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Grand Canyon rafting on the Colorado River is the ultimate adventure. OARS offers more rafting trip choices in the Grand Canyon than any other outfitter, from 4 to 19 days. It's all here epic scenery, crystalline creeks, waterfalls, hiking, and world-class whitewater.
Paddle some of the best whitewater near Yellowstone National Park with the Flying Pig Raft Company. Our raft trip will be the highlight of your trip to Montana and Yellowstone Park. www.flyingpigrafting.com
You must plan a vacation to Arizona to see the Grand Canyon. It is just simply amazing and the maze of canyons, fissures, and gorges intertwine and merge to create one of the world's most amazing natural wonders. You can actually see the different colors of the rock in the many layers that make up the canyon not to mention the way the sun reflects on them, and then the shadow, affects their color, which is awe inspiring in and of itself. The beauty of the Canyon is one thing, the size is another and it is just as amazing if not more so.
The canyon is huge and that may even be an understatement. The canyon measures between 10 and 15 miles wide and is more than 200 miles long. At some parts of the canyon it measures nearly a mile to the bottom. Can you imagine looking over the edge of the canyon and the ground being a mile below? It truly is one of the must see places in the world, let alone the United States. The Grand Canyon National Park includes the Grand Canyon and other sites and is located north of Flagstaff, Arizona, by about 75 miles. It will take about an hour and a half to get to the north rim's visitor center from Flagstaff, or if you are in Las Vegas plan on a five hour drive. The south rim's visitor center requires a 200 mile drive although it is only 10 miles away if you could fly your car over!
The south rim is the best place to visit if you are only visiting one of the rims. That is because the views are outstanding and it has more facilities than the north rim center. More tourists visit the south rim because the north rim is closed from October to May. If you are a backpacker or don't like crowds then you might prefer the north rim. The Grand Canyon Village is a great place to stay when visiting because there are hotels, souvenir shops, and restaurants near the south rim.
The best thing to do when visiting the Grand Canyon is to allow yourself plenty of time. There is a lot to see and although it might look like you can do it all in one day you may not be able to and really enjoy it. So, give yourself plenty of time when you are at the Grand Canyon so you can see all the rims, head down to the basin, whitewater raft, and just enjoy this beautiful natural wonder.
There is a website that has great information on USA Vacations and Unique Travel Spots Listed State By State and Season, the website is called: Seasonal Vacation Spots, and can be found at this url:
http://www.seasonalvacationspots.com
By Robert W. Benjamin
Copyright © 2007
You may publish this article in your ezine, newsletter, or on your web site as long as it is reprinted in its entirety and without modification except for formatting needs or grammar corrections.
Robert W. Benjamin has been in the software business on the internet for over 5 years, and has been producing low-cost software for the past 25+ years. He first released products on the AMIGA and C64 computer systems in the late 1970's-80's.
Stop The Fleas
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Image : http://www.flickr.com
Do you find you get a lot more hungry while you are outside camping? I find when ever I go camping, that when meal time comes around I am starving. It must be the fresh air. It does feel good though.
The big problem with cooking meals outside is of course the clean up afterward. The answer to that, is to use aluminum foil. I like to use foil to make some awesome meals. I make sure I have all the trimmings with me when ever I go on a fishing trip with my boys. Those were great times and some great meals.
What are some of the things you will need to get started?
Well let's see now, you are going to need a long piece of foil. A good heavy one is best. You will need a long piece because you will be wrapping the meal twice. This will help keep the meal from burning. First item to put in will be the meat. Your favorite meat will taste good cooked this way.
It must be the fresh air. Now ad your veggies like potatoes, onions, carrots. Also ad a little butter or oil to keep the food from sticking to the foil. Now ad you seasonings like pepper, salt or anything else you like for flavoring.
Once everything is ready and the fire has slowed down to almost going out and you have plenty of white hot coals, stick the foil packet into the hot coals and leave them there for about thirty minutes. You could also prepare the foil meal before you head out camping and save some time. Just put it in the cooler until ready to use.
I enjoy the great outdoors camping,hiking.fishing building websites and blogs like these Panasonic Vacuum Parts or http://panasonicvacuumcleanerparts.blogspot.com/
Read more...The Rockies plus Montana Big Sky country and Yellowstone Park serve up travel adventures that have no shortage of gigantic rocks and wildlife making them truly worth the trip. Adventure starts off light but can move up to rugged depending on the particular continent travel destination chosen.
Would you like to try a golf resort adventure? Oakley Teen Adventure features activities for teenagers that last one half or a full day they can take part in while in North Carolina at the Pinehurst Resort. Beach Olympics plus paint ball and scavenger hunts as well as kayak racing can be enjoyed during the trip along with other pursuits. Resort tourists can treat themselves to a ropes course or try the golf programs 15 minutes away or go for a bike ride in the backwoods.
How about a little adventure to add some spice to your relaxing vacation? The May River banks where Palmetto Bluff is situated has been home to many American Indians and colonists together with slaves plus plantation owners and well to do families throughout centuries. Such historical pieces are collected then analyzed and recorded by archaeologists and people ages eight and up can take part in ongoing prehistoric digs.
For more info about such rare Palmetto Bluff flora and fauna as bottlenose dolphins and alligators as well as wood storks and bald eagles you can show up for the wildlife classes provided. Among the outdoor adventures are kayaking and horseback riding in addition to canoeing and biking as well as fly fishing and bird watching but workshops covering local culture or astronomy and history are also available.
Local waters can also be explored via deep sea fishing plus some shrimping or crabbing on the side. You need not trek to the Rockies to get a good dose of thrilling rock climbing. The area is no further than Ohio too. In the southeastern part of Ohio lies Hocking Hills a popular rock climbing venue because of the splendid scenery and craggy cliffs. Just an hour southeast of Columbus Ohio, the Hocking Hills Region is in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, teeming with lush forestland and mammoth rock formations. Kayak and canoe rides are also great fun.
