Is The Workamper Lifestyle For You?
April 9, 2008
If you’ve been dreaming of traveling the highways in your RV, but see the adventure as something far in the future when you retire, then you may want to seriously consider giving the Workamper lifestyle a try. You can live your dream now; it just takes a little preparation and commitment.
Many of us dream of being able to travel in our RV and camp at will in America’s most beautiful locations, but it never happens. For most, it remains just a dream. There is a small army of people who have brought their dream to reality by combining their love of travel with the ability to work and pay their way through life.
There are literally thousands of jobs that are suited to the traveling lifestyle. RV Parks across the United States hire people in office positions, maintenance, recreation, and other positions. You aren’t expected to be a long-term employee. A commitment of a few weeks or months is all that is required. Most don’t expect you to have extensive campground experience, and if you do a decent job, they will be happy to have you work for them again next season.
Satisfy Your Thirst for Fishing ? 3 Parts to the Fishing Cocktail
April 8, 2008
Everyone who fishes either for sport or fun knows that while fishing itself is simple, catching fish is not. There are times when we think we have it all figured out, then days go by without as much as a nibble. What has happened, did we lose our expertise? Are the fish getting smarter? Maybe it’s the weather. In fact there are many factors that weigh into whether we are catching fish or just passing time. Even though there are many factors, I would argue there are only 3 main parts to pouring ourselves the perfect fishing cocktail. Since drink names such as "Sex on the Beach" and "Fuzzy Navel" have already been taken, may I suggest "Fish on a Hook?" The drink may be made with any combination of the ingredients. They do not have to be of equal parts, but to make a "Fish on a Hook" all 3 must be present. So put your barkeeper’s hat on and let’s start.
Hiking Mount Rainier National Park
April 7, 2008
Mount Rainier National Park is the most popular park in the state. It has fantastic areas to explore. The Mountain is a popular challenge for people wishing to scale the peak. The park also has 240 miles of trails and is a super place to visit.
Established in 1899. 235,625 acres (97% is designated Wilderness). Includes Mount Rainier (14,410′), an active volcano encased in over 35 square miles of snow and ice.
The park contains outstanding examples of old growth forests and subalpine meadows. Mount Rainier National Park offers excellent opportunities for scenic drives, hiking, and mountain climbing. Most roads are open from late May to early October–all provide stunning views and access to a variety of hiking trails and other sites.
Lots of campgrounds, great drives through the area and plenty of places to stay the night. You can stay at the Lodges in the park or just outside in one of the entrance towns.
It will be crowded on the weekends, so be prepared.
Entering from the Southwest Nisqually entrance, it is a great drive up to Paradise.
You will pass Sunshine Point(camping,picnic) and then Kautz Creek Trailhead. Very nice trail up towards Mount Ararat(6010′) and Indian Henrys Hunting Ground(Views are great).
The Kuan Yin Shrine, Bangkok ? the Goddess of Mercy on the Chao Phraya
April 6, 2008
The Kuan Yin Shrine in Bangkok is in an old Chinese building within a community on the Chao Phraya River where time seems to have stood still for the last 200 years.
The site originally had two shrines built in the reign of King Taksin (1767 ? 1782) by his Chinese supporters. The dilapidated buildings were torn down in the reign of King Rama III (1824 ? 1851) and rebuilt to house Kuan Yin, the goddess of mercy.
Today, the Kuan Yin Shrine is in the care of a local Chinese family living in the area. In Thai, the goddess of mercy is known as Jao Mae Kuan Im.
Kuan Yin, an ancient Chinese goddess, embodies the virtues of love, kindness, compassion and forgiveness, a legend that goes back to 300 BC.
The youngest daughter of a Chinese king, she was blessed with virtue and spurned her corrupted father’s greed for wealth and power. When she rejected his order for an arranged marriage, he drove her out of their home.
Rejected, persecuted and exiled by her father, she dedicated her remaining years as a nun healing the sick and destitute and as a savior of shipwrecked sailors. When her father was mortally ill, she sacrificed her eyes and arms for the antidote to save him.
Caring for Your Inflatable Boat - Common Sense & Consistency Are the Keys
April 5, 2008
Thousands of years ago, the first inflatable boats, made from animal skins, were used for transportation. People used them to cross rivers, ferry goods to other locations, and move military troops. Over time, inflatable boats were adapted for recreational use as well, and for rescue operations. Today there are many types of inflatable boats and over a dozen ways they are used around the world.
Different militaries across the globe helped bring inflatable boats to the public attention, and today the government still uses inflatable boats for troop transport, special military operations, and drug and other law enforcement activities. In addition, inflatable boats are also used in search and rescue operations, fisheries patrol and security patrol. They are also used as tenders on large yachts and ships.
On the recreational side, inflatable boats can be used for diving, fishing, pleasure boating, river rafting, water skiing, and many other water activities that involve a boat. Consumers can also purchase inflatable kayaks, canoes, and sailboats.
Because there are so many different types of inflatable boats and a variety of ways they can be used, it is important to be familiar with the specific operating instructions for your particular model and situation. However, there are a few general use guidelines that apply to most, if not all, inflatable boats.
