Saturday, February 28, 2009

Learn from a Summer Camp Blog

By Jeff Lorenz

Getting a good feel for a summer camp is not all that easy, checking out a camp blog can help. Here are just a few things you might find at Swift Nature Camp's Blog.

What do you know about Wisconsin? Chances are you imagine cows, Harley Davidson motorcycles and the beautiful capitol of Madison. Yet, north of all that is the Northwoods of Wisconsin. Filled with all its natural beauty. In the sky you can see eagles all around swooping down to catch a fish in a nearby lake or stream. If your quiet you might just hear a loon or a wolf in the background. This is what America looked like 100 years ago. Until you experience the simple beauty, you can't begin to imagine what you will find there. Wisconsin is also home to many children's summer camps. Choosing a summer camp in Wisconsin offers your child a chance to experience nature and the environment unlike any other place in the Midwest. At Camp Nature Swift your child gets the opportunity to play, make friend sand learn new skills, all this in the warm sun of the wonderful northwoods of Wisconsin.

Charter into new waters this summer. For many kids, coming to camp is a big adventure! One of the biggest challenges is swimming in a lake. We all have had experience swimming in a nice blue pool. There is security in being able to see the bottom of the pool. Lake swimming is to enter the wild water and to cross a border. You pass the lake?s edge and you break the surface of the water itself. In doing so, you move from one realm into another: a newrealm of freedom, adventure, magic and occasional danger. Watch out for those Turtles and Fish! Swimming in open water is a newexperience that's not to be feared, but embraced. Once you feel comfortable swimming in a lake, the world willopen up to you and wherever you see water you willsee a new adventure waiting. Swift Nature Camp has over 1500 acres of water right out your cabin front door. At Swift Nature Camp we have a wonderful swimming area full of fun toys, not to mention Wally (the water trampoline) & Sally (the slide). "Free Swim" is one of the most anticipated times of the camp day, but "Instructional Swim" is there tohelp give you build the confidence for those free swims. You can even earn American Red Cross Swimming levels

It seems as if we are learning more that Summer Camp helps children grow into mature adults. A new British study finds that most modern parents overprotect their kids. Half of all kids have stopped climbing trees, and 17 percent have been told that they can't play tag or chase. Even hide-and-seek has been deemed dangerous. And that dreaded stick..."will put out someone's eye". It is easy to blame technology for the decline in outdoor play, but it may well be mom and dad. Adrian Voce of Play England says 'Children are not being allowed many of the freedoms that were taken for granted when we were children,' 'They are not enjoying the opportunities to play outside that most people would have thought of as normal when they were growing up.' According to the Guardian, "Voce argued that it was becoming a 'social norm' for younger children to be allowed out only when accompanied by an adult. 'Logistically that is very difficult for parents to manage because of the time pressures on normal family life,' he said. 'If you don't want your children to play out alone and you have not got the time to take them out then they will spend more time on the computer.' The Play England study quotes a number of play providers who highlight the benefits to children of taking risks. 'Risk-taking increases the resilience of children,' said one. 'It helps them make judgments,' said another. We as parents want to play it safe and we need to rethink safety vs adventure. The research also lists examples of risky play that should be encouraged including fire-building, den-making, watersports, paintballing, boxing and climbing trees. Summer camp provides an excellent opportunity for children to get outside take risks and play, all while still while being supervised by concerned young adults...we call counselors. See how Swift Nature Camp can put Adventure back into your childs life.

Horses! Enough said. Today's children often have their first interactions with a horse at summer camp. For most of us living the urban dream it is hard to have enough time in a day or space to own a horse. Yet at camp, children have the opportunity to get back to our American roots and have a relationship with a horse. Yes, a relationship! Horses have personalities, even more so than your family dog. Because they can do so much more, carry you through the woods on trails to places campers have never seen before. Our goal at Swift Nature Camp is to help children build this relationship while understanding basic horse care while learning how to ride.

When most folks think of a science they think of school and all those books and studying. However, Swift Nature Camp is all about having Fun while helps children to learn how and why to become good stewards of the environment. It is through direct experience and hands on activities that we inspire kids to be environmentally conscious when they return home. Our first goal is to be a kids summer camp but it is so much more,, it's our dedication to the environment. Swift Nature Camp is fun with a purpose.

Jeff & Lonnie Lorenz, are Directors of Swift Nature Camp a Non-competitive, Traditional coed overnight summer camp in Wisconsin. Boys and Girls Ages 6-15. enjoy Nature, Animals & Science along with adventure camping.

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Friday, February 27, 2009

The Best Minnesota Kids Summer Camp

By A Swift Nature Camper

The North woods of Minnesota is more than the pristine beauty of lakes, forests and eagles flying overhead. To me it's Summer Camp! Swift Nature Camp is so much more than another home with another family.

Why is it so much more? It is filled with encouragement, love, acceptance, and real friends that will be part of your camp memories for life. Your counselors are great people to look up to they act as parents, older siblings and more. You may even end up looking at them as siblings. Your Uniqueness is celebrated and Acceptance is everywhere. This is what makes Swift Nature Camp place that i can not wait to return to each summer.

When you're not on canoe or backpack trips and just at camp, there is so much to do, you can never fit it all in. Other fun activities to do at camp are archery, swimming, fishing, boating, tubing, and riflery. I loved being active all day. What is real neat is rather you are a beginner or an expert in an area its ok. The counselors help you get better. All activities are noncompetitive and so we all support each other, rather than worry who is best.

I'll never forget the great out of camp trips we took like the Superior Hiking Trail. What an adventure! I loved being in the of the forest. overlooking Lake Superior. The wildlife was wonderful too we saw hawks, bald eagles, & deer. This is why I love Summer Camp in Minnesota

Life in a cabin is about learning from others and with others. It is becoming a team of understanding. Sure, sometimes we had our fights or minor issues, but almost always they were resolved and we grew closer as a team for them.

The Nature Center is a great place to learn about Nature and the beautiful environment of the North woods. We always have fun this is not school. The animals in the zoo are fun to take care of, especially since my mom, back home, will only let me have a cat. It is kinda like being at an animal camp.

I plan on going back to Swift Nature Camp for all these reasons. If you come for just one summer, I know you will feel as I do. So, I'll see yawl in the North woods of Minnesota this summer!

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Thursday, February 26, 2009

Films To See From 2008 By Dotty: Best Films

By Kerri Climbes

I have put together a sampling of movie hits for 2008. This list consists of the movies I enjoyed watching this year. I hope you find some films here that are good viewing.

WHAT HAPPENS IN VEGAS: Wild and crazy nights in Las Vegas are normal. Barely remembering what had happened, Jack and Joy get up the next day and find out that they are married. When they win a $3 million jackpot, each thinks they deserve the prize, so they ask a judge for a decision. It is decided that for the next few months they must stay together, and give their marriage a chance. With lots of money at stake, they each try to get the other to give up, as both desire to get the money for themselves.

FORGETTING SAHRAH MARSHALL: Following a tough split with Sarah, a TV sitcom actress, Peter eventually decides to escape to Hawaii to get past the break up. As one might expect, when he arrives at his hotel, the first people he sees are the woman who just left him and her new man, who is a mega rock star. This film is a fun filled romantic comedy.

TROPIC THUNDER: With an abundance of acting talent this outrageous flick is a claasic parody of popular war films. To get a realistic performance from his crew to make a true epic masterpiece, the now venturesome director into the middle of nowhere, and leaves them on thier own. The object is to overwhelm them into producing a war classic, which hidden cameras will capture. Incredibly, because the director walks over a land mine and is blown apart, the spoiled actors are on their own, and they are covinced everything is just an act, but the bullets flying are actually real. Great cast with incredible make up for Robert Downey Jr.and Tom Cruise.

10,000 B.C.: This cinematic production will take you back almost 12,000 years. When mysterious warlords from another tribe storm the Yaghai people, they capture, among others, Evolet. A strong young hunter, D'Leh, who loves Evolet, organizes a band of hunters to chase down these warmongers, and rescue Evolet and the others.

THE DARK KNIGHT: In this film Batman, and Lt. Gordon and D.A. Harvey Dent, are on a mission to clean up Gotham City. This has effectively reduced crime, but now a new super criminal arrives on the scene, and starts a crime spree. Batman has his work cut out him now, as the Joker has unleashed his criminal insanity on Gotham City.

