Updates in Technology

July 19, 2011 By Leave a Comment

There are many individuals who feel that they are unable to keep up with technology updates. It seems that the computer and electronic world is always changing, and once a new program or device has been learned, a newer one will already have replaced it. This may be true, but technology can be very useful and can even help people save time when they are used correctly.

Organizing a system on a computer is necessary in order to use it to its full capabilities. Computers that are overloaded and messy will run more slowly, and will not be useful. Email and instant messaging can be a great way to correspond with friends, family members, or business contacts quickly. These messages can be as long or short as desired, so they can serve any purpose. A fast internet connection will also be helpful, especially for those who are working from a home office. Having to wait for pages to load can be a waste of precious working hours.

When looking at applications, desktop widgets are useful for saving time. These are smaller versions of programs that are placed as a shortcut onto the desktop, so the full version of the software doesn’t have to be run every time it is being used. They can often be custom designed and altered to fit the theme of the desktop. These programs can also be used with web design software or on personal blogs.

Using these programs will help a website to be more customized to a person’s style and desires. Updates in technology can be overwhelming, but understanding their use will help a person to work more effectively.

Filed Under: Adventure, Camping Tagged With: , ,

Vegetarian Camping Recipes

February 16, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Babbo Fresh Rosemary and Olive Oil Cake

Image by ulterior epicure via Flickr

Sick of being the lone vegetarian with no good recipes to cook while camping?  Look no further!  Here are a couple that are perfect for you!

Angel Hair Pasta and Veggies

  • Angel hair pasta or another kind of pasta
  • Olive oil (extra virgin)
  • Garlic
  • Tomatoes
  • Broccoli or another vegetable
  • Basil, herbs
  • Shallots

This dish is very simple — you can cook enough pasta for the amount of people in your party.  Cook the pasta in boiling water until al dente (not completely soft).  From there, you cook your vegetables by heating the olive oil in a pan and adding the minced garlic, and the the shallots.  Remove from the heat and toss the oil in the pasta, then adding the finely chopped basil, tomatoes and broccoli.  Very filling and simple.

Beans on Toast

  • 1 can of baked beans
  • Bread
  • Butter
  • Some brown sauce

This is a simple dish that is perfect for breakfast.  Basically you just toast the bread, cook the beans and smear the beans on the toast (which has been buttered).  Add some brown sauce and enjoy!  Filled with fiber and protein — great before a large hike, too!

Black Bean Burritos

  • Torilla shells that are the size of soft taco shells
  • Dried black beans
  • Taco sauce packs
  • Cheddar cheese
  • Peppers

First you must cook the beans.  There are many different ways to cook beans, but we’ll do the quick cook for this recipe.  Boil the water in a pot and add beans.  Cover and let sit for 5 minutes.  Warm your shells and add the beans to them, adding cheese, peppers, some taco sauce and whatever else you can find.  Remember to not cook the beans, just let them sit, you don’t want them to stick all over your pan for a difficult clean up!  You can also make variations on this recipe by making quesadillas or using other kinds of beans.

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First Camping Trip

February 8, 2011 By Leave a Comment

If you are ready to embark on your first ever camping trip, there are a few things you can do to get prepared.

First things first, gather all the necessary supplies.  You will need, but are not limited to bringing, a tent, sleeping bag, cooking supplies, fire starting supplies, food, drinks, bug repellent, sun tan lotion SPF 15 or higher, first aid kid, and fun games and activities to do.

If it is your first time camping and you do not want to be in a tent, you can always get a cabin or something else like an RV to stay in so you don’t have to be so close to the ground.  Bring enough food for yourself and others on the trip so you don’t have to make any journeys to get some more if you run out.  Water is a must and make sure you have plenty if not too much water on your camping trip.  To cook, you will need all those supplies, such as a pan or pot.  Starting a fire doesn’t require too much skill if you have the proper equipment for fire starting — such as an insta-log, gasoline and a lighter.  Bug repellent and sun tan lotion are important for your health, along with the first aid kit to take care of any emergencies.  Remember some fun games and sports equipment to give you something to do to pass the time, such as a Frisbee and a deck of cards.

