Wade, Bosh and Lebron, not such a bad DECISION!

Today I think I will make a slight departure from my customary Political of Financial diatribes and weigh in on the controversy caused by the elite basketball players joining forces for the Miami Heat. After we get by the initial “who the @#$% cares” part of this discussion lets think about some points that have been made both for and against the joining of the so called “Super Friends”.

These men, Dwayne Wade, Chris Bosh and LeBron James are free agents, (emphasis on the free). They were drafted in the same year and for whatever the reason they became free agents at the same time. They each fulfilled their contracts to the teams that drafted them and each I believed renewed their contracts at some time giving each team they played for 7 years of what is usually a short NBA career. They became friends before and during their careers began and solidified that friendship over the course of several years playing on behalf of their country. If you had some friends that you enjoyed working with, and an offer was made for the three of you to work together in a great environment, for a highly respected Organization, with a solid and definable corporate culture, would you not also consider making a change? Very few of us end up working in the cities we were raised. Lets us also remember they each took a bit less money to accomplish this.

Next, we here some of the great players of the past declaring how they would never join forces with another superstar in order to pursue a championship, to which I say “Give me a break!” This is very easy to say, when you already had players such as James Worthy, Kareem Abdul Jabaar, Larry Parrish or Kevin Mchale on your team, all stars or members of the 50 greats NBA players club. The pursuit of championships is based on winning attitudes, would you rather toil away for many years in mediocrity or be considered merely ”very good” when society judges you by winning, can you remember who came in 2nd in so many of the sports championships we hold so dear. Our society tells us that if you are not the lead dog, the view is the same. In the case of Lebron James, I do agree the manner in which he announced his decision and the lead up to that decision was a bit much but the choice itself was sound, both from a business standpoint and a personal one, (for him). It had also been said that his leaving will cost jobs in an already depressed Cleveland economy, but why has it not been stated that a Miami economy in which unemployment is higher than Cleveland will receive a small boost.

Lastly as I tend to ramble towards the end of my discourses, let’s investigate the corporate culture aspect of the organization these three amigos have decided to join. Dwayne Wade, the only of these three to have played for Miami had voiced his opinion on the loyalty aspect of the entire Miami Heat Organization. He backed this up with taking a little bit less than the other stars, (who will also not be the highest paid players in the NBA) to ensure that this team could recruit quality role players. Championships and high earning are built through the individuals that support the mission and vision of those at the top of the pyramid. The organization repaid this loyalty by re-signing those who had previously given their best efforts for this team and were also willing to take less money to be part of something bigger than himself.

In this day and age of high priced athletes, Politicians who value re-election above the common good, CEO’s with golden parachutes equal to the GDP of many small countries, we forget that our idols are people too. We may hold them to higher standard a bit too often, when after all they are just like us with a different skill sets, and just because one of our former heroes decides that he wouldn’t have gone a certain route during his or her career does not mean that his viewpoint is the only or correct one. Think to yourself, if you were in a certain position, what you would have done in your pursuit of not only excellence but more importantly your pursuit of happiness.

Tips for Viewing the Incredible New England Fall Foliage…

For anyone considering a trip to the Northeast this Fall to engage in ‘leaf peeping’, this is a year anyone would want to miss for sure! With Mother Nature blessing us with so much rain this summer, it will actually pay off in the way of gorgeous vibrant colors for the fall foliage, not only in the Adirondacks but as far as New Hampshire and Maine. Just keep in mind that the northern states pop their bright colors first, following the ‘trickle down theory’ as we then head south throughout the Northeast. If we don’t want to go as far up into New England as Maine and New Hampshire, a popular route to follow is from the Albany / Saratoga areas of New York, up through Rutland VT, passing through Woodstock (one of the best little New England towns anyone will ever experience in my opinion) and on up to Burlington. While the fall foliage drive will take approximately two and a half hours, depending on where you start from, it is well worth it!
Once in Burlington, be sure to check out downtown Church Street; this main strip is off limits to cars and is a great way to spend the day window shopping against the backdrop of gorgeous mountains and their fall foliage, and views of Lake Champlain. Church Street has something for everyone; upscale shopping as well as mainstream stores like Old Navy, and of course, a Ben & Jerry’s on the corner! For those that haven’t had a chance to really explore the Lake Champlain area, a visit to Echo, an interpretive, child-friendly hands-on museum is a great place to spend the day. It not only highlights animals, fish and trees/plants native to the area, but there is even a fun ‘playroom’ for the kids to climb a tree house, explore a replica of the infamous ‘Champ’ (our local equivalent of the Loch Ness Monster), and much much more. A family can easily spend a good chunk of the day there in addition to the fall foliage tour.