MADAGASCAR: ESCAPE 2 AFRICA: As you might imagine, this is the sequel to the big hit film Madagascar. Our cast of lost animals, Alex (Lion), Marty (Zebra), Glorial (Hippo), and Melman (Giraffe) are ready to go back to the the Central Park Zoo in NY, and go back to the lives they know. Instead, thanks to those wacky Penguins again, they are heading off to their true homeland, Africa.

GET SMART: Maxwell Smart (agent 86) is here again, "and loving it". KAOS vs CONTROL, agents hidden in plants, and all the great one liners. It is worth the look back at the antics of Maxwell Smart.

BOLT: Bolt: This movie is a movie for the whole family. Bolt, is a dog who is an actor, who in his TV show, has superpowers. His problem is that he honestly believes he has superpowers. After he is unexpectedly thrown into the real world, he discovers that he is just a dog. Now, trying to get back home, he is aided by a cat named Mittens, and an overweight hampster named Rhino.

WALL-E: This picture is an animated, comedy, adventure, sci-fi. Mankind has left Earth, since it had become a pile of rubbish. Waste removal robot, Wall-E, has been left to clean up the mess. When Eve, another robot, arrives looking for any signs of life, Walle-E has a friend. When the spaceship returns for Eve, Wall-E somehow get on the ship, and thus starts the adventure of his robot life.

Many people will buy films, and views them on their home entertainment system. A more recent method for getting films is by downloading them directly from online sources. Online providers have websites that with a membership, you can download virtually any movie ever made.

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Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Dvd Movies Online

By Celion Hundry

Now, many of us get movie rentals often. Often people wait for the rental, rather than going to the movies. Here is a short list of some of most heavily rented DVD's in Oct. 2008.

An innovative method for getting films is using a movie download. There are websites that have downloads of 1,000's of movies. This an easy way to build your movie library.

INDIANA JONES AND THE KINGDOM OF THE CRYSTAL SKULL: Indiana Jones (Harrison Ford) returns to action, after a long break. This the most recent movie about the adventures of Indiana Jones. In this movie Mr. Jones battles the Soviets. This time, it's off top the Amazon to search for the Crystal Skulls, which are thought to have secret powers.

THE LAZARUS PROJECT: Ex con Ben Garvey seems to have gotten his act together. With a beautiful wife and daughter, and steady work, he seems to have found a better life. Then, he loses his job, and he goes back to his old criminality ways. This goes terribly wrong, and he is sentenced to death. He is sent to die. Incredibly, he isn't dead, but is in an insane asylum. He now is in a battle for his sanity, and his soul.

LINEWATCH: Michael Dixon is a veteran boarder patrolman in New Mexico, and life seems to be good. Soon his past is about to catch up with him. He was part of a vicious L.A. gang, but he had the courage to leave. When a bad twist of fate exposes his whereabouts to his old gang leader, he finds himself in a dangerous situation. He must risk his future, and make sure that gang leader drake is able to safely get a large supply of drugs from Mexico into the U.S.

THE INCREDIBLE HULK: This movie is about Dr. Bruce Banner (Edward Norton), who has become the Incredible Hulk because of being hit by gamma rays. This box office hit is about the comic character the Hulk. This movie stars Edward Norton, Tim Roth, William hurt, and Liz Tyler. Louis Leterrier directs this film. The film style is sci-fi/action thriller.

DECEPTION: Auditor for the elite, Jonathan McQuarry has a chance encounter with hot shot lawyer Wyatt Bose. This an event that will change his life. John is exposed to "The List", where people find a decadent sexual pleasures. However, he also finds himself in a world of corruption, treason and murder.

JOURNEY TO THE CENTER OF THE EARTH: On a mission to discover what happened to his missing brother, science professor Trevor Anderson explores caves in Iceland that leads him to the center of the earth. This is a newer edition of the 1959 film, which was about the classic work by celebrated writer Jules Verne. Starring Brendan Fraser and Josh Hutchinson.

THE HAPPENING: Elliot Moore (Mark Wahlberb), with his wife and many other frightened people are leaving Philadelphia by train. The northeastern U.S. has been thrown into chaos. People have been overwhelmed by some strange illness, and are killing themselves. Will mankind solve this dilemma, or are we approaching the finish of man?

IRON MAN: Man of the town, arms builder, Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) is attacked and taken by Afghan insurgents. They try to force him to build missiles for the insurgent group. He was injured during his capture, and has metal in his chest. To live through this life threatening wound, and make his get away, he designs a suit of armor, that makes him super strong. Iron Man, a new super hero has arrived.

SPEED RACER: An anime-cartoon is now a movie hit. As you saw with the movie The Flinstones, Speed Racer changes from a cartoon to a movie with an actual cast. Young Speed Racer who loves racing. His goal is to win The Crucible, a major rally car race that his older brother lost his live in. With no one expecting him to win, and the family business on the line, he partners up with his old rival Racer X, to try to win The Crucible, and keep his families racing business alive.

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Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Download Movies Off The Internet

By Yuri Samson

I have made a small selection of the movies released this year (2008). I have chosen a few of the motion pictures that I think you might like. I'm sure that you can find a couple of movies that you will enjoy.

BOLT: Bolt is an animated family comedy. Bolt is a dog actor, who in his role on television, has superpowers. His problem is that he is convinced he is this super hero dog with superpowers. When he is accidentally put into a real life situation, he discovers that he is just a dog. Now, trying to get back home, he is aided by a cat named Mittens, and an overweight hamster named Rhino.

WANTED: Wesley Gibson is about to learn that the father he never knew, is an assassin. His father is killed, and now he is being recruited into the organization that his dad was a member of. He is asked to become the professional killer that he was meant to be. After that, everything becomes extremely complicated. Enjoy the ride.

THE CHRONICALS OF NARNIA, PRINCE CASPIAN: It's only about one down the road in their normal lives when, the four saviors of Narnia, Lucy, Susan, Peter, and Edmund magically reappear in Narnia. Fearing for his life Prince Caspian has blown the magic horn, hoping to be saved. 100's of years have passed since they left Narnia, but the four legendary characters have be summoned back to save Narnia from the evil Telmarines. With the help of the bravest in the forest, including, a dwarf, the centaurs, and a very skilled mouse, they will fight for the future of Narnia.

Jumper: During a near death experience, David Rice (Hayden Christensen) learns something incredible. He now knows he can teleport himself anywhere, anytime. Later, he becomes aware that he is not the only one that has this skill. After he becomes used to jumping around the world, he learns that there are people that are trying to rid the world of jumpers. He must fight for his life, as the hunters believe he should die.

WALL-E: This picture is an animated, comedy, adventure, sci-fi. Mankind has left Earth, since it had become a pile of rubbish. Waste removal robot, Wall-E, has been left to clean up the planet. Years later, when a robot named Eve shows up searching to see if the planet can sustain any life, Wall-E finally has some company. Eventually, when Eve is recovered by the craft that sent her, Wall-E somehow get on the ship, and starts an incredible adventure.

THE DARK KNIGHT: This time Batman, and law enforcement officials, are taking the major criminals off the streets. This has effectively reduced crime, until a new criminal mastermind shows up, and attacks the city. Batman is in a battle now, as the Joker has unleashed his criminal insanity on Gotham City.

WHAT HAPPENS IN VEGAS: Wild and crazy nights in Las Vegas are normal. Young partiers Joy and Jack wake up and soon realize that they had married each other the night before. When they win a $3 million jackpot, each thinks they deserve the prize, so they ask a judge for a decision. The strange ruling is that the two must stay married for a few months, and try to make their marriage work. With $3 million on the line, they conspire to make each other quit the marriage, as they are both determined to get the money for themselves.

TWENTY ONE: This movie tells the actual tale about M.I.T. students who created a team of blackjack winners. These wiz kids planned, trained, and executed a brilliant run at the blackjack tables. To be successful in Las Vegas, where players who beat the game can be banned from playing, they created false identities, and used complex signals to avoid detection. This movie is based on the best selling book that tells how the M.I.T. teams made millions playing blackjack.

10,000 B.C.: This cinematic production will take you back 1,000's of years. When mysterious warlords from another tribe storm the Yaghai people, they ride off with some of the people, including the lovely Evolet. D'Leh, a young hunter who is in love with her, leads a group of hunters to pursue the warlords, and rescue Evolet and the others.

Most people buy or rent these movies, and watch them at home. A more recent method for getting films is through downloads off websites. The internet has many websites that with a membership, you can download virtually any movie ever made.

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Monday, February 23, 2009

Care And Repair Of Your Violin

By Ria Yuka

If you own a violin, you know how delicate these instruments are compared to other forms of musical accessories. If they are not well taken care of, violins can suffer potentially bad damage that might need substantial repair. It is therefore of paramount importance that one learns how to avoid this.

