Benjamins Yarn


January 30, 2009

Trekking in the Himalaya’s - The Indian Himalaya’s Offers The Trek Of a Lifetime!

Filed under: Recreation Center — admin @ 8:46 am

When people think of trekking in the Himalayas they very often think first of Tibet and Nepal, but there is more to the Himalayan Mountains than Mount Everest or Kathmandu.

More Trekkers today are looking at what India has to offer.

Trekking in the Indian Himalayas offers not only easier access than Nepal and Tibet but offers stunning scenery and wildlife as well as traditional culture going back thousands of years.

30% of Himalayas are in India

The Indian Himalayan range is one of the most spectacular and impressive mountain ranges in the world.

With nearly a third of the Himalayan mountain range in India, it offers trekkers a wide variety of stunning scenery, wildlife and unique culture.

Discover ancient cultures as well as stunning scenery

Within a few days of a trekking expedition in India you can trek through numerous Hindu settlements, ancient temples, isolated Buddhist monasteries and small village establishments that still adhere to traditional Islamic religious culture.

All this among some of the most spectacular scenery in the whole Himalayan mountain range.

Trekking in the Himalayas a mystical experience

Trekking in the Indian Himalayas offers both the novice and experienced trekker variety of culture and scenery but it offers much more in terms that it offers a spiritual experience as well.

The Himalayas have a truly mystical quality which touches any trekker who visits.

The Himalayas offer an opportunity to be in a wilderness and to get away from the stresses of western civilization. Trekking in the Himalayas is for trekkers of all levels.

Treks for experienced and novice trekkers

There are difficult treks, easy treks, and long or, short treks that can be undertaken. Both novice and seasoned trekkers can experience the Indian Himalayas diverse blend of cultures, religions and dramatic scenery.

A walk back through time

To the west Tibet, lie the twin valleys Lahaul and Spiti. This region remains isolated and until recently closed, due military and political reasons.

These valleys encompass glaciers, high ridges, broad valleys, pastures and have a minimum elevation exceeding 3000 meters. This area has large expanses of high altitude cold desert as well as rolling pastures, 6000 meter peaks and swollen rivers. Kinnaur lies not far away.

Its only link with the outside world is by way of the Hindustan -Tibet road through Shimla… These regions are wild, unspoiled and untouched by major touristism and are a paradise for trekkers.

Kuari Pass: A walk In The Clouds

Kuari pass at an elevation of 4268 meters lies in the heart of Chamoli district in the Garhwal Himalayas.

Also known as Curzon’s trail, the glorious view of the imposing eastern peaks of the Garhwal Himalayas is enchanting.

At Kuari pass one stands at the divide of the middle and the greater Himalayas. Towering peaks like Nandadevi, Dunagiri, Bethartoli and Devasthan are a mere footstep away.

If you are looking for stunning mountains then this is the trek here is for you.

Many more trekking experiences to discover!

Trekking in the Himalayas of India offers everything you could want from trekking, or an adventure holiday. We have just given you examples of two trekking holidays, but there are many more, in some of the most spectacular scenery on earth.

More information and FREE travel newsletter

Visit our website for further details on trekking holidays in India and recieve our FREE newsletter packed full of holiday ideas for you to enjoy:

http://www.raptoradventures.co.uk

Handy Hints for Camping

Filed under: Recreation Center — admin @ 1:02 am

Handy Sleeping Bag Hint

A handy hint for making the most of your sleeping bag no matter what quality it is, is to get a bed sheet made [ sewn ] into a Sleeve/envelope to act as a liner to fit snugly inside the bag; this will make it easy to clean when you return home from your adventure, just pop it into the washing machine and ready it for the next trip.If you are like me and sometimes if it gets too hot you can open your sleeping bag to let out the heat a bit and still feel comfortable inside the sheet.A more warmer version would involve the sheet being made from a warmer type of material like flannelette for those cold encounters.