The Shark Realm exhibit lets anyone over 12 to experience snorkeling over the top edge of a 550000 gallon container. Be in close proximity with creatures like nurse and sand tiger sharks as well as sandbars. Afterward, participants get the opportunity to swim with and feed stingrays in the aquarium's Ray Lagoon. Besides getting a commemorative picture 6 by 8 in size together with a snorkel and shirt guests also receive a souvenir shirt and admission into the aquarium when they purchase $115 Swim with the Sharks tickets.
There is more to the Garden State wildlife than just the interesting sharks. Nature friendly getaways surround the Garden State and are growing in popularity. There is none of the granny bird watching dullness here. The grasslands as well as forest habitats plus uplands and salt marshes of the New Jersey New Birding and Wildlife Trails is home to wildlife that include great blue herons and sanderling as well as egrets plus bald eagles and mule swan in addition to osprey and dunlin along with warblers and shorebirds.
Take a guided canoe tour through the Glades Wildlife Refuge or rent a boat and have the family try their hand at crabbing. The trails during low tides usually give families a glimpse of creatures like some insects and water dwellers that include crabs and mussels or snails. Two of the trails are in Salem County right next to Camden.
As a person looking for international travel insurance you should visit that site.
Read more...Montana Whitewater Rafting near Yellowstone Park with Geyser Whitewater Expeditions www.raftmontana.com
If it's your family's first outdoor adventure and you want to have a great time without experiencing the complications of tent camping then it is a good idea to go for an RV camping trip.
To make sure that your family gets to have a great time during your RV camping trip, here are a few tips you can follow.
First tip: create a checklist. Just like in tent camping, you should avoid the "I forgot" scenarios by creating a checklist that will give you an overview of the things you need to bring and pack. No, it doesn't mean you have to squeeze the entire house in the luggage compartment in your RV. Just be sure you bring the essentials and you won't have a problem.
Here is an example of a comprehensive checklist which you can use and then just add in other personal items that you need.
For the camping gears, you need to pack in a lantern, fuel, matches, compass and maps, comfortable chairs for lounging outdoors, foldable chairs and tables, extra batteries, flashlight, and rope.
Don't forget to list your RV needs like a fire extinguisher, a set of tools for small home repair, some wood blocks for the levelling process, indoor heaters and a portable generator.
Under the category of eating and food preparation, list meal ingredients, food, drinking water, cook stove and fuel, table, folding chairs, cookware, cooking and eating utensils, can opener, coolers, and ice.
What you'll need for comfortable sleep, pack in inflatable mattresses with pump, cots, pillow, blankets and sleeping bags.
For your personal items, you need to have your first aid kit, clothing, rain gear, toiletries, camera and film, and insect repellent.
Second tip: pick a nice RV camping park. There are many RV campsites with facilities and amenities that will make your stay fun and convenient. It is also smart to pick a park that not only gives you a nice site to camp on but also offers a variety of great outdoor activities like hiking, fishing, boating, white water rafting, and biking to make sure none in the family gets bored.
Third tip: create wonderful and exciting camping activities for you and your family. Remember one of the purposes of any family camping trip is family bonding time. Together, you can engage in activities that the park has to offer together, go hiking and see spectacular sights. You can also play family fun games back in your camp spot. This will surely make your RV camping trip even more memorable.
Fourth tip: create sumptuous meals for you and your family to feast on. So that cooking does not take your whole day, it is best to prepare the ingredients at home by measuring them and putting them in resealable plastic bags with labels to make cooking easier and faster. It is also smart if you half cook meat, potatoes and other food to save cooking time. Be sure to prepare meals that are loved by the whole family and can be enjoyed by everyone.
Fifth tip: create a comfortable sleeping ambience for your family. All's well that ends well. After a whole day of fun but exhausting activities, your family needs to get a good night's rest. Be sure to heat up your sleeping area toasty warm with a reliable Coleman heater like the Coleman SportCat Catalytic Heater and have your family sleep in comfortable sleeping bags or air mattresses.
RV camping which is a deviation from regular camping trip is a great way to spend time with your family. You and your family can get close to the nature and yet not be too far away from the comfort and conveniences of a homey ambience. Bringing an RV to a campsite is like having home away from home.
For more tips and information about Coleman Heaters, check out www.summitcampinggear.com
Read more...We traveled to British Columbia this summer leaving behind 101 degree F temperatures and the dog days of Texas for the cool NW. Temperatures in BC ranged from 57-71 degrees F. We flew into Seattle and rented a hybrid to drive to Tsawassen to hop a ferry to Galiano Island where we spent two days. From there we crossed back onto the mainland and went up the Sea to Sky Highway to Squamish and the Whistler Area (site of the 2010 Winter Olympics) for two more days. We spent several days in Vancouver before returning home. I made no bones about my intentions to find good birding and inquired of many. Canadians would greet an inquiry with "Oh ya" before completing an answer.
Pigeon Guillemots, Herring Gulls, and Double Crested Cormorants were observed on the passage across to the island. Great Blue Herons waded the bays. On Galiano, we saw seven Bald Eagles. Four were viewed while traipsing the Bodega Ridge trail at the northwestern end. Three more were found at Bellhouse Provincial Park at the southern end of the island. Two of the three at Bellhouse were fledglings having flown for the first time on the morning we were there to observe. I added Townsend Warblers to my life list at Bodega Ridge. Northwest Crows, American Robins, Canada Geese as well as Rufous Hummingbirds, Lincoln and White Crowned Sparrows, Northern Juncos, Bewick Wrens, and Turkey Vultures were sighted on the island. Butterfly bushes on the island are more like trees. Drawn to them were impressive Swallowtails.
Horseshoe Bay, the gateway to the Sea to Sky Highway, produced Glaucous Winged Gulls and Ravens. There is a great provincial park near Squamish called Alice Lake where both the male and female Varied Thrush was found. A Steller's Jay also was noted in Squamish. Everywhere around Squamish are warnings about Grizzlies. Seed feeders are banned here because of bears (hummingbird feeders are okay). Last year a Grizzly was wandering downtown and had to be removed. Nature offers some wonderful and spectacular phenomenon along this trek. Shannon Falls, the tallest fall in North America at 70 meters, just south of Squamish is easily accessed. Brandywine Falls, south of Whistler, is half as tall but very beautiful.