There will sometimes be situations whereby the violin gets damaged despite all the best measures. These are often more serious cases and should be left in the hands of qualified repairmen. The less serious problems can actually be fixed on your own.

Performing your own repairs is entirely possible but one should observe the proper measures and steps to take in doing so. There will be occasions when you need a set of old hands to show you the way so feel free to ask for help when necessary.

Having strings broken on the violin is a common problem most violinists have. Unknown to most of them, the problem can be a result of constant neglect and incorrect use of the various parts. Yet, it continues to be something most players take for granted.

It is quite easy to figure out how to re-string a violin. It is also an essential skill that any violinist worth his salt must learn. But finding out how to prevent strings breaking too often is of even greater importance, and that means not making them too tight.

If your violin has been strung too tightly, expect its neck to warp eventually. This leads to a certainty whereby the whole violin will be damaged and is quite often an irretrievable situation. Short of replacing it with a new one, you would then have to spend more money repairing it.

Changing a violin bridge might sound difficult but it really is not. You can do it yourself. The difficulty in the beginning can be moderated by getting someone with a little bit of experience to guide you.

Since the violin is made of wood, any repairs done on it must take that into consideration. If the repair actually ends up leaving marks or worse damage to the wood, it will leave several adverse consequences such as poorer sound. While it might be cost conscious to perform some repairs of your own, do visit trained repairmen for more serious issues.

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Sunday, February 22, 2009

Durmada's Movies To Watch In 2008: Chronicals of Narnia

By Derek Fisher

This is a small selection of the movies released this year (2008). I have chosen a few of the motion pictures I found entertaining in this years crop. I'm sure that you can find a couple of movies that you will enjoy.

Jumper: During a near death experience, David Rice discovers an amazing thing. He has the ability to actually teleport himself to any place he wants to go, at any time. Eventually, he discovers that he is not alone in having this skill. After he becomes used to jumping around the world, he finds out that there are those that think jumpers are a threat, and need to be eliminated. Now he is in a fight for survival, as those people try to track him down.

BOLT: Bolt: This movie is a fun animation. The star is dog actor Bolt, who plays the role of a dog that has super hero dog powers. The thing about Bolt is that he really thinks he is this super hero dog with superpowers. When he is accidently finds himself in a real world situation, he realizes that he is only a normal dog. Now, trying to get back home, he is aided by a cat named Mittens, and an overweight hampster named Rhino.

THE CHRONICALS OF NARNIA, PRINCE CASPIAN: It is one year later, in "real" time, when Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy are teleported back to Narnia. Prince Caspian has blownn Susan's magic horn, praying that he will be saved. In their one year at home, centuries have passed in Narnia, but the four legendary characters have be summoned back to rescue Narnia from an evil fate. With the aid of the brave warriors of Narnia, they will fight for the future of Narnia.

WANTED: Wesley, an office worker going nowhere in life, learns that his father, who he never really knew, is an assasin. His father has been murdered, now Wesley is asked to join into the secret society of killers that his dead father was involved with. He is transformed from a nobody office worker into the killing expert that is in his blood. From that point on, this movie gets very complex and twisted. Hang on to your seat.

THE DARK KNIGHT: This time Batman, and law enforcement officials, have been taking down the criminal elements of the city. Crime is now down, but now a new super criminal arrives on the scene, and things get a lot worse. Batman has his work cut out him now, as the Joker is dispensing his criminal insanity on Gotham City.

TWENTY ONE: The basis for this film is the actual tale about M.I.T. students who built a team of blackjack winners. This team of blackjack players prepared and then enacted a brilliant run at the blackjack tables. To beat the games in Vegas, where card counting can get you banned, they had to change casinos often, and disguise themselves, so the wouldn't get caught. This movie is based on the best selling book that explains how these kids made millions playing blackjack.

10,000 B.C.: This movie takes us back to prehistoric times. When a warlike tribe invade the Yaghai tribe, they capture, among others, Evolet. A strong young hunter, D'Leh, who is in love with her, leads a group of hunters to pursue the warlords, and save her, and the rest of the captured tribe members.

WHAT HAPPENS IN VEGAS: Wild and crazy nights in Las Vegas are normal. Joy and Jack, who had just met, wake up to discover that they are married. After winning a huge jackpot, each thinks they deserve the prize, so they try to settle it in court. The strange ruling is that they must stay together for six months, and see if they can settle their differences. With an eye on the jackpot, they each try to get the other to give up, as both desire to have the cash for themselves.

WALL-E: This picture is a science fiction adventure in animation. Everyone has been removed from Earth because it had become a big pile of trash. Wall-E, a robot built to remove trash, has been left behind to clean up the mess. Years later, when a robot namend Eve shows up searching for any signs of life, Wall-E is finally not alone. When the spaceship returns for Eve, Wall-E stows away, and begins an exciting new life.

Most people buy or rent films, and views them on their home entertainment system. An increasingly popular way to get movies is by using down loading technologies from online sources. There are websites that will download virtually any movie ever made.

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Saturday, February 21, 2009

Oueen Elizabeth' as a hedge

By Jack Dawson

Many gardeners are inclined to look rather askance at the miniature roses and regard them as some kind of modern freak. How such an opinion equates with accepting climbing 30ft (9m) monsters I'm not sure, and it is very unfair because many people with insufficient space for conventional bushes who only have small gardens, patios, terrace pots and tubs, are thereby enabled to grow and enjoy roses.

A frequent cause for disappointment with containers exposed as this one will be is due to direct sunlight on the container sides, which heat up and become hot - you cannot expect roses, or any other plants, to grow with baked roots. One solution may be to use a metal or fibreglass container inside a timber or other attractive outer casing, in which case make sure there is an inch (2.5cm) or so clearance for ventilation and for heat to disperse.

Next spring, prune back the stems that were left last time, and from then on, pruning will consist basically of taking out the one oldest main stem each year. This is easier said than done, especially when some side shoots have shot up through the lacing. The way I always tackled the job was to look carefully at each base, decide which old and perhaps barky stem was for the chop - then reach under and cut it through with long handled loppers. That may take some courage, as there is then no going back - but it is the best way.

Obviously, we cannot remove the redundant stems in one piece, they have to be traced out from the first cut and removed piecemeal. Almost inevitably, you will be bound to miss pieces here and there, but not to worry, they will show out in a day or two as they wilt. Every piece must come out because leaving bits to die and remain is to ask for coral spot fungus to put in an appearance.

Finally, other than to repeat the similarities with the previous question, a climber growing in these conditions provides one of the exceptions to general rules. Dead-heading is good and usual practice in order to prevent a plant dissipating its energies into seed production and to concentrate on new growth for the following season.

Size, however, is one of the problems here, and there is something to be said therefore for allowing this plant to divert some of its energy into producing a hip display for the autumn and winter.

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Friday, February 20, 2009

How to Keep your Festival Experience Safe

By Ian Kleine

The local fair and trade market can be a very thrilling place for most kids (and kids at heart) to wander around. Food stalls can be seen everywhere, some stuff to buy and play with, a new thing to find; it can be a whole new adventure when going around the festival grounds.

But as with every adventure, danger is there to hound both wary and unwary travelers. They can come in many forms, but each one is sure to deal pain to your family if you are caught unawares.

First, your local security. Florida is not the state most people would assume it to be. Every place can be a danger, and your local trade shows could be one of them. Keep your kids beside you at all times, buy a child safety leash if you can. Child safety leashes ARE not degrading, and gives your child freedom and gives you security at the same time. Do not lose your eye over the stroller or baby carriage and as much as possible, have your family or someone close go with you when out venturing into the festival.

Second, your health. Festivals go from dusk till dawn. Make sure to wear comfortable clothes so they don't end up yucky-smelling. You wouldn't want to attract flies and insects that would bring you more bad stuff. For those going to the fair when the moon is up, a wooly sweater would be nice to keep the warmth in and the cold out.

For the booth keepers and exhibit owners, make sure that at least a few people man the booth at the same time. A few troublemakers might cause problems or someone might steal a thing or two. That would equal to your profit being stolen. Have a comfortable uniform that is easy to wear; in case of emergencies, your movements will not be hindered. You can never know with our times.

Be extra careful, but learn to relax as well. After all, the point of going to a festival is to enjoy your time with you and your family or loved one.