Survival Hint

A clever idea to keep warm if you find yourself sleeping overnight without a tent or a sleeping bag, is to collect the ashes and coals from your fire, built a shallow trench , pour the coals along this trench evenly and backfill the soil evenly and carefully to make a warm soil bed; not the same as your bed at home but could make the most of an uncomfortable circumstance.

Healthy Water

After dinner when you are all sitting around the campfire at the end of the day, make some tasty soup , make some toasted bread on a stick or torture some marshmallows ; boil some water for the next day if you are unsure of the quality of the water you will drink ; boil as much as you think you may need ; to kill any germs that may be in the water and let it cool overnight so the next day you will have enough safe drinking water and don’t need to worry about a sore stomache to spoil your great adventure; it may not taste as good as red wine but you can trust it.

Cooler Trick

When we go away on our adventures we always take along our cooler which we load with bottles of frozen water that we have already boiled and know wont explode in the freezer at home, this way we have good quality water on hand to help keep the contents of our cooler nice and cool [ obviously this is only good for a few days ] and my wife makes a fantastic fruit salad that we freeze in those square take away food containers and readily stack to give us easy meals at any time.

Insulated Hot Water Containers

Before filling those insulated containers for your hot coffee/tea/soup ; prefill with hot water to warm the inside of the container and this will keep the contents warmer longer.

Silly Question;

What freezes quicker; warm water or cool water……………….answer; warm water

New Zealand Cruise - Expert Guide

Filed under: Media Tips — admin @ 12:01 am

New Zealand is a country guaranteed to surprise.
Emerald green landscapes and towering mountains
mingle with spectacular fjords and icy glaciers
in a land that is only 2,200 kms from the frozen
continent of Antarctica. That’s the equivalent
of the distance between Miami and New York! A
visit to these shores is something that everyone
should do in their lifetime, but the only way to
get the full New Zealand experience is to book
yourself on a New Zealand cruise.

A New Zealand cruise insures that you’ll get the
best out of your visit to these islands. Ten,
twelve and fourteen-day cruises around New Zealand
generally begin in Auckland on the North Island
or in Sydney, Australia. They take in many ports
of call along the Eastern coast of the North and
South Islands, as well as a few ‘bonus’ ports in
Australia and Tasmania - these generally being
Melbourne and Hobart.

Auckland is known as the City of Sails. It is
located on the northern shores of the North Island
and is renowned for its cosmopolitan population,
spectacular views and excellent shopping
facilities. Beautiful sandy beaches await all
who visit Auckland, as well as a wealth of land
and sea adventure activities - from sailing to
trekking alongside dormant volcanoes.

At the North Island’s most southerly point is
New Zealand’s capital - Wellington. Here you can
experience the heart and soul of modern New Zealand
life and enjoy spectacular views of the
South Island. If you time it right, you could even
watch the Dragon Boat Festival that takes place
in Wellington Harbor in March every year.

Further down the coast is Christchurch - gateway
to the Southern Alps and the magnificent Aoraki
Mount Cook National Park. Shore excursions into the
National Park can be arranged from Christchurch,
enabling you to experience spectacular views of this
awe-inspiring land. Close-by is Mount Sunday, famed
as the location in which the City of Edoras and the
Court of Meduseld were constructed for the shooting
of The Lord of the Rings trilogy.

Wild coastal scenery and New Zealand’s oldest city
greet all who visit the port of Dunedin to the
south-east of the South Island, while Fjordland
National Park on the southern tip of New Zealand
really brings home the beauty and diversity of
landscapes that exist in New Zealand.

If you want a to experience a truly magical journey
in a land that is now synonymous with Tolkein’s
‘Middle Earth’, then a New Zealand cruise can give
you all this and more…

Looking for Cruise information ?

Go to http://www.azcruises.com to find out all you need
to know about taking your dream New Zealand Cruise vacation.