The South Area Salt Marsh WMA in Ladner, BC, south of Vancouver, produced Bushtits for my life list. Spotted Towhees and Black Capped Chickadees were probably the most frequently seen birds everywhere we went including here. Downy Woodpecker, Belted Kingfisher, Western Wood Pewee and American Goldfinches also were noted. Three more Bald Eagles were found. Two immatures were flying across the slough. One roosted above my head as I watched the Bushtits.
The Campbell Valley Regional Park south of Langley, BC and just north of the US Border produced another bird for my life list, the Chestnut Backed Chickadee. Barn Swallows were plentiful over the Little River Loop, a marshy area, while Lincoln and Fox Sparrows and Spotted Towhees populated the trails.
Saving the best for last, George C. Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary was my favorite place to bird. When asked where to bird in BC everyone mentioned Reifel, and I would have to agree. George Reifel donated his farm and accompanying salt marsh to the Province on two conditions, that it be maintained forever as a migratory bird sanctuary and that it always bear his father's name. It has been wonderfully maintained and developed as a wetland. Most people I talked with were apologetic that this was not the season for Reifel, migration being far more productive. However, there were plenty of species to observe. The ponds were full of Mallards, Canada and Lesser Canada Geese, Western Sandpiper, Long billed Dowitchers, Semipalmated Sandpiper, Pied Bill Grebe, Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs, Killdeer, Red Winged Blackbirds, Tree Swallows, Great Blue Herons, and Marsh Wren. Sandhill Cranes were on the mud flats. Four more Bald Eagles and a Red Tailed Hawk worked overhead. The trails produce Black Capped Chickadees, Brown Headed Cowbirds, House Sparrow, Bewick Wren, American Robin, European Starling, House Finches, Wilson Warbler, Red Breasted Nuthatches, Spotted Towhee, and a Common Yellowthroat.
Of course, we had a grand time. Canada is a great place to visit and to bird. Oh ya!
Roy Smallwood is the owner of Kingbirdfeeders.com. Roy began this enterprise after a 26 year career as a teacher of science. His love and enjoyment of the outdoors and birding in particular is the impetus for the company. He is an active member of the Central Texas Audubon Society. He encourages everyone to participate and enjoy birding whether in the backyard or in the field. Visit http://www.kingbirdfeeders.com for binoculars and spotting scopes and happy birding!
Read more...If you are going to visit Kenya you absolutely have to make sure and set aside time for Nakuru, Naivasha and Nairobi National Parks. Although these areas are urban by African standards, they are a must see for visitors to Kenya. Each place has a unique perspective to give modern African living. You can get a good mix of the urban with the allure of safari elements like being able to see a real animal preserve without venturing too far out into the bush or the jungle. In fact, you will get so many perspectives on Africa in these Kenyan regions that you will go home with a really good knowledge of the rest of the continent.
Nakuru, Naivasha and Nairobi National Parks all have their own charm. For instance at the Nairobi National Park you will feel like you are on an actual safari far out and away from the city when in fact you are minutes from an urban capital city. It is a truly fabulous dichotomy to take in. One hour you can be enjoying and African cosmopolitan moment and the next you can be viewing big game. You can be meeting the locals in the city at coffee shops and meeting the locals out in the plains of the park. The only difference is the ones in the parks will have paws and claws!
Visiting Nakuru, Naivasha and Nairobi National Parks will give you a very diverse view of Kenya without having to travel far from any of the cities. Nakuru is a bird watchers paradise and of the three areas is indeed the place to see your favorite exotic African feathered friends. There are over 450 species of birds including flamingos. You can expect to see just about every terrestrial and water bird Africa has to offer. You can also see 56 different types of animals including rhinos.
Nakuru, Naivasha and Nairobi National Parks offer a plethora of safari opportunities not seen in other areas of Africa. Being able to take everything in such a small area is truly a luxury, and being able to take your own refuge in an urban setting after a day of safari can be a very relaxing and interesting experience. Let's not forget to describe Naivasha. If you are really into exotic flora and fauna then this will be your favorite of the three areas that is for sure.
Michael Theys
Read more...In the new age, world is coming up with a lot of needs which continuously keeps on increasing with enhancing technologies in the world. Similarly, as a lot of adventure spots are discovered in India, the additional need of adventure tourism is generating in a human mind. Looking at this desire, a lot of companies have taken up the charge of organising corporate adventure tours for their employees and have chosen numerous camping and adventure points in the country to fulfill the purpose.
With the motive of taking a big corporate team on an adventurous trip, Shivpuri, situated near Rishikesh stands as a best option. The companies operating in Delhi, find it a cheap and best stress relieving option for their employees. Pleasant camping added with adventurous river rafting lures a lot of youngsters in current times and hence, the corporates are also getting pulled towards this alternative.
Further, the option of Kanatal grab eyeballs when it comes to a camping trip along with numerous adventurous activities. Based in Uttaranchal, Kanatal offers a big space for camping as well as the adventure sports like trekking, rappelling, rock climbing and valley crossing. This is the one and only reason that so many corporate adventure tours are being organised at this place and no company is bothering about the expenditure to avail this experience.
The option of camping in Manali is not much famous but, a lot of corporates take this road in order to fulfill the desire of reaching a magnificent camping spot. Along with the adventures of river rafting, para gliding, valley crossing etc, many companies also organise the training workshops for 'art of living' and 'team building' for their employees in Manali.
As the two important things, strong team and enthusiastic employees are needed in a company, the corporates are not hesitating in walking through the road of corporate adventure tours. The popularity of these packages can also be judged by the leads generated by a lot of websites offering the similar packages.
Hence, there is no doubt that with the enhancing popularity of adventure sports in the country, the demand for corporate adventure tours is soaring to new heights.
Vxplor is an adventure group offers Corporate Outing, adventure trips, weekend trips, adventure events like Rock Climbing, Rafting, Camping, Rappelling, Caving.
Read more...Gallatin River whitewater rafting near Big Sky Montana and West yellowstone
Crater Lake National Park is a gem of the Pacific Northwest. It is located in south central Oregon in a sparsely populated area and it truly is in the middle of nowhere.