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Thursday, February 19, 2009

Lake George New York, A Great Place to Ride

By LJ James

As a Biker I love to take long Rides on my 2007 Harley Davidson, Nightrain. Some times a trip to Connecticut where one has the freedom of choice to decided if they want to wear a Helmet or not is a great place to go. Often I head up to the NY Catskill Mountains, Where a Burger and a Beer at Nicks Waterfall House in West Conesville can be the perfect end to a day of Cruising threw the Mountains.

Then there is another of my Favorite places to ride to, The Lake George NY area. My Uncle has a small Cabin in the Mountains right outside of the town of Lake George where I often stay. The area has some great long and winding roads for riding, These roads will relax even the most stressed Motorcycle rider.

There is so much history to the Lake George NY area. While on a trip one year riding around with no real destination in mind, I found myself in front of Fort Ticonderoga (fort-ticonderoga.org). Being very interested in American History I had to stop in and take the tour. The Fort was built between 1755 and 1759 and has plenty of stories to tell. It had a big roll in the American Revolution. As I walked around the Fort the I could almost imagine I had traveled back to the 18Th Century, The things I learned reminded me of the sacrifices our fore Fathers made to secure the Freedoms we enjoy and let slip threw our fingers every day.

Another thing I like to do is ride on some of the less traveled roads. Riding on a road where you see nothing but Forests and small Waterfalls for miles is very relaxing. I like to search out small little Dinners and eatery's, Stopping at them and trying some of the foods they have to offer.

I recently met up with my Mother, Sister, Brother, Nieces, Nephew and other members of my family at the Lake George Escape Evergreen Resort Campgrounds (LakeGeorgeEscape.com), I found it a great places for me to relax for a few days. There where plenty of activities for the kids and many activities I could enjoy with the kids. In the resorts game room I won my Nieces and Nephew many prizes and I played (or maybe Battled is a more accurate word) Air Hockey with my younger Brother in the game room for hours. The resort has a pond and two pools to Swim in. Each week at the resort during the Summer has a thyme and while we where there it was Halloween week. The Camp Grounds has Nightly Hay rides around the Camp Grounds and since it was Halloween week my Brother came up with the idea of throwing out candy to all the kids as we took a Hay ride around the grounds one night. The Cherry on the top of this great resort has to be the on Grounds full service Tiki style Bar where most Nights they had a DJ to help keep the party going!

Many other things I have stopped to enjoy while riding around and staying in the Lake George area is White Water rafting, Hiking and many Trips to Six Flags Great Escape & Splash Water Kingdom. The park was known as Storytown USA when it first opened in 1954. As a Kid I used to love to watch the gun fights in its old western area known as Ghost town. The park may be much larger now and have many modern day Rides and attractions, but all the old Story town, Jungleland and Ghost town areas from the 50's and 60s are still there! Then of course there is the town of Lake George it self with many great stores for shopping including a new shop I found last year called DILLIGAF's. Many Arcades, Museum's, Para Sailing, Night Clubs and Many Places to eat including some Waterfront Restaurants. Now in my opinion no trip to Lake George can be Complete without a Paddle wheel Cruise on the historic and scenic Lake George itself. The lake is known as the Queen of American Lakes. There are Two maybe three Companies you can use, But I recommend you take your trip on the Lake George Steamboat Company's (lakegeorgesteamboat.com) Minnie-Ha-Ha. I have Pictures of me getting on this Boat with my Family that go back many years.

As Bikers We are always looking for Great places to ride to alone or with our friends and family that offer both great riding areas and many things to do. I have found Lake George to be a great area for both!

Maybe I will see you there! Your Bro L.J. James AmericanBikerX.com Listen to LJs Radio Show at BikerLowDown.com

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Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Finding a Women's Motorcycle Helmet

By Frank Medley

If you're a woman who's a rider, it can be hard to find motorcycle gear that keeps your femininity intact. But there are many women's motorcycle helmets which look great and keep you safe.

If you are a woman looking for a motorcycle helmet, you will need to find one that fits you well. The fit is the part of the motorcycle helmet which keeps you protected if you're in a crash.

When you're looking for that perfect fit, you can get a professional measurement at your local motorcycle shop. You can also use a sizing chart from the manufacturer and measure yourself from home.

When you're buying your helmet, make sure that the fit is correct so that you can wear the helmet correctly. This might mean that the helmet won't be the kind designed for your gender, but fit is the most important aspect.

As a woman, you may feel that you need to wear an open face helmet, so that you're recognizable as a woman. But you don't need to show your face to make your stylish mark as a rider.

You can find a helmet that is a great color to show off who you are. If you're wearing a full face women's motorcycle helmet, you can show off that style with a feminine color, in either matte or metallic.

There are also many different helmets that can be created using cool print graphics. You can get something that you think looks cool, or which suits your taste. Some companies will even make a specialized graphic just for you.

If you're in the market for a women's motorcycle helmet, you are sure to find exactly what you're looking for. You will be stylish and looking great, and you'll also be protecting yourself.

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Tuesday, February 17, 2009

My Favorite Movies 2008 By Dooriya

By Charlie Chaps

This is a short list of movie hits for 2008. I have chosen a few of the films that I think you might like. I'm sure that you can find a couple of movies that are good viewing.

THE DARK KNIGHT: In this film Batman, and Lt. Gordon and D.A. Harvey Dent, are on a mission to clean up Gotham City. Crime is now down, until a new criminal mastermind shows up, and things get a lot worse. Batman has his work cut out him now, as the Joker has unleashed his criminal insanity on Gotham City.

WALL-E: This film is an animation comedy. Earth has been left behind, an uninhabitale wasteland. Wall-E, a trash collecting robot, is assigned to clean up the planet. When Eve, another robot, arrives looking to see if the planet can sustain any life, Wall-E is finally not alone. Eventually, when Eve is recovered by the craft that sent her, Wall-E stows away, and begins an exciting new life.

HAMLET 2: Failed actor Mr. Marshz has moved on to teaching the high school theater classes to students who just don't care. When a building is destroyed at the school, the school administation feels that the theater curriculum will have to go. Now fully motivated, he plans to save the theater classes by producing Hamlet 2, a new version of the classic, which he writes himself.

TROPIC THUNDER: Overloded with good actors this outrageous flick is a spoof on many of the most popular war movies. To recover from a lost cause, and to get his spoiled actors to create a quality war film, the seemingly bold director into the wild jungle, leaving them to fend for themselves. His theory is to overwhelm them into producing a war classic, which will be caught on hidden cameras in the area. When the director blows up on an old French land mine, the spoiled actors are on their own, and they are covinced everything is just an act, but the bullets flying are actually real. Great cast with incredible make up for Robert Downey Jr.and Tom Cruise.

BOLT: Bolt is a movie for the whole family. Bolt is a dog actor, who in his role on television, is a super hero dog. His problem is that he honestly believes he has superpowers. After he is unexpectedly finds himself in a real world situation, he discovers that he is just a dog. On a journey to get back home, he is aided by Mittens, the cat, and Rhino, the hampster.

Jumper: While almost drowning, David Rice (Hayden Christensen) learns an amazing thing. He now knows he can transport himself anywhere, anytime. Eventually, he discovers that he is not the only one that has this skill. After he becomes used to jumping around the world, he is exposed to hunters that are trying to rid the world of jumpers. He now must battle for his life, as the hunters try to track him down.

GET SMART: Agent 86 is back, "and loving it". The evil organization (KAOS) vs the good guys (CONTROL), agents hidden in plants, and all the classic quotes. It's a trip down memory lane to look back at the antics of Maxwell Smart.

10,000 B.C.: This film takes us back almost 12,000 years. When a warlike tribe invade the Yaghai tribe, they kidnap the beautiful Evolet. A young hunter named D'Leh, who is in love with her, leads a group of hunters to pursue the warlords, and rescue Evolet and the others.

ROLE MODELS: Danny (Paul Rudd) and Wheeler (William Scott), who sell energy drinks, are looking at jail time after destroying the company vehicle while binging. The only way to avoid going to prison is by doing communuty service. The catch is they will have to become mentors in a big brother type situation. A good situation for some good laughs.

Most people buy or rent films, and views them on their home entertainment system. A new way people are aquiring movies is by using down loading technologies off websites. There are websites that will download almost any film you can think of.

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Monday, February 16, 2009

Smokey Mountain Cabins

By Dominic

In winter and summer, most vactioners love spending time in the great outdoors, including the mountains. During the winter, lots of skiing lovers will clamor to the mountains and cozy up in a mountain cabin for rent for a weekend, or even a full week trip. And during the summer, you will see many families in mountain cabins for rent that are enjoying hiking, fishing, and simply the summer weather.

