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Author: Marc Wiltse
Web Site: Camping Gear & Hiking Equipment

A good camping tent should keep you dry, comfortable, and provide protection.
Which camping tent... Dome, family, 4-season, backpacking or cabin is right for you? They don't repel rain, cold, snow, or biting bugs equally.

Camping tents are an important outdoor gear investment. This article will give you the information you need to make an informed decision about what kind is best for you.
First determine what type of camping you'll be doing? Do you only go out in the summer or are you into 4-season camping? Make sure to prepare yourself for the worst possible type of weather you'll encounter. Waking up to a foot of snow inside your summer camping tent because of a late fall blizzard isn't much fun. ;-)

After determining what seasons you'll need your tent for, estimate how many people you will usually camp with...

Sizing It Up
Camping tents are rated by the number of people they can accommodate. But these ratings are like getting twenty circus clowns into a Volkswagon Beetle...goofy. :-) When they say it's a 4-person tent, they mean 4 people and nothing else, no hiking gear, no room for boots, just 4 people that hopefully know each other pretty well. Seriously, if you're looking for backpacking tents or hiking tents and weight is a big concern, then get cozy and use the rating system, but otherwise I'd think bigger.

Consider going 1-2 sizes bigger than what you need for a smaller camping tent. Better yet divide the "person rating" by 2 so you'll have a decent amount of room if you have to stay inside due to nasty weather. If you thought cabin fever was bad wait until you're stuck in a downpour with 5 other people in a small tent for a few days.

My 4 man tent with 2 vestibules is perfect for 2 people and plenty of gear. Dry equipment is a good thing. This is still true with kids because the smaller they are the more room they take up with "kid stuff". Something else to keep in mind is that more room makes extended trips easier.
Consider the length and width of the camping tents you're looking at. If you're 6 feet tall you'll want at least 7 feet to stretch out length-wise and 2-3 feet of width depending on how much you move in your sleep.

Another thing to consider is to make sure you have enough space for an inflatable air mattress. While it's not mandatory I'll have to say it makes camping much more comfortable than lying on a cold pad. When I wake up I feel 300% better than when I slept on a pad on the floor getting stiff and cold. No it's not a king-size pillow-top, but hey this is camping. ;-)

Since we're on the subject of size, make sure that you'll have enough height to kneel, partially-stand, or...

If you would like to learn more about how to pick a great camping tent, click here: http://www.hiking-gear-and-equipment-used-for-camping.com/camping-tents.html

About the Author:
Marc Wiltse learned how important good quality hiking equipment and camping gear were after his pup tent flooded with over 3 inches of water forcing him to sleep in the front seat of his 2-seat Honda CRX (translation: research is a good thing). His hiking equipment & camping gear guides & reviews save you time & money. Subscribe to his camping & hiking newsletter & get the most usable information FREE!

© Marc Wiltse. Reprint permission if author, copyright, links & this notice are intact.

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By Steven Gillman

Knowing a few edible wild plants can make your next backpacking trip, or any trip into the wilderness, a lot more enjoyable.

You can pack lighter if you eat wild berries every morning for breakfast, for example, and leave your oatmeal behind. So push the bears out of the way and gorge yourself on blueberries. Less weight on your back always feels better.

You'll also enjoy your backpacking more when you know that you won't be completely helpless the moment you lose your pack, or a raccoon empties it for you. You don't have to be a survivalist to see the value of knowing which of the wild plants around you can be eaten.

I eat dandelions, wild courants, pine nuts and other edible wild plants regularly. I ate hundreds of calories in wild rasberries during a break, while hiking in the Colorado Rockies. During a kayak trip on Lake Superior, a friend and I spent half a day stopping at every litle island, to fill our stomachs with wild blueberries. We were almost out of food, so our foraging helped us get through the rest of the trip.

