park rangers un-watchful eyes before I yelled and motioned to her to stay put in her tube. I waded back upstream on the opposite bank and dove into the main current of the tube chute which sent me rocketing across the river to the opposing shore. As I neared the high concrete embankment, I jumped and grabbed hold of the wall only to be swiftly washed off by an influx tubers and the surge of water preceding them. Trying to keep my head above water I got a very nice shin rash from the sharp concrete wall foundations as I grabbed for the stair rails and my second attempt to get out of the swift currents. Finally with a new found respect for the tame waters of the Comal I headed up stream on the opposite bank to assist my daughter. Having heeded my advise she was resting near the wall in a clam area where the top of the wall was just out of her reach. Laying down she handed me her tube and I pulled her out of the water for the brief trip on the walkway back downstream. As I ambled, fairly exhausted, past the park rangers I gave them the quizzical eye as if to say, &quot;where the hell where you.&quot;

The remainder of the float downstream I was amazed at the stupidly of jumping into the gushing confluence of the dam's spillway as I consumed a refreshing Mexican import. Kids being kids, my son and I tried our hand at standing on our tubes in the calmer and deeper sections of the Comal as our thoughts turned toward our next adventure at the Texas Ski Ranch.

What to Expect:

When you go to tube chute, on the Comal expect the ride to be swift, you should wear water shoes or rafting sandals to protect your feet from the concrete and uneven river bottom - the rocks and steps are covered in algae and are slippery. You can go through the tube chute as many times as you want and with a tube outfitter shuttle float the Comal several times in a day. The tube chute is not recommended for weak swimmers or children under 6. The remainder of the 2.5 mile river is pure family enjoyment. The crowd can be load and rowdy at times including some beer bong drinking college students in the shallows on long the way. So be sure to avert the eyes if some beer drinking young lady should flash the cheering crowds. You will be floating through the lush backyards and urban parks in the town of New Braunfels, so if you need to exit the river for any reason make sure you are not trespassing as the landowners are not tolerant due the the aforementioned beer drinking crowds. The Trip is a definite must do if in central Texas in August. On the up side, this is not the Schlitterbahn, this is what inspired the Schlitterbahn. My 14 year old son after a day at America's favorite water park (we got waited in line for the MasterBlaster for 1:43 minutes starting at 10:26 am and we were off the ride at 12:11) and a day on the Guadalupe pronounced the Comal his favorite.

For more information about family adventure travel visit www.advenquest.com

Website: http://www.advenquest.com

BJ Baker is an avid outdoor enthusiast who currently resides in The Woodlands, Texas. As a child, BJ traveled the world with his family on excursions to The Far East, including Japan, China, Bangkok and other parts of South East Asia, as well as Canada, Europe, the Caribbean and Latin America. Old fashion load up the Buick trips throughout most of the USA and frequent trips west to the Rocky Mountains on snow skiing trips have left an indelible impression on BJ. Still roving the world and instilled with a love for travel and adventure, today BJ is the owner of several adventure and travel websites. <a target="_new" href="http://www.placestosleep.com">http://www.placestosleep.com</a>, <a target="_new" href="http://www.vacationresorttravel.com">http://www.vacationresorttravel.com</a>, <a target="_new" href="http://www.advenquest.com">http://www.advenquest.com</a>, and <a target="_new" href="http://www.snow-skiing.com">http://www.snow-skiing.com.</a>

Mammoth Cave: One of the Most Beautiful in Our National Park System

Directly south of Louisville, just off Interstate 65 and not far from Cave City, Mammoth Cave National Park sits nestled in the rolling, wooded hills of west-central Kentucky. Cedar trees dominate the landscape around the park, broken only by grazing cattle, small tobacco fields, and immense limestone outcroppings.

Limestone is what makes this area special-a 600-foot thick slab of the stuff. Looking at the many road-cuts along the highway, one can see the layers, each possessing its own characteristics and each named after the location where these characteristics were identified: St. Genevieve, St. Louis, Paoli, Aux Vases, Karnak. Each layer is incredibly older than its sibling just above. And limestone is where Kentucky caves are formed.

Once inside the park, the scenery changes from touristy to natural beauty. Well-groomed roads with wide, grassy shoulders wind through deep forest. Whitetail deer browse the edges of ancient cemeteries and wild turkey are everywhere. Mammoth Cave is one of the most beautiful in our national park system. Sprawling over more than 52,000 acres (most of it dense hardwood forest) the park features a diverse community of plants and wildlife; from the smallest insects, to birds, to aquatic life, to cave life. It is home to dozens of endangered or threatened species.

In spite of hosting two million visitors a year, the roads through Mammoth Cave National Park are surprisingly free of traffic. But near the visitor center, there is a constant bustle of activity, where campers, picnickers, and cave tourists crowd through the visitor center and ticket office. Every few minutes, loudspeakers announce the beginning of the next tour and groups of strangers form lines to become fellow travelers through a section of the cave.

During the summer, the park offers tours into several different entrances and family groups huddle around descriptive signs planning this portion of their summer vacation. The most popular is the Historic Tour. Starting every 40 minutes, over a hundred people herd through the historic section of the cave. The Lantern Tour, Frozen Niagara, and Half-Day tours are sold out every day throughout the tourist season. Occasionally the park gives tours into Great Onyx Cave, but those arriving too late in the day, or those that choose not to go on a guided tour can opt for the Discovery tour - a self guided walk through the historic section near the entrance.

Of the hundreds of caves that pock the hills and valleys of the park, many are worthy of the tourist dollar. Crystal Cave, Colossal, Bedquilt, Lee, White, and others-now, all gated. The park no longer shows these caves. And when hiking the 73 miles of surface trails in the park, one must be mindful to stay on the established trails. Poking around in one of the little caves along the way is strictly forbidden. There are plenty of tours to keep even the most adventurous of tourists busy.

Of all the parks protected by our national park system, Mammoth Cave is certainly one of the most beautiful and one of the most popular. A great vacation destination.

Norm Rogers is the author of Underground Legacy, a Fellow of the National Speleological Society, and member of the Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels. You can visit his website at <a target="_new" href="http://www.normrogers.8m.com/">http://www.normrogers.8m.com/</a>

River Rafting on the Salmon River

The beautiful Salmon River stretches through over 400 miles of Idaho. The legendary explorers Lewis and Clark traveled part of the Salmon River but thought it was too rough to navigate. For a short time The river was also known as Lewis's River. Another name for this wild, untamable body of water is the River Of No Return.

The Salmon River has two major parts, the Middle Fork and the Main Salmon River. Both offer great rafting experiences, with rapids in the Class III to Class IV range. When the Main Salmon floods, the rapids become Class V.

Salmon River rafting trips take rafters through the second deepest gorge on the continent, exposing them to pristine, beautiful wilderness and Native American and early settler artifacts. The Salmon River Gorge that the Main Salmon passes through is even deeper than the Grand Canyon; the Snake River Canyon is the only one deeper in all of North America. The shores of the Salmon River are rich, sandy beaches perfect for relaxing. People who travel further inland will find Native American ruins and ghost towns formerly inhabited by early settlers. Rafters can see a wide variety of stunning wildlife along the riverbanks.

Salmon River rafting trips on the Main Salmon are permitted June 20th through September 7th. The Middle Fork is open all year round but is busiest during the summer months. The rapids on the Salmon River range from Class II to Class IV, providing enough variation for all rafters. Tours encompassing certain parts of the river are designed to appeal to travelers looking for particular classes of rapids.

The rafting on both major parts of the Salmon River is well-known nationwide because much of the Salmon River is so hidden from civilization that it has never been settled or modernized in any way. Salmon River rafters are some of the few people who get to experience this land.

<a target="_new" href="http://www.e-riverrafting.com">River Rafting Info</a> provides detailed information on river rafting trips in Washington, Colorado, California and the Grand Canyon, as well as Salmon River in Idaho and Rogue River in Oregon. River Rafting Info is the sister site of <a target="_new" href="http://www.e-inflatableboats.com">Inflatable Boats Web</a>.

River Rafting in the Grand Canyon

Rafting through the Grand Canyon is the experience of a lifetime. Viewing the canyon from along the rim is a stunning experience on its own, but it pales in comparison to the adventure of riding the river through it. Several river recreation outfitters offer guided rafting tours through the Grand Canyon.

The Grand Canyon was formed over several million years. An ancestral version of what is now the Colorado River slowly eroded the earth, creating this breathtaking formation. The Grand Canyon is one of the seven natural wonders of the world. The canyon is over 250 miles long and is over a mile deep in some parts.

Grand Canyon river rafting is one of the most fascinating experiences available. Grand Canyon river rafting tours usually run several days and many last more than a week. These tours often include side trips to areas at the bottom of the canyon where travelers near the river. Visitors often stop and examine Native American ruins and fascinating geological formations.

At one time, people who navigated the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon did so at serious risk to their lives. Now that technology and expertise have evolved, it is a safe expedition undertaken by relative novices. There are a variety of options for travelers who want to navigate the Colorado River through the canyon. Some outfitters offer motorized rafts for people who want to see the canyon but who may not be willing or able to paddle a boat through the rapids. Some tours offer Dory tours. Dories are boats similar to those that early Grand Canyon explorers used. These trips take much longer than the motorized raft tours because it takes longer to travel and because they are often more in depth. Truly adventurous souls can experience Grand Canyon river rafting the old fashioned way and go on guided paddle raft tours.

Grand Canyon river rafting is a one of a kind experience. Rafters can examine some of the most breathtaking scenery in the world while navigating one of the continent's greatest rivers.

<a target="_new" href="http://www.e-riverrafting.com">River Rafting Info</a> provides detailed information on river rafting trips in Washington, Colorado, California and the Grand Canyon, as well as Salmon River in Idaho and Rogue River in Oregon. River Rafting Info is the sister site of <a target="_new" href="http://www.e-inflatableboats.com">Inflatable Boats Web</a>.

Rafting on the Rogue River in Oregon

Oregon's Rogue River is one of the nation's most beautiful. The Rogue River begins in Crater Lake and extends 215 miles until it empties in the Pacific Ocean. There are two major sections of the Rogue River: The Wild and the Recreational. Many river recreation outfitters offer tours through both.

The recreational area is more of a family-oriented affair, with a number of activities from sunbathing to swimming and rafting available. Half day, one day, and multi-day passes are available. The 13-mile stretch used for white-water rafting is moderate and definitely suitable for the whole family. Other activities like swimming, fishing, hiking, and sightseeing are also offered.

People interested in riding some of the finest rapids the continent has to offer are advised to visit the wild Rogue River. Here, travelers will find the best of Rogue River rafting. The rapids are mostly Class II and Class III, but some famous spots are Class IV. Blossom Bar Rapid and Mule Creek Canyon are two world-renowned Class IV rapids found on the Rogue River. Most wild Rogue River rafting excursions last multiple days, lasting between two and four days. Wild Rouge River is what rafters call a drop pool river, which means that the fast and exciting rapids are separated from each other by stretches of slow, calm water, giving rafters a chance to enjoy the scenery before being plunged back into the rapids.

Rogue River is also known for its majestic wildlife and beautiful scenery. All types of animals are native to this area, from Black Bears to Bald Eagles. Elk, cougars, and wild turkeys are other animals that coexist in this beautiful natural refuge.

Rogue River rafting is reputed to be among the best in the country. The mix of Class II and Class III rapids with the occasional Class IV keeps rafters on guard and guarantees that they will never be bored. The beautiful setting and wildlife also provide a perfect backdrop to this adventurous river.

<a target="_new" href="http://www.e-riverrafting.com">River Rafting Info</a> provides detailed information on river rafting trips in Washington, Colorado, California and the Grand Canyon, as well as Salmon River in Idaho and Rogue River in Oregon. River Rafting Info is the sister site of <a target="_new" href="http://www.e-inflatableboats.com">Inflatable Boats Web</a>.

Disneyland for Hikers: A Walk to Mt. Whitney

Base camp sits at 12,000 feet - stark, windy, unshaded from the blazing August sun, but an otherwise great place to stop for a snack. Voices echo across cold granite as the breeze wraps around dozens of tents, backpacks, cooking stoves, and bear-proof food canisters. An unopened package of banana chips on my lap is immediately snatched up by a marmot, unhindered by my presence and unfazed by my pursuit.

Here, the animals, the people, and the barren granite form a bustling community in the Sierra Nevada wilderness. The trail to Mount Whitney sees thousands of people each year, all in pursuit of the highest peak in the United States (excluding Alaska). The people crowd the trail, the animals exploit the people, and Inyo National Forest rakes in thousands of tourism dollars. They say if you want solitude, go to Antarctica. Mount Whitney is Disneyland for hikers.

That's not saying Whitney should be avoided. Like Disneyland, there's a good reason crowds all congregate at one California landmark. Few other places in the world offer a well-tracked trail to 14,496 feet, where anyone with a pair of sturdy boots can trek to the top of a country, and a big one at that. Technical skills are optional on this trail, though patience and a degree of elevation tolerance is vital.

The trail begins at 8,368 feet in the Whitney Portal campground, at the end of a paved road from Lone Pine. The trailhead is a maze of parking lots, which, in the summer months, are nearly always filled to capacity.

This is the part of the forest where black bears rule; they bash in the windows of parked cars and steal whatever they find. So frequent are the bear burglaries that people are aggressively ticketed for leaving tempting packages in plain view.

I feel relieved when I walk into the wilderness and away from bear country. From the trailhead it's over 11 miles and 6,000 vertical feet to the flat-topped summit, a gradual trail, but not for wimps. Whitebark pine forests slowly give way to exposed granite over the first 7 miles, then base camp marks a strenuous and rocky climb to Sierra Crest.

I drafted my dad and his friend Tom, two avid hikers in their late 40's, up the steep section of trail affectionately called &quot;100 switchbacks.&quot; I lose count after 75. Most hikers complete this hike as two to three-day backpacking trip, but Dad, Tom and I are going to do it in a day.

Sierra Crest is marked at 13,600 feet, already higher than I have ever hiked. The elevation puts a clamp on my lungs, and I feel a vague sense of sleepiness creeping into my head, even though my heart is pumping. The trail rolls along the ridge behind sheer pinnacles. You could stumble and fall 2,000 feet, but the immaculate trail helps prevent that. Thousands of footsteps per year have worn a nice groove in the jagged mountain

At this point I'm laboring up the trail, but it doesn't matter. I'm a hiker that climbs to look, not conquer. The green and gold of Sequoia stretches across the horizon. Deep blue lakes sparkle beneath a cloudless sky. From here you can almost see the depths of Death Valley - the lowest point in the United States and only 90 miles from this point.

Dad and Tom are a ways ahead by the time I ascend the final slope - a gradual ramp that eventually levels off. This is the peak - flat, spacious, almost custom-designed for large capacities. A crowd of about a dozen people are scattered over the rocks. We plop next to a geographical marker - &quot;Latitude: 36? 35' x; Longitude: 118? 17' x,&quot; it says - and fix some lunch. We have great view of Lone Pine - 13 miles east, of Yosemite national park, of the expansive Nevada desert, of the Sierra Nevadas stretching over the horizon.

A strong wind whips past my head and muffles the incessant chatter. If I turn my head toward the sheer drop to the east I almost feel alone. Almost. They say if you want solitude, go elsewhere. If you want to see the spectacular top of America's biggest and brightest, go to Whitney.

Directions: From Los Angeles take highway 14 to U.S. highway 395 north to Lone Pine, about 200 miles. Turn west onto Whitney Portal Rd. 13 miles to the trail head. Permits are required for this hike and are somewhat difficult to obtain. Call Inyo National Forest, Mt. Whitney District, (760) 876-6200, for more information.

About The Author

Jill Homer is a graphic artist and freelance travel writer currently residing in Tooele, Utah. She specializes in outdoor adventure writing. For more information please visit <a href="http://www.biketoshine.com" target="_new">www.biketoshine.com</a> or contact <a href="mailto:jill@biketoshine.com">jill@biketoshine.com</a>.

Tips for Mountain Bikers in Spain

As any keen mountain biker will know, there are some important rules to follow and bike handling skills to master before subjecting yourself and your bike to the thrills and spills of off-road riding. Although most of us ride within our capabilities most of the time, riding on different trails in hot weather conditions can present a new set of challenges requiring some new biking skills and knowledge.

Here in Southern Spain, I spend most of my time riding in warm and dry conditions, on shale/gravel trails in relatively remote areas, at medium to high altitude (1000 ? 4000 ft). I say relatively remote, in that I seldom meet other bikers, hikers or other like-minded individuals. In other words, you must be prepared to patch yourself up and get yourself off the mountainside in the event of an accident.