No matter the reason for vacationing in the mountains, most people find it a more enjoyable vacation if they can find mountain cabins for rent instead of having to camp in a tent or a trailer. Now of course not everyone is inclined to stay away from camping, but for a family with small children, it can just be easier using a cabin during their stay. The kids will feel more at home and wont miss their essentials including a tv.

Because mountain cabins have gotten so popular, many people tend to purchase one in hopes of making it an investment that will prosper. Owning a cabin in the mountains comes with all kinds of benefits. The first of which is the fact that when you want to go on a trip, you have a place to lay your head anytime you please. It becomes a home away from home.

Even if you rent your cabin out to vacationers, you can certainly reserve the space for yourself anytime you wish to visit it. And while renting the cabin to others while you are not using it, you are making enough money to cover expenses, almost as if your vacations are paid for by others. Mountain cabins for rent are usually not cheap, so renting the cabin to even a handful of vacationers a year should pay for the cabin and still put a little extra money in your wallet.

So in the end, if you are someone who loves to visit the mountains during vacation time, and you use mountain cabins for rent to do so, you may want to look into purchasing your own mountain cabin. You can then make your mountain cabins for rent produce an income for you by renting it out to others when you are not using it. This offers you flexibility when it comes to vacationing yourself; it also offers a great investment that can be enjoyed for many years to come. You can also use your cabin as collateral for loans you may need in the future, making your mountain cabins for rent investment more than worth your time, trouble, and money.

The mountains are a amazing, peaceful place to visit. With all of the cabins for rent at your disposal youll have no trouble finding the one that feels just like home to you.

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Sunday, February 15, 2009

Downloading Movies For Dummies

By Linx Gadeners

Since the late 1980's, viewing experiences have grown. From a strip-based, bulky video to a larger number of DVD players to compact downloads for unlimited movies online. While DVDs are still widely used, most have opted for the most fashionable download that offers unlimited movies.

The biggest question for most is how much this will cost? Although many will tell you otherwise, these websites are never free. If they claim to be then they are running illegally or the quality is almost unwatchable.

It would be really ignorant to think that films and shows are going to be free. Films are not made to be distributed free of charge. Professional sites are not designed not to make a profit.

Why would someone provide downloads of films entirely free? Whatever, free or paid, people still love the idea of unlimited downloads of film. This is because of all the benefits.

For a nominal fee (or a monthly subscription or a one-time membership payment), you get unlimited access to thousands of films. You can download and start watching instantly. Downloading movies only take a few minutes, but then your computer is a cinema screen.

There are plenty of benefits to joining this growing group of movie buffs; the movies are cheaper than your regular DVDs. Just think how much you pay for each CD or DVD and imagine how many movies you could have watched at this price online. Most movies you watch only once.

Just to put it aside as soon as you have watched it. Even if you don't buy DVDs, but rent them, this download option is still much cheaper. Movie downloads are convenient and available any time.

Even if you do not buy DVDs, but rent, the download option is much cheaper. Movie downloads are practical and available any time. If there is a movie you want to look at whatever time of day or night.

In fact, you don't even have to go out! With a few clicks of your mouse, in the convenience of your home, you can watch whatever and whenever you want! Even though DVDs are quite compact, they still need a space to be stored.

You do not have to find a store that could be open on Sunday or late at night. In fact, you do not even need to leave! A few clicks of your mouse, in the comfort of your home, you can watch what and when you want! DVDs are very compact. They still need a space to be stored. If kept in inappropriate conditions, they can get damaged and lose their quality.

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Saturday, February 14, 2009

Grilling at the Fairgrounds

By Ian Kleine

Ever wondered what a good barbecue would be for a fair?

There are lots of things to think for a barbie. For one , you'd have to get the general consensus that the people involved in your "eat-out" would love the barbecue.

For one, offer variety. There are the meat lovers, and there are the vegens. You probably would have your share of people like this in your life. So when you have the time, go out shopping and have a few hands to bring in your goods. They could even choose what to buy, so that when the time comes for the barbecue, you'd have no hassles left to discuss whatsoever.

The second, is to decide when to start the grill. At least have one person man the grill while the others are out for fun and for sight-seeing. If this was a family trip, at least have dad or mum handle the grill. Or generally anyone who is more interested or tuned into the idea of grilling as fun rather than walking around and exploring the sights to see.

That person should be able to cook as well, unless you want to come back to a meal with nothing but blackened pieces of charcoal. Meat is generally the safest of the bunch, as it cooks long and is tough. Just avoid bringing in lean meat or anything that is rather expensive if the cook is a novice. Tough meat is much more harder to spoil when grilling.

Fish is in the consensus of a fast-grill type of food. And so are shrimps and prawns (which are usually found in cocktails). Lobster requires a grill-oven for nice cooking, and any other seafood should have it's own cooking method.

Go for the open areas so you wouldn't bother anyone with the smoke, and make sure to clear the grill of any live charcoal after use. Go for safety.

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Friday, February 13, 2009

Safari Equipment For Your Packing Tips

By Jane Farasi

Going on safari in Africa is extremely exciting and your adventure will be even more enhanced and comfortable if you start off with the right safari equipment.

There are different variations in the types of safari one can take ( trekking, mountain climbing, wildlife, camping, beach etc), but you will find that there will be some basic packing that applies to all safaris.

The Basic Requirements

- luggage and a soft backpack

- a sleeping bag if camping or hiking

- a mosquito net, anti-malarial tablets and insect repellent

- with your personal toiletries include sun- block or sun-tan lotion, wet wipes and lip balm

- a torch or flashlight constitutes an important part of safari equipment

- camera and accessories

- binoculars, sunglasses and scissors or a pen knife

- scissors, a pen knife or both

- water for drinking and water purification kit

Clothes and shoes

The thing to remember about clothing is to have it in light, absorbent, wash and wear materials. Colors should generally not be too loud such as red, and white does not go too well with the adventure or the dust. Brown, beige, khakis are good safari colors. Try and avoid jungle fatigues.

Along with the tee-shirts, sun dresses, shorts and safari trousers don't forget these :

- one warm jacket and one waterproof jacket

- at least one sun-hat

- walking shoes that are comfortable

- one pair of sandals and bathroom slippers

- a swimming costume.

Others things to remember

Carry your prescribed medication in sufficient quantities, painkillers, vitamins and antibiotics if you need them and a small first-aid kit.

For safari equipment, this is the basic list. Don't hesitate to ask check with your travel agent in case you need extras specific to your safari.

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Thursday, February 12, 2009

Soccer Pele

By Denise I Smithson

Pele, a former Brazilian footballer, is thought by many to be the greatest footballer in history. Pele is his nickname; he was born in Brazil with the given name of Edison (Edson) Arantes do Nascimento on October 23, 1940. While his birth certificate reads that his first name is Edison, his preference is Edson, but Pele is the name that this sports legend is known by.

When people think of soccer, they think of Pele. He seemed to be born to play soccer. He possessed amazing skills and seemed to make the ball do exactly what he wanted. He had astonishing speed as well as ball control. He was agile, lithe, and strong. He is well known for his unique dribbling and passing techniques. The crowd absolutely loved to watch him play; he always seemed to pull of some amazing feat every time he was in possession of the ball. His skill allowed him to score 1,283 first-class goals, 12 of which were made during World Cup tournaments, in 1958, 1968 and 1970. Pele was the only football player in the games history to claim three World Cup trophies.

Peles skill was noticed by football star Waldemar de Brito. He began coaching Pel in 1954 when Pele was just 14 years old. He made his professional debut in 1956 for Santos Futebol Clube. By 1957, he claimed a starting position on the 1st team. He claimed his first World Cup trophy at the age of 17. It was in 1962 that he began receiving offers from European organizations and he began to entertain the idea of a move to Europe. Due to economic conditions and the benefits Pel brought to the Santos Football Club as well as Brazilian football regulations, the Brazilian government blocked any move by Pele to Europe, declaring him a national treasure.

Pele continued playing for Santos until the end of his 17th season in 1972. He retired from football but would occasionally suit up during competitive matches. At the start of the 1975 season, he came out of this semi-retirement to play for the New York Cosmos who were part of the North American soccer League. Although many considered him to be past his prime, Pele was responsible for greatly increasing the interest and public awareness of soccer in the United States. In his third and last season with the Cosmos, he led the team to win the 1977 NASL championship.

