Outdoors Gifts

In creating the following list of ideas for outdoors gifts, I’ve tried to cover prices ranging from the very affordable to the obscene. And here we go…

1. Vermont Fly Fishing Trip – If you’re buying for a fly fishing fanatic, a Vermont Fly Fishing Trip will have them on their knees, bowing to you. These trips are full day and half day wading trips on the streams around the Green Mountain area and represent fly fishing at its best. Half days will run in the $200 range while full day trips will cost you in the $360 area. Do a search on the net to find providers.

2. Killing Water Bugs – The SteriPen Water Purifier is a cool little gadget for campers, hikers, backpackers and fisherman. Although water purification may sound a bit boring, the SteriPen has a unique twist. It uses ultraviolet light to kill bacteria in the water you use. Ah, drinking water in the outdoors that doesn’t taste of chemicals. What a relief. This gadget will set you back in the range of $140.

3. Nomad Adventure Journals – These writing journals are a hit with outdoor enthusiast. The journals come pre-organized for a variety of subjects such as camping, hiking, fly fishing, backpacking, bird watching and travel to mention just a few. Each journal contains blank spaces for notes as well as cue areas to remind you to write down information such as places stayed, people met, their contact information and so on. The journals cost as low as $9 without waterproof case and $25 with case.

4. Garmin GPS Systems – GPS gadgets are hot outdoor gifts buys and Garmin leads the field. GPS stands for global positioning satellite and provide outdoor enthusiasts with tons of information such as their location in the wild, how far they’ve

walked and so on. Garmin makes GPS gadgets for everything from training to street directions in your car. A can’t miss gift for the outdoor enthusiast. Costs range from as low as $70 to close to a thousand dollars depending on the specific of the system.

5. Camper’s Ice Cream Ball – Avid campers have always made ice cream by throwing to cans together with salt rock, ice and ice cream ingredients. You’d just kick it around to mix up the ingredients and after a while you had ice cream. Well, someone has come up with an improved version. The Ice Cream Ball is a plastic ball that serves the same purpose. You put the salt rock and ice in one end, the ingredients in the other and start rolling it around. After 20 minutes or so, you’ve got ice cream. The ball will run you $20 at any outdoor retailer.

6. Patagonia – No, not the brand. If you’re looking for the “big” gift, why not go for a home run with a trip to Patagonia. Argentina is the best launching place for expeditions and, fortunately, the country is over the economic problems that hurt it in 2002. Typically, you fly into Buenos Aires and transfer down to southern points to launch your adventure. Price for the trip will range from obscene for full luxury experiences to as low as $1,000 for roughing it adventures. Kayaking, trekking, horseback riding and a variety of other expeditions are readily available to take you to this environmental mecca. Be warned, you’ll be changed after visiting Patagonia. It is that impressive.

Outdoors gifts come in all types and price ranges. Whether you’re into rock climbing, camping or kayaking, there is something for everyone out there.

Rick Chapo is with http://www.nomadjournals.com – makers of writing journals for travel and outdoor activities. Writing journals make great Christmas gifts for him and great Christmas gifts for her.

I hiked a few miles the first day and explored the woods, where I ate wild blueberries for an hour. Then I set up camp behind a small ridge on the beach. I collected dry grass along the edge of the forest, which made a nice mattress. I pitched my backpacking tarp fairly high, so the breeze would keep out the mosquitos. When camp was set, I went for a swim.

This area has many crayfish, which look and taste just like miniature lobsters. After swimming I caught a dozen under the rocks in shallow water, and carried them back to camp in a whipped-cream container I found. You never know what will wash up on a beach.

I boiled them with some cattail hearts and evening primrose roots, in my cheap three ounce pan. It made a good meal with the crackers I brought. (You remove the meat from the tail of the crayfish, after cooking.)