January 26, 2009

Visiting Whistler in Summer

Filed under: Recreation Center — admin @ 9:11 am

It is the end of the season for the year but a summer visit is preferred by many patrons who regularly visit the Twin Mountains. The whistler and Blackcomb rise above the valley and give a fantastic panoramic view. There is 7000 acres of the best mountain terrain available in North America. Here is more, the number of lifts that operate in the mountains, can log almost 50000 skiers an hour. This attests to the popularity of the region. This means two things that many folks attest that the place is worth the trip and secondly it also means “that much crowded the place is in the peak season”. Summer is a good time to visit with your family and you can keep your adventures in the winter.

There are multiple unique activities available in whistler that caters to your family. The pristine waters in the lakes provide you a unique and wonderful opportunity to take the time to have that little swim with your kids. You could also engage in sailing and diving. This is one of the few places that offer you the opportunity to ski in summer. Just go to the glaciers to have that skiing opportunity without the crowds. Tired of skiing? Just jump into the many restaurants that cater to your appetite. The summer holds more fun in that it gives you the complete all round opportunity to exercise many outdoor activities with clear mobility. The other fun filled activity popular with kids and parents alike are the quad biking. You can spend time hiking and biking in addition to the endless opportunities offered.

If you ask the locals or one of the vacation home owners you can get an inside scoop on where to engage in more exciting activities like horseback rides and hand gliding. Sounds interesting, yes they are mostly available in summer when the whether is good and more suited for all these activities. If you are a person who is done with all the adventurous stuff and like to have that cool and calm golf opportunity then you are in the right place. This place was voted one of the world’s top 20 golfing destination by the golf digest magazine. The other less publicized activity is guided fishing trips. You can ask your vacation rental folks where you can signup for one of the good guided fishing trips and do some unique customized activity that can make you completely feel relaxed and one with nature.

So let’s list out the summer activities that you can engage in Whistler:

• Skiing in the glaciers
• Guided fishing trips
• White water rafting
• Golfing
• Hiking and Biking
• Para-gliding and hang gliding
• Quad biking
• Swim, Dive and sail in the pristine lakes
• Kayaking, rock climbing and archery

There are more but you get the idea of how engaging a trip to Whistler, will be for this summer.

Book your summer whistler rental today to get an all round experience this summer. HolidayWhistler.com is a market leader in rental accommodation and lodging in Whistler B.C, the world’s #1 ski resort.

Author does freelancing through the free freelancing website FreelanceFree.com.

January 25, 2009

Buy the Best Fridges Online

Filed under: Tech — admin @ 7:17 pm

When and if you should be searching for the optimal offer on fridges and freezers looking on-line will probably be a wonderful tactic to make sure you conserve precious time & cash. Don’t choose to blow your cherished time wading all around many retail shops in search of the best bargains - all you have to do is simply get to your personal computer and log on and a whole brand spanking new world of fridges is there waiting for you online. Looking on untrustworthy websites for cheap fridges is a waste of your time.

Nevertheless, with so many on-line retailers how do you look into which one might well save your money on fridges while still ensuring you happen upon an outstanding quality item. As usual best practice if you buy your fridge from a shop on your high-street then you should not realistically have many significant concerns about purchasing your fridge from their web site, also, as folk should all know you can usually get better prices online.

Scanning a good shoppers guide is consistently the very best place to start when you’re surveying the market-place for fridges - shoppers guides are generally full with a great wealth of data and furthermore effectively highlight issues you conceivably will probably not have considered independently. Theses important considerations have within them; energy usage, further features & total capacity among additional things.

Do not regularly go with the lowest price - uncommonly commonly the initial price you behold on a web-site might often not include value added tax or delivery fees furthermore, when you finally reach the payment stage you possibly might be charged a lot more than you first imagined.

What date do you require it by? Not all on-line retailers guarantee speedy home delivery and if your current appliance has recently broken down you conceivably may not wish to wait three weeks for your brand new fridge So regularly check what the estimated home delivery day will be.

Be sure to find out the return policy - fridges are a difficult item to buy; sometimes they appear fantastic in the showroom or on a web-site but once you get it to your home you come to the realisation it does not complement your home at all. Therefore, you should always be careful.