Here are some points to consider before embarking on your Spanish MTB adventure.

Planning routes:

Map it out - When planning routes for yourself and other bikers to ride, get hold of a map first. I use the 1:25,000 topographical maps published by the Centro Nacional De Informacion Geografica (CNIG). They show most off-road vehicle tracks, forestry access roads and some single track/footpaths.

Note: I am not sure how often they are updated. Some trails marked on these maps can suddenly disappear. On the other hand, I have ridden trails, which are not indicated, on the maps.

Terrain and time of year -Taking into account the distance, terrain, altitude, gradients and vegetation you can plan a suitable route for the time of year.

Mid-summer (early morning and evening riding advisable) look for shaded trails, low gradients with less altitude gain and think about places to refill water bottles.

Mid-winter This time of year it can be lovely and warm (15-20 deg C ) at sea level and pretty chilly (0-5) at 1000+ metres. When ascending you are generating a lot of heat, coming down the other side at 40Kph + you are subjecting your body to a wind chill factor which can drop temperatures a further 10 degrees. - carry extra layers of clothing.

Preparation :

Rider - You of course, must be fit for the ride and this cannot be achieved the night before.?? although it can be enhanced by laying off the San Miguel. Eat a decent breakfast, mainly carbohydrates, Cereal, toast and fruit for example. Stretch before you leave and spin in a low gear for about 1 km when you first set off (especially in winter). Know some first-aid that you can administer to yourself as well as to others. E.g dealing with Bleeding and serious grazes.

Bike & bits - Bike set-up and Maintenance is much the same everywhere so I won't bore you with details of what you already know, however pay attention to the following.

-Check for any play in wheel, steering and bottom bracket bearings. With a lot of fast descents and rocky ground it is worth a quick adjustment before any loose bits get worse.

-Chain needs regular attention in these dry, dusty conditions (every 2-3 rides). Run it through a cleaner, apply fine oil and then remove any excess lubricant, which only acts as a magnet to any dirt. Clean shocks and apply thin film of silicone-based lubricant

-Tyres, nice 'n' knobbly if you're intending to be off-road 90 % of the time. With a lot of climbing on loose surfaces and descents on rocky stuff I get more traction and comfort with wider tyres at a lower pressure.

-2 spare tubes ( at least) - There are some vicious plants in the campo, especially prominent in the summer months, with thorns like you wouldn't believe. Check inside surface of tyre thoroughly before fitting new tube ? where there is one thorn there could be many.

- Helmet and gloves - This should go without saying.

Water - I usually allow for 1L of water per hour of riding. In the winter on a leisurely low level ride you may drink less than this, during the summer months it can be double. When the weather is hot, I carry 2 bottles on the bike and 2 in my rucksack. Most villages and towns have a natural spring or potable water available somewhere, on longer routes it is worth knowing where the nearest habitations are.

Food - Unlike thirst, hunger pangs will pass. On a short ride in warm conditions you may not even feel like eating ? the wet stuff is far more important. However it is not advisable to deplete energy reserves so always have some driedfruit/muesli bar with you ? Newsagents are not a common feature of Spanish villages and caf?/bars may not be open all day.

First-aid kit ? This doesn't need to be bulky. A small well-packed container, including the following; Bandage, gauze pads, safety pins, plasters, antiseptic cream.

Clothing ? for comfort and protection from exposure to the sun and cold.

-2 or more thin layers especially on upper body for better temperature regulation, increased insulation ( more air layers) and protection against grazing if you fall off.

- Bandanas one folded and tied around the forehead keeps sweat out of your eyes.

Another folded diagonally and tied loosely to keep sun off back of neck. - Sunglasses - High protection sun-cream on any exposed skin.

Safety on the trail:

Hazards such as loose surfaces, ditches, eroded gullies and the like will always be present ? it's something that appeals to us MTBers. Accidents occur when we are unfamiliar with these conditions, over confident in our ability or meet with something unexpected in our path. Good bike handling skills can prevent or help get you out of a sticky moment, however when taking on steep descents and tricky technical sections be prepared for the unexpected.

Dogs - Some people are put off from biking and walking in Spain because of the dogs they may encounter. More often than not this will be when passing by/through a farmyard. In my experiences (which doesn't include any nasty ones yet ? touch wood) Spanish mutts come under the following categories;

1. Bark and run away

2. Bark and chase

3. Total disinterest in your presence.

In most cases it isn't always clear whether the dog is of type 1 or 2 until you have committed yourself to entering its territory. If you are starting a long descent when they give chase, you can give a two-finger salute and go for it. If however you are grinding uphill in 1st gear and the blighter is loping at your side with plenty in reserve it can be a bit intimidating ? and you probably won't care much for my categorising.

When passing farm buildings, I always assume that dogs are present. If they do appear but remain at a distance and bark, I stand on my pedals to make myself taller and ride slowly but confidently past. If a dog/dogs begins to advance I shout &quot;FUERA&quot; the term often used to send a dog out or away. This will usually work and also bring your presence to the attention of the household. You can advance and repeat this procedure if the animal is reluctant to give way. Stooping as if to pick up a rock can also intimidate Spanish dogs.

If you feel at this stage that it is still too risky then trust your instinct and retreat to find an alternative route.

In my experience, dogs will not attack if you retreat in a calm but confident manner ? DON' T RUN.

In general

Plan your ride

Don't ride alone on unfamiliar trails

Carry spares and sufficient water

Protect your body from falls and extreme weather conditions.

Then get out there and enjoy yourself!

Steve Murray lives in Spain and runs an Adventure Sports Company <a target="_new" href="http://www.abdal-adventures.com">Abdal Adventures</a>.

Going it Alone: The Waterfall at Mendenhall Glacier, Alaska

I stood at the observation point on the balcony at the Visitor Center overlooking the great Mendenhall Glacier at Juneau, Alaska. Before me was a beautiful scene. The glacier reflected in the large lake. Ooh, ahh. Both to the left and right were mountains. It was a beautiful clear day. I watched the people too, walking around taking photos, and looking at the scenery before us and at the displays in the center, just a few feet away.

A constant roar came from a tall and full waterfall to the right of the glacier. Once, the glacier covered the waterfall. No one was aware of its presence before the glacier receded. I looked closer at the base of the waterfall. There seemed to be a sandbar and people walking on it. With my binoculars I traced the path they must have taken below me. It crossed large sandbars separated by streams and covered with bushes. I found the general location of the beginning of the path. A ranger told me that there was a way to get out there, but it wasn't official, and that it was a little steep at one point. I decided that the best way to see such a beautiful place was up close, so I decided to try it. My mom and my husband were along with me. I told them I wanted to try the path, and asked if they wouldn't mind just hanging around waiting for me since they didn't want to join me.

Into the bushes I went. Immediately, I had to scramble along steep wet slate under the cover of brush. After following some wrong trails and trying again, I found myself in the large bush-covered sandy area heading towards the waterfall. I jumped little streams and plotted my course across to my goal. My last obstacles were climbing a large rock, and then traversing a 20 ft. wide stream dotted with well-placed stepping stones.

I walked right up to the roaring waterfall, and even climbed up along side it a ways on large rocks. Walking away from the waterfall I encountered a large cloud of mist that emanated from its base. I walked out along the sandbar towards the center of the lake and found a large rock to sit on. I had a snack, enjoying being present in this amazing location -- surrounded by the lake and flanked by a glacier, a grand waterfall and mountains. I met people too. Some kids were climbing up much higher than I had on the rocks. A gentleman from Germany took my photo, and I took a photo of two girls out on their own adventure.

After an hour of 'hanging around,' I turned back. I crossed the creek, climbed the rock, and then looked for hikers emerging from the bushes to find the best path back. A couple times I had to stop and wait for new hikers so I could find the path again. The sun was setting, the floating icebergs were glimmering on the lake, and I enjoyed every moment of delay.

My entire trek took about two hours -- worth every moment. My husband and my mom were very understanding and said they enjoyed the visitor center and the scenery (which included me through the telescope!) I'm glad I had the courage to ask for that time. It would have been easy just to do the scheduled tour, and to take no risks. William Shedd once said, 'A ship in the harbor is safe, but that is not what ships are built for.' I find that when I go further, it makes all the difference. It creates treasured memories.

About The Author

Paths began to beckon Theresa when she was 12, visiting the Bridger Wilderness in Wyoming. Walking, dancing, and movement are a part of her, nourished by John Denver*s musical challenge for her to *fly.* Join her *walking with women* Life Discovery Tours.

Learn more about Theresa Gabriel - Women Summit LLC

<a href="http://www.womensummit.com" target="_new">http://www.womensummit.com</a> - Life Discovery Tours, Women*s Retreats

Yellowstone Camping In The Fall

Soon, the busy summer tourist season will be over in Yellowstone National Park. If you are interested in enjoying one of the world's most unique geological wonders without the traffic, and crowds, it is time to start planning a trip.

Fall in Yellowstone is a very special time with light frosts on chilly nights, and pleasant warm days where you can breathe in the earthy scents of the Park. Bugling Elk, roaming herds of Buffalo, and lazy days spent touring the spectacular thermal features make fall one of the best times to visit Yellowstone.

Normally, you have to make a reservation at one of the five major campgrounds well in advance of arrival. After Labor Day you probably will not need a reservation, but it is wise to call ahead.

There are five major reservation only campgrounds: Bridge Bay, Canyon, Fishing Bridge RV Park, Grant Village, and Madison campgrounds. The first-come, first served campgrounds will be far more accessible after Labor Day and include: Indian Creek, Lewis Lake, Mammoth, Norris, Pebble Creek, Slough Creek, and Tower Fall campsites.

While in Yellowstone National Park, you will be inside the caldera of the largest active volcano in the world. There are more thermal features in Yellowstone than the rest of the world combined. There are over 15 miles of boardwalk for visitors to keep them safe from the dangerous thermal sites, and to minimize the inevitable human damage caused to the area. The park is a singularly impressive place and most of it resides above 7,500 feet elevation.

Wildlife viewing is superb to say the least with buffalo, elk, and black-tail deer sightings a common occurrence. Moose, bear, coyote, and wolves are spotted less frequently. We enjoyed filming a giant moose scraping the felt from his antlers late one evening near the south entrance of Yellowstone.

Hiking, camping, fishing, wildlife viewing, and touring the spectacular thermal features are a few of the many things to enjoy in Yellowstone. The beauty of the landscape is breathtaking and the clean smell of sage permeates the clear air.

One of the unadvertised features of Yellowstone is the night sky. A few of us old-timers remember the rich texture of the night sky from our youth. Reflected light effectively blocks clear viewing of the night sky in much of the United States, but at night in Yellowstone, the stars are displayed in their full majesty in the rich, dark sky.

William Smith has lived and traveled full-time in an RV for over twelve years. For more information about <a target="_new" href="http://happyvagabonds.com/OtherRV/yellowstone_camping.htm">Yellowstone Camping</a> visit <a target="_new" href="http://happyvagabonds.com">HappyVagabonds.com</a>

Calculate Food Quantities for Camping and Outdoor Recreation

As the warmer weather approaches, we look forward to another season of camping and enjoying the fun, relaxation, and beauty that the outdoor environment has to offer. I am anxious to get out on weekends to some of my favorite campsites around Kentucky and Indiana. Of course I'll have plenty of fishing gear to bring along in case some of my family or friends join in on the adventures that are sure to come with each outing. This is the most enjoyable thing for me when I see others having a great time hiking, fishing, throwing Frisbees?, or sitting around the campfire telling stories or singing campfire songs.

There are several things I try to consider before I begin packing for a camping trip. First of course, is how long will I be gone? How much time do I have to get away from the &quot;9 to 5&quot;, unwind and get refreshed by the fresh air, sunshine, and peaceful scenery that nature provides so abundantly? This summer, I'm going to try to get out more frequently on the weekends so I'll talk a little about short outings that are not too distant from home. This will allow me more time for what I actually want to do, and that of course, is to camp. I don't want to spend 5 hours going and 5 hours coming, using basically a whole day just for traveling. If I pick a place that's within a 100 mile radius, I should be able to find several dozen places to visit and spend less than 4 hours of total travel time.

Ok, that sound great, I can think of a dozen places within 100 miles right of the top of my head. Lake Monroe, where my youngest son and I visited last year, is only 1 hour and 45 minutes from my home. That was a great weekend camping trip and my daughter and her friends at IU came from Bloomington to join in the fun. Several of the girls had not fished much at all, and I had more fun than they did watching them scream and holler as we caught over 70 bluegill. It was a great thrill for them to actually catch, clean, and eat fresh fish. Most of the panfish were a little on the small side, but I had them keep them for several reasons. One of course, is the fish sometimes swallow the hook and it's nearly impossible to throw them back when this happens. Another reason I sometimes keep small bluegill, is that it helps other aquatic life to have more abundant food sources. Anyway, after we cleaned them all, they were absolutely delicious dipped in a bowl of egg and milk, rolled in cracker crumbs and cornmeal, and fried to a golden brown. And of course we had several bags to take home, which seemed like it made the camping trip last longer than just the weekend.

But let's get back to some of the essentials of planning your weekend camping trip. After you've decided on how much time you have, you will need to consider how many nature lovers are going camping. That's usually the easy part. So if you've got 5 people going, and you're going to be gone for two nights and two days, you'll want to figure how many meals that will be. I'd say it will be in the neighborhood of 2 dinners, 2 breakfast, and 2 lunches, not including snack times. So we'll need enough food for 10 people (5 x 2) for essentially one day. That should calculate to an average of 8-10 ounces of meat per person, 8-10 ounces of vegetables and fruit per person, and 8-10 servings of bread or grains per two persons. You can also use the 8-10 rule for your drinks for a total of 8-10, (8-10 oz. drinks) including water, per person per day. This may seem like a lot of liquid, but when you consider 3 meals a day and an additional drink in between, you are already at 6 drinks a day. Remember, dehydration is a major cause of heat stroke. If you're going hiking, swimming, or playing any type of running sport, this will easily bring the drink count up an additional 3 or more for a total of 9 drinks a day. Let's make an easy formula to go by.

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FOOD QUANTITY FORMULA

5 people for 2 days = (5 x 2 = 10)
10 x 8-10 ounces = (80-100 ounces meat) or 5-6? lbs.
10 x 8-10 ounces = (80-100 ounces fruits and veggies) or 5-6? lbs.
8-10 servings bread or grain per (2) persons
8-10 (8-10 oz. drinks) per person (per day)

NOTE: Hard cheeses such as American and Swiss include in meat weight.
Soft cheeses such as cultures add to fruits and vegetables weight.
Eggs may be separate.

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So that's a pretty good rule of thumb to go by for your &quot;3 squares.&quot; If you like to snack, which goes great with camping, bring along your chips, marshmallows, or no bake cookies and you'll never go hungry. Don't forget the milk if your bring chocolate.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Article written by Keith Kampschaefer. Keith is President of CHK Marketing, LLC, which owns and operates <a target="_new" href="http://www.PackNCamp.com">http://www.PackNCamp.com</a> Outdoor Supply. Along with his extensive knowledge and experience in the outdoors, Keith also has over 30 years experience in the food industry, specifically, perishable foods such as meats, seafood, and vegetables.

Hawaii Volcano Tour

A Hawaii volcano tour can be a most memorable experience, and is readily available (short of eruptions!) year round. While each island boasts some volcanic heritage, The Big Island is where all the action is.

A Hawaii volcano tour of necessity begins in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, established in 1916. This park, containing more than 218,000 acres, is open daily and offers guided tours and more. It encompasses both the world's most massive volcano, Mauna Kea, at 13,796 feet, and Kilauea, the world's most active volcano. Mauna Kea, which in Hawaiian means literally "white mountain", gets this name from the fact that it is quite often snow-capped. It is also thought to be the world's tallest mountain when measured from it's undersea base to the summit. Currently dormant, Mauna Kea has also become the home of an important astronomical center, where astronomers from all over the world vie for spots atop the summit to view the heavens.

Kilauea, which has been in continual eruption since 1983, gives visitors on a Hawaii volcano tour stunning views of molten lava flows, steam vents, and vast lava fields. It is said that this eruption has added more than 500 acres to the Big Island since it's eruption! One more fascinating tidbit about Kilauea, is that perched atop the crater rim overlooking the caldera is the Volcano House, Hawaii's oldest continually-operated hotel, dating from 1846. Probably not hard to keep warm at night!

On Maui, one volcano not to overlook is Haleakala, a dormant volcano in the middle of the island, long renowned for it's fantastic sunsets. It's also a great place to hike or camp, and especially ride a bike down! (Very Cool!) Good reason to go to Maui. (As if you needed one!)