Along the fall foliage route between New York and Burlington, a stop in Charlotte (pronounced Shar-lot) is always required by my family; the downtown area is quaint and typical of small Vermont towns and there are plenty of places in the area for apple picking, exploring a pumpkin patch for the perfect pick, and the area is abundant with coffeehouses (don’t forget some Green Mountain Coffee!), cafes with homemade breads and pastries, and plenty of farmer’s markets.
Back here in the Adirondacks, if your plan is to hike and get a birds’ eye view of the fall foliage, you’ll want to be sure to get out there and do it prior to mid-October, when the leaves are falling at a steadier rate and the peak colors are over. Searching your destination online should provide you with some dates as to when to expect peak colors; don’t blink or you will miss them! It seems to always be about a two week window of really spectacular bright reds, oranges, yellows and greens before you’ll have to be looking down on the ground to see them versus up on the trees! Hiking in the fall is personally my favorite time of the year; not only is the temperature ideal but there are fewer people on the trails (depending where you go of course), and the fall foliage colors are overwhelming.

If hiking isn’t your thing, check out the various gondolas you can take up to the top of many area mountains, or plan a drive to the top of Killington (Vermont) or Prospect Mountain (Lake George), where there are picnic areas and places to just take in the views and enjoy the fall foliage colors. Should you want to drive as far as New Hampshire, passing through the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont (prime moose country! I see one every time) Franconia Notch should be high on your list of destinations. There is a tram that will take you to the top of a gorgeous peak to enjoy the views for miles and miles. Franconia Notch is a fantastic, totally unique park, unlike anything you’ll ever see with a multitude of water-formed carvings in the rock and plenty of trails to explore.
So whether you’re into hiking, biking or taking a leisurely drive, you won’t want to miss out on the fall foliage colors of the Northeast this year… so take the Outdoors Guy advice and ‘get out there’!

How to Hunt for Herkimer Diamonds

If you ever find yourself in upstate New York on a beautiful Spring day (or even a ‘not so beautiful’ one),  looking for an outdoor adventure but at a loss for what to do, consider taking a leisurely drive to the Herkimer, NY area for a few hours of ‘diamond’ prospecting.  While it sounds crazy to think that you could be feasibly digging for diamonds somewhere other than Antwerp, allow me to clarify the type of gem that is found in great abundance in a specific area of this rural community. 

 

 

While you need not be an expert in geology, you will need a few tools to

make your work a bit easier.  Two of the three mines we have frequented, do rent tools, but the items you need may very well already be sitting in your tool shed right now.  One item that will serve you well is a decent sledge hammer; either a smaller hand held size or a traditional heavier weight model reminiscent of the chain gang.  Other smaller tools that you may never even think of are very useful, such as a paintbrush (for dusting off your sparkly treasures as you diligently work to extract them intact), tweezers (for those small dazzlers you won’t want to miss), a chisel or two (a larger one for big rocks and a small one for tapping around the cavities in the rock), a pair of gloves; gardening gloves are suitable, just something to protect your hands.  Bring a bucket and some heavy duty Ziplocs or Rubbermaid containers for your take homes.  One item I had previously underestimated the power of but was so glad I tried using, was a Leatherman. The various tools were great for picking around the softer rock inside the little ‘caves’ or pockets, where you’ll find the crystals.  Lastly, it goes without saying that you’ll want to be wearing your ‘play clothes’ with extra clothing at the ready.  This is a dirty undertaking and depending on the mine you choose to work in, the terrain can vary between very wet and muddy, to dusty clay.  Undoubtedly, as you work on cracking rocks you will eventually be covered in fine rock dust.  Having an extra set of clothes in the car, or a towel to sit on as you drive home will save your car from diamond-hunting shrapnel.  And a must have for this endeavor is a decent pair of safety glasses as small rock chips can fly at you from all directions.