Pele is still considered to be a national hero in his native Brazil, where his contributions to football are universally acknowledged - something also noticed by FIFA, who have named Pele the official football ambassador to the world. Pele advocates for the underprivileged as well as for the sport which made him a star. It is not for nothing that Pele is known to this day as "The King of Football" and he is a American National Soccer Hall of Fame member.

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Wednesday, February 11, 2009

Lower Your Golf Score At David L. Baker Golf Course

By Golf Buddy

Located in the heart of Orange County, David L Baker Golf Course is a par 62 medium length course that can lower your score. How? With a combination of tight fairways, short par threes, and plenty of hazards, this course is perfect for tightening up on your accuracy and short game.

The par fours at David Baker max out at just around 320 yards, so you have two options to tackle these tight fairways. The big-hitters approach, of course, is to break out the Ping or Callaway driver and go for the green.

This works for an accurate golfer but most folks working on their game find that a well placed five iron followed by a wedge is a less risky option. One critical aspect to lowering golf scores is accuracy and the ability to recover from a bad shot

The iron followed by wedge approach on the par fours fits with the "improve your golf score" mantra that is part of the David L. Baker Golf Course philosophy. This approach also extends to the par threes where golfers will be able to further practice their iron play.

Golfers know that a good short game promotes lower scores. Baker's par threes lets all golfers of any skill level work on their iron game. Most of the par three holes are reachable with a seven iron or less and this focuses the golfer on short game and green side rescue techniques.

You'll be tempted to go for the pin on these shorter par threes. However there are plenty of hazards that will make you think twice. If youare not careful you could easily turn a birdie into bogey or worse.

Hereas where the third chance to lower your score comes in: water and sand trap hazards.
Knowing how to navigate hazards is a skill that quickly can lead to lower scores, and a much more enjoyable time on the course.

David L Baker has no shortage of these hazards, and one can really take advantage of this fact to improve their score and get some much-needed practice in. Watch your score drop as you take advantage of Bakeras natural features to get some practice in and have fun while you do it.

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Tuesday, February 10, 2009

Best Places in Hawaii

By reklicom

Introduction: There's no place on earth quite like this handful of sun-drenched, mid-Pacific islands. The Hawaii of South Seas literature and Hollywood films really does exist. Here one will find palm-fringed blue lagoons, lush rainforests, hidden gardens, cascading waterfalls, wild rivers running through rugged canyons, and soaring volcanoes. And those beaches -- gold, red, black, and even green sands caressed by endless surf - a perfect place for spending holidays.

Eco Tourism Makes a Big Splash in Hawaii:Some Hawaii one day tours center around eco tourism. Eco tourism means taking a kayak down a river instead of a speed boat. It is also about getting close to nature without disturbing it. Because of the mountains, cliffs, rainforests, oceans, waterfalls and volcanoes, Hawaii has really been able to take advantage of eco tourism. Hiring a local guide to experience the real Hawaii is important if you want a truly satisfying eco-tour.

The road to Hana is a great and slow paced ride. There are several luaus to choose from. Snorkeling, diving, parasailing and ziplines are all fun, active sports. Whale watching in the winter is probably what Maui is best known for.

Museums & Art Galleries: Some of the major museums are " East Hawaii Cultural Center" Hulihee Palace Museum" Jaggar Museum" Kamuela Museum" Kona Historical Society" Lyman House Memorial Museum" Mokupapapa: Discovery Center For Hawaii's Remote Coral Reefs" Pacific Tsunami Museum" Parker Ranch Museum are some of the museums in Big Island. Hawaii's Big Island has a number of art gallery and cultural centers. Among them: " Hawaiian Art Network" Dreams Of Paradise" Gallery Of Great Things" Holualoa Gallery" Spirit Art Studio" Volcano Garden Arts are some to mention about.

Would you like to take a vacation in the near future? If you would and if you have yet to choose a vacation destination, you will want to take the time to examine Hawaii. Hawaii is known as a popular vacation destination. One of the many reasons for that is because all that you can do and see while on a Hawaii trip. Although you do have a number of different options, you will want to take a close look at Hawaii tours.

While enjoying Hawaii, safety is always first priority among tour guides, as a result all submarines are tested against rigorous standards that are regulated by government organizations. These tours are extremely pleasurable as they provides the necessities for a relaxed and comfortable accommodation.

In addition to having a number of different options, in terms of Hawaii activities and attractions, Hawaii is also popular among tourists as there are so many places for you to stay. When vacationing in Hawaii, your overnight accommodation options include hotels, vacation resorts, Hawaii vacation homes, vacation condos, vacation villas, and vacation apartment rentals. When choosing a Hawaii vacation home or another Hawaii vacation rental to book a stay at, you may want to take a look at your wants. For example, if you are interested in enjoying the beautiful Hawaii beaches, a beachfront Hawaii vacation home or a rental with an ocean view may be your best option.

One of the best things about going to Hawaii, having a Hawaiian wedding or a Hawaiian honeymoon is all of the incredible Hawaii activities available. There's so much to do, you may have a hard time choosing. No problem. One of the easiest ways is to purchase a tour. You'll get transportation and all of the info you might miss on your own. Here's a guide to lead you to all of the fun!

Do you love sub tours, like to take challenges and experience the thrills while facing them? If you are an adventure lover and are searching for an exotic yet thrilling holiday destination, Hawaii would be a perfect place for you. You can enjoy its exotic beaches and thrilling submarine tours and end up having one of the best holidays ever.

The above mentioned Hawaii tours are just a few of the many that you will find available. Additional tours that may be of interest to you and your traveling party include Hawaii ATV tours, Hawaii bus tours, Hawaii submarine tours, and Hawaii horseback riding tours. As a reminder, if you have already booked a stay at a Hawaii vacation home or another Hawaiian vacation rental, be sure to examine Hawaii tours that are located near your Hawaii vacation rental, like your Hawaii vacation home. Doing so may be able to save you both time and money.

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Monday, February 9, 2009

Tips on cheap Cuba Holidays

By M. Maurette

In this article you will find some tips on how to go about finding cheap Cuba Holidays. Cuba has become a very expensive destination in last few years but there are ways around to find a cheap alternative.

One of the most expensive parts of your holidays in Cuba is definitely the transfers and almost all tour operators will include taxi transfers in their packages Taxis as you can appreciate are the most comfortable but also the most expensive way of touring around Cuba.

My advice is to just ask for flights and accommodation from your agent and you will see what I mean. That will knock down few hundreds from your quotes including taxi transfers to/from each location in your itinerary. Now is time to introduce you to VIAZUL.

For the sake of comparing let's take for instance a taxi transfer from Havana to Trinidad. This is a common combination that most tailor made tour operators use on their packages. A taxi from Havana to Trinidad costs around 150 GBP or 200 CUC and a ticket with Viazul cost just 25 CUC.

As you can appreciate the difference is huge. When you want to visit places like Havana, Pinar del Rio, Cienfuegos, Trinidad or Santiago de Cuba only in taxi transfers you could be paying well over 800 CUC. Viazul will safe you around 80 % of that amount.

Viazul has an excellent service. Their coaches are new and very comfortable. They come with WC, air conditioning and catering for long journeys.

Maybe you are one of those thinking of travelling around Cuba but don't have a clue about distances and how large Cuba really is. When you look at the Mapa Mundi this island looks small compared to America but it actually stretches for more than 1200 Km from east to west.

Of course a taxi is more comfortable and if you decide to go for this option then you will just have to wait at the lobby of your hotel to be taken to the next one. But be ready to fork out a good lump of money for your holidays

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Sunday, February 8, 2009

The Essential Needs for a Backpacking or Hiking Trip

By Shawn Stanley

When choosing an outdoor sport to spend some time in the great escapes of the world, backpacking and hiking are the best of all possible choices. Getting in touch with nature and viewing the world from a spot that is secluded and wonderful are great choices for individuals and families. When preparing for backpacking or hiking, it is important to being along some true essentials in order to make for the safest possible trip one can prepare for.

Protect yourself from the sun. When backpacking or hiking the sun is your deadliest force. From the skin to the eyes, the sun can wreak havoc on the body from every angle. Sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 should be used by every person in the backpacking or hiking team. The sunscreen should also be waterproof to fight off that sweat from the sun. The eyes too need to be protected and a pair or two of sunglasses is the perfect way to add that extra bit of protection.

Safety is a priority. Being safe is essential for any backpacking or hiking trip. Safety can be covered in many ways, but one that is often forgotten is the aspect of getting separated from the group. When a backpacking or hiking team member gets lost, a whistle can help. If backpacking and hiking in the winter, make sure to include a whistle that is made of plastic and that does not contain a "pea" that may freeze inside the whistle.