Remember to take it slow and not jump into any situations that you have never experienced before.  If you have never hiked before, take it easy, and do not expect to backpack for five days straight, unexperienced.  Enjoy yourself and have a good time with being in the outdoors, it is your time to experience nature.  You can even keep a journal to document your trip so next time you are prepared to step it up for another great experience!

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Insurance for People Who Have Outdoor Adventures

February 6, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Insurance is important for everyone, but it’s even more valuable for people who participate in strenuous outdoor activities such as hiking, fishing, and hunting. The outdoors are great for excitement and adventure, and trekking through lush wilderness in North America is one of the favorite pastimes of the people who live there and those who vacation there. Whether you like to hike, hunt, fish, or all of the above, one thing for sure is that insurance is very important. There are plenty of dangers out in the woods, and even if you haven’t encountered any yet that doesn’t mean that you never will. Being prepared is a good idea.

Wolves, alligators, mountain lions, snakes, and other dangerous animals make their homes in the kinds of places where you’ll be exploring. You can have a can of mace, or even a gun, but there’s no guarantee that it will be enough. You can get injured, or even killed, and your family won’t have anyone to take care of them. Even if you can’t be there for them physically, you can be there for them financially with life and health insurance. Online insurance quotes are important, and they’re easy to get. That lets you compare policies, so you can get the right one for you and your unique situation.

Don’t assume that you don’t need insurance, or that your family won’t need the financial help if something happens to you. Most people don’t like to think about their own mortality, or even becoming seriously injured, but making sure you have good insurance coverage to protect you and your family is the responsible thing to do. It doesn’t take that long to get a policy, and you can shop online and get one right from home, so you’ll feel safe and protected the next time you go on an outdoor adventure – and so will your family.

Filed Under: Adventure, Hiking Tagged With: , ,

The Perfect Trail Mix

December 17, 2010 By Leave a Comment

ContentWhat is it about trail mix that makes it such a great hiking snack? It’s all about what you choose to put in. The great thing about trail mix is that you can use your own favorite combination of ingredients, but always be sure to include the ingredients that provide exactly what your body needs to keep you moving on your hike.
Nuts are a great base to any trail mix because they are high in protein which fuels and repairs your muscles. One cup of peanuts provides about 55 grams of protein, while the same amount of cashews has about 20 grams. Almonds are also quite high with about 40 grams of protein in one cup. Use a variety of mixed nuts and you are likely to get 30 to 50 grams of protein in each cup.
There is a huge variety of dried fruit available and it is an excellent addition to your trail mix because of both the vitamins and the sugar that it provides. Raisins are a perfect fruit to add because they contain calcium, iron and Vitamin C. They also have a fairly high level of natural sugar and protein (about 5 grams in one cup). Other dried fruits, such as bananas, apricots and cranberries will also offer vitamins, natural sugars and are low in sodium.
Sunflower seeds are a common ingredient in trail mix and they provide many of the same nutrients as nuts. They are high in protein, with about 30 grams of protein in one cup. They also are packed full of important vitamins and minerals. Pumpkin seeds, as well as being vitamin filled, also provide important anti-oxidents.
To top off your trail mix, consider adding something sweet, such as chocolate chips or yogurt-covered raisins. Your body will use the sugar as fuel and they will keep you reaching in the trail mix bag for more!

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Heaven in Hell Hole Reservoir

December 9, 2010 By Leave a Comment
Upper Hell Hole lake view looking north.
Image via Wikipedia

Despite its colorful name, Hell Hole reservoir is a beautiful and enjoyable place to camp. It was described by 1913 visitor and author George Wharton James as a “paradise”, filled with “delightful surprises”. The three and a half mile long artificial lake is maintained by the Upper Hell Hole Dam and divided into three distinct sections: Upper Hell Hole, the Narrows, and Lower Hell Hole.