It was summer, so I hadn’t brought a sleeping bag. At seventeen ounces, my bag wouldn’t have added much to my packweight of eight pounds. I just wanted to try using a nylon sleeping bag liner I had recently sewn (5 ounces). I wore my clothes to bed, including a

hat I made from the sleeve of an old thermal shirt (1 ounce). I slept well, and ate granola bars for breakfast.

Water was all around, so I only had a 16-ounce plastic pop bottle (1 ounce) and a few iodine tablets for purification. I took a good drink before I packed up.

I found fresh bear tracks on the beach. The bear had walked within 60 yards of where I slept. I had a freon horn (2 ounces) that I’d bought after reading that people have used it’s high-decible shriek to scare off bears. I pulled it out. I followed the tracks for an hour, but only because I was going in that direction.

I had two old cabins to explore, another patch of berries I knew about, and a beach full things to check out. The strangest item that regularly washes up is light bulbs. I take them home to use them. After years of finding these, a sailor finally told me that they throw them off the ships to shoot at them in the water. I was finding the ones they missed.

The next day I headed back. The rain I expected never came, so I didn’t get to test my garbage bag rainsuit (2 ounces), but I had used a similar one with success before. Overall, I was happy with my ultralight backpacking “test.” Of course, you can get by with fragile clothing and gear when you’re hiking an open beach. Oh, and I never did see the bear.

Steve Gillman is a long-time backpacker, and advocate of lightweight backpacking. His advice and stories can be found at http://www.TheUltralightBackpackingSite.com

Since during the winter you will be requested to either halt services or curb washing to a frequency of every two months. Of course, the charge for these washings will be at double or triple the weekly price but you still lose a lot of weekly wash monies. If you charge $20 for weekly washing then that is $160 for two months of washes instead of $60 every two months for one wash. Including snow and debris removal.

Your solution is easy. Get the $60 for the washing every two months plus charge a $200 winterizing fee which includes weekly walk-byes for no additional charge. On those check-up days, cruise by the slip or dry storage and make sure the covers and tie downs are all secure. Boat owners seldom

find time to get down and check on their boat during the four to six month ‘dormant period’. You would normally make $320 for washing a boat weekly for four months (4 months = 16 weeks), (16 x $20 = $320). During the winter if you wash the boat twice then that’s $120 plus $200 for your winterizing service. This equals the same amount of money.

Here are some of the services you can do as part of your ‘dormant period’ winterizing service. Now, before we list all these services, remember the obvious… a boat detail, window treatment coating, coating of metal parts (tuna towers, tie downs, horns, hooks, aluminum striping, propellers, etc.). If the boat is going into dry-dock how about an www.ADSIL.com coating. Hull only $30 per foot in Florida, $60 to $70 per foot in California, $50 to $60 per foot in the northeast. That can certainly add up on a 23 foot Sea Ray. And, of course, there are boat painters’ referral fees and even engine, canvas covers, etc. bird dog fees. Think on this.

“Lance Winslow” – Online Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; www.WorldThinkTank.net/wttbbs/

But an incredible aspect of the country you can’t miss as you learn Russian in Russia is its sport and adventure offer. You can enjoy jeep tours during winter and summer in every region of the country. As you learn Russian in Russia you can take extreme jeep tours along the surroundings of the city or if you prefer a more relaxing trip, there are also tranquil journeys along the monuments and historical sights of the city. A recommended jeep tour as you learn Russian in Russia is to the Republic of Sakha in Yakutia, where you will have the chance to catch a sight of a brown bear.

If you are more intrepid and wish to challenge yourself come to learn Russian in Russia and give a chance to ice diving. Ice diving is not widely practiced but is an extreme sport worth a try. As you learn Russian in Russia have the chance to submerge under ice-frozen waters and enjoy the most incredible views of the white Russia underneath the earth. Here you can also practice ice-skating in one of the many lakes the country offers, which are the oldest ones in the world and offer a

great deal of fun while you learn Russian in Russia.

Still want more? This amazing country will keep on surprising you as you learn Russian in Russia. You will soon be part of the most intrepid activity ever. Aerobatic tours will take you in small planes to the highest point in the sky and once you reach the maximum high you will come down doing the most incredible aerobatics movements. Learn Russian in Russian and you will find yourself doing circles and spirals high up in the sky.