Academic Robes Preschool

Filed under: College Education, Life Of Shopping, Slip On — admin @ 5:00 pm


Graduation Gowns



Graduation Regalia


Gordon International
200 William Street
Port Chester, New York 10573
Phone: 800-352-6121


Preschool Graduation Gowns

Preschool graduation gowns are meant to be worn on the graduation day by kindergarten students. Holding a pre school graduation is a good way of instilling into the minds of young students from the time they begin mastering the learning process the importance that is associated with the value of education. Preschool graduation gowns come in a set, which will include the graduation gown, cap and tassel to match and complete the entire outfit. The preschool graduation gowns come tailored with trinkets and little souvenirs to make the experience fun and not so formal for the children graduating from Pre School.

Gordon International
200 William Street
Port Chester, New York 10573
Phone: 800-352-6121
Email: info@gordon-intl.com
Gordon International has been outfitting the world’s graduates since 1960. Customer Service, High Quality Products and Guaranteed Low Prices. Visit us on the web and see why we’re considered the #1 graduation company.


Graduation Information On The Internet

Graduation information is available all over the internet. You’ll find multiple links which can assist you in your research. Gordon International offers a lot of information which can be useful to anyone ordering graduation regalia but if you’re looking for specific history please see the link provided below.
The Following Site Offers Great Information About Graduation:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Academic_dress wikipedia provides the searcher with a great information source for any type of search. You can go to their search wiki and place an random search in the engine and you’ll come across a few useful sources & articles.

Atkins Diet Plan - What’s The Catch

Filed under: Uncategorized — admin @ 9:30 am

The Atkins diet Plan breakfast can usually composed of eggs strips of bacon and coffee. A snack might include coffee with cream, and chunks of cheese. A huge steak fried in butter could be dinner. Doesn’t this sound really good? It seems very tempting but there is a catch.

In the beginning you will have to give up most carbs, such as breads, potatoes, pasta, rice and other things like chocolate, cake, some fruits. In theory, when carbs are eliminated from the diet, the body burns stored fat. Weight loss is quicker because fat burns more calories than carbs.

Stable blood sugar levels help you to feel fuller thereby damping your appetite. The Induction is the first phase of the Atkins diet, which you follow for at least two weeks. Only 20 grams of carbs a day, but you can eat lots of red meat, chicken, fish, eggs cream and butter. That you want.

During this phase, your body learns to burn fat and not carbs. The ongoing weight loss phase is the second stage. Add 5 grams of carbs a day until you get to your critical carbohydrate level for losing weight. How many carbs can YOU eat and still lose between 1 and 3 pounds a week? Bread, pasta rice and potatoes are still taboo.

The pre-maintenance or third phase is started when you have only 5-10 pounds left to lose in order to reach your goal weight. Yes! Now you get to add 10 grams a day for one week, to your carb intake, to help your body adjust to the addition of carbs to your diet, and to the final phase of the diet.

Lifetime maintenance, phase 4, teaches you ways to stay motivated. Your carb intake is limited to 90 grams in a day. You will be eating low carbs for the rest of your life. Some doctors have expressed concern about the long tern effects of the Atkins and other low carb plans.

High saturated fat consumption may cause an increased risk of heart disease. The lack of certain nutrients in this diet could cause future health problems. The limited intake of calcium could possibly put you at risk for Osteoporosis. The low antioxidant nutrients could lead to cancer, heart disease and premature aging.

The Atkins diet is boring in the Induction phase. Vegetarians have a hard time with Atkins, particularly in the early stages, due to the limited amount of vegetables, nuts seeds and beans. The Atkins diet presents an image of good health from a proper diet. Some are concerned that once you go off the diet the weight comes back quickly.

The very low carbs in this diet could cause ketosis which can be dangerous for diabetics. The high cholesterol of this diet may cause constipation and heart disease because of the high fat content. This diet, low in fruits and veggies is consequently low in antioxidants that fight cancer. The Atkins plan is that it’s not intended for long term use and has serious side effects.