 

So once you are all outfitted for your day of pounding rocks, the question of how to start looms overhead…

 

 

‘Herkimer diamonds’ were believed to have been formed over 500 million years ago and are embedded in hard rock ledge.  Looking at the face of the ledge, small holes can be seen all along the face of the rock, indicating a good place to start your excavating.  The glimmering, glistening glass-like gems you’ll see peeking through these holes are the treasure you seek; some will be mere flecks resembling no more than a shard of glass, while the ‘mother lode’ could mean a cluster of quartz-like stones joined together to form an awe-inspiring matrix.  Other ‘ultimate finds’ have even been in the form of a single multi-faceted stone weighing anywhere from a few ounces to over twenty pounds!  Naturally, a find like this will not come easy, so expect to get your hands dirty! ( I didn’t say prospecting was a neat, clean venture)  It’s all really a matter of preference as far as what you’ll prefer to find.  While I myself love the tiniest clusters of baguette shaped crystals still attached to the dark rock, I mine with friends that prefer to persevere until they find something of substantial size.  Depending upon your desires, you may use small rock picks to hammers and wedges designed to move substantial amounts of rock in order to find the pockets holding crystals. But for the casual family outing, you can find more than enough crystals to make it enjoyable for all by picking through the piles of debris left by the hardcore diggers. Some stones emerge with a yellow or orange-like hue with black veins running through them, while others are literally crystal clear and nicely faceted.  The important thing to remember is that this is a day out in nature, discovering one of our Earth’s wonders while simultaneously enjoying time with family and friends, young and old alike.  Keep in mind it’s not always the destination, but the journey that makes things like this worthwhile.

What you need to know about Geocaching

Geocaching

Spring is in the air; trees are budding, flowers are blooming.  Days are longer, blessing us with more active waking hours to spend outdoors with family and friends. Now the question becomes not ‘where’ to spend your free time, but ‘how’. If hiking and biking have become commonplace and stale in your household, maybe it’s time you consider partaking in an outdoor adventure everyone in the family can participate in regardless of age or fitness level. There are few activities that fit this description as well as geocaching.  While you may not be familiar with the term geocaching, once you learn the basics, it’s hard to resist. 

As outlined on one of the major websites on the subject, geocaching is a high-tech treasure hunting game played all over the world by adventure seekers equipped with GPS devices. The basic idea is to locate hidden containers, called geocaches, outdoors and then share your experiences online. Geocaching is enjoyed by people from all age groups, with a strong sense of community and support for the environment.  To check out geocaches located within your area, visit www.geocaching.com, enter your zip code and read about the caches hidden right in your own backyard.  If your treasure hunting options are limited, you may consider being the one to hide a cache for others to find.  This is a fun project for kids to get involved in; they can help choose the items that will go in the cache, set up the logbook to accompany it, and look forward to tracking it via any of the online sites or going back later in the season to read the logbook and see how often it was found. 

Geocaching, makes for a great day outdoors!

 

 

What sort of equipment do you need to enjoy geocaching?  The great thing about this pastime is that it requires a minimal amount of equipment; a basic GPS will serve the purpose and can be picked up on eBay or Amazon at a marginal cost.  If you’re just starting out, buy an affordably priced used model until you become comfortable with using it and decide whether or not geocaching will become a hobby.  Other than the GPS to hone in on the coordinates during your hike, you need not be outfitted with anything more than comfortable shoes, appropriate clothing, a day pack to hold your water, a snack, first aid kit and camera (don’t forget the camera!).
 

 

The eTrex is a great starter GPS

So if you’re looking for a new way to get out and enjoy the outdoors, check out geocaching at

www.geocaching.com for more on the subject as well as supplies used to initiate your own treasure hunt.

Choosing a Down or Synthetic sleeping bag

More and more people than ever before are hitting the national parks and local campgrounds for a relatively inexpensive way in a difficult economic period to enjoy the great outdoors and spend time with family and friends.  With experience short hikes may turn into overnights and a good night’s sleep can make the difference between planning you next expedition and making reservations and the nearest super 8 motel. We’ve decided to begin our series of articles on camping equipment with sleeping bags. This is the bare minimum information but should get you started searching for the sleeping bag that suits you best.