Snowboarding in winter is also advisable for those who already practice the sport and also for those who are complete beginners. As you learn Russian in Russia join the different groups of snowboarders that go around the different peaks of the country and take advantage of the regular snowfalls occurring all over Russia. Likewise, skiing is another sport you can practice as you learn Russian in Russia. The country offers snow almost all year long and steep slopes for every like.

On the other hand, those who enjoy water sports will also have greatest fun in the country. Learn Russian in Russia and become an adrenaline junkie as you practice water rafting and kayaking. The country counts with around 40 thousands of rivers useful for this purpose. Some offer more rapids than the others, so while you learn Russian in Russia find out which is the best for what you want to practice.

Learn more about travel abroad destinations at http://www.easygolanguages.com, making it easy to learn a language.  A complete guide; learn a language and study abroad programs.  Enrique Helmbrecht is the president of EasyGO Languages and an experienced traveler and language learner.

The occurs win the normal relative airflow change greatly in speed or direction as you either as change altitude or are simply flying forward and all of a sudden the wind is going a different way. Most experienced pilots have experienced this many times in their careers. In fact you may have noticed this phenomena yourself in a parking lot, it happens all the time. Have you ever observed or noticed flagpoles, which are quarter mile apart. One flag is blowing one direction and another is blowing a different direction. Yet they should be blowing the same way right? Indeed they should, but they are not always are they. Sometimes this is due to terrain and sometimes it is due to buildings in the way, while other times you are simply witnessing the exact problem pilots encounter when they try to fly thru such situations.

Now this if you are up high and cruising at a safe speed all you feel is a little air turbulence, but when you are low and slow it is much more critical. This is because the air you are flying thru which is holding you up all of a sudden is blowing a different direction and you cannot speed up fast enough in the new airflow to stay up there. Now you see the problem? The is one reason that airports pay very close attention to which way the wind is

blowing as you always want to land and take off into the wind for safety.

Some wind sheer experiences are well known and many airports are notorious for having them. Once this is known you can adjust your flying to make up for it by coming in a little faster or picking up a little more airspeed before taking off or climbing out to counteract the differences.

So at some airports this is predicable that you will have such wind currents at various times of the year, one serious airport in DFW, happens a lot there, quite serious, sometimes as much as 30-40 kts difference. If you have an emergency or something goes wrong due to these conditions or if you come in too hot (faster airspeed) to counteract this on a short runway somewhere and something else goes wrong, you will definitely need all the pilot skills you got.

Accidents are usually in aviation not just one thing, usually 3 or more things go wrong at once, a comedy of errors if you will, only there is nothing funny about crashing an aircraft. One or two problems may not even be serious, but it ought to wake you up when problems start and other situations start going South as it is a compounding issue. Then, well when some pilot has an accident, the news media and everyone says how could this happen? Wind shear. What they should be saying is how come it did not happen sooner? “Pilot skill” is the answer. The opposite of course being that of the potential eventualities which come to fruition thru what we call “pilot error.” Think on this in 2006.

“Lance Winslow” – Online Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/wttbbs/

So here is what we have learned for a re-cap; bring a sex towel, do not throw the sex towel out the window after completion of the mission, use the autopilot, have sufficient altitude and be in a non-restricted area. Make certain the seat can be locked in the full back position, set the seat at a 30 degree angle have your female counterpart mount you as you lay back in the seat.

Now then, your head should be slightly off to the side so you can see around your sexual partner and look for other aviation traffic. If you are in a small Cessna such as a Cessna 150 or Cessna 172 a grinding motion or an up and down thrusting motion from your partner is preferred because motion from inside the aircraft will slightly alter the flight path. If you have no autopilot a slower motion is best, because you will have to fly the plane with your feet and that takes a little more control and is best to have a more stable flight. You will find that with the excitement and additional adrenaline it will make for a top 10 encounter, which you will remember for the rest of your life.