The Atkins Plan works, it is that simple. Weight loss is rapid and you can eat as much protein and fat, as you would like. The carbs eliminated by the Atkins diet can cause a loss of antioxidants which are known to prevent some cancers.

This high fat, high protein diet can increase the risk of elevated cholesterol and heart disease. This Diet really works, although some believe you can’t stay on it long term. If you go off the diet or cheat , you will begin to re-gain the weight. Once you start eating a more normal diet the initial weight loss will return.

As with any diet check with a physician-to make sure you are healthy to begin with. The Atkins diet, some believe, is not for long term use and that it poses some serous health risks. If you are overweight, you are already at risk for heart disease and other health problems, and Atkins could increase those risks.

About the author:

About the Author
Martin Smith is a successful freelance writer providing advice on a variety of subjects. For more information on
Atkins diet plan or
Low carb diet plans, drop by the website. His numerous articles provide a wonderfully researched resource of interesting and relevant information.

January 23, 2009

Martial Arts

Filed under: School of Martial Arts — admin @ 11:35 am

Traditionally, people trained in Martial Arts in order to utilized their skills as
a form of attack and defense in both armed and unarmed combat. Today,
people train in Martial Arts in order to keep fit, as a form of meditation, to
learn self-discipline and as a competitive sport.

Although Western culture associates Martial Arts with Asian countries,
many countries developed their own Martial Arts as a form of military
defense, prior to modern technology. There are many different styles of
Marital Arts, such as Ju Jitsu, Tai Chi and Karate.

All styles of Martial Arts follow a system of teaching. During teaching, a
student is taught a series of forms. These forms, once learnt, help the
student to develop a technique that they can then utilize when needed.
There are also different levels of training that a student can progress
through, once they have mastered the first level.

All students must study under a Master of the particular Martial Art that
they wish to learn with the hope of one day becoming also a Master. This
is the traditional way in which the skills all Martial Arts has been handed
down over the generations.

Children as young as four or five can be started on the road to their or their parents chosen Martial Art and when trained by a sympathetic teacher or coach it can be made fun.

The competitive side of Martial Arts can be preceded by an intensive bout of training and so any children considering taking up competitive Martial Arts should be aware of this. The benefits are great when you win your first competition and get your first medal!

Many Martial Arts have a belt grading system and the gaining of a new belt can give you the inspiration to keep going and to better yourself even further. It is also something tangible that proves progress which can be very important to a child.

When considering taking up a Martial Art investigate them and make an informed decision as all are contact sports although some require more contact than others.

Find out about alternative ways to workout at http://www.a1-workoutworld.com where the focus is on Pilates, Yoga, and Martial Arts!

Adirondack Adventures Await You this Summer!

Filed under: Recreation Center — admin @ 2:00 am

You don’t have to visit exotic places for adventures this summer! New York’s Southern Adirondack region abounds with fun and excitement. Whether you are an outdoor person, a couch potato or somewhere in-between, this easily accessible resort area has it all…and is adding new attractions every year.

The Southern Adirondack region spans northern Saratoga County, to the Green Mountains and north to the heart of a state park the size of the state of Vermont. The shining star of the Adirondack region is the 32-mile long Lake George, known as “Queen of the American Lakes.” Just north of Lake George, is historic Lake Champlain. Other large waterways include the Hudson River and Great Sacandaga Lake. Besides these, the area boasts literally hundreds of lakes, ponds, and streams. The Champlain Canal is a popular waterway for international boaters. Water lovers have no end of activities in the Lake George region: several water parks–including a new indoor water park opening in February, boating, lake and canal cruises, para-sailing, whitewater rafting and tubing, water-skiing, jet-ski and boat rentals, fishing charters and local fishing derby’s, sailing, plus kayaking and canoeing. Boat and canoe launches are located in a number of places on the Hudson River and throughout the region.

