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Free Camping at Hen Ingram Lake in Central Cariboo you will enjoy 9 Campsites and be able to get there with a Motorhome! You will get from there, nice Canoeing service, attractive Fishing facilities & Great Camping opportunities. Site Description:This is a medium size rec site, and is extremely busy site with defined campsites along [...]

Continue Reading Hen Ingram Lake in Central Cariboo

Tags: Camping, north, sleeping, snow, tracks, travel, Trekking, water

Maintaining a healthy body and a healthy mind while leading a chaotic fast and hard life in urban areas is indeed a challenge. One way to rejuvenate the body and mind is by recreation. This is known to be a good stress buster. Recreations are many. Not all forms of recreations have this therapeutic effect. Mountaineering, sky diving, skiing, backpacking, motor sport and rock climbing are some good recreational activities that require going to a place where nature is in its natural self. This requires that travels away from civilization. Such sojourn amidst the thriving nature is called as ecotourism. It calls upon the natural instinct and sensitivity of the travelers and campers to be socially and environmentally conscious of all the life forms and the inanimate forms that abound and surround us. Amidst the flora, fauna and the cultural heritage, the campers are taken through and into a self-reflective and appreciative mood. This brings about and builds the positive energy in them into their otherwise mundane hard life. You have to prepare yourself with camping equipments when you decide to go camping. This includes a tent, sleeping bag, first aid kit, flashlight, utensils, maps, folding chairs, raincoats, ropes, towels, personal care products, cooking devices, hammer and saw. There are different kinds of tents in the market. You need to choose a portable tent so that you can carry it with you in a backpack to the place of your destination. The tent you choose will also depend on how many people are traveling with you. The type of tent will also depend upon the season of your travel. There are tents that can accommodate one to ten people and are available in the camping equipment store. The North Face Trailhead 6 Tent accommodates six persons. It is ideal for a family. It has two doors, two quarters for sleeping and keeps away water. The campers learn to appreciate the ecosystem and its biodiversity. They also begin to respect cultural diversity. The importance of sustainable use of biodiversity is also brought home. The meaning of conserving nature sinks in. The respect of indigenous cultures that is in harmony with nature becomes strong. The role of conservation of nature in combating climate change becomes clear. Camping is a great to rest. When you do so, never ever forget anything, especially the most important ones. Some Other Resources: If perhaps you take pleasure in online purchasing, surf to http://ZEBRARUG.US and find out facts related to (a) Zebra Rug .

Continue Reading Learning From Nature

Tags: camping-gears, destination, ecosystems, ecotourism, find-out-facts, inanimate, inanimate-forms, Life, north, other-resources, Outdoors, tents, therapeutic