When you plan your Hawaii volcano tour, be sure to plan some time to take in some or all of these sights. You'll be forever changed!

Keith Thompson is the webmaster at <a target="_new" href="http://www.Hawaii-Vacation-Directory.com">http://www.Hawaii-Vacation-Directory.com</a>, where you can find all sorts of links and resources to make your <a target="_new" href="http://www.hawaii-vacation-directory.com"> Hawaii volcano tour </a> one you'll remember!

PaintBall Gun Buying Tips

There are so many selections available when it comes to paintball guns that choosing one can be overwhelming.

The most important thing is to make sure that you have done research on the guns that you are interested in buying. Research them on the Internet and ask the more experienced players for their opinions on the guns in question. Make an initial trip to the store, or webpage, to look over the guns and make a list of the ones that you are interested in purchasing. Then do your research.

You want to make sure that the gun is constructed well. The parts should work, fit right, and be durable. Paintball guns take quite a bit of abuse, so your gun must be durable. Remember that metal is stronger than plastic. Depending on the playing environment that you will use the majority of the time, you may not want a flashy, colorful gun. These will stand out and make you a target. Choose black or dark colors.

The weight of the gun matters. Keep in mind that you will be carrying the gun, and even running with it. If it is too heavy for you, do not buy it. Walk around with the gun for several minutes in the store to get a feel for it if possible.

Is the gun simple to operate? If not, you may not want that gun. You want a gun that is easily maintained and easy to operate. Make sure the gun is upgradeable. You may want to add more features to your gun later.

When a new gun comes on the market, do not rush out to buy it. Give it some time and see what the reviews and opinions from the players who did rush out to buy it are. If you are new to the game, you should rent the gun and other equipment for a while. This will give you the opportunity to see what you like in a gun before you spend your money.

Make sure that the gun has a safety device on it. This protects you, and those around you. Also, check the warranty on the gun. A one-year warranty is typical. Finally, look at the price. There are some expensive guns out there. However, a higher price does not mean higher quality. Just know exactly what you want from a gun, do your research, and then find one that meets your specifications in your price range.

Chirstopher Reeve is the owner and operator of PaintBall-Tips.com (<a target="_new" href="http://www.paintball-tips.com">http://www.paintball-tips.com</a>) where he discusses on how to get started in playing paintball and advance strategies.

Bird Watching Mecca ? 338 Species At Acadia National Park

When it comes to birding, Acadia National Park is a mecca for sightings. The Park has 338 bird species, which is a record for any national park in the United States. The list of species includes such rare birds as the bald eagle, 23 warbler variations and falcons by the bushel load. If you're looking to fill out your life list, Acadia is the place to be.

The park has such a wide variety of bird species because of a unique environment. Part of the park consists of offshore islands that provide protected nooks and crannies that are ideal for nesting. To this end, numerous species use these island nooks as their southern breeding headquarters. Nesting species include eiders in addition to other sea birds, herons and raptors. Sandpipers and a wide variety of ducks can also be found on the islands.

In addition to the nesting areas, Acadia is famous for its rare, predatory species. The park is home to a wide variety of eagles, including the bald eagle, and falcons. Indeed, Acadia is the home of the very rare Peregrine Falcon, which was nearly pushed to extinction in 1964. Reintroduced to Acadia in the mid 1980s, the Peregrines have flourished and established nesting patters in the park.

If you're looking to add to your life list, Acadia National Park is a destination you must visit. Here's a list of bird species you just might see:

Red Throat Loon

Common Loon

Pied-billed Grebe

Horned Grebe

Red-necked Grebe

Great Cormorant

Double-crested Cormorant

American Bittern

Least Bittern

Glossy Ibis

Black-bellied Plover

American Golden-Plover

Semipalmated Plover

Killdeer

Pomarine Jaeger

Parasitic Jaeger

Dovekie

Common Murre

Thick-billed Murre

Osprey

Bald Eagle

Northern Harrier

Sharp-shinned Hawk

Cooper's Hawk

Northern Goshawk

Red-shouldered Hawk

Broad-winged Hawk

Red-tailed Hawk

Rough-legged Hawk

Golden Eagle

American Kestrel

Merlin

Peregrine Falcon

Gyrfalcon

Common Nighthawk

Whip-poor-will

Red-breasted Nuthatch

White-breasted Nuthatch

Bohemian Waxwing

Cedar Waxwing

Solitary Vireo

Warbling Vireo

Philadelphia Vireo

This list is a very small sample of the species you will find at Acadia. Located in Maine, the park is highly recommended as a destination for amateur and fanatical bird watchers.

Rick Chapo is with <a target="_new" href="http://www.nomadjournals.com">http://www.nomadjournals.com</a> - makers of writing journals for bird watching sightings and trips. Visit <a target="_new" href="http://www.nomadjournaltrips.com">http://www.nomadjournaltrips.com</a> to read articles and stories on travel and outdoor activities.

Disneyland for Hikers: A Walk to Mt. Whitney

Base camp sits at 12,000 feet - stark, windy, unshaded from the blazing August sun, but an otherwise great place to stop for a snack. Voices echo across cold granite as the breeze wraps around dozens of tents, backpacks, cooking stoves, and bear-proof food canisters. An unopened package of banana chips on my lap is immediately snatched up by a marmot, unhindered by my presence and unfazed by my pursuit.

Here, the animals, the people, and the barren granite form a bustling community in the Sierra Nevada wilderness. The trail to Mount Whitney sees thousands of people each year, all in pursuit of the highest peak in the United States (excluding Alaska). The people crowd the trail, the animals exploit the people, and Inyo National Forest rakes in thousands of tourism dollars. They say if you want solitude, go to Antarctica. Mount Whitney is Disneyland for hikers.

That's not saying Whitney should be avoided. Like Disneyland, there's a good reason crowds all congregate at one California landmark. Few other places in the world offer a well-tracked trail to 14,496 feet, where anyone with a pair of sturdy boots can trek to the top of a country, and a big one at that. Technical skills are optional on this trail, though patience and a degree of elevation tolerance is vital.

The trail begins at 8,368 feet in the Whitney Portal campground, at the end of a paved road from Lone Pine. The trailhead is a maze of parking lots, which, in the summer months, are nearly always filled to capacity.

This is the part of the forest where black bears rule; they bash in the windows of parked cars and steal whatever they find. So frequent are the bear burglaries that people are aggressively ticketed for leaving tempting packages in plain view.

I feel relieved when I walk into the wilderness and away from bear country. From the trailhead it's over 11 miles and 6,000 vertical feet to the flat-topped summit, a gradual trail, but not for wimps. Whitebark pine forests slowly give way to exposed granite over the first 7 miles, then base camp marks a strenuous and rocky climb to Sierra Crest.

I drafted my dad and his friend Tom, two avid hikers in their late 40's, up the steep section of trail affectionately called &quot;100 switchbacks.&quot; I lose count after 75. Most hikers complete this hike as two to three-day backpacking trip, but Dad, Tom and I are going to do it in a day.

Sierra Crest is marked at 13,600 feet, already higher than I have ever hiked. The elevation puts a clamp on my lungs, and I feel a vague sense of sleepiness creeping into my head, even though my heart is pumping. The trail rolls along the ridge behind sheer pinnacles. You could stumble and fall 2,000 feet, but the immaculate trail helps prevent that. Thousands of footsteps per year have worn a nice groove in the jagged mountain

At this point I'm laboring up the trail, but it doesn't matter. I'm a hiker that climbs to look, not conquer. The green and gold of Sequoia stretches across the horizon. Deep blue lakes sparkle beneath a cloudless sky. From here you can almost see the depths of Death Valley - the lowest point in the United States and only 90 miles from this point.

Dad and Tom are a ways ahead by the time I ascend the final slope - a gradual ramp that eventually levels off. This is the peak - flat, spacious, almost custom-designed for large capacities. A crowd of about a dozen people are scattered over the rocks. We plop next to a geographical marker - &quot;Latitude: 36? 35' x; Longitude: 118? 17' x,&quot; it says - and fix some lunch. We have great view of Lone Pine - 13 miles east, of Yosemite national park, of the expansive Nevada desert, of the Sierra Nevadas stretching over the horizon.

A strong wind whips past my head and muffles the incessant chatter. If I turn my head toward the sheer drop to the east I almost feel alone. Almost. They say if you want solitude, go elsewhere. If you want to see the spectacular top of America's biggest and brightest, go to Whitney.

Directions: From Los Angeles take highway 14 to U.S. highway 395 north to Lone Pine, about 200 miles. Turn west onto Whitney Portal Rd. 13 miles to the trail head. Permits are required for this hike and are somewhat difficult to obtain. Call Inyo National Forest, Mt. Whitney District, (760) 876-6200, for more information.

About The Author

Jill Homer is a graphic artist and freelance travel writer currently residing in Tooele, Utah. She specializes in outdoor adventure writing. For more information please visit <a href="http://www.biketoshine.com" target="_new">www.biketoshine.com</a> or contact <a href="mailto:jill@biketoshine.com">jill@biketoshine.com</a>.

Cochin - Cocktails of Cultures

Eulogised as the Queen of the Arabian Sea, Cochin, Kerala's commercial capital is an anachronism. The dashing metropolitan city prides itself on a historical heritage stretching back to ancient times and embracing within its far reaching hold, cultures as diverse as Hindu, Chinese, Arab, Jewish, Syrian Christian, Portuguese, Dutch and English. One of the finest harbours in the world, nature has generously endowed Cochin with clear lagoons, emerald plantations and sprawling beaches whose splendour is perfectly complimented by forts, palaces, temples, museums, old churches, and today, modern sky rises.

Essentially a collection of islands and jutting peninsulas, Cochin is made up of Ernakulam, Willingdon Island, Mattancherry and Fort Kochi. Ernakulam, the business centre comprises the mainland, separated from Fort-Kochi and Mattancherry by the Periyar River, while the man-made island of Willingdon lies between Ernakulam and Mattancherry. An international airport and seaport connects Cochin with the great world outside and an efficient internal network of roads, railways and water works keeps the city machinery moving.

However it is its social and cultural extravagance, rather than the physical, that distinguishes Cochin amongst other unique Indian cities. Graced with a port that enjoyed optimum exposure to foreign influences, Cochin has developed into a rare mishmash of influences: Here is where you'll find the oldest European church in India St. Francis Church. Here is also where a 16th century synagogue provides spiritual succor to a thriving, if miniscule, community of Jews. Besides, Cochin showcases Hindu Temples, a Portuguese palace (presented to a Hindu Raja and renovated by the Dutch!), forts, streets and shops in a delightful tapestry that often blurs the individual threads. So much so that the origin of its name remains a mystery. Believed to be a modification of 'Cochazi' or 'small sea' in Malayalam, it could as well have been the Chinese traders from the court of Kublai Khan who named it 'Kochi' after their homeland - Cochin is almost the only place in the world where you can see the quaint Chinese fishing nets outside China.

No mystery surrounds Cochin's rise to prominence as a port. In 1340 AD, the world famous Kodugallur Port, just north of Cochin, was destroyed by flooding of the Periyar River. Kodugallur's loss however, was Cochin's gain, as it soon assumed importance as a substitute port for carrying on the trade in spices such as cardamom, pepper, cloves and cinnamon.

While the Chinese and Arabs enjoyed trade with Cochin as much as 2000 years ago, Christians are said to have originated from the visit of the apostle St. Thomas himself and Jews are believed to have settled here in AD 388.

In 1500, Pedro Alvares Cabral, a Portuguese navigator pioneered a settlement in Cochin. Vasco de Gama established the first Portuguese company and in 1503 the Viceroy Alfonso de Albuquerque built a fort. The British, who took over Cochin in 1635, were driven out by the Dutch in 1663. In 1776, Cochin fell in the hands of Hyder Ali, but was lost by his son Tipu Sultan in1791. After passing through British hands again in 1795, the Dutch finally ceded Cochin in 1814.

Such an influx of the Chinese, Arabs, British, Dutch and Portuguese, including great travelers like Fa Hien and Sir Robert Bristow gave rise to a flowering of commerce and culture in Cochin, making it a centre of cross cultural interactions. The prosperous spice trade, of which all Cochin's racial and religious groups including Hindu, Muslim, Christian and Jewish minorities were beneficiaries as they shared in the city's prosperity, facilitated this.

Off all these inhabitants of Cochin, the Jews are perhaps the most interesting. The oldest of the Jewish communities in India, and distinct from the much larger and more absorbed Bene-Israel Community of Maharashtra, they are known to have been in India since more than a thousand years. While their arrival in India has been speculated to occur around the time of the destruction of the Second Temple in 70 BC, others speculate it to coincide with the Assyrian exile in 722 BC or Babylonian exile in 586, or even from the era of King Solomon himself.

Persecuted by the Moors and later the Portuguese, many Indian Jews settled in Cochin under the protection of Cheraman Parumal known to the Portuguese as the &quot;King of the Jews&quot;, where they prospered. Today however only a handful of Jews remain in Cochin, where the Pardesi Synagogue in Jew Street stands testimony to better times enjoyed by the community.

Jew Street remains one of the lasting anachronisms of Cochin. A corner of the city where the earlier Jewish traders had their establishments, the ancient cobbled street lying between rows of old timber wood buildings is almost medieval. Shops selling different varieties of spices still exist here and the combined fragrance of these condiments hangs heavy in the air. At the end of the street is the Jewish Synagogue also known as the Pardesi Synagogue. An ancient structure built in 1664, it uses oil-burning chandeliers from the 19th century to light up the interior while blue and white hand-painted Cantonese tiles make up the flooring. The Torah ? The Jewish scriptures- written on sheepskin scrolls are lovingly housed in ornate metal receptacles.

Cochin's charms remain timeless.

Roozbegh Gazdar Content Writer <a target="_new" href="http://www.traveljini.com">http://www.traveljini.com</a> <a href="mailto:seo@traveljini.com">seo@traveljini.com</a>

Going it Alone: The Waterfall at Mendenhall Glacier, Alaska

I stood at the observation point on the balcony at the Visitor Center overlooking the great Mendenhall Glacier at Juneau, Alaska. Before me was a beautiful scene. The glacier reflected in the large lake. Ooh, ahh. Both to the left and right were mountains. It was a beautiful clear day. I watched the people too, walking around taking photos, and looking at the scenery before us and at the displays in the center, just a few feet away.

A constant roar came from a tall and full waterfall to the right of the glacier. Once, the glacier covered the waterfall. No one was aware of its presence before the glacier receded. I looked closer at the base of the waterfall. There seemed to be a sandbar and people walking on it. With my binoculars I traced the path they must have taken below me. It crossed large sandbars separated by streams and covered with bushes. I found the general location of the beginning of the path. A ranger told me that there was a way to get out there, but it wasn't official, and that it was a little steep at one point. I decided that the best way to see such a beautiful place was up close, so I decided to try it. My mom and my husband were along with me. I told them I wanted to try the path, and asked if they wouldn't mind just hanging around waiting for me since they didn't want to join me.

Into the bushes I went. Immediately, I had to scramble along steep wet slate under the cover of brush. After following some wrong trails and trying again, I found myself in the large bush-covered sandy area heading towards the waterfall. I jumped little streams and plotted my course across to my goal. My last obstacles were climbing a large rock, and then traversing a 20 ft. wide stream dotted with well-placed stepping stones.

I walked right up to the roaring waterfall, and even climbed up along side it a ways on large rocks. Walking away from the waterfall I encountered a large cloud of mist that emanated from its base. I walked out along the sandbar towards the center of the lake and found a large rock to sit on. I had a snack, enjoying being present in this amazing location -- surrounded by the lake and flanked by a glacier, a grand waterfall and mountains. I met people too. Some kids were climbing up much higher than I had on the rocks. A gentleman from Germany took my photo, and I took a photo of two girls out on their own adventure.

After an hour of 'hanging around,' I turned back. I crossed the creek, climbed the rock, and then looked for hikers emerging from the bushes to find the best path back. A couple times I had to stop and wait for new hikers so I could find the path again. The sun was setting, the floating icebergs were glimmering on the lake, and I enjoyed every moment of delay.

My entire trek took about two hours -- worth every moment. My husband and my mom were very understanding and said they enjoyed the visitor center and the scenery (which included me through the telescope!) I'm glad I had the courage to ask for that time. It would have been easy just to do the scheduled tour, and to take no risks. William Shedd once said, 'A ship in the harbor is safe, but that is not what ships are built for.' I find that when I go further, it makes all the difference. It creates treasured memories.

About The Author

Paths began to beckon Theresa when she was 12, visiting the Bridger Wilderness in Wyoming. Walking, dancing, and movement are a part of her, nourished by John Denver*s musical challenge for her to *fly.* Join her *walking with women* Life Discovery Tours.