After you are completed have your

towel ready to wipe up because there is nothing more disgusting than to rent an aircraft with stains on the seats, it is obvious how they got there. As your female lover dismounts you will want to make sure her feet not touch the yoke or controls. This has happened to me before when she bumped the controls which put the plane into a steep ban as she fell back into her seat. Another thing which is somewhat serious is to make sure no ones feet hit the flap switch, this is easy to do on a Cessna due to its tight cockpit and location of the lever. This has only happened to me once, but it can happen, so be careful of that too. It is best to help her guide her feet back over. In some Cessna’s you will find issues with the seats which are all the way to the door and no room for the woman to put her knees, we recommend a pillow underneath your rear end to elevate you so she has the comfort she needs for decent ride as you both join the mile high club. Think on this.

* Please be advised that sex in the cockpit of a small light aircraft is against Federal Aviation Regulations and is absolutely prohibited. This article was written using my pen name and for educational and fictional purposes only.

“Lance Winslow” – Online Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; www.WorldThinkTank.net/wttbbs/

Discovered by the Spanish in 1503, the island prospered with the arrival of English settlers in the early 1600′s and those cultural links exist to this day.

Bermuda is still a British dependency and the British monarch is the official head of state. However, the island is self governing and has its own parliament.

Bermuda is world famous for its ability to attract tourists, and it’s not surprising when you consider the beauty of the islands. The water is crystal clear, the sand is soft pink, the plants are light green and the sky is every shade of pastel blue.

Due to its history, the culture of Bermuda is a mixture of British formality and Caribbean

For example, while the politeness and conservatism of afternoon tea is still popular, the freedom and excitement of Gombey music and dance captures the essence of island life on Bermuda. While the old British values of politeness and neatness are appreciated by many of the native Bermudans, due to the climate of the area, the informality of Bermuda shorts are an acceptable part of business attire. Rather ironically these Bermudan shorts are frowned upon by most cruise lines in certain parts of the ship, such as

the dining room.

Thanks to the Gulfstream, Bermuda has a great climate that allows all year round cruising.

Make sure your cruise itinerary allows you to spend some time in Bermuda, bear in mind that cars are not available to rent. So if you want to get around the main island you’ll have to do your sightseeing from a rented scooter. This is a great way to experience the freedom of the island. The shops are decidedly upscale with particular emphasis on fine products from around the world and especially Britain. Bermuda also has an abundance of restaurants featuring the island’s distinctively spicy cuisine.

The sand really is pink, and the style is decidedly British in this Atlantic Ocean island gem a day a half by ship from the East Coast. Although some cruise ships call at Bermuda on the way to or from the Caribbean and Bahamas or Europe, most cruises to this island are single-destination journeys, giving vacationers several days to enjoy the many delights it offers while using their ship as a floating resort hotel.

Summer is prime time for Bermuda cruises, and ships depart for the island from a number of East Coast ports, including Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore and Norfolk, as well as from Florida. Though a small island, Bermuda has two cruise ship ports–one at Hamilton, the island’s capital, and the other at Kings Wharf.

plan your visit by offering a wealth of information. Many budget hotels not only provide information about sightseeing, organized tours, local attractions, affordable eateries and tickets for events, they can also book tickets and tours, and make reservations on your behalf.

Wondering where to find a budget hotel on your next trip? Check out www.cheapostay.com, a website dedicated to affordable hotels and motel reservations. CheapOstay will help you in searching for the best hotel deals at your chosen destination. Log on and search for affordable hotel rates and book a room online, all within your budget.

Vincent is a Senior Writer & Journalist working with CheapOstay.com, a top travel site offering hotel and flight deals like Cheap hotels, Hotel rates,etc. Vincent writes articles with special focus on the hotel industry, besides sharing tips and nuggets on booking cheap hotels, hotels and tour packages.