 

Sleeping bags are most commonly made using either down or synthetic materials as insulation, each has its important points to consider before making a purchase.  Sleeping bags that utilize down for insulation generally provide more warmth for their weight and can be compacted into a smaller volume than synthetic sleeping bags. Did I mention how wonderful it feels to crawl inside a down sleeping bag at the end of a long day? The downside, pardon my pun, is that they are also quite a bit more expensive and if they get wet, you may as well be lying in a wet rag. You can take many precautions against getting a down sleeping bag wet such as good insulators such as DryLoft, but chances are if you camp or live in area prone to moisture or wet climates, it will get damp. If for whatever the reason including condensation caused by breathing in the tent, you are prone to moisture buildup, the synthetic sleeping bag may be the choice for you.

 

The shell fabric can go along way in saving you from a miserable night in the tent and should play a considerable role in which sleeping bag you purchase.  For those who are merely the occasional camper and are constrained buy a tight budget, the shell material of choice might be polyester and nylon taffeta. Nylon Taffeta has a reputation for being resistant to abrasion, while the polyester taffeta does a great job in standing up to the menacing effects of ultra violet rays.  The poly taffeta also will absorb less moisture than the nylon.

 

The next level of fabric choice for the shell would be microfiber. This will cost more than the previously mentioned fabrics but also offers more in protection and resistance from both wind and moisture. It is a good choice for tent campers in the mid range but brings us to the next level of shell known as DryLoft.

 

The cost of purchasing a DryLoft sleeping bag is higher than the other two materials and with the increase in price there is also an increase of the overall weight of the bag. You will however now have the ultimate in wind protection and breathability with a substantial increase in water-resistance. If you are the type of camper who likes to sleep outside on a cool night and gaze at the stars, this might be the sleeping bag for you.

 

 

 

 

 

A Beauty of a Hike

Hiking is one of the great physical activities that can be considered exercise for both the mind and body; a hike is a serene exploration of your surroundings and your innermost thoughts. It provides an excellent workout for your major muscle groups with fantastic cardiovascular benefit. Hiking offers many options, whether you are a novice and will be meandering through scenic trails and meadows or you are an avid enthusiast with the goal of becoming a ‘46er’ and taking on the most challenging of peaks. One of the great things about hiking is that you can choose to have as much or as little company as you choose; whether it is a family outing, a group of friends out for a day in the woods, or a quiet trek with your dog, all have their pros and cons.
It was a crisp Fall day when I decided to set out on one of my favorite hikes in the Adirondacks; a moderate day hike up Sleeping Beauty, one of the many mountains that overlook scenic Lake George, New York. This is a great hike for families since there are plenty of gradual slopes and switchbacks mixed in with some flat terrain along the way and is seven miles roundtrip. On this day I decided to take my dog and we found many spots along the way to stop and rest for a drink and milk bone or two. While you can split off the main trailhead and choose to hike to other areas of the mountain offering varying views, we chose to take the straight trail to the top. One of the greatest things about hiking New York in the Fall is not only the brilliant colors of the season but the temperature is ideal for a hiker; no one appreciates a reprieve from oppressive heat more than myself and my Newfoundland.

The great thing about hiking an area like Sleeping Beauty is that no matter how hot or cold you were on the way up, no matter how many times you tripped on a root or may even have twisted an ankle, it is all forgotten when you reach the summit. That moment you get to the peak feels like nothing else; it’s as if the world has opened up and you are seeing it for the first time, no matter how many times you may have hiked this very same mountain. The vista is awe-inspiring; the wind that blows across your face as you sit on a sun-warmed rock is fresher than any you’ve felt before. The strange thing is, your muscles don’t ache anymore like they did an hour ago and now that you’ve reached the top, you can take it all in; this is what you came for.
To enjoy the views and scenery of Sleeping Beauty, along with other trailheads originating from this same parking area:
Trailhead: Take Northway (I-87) to exit 20. Turn left onto NY Rte 9. Turn right onto NY Rte 149 (east). After 6 miles, turn left onto Buttermilk Falls Rd. Becomes Sly Pond Rd. Bear left on Shelving Rock Rd. Park in the main DEC hiker’s lot on the right (9.5 miles from Rte 149).
(Lat:43.531 Lon:-73.566)