Learn more about Theresa Gabriel - Women Summit LLC

<a href="http://www.womensummit.com" target="_new">http://www.womensummit.com</a> - Life Discovery Tours, Women*s Retreats

Backcountry Safety ? An Essential 10-Point Checklist

The call of the wild can be seductive. The exquisite beauty of the wilderness, the incomparable solitude, the simplicity of life on the trail, and the rush of living a bit on the edge attract thousands of eager backcountry enthusiasts. Sometimes enthusiasm gets in the way of wisdom and adequate preparation. Hikers, campers and other nature lovers can find themselves lost, unprepared or badly hurt. Colorado's Mountain Rescue Association reports its teams respond to more than 1,000 search and rescues per year. Victims often suffer from frostbite, dehydration, shock or severe trauma. Not all emergencies can be prevented, but many can. Poor preparation, poor judgment and hubris can be a dangerous combination that can lead to pure misery, injury or even death. Be wise and commit to the safety rules established by the experts. The following 10 rules are promoted by the officials of The Appalachian Club (www.outdoors.org) and the Colorado Mountain Club (www.cmc.org) :

<B>#1 Alert Others to Your Plans </B>? Be sure to tell family or close friends where you are going and when you plan to return. Fill out a hiker log at the Ranger Station in the wilderness area that you intend to visit. Know who can initiate a search and rescue in the area you are visiting. It may be the County Sheriff, but in the National Park system it's the Park Ranger.

<B>#2 Educate Yourself </B>- There is an ethic of self-reliance in the backcountry. You have to rely on your own abilities to stay out of a jam, or get yourself out of one. You must know your own limitations. If you are heading into a new area, study the guidebooks. Ask around to get as much information you can on the terrain, the type of experience, the topography, and any other features you may need to watch out for. Do not overlook the option of traveling with an organized group with a knowledgeable leader to give you at least an introduction.

<B>#3 Expect Weather to Change Quickly</B> - In many locations, weather can be unpredictable and unforgiving. Seasonal changes can add to this challenge most anywhere. Be sure to check weather reports before heading out, and if the forecast is dismal, postpone your trip. The trail will be there tomorrow.

<B>#4 Dress to Prevent Hypothermia</B> - Heed this advice, even if you are planning a simple day hike. The chief reason that people die in the backcountry is hypothermia or 'exposure' ? a lowering of core body temperature. Jeans and cotton t-shirts become a real problem when they become wet and hold moisture next to the skin while drawing heat away from the body. Polypropylene and silk wick moisture away from the skin and help retain body heat. Next, consider insulating layers such as synthetic fleece or wool, and an outer shell that protects from wind or moisture. A hat will significantly help preserve body heat. Loose-fitting clothing is better than tight fitting. Feet can become cold if your belt or boots are too tight and impairing your circulation.

<B>#5 Prioritize When Packing</B> - The average survival experience lasts three days. To negotiate that, you will need some sort of shelter that provides a windbreak to keep you warm and dry, as well as water to maintain hydration, a fire starter, a back-up fire starter, and a mirror for signaling. Do not over-emphasize the usefulness of flares, strobes and flashlights. Someone may possibly spot them accidentally at night, but those intentionally looking for you will be searching in daylight. A fire is more useful. It is reassuring when you are tired, panicky and cold. It can warm you up, melt snow to keep you hydrated, or to treat a hypothermic victim with warm liquid. A fire can be a signaling device during the day. Remember the power of &quot;3&quot; ? three fires in a triangle, three columns of smoke, three whistles and three gunshots, are the international signal for distress.

<B>#6 Know Your Equipment</B> - If you are not quite sure how to use your compass and topographical map, find the appropriate help or course at an outfitter or in a book by experts. Maps, compasses, and GPS devices are useless in your pocket. The time to read the instructions on your emergency fire starter is not when it is dark, you're cold, and your hands are shaking. Using your equipment should be second nature. Survival will be 10% equipment, 10% knowing how to use it, and 80% will be your own intelligence and attitude.

<B>#7 Stay Hydrated</B> ? Drink a minimum of two quarts of water a day. Hydration is incredibly important in preventing hypothermia and in maintaining the ability to think clearly. If you lose two percent of your body's fluid content through normal sweat and urination, and don't replenish it, you can begin experiencing headaches, nausea, sleeplessness, increased heart rate and decreased muscle strength. The body cannot generate heat if it's dehydrated. If you are planning to get water from a river or stream, bring a water filter or some method of disinfecting or treating it. Some people boil it. In a survival situation, keeping yourself hydrated makes drinking any available water worth the risk. Although water-borne viruses do exist in rivers and streams, you will probably be rescued by the time that virus makes you sick. Staying hydrated is most critical.

<B>#8 Feast on Carbohydrates</B> ? Carbohydrates provide quick and sustainable energy. Complex carbohydrates are best, but a mix of simple and complex carbohydrates is perfectly suitable. Bring foods such as fruit and granola bars that provide concentrated energy for the least amount of weight. Proteins, such as beef jerky, are the worst. Your body needs time and energy to break down proteins, and they can require a lot of water.

<B>#9 Remain Calm</B> ? Keeping your wits about you in an emergency situation will prolong your life and greatly increase the odds of survival. Maintaining a positive mental attitude is the biggest advantage in a survival situation. This is especially important if you have an injury, a fatality, or someone who is hypothermic or giving up. These situations will have a debilitating effect on the group. Rescuers report that they have had people run away from them because they're in a hysterical, threatened mindset. Be cool and calm to help you survive. (Remember, the average situation lasts three days.)

<B>#10 Stay Put </B>- If you become delayed, don't take off in a different direction or try a shortcut. Alpine rescuers say that the biggest problem they have is that people are not where they are supposed to be. They are often miles from where they said they were going to be. If you become badly lost, settle down and stay put.

Get Wild...Stay Safe!

Copyright 2005 Karen B. Cohen All rights Reserved.

Karen B. Cohen is a performance and wellness coach living in a college town in rural Virginia. A lifelong outdoor enthusiast, Karen enjoys a variety of pursuits in the Upper Shenandoah Valley and the Blue Ridge Mountains. She is an expert yoga instructor and occasionally leads yoga hikes near her home. She is available for seminars, workshops and individual coaching, and can be reached through her latest project <a target="_new" href="http://www.RockbridgeMag.com">http://www.RockbridgeMag.com</a>

(Karen@RockbridgeMag.com)

Protection from Lightning - Smart Strategies for Hikers and All Outdoor Enthusiasts

Prevention is your best protection against lightning. Be sure to check your local weather report before you head outside. Learn how to read the sky and where to run for cover. Lightning can and does strike in the same place twice, do not make yourself vulnerable by becoming a target.

<B>Reading the Sky</B> Stay aware of the sky above you with your eyes and ears. To estimate how far away a lightening storm is, count the time between the lightning flash and the sound of thunder. Every five seconds difference in time equals one mile in distance. If you hear thunder 12 seconds after you see a flash, the lightning struck just over 2 miles away (2 2/5 miles).

<B>Things and Places to Avoid </B> <ul> <li> If lightning is moving toward you, stay away from: Fences, metal pipes, clotheslines, power lines, rails and other metallic paths that could carry lightning to you from a distance.</li> <li> Natural lightning rods such as a tall isolated tree in an open area.</li> <li> Metal objects you may be holding or carrying (bicycles, ski poles, golf clubs, etc.).</li> <li> Isolated sheds or other small structures in open areas. </li> </ul>

<B>Safe Havens</B> The preferred (safest) place to be during a lightning storm is inside a home, large building or a car (but, never a convertible). <ul> <li>If you are miles from a suitable shelter, you must seek refuge in low areas away from tall objects such as trees, towers, or mountain ridges.</li> <li> In flat country, head for dense woods, ravines or large groves of young trees.</li><li> For shelter in the forest, find a low area under a thick growth of small trees.</li> <li> If you are caught in an open area, crouch in a low place like a valley or ravine. Be watchful of flash floods. </li> </ul>

<B>Stuck in the Storm</B> To do your best to avoid injury: <ul> <li> Get on your hands and knees - just drop to your knees and bend forward. Never lie flat on the ground.</li> <li> Use whatever insulation you may have available. Attempt to have as little of your body touching the ground as possible. Crouch on a log or your sleeping bag or foam pad.</li> <li> Get out of your tent if it contains metal poles or other parts.</li> <li> If your hair starts to stand on end, act quickly because lightning is about to strike.</li> <ul>

Copyright 2005. Karen B. Cohen All Rights Reserved

Karen B. Cohen is a performance and wellness coach living in a college town in rural Virginia. A lifelong outdoor enthusiast, Karen enjoys a variety of pursuits in the Upper Shenandoah Valley and the Blue Ridge Mountains. She is an expert yoga instructor and occasionally leads yoga hikes near her home. She is available for seminars, workshops and individual coaching, and can be reached through her latest project <a target="_new" href="http://www.RockbridgeMag.com">http://www.RockbridgeMag.com</a> (Karen@RockbridgeMag.com).

Be Sure to Buy the Best Discount Camping Gear Before Going on that Family Adventure

When you're on the Internet looking for discount camping gear, it's good to read an online camping equipment review. There are so many camping outdoor gear products on the market today that the challenge is choosing between them. Some basic things to look out for when buying camp gear preferably at almost wholesale prices is to make a camping supplies list with these in mind affordability and lightweight products.

Some of the best camping equipment and gear manufacturers on the market today include Ozark Trail, Coleman, Motorcycle, Swiss, Eddie Bauer, Brunton, Hillary, Eureka, North Pole and Wenzel. Search online and you can buy all sorts of new or used closeout camping supplies like backpacks, sleeping bags, tents, camping furniture and other camping stuff.

There are tons of stores and outlets online including Wal Mart that you have access to anywhere in the world like Canada, Phoenix, Northwest Territory, New York Washington DC, Chicago, Oakland, San Francisco, Seattle, San Jose, Ohio, Philadelphia, Boston and even the UK. These outdoor merchants that sell everything from cooking gear, furniture, kid & family gear and so much more.

When you buy camping supplies and gear don't forget you can use most of this gear and camp equipment when going on a hiking, biking, fishing or even hunting trip as most of the supplies are useful.

L. Dente is a successful author and publisher of <a target="_new" href="http://www.discount-camping-gear.org">http://www.discount-camping-gear.org</a> Get information on camping gear, backpacks, tents, sleeping bags, furniture and other camping stuff.

Dancing With Whales

We've all heard about whalewatching from boats or shore, and a few companies are now offering the possibility of actually swimming and snorkeling with whales in the wild. Is this a good thing?

Some whalewatching operators in the Kingdom of Tonga, South Pacific islands, advertise the possibility of swimming and snorkeling with humpback whales during the cetacean's annual migration from July to October. This activity sounds appealing, yet there are a number of things to consider.

To drop clients off within snorkeling distance of a whale, the swim boats must come closer than the 30 meters laid down in Tongan government guidelines in 1997. Engine noise from a maneuvering boat can startle a whale, and repeated disturbances can lead to the animals changing their behaviour and even abandoning their traditional habitat. The nursing and resting routines of the pods can be disrupted, potentially threatening the health of the whales.

This high-risk activity is not covered by most travel insurance policies. The humpback whales of Tonga are wild animals with powerful fins, and swimming near one always involves some risk. The movements of these huge creatures can be fatal to a human swimmer, either accidentally or if the beast feels threatened, and a nursing mother with calf can be especially unpredictable. Swimming into the path of a whale greatly increases the danger.

In Tonga, sharks are known to frequent areas where there are whales, especially calves, and at least one shark attack on a Tongan guide swimming with whales has been recorded. A tragic accident involving tourists seems to be only a matter of time.

Most whale encounters occur in deep waters where unperceived currents and wave action can soon tire a snorkeler and possibly lead to panic. For these reasons, responsible whalewatching companies like http://www.whalediscoveries.com do not offer snorkeling with whales.

Of course, the demand is there, and pressure has come to bear on the Tongan Government to revise its guidelines to allow boats to come within 10 meters of a whale. Several new whalewatching licenses have been issued recently, raising the number of commercial operators in this small area to about a dozen, and vessels often have to queue to drop off swimmers. Cases have been observed of boats approaching to within five meters of whale pods, and of mother humpbacks and calves being pursued out to sea.

Visitors should be aware that by purchasing such an excursion, they could be adversely affecting the noble creatures they came to see. It's a good idea to discuss these matters with the operator before booking your trip, and to avoid those who seem most interested in maximizing their own profits at the expense of the whales.

Even if you decide to book such a tour, be aware that only 10 percent of swim-with attempts are successful and there are no refunds. These concerns only apply to attempts to actually swim with whales, and whalewatching from a boat at a safe distance is no problem.

David Stanley is the author of Moon Handbooks South Pacific <a target="_new" href="http://www.southpacific.org/pacific.html">http://www.southpacific.org/pacific.html</a> which has a chapter on Tonga. Stanley's online Tonga Travel Guide is at <a target="_new" href="http://www.southpacific.org/text/finding_tonga.html">http://www.southpacific.org/text/finding_tonga.html</a> while his Tonga travel photos are on <a target="_new" href="http://www.pacific-pictures.com/tonga/">http://www.pacific-pictures.com/tonga/</a>

You have permission to publish this article electronically or in print, free of charge, so long as the byline and resource box are included. Please do not use this article without the byline and resource box. Many thanks!

Hawaii Snorkeling - An Underwater Paradise

Hawaii snorkeling is a fun activity available to almost any skill level of swimmer, where you can discover a breathtaking array of Hawaii's most exotic sea life a few yards from shore. Colorful coral, lava flows, turtles and more than 700 species of fish are found in the clear, high- visibility waters warmed to an average temperature of 75-80 degrees Fahrenheit. Getting yourself outfitted is no problem, as there are dozens if not hundreds of rental facilities around, ranging in price from $10-20 day, and if you're staying at a resort you can possibly score free equipment available to their guests.

Once you're outfitted and ready for some Hawaii snorkeling, head out to some of Hawaii's best snorkeling venues. Likely the most well-known of these is Molokini. The Molokini crater is what's left of an extinct volcano a few miles off Maui, shaped like a crescent moon. This is s must-see spot! Other great Hawaii snorkeling locations on Maui include Honolua Bay, Kapalua Bay and Makena landing. Honolua is regarded by locals as the best snorkeling and diving spot on Maui, while Kapalua Bay boasts calm waters, safe swimming, and one of the world's best beaches. Makena offers excellent cave snorkeling, and endangered green sea turtles. Other Hawaii snorkeling spots worth getting wet in would be Hanauma Bay Nature Park on Oahu, a marine preserve; and Waimea Bay, best known for it's surfing. In fact, during winter months snorkeling isn't permitted due to high surf. On the Big Island there's Kealakekua Bay and Hapuna Beach. If your Hawaii snorkeling plans take you to Kauai, try Ke'e Beach and Po`ipu Beach Park.

Wherever your Hawaii snorkeling trip takes you in the islands rest assured that there is practically no bad place to dip your feet in! Be safe though; don't snorkel alone, snorkel in safe waters, observe warning signs, and beware of high surf. And don't feed the fish! They've survived centuries without Cheezits; don't get them started now!

Your Hawaii snorkeling adventure is waiting just under the warm waters of whichever island you choose. Don't forget the camera!

Keith Thompson runs <a target="_new" href="http://www.Hawaii-Vacation-Directory.com">http://www.Hawaii-Vacation-Directory.com</a>, where you can find many resources for your <a href="http://www.hawaii-vacation-directory.com/index.hmtl"> Hawaii vacation package </A>

A Fishy Road Trip in Cairns

The Cairns Fishing Adventure
A Great Australia Road Trip

You love holidays? You love to fish? Then you'll need to come to Cairns, Australia where the fishing is, quite simply, bloody fantastic.

You've got options coming out of your ears when you fish in Cairns on your next Great Australian Road Trip. It has almost every species of Pacific game fish in the blue waters near the reef. You can go fishing in the estuaries; you can go fishing in the rivers. You can go fishing offshore, onshore, and in sections of the reef. In fact, we can't be sure if anyone does anything else up in Cairns. You can self drive at your own leisure, or hire out a charter and go on a great adventure, cashing in on local knowledge for all the best fishing spots.

The Cairns Plan
So, the plan is - fly into Cairns Airport and venture off in your new car rental to start hunting some cold-blooded scaley things. The mighty Black Marlin, the Barracuda, the Giant Trevally -- they're all lurking out there. Go get'em!

If you feel a little overwhelmed by the array of fishing alternatives before you, you can always start out locally. There's some great fishing to be had at some of the northern beaches just a short drive from Cairns city.