There are two campgrounds; the first, Lower Hell Hole, is home to a ranger station and a paved boat launch area, which is the only point that has vehicle access. The second campground, Upper Hell Hole, can be reached in two different ways: by boat, or by hiking three and a half miles on a trail several hundred feet above the water level. The latter promises a spectacular view in the process, with the trail going across the breakwater of the dam.

Camping at Upper Hell Hole is free; there are 15 campsites and two pit toilets, but no trash service, so be sure to bring a secure container to hold your garbage during your stay. Streams and creeks are abundant near the campsites, particularly during snowmelt in the spring. The three-tier campgrounds have steps carved into the granite to navigate between them, and camping is allowed wherever the wild terrain will allow boat landings along the lake’s shoreline.

For a fun day on the lake, visitors can canoe, kayak and ride small motor-powered boats. The tendency toward high winds during the afternoons discourages visitors from outright sailing. Due to the small number of campsites, the lake is rarely crowded, even in the height of summer. There are numerous small granite “islands” to explore on the lake, as well; depending upon what time of year it is, they may appear larger or smaller. The peak month for high water levels in Hell Hole reservoir is May, after which levels start to gradually go down again.

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Tips for First Time Campers

December 8, 2010 By Leave a Comment
Varsity Scouts of the Boy Scouts of America sh...
Image via Wikipedia

Getting out into the wilderness is just great! It’s absolutely wonderful to wake up in a cozy sleeping bag and just breathe in the crisp mountain air. There’s just nothing like it! Here’s a few basic tips to make your camping trip eventful and fun.

Leave the Luxuries at Home

Whether it’s your Chopard diamond ring or your laptop, there are just certain things you don’t want to worry about when you are camping. If you have expensive jewelry on, you’re less likely to really get down and dirty in nature. Plus, what’s the point of being secluded in the mountains if you’re just going to watch movies on a laptop. Leave it all at home and just enjoy the trip.

Pick a Good Site

Just like in real estate, it’s all about location, location, location! You don’t want to be camped right by the bathrooms because people will be tramping through your camp all the time. Plus, the smells and sounds coming out of them are none too pleasant either. You also don’t want to be too far away from a bathroom, especially if you have little ones. You also need to look at the tree coverage for the sites. You want to be able to have some shade throughout the day, so make sure you’ve got some good sized trees around you as well.

Make Sure You Bring the Essentials

You are supposed to be roughing it, but there are a few things you cannot live without. Toilet paper is a big one. We take for granted that our bathrooms will be supplied with paper, but sometimes that’s not the case. Bug spray, sunscreen, and other toiletries are also a few must haves. Lastly, make sure to pack clothes for different temperatures. The days can get hot in the summer, but the temperature drops quickly after the sun goes down.

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Mount Shasta: Scale a Dormant-Active Volcano

December 3, 2010 By Leave a Comment
Aerial photo of Mount Shasta taken while flyin...
Image via Wikipedia

Classically cone-shaped, majestic Mount Shasta is not only nearly 10,000 feet tall, home to seven glaciers and numerous myths and legends. It’s also a dormant, yet active, volcano. Dormant because it has a history of only erupting once every 600 to 800 years; active because the fumaroles–small vents in the ground that let out steam and air from volcanic chambers beneath–on the mountain tell us that it’s still very much full of hot magma underneath.

Mount Shasta’s last eruption is speculated to have happened around 200 years ago; the speculation is based upon an account by French Navy explorer La Pérouse in his journal after observing the volcano erupting offshore of California from his ship in 1786. If this was indeed an eruption of Mount Shasta (for no other large volcanoes are anywhere near where La Pérouse observed the eruption), and if the pattern holds true, then the volcano will erupt again in around 400 years’ time. Not anything to cancel your vacation over!