Watertown Daily Times, link to original post The Adirondack Museum will hold a special event, “The Adirondacks are Cooking’ Out,” from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday at the museum, routes 28 and 30 in Blue Mountain Lake. A highlight of the day will be a top chef competition — Adirondack style. Outstanding regional chefs will compete in a trial by campfire. Visitors are invited to watch and cheer them on as guest judges choose the winner of this outdoor cooking challenge. The Campfire Cook-Off will begin at 11 a.m. Each chef will select his own menu; all will cook over an open fire. Judging will take place at 1 p.m. Competitors include: Kevin McCarthy, former executive chef at The Point in Saranac Lake, and the Lake Placid Lodge, now a faculty member at Paul Smith’s College; Stephen Topper, former executive sous chef at The Sagamore on Lake George, executive chef at Friends Lake Inn, Chestertown, and currently at Lorenzo’s al Forno in the Copperfield Inn, North Creek; Richard Brosseau, executive chef at the Interlaken Inn and Restaurant, Lake Placid; Luke Bowers, executive chef, BarVino, North Creek; Tom Morris, the chef de cuisine at Mirror Lake Inn, Lake Placid, and Eric Hample, who was a Syracuse area pastry chef who now owns and operates The Cellar Restaurant, Long Lake, with his wife, Brooke. Judges for the Campfire Cook-Off are Tony Zazula, co-owner of Commerce, a contemporary American restaurant in Greenwich Village; Suvir Saran, a respected food authority, television personality and consultant worldwide; and Sally Longo, a chef and owner of Aunt Sally’s Catering, Glens Falls. Lake Placid Brewery will offer a tasting of their products from noon until 4 p.m. Visitors must be 21 to enjoy the sampling and IDs will be required. There will be cooking demonstrations and food-related talks throughout the day. At 1:30 p.m. and 4 p.m. smoking and grilling will be the topics handled by Susan Rohrey (grilling) and John Roe (smoking). The presentations “Edible Adirondack Mushrooms” and “Wild Vegetables of the Adirondacks” with Jane Desotelle and “Pairing Beer & Food” with Christopher Ericson, founder, owner, and brewmaster of Lake Placid Brewery will be offered in the museum’s auditorium with times to be posted. Inter Mountain Trio will offer three sets of classic folk and rock in the Marion River Carry Pavilion at noon, 2. and 3:30 p.m. The cooking event will also feature hands-on fun for all ages, exhibit tours, a vendor’s market, and local food products including barbecue sauces and rubs in the museum store. Admission to the museum and the day of cooking is $18; children 6 to 12, $8; students with ID and senior citizens, 62 and older, $17; children 5 and younger, free. All admissions are valid for a second visit within a one-week period. For more information, call the museum at 1 (518) 352-7311, or visit www.adirondackmuseum.org . Filed under: Adirondacks , Contest Tagged: Adirondack Museum , Blue Mountain Lake , campfire cooking

Continue Reading Adirondack Museum welcomes serious NNY chefs to Campfire Cook-Off on July 29

Tags: adirondack museum, blue mountain lake, campfire, campfire-cooking, lake, mountain, museum, north, north-creek, placid, tracks

Range war pits paddlers against property owners on North Country rivers Filed under: Adirondacks , Canoeing , Kayaking , Northern NY , Paddling , Waterfalls

Continue Reading Range war pits paddlers against property owners on North Country rivers

Tags: activity, Kayak, Kayaking, north, north-country, northern ny, owners-on-north, paddling, tracks, war-pits, waterfalls