For those of you who prefer working on your tan, the Lake George/Lake Luzerne areas have no less than six public beaches: two in Lake George, three in Lake Luzerne, and one in the village of Corinth. Additionally, there is a public beach located at the New York State Forth Lake campground, which also has boat rentals. Local tip: As an added bonus, during July, the secluded Main Beach in Lake Luzerne is located directly across from a youth’s music camp. At certain times in the afternoons, beach goers are treated to the sound of live chamber music drifting over the water.

If you’ve had enough of the water, you and the family can always visit the two amusement parks in the area. One is a large, well-known theme park featuring many thrilling rides and popular cartoon characters, as well as seasonal special events. The smaller park, which is tailored more to children, also has rides, but its unique shows are the biggest attraction there: it features a diving horse, bird shows and more. This park retains much of its original 1950’s character. Other places of interest include: two “haunted” houses/wax museums, a UFO “museum”, several arcades, numerous mini-golf courses, two go-kart tracks, indoor laser tag, paintball, hot air balloon rides, many well-maintained paved bike/rollerblading trails (bike rentals available), indoor roller skating, loads of golf courses–including indoor golf, public tennis courts, there are gyms offering seasonal memberships and there’s excellent hiking trails to fire towers, lakes and mountain tops. Whew! Modern life shore can be hectic, pardners…

If you’ve always dreamed of chucking it all and being a cowboy, then grab your hat, partner and saddle up! You don’t have to travel out west to feel like a buckaroo. Since the 1940’s, the Southern Adirondacks have played host to numerous dude ranches. Although the heyday of the dude ranch has passed, the Old West is currently seeing a revival in the area. Currently, there are two real old-time dude ranches in the area and two more that are a resorts with a dude ranch theme. Root for your favorite cowboy or gal at one of three area rodeos–one, a professional rodeo, and plays to crowds three times weekly. Grab your boots and straddle the saddle on a trusty steed. There are over a half-dozen business offering one to two hour trail rides, as well as dinner rides and riding lessons. If you like horses, but are afraid of riding, hourly carriage rides, hay rides and carriage rentals are also available in the area. There’s even an old-time western theme park, featuring horseback riding and stage coach rides, a petting zoo and a real live Wild West show. Want to dress the part? You can visit several local western stores to outfit yourself in style, and bring home gifts for the kiddies from Native American & western style gift shops in the region. Feeding that cowboy-like appetite you’ve worked up is no problem, as the region boasts a variety of BBQ and Southwestern style eating establishments.

Speaking of shopping and eating, what better place than the Adirondacks? Here, you can explore unique local Adirondack-themed gift and antique shops in the morning, and browse through dozens of major name-brand discount outlet stores in the afternoon. Want more? Then be sure to stop by the local mall and various shopping centers–the Glens Falls area is host to many popular department stores. What, still not satisfied? There are also flea markets and local auctions. Area auctions run the gamut from antiques to horses and tools, and estates to general merchandise–some country auctions feature all of the above, together under one roof! Auction notices appear every Thursday in the local papers. Art and craft festivals and many town-wide garage sales are also a huge area attraction. After all that shopping and exercise, you’re probably wondering about where to go to eat.

The Southern Adirondack region is surprising in its culinary offerings. In the countryside and small towns you can find home-cooking a small family-style restaurants and diners. But it doesn’t stop there. International and regional American cuisine can be found here as well. Here, you can find Japanese, Chinese, Italian, American Western/Southwestern, Mexican, Irish, BBQ, gourmet restaurants, Adirondack-themed steak houses, clam bars/seafood/lobster, deli’s, hot dog stands and fast food chains. One large local grocery store chain just of few miles south of Lake George features a bagel/coffee bar, hot and cold buffet, pizza & subs, fresh chicken and fish dinners, and a sushi bar. It can be a little pricey, but if you are with a group who can’t decide what they want, this store is a good bet, and you can eat-in or take out. Local tip: If you are looking for good, very inexpensive dining, and don’t mind the atmosphere, try the basement cafeteria at the local hospital. Some of their daily specials frequently include prime rib and roast pork…all offered ala carte, so you can mix and match your side dishes, or go with the salad bar. Call ahead for daily special(s) and serving times–just be sure to ask for the cafeteria, as there is more than one eating establishment there.