Adventure Travel – Plan your Vacation

Those that decide to embark on adventure travel will find that there is much to do prior to taking on this vacation including planning for everything from the climate to the lodging they will use. This type of travel is wonderful and offers many benefits, but you do have to plan for it ahead of time. Make sure that you have the things that you need to fully experience your trip as well as what you need to protect you along the way. Do you know what you need to take with you on your next adventure?
Planning Your Trip
Perhaps the worst thing you can do for this type of trip is to not plan correctly for it. If you do not have the right legal documents, for example, after you have flown halfway around the world, what will you do? Or, if you plan on going someplace where you will need specialized clothing or equipment and do not have it, what will happen then? These things will cost you monetarily but also provide you with unneeded aggravation. Be prepared for your trip!
What You’ll Need
First, be sure that you have all necessary documents that you need to prove who you are. This is likely to include things like your passport and a visa for the location if you are required to have one. Have these easily available to prove your identity when leaving for your trip. Do not make the mistake of arriving at the airport and then finding out that your visa has expired or that your passport is no longer valid. Do not forget these items either. You should talk to the operator or tour guide that will be sponsoring your travel adventure so that you know exactly what is needed for you to travel.

The next thing to consider is having appropriate health insurance. You likely need to think about having coverage that will work in the location that you are in and that it provides you with accurate coverage. Your insurance carrier will help you to know if you need anything additional to cover injuries or problems that happen overseas. Be sure that you have available credit cards as well as credit cards that are not expiring. You will need to be sure that you have room on those cards to make expensive charges if needed. Organize all your finances too.
Be sure that you talk with the people that you are planning your adventure traveling with so that you know everything that you need to. Ask those questions so that you have all details that are necessary. Having this information is important because it will allow you to have the best possible time when you are traveling. Take the time to prepare to travel especially when it comes to adventure travel so that you are ready to go.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ken_C._Morris

Shark Valley at Everglades National Park

For visitors to the South Florida and Miami areas who crave to see a bit of the Everglades without having to slog through the swamp in unknown areas, or who don’t want to take on the expense or crowds of the touristy air boat rides, there is a little gem of an area called Shark Valley. Shark Valley is actually a small piece of the Everglades National Park, which is one of the largest in the continental United States. It is located on U.S. Highway 41 which is also known as the Tamiami Trail. The entrance to shark Valley is approximately 25 miles west of the Florida Turnpike or if you are coming from the west coast of Florida, it s 39 miles east of State road 29.

I have used this incredible park as a training facility for many years, as the 15 mile loop which makes up the park is paved and makes biking the preferred method of transportation although on cool days hiking is a fantastic experience too. Whether you are a novice hiker or training for a bike event, this area allows you to explore at your own pace and it is a perfect place to engage in nature photography. As you make your way around the loop or to the observation tower located midway around the park you will see a wide variety of wildlife and plants.

The chance to see the diversity of life is very seasonal as birds and alligators are much more likely to be encountered in the winter and spring when the water levels are lower. However, I have always encountered at least some alligators, and more than enough birdlife to keep me happy. The loop at Shark valley is bordered by canals and ponds which contain water year round and as such are a great place to take pictures of Herons, Egrets, Ospreys, Alligators and even the occasion River Otter!

 

 

 For those who are visiting this area from out of town, there is a facility to rent bikes at the beginning of the 15 mile loop for a nominal fee, as well as a tram which takes tourists around the loop with a guide pointing out all the points of interest as well as the wildlife during this 2 hour tour.  The next few months should be prime wildlife viewing periods as the water levels will drop for the dry season and all the wildlife will be forced into relatively smaller areas in search of food.

 Shark Valley is a must for anyone who loves Wildlife viewing while combining a vigorous workout in a beautiful, yet easily accessible area of the Florida Everglades.

 

 

What is a Thru Hiker

Thru hiking is the outdoors ultimate in testing your ability and getting in touch with the natural world around you. They may be those individuals who have recently retired from long careers and want time to relax and smell the coffee for a while or they can be young men and women who have just completed their education and want to take some time off to decompress before embarking on their careers. These individuals are usually well educated and are in good physical health.  Anyone who has visited small towns along various scenic trails in this country, (the outdoorsguy.com is a frequent visitor to the Florida trail and the Appalachian trail), will have noticed hikers passing them carry quality camping equipment yet looking like they need to spend some serious time with soap and water. The thru hiker will look much disheveled as the rigors of a great outdoors adventure seldom leave us looking like we are ready for a night on the town! Their camping and hiking equipment must be of superior quality to endure hundreds of miles on the trail and protect them from the constantly changing elements. The must have enough faith in what they bring along as they are forced to be completely self sufficient when far from any cities or towns.