Christine Pizzuti | Poughkeepsie Journal, link to original post Many people choose to settle in the Hudson Valley because of its scenic waterways, but kayaking and canoeing offer an opportunity to enjoy the valley from a whole new perspective. Marshall Seddon, co-owner of the River Connection in Hyde Park, first recognized the benefits of paddling as a child. “I started when I realized I could get to places to go fishing that I couldn’t get to on land, and that was probably around 7 years of age,” Seddon said. “As far as paddling goes, I used everything that floated: canoe, kayak, raft and other contraptions.” The River Connection’s lessons for beginners start with a tutorial on all the parts of the vessel and related pieces, as well as getting in and out during launching and basic maneuvering. Another important skill is how to handle a capsized vessel. “There are a lot of things you can do with a kayak,” Seddon said. “A lot of skills that will make your time on the water easier, safer, more fun — and not all of them involve falling over.” The basics classes are for anyone who’s never touched a kayak. Depending on how students progress, they can also learn more fun skills, such as surfing a kayak. The River Connection provides equipment in its retail showroom on West Market Street, and lessons at a private harbor down the hill. The paddling school’s website is linked up to weather forecasts and tide predictors for local paddling venues. When it comes to selecting gear, Seddon said you should start with a personal floatation device. He said it’s much like biking or skiing, where better tools provide better performance. “A personal floatation device and paddle are the best two investments a paddler can make,” Seddon said. “If your paddle is 3 pounds, and it’s 1,000 strokes per mile, that’s 3,000 pounds. If you’re doing one and a quarter pounds, you’ve turned that into energy you still have at the end of the day.” After that, a signaling device, such as a whistle or horn, is useful for getting someone’s attention on the water. “In this area, most folks have a cell phone,” with a dry container to keep it in, “to let people know they’re staying out longer than expected and having too much fun,” Seddon said, adding he and his staff make frequent delivery calls to Hyde Park Pizza from the water and paddle to the ramp to pick it up. Just about every other Saturday, the River Connection instructors head down to the boathouse at the harbor to let the public try out different types of equipment. Much of what goes into the equipment selection is personal preference. “The type of kayak will be determined greatly by whether you’re touring and sea kayaking, like we have on the Hudson River, or whitewater, which would be an entirely different sport,” he said. “Or if you’d like to use it as a swim platform in the summertime.” To avoid swamping the boat, or having it fill with water, Seddon said a paddler might want to add a floatation device to the ends. This will lessen the volume of water entering the vessel and keep it afloat. A spray skirt worn by the kayaker creates a watertight seal around the cockpit and also helps avoidswamping. Without a spray skirt, a kayaker could be confronted with a sizable wave created by motor traffic, and could easily take on water. But if there is floatation at both ends of the boat, it will take on less water. Seddon said kayaks with cargo bulkheads, or watertight compartments at the front and rear, are good for this purpose. Paddlers whose kayaks don’t have the compartments built in can use floatation bags or a foam pillar. Kayaks, as opposed to canoes, are ideal for the Hudson River, where currents and winds can be strong. A canoe is better for calm water settings when you have your dog and cooler with you, Seddon said. “Everybody piles on and has a grand old time, but with a three-knot current on the Hudson River and wind conditions, a canoe is harder to use; the free board will act as a sail,” Seddon said. “It takes more experience to get a canoe to behave well, as opposed to a kayak.” Russ Faller, the paddle chairman at the Mid-Hudson chapter of the Adirondack Mountain Club , said he does both kayaking and canoeing, depending on the trip. If he’s going from lake to lake in the Adirondacks, he’s better off taking a canoe, because it’s easier to carry on your shoulders, unlike a kayak, which has heavy decking and less space for your head. Canoes are also better for camping because you can throw one big backpack into a canoe, whereas bags must be smaller to fit in a kayak’s compartments. “The other difference is a canoe is easier to get in and out of than a kayak. If it’s a recreational kayak, it has a big opening, but if it’s sea touring, it’s harder,” Faller said. Faller said the main advantage of a kayak is that it’s lower in the water, so when it gets windy, it’s easier to keep the vessel in a straight line. A canoe will catch the wind and be blown around more easily. It’s also faster because it’s narrow. Faller started paddling in a canoe in the late ’70s. He said he was on the Hudson River with a group of kayakers when the wind picked up halfway through their trip. “It was like a headwind from the left side, and I was having trouble paddling it in a straight line,” he said. “I ended up losing speed, and being left behind, and they were cruising right along. I realized I should get a kayak, too, for waters like the Hudson River.” In June, the Adirondack Mountain Club hosted the ninth annual Mid-Hudson ADK Paddlefest at Plum Point Park in New Windsor. The event offered free kayak and canoe lessons, guided paddling trips and a used gear sale. Faller said the Wallkill River is an ideal setting for beginners, as well as Chodikee Lake and Black Creek in Highland, because the water moves more slowly there. You can often paddle both ways on the Wallkill and the creek, and the lake is well-protected from wind. He also recommends the Basha Kill Wetlands out in Wurtsboro, and the Great Swamp of New York in Patterson. “The Hudson is more for advanced (paddlers), because it’s open, so it can be very windy. Some days it’s placid like a mirror, and the winds can just kick up,” Faller said. “Another problem with the Hudson is there’s a lot of powerboat traffic — and that makes waves.”  