Palm Cove is about 25 kilometres from the centre, Yorkeys Knob (and who could resist fishing somewhere called Yorkeys Knob?) is even closer. Or right in the centre you've got Barron River, where you can bag yourself all sorts of tropical river and estuarine fish.

The Serious Road Trip Begins
But why come all the way up to Cairns just to cling to her skirts and miss out on some excellent fishing spots further out? Get yourself a <a href="http://www.vroomvroomvroom.com.au/locations/cairns/">Cairns car hire</a> and take a road trip to Australia's ultimate fishing adventure.

Spectacular fishing, depending on the time of year, can also be had in the Russel Mulgrave river (40 kilometres south of Cairns) and the mighty Daintree river (just north of Port Douglas) which lines the Daintree National Park.

And if you've scored yourself a 4WD there's nothing stopping you from fare-welling the beautiful and languid Port Douglas, after you've hauled in some beauties whilst floating about on the Daintree River, to burrow right on past Cooktown (good fishing there too surprise surprise) and into the wilds of Cape York.

Throw yourself about in the depths of surrounding national parks, like Cape Melville, Jardine River, Lakefield, and Iron Range. It's at this point you may start considering staying up here, growing a very long beard and spending the rest of your life in a pair of short shorts.

No car in Cairns? Rent One!
Rental cars are available everywhere in Cairns. Try searching google for something like <a target="_new" href="http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=mozclient&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&q=cairns+car+hire+deals">cairns car hire deals</a> and you'll be able to "snapper" up a cheap deal.

Drive Safe and Happy Fishing!

Richard Eastes<Br> VroomVroomVroom Car Hire
<a target="_new" href="http://www.vroomvroomvroom.com.au">http://www.vroomvroomvroom.com.au</a>

The Lumemo Trail - An African Wilderness Experience for the Practiced Hiker

The Udzungwa Mountains National park was created primarily for the protection of flora rather than fauna. The park was registered in 1992 and is the first of its kind in Tanzania. This park is a series of mountain rangers and interlocking valleys - ranging from the top of the Kilombero Valley at 300 meters above sea level to peaks of around 2,570 meters above sea level. Only experienced hikers can mange this difficult train. Making these mountains pristine and largely untouched by humans.

The Lumeno trail is 65km long and follows the path of the Lumeno River, which is sourced in the heart of these mountains. There are three campsites along the trail that are roughly spaced at 7 to 8 hour walk intervals. They are basic campsites. Remember in Africa basic means just that, basic ? simply a peace of ground cleared for your tents. It usually takes three to four days to complete this hike.

The trail passes through three types of vegetation: Miombo Woodland, Grassland and forest. Some of the wildlife you may see on this trail is the, red colobus & black and white colubus monkeys, yellow baboon, sykes monkey, sanje mangabey, bushbuck, waterbuck, bush pig, buffalo, elephant and red duikers.

Many birds species are common along this trail including Pel's fishing owl, which is an indicator of how rich the river is in fish. There are river rapids along this trail with jumping fish and diving otters.

We recommend hiking of this trail to be done in the dry season ? June to November ? as in the rainy season the river becomes swollen and turbulent making the river dangerous to cross. The flooding can also hide crocodiles, which can be a greater danger than the swollen river.

This is not an experience for the faint hearted, however, if you love the wilderness this is an experience not to be missed.

Bethel adventures ? <a target="_new" href="http://www.betheladventure.co.uk">http://www.betheladventure.co.uk</a> is a nonprofit organization. We are using tourism to improve lives. We are at present focusing all our initiatives in northern Tanzania.

Santa Cruz Church ? the Portuguese Legacy in Bangkok

Santa Cruz Church, the church of the holy cross, was first built the reign of King Taksin, a legacy of Thai-Portuguese relations that date back to the 16th century.

Nestled among old houses on the river banks and newer buildings inland, the reddish dome of the old Catholic church is a prominent landmark on the Chao Phraya.

Descendants of the early Portuguese traders built the first Santa Cruz Church in 1770 after the fall of Ayutthaya. The Portuguese, the first Europeans in Thailand, arrived in Ayutthaya shortly after they captured Malacca in 1511.

As the area was also claimed by the Thai King, the Portuguese shrewdly dispatched an envoy to the court of Ayutthaya in the same year to reassure the Thais of Portuguese intentions.

In 1516, Portugal signed a treaty with Thailand to supply firearms and munitions. With the treaty came with the rights to reside, trade and practice their religion in Thailand. This brought the first Portuguese friars in 1567 who established the Catholic Church in Ayutthaya.

After the destruction of Ayutthaya in 1767, the Portuguese continued with their military support to King Taksin in his efforts to drive the Burmese out of Thailand. The supply of cannon and muskets contributed significantly to King Taksin's army.

In recognition of their services, King Taksin granted the Portuguese a plot of land to build a wooden church in an area called Kudi Jeen. Thus, the church is sometimes called Wat Kudi Jeen.

Over the next 65 years, the wooden church in Kudi Jeen fell into a state of disrepair. In 1835, Cardinal Pallegoix rebuilt and renamed the church, Santa Cruz Church meaning Holy Cross Church in English.

The present Santa Cruz Church was rebuilt again in 1913 and this structure has remained ever since.

The gate to the spacious courtyard is a short distance from the Santa Cruz Pier on the Chao Phraya. A crucifix is in one corner of the courtyard and a statue of Mary within a beautiful garden in the other.

Within a smaller courtyard, surrounded by a low wrought iron fence, stands the neat cream colored church trimmed in reddish-brown and topped by a domed belfry. The sidewalls of the church are decorated with stained glass etched with biblical images.

The church and the inner courtyard are closed on weekdays. To the rear of the church, away from the Chao Phraya, there's a little cemetery with nine tombstones encased in marble.

The well-kept church grounds are quiet on weekdays save for the rhythmic strains of children reciting their lessons in the Santa Cruz Convent nearby and the occasional passerby on the way to the pier.

Like an urban oasis with narrow sois (lanes) leading to the busy streets outside, the Santa Cruz Church is all that remains of Portuguese influence in Kudi Jeen today.

The Santa Cruz Church is part of the <a target="_new" href="http://tour-bangkok-legacies.com/bangkok-communities.html">Bangkok Communities</a> that make up the the rich cultural milieu of Bangkok.

<a target="_new" href="http://tour-bangkok-legacies.com/santa-cruz-church.html">Santa Cruz Church</a> first appeared in <a target="_new" href="http://tour-bangkok-legacies.com/">Tour Bangkok Legacies,</a> a travel site with a historical perspective of renowned places preserved for posterity and the legendary figures who left these legacies in the landscape of Bangkok. The author, Eric Lim, is a free- lance writer who lives in Bangkok Thailand.

Wildebeest Migration - How To Get The Best Seats In The House

To get the most out of a wildebeest migration safari you need to know where the best places along the migration route are, the times you need to be in certain areas and who the top migration safari companies are.

The Best Spots On the Migration Route

Have you ever seen those wildlife documentaries that show masses of wildebeest swimming across a river being shadowed and sometimes dragged under by huge crocodiles or drowning because of the crush and fatigue?

And those wildebeest that do make it across safely sometimes fail at the last hurdle because the bank is too steep and slippery with mud for them to reach the top even though they make a huge effort to do so.

This all forms part of the incredible wildebeest migration that takes part every year in the Serengeti and Masai Mara game reserves in East Africa.

The best spots to see spectacles like the ones described above are at the Grumeti river in the western corridor of the Serengeti because this is the first major river the hordes of wildebeest need to cross in their quest for sweeter grazing in the north.

And the massive crocodiles are waiting...

The second and last major river they need to cross before they get to the Masai Mara reserve is the Mara and this is also an excellent vantage point from which to watch the drama play out.

But something that few people know is that there is another part of the wildebeest migration that is just as incredible as the actual trek north.

And this is the annual foaling of about 400 000 wildebeest calves all in about a three week period early in the year.

This is also an awesome spectacle and the best spot to experience this is the southern Serengeti in February. You are also bound to see a lot of the predators like lion, hyena, leopard and cheetah take advantage of this food bonanza.

Timing Is Everything With the Wildebeest Migration

So how is it possible for a million wildebeest to just disappear?

This is a question that gets asked reasonably often by people who go to the Serengeti to see the migration but get the timing wrong and then they fail to find the huge herds.

The answer is that the million wildebeest are still there but they are spread out across a wide area on the Serengeti plains so it just seems like there are fewer of them because they aren't ready to mass for the trip up north yet.

So how can you make sure you get the timing right?

It's extremely difficult to predict when the migration will occur because it's all dependant on the rain. And the rain comes at different times each year but it is possible to make a rough estimate based on past occurrences so if you are in the Central Serengeti in April-May you should start to see them move northwest towards the Grumeti controlled area.

In June you will find them doing their death defying swim across the Grumeti river and soon after in August they attempt to ford the Mara river in the north to reach the life sustaining grassland of the Masia Mara in Kenya.

In November-December the migration starts to move southwards towards the Serengeti plains again to capitalise on the fresh grasses that have grown there in the interim.

Top Wildebeest Migration Safari Companies

A very important decision you need to make if you want to experience the wildebeest migration successfully concerns the safari company that you choose to guide you.

It's very easy to become confused because there are so many operators in the market.

Make sure they are a reputable company by getting recommendations from previous travellers that have been on safari with them in Serengeti wildebeest migration trip reports.

You can also check their membership in various safari associations - KATO - Kenya Association of Tour Operators, TATO - Tanzania Association of Tour Operators and ATTA - African Travel and Tourism Association.

And lastly make sure that they can satisfactorily answer all your questions about their payment, refund and cancellation policies and what the exact itenirary will be.

Choosing the wrong company for your wildebeest migration safari can be disastrous.

Make the right choice of wildebeest migration companies by using the <a target="_new" href="http://www.african-safari-journals.com/serengeti-migration.html">Top Three Serengeti migration operators list</a> which ranks the best companies according to their past performance.

The <a target="_new" href="http://www.african-safari-journals.com/honeymoon-safari.html">Top Three Honeymoon Safari Companies List</a> ranks the best of the best honeymoon safari operators by using trip reports from previous travellers.

A Review of Inflatable Boat Manufacturers

There are many manufacturers of inflatable boats on the market today. Included below is an overview of each of the key manufacturers.

Zodiac Inflatable Boats: Zodiac Inflatable Boats can be set up in no time, stored in a closet at home, transported in the trunk of the user's car, or kept in a locker on board. Zodiac Inflatable Boats are for safe, economical, hassle free boating. Their models are Cadet S, Cadet Yachtline, Cadet Fastroller, Touring S, Futura S, Futura Fastroller, and Futura Sport.

Avon Inflatable Boats: Since 1959, Avon Inflatable Boats have produced over 200,000 inflatable and rigid inflatable boats, from the traditional Redstart Dinghy to highly sophisticated 8 meter Searider rigid hull craft, and encompassing a very comprehensive range, covering all sectors of leisure, commercial, rescue and defense needs. Avon makes all their products in the same factory, to the same exacting standards, not only for the user's enjoyment, but also for their total safety and security.

Sevylor Inflatable Boats: Sevylor makes a wide range of products to meet the needs of most recreational boat users. Sevylor Inflatable Boat models include the Sevylor SV series, the HF series, the XR series, the K series, the Sun series, the SVX series, and the T series.

Mercury Inflatable Boats: Mercury Inflatable Boats are built light and strong. They are even stronger now, and therefore capable of taking the additional weight of today's Four Stroke outboard motors. Whatever can be done in a conventional boat can be done in a Mercury Inflatable Boat ? from fishing, cruising, exploring an estuary or waterway near your campsite, to the high-energy action of skiing and wakeboarding.

Sea Eagle Inflatable Boats: For over 36 years, Sea Eagle has been producing inflatable boats for all kinds of waters. Whether the user is looking for a yacht tender, fishing boat, or inflatable sail boat, Sea Eagle has a model that suits the need. Sea Eagle's largest Inflatable Boat, the 14sr can take a 40 hp motor and will easily pull a teenage wakeboarder.

Achilles Inflatable Boats: Every Achilles Inflatable Boat is made with proven four-layered fabric reinforced with DuPont Hypalon?. Even though it takes more time to hand glue a Hypalon? boat, no fabric is more effective in resisting damage from the elements, oil, gasoline or abrasions. And nothing is better for air retention than the interior Neoprene? coating Achilles Inflatable Boats use. So Achilles takes the extra time Hypalon? hand-gluing requires to insure that unsurpassed quality, safety and durability are built into every Inflatable Boat, from their smallest dinghy to the largest utility boat.

Coleman Inflatable Boats: Coleman sells Inflatable Boats and Kayaks. For example, the Inflatable Boats of Coleman include the 2-person, 3-person and 4-person Colossus Boats with oars. Coleman also sells the Navigator 1-person, 2-person, 3-person and 4-person boats without oars. Coleman gives a guarantee to the user against leaks for all of their inflatable products.

<a target="_new" href="http://www.e-inflatableboats.com">Inflatable Boats Info</a> provides detailed information on pontoon, rigid and fishing inflatable boats, as well as trailers, repairs, used inflatable boats and manufacturers. Inflatable Boats Info is the sister site of <a target="_new" href="http://www.e-riverrafting.com">River Rafting Web</a>.

Whitewater Rafting Trip

For the dedicated water sport enthusiast there can be no greater challenge than embarking on a whitewater rafting trip. The abundance of whitewater rafting trip courses available worldwide offer enjoyment and challenges for both the novice and the more experienced adventurer.

A whitewater rafting trip is one of the most adrenaline filled extreme sports available to modern thrill seekers or all who love rafting trips. It's always wise to remember that a whitewater rafting trip or indeed any extreme sport could be dangerous when proper safety precautions are not adhered to. Before deciding to partake in a whitewater rafting trip, it's advisable to obtain proper training.

Internationally accepted grading systems, usually rating a river on a scale of I to VI, enable whitewater rafting trip enthusiasts to easily choose a river to suit their personal level of technical ability and competence. This makes it possible for any whitewater rafting trip to provide the challenge you are personally able to manage while enjoying the rafting trip to the full extent.

From the novice toying with the idea of a whitewater rafting trip to the more experienced competition level enthusiast the United States and Canada offer a vast number of rivers where whitewater rafting trip sportsmen can test every level of skill. The rivers used for many whitewater rafting trip adventures are generally of a lower volume and require a different set of skills than their whitewater rafting trip western counterparts.

A scenic and profound experience like the Grand Canyon can be enjoyed on a whitewater rafting trip without having to worry about extreme conditions due to the higher water level requiring a different level of expertise. Technically demanding rivers allow the more experienced whitewater rafting trip enthusiast to push for personal improvement in skills like river reading and precision maneuvering.

Whitewater rafting trip rivers located in certain areas of the United States are considered to be 'technical' and their lower water volume requires a higher river reading skill level than usual for rafting trips. Often the whitewater rafting trip sportsman must maneuver through potentially dangerous boulder filled areas and narrow channels and his experience of rafting trips will determine his course of action.

The whitewater rafting trip adventure in the western United States requires different skills to meet its challenges, as the large water volumes create an entirely different scene. Not only must the whitewater rafting trip enthusiast face frequent logjams and big rapids, but also steeper descents and unpredictable weather conditions. This ensures that any whitewater rafting trip in these areas is full of excitement and the skills needed vary from river to river.

A relatively young river full of power and challenge offers an opportunity to test both physical and mental boundaries while enjoying the complete whitewater rafting trip challenge. Bound up in a whitewater rafting trip is the opportunity to experience nature's strength while simultaneously developing knowledge and understanding of the natural world and I am certain that all who thrive on rafting trips will agree.

Modern kayaks are manufactured in a variety of different designs and are chosen according to the specific requirements of the kayak travel enthusiast. Whitewater kayak travel enthusiasts have their own special craft design, which is tough enough to withstand the pressures of a whitewater racing kayak trip.

Any kayak travel undertaken on the open seas is best done is a special sea kayak that has been designed for this specific type of kayak trip. The length of kayaks used in kayak travel today also varies greatly. Depending on your kayak travel needs, vessels are available in sizes ranging from about 6 ft and seating one passenger, to vessels that reach 12 ft in length and have space for several adventurers.

Kayak travel classes are freely available and offer courses and kayak trips where lake and sea are explored in a group setting. Experienced kayak travel teachers can guide newcomers to the kayak trip adventure and this makes for a relaxed yet revitalizing experience easily enjoyed by the young and not so young.