Mount Shasta is notorious for having steep climbing trails; inexperienced climbers frequently must be rescued after taking on a climb more dangerous than they can handle, so if you are planning on attempting to reach the summit, be aware that it’s not a beginner-level kind of climb. Most popular (and involving over 6,000 feet of vertical gain) to climb is Avalanche Gulch, also known as the John Muir route. Obstacles in your path if you take this route include danger of rockfall (hence the name “Avalanche Gulch”), numerous snowfields and moraines, and a bergschrund.

To avoid the avalanches and other pitfalls of the John Muir route, Casaval Ridge and Sargents Ridge are your best options, especially during the winter months. There are hiking trails around the base of the mountain, too, if the summit isn’t your goal and you’d rather enjoy the atmosphere without as much of the risk. Thanks to its snowy, steep peaks, Mount Shasta is also a popular destination for back country skiing. Experienced skiers may choose the steep upper slopes, while the less-daring can still enjoy the mountain with less-angled slopes further down.

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Mount Rainier: A Hiking Intorduction to One of the US’s Most Dangerous Mountains

November 30, 2010 By Leave a Comment
GRAND CANYON, AZ - JUNE 10: A National Park S...
Image by Getty Images via @daylife

Mount Rainier is one of the largest mountains in the North American region. It stands at close to 14,400 ft above sea level and is located southeast of the Seattle area. Any mountain climber that has ever had a desire to climb one of the fiercest and most dangerous mountains should consider hiking somewhere on Mount Rainier.

Mount Rainier has over 300 miles of set trails all along the mountain that hikers can enjoy. Since the mountain is located in the northwest of the United States the majority of the hiking trails are open from late May to early September.

You’ll never know what to expect when hiking in this area. There is a wide range of weather and outdoor scenery that can be experienced when hiking along Mount Rainier trails. For example, if you are hiking along the trails in late May you are likely to get beautiful views of the glaciers and snow. If you head to the trails in September, you’re likely to encounter low areas of fog, rain and the beautiful leaves changing colors.

A special trail known as the Wonderland trail, allows hikers the unique opportunity to hike all around Mount Rainier. This hike takes anywhere from 10 to 14 days but allows hikers the unique opportunity to experience every part of Mount Rainier, as each side of this mountain has a different landscape, views and scenery.

Hiking along the designated trails on Mount Rainier does not require any special types of permits. However, if you are a hiker that enjoys going off the beaten path, then a permit is required from the National Parks Service. This is to prevent too many people from hiking in what is known as the back country of Mount Rainier and it allows the environmental impact of these hikers to be reduced.

If you’re looking for a challenge, consider taking a hike along one of the United State’s most dangerous mountains, Mount Rainier.

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Precautions to Take When Bringing a Pet Mountain Climbing

November 30, 2010 By Leave a Comment
Bivouac in winter at Benediktenwand, Germany
Image via Wikipedia

It’s common to bring pets on short hikes.  However, if you’re looking at a trip that will have you going higher or further than usual, you will need to be careful.  This doesn’t mean that you can’t take your pet—simply that you might need to make a few adjustments.

The most important thing you may have to do is allow your pet to adjust to the higher altitude, particularly if you will be climbing higher than you normally do or if you start out from an already high altitude. Pets can react to changes in altitude just like people can, so you need to take this into consideration. You may need to start out slowly, and increase your altitude gradually.

The next thing you will need to do is determine if there is the chance that weather extremes can occur. Even at a few thousand feet, it may be several degrees cooler than the lower elevations, so you may need to pack an extra blanket or other protection for your pet.

Is your pet going to be walking and climbing with you, or will you be carrying it? If it’s the first, make sure your pet’s paws are in good condition, especially if the terrain is rougher than what they are used to. If you will be climbing high enough to encounter snow, remember that pets’ paws can become frostbitten just like human extremities.

Don’t forget to carry plenty of water. The thin air at higher altitudes can sometimes lead to increased thirst.

Before you leave, make sure your pet insurance is up to date, or take some out if you haven’t already. This way, you will have coverage should your pet become injured while mountain climbing with you.

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