That's what makes visiting Crater Lake all the more an adventure. You are not going to get to Crater Lake unless you make it your purpose to get here. The closest airports are in Klamath Falls (60 miles from the park) and Medford (80 miles from the park).
But getting there is well worth your effort!
Few places on earth create such an overwhelming awe from observers, however Crater Lake National Park certainly does. Even in a region that boasts many natural and volcanic vistas, the only description for Crater Lake is incredible.
You may have heard about the deep blue color of the lake, but words can never prepare you for the first breathtaking look from the edge of this 6 mile wide crater or caldera which was caused by the eruption and subsequent cave in of Mt. Mazama a few thousand years ago.
My most vivid memory of Crater Lake is finding various overlooks along Rim Road that encircles the park. One spot in particular has an incredible overlook that you can walk out on that isn't much wider than 3 or 4 feet. The thing that makes this spot so awesome is that the 3 foot wide path out to the overlook drops off steeply more than 1,200' in some places.
Sorry I won't tell you where this secret spot is, I'm going to let you find it all on your own. However, you will certainly know it when you get there!
Much of the year Crater Lake is snowed in. The area around Crater Lake receives some of the heaviest snowfall in the country, averaging an astonishing 533 inches per year.
For a brief time each year, Crater Lake National Park emerges from this winter freeze to bask in the summertime sun. If you visit early in the season you may be surprised by the amount of snow which remains long into months which are considered early to mid-summer in most parts of the nation. Because of these harsh and often unpredictable weather patterns, most park roads are closed even through the late spring.
Crater Lake is host to a vast array of activities. While enjoying the natural scenic wonders, park visitors may hike in old growth forests, participate in a variety of interpretive activities, camp out or stay in an historic hotel, or even cross-country ski during the very long eight month winters which are experienced here in the Cascade mountains.
If you are planning to visit Crater Lake there are only two campgrounds in the park that have a total of 216 tent sites. Spaces are available on a first come first serve basis as reservations are not taken in the park.
If you love the outdoors and are especially fond of our nation's National Parks, you don't want to miss the incredible beauty that awaits you in Crater Lake National Park.
Alan LeStourgeon operates a vacation rental web site where you can find comfortable cabin rentals, recreational and hiking vacation information and information about log cabin furniture.
Read more...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, "where the hell where you."
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 http://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. [http://www.placestosleep.com], http://www.vacationresorttravel.com, http://www.advenquest.com, and http://www.snow-skiing.com.
Read more...If skiing is your passion, Zermatt in Switzerland is the best place that complements your desire. Located in the south of Switzerland 280 kilometers from Zurich, Zermatt features the best suitable destinations for skiing. It is at the foot of Matterhorn. A traffic-free city where no public transport like car is allowed in the territory, boasts of some of the fantastic scenery and vistas. Zeramtt is recognized as a world class resort and an authentic Swiss mountain village. Matterhorn is an impressive beauty.
It is quite a unique experience to stay in chalets that are lined in the streets of Zermatt. Restaurant, Shops and half timbered houses grace the entire city with their presence. Both winter and summer hold great promises to entertain the tourists. Sunny days in winter rejuvenate everyone to ski through the clean and white snow--it is like a paradise for skiers. Riding in the sleigh makes you acquainted with each of the streets of Zermatt.
Once you get to the peaks or Glaciers, you have 8 miles long descent to come down in gondolas or cable cars enjoying the unparalleled beauty of nature. Chalets and restaurants at the top of the mountain are favorite stopover for skiers group--they ski down to the town in the evening. Riding in a cable car proves to be an unforgettable experience. It is easy to reach the Zermatt territory on foot.
Besides being a paradise for skiers in winter, this beautiful town features exclusive entertainment amenities like Indoor Squash and Tennis court. You have a lot to enjoy even if you miss out on Glacier skiing or Powder skiing. Pool and gymnasium on the terrain of Zermatt can be easily seen. Of course, shopping also is a great option. For mountaineers and hikers, this is probably the best place in the world. Cog wheel railway to Gornergrat gets you the sight of magical vistas between Materhorn and surrounding peaks.
http://www.stayresswitzerland.com/zermatt.html
Read more...That's right - they're all here in Yellowstone, and by the thousands. Ten thousand geo-thermal wonders - half of all that exist in the entire world. Two thousand buffalo. Twenty thousand elk. Plus a waterfall twice as high as Niagara Falls, a park that's larger than two entire states, more than a thousand miles of trails, and historic hotels built for the rich a century ago - including the largest log structure in the world, the enormous Old Faithful Inn.
But that's not all: You can fish or boat on the largest mountain lake - Lake Yellowstone - in all of North America (20 miles wide by 14 miles long - a shoreline of 110 miles!). And if the economy has you bummed about having to put off that African safari for a year or two, think instead of visiting "the largest sanctuary for western large mammals in the lower forty-eight states." Granted, you won't come face to face with a rhino. But a one-ton bison can be just as intimidating. And in addition to the elk and moose and griz and buffalo there are wolves, black bear, bighorn sheep, antelope, cougar, coyote, mule deer, and those are just the larger critters.
Are feathers your preference? Yellowstone is known to America's 46 million birders for its trumpeter swans, osprey, bald eagles, golden eagles, white pelicans, sandhill cranes, great blue herons, Canada geese, ravens, magpies, killdeer, yellow-headed blackbirds, dippers, and more. Even if you can't tell a bluebird from a duck you'll get a kick out of the variety.
But enough of lists...you get the idea. There's so much to see and it's easy to get here. There are airports nearby (West Yellowstone, Bozeman, Jackson...), should you choose to fly. But if lower gas prices have you thinking of a family road trip, of seeing the USA in your Chevrolet (other makes are allowed), know that just driving in can be a wonder. ("Wonderland," by the way, was a common 19th century name for this place, before it became the world's first national park way back in 1872 and was later officially monickered Yellowstone).
Five paved-road entrances beckon you to the heart of the park, a figure-eight road system designed to take the visitor to and through an unforgettable land. But even before you reach this huge quarter-million-acre thermal and animal sanctuary of Rocky Mountain wilderness, you'll have traversed the "Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem." Like a jewel in a velvet box, the park is nearly surrounded by the Gallatin, Madison, Absaroka, Gros Ventre, Wind River, and Teton Mountains, plus five national forests. As the old saying goes, getting there is half the fun.