Bring lots of water. Water is one of the heaviest things you will pack into your bundle when backpacking or hiking, yet it is essential to life. When backpacking or hiking, it is always better to have more than you need and a filtration device is the best way to ensure a constant supply of water. In case of emergency, a filtration device designed for the outdoors can filter any water supply making it drinkable.

Fire Starter. A fire is the center of warmth and food when backpacking or hiking. Bringing along a firestarter or some waterproof matches can mean a world of difference when stuck out overnight at a camp. Backpacking and hiking is supposed to be fun, but without fire the night can be long and cold.

First aid out of doors. A first aid kit is needed for every pack. Backpacking and hiking takes places in environments that can lead to cuts, bruises and other forms of injuries. A first aid kit in every backpack can help to ensure the safety and health of all backpacking and hiking team members. Within these first aid kits should also be a pocket knife and a pocket tool set.

Know Your Way. A map and a compass are two things that no backpacking or hiking can do without. These will keep you going in the right direction when things get turned around. Each pack should have their own set for guidance. On a more advanced tip, many backpacking or hiking trips are being centered on the new GPS technologies making getting lost even more difficult.

Choosing backpacking or hiking as a sport is a great choice and a fun choice, especially when friends and family come along for the hike. When new to the sport, it is important to keep all of these items in every pack in order to keep the team safe and productive during the backpacking or hiking trip.

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Saturday, February 7, 2009

Picking Out The Most Effective Knife For Your Outdoor Sport

By Ethan O. Tanner

There are various kinds of knives obtainable, and as with many other instruments, if you don't have the appropriate one, it's probable to create problems. An expert quality knife will endure a lifetime with nominal maintenance. Here are a a couple of tips for selecting a suitable knife for your outdoor sport.

Most hunting knives are designed for skinning. If you want your knife to be good for skinning, the main thing you should pay attention to is the blade shape. You want a rounded or drop point so that when you are "ripping" the skin, the point of your knife will not dig into the meat. Also, you'll probably want a fixed blade knife, as folding blades have too many crevices to trap blood and mess in.

Deciding on a knife for camping can be difficult because you need a knife with versatile functions. You may need this knife to prepare food, trim branches, amend gear, as well as a hundred other purposes. On these grounds, you'll frequently notice that a Swiss army knife or multi tool may satisfy your needs best. Also, you may prefer to include a saw, hatchet, or machete in your pack prior to leaving for harder cutting jobs.

You should probably obtain a fillet knife for fishing. A fillet knife is well constructed for cleaning fish, and it can cut fishing line well, another critical chore for a fishing knife. There are also electric fillet knives for the fisherman that is constantly catching umpteen fish. If you plan to fish in salt water, be confident that your knife is designed to defy the corrosion of saltwater.

Trappers will generally want a skinning knife, much like a hunting knife. A fixed blade or a folding knife will work equally well; this would be a preference of the sportsman. Tougher tasks are normally done with an axe, so a second knife isn't normally necessary.

A boater's chief motive for a knife is cutting line. You'll want a sharp knife that is convenient and promptly deployed, in case you need to cut a line quickly. Make certain that the knife will stand up to water, too. It is apparent that each outdoor sport calls for a particular knife. Purchase a quality knife and your undertakings will be easier and a quality knife will often be handed down to your kids.

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Friday, February 6, 2009

Planning The Best Family Vacation Ever

By Kevin Bunsti

If you are getting ready to plan your next family vacation then this article will be of great help to you. It will help you plan the best family vacation that all family members will enjoy. Planning a getaway should be fun so let us help take the stress out of it.

Getting your entire family involved is the first step to planning a great family getaway. Ask all family members for input on the destination you will come up with a ton of ideas. Try in incorporate everyone's input into the final decision to make sure you will be doing activities that everyone enjoys.

If you think that the Smoky Mountains will be a fun time for the family, then plan on several days in Pigeon Forge, several days in Gatlinburg and take a day to go to Cherokee and Maggie Valley. If you have never visited the area, theres a lot to see and do. Dollywood and Dixie Stampede will keep children and teens thrilled in Pigeon Forge while the shopping in Sevierville and Pigeon Forge will thrill mom while dad finds the golf courses to excite his golfing ambitions! Theres something for the family in the Great Smoky Mountains of Tennessee.

If your family is most excited to get to the beach on your vacation then you have many options to choose from. One of the best options is to travel to Florida where you will have to problem finding beautiful beaches to enjoy. The Florida Keys are always a popular favorite and the scenery and weather is always great. It is one of the best beach locations you will find in the US.

If you are looking at doing a little surfing on your vacation then a good choice would be to head on over to Daytona Beach. It is a great place to catch some waves and it is also a very family friendly with plenty to do. You can also do some fishing and take a private boat out to try and reeling in the big one, which will for sure make many memories that you family can share for years to come.

You can always head West to find some great beaches. California is a great place to relax by the ocean and take in the warm weather. There is so much to do that you will easily find something for everyone in the family.

Family trips can be very expensive when you add up all the activities and dinning. A good choice may be to consider planning an all inclusive trip. One of the best ways to do this is to take a cruise. Your meals will be included and the cruise ships have great activities for people of all ages. Swimming pools, shows, comedians and gambling are just some of the things you will get to enjoy.

Another great idea is to visit a waterpark resort in Wisconsin Dells, WI. They have resorts that offer indoor and outdoor waterparks that you can splash around in whether it is summer or winter. Take a look at the Chula Vista Resort or the Kalahari Resort. They have large water parks and many other activities like golf and shows. Wisconsin Dells can provide fun for family members of all ages.

Planning your next family vacation does not need to be hard or stressful. Take our tips and you whole family will have the time of their life.

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Thursday, February 5, 2009

The Mirage Hotel in Las Vegas

By Chris Linch

On my recent trip to Las Vegas we stayed at the Mirage Hotel. The hotel is owned by MGM and it is a nice property that I would say is worth the money. The stay overall was perfect. I would say that if you are booking this hotel, just get the standard room. If you are getting a suite, then do that. You have to go to the Secret Garden. The hotel decor is fabulous.

If you are going to book, dont pay the extra fifty to stay on a private floor number 24 and 25 unless you are booking a suite. Though the rooms have jetted tubs, they are much smaller than just the standard room. You have a fifty percent chance of getting a strip view, though you probably would have to pay extra for that also.

We went to the Secret Garden which is a zoo just out back of the hotel. I believe admission is $20 for the day. They have white tigers, a white lion, and dolphins. It is worth the money for what you get. They have up close views of the animals, and they have trainers that will tell you everything about them. Everyone there is real friendly. Plus right now they have white tiger cubs and 2 baby dolphins.

The hotel is decorated in tropical decor. They have a Beatles nightclub called Revolution, and many stores within the hotel for shopping. The hotel is also center strip which gives you access to all kinds of great hotels. We went next door and saw the pirate show at Treasure Island. There is also a revamped volcano show at the mirage, but we missed it because we were too busy.

This hotel gets a thumbs up from me. If you are wanting to stay on the strip in a good location this hotel is perfect. I still say the standard room is more worth the money than the upgraded room.

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Wednesday, February 4, 2009

The Growing Usage Of Women's Sandals

By Kim Hodges

Women enjoy wearing sandals no matter which season it is in the year. They are the favorite footwear for various occasions as they provide many different advantages. Women love them since they can be worn at any time regardless of the material used in most cases.

Sandals are always made with different styles in mind. The end result is often a wide array of designs for all sorts of tastes. With increasing regularity, sandals are also now made with the fashionable lady in mind. Designs with high sex appeal are now becoming more commonplace under all labels.

A key reason why sandals are well loved by women is that they are the one shoe type that fits just about any outfit worn. Ladies always fret over the perfect combination of dress, accessories and shoes when dolling up for any occasion. Even formal situations have the right sandals available.

There are also different types of hybrid sandals that have been made in recent years. Instead of a uniform flat heel that used to be the typical design, sandals now come in various heel heights. One of the most popular remains those made with platform heels as they provide a stable base.

Some of the highly popular brands that people choose to look out for are Ellise, Steve Madden, Prada and Jimmy Choo. They are often found in most retail stores and especially in specialized boutique shops. But the likes of Jimmy Choo are higher end and not easily available.

What are the different occasions where a pair of sandals can be worn and make you look good in the process? A very common one would be a trip to the mall or meeting friends. A formal pair of such flexible footwear is also often seen in offices.