The shipping channel can also be dangerous if you get too close to a barge or tanker. Seddon agreed, “Anything on the Hudson River, you need to realize, it’s a shared waterway with motor traffic, and you should be aware of where the shipping channel is, what the buoys indicate as far as incoming traffic, and what the rules of the road are,” Seddon said. Faller said places off the Hudson, such as Constitution Marsh in Cold Spring and the north bay at Tivoli Bays, are pretty ideal for beginner paddling. Seddon said paddlers should have a good idea of where they’re going, and especially if they don’t have local knowledge, they need a guide book and navigational chart. Seddon highly recommends the “Hudson River Water Trail Guide,” which covers the dam in Troy all the way down to the Battery in New York City. It includes obstructions, anchorages, buoy placement, camps, things to see, etc. “That’s the comprehensive bible of exploring the Hudson River,” he said. “A resource like that, or local paddling experts with local knowledge, will fill you in on critical knowledge you should be aware of.” For instance, Seddon said, Tivoli Bays is a peaceful setting to paddle but has a very high tide. If you don’t beat the clock, you won’t be able to pass under the bridge and make it out on time. “If you feel like going into marshes like Tivoli Bays, you should be aware of the tides. For instance, Constitution Marsh, you need to go in two hours before high tide and come out two hours after high tide, or you could get caught in a mud flat,” he said. “You can’t walk on it, because the mud’s too soft.” The Forsyth Nature Center in Kingston has a unique program that includes a quick kayaking lesson followed by a nature tour every Friday and Saturday from Memorial Day through Labor Day. While the nature center itself is based in uptown Kingston, the kayaking tours are given at 6 p.m. Fridays on the Rondout Creek near the Hudson River Maritime Museum, and at 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. on the Hudson off Kingston Point Beach. “So we do a morning paddle and a sunset paddle,” said Steve Noble, an environmental educator for the City of Kingston, which oversees the nature center. “We try to go at the bookends of the day, because during the warm, sunny, hot days at noon, there could be a lot of boat traffic, which scares away the wildlife.” The point of these trips is for participants to see things they otherwise wouldn’t on land. Common sightings include eagles, osprey and turtles, as well as muskrats. The center provides the kayak, paddles, life jacket, 20-minute lesson and guided tour for $25 for Kingston residents and $35 for out-of-towners. “I was born and raised here in Kingston, but when I came back here to work, and do the work we’re doing, I wanted to make sure it’s affordable to folks, and have them learn about what we have right here in our own backyard,” Noble said. The center tries to keep tour groups small — around eight or nine people, so it’s a good idea to call or e-mail the center in advance. Noble said the tours are the best part of his job. “It’s really exciting, and most of the folks we have are doing it for their first time,” he said. “And kayaking is such a different way to get out there and see things, because you’re so close to the water.” Faller said places off the Hudson, such as Constitution Marsh in Cold Spring and the north bay at Tivoli Bays, are pretty ideal for beginner paddling. Seddon said paddlers should have a good idea of where they’re going, and especially if they don’t have local knowledge, they need a guide book and navigational chart. Seddon highly recommends the “Hudson River Water Trail Guide,” which covers the dam in Troy all the way down to the Battery in New York City. It includes obstructions, anchorages, buoy placement, camps, things to see, etc.n “That’s the comprehensive bible of exploring the Hudson River,” he said. “A resource like that, or local paddling experts with local knowledge, will fill you in on critical knowledge you should be aware of.” For instance, Seddon said, Tivoli Bays is a peaceful setting to paddle but has a very high tide. If you don’t beat the clock, you won’t be able to pass under the bridge and make it out on time. “If you feel like going into marshes like Tivoli Bays, you should be aware of the tides. For instance, Constitution Marsh, you need to go in two hours before high tide and come out two hours after high tide, or you could get caught in a mud flat,” he said. “You can’t walk on it, because the mud’s too soft.” Adirondack Mountain Club, mid-Hudson chapter The River Connection9 W. Market St.Hyde Park Phone: 845-229-0595 or 845-242-4731 Forsyth Nature Center Delaware Avenue in Kingston Phone: 845-481-7336 E-mail: forsytheducation@aol.com Picking a kayak What to consider in selecting a kayak (from The River Connection http://www.the-river-connection.com/canoesandkayaks/kayakselection.php ): Performance: Tracking, efficiency and stability. Think about how you want the boat to behave or “feel” on the water. Consider how you will use your kayak: Will it be for casual outings such as birding or fishing, cruising about for day trips or picnicking, or for adventure such as camping trips or long-distance outings? Covering distance, efficiently and effectively is usually accomplished with a longer kayak. Features: Safety, storage; rudder/skeg. More hatches mean more storage, but a water-tight hatch is also an important safety feature to your kayak in the event of a capsize. Other features, such as nite-line deck rigging, a metal security lock point, carry handles and rescue toggles are other features that are often overlooked when selecting a kayak. Construction: Materials, weight, length, width and color. To determine the optimal material for your kayak’s construction, try lifting several kayaks constructed of different materials. If you can lift and easily move your kayak to the launch, you will use it more frequently. Remember the goal of your journey is to enjoy yourself. Frustration at the launch because your kayak is too heavy or cumbersome for your strength is a real problem. Comfort Level: Cockpit size, deck height and leg room. Choose a cockpit size that fits you: Your hips and thighs should comfortably touch the interior outfitting. Foot braces should be firm yet easy to adjust. Filed under: Canoeing , Education / skills , Hudson River , Hudson Valley , Kayaking , Paddling Tagged: adirondack mountain club , Basha Kill Wetlands , Black Creek , Chodikee Lake , Cold Spring NY , Constitution Marsh , Forsyth Nature Center , Great Swamp of New York , Highland NY , Hyde Park , Kingston NY , Mid-Hudson ADK Paddlefest , Mid-Hudson chapter of the Adirondack Mountain Club , New Windsor , Patterson NY , Plum Point Park , River Connection , Rondout Creek , Tivoli Bays , Wallkill River , Wurtsboro