There’s more than one way to dine in the Adirondacks. For those of you who really want to experience dining out–how about an old-fashioned picnic? There are many fabulous picnic areas in the region. Stop by a deli or grocery store and load up the picnic basket. Some of the more popular areas include: the magnificent Prospect Mountain Memorial Highway in Lake George, the picturesque Washington County Park, just north of Whitehall in Hulett’s Landing (which also has a beach on Lake George and a tennis court–Local tips: On the way to this park, you will drive by a beaver pond and possibly see an old fire tower. On the way back down, just before you reach the main highway, if the day is clear, you will be able to see the Catskill Mountains–over 150 miles away! Also, before turning off the main road to Hulett’s Landing, be sure to stop at the lay-by for a broad scenic view of the Champlain Valley and distant hills of Vermont’s Green Mountain range. Another, far lesser known great picnic area is in the northern Saratoga County village of Corinth.

This nice little village is located on state Route 9-N, south. Like Lake Luzerne, it also has a beach on the Hudson River–and some wonderful and unique Adirondack gift shops and art galleries and frequently hosts parades and festivals. But the real gem of the village is hidden away across the tracks on Palmer Avenue. This is known by the odd name of Pagenstecker Park. The park was given to the village back in the 1900’s by a nationally known paper mill, which, until recently, was the town’s major employer. The park is lovely. It features genuine old growth trees–something there are few of in the Adirondacks, wildflowers, a picnic area with covered pavilion, free games–horseshoes, tennis and basketball, plus a playground for the kids. But the most magnificent feature of this park is the view: it sits directly on the edge of the northern-most palisades of the Hudson River, and one can look down the gorge at nearby Palmer Falls. The edge of the cliff is fenced off, but there is a supposedly a trail to a haunted spring at the bottom that was once used by the local Indians. A fall festival is held here annually.

If you like history, you’ll love the Adirondacks. Forts from the French and Indian (Queen Anne’s) War and the Revolution were rebuilt and are open to tourists. These include Fort Ticonderoga, Fort William Henry and the Old Fort House Museum in Fort Edward. Additionally, there are archaeological exhibits at Roger’s Island in Fort Edward and underwater sites open to divers on Lakes George and Champlain. Drive down NY route 149 between Comstock and Whitehall, and glimpse parts of the original Champlain Canal following the railroad tracks. In Whitehall, you can see the hull of an 1812 war ship, visit the interesting local history museum and splendid Skene Manor, a Victorian mansion perched high atop the cliffs overlooking the town. Back in the city of Glens Falls, there’s the area’s best history museum and at the NY route 9 bridge leading to South Glens Falls, is Cooper’s Cave. This is the actual cave featured in James Fennimore Cooper’s (an ancestor of mine), famous 1826 American novel “Last of the Mohicans,” in which the intrepid Hawkeye saves his damsel in distress from the savages by hiding in a cave underneath a waterfall.

Besides these attractions, many towns and villages have local history sites and museums. In Lake Luzerne, there are three small museums: a pulp mill museum, a local history museum and a one-room school house. Towns such as Lake George and Corinth also have museums. In Granville, in Washington County, there’s the Pember Natural History Museum and a slate museum. Glens Falls houses the world famous Hyde Collection. The paintings and sculptures here are housed together with antique and period furniture in a renovated mansion.

If history seems to tame for you, there’s always the night life and cultural events. If you like movies, there is a drive-in theater, a multi-plex and a restaurant/theater. For laughs, visit a local comedy club, or dance the night away at a nightclub, disco or local Adirondack bar. If you love theater, you can find dinner theater and regular stage productions by our resident company. Offered periodically are productions by an amateur theater company in Corinth, and others. Opera is available, and there is even an opera museum. Music festivals are all over the area. In Lake George there’s an annual Elvis festival and a jazz festival. In Corinth, you can camp out at the annual Bluegrass Festival. Besides music, there’s the huge fireman’s convention parade in June, as well as Americade–one of the east coast’s biggest motorcycle gatherings. If you like art, besides the Hyde Collection, there are many, many art and craft galleries throughout the region. In downtown Glens falls, you can find a casual atmosphere, featuring a brew-pub, sidewalk café, shopping, coffee house, Saturday farmer’s market and a jazz club. Local concerts are often held at noon-time in the city park, near the library.