The use of sandals does not end there. They are also a part of the upper class and are not excluded from being worn to balls and upscale events. The ones used are often the handiwork of famous designers that do not shy away from using jewelry to accessorize the sandals.

With such timeless and adaptable use, women's sandals are as popular as the age old female footwear - high heels. It is anybody's guess if they would soon overtake them in terms of sales and acceptance. Judging by the vote of confidence given by ladies, it is also not unimaginable that it will happen in the coming years.

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Tuesday, February 3, 2009

Should I Travel or Stay Home Now?

By Chris Linch

I will agree with anybody that says the state of the economy is no the best. I do still feel that we need to get out and enjoy our lives, however. I don't know how bad it will end up, but if we can do things, we should.

Travel agents, hotels, airlines, everyone is cutting their prices to rock bottom to bring travelers in. I think this is a prime opportunity. Right now is probably the best time in a long time that you can get a great deal. It is better to just go do it now, instead of dwelling on it later when you can't.

I really believe there are some good deals out there right now. You will be disgusted with yourself in the future if you don't secure a deal now and can't afford to travel later. This is the time to book your travel and get out of town. Even if you just take a weekend, or a long weekend, it is better than nothing.

One thing is for sure, sitting and dwelling on the current state of the world is not going to help it. You have to live while you can. Now dont take this advice as go out blow more than you can afford because it will be all good. I am just saying if you are borderline on going or staying and you have the money go.

Things will probably be about the same upon your return so you might as well get a way for a while and relax. I would be willing to bet you will feel much better when you get back. I don't think there is anything wrong with cutting corners and finding a budget deal, I do thing that wishing you would have went though is wrong.

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Monday, February 2, 2009

Babe Ruth Baseball

By Denise I Smithson

Who doesn't remember Babe Ruth? Even if you are too young, and are a baseball fan, we bet you've heard of Babe and the House That Ruth Built. Even one of his superstitions remains popular among Major League players-"whenever I hit a homerun, I always make sure I touch all four bases." Babe was a curious man, ferocious in baseball, women, and ideals, and we remember his as "The Babe," fondly so, because there will never be another man like him, in any sport.

Born George Herman Ruth Jr. to parents George Sr. and Kate Schamberger-Ruth in Baltimore, Maryland in 1895, Ruth and his sister Mamie were the only two survivors out of eight children. Ruth did not have an idyllic childhood, often being left to his own devices to get by. When he was only seven, his parents sent him to St. Mary's Industrial School for Boys, which Ruth looked at more as prison than school. He saw his parents only rarely and rapidly became known by the nuns at St. Mary's as a problem child.

Ruth never was one for rules and was not a good fit for the strictly ordered life offered by St. Mary's school. However, he did learn his lifelong love of the game of baseball while at the school. Jack Dunn, manager of the Baltimore Orioles (then a minor league farm team for the Boston Red Sox) was amazed by the then nineteen year old Ruth's talent and immediately signed him on. He was given the nickname of "Jack's newest babe" by teammates - a name that stuck.

With the Orioles for only five months, the Boston Red Sox purchased his contract and at 19, he both pitched and played the outfield for six years. During this period, fans took note of Babe's performance on and off the field, with his off the field stories being more colorful through his eating and drinking all-night parties that included many women. Playing in his first World Series Game in 1916, he set a record that still stands today, a fourteen inning game that became the longest in the history of the World Series. His pitching skills at this time left him an astounding record of 29 2/3 scoreless innings in World Series bouts alone, a record that stood for forty-three years. In December of 1919, a weird trade of sorts would land him with the Yankees-leaving the Red Sox in a World Series denial until 2004!

In 1920, he began his Major League career with the New York Yankees where Babe and his teammates would win 7 American League Pennants and 4 World Series Titles, a legacy called "The Curse of the Bambino." Babe hit an amazing 54 home runs in 1920 and was both a fan and player favorite not just for his home run hitting skills, but also for his candor. In 1923, mostly due to the popularity of The Babe, the Yankees opened Yankee Stadium that would eventually be named, The House That Ruth Built-how appropriate that The Babe would hit a home run on opening day, along with yet another World Series Title. Married to Helen Woodford in October of 1914, by 1919, Babe had enough money to buy them a country house and adopt a daughter they named Dorothy. After a separation, but no divorce in 1925, Babe did not remain the good boy when it came to women and continued an affair with model Claire Hodgson. Upon Helen's death by fire in 1929, Babe married Claire and hit her an out-of-the-park homerun in his first at bat in April of that same year.

The achievement that Babe Ruth will be remembered for more than any other is hi s60 home runs in 1927 - this record was finally broken by Roger Maris in 1961. This record continues to be disputed, since Ruth hit his 60 home runs in 154 games as opposed to Maris' 162 games and 61 home runs. Regardless, there is no dispute about Ruth's .690 batting average, something which has not been equaled since. This is why Babe Ruth is also known as the Great Bambino and the Sultan of Swat.

Of just as much import was the home run scored by Babe Ruth in the 3rd game of the 1932 World Series against the Chicago Cubs. Legend has it that Ruth said that he would hit a home run over the center stands in memory of Dugout Dora, a stray cat Ruth would feed every time he played at Wrigley Field. Ruth pointed and hit a home run right where he had pointed; it was one of the longest home runs ever hit out of Wrigley Field.

Ruth left the Yankees in 1935 - he had wanted to be manager of the team and he decided to leave rather than stay in another capacity. He instead signed on with the Boston Braves as first base coach and player, with the promise of the manager's chair in the following year. Seeing that the Braves were unlikely to keep this promise, Ruth went out in style. In one of his final games, Ruth hit three home runs against the Pittsburgh Pirates for a career total of 714 home runs. The Babe's 2,211 RBIs, 2.28 career ERA as a left-handed pitcher and his 8,399 at-bats along with all of his many achievements have made him a player who will always be remembered as long as there is a game called baseball.

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Sunday, February 1, 2009

Australian Cruises, Perfect For Luxury & Adventure

By Midje Ette

Australia is a fascinating place and a great one to choose for your next cruise. Full of unique and amazing plants and animals, it's a compelling spot for travelers of every kind.

First, you'll be welcomed aboard the stylish cruise ship in the evening, and have the chance to join the cruise for cocktails and apertifs while they introduce everything the ship has to offer. Enjoy the renowned cuisine of Australian cruise ships over the course of your trip.

On day one, you might visit Cape Jervis, a picturesque village by the sea that's called the gateway to Kangaroo Island. Providing easy access to McLaren Vale, one of the best grape producing locations in the world, this village is the first thing you'll see before you visit one of Australia's best wine producing regions.

Of course, you wouldn't want to miss the great meals cruises are famous for, and a cruise to Australia is no different. Enjoy fine dining in a luxurious dining room that offers both comfort and great views. Panoramic windows make sure that you won't miss anything, even though you're enjoying a great meal.

Most of the native bushland of the island has been undisturbed, and more than a third of it is set aside for conservation purposes. You'll see goannas, platypi, echidnas, wallabies and kangaroos, koalas, warm water penguins and sea lions, as well as beautiful beaches and rugged cliffs.

Australian cruise ships built for wilderness exploration are a little different than the average ship. Purpose built to be able to explore even the upper parts of shallow river systems, they'll take you further than an ordinary cruise, allowing you to experience true Australian wilderness merely by stepping out of your cabin.

Talk to your travel agent or the cruise staff to help you arrange other activities before and after the cruise. They'll be knowledgeable about accommodations, sights to see, and lots more you can do before and after you take your cruise.

Expect a smart casual dress standard that allows you to be comfortable. However, remember to bring some clothes for adventuring! Fishing and other activities are more appropriate to casual T-shirts, shorts, and similar clothes.

Enjoy fishing expeditions to catch the finest in Australian edible fish. From mangrove jack and coral trout to barramundi and monster golden snapper, you'll enjoy this great sporting opportunity. In cooler waters, enjoy catching pink snapper, emperors and whiting.

SCUBA diving is another popular sport you might engage in on an Australian cruise. However, you should take care to make sure it's included on the cruise you pick. Some cruises involve crocodiles as a viewing highlight, and they don't mix with divers!

For non-anglers, snorkeling, diving, nature walks and more are available. There are miles of national forests and nature preserves to explore, fascinating native animals to see, and lots of breathtaking scenery. Or, take a break to enjoy a picnic with the crew on the beach side.

For an adventure in luxury, Australian cruises are a great choice. If you're looking for something a little different, why not consider one of these amazing trips. You'll be astonished at the beauty and luxury available on Australian cruises.

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