Continue Reading Groups give lessons in kayaking the Hudson Valley’s waterways

Tags: basha kill wetlands, black creek, chodikee lake, cold spring ny, forsyth nature center, great swamp of new york, location, nature, north, rondout creek, shipping, tracks, trip, water

Departs: Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Cost: $40 half/$60 full, Not Guided Length: 1/2 or full day Outfitter: Great Blue Outfitters The Great Swamp in Putnam County, New York offers an incredibly peaceful setting for half and full day, guided or unguided kayak or canoe adventures. Less than two hours north of New York City (and 3 minutes from the Patterson Metro North train station), the Swamp is home to nearly 200 species of birds (including our namesake, the Great Blue Heron), beaver, otter, mink, and much more. You’ll feel like you are in the middle of nowhere as you paddle with the gentle current. Great Blue Outfitters gladly meets customers at the train station and provides all shuttle services free of charge. Minimal prior experience necessary, and they’ll give basic lessons. Their retail store carries accessories, supplies, and “outdoorsy” gifts. With Great Blue Outfitters , Real Adventures are Real Close.

Continue Reading Kayak The Great Swamp in Putnam County: a Hidden Treasure

Tags: great-blue, great-swamp, hudson valley, Kayaking, middle, namesake, New York, new york hiking trails, north, putnam county, train-station

Are you ready to take a camping trip into some of the kind of mountains that you will want to stay in forever? The mountains of North Carolina is such a place and the kind of camping that you can do there will include a whole lot of other kinds of fun activities as well. You can go online to and find some of the best North Carolina Camping sites ever. The Cherokee Indian reservation has become quite the place to be in the summer time if you want to have the best experience in the North Carolina Mountains ever. You will be able to watch the story Unto these Hills played out live on stage. You will be able to visit Harrahs casino. There are so many shops there you will be amazed. The number of shops inside Cherokee is numerous and each one offers a unique shopping experience. You will have your choice of many fine restaurants here as well. Make sure to set up your camp sire close by to all the fun in Cherokee. You can also have a great time camping in the town of Maggie Valley. This is right next door to Cherokee and you will be able to go to Ghost town in the Sky while here. This is a theme park that sports the best storytelling of the old saloon days that you could ask for. Relive the kind of life that the cowboys and Indians lived years ago at this theme park. Be sure to enjoy the chairlift ride. Another great place to go camping at is in the Blue Ridge Parkway. You will have a hard time deciding on just where to camp at here because everywhere is so beautiful and perfect. Making the scenic ride through the parkway is going to be a ride you will always remember. Some of the waterfalls are absolutely gorgeous and breathtaking to say the least. You might be able to find a campsite that will allow you to listen to those falls all night long. How soothing could anything be? Fishing is always a big part of camping anywhere. However, if you are camping near the Cherokee reservation, you will be able to do some great trout fishing. You can choose from ponds that are stocked regularly, lakes, or the rivers. You can fish for a variety of kinds of fish, but there is nothing like the taste of speckled trout cooked over a fire. Do you like hiking? How about whitewater rafting? These are just a couple of the outdoor activities you can find to get into in these areas of North Carolina. There are many miles of hiking and some wonderful scenery along the way. You might also want to ride your mountain bike on some of trails designated for them. There is no limit to the fun you can have while camping in and around any of these areas. Would you like to go camping in some of the most beautiful mountains in the world? If so, then you need to get online and check into the many campsites that are available for North Carolina camping in these areas. You will have no trouble finding out just how much fun you will be able to have once you are settle in your campsite. Campgrounds of North Carolina are numerous, the secret is finding the best! Get inside info on top campgrounds instantly in our Reviews of Campgrounds .