Copyright 2005 Southern Kayaks

<a target="_new" href="http://www.southernkayaks.com/paddling/whitewater">White Water Rafting</a>

Botswana Safari Top Five National Parks and Game Reserves

A Botswana safari is an excellent trip to undertake because the setting is as unique as you will find anywhere in Africa, the game viewing is exceptional and the accommodation is top notch.

By using travel journals submitted at the African Safari Journals website, my personal experience of over twenty years, forums, magazines and the general consensus in the travel industry this is the list of the five best national parks and game reserves to go on a Botswana safari in...

1. <a target="_new" href="http://www.african-safari-journals.com/okavango-delta.html">Okavango Delta and Moremi GR</a>

The Okavango Delta must qualify as the most unique and varied safari area in Africa.

The delta lies in the North of Botswana and it consists of narrow water channels lined by papyrus, floodplains covered knee deep in water, hippo filled lagoons, forest glades and savannah grassland.

You can go on outstanding wildlife viewing expeditions here on foot, using a 4x4 vehicle, a mokoro (dug-out canoe) or a motorised boat.

Vast herds of buffalo, elephant, gazelle and zebra roam this rich ecosystem which is fed by the Okavango river which has its source in the Angolan highlands and floods the delta every year.

This treasure trove of available prey attracts the predators too and lion, leopard, cheetah and wild dog thrive here. The dry season is the best for game viewing because the animals are drawn to the permanent water sources.

The Moremi game reserve consists of strictly controlled, privately managed concessions and it falls within the Okavango delta area and has no fences which leaves the animals free to roam around as they please.

There are a number of upmarket Botswana safari lodges in Moremi such as the Vumbura concession which contains both wetland and savannah areas for the best of both worlds.

The Delta is at its most impressive in August when the water is at its deepest and most of the young are born between November and March when the vegetation is lush and dense so it might be a good idea to plan any botswana safari to coincide with these events.

2. Chobe NP

One of the defining activities of a Botswana safari in the Chobe National Park is to take a cruise on a river boat just before sunset on the stretch of the Chobe river from Kasane town to Serondela campsite and watch masses of hippo, crocodile and elephant along the banks as the fiery orb dips slowly beneath the horizon with a glass of champagne in your hand.

But you shouldn't restrict yourself to only this area because a deeper exploration of the park will reveal a great variety of habitats, wildlife and birds.

The area is rich in plant life and contains floodplain, grassland, baobab, mopane woodland and sandveld habitats. This is elephant country and there are so many of them that they cause considerable damage to the vegetation in the park.

It also has big buffalo herds (which attract lion and hyena), zebra, lechwe, the chobe bushbuck and the rare puku antelope. Leopard and cheetah also avail themselves of the big gazelle herds and the Savuti channel which bisects the park is a good place to see the predators.

Over 440 species of bird have been recorded here including the rare Pels fishing owl which can be spotted at dusk and small flocks of African skimmers which visit in June and July. The distinctive call of the Fish Eagle is a common sound as they thrive in this water rich area.

There are over twenty species of edible fish that you can catch in the Chobe river.

3. Mashatu GR

This is the largest privately owned game reserve in Southern Africa and it is situated in the remote eastern part of Botswana at the confluence of the Limpopo and Shashe rivers.

A Botswana safari here will reveal no less than seven of Africa's giants: the African elephant, the lion, giraffe, the baobab tree, the eland, the ostrich, and the kori bustard.

Night drives are available which will allow you to see leopard, genet, serval, caracal, aardwolf, aardvark and springhares and because this is a private reserve off-road riding is allowed which gets you much closer to the animals and helps in tracking them.

You are almost guaranteed of seeing the big five here and a large variety of birdlife too such as the martial and black eagles, kingfishers, rollers and the strange looking ground hornbill.

4. Linyanti GR

The Linyanti river forms a natural border between Botswana and Namibia and on its southern banks the Linyanti reserve contains marshland and lagoons similar to the Okavango farther south.

This is a private reserve so off road and night drives are the order of the day and some fantastic game viewing is on offer with a proliferation of birdlife too. The wildlife here lives in a world of floodplain grassland-- dotted with islands of ivory palms and other trees-- savannah, scrub and woodland.

Rare and beautiful antelope like the sable, roan, red lechwe and the aquatic sitatunga which submerges itself under the water when it feels threatened make their home here. The main predators are lion, hyena, leopard, cheetah, wild dog, serval and bat eared foxes.

If you are very lucky on your Botswana safari, you might catch a glimpse of the multi colored Narina Trogon bird which is quite rare in this area.

5. Makgadikgadi NP

For a Botswana safari with a difference, the Makgadikgadi National park is hard to beat.

Standing in this vast expanse which was once a superlake but has dried up to form a huge salt pan which is flat as far as the eye can see with an occasional rocky outcrop and sand dune dotting the landscape is an amazing experience.

And the contrast with the wet season when the park is transformed into a water wonderland is simply breathtaking. Wildebeest, zebra, springbok and gemsbok migrate here during the rainy season to take advantage of the temporary pans that form and then leave again once they start drying up in the searing heat of the dry season and if the rains are good thousands of migratory flamingos arrive to breed.

The primary objective in visiting this reserve is not to view game because the areas they frequent during the rainy season are virtually inaccessible, but to experience the magnificent solitude and true isolation of this location.

You will experience millions of stars in the night sky and absolute unremitting silence which is a rare thing in the modern world.

This <a target="_new" href="http://www.african-safari-journals.com/safari-in-botswana.html">Top Three safari in Botswana operators list</a> will help you choose between all the companies available to guide your own African safari.

So what are <a target="_new" href="http://www.african-safari-journals.com/botswana-safaris.html">Botswana safaris</a> to the best national parks and game reserves there really like? Find out from these travel journals at the African Safari Journals website.

PaintBall Gun Buying Tips

There are so many selections available when it comes to paintball guns that choosing one can be overwhelming.

The most important thing is to make sure that you have done research on the guns that you are interested in buying. Research them on the Internet and ask the more experienced players for their opinions on the guns in question. Make an initial trip to the store, or webpage, to look over the guns and make a list of the ones that you are interested in purchasing. Then do your research.

You want to make sure that the gun is constructed well. The parts should work, fit right, and be durable. Paintball guns take quite a bit of abuse, so your gun must be durable. Remember that metal is stronger than plastic. Depending on the playing environment that you will use the majority of the time, you may not want a flashy, colorful gun. These will stand out and make you a target. Choose black or dark colors.

The weight of the gun matters. Keep in mind that you will be carrying the gun, and even running with it. If it is too heavy for you, do not buy it. Walk around with the gun for several minutes in the store to get a feel for it if possible.

Is the gun simple to operate? If not, you may not want that gun. You want a gun that is easily maintained and easy to operate. Make sure the gun is upgradeable. You may want to add more features to your gun later.

When a new gun comes on the market, do not rush out to buy it. Give it some time and see what the reviews and opinions from the players who did rush out to buy it are. If you are new to the game, you should rent the gun and other equipment for a while. This will give you the opportunity to see what you like in a gun before you spend your money.

Make sure that the gun has a safety device on it. This protects you, and those around you. Also, check the warranty on the gun. A one-year warranty is typical. Finally, look at the price. There are some expensive guns out there. However, a higher price does not mean higher quality. Just know exactly what you want from a gun, do your research, and then find one that meets your specifications in your price range.

Chirstopher Reeve is the owner and operator of PaintBall-Tips.com (<a target="_new" href="http://www.paintball-tips.com">http://www.paintball-tips.com</a>) where he discusses on how to get started in playing paintball and advance strategies.

Bird Watching Tips

Simply sitting and watching birds is a popular hobby around the world. It's fun and relaxing at the same time.

Many people quite enjoy just watching the birds in their garden, yard, trees and bushes from their front window. And it's even better to actually go out into the wild and watch the birds in their own natural habitats.

"Natural Habitat" of course usually means going into the woods, or to remote areas. So before going on a bird watching outing, be sure you've prepared a little. First and foremost, be sure you're wearing the appropriate clothes for both the location you'll be visiting, and the climate that area is currently experiencing.

If you live in a warm desert area for instance, and you plan to go up a mountain for a day of bird watching, you'll want to first find out if there's any snow on the mountain, or whether it's cold during the daylight hours.

You'll of course also want to be sure you have some food or snacks, and plenty of water to keep you hydrated.

Binoculars are almost a requirement for bird watching too. They allow you to get a close up view of any birds, nests, and chicks. Many bird lovers also enjoy having pen or pencil, and a notepad on hand so they can take notes about the birds they've seen, or sketch them as they're watching.

And of course if you like pictures... you'll want to bring along a camera :)

Last but not least, it would be helpful to have some sort of bird identification system or reference available. Whether you can take it with you into the woods, or you have it hanging at home, these are always quite useful over the long term.

? 2005, Kathy Burns-Millyard. This article is brought to you by The Bird House Shop Section of The Garden Source Network. Attract Wild Birds to your Garden this Spring with <A target="_new" HREF="http://birdhouses.garden-source.com/Bird-Houses/">Bird Houses</A>, <A target="_new" HREF="http://birdhouses.garden-source.com/Bird-Feeders/">Bird Feeders</A>, & <A target="_new" HREF="http://birdhouses.garden-source.com/Bird-Baths/">Bird Baths</A>!

This article may be freely published on any website, as long as the author, copyright, website address and link, and this notice are left intact.

Tent and Outdoor Gear Care and Repair

TENT CARE

You should seal all floor seams and those seams on the rainfly. This will make the tent waterproof. If the manufacturer already taped the seams, get some seam sealer anyway and seal the corners. Better to be safe than sorry.

Always use a ground sheet with your tent. This will cut down on the wear and tear of your tent floor. Rocks are sharper than you think and over time will push right through that nylon. If you do not buy a ground sheet made specifically for your tent, buy a plastic sheet and cut it slightly smaller than the dimensions of your floor. This will keep water from accumulating between the sheet and the tent floor.

Always store your tent DRY. If it gets wet on your trip, don't worry. Set it up when you get home and it will dry in about 30 minutes. If you store it wet, mildew will accumulate in the nylon and destroy the material. There is no way to stop mildew after it is there. Always store your tent DRY.

Store your tent in a relatively cool place. If you leave it in a hot room or car the sealed seams will delaminate causing the tent to lose its waterproofness.

FABRIC MAINTENANCE

A durable water-repellent (DWR) finish is applied to the outermost surface of waterproof/breathable clothing and equipment during manufacture. It prevents the fabric from absorbing moisture by making water bead up and roll off while minimizing condensation within the garment and maximizing breathability. This finish is not permanent and must be maintained to optimize performance.

Clean the fabric. Dirt attracts water, so clean the fabric with Nikwax Tech Wash non-detergent cleaner. Detergents can leave water-attractive residues that don't rinse out. They also contain agents that can wash away water-repellent treatments. Never use liquid detergents or fabric softeners.

Restore durable water repellency. Washing and using fabrics can make them begin to absorb water or "wet out". Nikwax TX-Direct completely restores durable water repellency and will last several washings without re-applying after every wash like other treatments.

Keep the fabric clean. Once treated, keep the fabric clean with Nikwax Tech Wash to maximize performance and extend the life of the fabric's new water-repellent finish.

BOOT CARE

The less water absorbed by leather, the longer it will last and the more comfortable you will be. Once wet, it stretches and weakens-shrinking and becoming brittle as it dries. Leather is skin without natural occurring lubricants and protectants of living skin, making it essential to keep it clean and add waterproofing and conditioners to maintain it.

Rinse off mud and dirt with plain fresh water, using a nylon brush if necessary. Small particles of dirt can work their way into the fibers of the leather causing it to dry out and break down.

Use a Nikwax waterproofing treatment of ours to protect and preserve the leather. If using a water-based treatment, (Aqueous Wax Leather Waterproofing, Nubuck and Suede, Fabric and Leather or Leather Cleaner and Conditioner) apply immediately after washing off boots with water. Wait until leather is dry before applying Nikwax Waterproofing Wax for Leather or Liquid Nikwax.

Put in a warm, but not hot place to dry out. Excessive heat damages footwear. To help dry a boot that is filled with water or thoroughly soaked, stuff it with newspaper. Replace wet newspaper with dry, and repeat until boot is dry.

WATERPROOFING

--Boots - Boots are made of leather because it is comfortable, supportive, naturally water-repellent, and breathable. The less water absorbed by leather, the longer it will last and the more comfortable you will be. Once wet it stretches and weakens, shrinking and becoming brittle as it dries. Here are a few simple suggestions to keep boots performing at their best for years to come.

CLEANING:

The first step to boot maintenance is regular cleaning. Small particles of dirt can work their way into the fibres of the leather causing it to dry out and break down. After use rinse off mud and dirt with tap water. To remove oil-based dirt, excess wax and stubborn grime that will not be cleaned by plain water use NIKWAX Footwear Cleaning Gel and a nylon brush. Be sure to clean the linings of your boots with a warm damp cloth after each use as well. Salt from perspiration can pass into the lining rapidly destroying the leather making it dry and cracked.

RESTORE or ADD WATER-REPELLENCY: This is important not just to keep your feet dry, but will keep boots cleaner and maintain the leather's suppleness for improved durability. After cleaning boots with water, apply the appropriate NIKWAX waterproofing treatment to the entire boot, paying special attention the stitching and hardware (anywhere the leather has been punctured) to ensure complete protection from the elements. Reapply as necessary or after use in severe conditions. For best results let boots dry for 24 hours before use.

DRYING: Start by removing the laces and insoles. Dry boots slowly at room temperature. Do not expose boots to a direct heat source. Excessive heat can cause irreversible damage to the leather and is harmful to the adhesives used in boot construction. To help dry a boot that has been filled with water or is thoroughly soaked, we recommend stuffing it with newspaper. Replace wet newspaper and repeat until boot is dry. CONDITIONING: Conditioning boots can reduce the break-in time for new boots or revive old dried out boots. We suggest using NIKWAX Liquid Conditioner for leather, a few times a year or as needed.

--Sleeping Bags - Nikwax non-detergent soaps clean without harming water-repellency and help to restore the bag's loft. Nikwax waterproofing treatments are made from breathable elastic water-repellent elastomer called TX.10 that bonds to the fibers of the fabric and fill material. Treating sleeping bags with Nikwax makes them less susceptible to humidity and allows them to stay drier longer.

Down-Filled Sleeping Bags - Clean with Nikwax Down Wash, waterproof both down and shell fabric with Nikwax Downproof Wash-In, for Waterproof/Breathable outer shell fabrics - Waterproof outer shell fabric only with Nikwax TX-Direct Spray-On.

Synthetic-Filled Sleeping Bags - Clean with Nikwax Tech Wash, waterproof both insulation and shell fabric with Nikwax Polarproof Wash-In ,for Waterproof/Breathable outer shell fabrics - Waterproof outer shell fabric only with Nikwax TX-Direct Spray-On.

1) Use In A Front Loading Washing Machine for best results. Machine application provides an even distribution of the active ingredients. Use a large capacity (30 or 50 lb. load) commercial, front load machine. Top loading machines can cause damage to the bag. Set water Temperature to WARM.

2) Pre-Wash with the appropriate Nikwax non-detergent soap to remove dirt, water-attracting detergent residue and contaminants. Rinse the bag thoroughly. Apply the appropriate Nikwax waterproofing treatment to the clean, wet bag.

3) Add The Water-Repellent Treatment to the wash cycle soap dispenser after loading the bag into the machine (do not add to the pre-wash soap dispenser).

4) Tumble Dry the bag at the heat recommended on the CARE TAG. Large bags will require several hours of tumble drying. Make sure the bag is completely dry before storing. TECH TIP Use of a sleeping bag liner will help keep your bag clean. Make sure that your bag is thoroughly dry before storing in a loosely packed oversized stuff sack or sleeping bag storage sack.

Special consideration for sleeping bags with waterproof/breathable shells: Apply Nikwax TX-Direct Spray-On according to the directions on the bottle if all you want to do is add repellency to a bag that has a waterproof/breathable shell. Downproof and Polarproof can be used on bags with waterproof/breathable shell fabric, although they will slightly reduce breathability.

--Tents

1) Clean by sponging off the tent or pack with a solution of Nikwax Tech Wash and water to remove any dirt. ( Note: do not wash the tent in a washing machine.) You may also spray the tent with water to remove dirt or soap.

2) Treat by applying Nikwax Texnik while the fabric is still damp, spray or apply with a brush generously and evenly on the uncoated side of the fabric. Check carefully to make sure no areas of the fabric have been missed. Wipe up runs with a damp cloth. Allow to soak into cloth for 5 minutes and then wipe all excess (drips, runs, puddles) away with a damp cloth. (Note: Failure to do so may leave a white residue) Apply a second coat to areas of high traffic or abrasion (such as tent floors or pack bottoms), following the instructions above. Allow the first coat to dry before applying the second, rewet the fabric before applying so that it is damp to the touch.