Edible Berries

Here are just some of the wild berries my wife and I ate while hiking to Grinnel Glacier in Glacier National Park:

• Blueberries
• Service Berries
• Rose Hips
• Blackberries
• High Bush Cranberries
• Strawberries
• Rasberries
• Thimbleberries
• Currants

Berries are the most convenient, calorie rich and nutritious of the edible wild plants out there. They are also the easiest to learn to identify

Edible Wild Plants And Survival

If you travel in isolated wilderness areas, learning to identify a few edible wild plants can keep you safe also. Someday you may be lost or injured, or a bear will push you out of the way to gorge himself your freeze-dried meals. In a survival situation, food isn't usually a priority (warmth and water are), but a pile of roasted cattail hearts sure will cheer you up and warm you up, and they even taste good.

Stay away from protected plants, of course, unless you are in a true life-or-death situation. Also, don't eat all the beautiful flowers, or kill off the lilies by eating all the bulbs. Use common sense. If you aren't sure if you're doing harm, stick to eating wild berries.

Check out a few books on harvesting wild food. You don't need to become a wilderness survival fanatic. You really only need to learn to recognise a dozen high-calorie, abundant wild edible plants to be a lot safer in the wilderness, and to enjoy it more.
Steve Gillman is a long-time backpacker, and advocate ultralight backpacking. His advice and stories can be found at http://www.TheUltralightBackpackingSite.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/

by: Theresa Carter
There's just something about walking into a day spa, isn't there? It's a haven from your hectic every day life, an oasis that lets you do something just for you. That massage or body treatment feels like a guilty indulgence, even though it's probably necessary for your sanity!

Whether you're visiting a day spa for the first time or the fiftieth, these tips will help you get the most out of your massage, body wrap, aromatherapy, etc.

1. Remember when Mom told you not to swim for an hour after eating? Well, the same holds true for spa visits. Don't eat for at least an hour before a massage or body treatment.

2. Arrive 30 minutes early. If you're worried about being late, tapping your foot waiting for the elevator and rushing to the receptionist desk, you won't get nearly as much out of your visit.

3. RELAX! I know, that's how you're supposed to feel after you're done. If you can take a few deep breaths before your treatment (in the waiting room, since you're early, right?), your experience will be that much more rewarding.

4. Drink LOTS of water before and after. Water enhances the detoxifying and rehydrating benefits.

5. Talk to your therapists - they don't bite! If anything feels off, let them know: too hot/cold, too much pressure/too little pressure, music's too loud - anything. They want you to have the best experience possible so you'll come back for more.

About The Author

Theresa Carter is the creator and publisher of TheLocalTourist.com, a free online guide to downtown Chicago. Find restaurants, bars, spas, salons, events, attractions, shopping, media, transportation – anything Chicago. Theresa also provides a weekly events newsletter. http://www.thelocaltourist.com/.
articles@thelocaltourist.com

by: Stacey Agin Murray

For many of us summertime = vacation time. Some people will spend their days off at the local pool. Some may choose to sightsee in their own town. Many will leave behind the comforts of home for the open road. Regardless of the destination or mode of transportation, it is important to be organized for travel.

A few benefits of being organized for travel:

1. Being organized will save you time.
Having a copy of your packing list on the computer will cut down on the time used for re-creating it every time you travel.

2. Being organized will save you money.
Doing pre-travel shopping at home will save you big bucks (especially on film and batteries...) that might be otherwise be spent at a tourist trap.

3. Being organized will save you stress.

No need to stress while scrounging for your tickets and ID at the airport if all of your paperwork is organized in one place.

Follow these organizing tips to keep your vacation a stress-free, time and money saving event:

Plan ahead. Create a general itinerary before you travel. Grab pen and paper and jot down your travel times, hotel check-in/check-out times, and a list of activities/places you’d like to visit. This will help you make sure you have allowed enough time to get to your destination, and whether or not you’ve scheduled too many activities for one day.

* Stop by your local ‘AAA’ office for a Triptik and other travel-related services to help map out your route if driving.

Create a checklist to help you pack. Keep it on the computer so you don’t have to write it over every time you leave home. Use it as a template and update it before each trip to include anything new such as medications, toiletries, accessories, etc.

Keep all information related to your trip in one place. Create a folder for papers such as reservations, confirmations, and tickets. When you look for the information you need before or during your trip, you’ll have it all at your fingertips.

