San Diego Beach Hikes ? Cardiff to Carlsbad
November 30, 2007
San Diego offers a bevy of interesting hikes. With the average home price being around $500,000, they better be interesting!
To unwind, I typically stop on my way home from work to hike from Cardiff to Carlsbad on the beach. For picturesque sunsets and "tasty waves", the beach between Cardiff to Carlsbad can’t be beat.
Cardiff - Starting
I typically start this hike by parking just south of restaurant row in Cardiff. Restaurant row is located to the north of the lagoon between Cardiff and Solana Beach on Highway 101. Parking is located on the side of the road, which is right up against the beach. Give me convenience or give me death!
As you head north, you first pass Charlie’s and other restaurants. Past the restaurants, you will come to the beginning of the bluffs that will line the beach to the end of the hike. San Elijo campground is on top of the initial bluffs and extends for roughly a mile north. The campground is very popular and the temporary home of locals and tourist. You can tell the difference by contrasting tans with sunburns.
Fly Fishing for Largemouth Bass
November 29, 2007
Like all bass fishing, bass fly fishing has exploded in popularity. The largemouth bass is considered by many the greatest of all gamefish. Once limited to just the Eastern United States, the largemouth bass has been introduced all over the continent. When most people think of bass fishing they think of, stiff fiberglass rods, heavy lines and large lures. But more and more fisherman are finding the advantage of fly fishing for this game fish.
Advantages of fly fishing:
Fly fishing allows the angler a wider variety of food imitations. While large lures only imitate a small number of food sources, flies can imitate virtually all the sources of bass food, including small organisms like nymphs and even dry flies. Fly fisherman can also cast out mice, frog, and a variety of other food sources for these opportunistic feeders. Many times bass are found in shallow water, hiding under or near logs or snags or in weeds. Fly casters have the advantage of more accurate placement, and being able to place their offering quietly without spooking skittish fish.
Bassy Water:
Hard Labor Creek State Park Earned Its Name
November 28, 2007
One afternoon during a trip across the country in our fifth wheel, we were racing the sun to an RV park before sunset. We were driving through Georgia and convenient RV parks near the highway were sparse. Hard Labor Creek State Park was near our path and reachable before dark.
That evening we had very unpleasant lessons in maneuvering tight spaces in a park built years ago for much smaller RV’s. Let me start by saying that Hard Labor Creek State Park near Rutledge, Georgia, is a very nice park with many activities nearby. The lots were all shaded with mature trees in a wooded setting. Our experience was soured only because we were in a 36′ fifth wheel and the staff did not warn us about the tight conditions in the park, even though we specifically asked while making reservations.
We called the park from the road and reserved the last open slot for the evening. We asked and they reassured us that the slots are large enough to accommodate the 36′ trailer and truck. By the time we reached the park, the January sun was close to setting and left us with just enough sunlight to set up camp.
Breeding Crayfish
November 27, 2007
In the text below I shall try to give a short overview of some of the basics when breeding crayfish. Particular species may have other behaviours and demands. It should be said that my main experience as an aquarist is with relation to fish, but I shall try to convey what little knowledge I have.
Sexing Crayfish
Sexing crayfish isn’t always easy. The genital openings are located in different places on the body depending on whether it’s a male or a female. Males have their genital openings behind/under their posterior pair of legs. Females have their genital openings under the third pair of legs counted from the posterior. However, many individuals have a male as well as a female genital opening, making the sexing much more complicated. But these are always either male or female; usually male but you can’t be sure.
Mating and egg carrying
Join the American Hiking Society
November 26, 2007
Have you taken up hiking as a new form of family recreation? Are you a serious hiker that spends hours on challenging trails? Do you want to find a way to become more involved in hiking across the nation? Hikers of any background will want to check out the "American Hiking Society". This society is an alliance of local hiking clubs and provides a wealth of resources and activities for hikers of any background.
They have a bounty of events to choose from including National Trails Day and Winter Trails Day. Thousands of trail events are held across the nation in June and January encouraging hikers to get involved in conservation and other hiking activities. For example, during the Winter Trails Day hikers can learn how to snowshoe, cross country ski, and many other winter activities along the hiking trails. It is a great way to meet up with fellow hikers and experience the richness and fun of hiking.
Hikers can also participate in volunteer vacations, jobs, and internships. During 2005 they planned 1-2 week volunteer trips where hikers can lend a hand in building footpaths, cabins, and shelters. Hikers will not only be able to bond with their fellow hikers, but add value to the beauty of the hiking experience for others. It is a learning experience that is priceless.