As the director of an active-travel tour company I'm often asked "What's your favorite trip?" If I'm just back from somewhere I almost always answer wherever I've just been, because I'm thinking of the people - the guests and the guides - whom I've just enjoyed for a solid week.
But my favorite favorite place? You guessed it - Yellowstone. Much of the reason is all that I've already mentioned, the wondrous sights and even the sounds of the place - the whoosh and gurgle of exploding geysers, the bubbling, plopping sound of mud pots, the giggle of kids when seeing these things for the very first time (my guides are unanimous in preferring family trips for this precise reason). Clark's Nutcrackers and huge black ravens fly overhead, making their distinctive sounds, while nearby buffalo grunt their displeasure at having to move to remain in the shade. There's always something happening in the Park.
And then there are the stories. Dinnertime for group travel is when one hears what everyone has seen and experienced during the day, and in Yellowstone that adds up to a lot. That would be true even if you only drove through the Park and took the boardwalk strolls around the hissing pools and geysers. But the road system covers only two percent of what there is to see. Our tours take people off the roads and into the backcountry by mountain bike and on foot trails, and just north of the park boundary (still in the Yellowstone Ecosystem) by horse into the high country guided by real cowboys. You can imagine the stories that spill out at dinner after these activities.
For all the natural history of the array of animals and geologic wonders of Yellowstone, the Park's human history is equally fascinating. We have to imagine the reactions of the Crow and Blackfoot and Shoshone Indians as they traveled through today's Park lands, and of John Colter (a former member of the Lewis and Clark Expedition) who was perhaps the first white man to see this region - alone and in winter to boot! Luckily, there are better records of mountain man Jim Bridger marveling at the sights two decades later in 1825..
Like Colter when he had attempted to tell the truth of what he'd seen, Bridger was faced with smiles and shaking heads when he reported boiling springs and petrified trees. So, in perfect fur-trapper style, he cranked things up a bit. He told, with a straight face, of catching trout deep in the cooler waters of those springs and pulling the fish up ever so slowly, cooking his dinner on the way out. The unstretched stories of petrified trees likewise weren't believed, so they became "peetrified forests where peetrified birds sang peetrified songs." He swore of the useful "eight-hour echo that you can wind up by shouting 'Time to get up!'" when you went to bed.
Three somewhat scientific expeditions (1869 - 1871) were required to make Americans believe what had been earlier rumored, and all make interesting reading. But more fascinating, for its human element, is Truman Everts' lengthy Scribner's Monthly magazine article "Thirty-Seven Days of Peril" (now available as a book titled "Lost in Yellowstone"), in which he describes becoming separated from the 1870 Washburn-Langford-Doane expedition and having to live in the wilds until rescued.
Though he took care of hundreds of wounded Civil War soldiers on the field at bloody Fredericksburg, he had trouble caring for himself after his horse bolted on day two of his separation from the group. "My blankets, gun, pistols, fishing tackle, matches - everything, except the clothing on my person, a couple of knives, and a small opera-glass were attached to the saddle." Our tour guides point out to guests the plant that sustained him, today called the "Everts Thistle." The poor lost man had been four days without food when he chanced upon one and, finding it "not unlike a radish," ate several. (He cooked them in a "small, round, boiling spring, which I called my dinner-pot...")
Everts was "overjoyed at this discovery" and, with "hunger allayed," went to sleep beneath a tree - only to be awakened in the dark by the screech of a mountain lion. He hurriedly climbed the tree and kept the cat at bay by throwing branches and howling back. Hundreds of thistles, two minnows, some grasshoppers, a small bird and a month later, the man who found him reported, laconically, "He is alive and safe, but very low in flesh." He wasn't kidding, for Everts' weight was guessed at only fifty pounds. Another writer, who interviewed his rescuer, described his condition more fully:
...he never saw so forlorn a looking human being as was Evarts [sic] when found. A few tattered rags upon an emaciated skeleton, frozen, scalded, singed and festered into the semblance of a two-legged animal, hideous beyond description....
Truman Everts was wasting away, but no one has ever been lost so long in Yellowstone and survived. The man had grit. In further proof of his staying power he married a second time at sixty-five, fathered a child at seventy-five, and died a decade later. (I include his tale not only because it is fascinating, but because his report's publication in 1871 riveted the nation and helped the push toward saving this huge piece of wilderness as a national park.)
Don't think human history becomes dull once Yellowstone becomes a park in 1872. Just five years later, when gold is discovered on the lands of the Nez Perce Indians and the tribe is ordered to a reservation, they chose a fighting retreat to Canada instead and routed themselves through Yellowstone. While in the Park they encountered a number of tourist parties, including that of a Mrs. George Cowan, who later wrote a lengthy description of their capture. Her husband, a Civil War veteran, was shot first through the thigh and only minutes later in the head by an Indian holding a pistol at point-blank range. Left for dead by the Nez Perce, he awakened after a few hours (the soft pistol ball had flattened against the skull and didn't penetrate), but when he stood up he was seen by another Indian and shot - this time through the hip.
More hours passed as he faded in and out of consciousness. Then he came to and, hearing only silence, began crawling toward water (he no longer could walk). Five days later he'd covered the ten miles to a former camp at Lower Geyser Basin and was found by two Army scouts. They fed him, wrapped him in blankets against the night chill (almost all of Yellowstone is above 7,000'), built a warm fire and, explaining that they had to continue scouting and would send an Army patrol out to rescue him, rode off.
Later in the night a high wind blew the flames into the nearby trees, creating a forest fire; George Cowan barely managed to crawl away to safety, burning his hands and knees. But he was picked up later by an Army patrol and packed out of the park, then transferred to a wagon that flipped down a ravine when the horses bolted. Thankfully, its occupants had been tossed out before the descent. The thrice-up, burned, and now severely bruised Cowan required all fall and winter to recover from his visit to Yellowstone.