Continue Reading The Blue Ridge Parkway For North Carolina Camping

Tags: Campgrounds, Camping, kind, Mountains, north, North Carolina, north carolina outdoors, north carolina travel, quite-the-place, rivers, summer, watch-the-story

Around the 17th and 18th century the wardrobe of the gentleman in Europe went through somewhat of a change. A staff or stick became part of their wardrobe, as a matter of fact it replaced their sword. It was actually a substitution. Walking sticks today are more like a device to assist people when they are walking helping them to balance themselves. There are several styles and sizes of walking sticks and they are even sought after by collectors. Walking sticks also known as hiking poles or trekking poles or they are even known as pilgrim’s staffs. They are used by hikers for many reasons, for one they are used when walking to clear out spiderwebs or thick brush. They are used to support themselves going up a hill and even used going down a hill as a brake. Another use is to balance themselves while going across a stream, mud puddle and they are even used to defend off any wild animal they may encounter. Canes walking sticks are used in North America with a curved top and looks much like a candy cane but longer. They are crafted from a heavy metal or wood. In the U.S. a lot of our presidents have received them as a gift. George Washington received one from Benjamin Franklin and you can see it in the Smithsonian. The cane is beautiful, it features a gold handle and its in the form of an Phrygia cap. These days most of the time walking sticks are only seen when a person is wearing formal attire. Collectors are always seeking new, old or novel canes. They’re even searching for canes that are Retractable or have hidden compartments. Collectible canes with compartments that are concealed were used back in the day to hold a flask of alcohol. These typed of canes were known as Tippling Canes. Canes walking sticks are virtually used today to offer stabilization of the individual using it. It is generally used in the hand opposite the weakness or injury. This allows anyone to shift as much weight as possible away from the weak side. However some do use the cane on the injured side. A little story that happened in our congress one day years ago… In a violent episode inside the U.S. Congress, Charles Sumner of Massachusetts called Stephen A. Douglas of Illinois a “noisome squat and nameless animal” and brutally insulted Andrew Butler of South Carolina for a congenital deformity. Now Preston Brooks a relative heard this, he thought Sumner’s behavior merited lower than a duel so he took his walking stick and beat him senseless to the floor of the Senate. Although this event is often generally known as “the caning of Senator Charles Sumner”, it was not caning as we know it (esp. British) sense of the formal punishment when a more flexible and thinner rattan was used. There are many kinds of canes, here listed below are just a few. * White canes are mainly used for the blind or visually impaired. There color and style alert others of a impairment for the user. It seems they are made longer and thinner so whomever using it is able to feel there way around. * The type that are adjustable have telescoping shafts, this allows the user to lengthen or shorten the cane as needed when walking. * Folding canes generally have several joints, they are connected together by an internal elastic cord, this permits them to shorten the length when they are not being used. * The canes used for more stability are called Quad Canes, they have four legs and help the user to balance themselves while walking or standing. The elderly and even the younger people with disabilities need canes walking sticks to get around. They are not use to much today as a type of fashionable item hooked to our arm. However to those who need them they provide a great service and allow the people using them to be able to do things that without the canes they could not and would be at a disadvantage. Learn more about Canes walking sticks . Stop by Bob Dull’s site where you can find out all about Walking canes sticks and what it can do for you.

Continue Reading Canes, Walking Sticks Centuries Old

Tags: congress, europe, gentleman, Hiking, Massachusetts, north, senator, Trekking, user, Walking