Keep a toiletry bag packed with small sized travel sized-containers all year round. By doing so, you’re always ready for a long trip or an overnight stay. Take a quick inventory of its contents before you leave home—you might have run out of toothpaste on your last trip.

*If your favorite products don’t come in sample sizes, purchase small, travel sized containers and fill them with your favorite shampoo and creams. Label them clearly so you don’t accidentally condition your hair with a facial moisturizer...

Place items you’ll need immediately at the top of your suitcase. Items such as comfortable shoes, pajamas, and toiletries are more easily accessible if they’re closer to top. When you’re tired from a long journey, the last thing you want to be doing is rummaging through your suitcase.

Use suitcase organizers to separate outfits or types of clothing. Products such as Pack-It Cubes or Ziploc bags do the job well. Hefty makes One-Zip 2.5 gallon bags (found in many supermarkets) that are large enough to organize clothes and later can be used to keep laundry or wet bathing suits away from the rest of your belongings.

*Wearing your bulkiest pair of shoes while traveling will give you more space in your suitcase.

Organize your wardrobe around one basic color such as black, navy, or brown to prevent overpacking. You’ll be able to mix and match easily and you won’t need to bring a ton of different shoes. Also, when packing--think about your vacation activities. Will they include hiking? Days at the beach? Having dinner with relatives? Think ahead and pack items you may need for those activities such as band-aids for hiking, aloe vera for sunburns, and the scarf Aunt Shirley gave you for your birthday if you’ll be seeing her.

Travel safely and have an organized trip!

About The Author
Stacey Agin Murray, professional organizer and owner of Organized Artistry, LLC, transforms 'mess' into 'masterpiece' with patience, organizing know-how, and a sense of humor. For more articles and to get your FREE e-list of 'Top Ten Tips for Organized Living' visit http://www.organizedartistry.com/. stacey@organizedartistry.com

by: News Canada

1. Embrace the place. Be sure to explore around the corners, go into the one of kind shops and meet the locals. Find out where the towns folk go for coffee and the newspaper in the morning and join them. DON'T have breakfast at the hotel.

2. Plan a trip with a theme and find an expert in that field to give you advise. For example an archeology trip, a wildlife safari, or a trip to discover local pottery and fabrics.

3. Read books written by authors from your destination. Go to a lecture on the country

4. Learn some language. Just knowing a greeting or two will endear you to the hearts of the people.

5. Pack lightly. Too much luggage will make or break your trip— and your back. Remember when you could get everything in a backpack? Check www.llbean for their travel clothes. Pack things that don't need ironing and can be hand washed.

6. Take a small digital camera. It's worth the investment. No film to buy or worry about and when you get home you can sort it all out on computer and make a great presentation for family and friends. Adobe and Fuji can help you get started.

7. www.hobotraveler.com has some fun ideas for the traveler who always wanders away from the tour group

8. Before you go, find a group or club with a similar dream – and get some like-minded travelers to go with you. How about a group of white-water rafters who have always wanted to raft the Nile? A shared experience multiplies the joy.

For information on travel adventures of the heart, visit http://www.negstusa.com/
- News Canada

About The Author
News Canada provides a wide selection of current, ready-to-use copyright free news stories and ideas for Television, Print, Radio, and the Web.

News Canada is a niche service in public relations, offering access to print, radio, television, and now the Internet media, with ready-to-use, editorial "fill" items. Monitoring and analysis are two more of our primary services. The service supplies access to the national media for marketers in the private, the public, and the not-for-profit sectors. Your corporate and product news, consumer tips and information are packaged in a variety of ready-to-use formats and are made available to every Canadian media organization including weekly and daily newspapers, cable and commercial television stations, radio stations, as well as the Web sites Canadians visit most often. Visit News Canada and learn more about the NC services.

by: Dominic Ferrara

If you go to Colorado, you'll find a lot of different ways to play in the snow: you can ski, do some snowboarding or simply walk in snow. Colorado is a wonderful place to unplug, relax and do nothing al all. It is as well one of the hottest destinations for camping, rafting, hiking, fishing, and paying golf. Colorado is the place where, in the morning, you can play golf, in the afternoon, you can ski and, at night, you can relax in the hot springs. Being the eighth largest state in the United States, Colorado offers a diversity of landscapes, from wide, flat eastern plains, to sparkling cities of the Front Range, snowy peaks of the Rocky Mountains, the red rock plateaus of the Western Slope and many other.