But don't get the wrong idea. For every old-time story of someone lost, shot, or eaten by a bear (inevitably an Easterner who has tried to pet the nice griz or feed the black bear by hand), there are countless magazine articles written by visitors extolling the peaceable beauties of "Wonderland" (that name died a slow death). In fact, as early as 1883 a group of cycling enthusiasts pedaled the dirt roads on high-wheelers. John Muir, more often associated with Yosemite, visited two years later, and suffered nothing worse than the equivalent of a fender-bender today - he was thrown from his horse.
In 1887 Owen Wister, author of many Western novels (including The Virginian) and a friend of Theodore Roosevelt, wrote that the Lower Falls of the Yellowstone River (the one that's twice the height of Niagara Falls) is "the most beautiful thing I have ever seen." Then he and his hell-raising buddies shocked the tourists by washing their underwear in a geyser, and bought blackberry brandy from a hotel clerk to "...check disturbances which drinking queer water from highly chemical brooks often raised in human interiors." You'll find the water purified today.
If Rudyard Kipling had ridden horses through the park with Wister's band of cut-ups he might have enjoyed himself. Instead, thinking to see Wonderland on his long trip to London from India he managed to get stuck in a carriage with two "old people from Chicago"; the missus "chewed gum and talked about her symptoms," while the husband at every geyser complained about the "dreffel [dreadful] waste of steam-power." Whatever the cause, the author of The Jungle Book was not a happy man. He begins his article with "To-day I am in the Yellowstone Park, and I wish I were dead." Things don't improve much from there:
"The Park is just a howling wilderness of three thousand square miles, full of all imaginable freaks of a fiery nature."
"The ground rings hollow as a kerosene-tin, and some day the Mammoth Hotel, guests and all, will sink into the caverns below and be turned into a stalactite." [It hasn't happened yet.]
"...we walked chattering to the uplands of Hell. They call it the Norris Geyser Basin on Earth...There were no terraces here, but all other horrors."
Needless to say, Kipling wouldn't have made it as a park ranger. Or as an Austin-Lehman Adventures guide!
I've written too much about this one-of-a-kind place on earth, and there's still more than a century of history to tell...like the contingent of "Buffalo Soldiers" in 1896 who pedal to Mammoth Hot Springs from Fort Missoula and back (you'll see photos of these stalwart bikers when you visit Old Faithful Inn) - a distance of 790 miles with full field kit; the next year they rode their heavy bikes with field gear from Montana to Missouri! And then there's Teddy Roosevelt's visit in 1903.
We went to soak in the hot spring runoff in the Boiling River near Mammoth Hot Springs after a white water rafting trip on the Yellowstone River guided by the Flying Pig Adventure Co. in Gardiner, MT.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gNgjptXGM8Y&hl=en
Are you excited for your African Safari? Are you waiting in anticipation to see the grandeur of the rhinoceros or the sheer size of the great elephant? If you are, then you better act quickly because according to recent findings and research, these animals are only some of the wildlife that is on the endangered species list in South Africa
Endangered species are animals that are categorized according to how threatened they are in relation to becoming extinct. In terms of wildlife animals that we would normally spot on our Sabi Sands safari, animals like the Black Rhinoceros are "critically endangered" and are in high risk of becoming extinct very soon. The Black Rhinoceros is found in dry areas like the desert to wetter areas like forests but their highest density occurs on the bushveld. This endangered species with its poor eyesight but excellent hearing is in danger of full extinction and sadly this is owing to the fact that this species is in high demand for their endangered horns. They have been vulnerable to extinction since the 1960s and when last counted in 2003, South Africa had 1284 Black Rhino's. Other South African species that are critically endangered are the Riverine Rabbit and the Golden Mole.
Next on the endangered species list is the "endangered" section. The Wild Dog is a part of this list as this dog shows a rapidly decreasing population and is in serious danger of becoming extinct. This endangered species is found in areas of South Africa as well as the Sahara desert and even close to Kilimanjaro. Already expected to be extinct in many African countries, this endangered species has an estimated population of 5500 worldwide with only 400 of those residing in South Africa. The reason why these animals are so highly endangered is because of factors such as infectious disease, habitat fragmentation and conflict with our species.
A wildlife species many of us are fascinated with but are unfortunately endangered is the African Elephant. The sad truth is that this elephant is also feature on the vulnerable list and is an endangered species. This larger than life animal can be found in grasslands, deserts, forest and marshes and these majestic creatures are smarter than they come across. Unfortunately these animals have become endangered species also owing to the fact that they are killed for their ivory tusks. It is estimated that at the beginning of the 19th century, there was a population of as many as 27 million elephants but the last figures taken in 2004 show that this number has depleted to as little as 402 000.
So while you are sightseeing on your Kruger park Safari, make sure that you take a second to really appreciate the animals that you see and know that it is more of a privileged than a right. Make sure that you have the opportunity to see these creatures in their natural habitat before it's too late and they become endangered species or even worse, extinct.
Lauren Potgieter wrote this article for Outlook SGE and their Sabi Sands safari as well as their Kruger Park Safari tours.
Read more...in this Andrew's Awesome fishing show im in montana i im fishing for trout i use grass hoppers to catch them i caught 2 we had a hard time finding out what they liked to bite then we asked a lady what they liked and she said grass hoppers and much more in this andrew's awesome fishing show ...are trip... we had a great time all in all we went white water rafting and horse back riding my horse was named sailor he was fast we stayed at an awesome house and so on we we went on 2 hikes also in the river behind are house we climbed on rocks and also we went to yellowstone and we saw old faithful erupt last we saw deer grazing in the field behing are house we had an awesome trip
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hls7ocpoZKo&hl=en
A safari vacation in Kenya is undoubtedly an African holiday never to forget. A vacation or safari in Africa, particularly in Kenya, remains one of the most popular and memorable experiences one can ever possibly undertake. It is more than simply a vacation - it is an exploration of the origins of Man, and an appreciation of some of the glorious and iconic animals in the world, within their true habitat. From lions and leopards to elephants and wildebeest, a Kenyan safari is the ultimate in exotic experiences, and will create tales and memories to share and enjoy for the rest of your life.