As you can tell, the Southern Adirondacks hold a little something for everyone. They are easily accessible, too. From Montreal or New York City, take the I-87 Northway to Exits 17-N to 23. The trip from NYC averages around 4 to 4 hours under most circumstances. Saratoga, Glens Falls and Warrensburg are accessible by bus. Saratoga, Fort Edward and Whitehall are accessible by train. Local taxi’s going outside of the city of Glens Falls can be very expensive, but they are available. Major airlines travel to Albany International Airport, about 50 miles south of Glens Falls. There are smaller airports at Saratoga Springs and Queensbury (Glens Falls). Car rental agencies are available locally. Accommodations: many types available, from hotels and motels, to resorts, cabins and bed & breakfasts. Camping: both public and private camping is available, but reservations, well in advance, are strongly suggested.

The author is a transplanted “flatlander,” currently living in the Adirondacks with her cat “buddies.” She has an associate degree in Humanities from Adirondack Community College, and has studied writing, literature and public relations at Castleton State College in Vermont. Nancy is currently pursuing gainful employment, and besides studies online, hope to return to college soon. She spends her free time with friends, writing and listening to BBC Radio 2 and NPR.

January 22, 2009

Kayak Travel and Trips

Filed under: Recreation Center — admin @ 9:02 pm

If you love the thrill and adventure of kayak travel, the waters and lakes are yours to explore! Mankind has always been drawn to the sea and a kayak trip is truly one of the ultimate highs as far as kayak travel is concerned. Human beings have always invented useful devices that enhance our lifestyles and kayak travel is a great and marvelous feat, which blends excitement, fun and freedom of movement in one great adventure.

A kayak trip is an awesome way to spend time outdoors and enjoy the beauty of the natural world. If you are not interested in kayak travel as a professional sport, you can still enjoy a kayak trip with other like-minded individuals and there are many such services offered by kayak travel planning groups.

Modern kayaks employed in kayak travel are strong and well-designed vessels, which still manage to follow the original kayak design plans where possible. Originally developed by the Inuit, a group of culturally similar indigenous arctic people, kayak travel was perfected by them and used for water traveling, fishing and kayak trips of all description.

The word kayak means ” mans boat” and early kayak travel was the main means by which the Inuit moved around and expanded socially, mixing with other nearby peoples by taking kayak trips. Kayak travel among them allowed for increased trading and life was greatly enhanced through the use of the kayak. The earliest forms of kayak travel were achieved by means of constructing a frame of wood and covering it with sealskin.

Kayak travel makes use of paddles to propel the vessel though the water. Modern paddles are longer than those used for canoeing and have a blade on either side to allow for quick movement through the water and fast kayak travel speeds. The vessels used for modern kayak travel are covered with a deck and have a hole in the cockpit in which the kayak trip passenger sits in a forward facing position. This hole is often sealed off with a spray deck, which is a flexible cover that prevents water from entering the kayak travel vessel and protects the paddler while on a kayak trip.

Kayak travel in a modern vessel allows for one or more passengers to work in unison to propel the craft forward with the paddles. The spray deck protects the kayak travel passenger and his craft against water flooding and can quickly be released and opened if the kayak should capsize during a kayak trip. This clever release mechanism allows the kayak travel passengers more freedom to swim to safety should the kayak overturn, which is a common occurrence during a vigorous kayak trip.

If the kayaker’s on a kayak trip are experienced enough, they can alternatively use their body weight and paddles as a controlling mechanism and perform what is called an Eskimo roll to avoid capsizing. Kayak travel makes use of several such maneuvers and this knowledge comes with experience and many kayak trips.

Copyright 2005 Southern Kayaks

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