Spawning the Chinese Algae-Eater
November 26, 2007
Gyrinocheilus aymonieri Common name: Chinese algae-eater Family: Gyrinocheilidae (Algae eaters) Order: Cypriniformes (carps) Class: Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes) Max size: 30 cm/ 12 inches Water conditions: pH range: 6.0 - 8.0, temperature 25 - 28°C/ 77-82°F
I would like to say a few words about one of the bigger surprises I’ve had as an aquarist. A few years ago I was cleaning out a 50 gallon holding tank in which I kept fishes that were going to a new aquarium when the new aquarium was ready. I also used it for keeping fish I didn’t know what else to do with. At this time this aquarium was home to twelve blue discus of about 10 cm, and four albino Chinese algae-eaters that were about 20 cm. The aquarium was overgrown with lots of C. Demersum since it had been neglected a little during the previous months. Now the time had come to clean this aquarium and try to weed out the jungle that had formed. To my big surprise I found a small (1.5 - 2cm) Chinese algae-eater fry. After looking around a little more I found a total of seven fry. I stopped the cleaning and left the aquarium as it was, since the water quality was good and I didn’t want to change too much. I didn’t see any reason to move the fry since they seemed big enough to !
Gambling Isnt the Only Thing to do in Las Vegas
November 25, 2007
Do you think the only thing to do in Las Vegas is gamble? Would you believe that there are a multitude of great hiking trails in a place where all-you-can-eat casino buffets are par for the course? Southern Nevada is chock full of great hiking trails ready to be discovered. Hiking areas near Las Vegas include: Red Rock, Mt.Charleston, Lake Mead, and the Eastern Sierra. These hiking trails are interspersed between canyons, mountains, chutes, and gullies.
Red Rock: Red Rock is located 20 miles west of Las Vegas. The hiking trails range between 1-12 miles and can accommodate hikers of any skill level. Camping is available. Currently, it costs $5 per car and $20 for a yearly pass.
Mt.Charleston: Mt.Charleston is 35 miles northwest of Las Vegas. It is filled with mountainous terrain. Mt.Charleston has summer temperatures that are nearly 30 degrees cooler then Las Vegas. The hiking trails range from 1-20 miles and will bode well for beginning to advanced hikers. Currently, it costs $6 per car.
Take a Hiking Pole on Your Next Hike
November 24, 2007
It is the downhill ski racing competition of the winter Olympics. You watch a ski racer zoom down the slope manoeuvring through the ski gates. However, you notice that something is missing. The skier has on skis, boots, and a giant slalom skin tight racing suit. You realize what’s missing when their arms flail about causing them to lose their balance on a patch of ice. They are missing their ski poles.
It is the cross country skiing competition of the winter Olympics. You cheer from the crowd as the skiers fly down the trail. Each skier pushes hard with their ski poles. However, one skier is left far behind the pack because he does not have any ski poles. His graceful cross country rhythm has been interrupted due to a lack of balance.
In both cases, the skiers lost the race because they were missing their ski poles. Ski poles are vital because they help maintain balance, provide support, and relieve some of the pressure off your body. If the use of a ski pole is so crucial, then why is it that many hikers do not use a hiking pole during their hikes?
Erie Steelhead Flies
November 23, 2007
As we stated in our article on Pacific Steelhead flies, the steelhead fisheries of the Great Lakes region has developed differently. First off the Erie steelhead has only been around a little over a hundred years. First planted in the 1880’s, the steelhead nearly died off in the 1950’s due to pollution in Lake Erie. But since the 1980’s, intense stocking efforts by Ontario, New York, Ohio, and Pennsylvania have been the reason for this area being nicknamed Steelhead Alley.
Erie steelheaders use a wide array flies in their pursuit of this most worthy game fish. One can classify them broadly in the same way trout angler’s classify flies. In general the Erie steelheader carries a variety of streamers, egg patterns, and nymphs.
Steelhead feed heavily on schools of shad, smelt and other fish in the summer months. And when they first enter the river they have fish on their brains. Streamer patterns are the thing to start off with, when steelhead are first stacking up to make their run. Primary patterns used are the Woolly Bugger, Mickey Finn, Muddler Minnows and other streamer patterns. Dead drifted or swung they are deadly in the early months.
Hiking from Your Own Home
November 22, 2007
Picture this. You are stuck at home knee deep in household chores. Your mind wanders from taking out the trash to hiking on a scenic trail with heart pumping terrain. You are an avid hiker and yearn to strap on your hiking gear and hit the trails. Unfortunately, a hiking trail adventure is not in the cards for you today, but you can find the next best thing by logging onto your computer.
The Internet is filled with interesting websites dedicated to hiking and outdoor sports. Many hiking websites are packed with information about hiking gear, trails, and hiking vacation. However, you want more then just basic information. You desire to connect with other hikers. You are hungry for more information, experience, and the friendship of other hikers. Seek no further than hiking discussion boards and forums on the Internet. You can swap hiking stories with pals from around the globe. Discussion boards and forums allow you to ask hiking questions and receive many insightful answers and perspectives. Most importantly, you will feel a part of the hiking community even when you are unable to make it out to the trails.