Although the majority of your memories of Kenya will be animal related, there is much to enjoy and to appreciate that is not in wild and arid plains of the highlands. Indeed, you would be well advised to spend at least a day or two in Nairobi, the capital city of Kenya. If you have ever read Karen Blixen's famous book, 'Out of Africa', you will enjoy visiting her house here, built in 1912, and exploring many of the scenes and locations described in the book, and the subsequent film adaptation of course.
Also in Nairobi you will find a number of animal sanctuaries, such as the one for elephants, and the one for giraffes. Seeing these animals up so close, and especially watching the adorable young animals cavorting around, is a real pleasure. If you are fortunate enough to have the luxury of a good guide, they will be able to take you through the city, allowing you the time to appreciate the many cultural, historical and natural wonders on offer, whilst also ensuring you get to see a broad slice of Kenyan life.
Naturally, much of your holiday here will be spent either on safari, or at least excursions into the highlands and plains to watch the animals in the wild. It will be necessary to remind yourself frequently that you are not watching a natural history program on television, but that you are just a short distance away from the very real kings of the African plain. Watching lions, giraffes, elephants, leopards and wildebeest in their natural habitat, and surrounded by wild, open landscape that stretches to the distant mountains on the horizon, will require plenty of spare film in your camera.
Not surprisingly, many film crews and top naturalists come here, although it's well worth knowing when the best seasons are for watching the animals. Although Kenya enjoys a tropical climate towards the coast, and a more arid climate further inland towards the rising highlands and plains, it does experience two rainy seasons. The longest of these takes place between April and June, with most of the rain tending to fall during the afternoons. Between October and December there can be a slightly shorter rainy season.
The best months for a safari vacation in Kenya can be between June and September, as it is during this period that the annual animal migration takes place, with hundreds of thousands of blue wildebeest journeying across the plains. This is often captured by film crews who travel here especially for this remarkable footage. Imagine being there, yourself, with a guide to take you to the best locations where you can watch one of the most incredible and awe inspiring natural events taking place before your very eyes.
Africa is a vast continent, accounting for a fifth of the entire land mass of the Earth, and Kenya itself occupies well over half a million square kilometers. Because of the sheer scale, it is easy to forget, as you look out through the crisp white curtains at your window towards the peaks in the distance, that the tallest of those peaks is Kilimanjaro itself, the highest peak in Africa, the top of which is almost 20,000 feet above sea level.
It's unlikely that, on even a luxury holiday in Kenya, you'll wish to scramble up the mountain, since its beauty can be appreciated from all around, but should you be interested, Kilimanjaro offers every possible climate on earth, from the arid dryness of the base, through tropic regions, and towards the top there are monumental glaciers and snow that lasts all year round. Perhaps just as astonishing is the fact that there is mobile phone reception at the top - the highest mobile reception in the world!
If at all possible, make sure you book an excursion to see the Great Rift Valley, 6000 kilometers of breathtaking scenery. To make the most of this, there is only one way to appreciate it fully - and that is to book a flight. Flying across the immense trough, with a guide to help identify the features and aspects to you, will be something you will remember for a very long time.
Whether you choose unrivaled views a full safari, or a holiday with safari excursions, Kenya will provide you with outstanding, and, opportunities and experiences, with all the best of Africa on hand for your pleasure. Always remember to look at the stars at night - the African plains have a secret that will stay with you forever. A safari vacation in Kenya is, to most, the ultimate in adventure vacations: an African holiday never to forget.
If you are seeking a luxury Kenya safari vacation, you can't beat the personal service offered by Ultitude with top class accommodation, food and travel. Ultitude provides you with a luxury travel experience for a fabulous Kenya safari vacation.
Read more...Whitewater rafting, sea kayaking & hiking in California, Colorado, Grand Canyon, Idaho, Oregon, Utah, Wyoming & British Columbia with professional guides and top notch equipment Since 1969. All trips include beautiful scenery, active adventure & gourmet meals.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YqaC_o1kUV0&hl=en
Twila's first trip through the mad mile. Filmed with a frame mounted POV.1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9HVQMiFC4g0&hl=en
When on a walking safari, mountain climbing or walking round the camp, it is advisable to be aware of the following guidelines on health and safety in the African Bush.
Altitude related Illness: These illnesses can kill you and every year tourists die from altitude related illnesses. Higher altitudes are colder even in Africa; there is less oxygen and to walk slowly is essential especially for hikes or climbs above 1,500 to 3,000 meters above sea level. You should be breathing easily with no panting and no extreme physical excursion. Drink water regularly and eat a light diet with lots of carbohydrates. It is essential to keep warm.
Hypothermia or exposure: this is life threatening condition with a lowering of body temperature and can occur with a temperature as high as 10 c [50 f]. Usually caused by cold wet clothing or simply poorly clothed for the conditions. The signs/symptoms include clumsiness, stumbling, apathy, lethargy, confusion, disorientation, and eventually unconsciousness. Treatment for this is to immediate warm the patient in a warm dry environment - a sleeping bag is ideal with one or even two people inside the sleeping bag with the patient. Warm energy rich drinks help as does rest with a return to camp as quickly as possible.
Acute Mountain sickness: This affects many people above 2,050 meters [or 10,000 ft] signs/symptoms include headache nausea fatigue, malaise, loss of appetite, restless or no sleep. The treatment is to slow down, remain in camp, drink water, and rest your body. It is important to adjust to altitude slowly. In case of severe headaches, loss of coordination, breathing difficulties evacuate immediately for medical attention. This condition kills tourists every year in Tanzania!
Hiking in hot or sunny weather often causes heat exhaustion the signs/symptoms are weakness/fatigue, headache, vertigo, thirst nausea/vomiting faintness high body temperature. The treatment is to lay flat in shade, remove clothing to cool the patient, soak the body with cold water, re-hydrate patient and monitor body temperature
Heat stroke is more serious with the signs/symptoms being delirium, coma, rapid pulse, rapid breathing; skin hot and dry, body temperature above 40c [104 f]. Treat as for heat exhaustion but this condition can be fatal so seek medical assistance quickly - evacuate if possible.