You'll have 300 days of sunshine a year, during summer, the temperatures reaching between 75 and 85 degrees, and during winter, between 30 and 70 degrees. This is why Colorado is ideal for outdoor exploration and activities. Colorado has 18 million acres of public land - three national parks, six national monuments, 40 state parks, 15 national forests and grasslands, seven national monuments, and national recreation areas. The state has also 24 scenic byways that present every corner, culture and ecosystem in Colorado. Here there are as well 54 of the 61 "fourteeners" (14,000-foot peaks) in the continental United States.

No matter where you go, in Colorado, you'll get a bit of adventure, a lot of family fun, breathtaking vistas, sparkling waters, cultural crossroads, historic side trips, plenty of relaxation and, of course, you’ll have memories for a lifetime. During summer, visitors can practice river rafting and hot air ballooning, horseback riding and 4x4 tours, camping, water skiing, hiking, mountain biking, rock climbing, golfing, paragliding, fishing, sailing, caving, and a lot of other wonderful sports. During winter, you can enjoy world-class skiing, snowshoeing, dog sledding, ice-fishing, ice-climbing, tubing, sleigh rides, ice-skating and other.

About The Author Dominic is the author of this article. This article may be reproduced on websites subject to credit being given to the author, and a link to this website. If you would like more information go to http://www.whatsupcoloradosprings.com.

The most frequently visited man-made attractions in Colorado Springs is the U.S. Air Force Academy, which is very interesting. Its tries to develop young men and women into brave Air Force Officers. You can find it in a beautiful area of Colorado, just outside Colorado Springs. The campus is an inspiring place. The part that is the most impressive is the Cadet Chapel. There is a nature trail that leads there, and it is a great piece of architecture. The exterior is formed of 17 spires that rise up towards the heavens. Inside the building, there are several different chapels for different denominations, and each is designed and decorated accordingly.

Another wonderful destination is the Pikes Peak, which was named for Zebulon Pike, an early explorer who discovered the area, and the peak, in 1806. The US Signal Service built a telegraph station, in 1873, at the summit of the mountain with the help of which they monitor the weather in the area. This led to an increase in the mountain traffic. More people needed and wanted to reach the summit, and they did that on foot, horse, mule or burro.

Nowadays, visitors reach the top with the help of the Manitou & Pikes Peak Cog Railway, founded by Zalmon Simmons. The founder of the Simmons Mattress Company first visited the summit in the late 1880s. He went to the telegraph station in order to see a new insulator he had invented for telegraph wires in function. He went up and down the mountain on a mule. While he was at his hotel, he complained to a hotel proprietor that there should be a better way of travelling up the peak. Someone from the hotel suggested a railroad. Simmons remembered the idea. He got the necessary money, and the first passenger train went up the mountain in 1891.

About The Author Dominic is the author of this article. This article may be reproduced on websites subject to credit being given to the author, and a link to this website. If you would like more information go to http://www.whatsupcoloradosprings.com.

Cinco de Mayo celebrations are held in many locations throughout the County.

Sierra Vista---Salute to the Buffalo Soldier
Douglas---D.A.R.C. Cake Auction
St. David---Fiesta de Primavera, Holy Trinity Monastery
St. David---St. David Street Fair
Willcox---Historyfest
Willcox---Golf Tournament
Tombstone---Wyatt Earp Days
Sierra Vista---Arizona Junior Rodeo
Sierra Vista---Armed Forces Day

Wyatt Earp Days are held every Memorial Day weekend.
May 28-30, 2005

Activities:
The celebration includes a chili cook-off, fashion shows by the Tombstone Vigilettes, gunfight re-enactments, hangings, street entertainment, Wyatt look-alike contest, and games for the kids.

Sponsor: Tombstone Lions.
Contact Steve Reeder, (520) 457-3291 or reekor@theriver.com.