 

Even when on their own for several days at a time thru hikers will spend time in those towns that border that particular section of a trail that they are traveling through. These sojourns into such towns allow the Thru hiker to re supply and take a much needed rest from the harshness of the trail.  Most campers who embark on such journeys will need to take on needed items such as Coleman fuel for lanterns or stoves, and other such items including food, as the weight of a trekker’s pack will have much to do with how far and how long he or she can go without the need to resupply.  The hiker can use the layover in town to call loved ones in order to inform them of their condition and location and quite possibly to sleep in a comfortable bed with a shower for the night.

 

Hikers can enjoy the opportunity to explore and experience the natural world and the diversity of nature. In certain regions of the country you can also be taken back in time and realize the historical significance of various areas.  By hiking through various types of environments, and with changes in water flowage and elevation the changes in various ecosystems becomes more pronounced. Although you don’t need to be a thru hiker to experience this, the day to day encounters on the trail will display the transition and diversity more sharply.

 

Whether you are considering a thousand mile trek or a series of short day hikes, you’ll find experiences to suit each and every person’s physical and emotional abilities and needs. The best way to prepare for either is to just pack up some water and grab your gear and hit the trail. Remember, any day above ground is a great day!

The Seven Summits

 Since Dick Bass reached the Everest in 1985 and became the first person to climb the highest peak on the seven continents, a controversy has erupted. In 1986, Patrick Morrow reached the summit of the Elbrus, and claimed that he was the first person to climb the Seven Summits, not Dick Bass. Dick Bass claimed that the Carstenz Pyramid in New Guinea, which he summitted years before, was the summit of the seventh continent known as Australasia or Oceania. This included New Zealand, New Guinea, and certain Pacific Island, along with Australia. If this is true, Carstenz Pyramid would be the summit of the seventh continent, not Kosciuszko.

There are several arguments that plea for the Kosciuszko or the Carstenz Pyramid to be the Seventh Summit:

• If one defines the geographic zone that includes Australia, New Guinea, New Zealand and certain Pacific islands, as Australasia or Oceania, then Carstenz Pyramid is certainly the highest peak in Australasia.
• If Australia on its own is a continent on itself, then most regard Kosciuszko as the highest peak, but there are other who consider mountain 2745 metres named as the Big Ben on a small stormy island Heard Island, deep in the Southern Ocean as the Seventh Summit.
• As Carstenz Pyramid lies in the Western New Guinea, also known as Irian Jaya, it politically does not belong to Australia but to Indonesia. And Indonesia is part of Asia.

We will not take any side in this discussion here. From the above, one should be able to draw their own conclusions, and otherwise, why not do what most people do? Climb all the Eight Summits! In this section, we have listed the figures and facts from all the “Eight Summits”.

 

Elbrus

• Europe
• 5642m / 18,150ft
• Kabardino-Balkaria
• Caucasus
• First Ascent: 1874, Grove, Gardiner, Walker, Sottajev and Knubel.

 

 

 

 

Kosciuszko

Australia 2228m / 7310ft New South Wales Snowy Mountains First Ascent: 1840, Edmond, Strzelecki.

 

 

Carstenz Pyramid

• Australasia
• 4884m / 16,024ft
• Irian Jaya
• Sudirman Range
• First Ascent: 1962, Harrer, Temple, Kippax and Huizenga.

 

 

 

 

Everest

Asia 8848m / 29,028ft Tibet/Nepal Himalaya First Ascent: 1953, Norgay and Hillary.

 

 

Kilimanjaro

• Africa
• 5895m / 19,340ft
• Tanzania
• First Ascent: 1889, Purtscheller.

 

 

 

Vinson

Antarctica 4897m / 16,023ft Sentinel Range First Ascent: 1966, Corbet, Evans, Long and Schoening.

 

Aconcagua

• South America
• 6960m / 22,834ft
• Argentina
• Andes
• First Ascent: 1897, Zurbriggen.

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