3) Maintain after treating by sponging it off with a solution of Nikwax Tech Wash and water. Single Wall Tents and Bivy Sacks

1) Clean by sponging off the tent or bivy with a solution of Nikwax Tech Wash and water to remove any dirt. ( Note: do not wash in a washing machine.) You may also spray with water to remove dirt or soap, rinse thorougly.

2) Treat by applying Nikwax TX Direct Spray-On while the fabric is still damp, spray generously and evenly on the outer side of the fabric, rub into the fabric with a damp cloth to ensure even distribution. CHECK CAREFULLY to make sure no areas of the fabric have been missed. Allow to soak into cloth for 5 minutes and then wipe all excess (drips, runs, puddles) away with a damp cloth. Wipe away drips, runs or puddles 15 minutes later. (Note: Failure to do so may leave a white residue) Tent floors or bottoms that are not made with waterproof/breathable fabrics should be treated with Nikwax Texnik. Follow the same instructions as for above. Apply a second coat to areas of high traffic or abrasion. Allow the first coat to dry before applying the second, rewet the fabric before applying so that it is damp to the touch.

3) Maintain after treating by sponging it off with a solution of Nikwax Tech Wash and water followed by a thorough rinse with water.

--Outerwear

A durable water-repellent (DWR) finish is applied to the outermost surface of waterproof/breathable clothing and equipment during manufacture. It prevents the fabric from absorbing moisture by making water bead up and roll off. This minimizes condensation forming within and maximizes breathability. The DWR finish is not permanent and needs to be maintained to optimize performance. Safe for use on Gore-Tex?, Sympatex?, Entrant?, Ultrex?, TriplePoint? and all liner and shell fabrics.

1) Clean with Nikwax Tech Wash. Dirt will attract water and reduce the beading-up of droplets on the fabric's surface. Wash the garment in Nikwax Tech Wash non-detergent soap. Detergents can leave water-attractive residues that will not rinse out. They also contain agents that can wash away water-repellent treatments. Never use liquid detergents or fabric softeners.

2) Treat to restore durable water-repellency with Nikwax TX-Direct. Washing and using fabrics can make them begin to absorb water or "wet out". Nikwax TX-Direct completely restores surface water-repellency which enhances breathability. Nikwax TX-Direct lasts several washings and does not need to be reapplied after every wash like other treatments. TX-Direct is available in both wash-in and spray-on versions.

3) Maintain by cleaning the fabric with Nikwax Tech Wash. Once treated, keep the fabric clean with Nikwax Tech Wash to maximize performance and extend the life of the fabric's new water-repellent finish.

--Fleece and Insulated Garments

Even though synthetic insulating fibers naturally absorb little moisture they can hold substantial liquid within the structure of the knit or weave. This significantly reduces the thermal insulating qualities of the garment. With proper cleaning and the addition of Nikwax Polarproof you can improve the performance of your insulated clothing-especially in wet or humid conditions. Stay drier, warmer and be more comfortable. Nikwax treatments will not affect the look, feel or breathability of the item. Ideal for use on PolarTec?, Synchilla?, Chinella?, Thinsulate?, LiteLoft?, Primaloft?, Polarguard/ PolarguardHV? and Hollofill?.

1) Clean the fabric with Nikwax Tech Wash. Dirt will attract water and reduce the beading-up of droplets on the fabric's surface. Wash the garment in Nikwax Tech Wash non-detergent soap. Detergents can leave water-attractive residues that will not rinse out. They also contain agents that can wash away water-repellent treatments. Never use liquid detergents or fabric softeners.

2) Treat to add durable water-repellency with Nikwax Polarproof. Nikwax Polarproof adds surface water-repellency which reduces water-absorption, minimizes weight gains and maintains insulating properties. Nikwax Polarproof lasts several washings and does not need to be reapplied after every wash like other treatments. Polarproof is an easy-to-use wash-in treatment.

3) Maintain by cleaning the fabric with Nikwax Tech Wash. Once treated, keep the fabric clean with Nikwax Tech Wash to maximize performance and extend the life of the fabric's new water-repellent finish.

--Down Garments

Down is an amazing natural fiber that has an unbeatable warmth to weight ratio. It's compressible, resilient and very long lasting if properly maintained. The major drawback of using down-filled clothing is it's inability to retain loft and insulate when wet. To optimize the performance of your down-filled garments: 1) clean it regularly and, 2) add the appropriate Nikwax water-repellent finish. When machine washing always use a front load machine-top loading agitator machines can damage the garment.

1) Clean with Nikwax Down Wash. Dirt and body oils will contaminate the down causing it to clump together and loose loft. Dirt also attracts water and reduces the beading-up of droplets on the fabric's surface. Wash the garment in Nikwax Down Wash non-detergent soap. Detergents can leave water-attractive residues that will not rinse out. They also contain agents that can wash away the natural oils of the down. Never use liquid detergents or fabric softeners.

2) Treat to add water-repellency with Nikwax Down Proof. The performance of down-filled garments in wet or humid conditions will be enhanced by applying the appropriate Nikwax treatment. To add water-repellency to the whole garment--shell, down and inner lining--use Nikwax Down Proof. Nikwax Down Proof is a wash-in product that will treat the whole garment with a durable water repellency (DWR) that does not affect breathability, look or feel. Note: If your down garment incorporates a waterproof breathable shell fabric, you should use Nikwax TX-Direct Spray-On. Nikwax TX-Direct lasts several washings and does not need to be reapplied after every wash. TX-Direct Spray-On should be used on these garments when you do not want to treat the down itself. Independent lab tests indicated that Nikwax Down Proof could slightly reduce the breathability when used on a fabric with a microporous laminate or coating. However, the reduction was so slight that is would not be noticeable in the field. If a slight loss of breathability is a concern, use TX-Direct Spray-On.

3) Maintain by cleaning with Nikwax Down Wash. Keep the item clean with Nikwax Down Wash to maximize thermal properties of the down and extend the life of the garment.

- Outerwear Endorsements for Nikwax Products: Boulder Gear, Burton, Degre 7, Granite Gear, Kokatat, Marmot, Moonstone, Mountain Hardwear, Ned Limbo Phd, Obermeyer, Outdoor Research, Pacific Trail, Rail Riders, Schoffel, Sequel, Sierra Designs, Solstice, Spyder, The North Face, W. L. Gore.

WATER FILTER CARE

Keep Your Water Filter Flowing

Most people often overlook cleaning their filter after a trip and before storage. You can triple or quadruple the life of your filter if it is cleaned properly. Most filters come with extensive cleaning/maintenance instructions, which you should follow closely. Here's a list of procedures that will increase your filter's performance greatly.

Backwash a Filter

When output starts to slow, detach the intake hose and attach it to the filter outlet. Pumping will send a "backwash" of clean water through the filter, loosening some of the accumulated gunk. After backwashing or before storage, the filter element must usually be sanitized with a diluted bleach solution.

Scrub a ceramic element

This means removing and wiping off the ceramic cylinder. If the water flow has slowed, scrub the cylinder with a toothbrush to restore normal output. Some ceramic elements contain silver to limit the growth of bacteria, fungi, and algae within the filter, which keeps you from having to sanitize it after cleaning. Note, however, that the silver isn't intended as a water treatment by itself.

Clean the surface filter

This means removing the filter membrane and scraping or brushing it clean. Most people replace their membrane when it turns gray. After removing the membrane, you must sanitize it with a bleach solution or by boiling.

Start with the cleanest water you can

Try and not make your filter work harder than need be. Use pools rather than large currents, because they stir up sand and debris. Always hold the intake hose above ground so you won't suck up any mud, muck, or leaves.

Let water settle

Dip up a container of water and set it aside to let the suspended solids settle out. A few hours will help, but leaving water to settle overnight is best.

Copyright ? <a target="_new" href="http://www.TheCampingGuide.com">http://www.TheCampingGuide.com</a> 2003

Original article @ <a target="_new" href="http://www.thecampingguide.com/articles/GEAR/Gear-Care-and-Repair.asp">http://www.thecampingguide.com/articles/GEAR/Gear-Care-and-Repair.asp</a>

Going it Alone: The Waterfall at Mendenhall Glacier, Alaska

I stood at the observation point on the balcony at the Visitor Center overlooking the great Mendenhall Glacier at Juneau, Alaska. Before me was a beautiful scene. The glacier reflected in the large lake. Ooh, ahh. Both to the left and right were mountains. It was a beautiful clear day. I watched the people too, walking around taking photos, and looking at the scenery before us and at the displays in the center, just a few feet away.

A constant roar came from a tall and full waterfall to the right of the glacier. Once, the glacier covered the waterfall. No one was aware of its presence before the glacier receded. I looked closer at the base of the waterfall. There seemed to be a sandbar and people walking on it. With my binoculars I traced the path they must have taken below me. It crossed large sandbars separated by streams and covered with bushes. I found the general location of the beginning of the path. A ranger told me that there was a way to get out there, but it wasn't official, and that it was a little steep at one point. I decided that the best way to see such a beautiful place was up close, so I decided to try it. My mom and my husband were along with me. I told them I wanted to try the path, and asked if they wouldn't mind just hanging around waiting for me since they didn't want to join me.

Into the bushes I went. Immediately, I had to scramble along steep wet slate under the cover of brush. After following some wrong trails and trying again, I found myself in the large bush-covered sandy area heading towards the waterfall. I jumped little streams and plotted my course across to my goal. My last obstacles were climbing a large rock, and then traversing a 20 ft. wide stream dotted with well-placed stepping stones.

I walked right up to the roaring waterfall, and even climbed up along side it a ways on large rocks. Walking away from the waterfall I encountered a large cloud of mist that emanated from its base. I walked out along the sandbar towards the center of the lake and found a large rock to sit on. I had a snack, enjoying being present in this amazing location -- surrounded by the lake and flanked by a glacier, a grand waterfall and mountains. I met people too. Some kids were climbing up much higher than I had on the rocks. A gentleman from Germany took my photo, and I took a photo of two girls out on their own adventure.

After an hour of 'hanging around,' I turned back. I crossed the creek, climbed the rock, and then looked for hikers emerging from the bushes to find the best path back. A couple times I had to stop and wait for new hikers so I could find the path again. The sun was setting, the floating icebergs were glimmering on the lake, and I enjoyed every moment of delay.

My entire trek took about two hours -- worth every moment. My husband and my mom were very understanding and said they enjoyed the visitor center and the scenery (which included me through the telescope!) I'm glad I had the courage to ask for that time. It would have been easy just to do the scheduled tour, and to take no risks. William Shedd once said, 'A ship in the harbor is safe, but that is not what ships are built for.' I find that when I go further, it makes all the difference. It creates treasured memories.

About The Author

Paths began to beckon Theresa when she was 12, visiting the Bridger Wilderness in Wyoming. Walking, dancing, and movement are a part of her, nourished by John Denver*s musical challenge for her to *fly.* Join her *walking with women* Life Discovery Tours.

Learn more about Theresa Gabriel - Women Summit LLC

<a href="http://www.womensummit.com" target="_new">http://www.womensummit.com</a> - Life Discovery Tours, Women*s Retreats

Take a Hiking Pole on Your Next Hike

It is the downhill ski racing competition of the winter Olympics. You watch a ski racer zoom down the slope manoeuvring through the ski gates. However, you notice that something is missing. The skier has on skis, boots, and a giant slalom skin tight racing suit. You realize what's missing when their arms flail about causing them to lose their balance on a patch of ice. They are missing their ski poles.

It is the cross country skiing competition of the winter Olympics. You cheer from the crowd as the skiers fly down the trail. Each skier pushes hard with their ski poles. However, one skier is left far behind the pack because he does not have any ski poles. His graceful cross country rhythm has been interrupted due to a lack of balance.

In both cases, the skiers lost the race because they were missing their ski poles. Ski poles are vital because they help maintain balance, provide support, and relieve some of the pressure off your body. If the use of a ski pole is so crucial, then why is it that many hikers do not use a hiking pole during their hikes?

You might not think of a hiking or trekking pole as a necessity until you compare hiking to cross country skiing. In hiking you traverse across a terrain of varying degrees and obstacles. There is constant stress and strain on your muscles and joints as you navigate through rocks, sandy areas, and elevated terrain. Your knees and lower back are constantly adjusting to the pressure placed on them. This can lead to soreness and pain. This is comparable to the demands of cross country skiing.

Hiking pain can be reduced by investing in a hiking or trekking pole. Hiking poles have a wide range of benefits including: improved balance, endurance, and ward off knee injuries. Hiking poles can enable you to successfully cross streams and work through steeper terrain. A mental side effect is that they can boost your confidence allowing you tackle the hiking trail with vigor.

There are different types of hiking and trekking poles available. There are long wooden poles, shorter aluminum poles, snow poles, and ice axes. Want to beef up your regular hiking pole? Hiking poles have various accessories to choose from including: hand grips, shock absorbers, and camera mounts. If you are going on a winter hike you can add a basket to your pole. Another important aspect of your hiking pole is its tip. The common tip is made of carbide. However, rubber tips are also available. Each tip has pros and cons which should be considered when purchasing a pole. Consult a hiking professional to assess which pole is best for you.

If you want more stability and less stress on your body consider investing in a hiking or trekking pole. The ability to navigate through difficult terrain will become a reality. Hiking poles can cost money, but they are worth every penny.

Monica Marty is a hiking fan and the webmaster of <a target="_new" href="http://hikingtrailfinder.com/">http://hikingtrailfinder.com/</a> where you will find a directory and information on Hiking

Review: Russell Shortos The Island At The Center Of The World

Up to now the preponderant view held by many historians is that Dutch contribution to American history and particularly to that of New York has been one of irrelevancy. As we no doubt realize, the winners write history, and unfortunately, whatever the losers may have contributed, it seems to be lost or forgotten in the shuffle.

Fortunately, during the past thirty years and thanks to the translation of many Dutch records that have been recently discovered pertaining to the early colony of New Netherlands, a different picture has emerged. It is this new perspective that author Russell Shorto has vividly and brilliantly captured in his latest gem of a book entitled, The Island at the Center of the World.

Shorto devotes considerable ink in defending his thesis that the success of Manhattan as a commercial center, or New York, as it was renamed after the British takeover, did not begin with the English but rather had very deep roots in the early Dutch community. It was in fact in the late 1640s that the city of New Amsterdam under Dutch rule began its rise to become North American's shipping hub. Furthermore, one of the key actors who played a pivotal role in the community was, up to now, a long forgotten visionary, Adriaen van der Donck, who often found himself, locked in a power- struggle with Peter Stuyvesant. The latter has always been more recognizable than the former, particularly due to the fact that it was he who surrendered the Dutch colony to the British.

What was very little publicized up to now was that van der Donck had being heavily influenced by the more progressive thinking of some of Europe's most enlightened thinkers as Descartes, Grotius, and Spinoza. It is the freedoms espoused by these thinkers that van der Donck believed in. Eventually, they would find root in the Dutch colony, ultimately becoming the foundation of many of the democratic principles forming the basis of the American cultural, economic and sociological psyche. On the other hand, Stuyvesant, who lacked the same formal education as van der Donck, was stuck in his old tyrannical concepts and narrow- minded prejudices, which effect was to stifle the aspirations of the inhabitants of the Dutch colony. It is fortunate for the USA that the theories and beliefs of van der Donck won out.

As a side note and to indicate the extent of the Dutch influence on American culture, Shorto also reveals such interesting tidbits as what settlers emigrating to the Dutch colony would bring along with them, the derivation of words such as cookies, cole slaw and Santa Claus, that can all trace their roots to the Dutch colony of New Netherlands. We also have an overview and some fascinating insights as to what actually transpired between the Dutch and the English at the time the latter took possession of New Nederland.

Shorto's animated characterizations of individuals and events is consistently enlightening entertaining, informative and balanced, all of which make for a powerful analysis of events that have had an unbelievable influence on American culture, political and economic institutions.

The review was contributed by: NORM GOLDMAN EDITOR OF BOOKPLEASURES
_______________________________________________________________

Norm Goldman is editor of the book reviewing site, Bookpleasures.com and is also editor of the travel site, <a target="_new" href="http://www.Sketchandtravel.com">www.Sketchandtravel.com</a>.

Norm is a regular contributor to many book reviewing sites as well as travel sites.

Norm and his wife Lily are a unique couple as they meld words with watercolors focusing on romantic and wedding destinations.

They are always open to invitations to visit romantic and wedding destinations in New England, Florida and New York.