Pigeon Forge Campgrounds
April 4, 2008
Campgrounds are a perfect Pigeon Forge lodging option for visitors looking to be as close as possible to the great outdoors. Campgrounds in Pigeon Forge are located near the beautiful and majestic Great Smoky Mountains National Park and are still only minutes away from the outlet malls, dining, and music theatres that downtown Pigeon Forge has to offer. There are a variety of campgrounds available, from the campground operated by the national park, to independent campgrounds.
Many of the campgrounds in Pigeon Forge feature a full range of camping experiences. Aside from the traditional tent sites, most campgrounds offer RV hookups, small recreational vehicle accommodations, rustic cabins, and more.
Most Pigeon Forge campgrounds can accommodate recreational vehicles up to 40 feet in length. Other amenities can include on site swimming pools, laundry rooms, game rooms, snack machines, fishing ponds, bath houses, and playgrounds for children. Of course campers looking for a more rustic and natural experience can stay on the tent sites, which are surrounded by beautiful trees and are near hiking trails and waterfalls.
From Personal Belly Boats to High Performance Racers - An Overview of Inflatable Boats
April 4, 2008
Inflatable boats, also called rubber boats or dinghies, have been around in one form or another for thousands of years. They now come in many different sizes and models and include inflatable kayaks, sport boats, and inflatable catamarans. Their versatility and relatively low cost have contributed to their popularity, and more and more water enthusiasts are discovering the advantages of owing an inflatable boat.
Evolution of the Inflatable Boat
Historical records indicate that the first inflatable boats were animal skins filled with air. Over the years, many cultures have created various versions of inflatable watercraft, and in 1839, the Duke of Wellington tested the first inflatable pontoons. In the decades that followed, many new designs were introduced and some of them were utilized by European military forces.
The inflatable boats were used to transport torpedoes and other cargo. They also allowed troops to make discreet landings in shallow water, and their compact size and storability made them easy to bring with, even on overland marches where it would not have been possible to bring a traditional boat.
Lake Jipe straddling Tanzania and Kenya
April 3, 2008
So unknown is this treasure of Lake Jipe not many Tanzanians know of its existence or location. Sandwiched between the Pare mountains and Kilimanjaro this small lake [30 km sq] straddles the border between Kenya and Tanzania. This lake has a many water birds and is one of the few places in East Africa that the Lesser Jacana and Purple Gallinule are common. Also Madagascar Squacco Herron, Black Herron, African Darter and African Skimmer are often seen here.
Other wildlife seen here are Hippopotamus, Otters, crocodiles, waterbucks and elephants. The northern half of the lake is in Kenya in the Tsavo West National Park. Tsavo West is famed for its huge elephant population ? you stand a good chance of spotting an elephant in this unusual and very off the beaten track excursion.
The best way to experience the lake and the wildlife is to take a local canoe. These wooden canoes sit three people and a young Chaga man will sit at the rear and paddle you around the lake. A good portion of the lake has become chocked with papyrus which looks nice and is also used by the local people use for thatching their houses ? but has reduced the fishing on the lake to negligible levels.
The Alaskan Experience
April 2, 2008
“FISH ON!!”
I yelled, as my seven weight fly rod bent over and the line played it’s magical tune of “zinging in the rain”. It was hard to tell just how big the fish was or if it was a Rainbow or big Dolly Varden.
Hooking a big upper Kenai river trout in fast water doesn’t leave much time for species identification.
“Hang on to it-we’ll chase it and go land it in some calmer water.” said Allen, who was behind the sticks of our 20 foot Willie drift boat.
We had just entered the Canyon section of the upper Kenai river and while my three other compadres fishing with me on the boat had already hooked some BIG Rainbows and Dollies, I had yet to catch what I will call a “quality” upper Kenai fish. That of course means insulting every trout on every other river in North America, since the eighteen inch Rainbows and twenty inch Dolly Vardens I had already caught were hardly chopped liver!! It’s just that I had watched numerous twenty-four inch fish caught in the morning and listened to Allen comment on how this was the best morning of fly fishing he had had on the upper Kenai this year. Again, don’t get me wrong-I was catching my share of fish- but this was the kind of fish I was waiting for.
The Lumemo Trail - An African Wilderness Experience for the Practiced Hiker
April 1, 2008
The Udzungwa Mountains National park was created primarily for the protection of flora rather than fauna. The park was registered in 1992 and is the first of its kind in Tanzania. This park is a series of mountain rangers and interlocking valleys - ranging from the top of the Kilombero Valley at 300 meters above sea level to peaks of around 2,570 meters above sea level. Only experienced hikers can mange this difficult train. Making these mountains pristine and largely untouched by humans.
The Lumeno trail is 65km long and follows the path of the Lumeno River, which is sourced in the heart of these mountains. There are three campsites along the trail that are roughly spaced at 7 to 8 hour walk intervals. They are basic campsites. Remember in Africa basic means just that, basic ? simply a peace of ground cleared for your tents. It usually takes three to four days to complete this hike.
The trail passes through three types of vegetation: Miombo Woodland, Grassland and forest. Some of the wildlife you may see on this trail is the, red colobus & black and white colubus monkeys, yellow baboon, sykes monkey, sanje mangabey, bushbuck, waterbuck, bush pig, buffalo, elephant and red duikers.