2. If you belong to American Automobile Association or American Association Of Retired Persons, you can get a discount.

3. “Buy One-Get One” fares are often offered. You buy your ticket and bring another person along for the ride. Or better yet, split the cost of the fare and you both travel at a 50% discount.

4. Added Value or Free Days. You book a 7-day cruise and get 3 days free or free shore excursions, as well as pre or post cruise hotel rooms.

5. Flat fare specials are one fixed price for the best available cabin at the time of booking.

6. Share a cabin with friends, another couple or two family members and you could easily end up cruising for free. This fare package can also be cut four ways – reducing the burden on all. You will be sleeping in head over bunks that are comfortable, so consider this strategy. Just make sure everyone gets along.

7. You should check into airfares at reduced rates offered by your cruise line to get you to your embarkation site.

8. How about an upgrade? Better cabins, discounted certificates, 10-40 percent savings off advertised prices may all be offered by your cruise

line through their respective newsletters.

9. The early bird still gets the cruise, just like with the airlines. If you’re a good long-range planner, then you can save mucho dinero. The earlier you book your cruise – the more you save. Typically 10 – 40%.

10. If you belong to an association, organization, if you have a wedding party, family reunion, belong to a church group or are planning a corporate outing you can get a hefty group discount. As always, don’t be afraid to ask!

11. Stand by! Yes, it happens with cruise ships too. Typically you’re notified three weeks prior to departure if there is space. Late notice like this means you get a nice discount fare.

Bonus Tip:

Did you know that the best cabins to avoid seasickness in are the lower and middle deck cabins? There is more stability here than the pricey upper cabins! Just make sure you’re not placed under the Disco, in high traffic areas, or near the engine room. Diesel powered ships vibrate near the stern (rear) of the ship and passenger cabins near the bow (front) may subject you to hearing the anchor raise and lower.

Are you planning cruise vacation? Visit Cruises Center for the latest news and information on cruises.

Stefan has moved to Whistler from Kitzbuhel. He has transferred from the legendary Rote Teufel – the Red Devils of the Kitzbuhel Skischool – to the equally legendary Whistler-Blackcomb Ski School. After we have eaten our fill at the Roundhouse (which is not round at all, but apparently it once was) the all clear is sounded and we rush out onto the slopes. It is still snowing like hell, but following Stefan makes this somewhat easier: he knows every mogul on the mountain and his smooth rhythms through the powder, which he can effortlessly modulate to stay just ahead of me, are almost as good a

guide as bright sunshine and some nearby trees for definition. Needless to say, my thighs are burning and my goggles (c. 1991) are fogged up from the sweat of my brow. Naturally, Stefan’s Oakley goggles (c. 2005) are crystal clear, since this is not even a mild workout for him.

We are among the first onto the Peak Chair, whence originate some of Whistler’s best and least know powder runs. Our first run is Christmas Trees, which starts parallel to the Peak Chair but then angles off to the left down a ridge of trees more or less parallel to Big Red. There are many routes through these trees but you have to know them as there are also many traps for the unwary. Luckily Stefan can ski his way through these trees blindfold. We do this run a couple of times and try some of the double black diamond runs off the Harmony Ridge – so much snow has fallen that even though I fall down after every jump my landing is soft as, well as Whistler powder.

After a full day with Stefan I ski back to my front door – literally – peel off my clothes and sink into the hot tub, which is nestled in the woods at the back of the townhome. I have taken the precaution of booking a masseuse; after the powerful jets have done their work she starts hers An hour later her powerful fingers have done the trick and I am feeling immensely relaxed and deeply somnolent. I worry – well I worry a little – about whether a stiff cocktail will knock me out or revive me for the evening’s activities, but as the ice-cold Martini is absorbed into my blood stream I find myself quite ready for an evening’s dining at one of Whistler’s legendary restaurants. Another great day in Whistler.

Henry Schlee is a fanatical skier and uses Holiday Whistler for renting ski-in, ski-out accommodation whenever he goes to Whistler. If you want a choice of the finest ski-in, ski-out Whistler accommodation, try this link.