A Holiday in Rajasthan

Romancing History ? A Holiday in Rajasthan

Rajasthan, the name evokes myriad impressions ? an intricate tapestry of colour, sound and smell. Holidaying in Rajasthan brings one face to face with mammoth contradictions ? where royal grandeur is easily offset by rustic charm and lavish opulence belies ingenious survival. Geographically too, Rajasthan is a land of contrasts: dense forests give way to an arid landscape and lofty hills separate baking dunes from brimming lakes. And no Rajasthan holiday is complete without an experience of the spirited Rajputs, whose proud and haughty exterior conceals an inner friendliness and warm sense of hospitality.

Rajasthan, meaning the land of the kings, has a history dating back 5000 years. A Rajasthan holiday is the experience of a living tradition. Dotted with well-preserved architectural wonders echoing age-old legends, many of these, especially the ancient havelis are in use even today. Similarly, ancient temples in this mystic land have effortlessly spanned eons of worship by the devout as they resound even today with chanting and ringing of bells.

Holiday in Rajasthan! Follow in the footsteps of the ancient caravans as you travel through this ageless land by a camel safari or step into the shoes of kings, as you ride into palaces sitting atop an elephant. Track the tiger in wild Rajasthan or have a holiday adventure driving a jeep over sand dunes in a hip desert adventure.

Cultural Rajasthan

Rajasthan is dotted with the reminders of its ancient past, its forts ringing with ballads of the valour and romance of the Rajputs. But the tourist is not a visitor to dead relics showcased in a museum. A Rajasthan holiday is an enthralling ride through the living portals of history.

Bikaner: Located in North Rajasthan, Bikaner is desert country famous for its medieval spirit, its monuments and camels. Junagarh fort, Lalgarh palace, Jain Haveli and Bhandeswari are a feast for the holiday crowd.

Jaipur: Rajasthan's pink city offers a holiday with a refreshing blend of the traditional and the modern. Its attractions include the Hawa Mahal, Albert Hall, Jantar Mantar and the forts, Nahargarh, Jaigarh, Amber and Moti Dungri.

Jaisalmer: The magic of the desert is very alive in this legendary town famous for its havelis ? traditional mansions that are artistic expression with skilled craftsmanship, carvings and paintings. Other attractions include the breathtaking Jaisalmer Fort and the Tazia Towers.

Jodhpur: The ancient Marwar empire in the desert, this military town is also famous for the kingly sport of Polo. It is famous for its monuments including Umaid Bhawan Palace, Mehrangarh fort and Jaswant Thada.

Udaipur: Known for its lakes and palaces, this is the ultimate Rajasthan holiday. Udaipur epitomizes artistic endeavor from brilliant architecture and miniature painting to vibrant performing arts. Tourists are simply dazzled by the City Palace, Lake Palace, Crystal Gallery, Durbar Hall, Bagore-ki-haveli Dharohar, Jag Mandir, and Maharana Pratap Memorial.

Wild Rajasthan Holidays

Rajasthan is also a haven for some thrilling wildlife holidays, housing as it does some of the best National Parks and Sanctuaries in India.

Ranthambore National Park: Located at the junction of the Aravalis and the Vindhyas, Rajasthan's important hill ranges, this former hunting ground of the Maharajas is one of the best places in the world to see the tiger. Other wild life her includes sambar, chital, nilgai, hyena, caracal and panther.

Sariska National park: Situated among the rugged Aravali hills that dominate North West Rajasthan, Sariska's dry deciduous forests are home to a wealth of wildlife. Besides the tiger, a holiday here offers sambar, chital, chousingha, wildboar, langur, Rhesus macaque and a wealth of birds.

Keoladeo Ghana National Park: Originally the hunting preserve of the Maharaja of Bharatpur, this lovely bird sanctuary owes its existence to an artificial tank, which is home to a variety of birds, resident as well as migratory. The star attraction of a holiday in Bharatpur here is the Siberian Crane, a winter migrant that flies to Rajasthan all the way from Russia.

Feisty Rajasthan Holidays

Holiday in Rajasthan for its people who don't look for reasons to celebrate. Fond of colour, mirth and pageantry, the irrepressible spirit of Rajasthan finds expression in a number of feasts, fairs and festivals that mark the seasons, commemorate occasions or simply let off steam!

Desert Festival: Holidaying here in winter, tourists find the desert around Jaisalmer bursting in a riot of colour and music. Around January, the Desert Festival presents an extravagant fanfare of Rajasthani men and women displaying the cultural wealth of their state.

Camel Festival: Held in January, this festival is dedicated to the 'Ship of the Desert', and lifeline to rural Rajasthan. Starting with a procession of decorated camels, it soon turns into jubilant festivity. Tourists are mesmerized by contests, acrobatics and dances put up by the well-trained camels.

Pushkar Fair: Tourists from around the world come to the town of Pushkar during mid November for this rural fair, which is essentially a pilgrimage to the lake here. The local people display their animals and livestock and nights is given up to music, dance and dramatics

Roozbegh Gazdar Content writer <a target="_new" href="http://www.traveljini.com">http://www.traveljini.com</a> <a href="mailto:seo@traveljini.com">seo@traveljini.com</a>

Cochin - Cocktails of Cultures

Eulogised as the Queen of the Arabian Sea, Cochin, Kerala's commercial capital is an anachronism. The dashing metropolitan city prides itself on a historical heritage stretching back to ancient times and embracing within its far reaching hold, cultures as diverse as Hindu, Chinese, Arab, Jewish, Syrian Christian, Portuguese, Dutch and English. One of the finest harbours in the world, nature has generously endowed Cochin with clear lagoons, emerald plantations and sprawling beaches whose splendour is perfectly complimented by forts, palaces, temples, museums, old churches, and today, modern sky rises.

Essentially a collection of islands and jutting peninsulas, Cochin is made up of Ernakulam, Willingdon Island, Mattancherry and Fort Kochi. Ernakulam, the business centre comprises the mainland, separated from Fort-Kochi and Mattancherry by the Periyar River, while the man-made island of Willingdon lies between Ernakulam and Mattancherry. An international airport and seaport connects Cochin with the great world outside and an efficient internal network of roads, railways and water works keeps the city machinery moving.

However it is its social and cultural extravagance, rather than the physical, that distinguishes Cochin amongst other unique Indian cities. Graced with a port that enjoyed optimum exposure to foreign influences, Cochin has developed into a rare mishmash of influences: Here is where you'll find the oldest European church in India St. Francis Church. Here is also where a 16th century synagogue provides spiritual succor to a thriving, if miniscule, community of Jews. Besides, Cochin showcases Hindu Temples, a Portuguese palace (presented to a Hindu Raja and renovated by the Dutch!), forts, streets and shops in a delightful tapestry that often blurs the individual threads. So much so that the origin of its name remains a mystery. Believed to be a modification of 'Cochazi' or 'small sea' in Malayalam, it could as well have been the Chinese traders from the court of Kublai Khan who named it 'Kochi' after their homeland - Cochin is almost the only place in the world where you can see the quaint Chinese fishing nets outside China.

No mystery surrounds Cochin's rise to prominence as a port. In 1340 AD, the world famous Kodugallur Port, just north of Cochin, was destroyed by flooding of the Periyar River. Kodugallur's loss however, was Cochin's gain, as it soon assumed importance as a substitute port for carrying on the trade in spices such as cardamom, pepper, cloves and cinnamon.

While the Chinese and Arabs enjoyed trade with Cochin as much as 2000 years ago, Christians are said to have originated from the visit of the apostle St. Thomas himself and Jews are believed to have settled here in AD 388.

In 1500, Pedro Alvares Cabral, a Portuguese navigator pioneered a settlement in Cochin. Vasco de Gama established the first Portuguese company and in 1503 the Viceroy Alfonso de Albuquerque built a fort. The British, who took over Cochin in 1635, were driven out by the Dutch in 1663. In 1776, Cochin fell in the hands of Hyder Ali, but was lost by his son Tipu Sultan in1791. After passing through British hands again in 1795, the Dutch finally ceded Cochin in 1814.

Such an influx of the Chinese, Arabs, British, Dutch and Portuguese, including great travelers like Fa Hien and Sir Robert Bristow gave rise to a flowering of commerce and culture in Cochin, making it a centre of cross cultural interactions. The prosperous spice trade, of which all Cochin's racial and religious groups including Hindu, Muslim, Christian and Jewish minorities were beneficiaries as they shared in the city's prosperity, facilitated this.

Off all these inhabitants of Cochin, the Jews are perhaps the most interesting. The oldest of the Jewish communities in India, and distinct from the much larger and more absorbed Bene-Israel Community of Maharashtra, they are known to have been in India since more than a thousand years. While their arrival in India has been speculated to occur around the time of the destruction of the Second Temple in 70 BC, others speculate it to coincide with the Assyrian exile in 722 BC or Babylonian exile in 586, or even from the era of King Solomon himself.

Persecuted by the Moors and later the Portuguese, many Indian Jews settled in Cochin under the protection of Cheraman Parumal known to the Portuguese as the &quot;King of the Jews&quot;, where they prospered. Today however only a handful of Jews remain in Cochin, where the Pardesi Synagogue in Jew Street stands testimony to better times enjoyed by the community.

Jew Street remains one of the lasting anachronisms of Cochin. A corner of the city where the earlier Jewish traders had their establishments, the ancient cobbled street lying between rows of old timber wood buildings is almost medieval. Shops selling different varieties of spices still exist here and the combined fragrance of these condiments hangs heavy in the air. At the end of the street is the Jewish Synagogue also known as the Pardesi Synagogue. An ancient structure built in 1664, it uses oil-burning chandeliers from the 19th century to light up the interior while blue and white hand-painted Cantonese tiles make up the flooring. The Torah ? The Jewish scriptures- written on sheepskin scrolls are lovingly housed in ornate metal receptacles.

Cochin's charms remain timeless.

Roozbegh Gazdar Content Writer <a target="_new" href="http://www.traveljini.com">http://www.traveljini.com</a> <a href="mailto:seo@traveljini.com">seo@traveljini.com</a>

Is The Workamper Lifestyle For You?

If you've been dreaming of traveling the highways in your RV, but see the adventure as something far in the future when you retire, then you may want to seriously consider giving the Workamper lifestyle a try. You can live your dream now; it just takes a little preparation and commitment.

Many of us dream of being able to travel in our RV and camp at will in America's most beautiful locations, but it never happens. For most, it remains just a dream. There is a small army of people who have brought their dream to reality by combining their love of travel with the ability to work and pay their way through life.

There are literally thousands of jobs that are suited to the traveling lifestyle. RV Parks across the United States hire people in office positions, maintenance, recreation, and other positions. You aren't expected to be a long-term employee. A commitment of a few weeks or months is all that is required. Most don't expect you to have extensive campground experience, and if you do a decent job, they will be happy to have you work for them again next season.

RV Parks aren't the only employer of workampers. There are paying jobs in seasonal sales, property caretaking, tour guides, construction, and many other occupations. If you already have some retirement income and want to save on the costs of campground fees, there are thousands of camp host opportunities available where you exchange a few hours each week for a free RV site. These opportunities will be in state parks, city and county parks, and federal campgrounds.

It is possible that your employer has multiple locations across the United States making it easy for you to simply request relocation. If, for example, you work at Wal-Mart, you can request a transfer to any of their store locations. There are very few places in America that aren't close to a Wal-Mart, so you can continue to be a full-time employee and experience living virtually anywhere in the United States. There are many other companies that have nationwide locations. Just give it a little thought.

If you don't want to wait until your dream is just a good idea that never happened, consider the Workamper lifestyle. You aren't getting any younger, and the sooner you start, the more you will be able to experience. When you get tired of where you're living, simply hook up and move on to your next adventure.

William Smith has lived and traveled full-time in an RV for over twelve years. For more information about <a target="_new" href="http://happyvagabonds.com">RV Camping</a> and the <a target="_new" href="http://happyvagabonds.com/Rving%20Guide/Workamper%20Work%20Camper.htm">Workamper Lifestyle</a> visit <a target="_new" href="http://happyvagabonds.com">HappyVagabonds.com</a>

A Review of Popular River Rafting Trips and Services

Organized river rafting trips are a good idea for novices and experts alike. River rafting tours provide all of the equipment, guidance, and instruction necessary. If the trip covers several days, the rafting company may provide camping accommodations as well. Trips are available for rafters of all skill levels, from beginners rafting for the first time, to skilled experts looking for the toughest rivers in the country.

River rafting tours are offered on many major rivers in the country. Trips are available in many different lengths, varying from an afternoon to a two week trek. River rafting trips designed for families as well as trips that cater to experienced rafters are available almost anywhere. While much river rafting is done in the Southwest, it is by no means the only place for a river rafting adventure. North Carolina, Oregon, Texas, and many other states have great rivers for rafting.

A couple of well-established river rafting outfitters are Dvorak Expeditions, California River Rafting Excitement, and the Nantahala Outdoor Center. All three of these companies offer great guides, top-of-the-line equipment, and routes on some of the best rivers.

Dvorak Enterprises was the first outfitter given a river recreation outfitters license in 1969. Run by the world famous Bill Dvorak out of Salida, Colorado, this company offers exciting river rafting trips to visitors in many states including Colorado, New Mexico, Idaho, Utah, and Texas, as well as New Zealand and Nepal. Dvorak Enterprises is known for its friendly, skilled, and knowledgeable guides.

California River Rafting Excitement is one of the top-rated river rafting outfitters in the Sunshine State. This company offers river rafting trips on five different California rivers, has trips designed for families as well as experienced rafters, and offers camping equipment for trips lasting several days.

Nantahala Outdoor Center in North Carolina offers a variety of river rafting adventures on several rivers in the area. The rivers range in difficulty to accommodate rafters at any skill level, and Nantahala offers great guides as well as a rafting school for novices.

River rafting trips are a fun way for adventurous travelers to unwind and relax. River rafting adventures are available for rafters of all skill levels, insuring that everyone will have a good, safe time.

<a target="_new" href="http://www.e-riverrafting.com">River Rafting Info</a> provides detailed information on river rafting trips in Washington, Colorado, California and the Grand Canyon, as well as Salmon River in Idaho and Rogue River in Oregon. River Rafting Info is the sister site of <a target="_new" href="http://www.e-inflatableboats.com">Inflatable Boats Web</a>.

Book a Golf Package in Myrtle Beach for Golfing Fun and Great Times in the Sun

Thousands of golfers flock to the Carolinas each spring and fall to enjoy some of the greatest golf courses in the country, and booking a golf package in Myrtle Beach is one of the best ways to experience what the area has to offer to devoted fans of the sport.

Purchasing a golf package in Myrtle Beach not only provides visitors with great opportunities for golfing but can also make available the finest in first-class accommodations, great meals, and a chance to hear some of the area's best entertainment.

A number of golf packages may be booked through the town's many resorts. While some resorts limit the number of area courses from which visitors can choose, many offer the full gamut of nearly 100 courses in the Myrtle Beach area, in conjunction with accommodations at the resort and the other amenities and activities available on the premises. Such resort-based Myrtle Beach golf packages often include reduced-rate accommodations and meals as compared to the cost of booking only a room at that particular resort during a <a target="_new" href="http://www.myrtle-beach-guide.com/myrtle-beach-golf.html">golf vacation in Myrtle Beach.</a>

Many golfers choose to book their golf package in Myrtle Beach through companies that are experts in the area's golfing resources. Such companies usually offer packages at any of the areas fine courses so there are plenty of choices and visitors needn't repeat the same courses year after year, if they so choose.

Golfers may want to play on the courses of North Myrtle Beach during one season, come back and experience the links of the south part of the Grand Strand the following season, and return the next year to enjoy the courses on South Carolina's Brunswick Isles like Bald Head Island. The choices are plentiful and experts can help golfers choose the courses that are right for their skill level, ensuring an enjoyable game.

Packages such as these may include beachfront accommodations but quite often offer lodging at golf villas, condos, or hotels located on the grounds of a chosen golf course. Such accommodations offer close proximity to the golfer's favorite activity, meaning that they'll be able to take advantage of each and every moment on the links without having to travel a distance to play each day.

Many golf package accommodations include fully-equipped kitchens and visitors may also take advantage of the other activities and amenities available onsite, such as tennis, swimming, fitness centers, and fine restaurant meals.

When visitors book a golf package in Myrtle Beach, they'll have the opportunity to choose all features that will make their golf vacation the perfect one for them, whether they've been playing the sport for years or are new at the game, having just recognized the tons of fun involved in being a golfer.

Gregg Gillies is a freelance writer and long time Myrtle Beach lover. Check out his new site, the <a target="_new" href="http://www.myrtle-beach-guide.com">Myrtle Beach Guide</a>