Wildlife; try to avoid interaction; normally the wildlife will try to avoid you. Buffalo or elephant may attack if surprised or provoked. When hike in forest or dense bush clap often or call out if met by an aggressive animal; at all times follow the instructions of your armed guide. Never feed wild animals with baboons and monkeys being highly dangerous and they can steel by force as they have learnt to get food from the tourists.
Weather in Tanzania has a rainy season November through to May with sometimes a dryer season January to March dividing the season into short and long rains. It never rains all the time. The dry season June to October, the coldest month being July with high altitudes reaching temperatures bellow freezing.
If you get lost remain where you are; your guide will look for you and find you quicker if are on the trail - this sometimes happens in fog or dense forest. A day pack should include instant body shelter, warm clothing and a water proof jacket, matches or lighter, a mirror or whistle for signaling, food and drink [esp. water] basic first aid, torch and a compass.
Some areas have stinging nettles, no shorts in these areas with stings causing temporary but painful irritations
Safari ants are small shiny brown ants move rapid in columns across trails - they are common and carnivorous, they crawl up your trouser legs and start to chew. Tuck trouser into socks and watch where you step and especially where you stand.
Acacia thorns "cat claws" of the wait-a-bit thorn tree rip skin and clothing - the thorn is long and straight and can pierce soft soled shoes and even car tires so take care and try not to wear sandals.
Ticks may be found long grass, to remove a tick grasp head and jerk out of skin.
Snakes will usually avoid humans; one exception is the puff adder. This snake is sluggish and slow to move. When moving around in the dark use a torch to avoid a most unwelcome encounter with the puff adder.
Scorpions lurk in the dry country under rocks, behind bark and sometimes climb into boots, clothing or equipment left out at night. The sting from a scorpion can cause severe pain for several hours.
In conclusion to protect yourself - dress right and drink right. Climbing in mountains or highland prepare for extremes. Watch your self day time temperatures can reach 35 c with little shade and may well be freezing at night at higher altitudes. Fine weather can turn into fog or rain quickly. Always carry a waterproof and dry clothing in a plastic bag to keep warm wool and synthetics are better than cotton or down - to keep cool cotton is the better option. Protect yourself from the sun with a hat, sunglasses, skin protection also drink plenty of water and eat a diet high in carbohydrates for energy. Avoid alcohol at high altitudes.
For more information on these issues or any relating to Tanzania see [http://www.tanzania-info.co.uk] and [http://www.betheladventure.co.uk] tourism can change lives.
Read more...Visiting National Parks is a great way to spend your vacation, including a family vacation. The fresh crisp air, beautiful scenery, warm sun, and beautiful shorelines, will leave you feeling relaxed and content. It is great way to escape the pressures of work and home. If you are considering exploring a Park, the following is a list of a few of the top Parks around the world.
Swiss National Park: Located in Switzerland, the stunning Swiss Park is located in the easternmost part of the country. It is the largest protected area and is home to many animals, plants, wild flowers, and alpine meadows. Only 150 000 people a year can visit the park. As well, this park is closed during the winter.
Acadia National Park: Located in Maine, USA, Acadia Park is a beautiful park with inspiring mountains. It is well known for its rugged coastline and wide ranging plant and animal life. Visitors enjoy swimming, hiking, and biking through this stunning park. During the summer months, one can swim at Sand Beach and Echo Lake Beach. There are also guided tours available. Acadia Park is open year-round, but the campgrounds and roads are closed during the winter.
Masai Mara Reserve: Located in Kenya, Africa, the Masai Mara Reserve is home to many exotic animals such as the Wildebeest, Zebra, Crocodiles, Leopards and much more. The reserve is 583 square miles in size. It is a great place for bird-watching, wildlife viewing, and photography.
Grand Canyon National Park: Located in Arizona, USA, the Grand Canyon is an amazing natural wonder. Every year, an estimated 5 million people visit the Grand Canyon Park. Visitors can take in the breathtaking view and enjoy a hiking excursion. People can also river raft on the Colorado River.
Serengeti Park: Located in Tanzania, Africa, the Serengeti Park is home to many exotic animals such as the lion and leopard. Landscapes include: amazing mountains, grassy plains, and wooded hills, Almost 1.5 million wildebeest will undertake a long journey to locate new watering holes and grazing pasture.
Yellowstone National Park: Located in Wyoming, USA, Yellowstone Park is the United States first national park. It is also home to the famous geyser, Old Faithful. One can watch the eruption of Old Faithful, go horse back riding, and even go Llama packing.
Galapagos National Park: More than 1.7 million acres comprise the Galapagos Park in the Ecuador. It is home to many incredible animals. Tourism is being promoted in an environmentally conscious way so as to protect the land, waters, and species that inhabit the area.
Skaftafell National Park: Located in Iceland, in the southern part of the country, the Skaftafell Park is the country's second largest park. It is a great park to hike as there are amazing, craters, glacial caps, plains, and volcanoes. There are even campgrounds.
Taking a vacation that includes spending time in a park will make your holiday much more exciting and memorable. Whatever park you choose, it is important to check with the park officers about safety and rules that must be obeyed. A National Park is one of nature's most valuable gifts that can be enjoyed at an inexpensive price.
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Read more...Gallatin River Slide Show with Geyser Whitewater
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5OCyJkoQiN4&hl=en
Check out this High Definition video, then make the experience yours: Whitewater rafting, sea kayaking & hiking in California, Colorado, Grand Canyon, Idaho, Oregon, Utah, Wyoming & British Columbia with professional guides and top notch equipment since 1969. All trips include beautiful scenery, active adventure & gourmet meals.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=88bhtxDZd_Y&hl=en
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Four Australian travel writers get to experience some of Idaho's incredible tourism products - Yellowstone Bear World, Craters of the Moon, a zip line, jet boating in Hells Canyon, horseback riding and whitewater rafting to name a few. Follow them along on their Adventures in Living. ... Yellowstone "Bear World" "whitewater rafting" "zip line" "jet boat" "Hells Canyon" Australia Idaho
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vBxpPLul5_A&hl=en
www.montanawhitewater.com Full Day Raft trip on the Upper Gallatin River Trip - High Water - June - 5000 cfs ... Whitewater Rafting Big Sky Montana River Scenery Yellowstone
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A4_yVI02nuA&hl=en
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