Hiking and Camping in Hot Weather

When hiking in hot weather you are either hiking in the rainforest or in the desert. Both are complete opposites of each other so your camping and hiking gear would be different also.

Hiking in the Desert.

Deserts are areas that receive less than 9 inches of rainfall annually. Water is scarce and you need to carry all your water.

The prospect of hiking in the desert may not seem appealing. Who wants to walk for long distances in a barren desolate, hot and dry landscape?

Yet the desert can be surprisingly beautiful in its own special way. You can see cacti flowering after a desert storm, wild flowers in spring and some interesting wildlife. Even the landscape in itself is beautiful.

There is usually a brief rainy season in many deserts in which sudden storms produce much of the annual rainfall. Flash floods are likely during this time particularly in canyons and steep-sided dry river beds. You have a better chance of finding water after a wet season.

Special Gear

Besides super strength sunscreen you also need a full body sun protection. Cover your whole body to protect from the sun and wear a hat that protects your head and face.

Carrying a water containers and a good water filter is a must as water found in the desert are is often polluted.

You might not need a tent especially in the dry season but a tarp can be useful in providing you shelter from the sun and wind. A poncho is useful in the desert for both sun and wind protection.

Even though the desert is hot, it can get very cold at night and the temperature difference is quite dramatic so make sure you also bring warm clothing and a good sleeping bag.Remember also to bring insect repellent as there can be some nasty insects in the desert.

Tropical Rainforest and Jungles

By contrast, jungles and rainforests are teeming with vegetation and a variety of wildlife, and has a wet and humid climate. They can also be quite cool.

The difference between jungles and rainforests is that jungles have a tangle of dense vegetation and rainforest don't have that much undergrowth. You can find different species of flora and fauna that you've probably never seen before and it could be an eye opening experience.

Tropical rainforests and jungles are found in the tropics and subtropics near the equator in Southeast Asia, Latin America and Africa.

Temperate Rainforests

Temperate rain forests are found in places such as New Zealand, Tasmania,Chile, Norway and the Pacific Coast of North America and are home to some of the largest trees in the world. Annual rainfall is high and evaporation is low and it is almost impossible to travel off-trail because the floor is a carpet of soft, decomposing stumps and new vegetation growth from fallen trees.

Sometimes wooden boardwalks are necessary to protect fragile plant from hikers and hiker from the mud.

Special Gear

A good rain gear is essential in the rainforest and also might want to consider a tent with a full flysheet coverage. There will also be a lot of insects in jungles and rain forests so remember to bring insect repellent and mosquito netting.

To get you through deep jungle mud you might need to wear rubber jungle boots. Zip-lock bags and waterproof bags are particularly useful in these areas to protect any electrical equipment, clothes and maps.

About the Author

Jonsky is a writer for Hiking-Camping-World.com. Check out the wide range of Parka and Windbreaker collection.

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FFA Today – February 25, 2009

FFA Week contest winners featured and a story on veterinary careers.

What You Should Know About Camping

So many unfortunate things can occur while camping; you need to ensure you have packed provisions to deal with any circumstance. A functional knowledge of first aid is precious on any camping out excursion.

One popular camping out activity is walking, although it has the possibility for breaks and sprains. Fractures are of two types simple and complex. A closed fracture can be identified by swelling, tenderness, pain, loss of mobility, and feeling or hearing a bone crack or snap. Simple breaks when not treated at the right time tend to become a complex fracture. Sprains occur frequently when camping out, nevertheless, if attended to and properly cared for, they shouldn't fully wreck the camping out trip.

The first and foremost thing to do when a fracture takes place is to stop moving. In the end, you want to guarantee that the fractured location is firmly secure and won't move. When one of your digits gets wounded, the first thing you have to do is to tie or tape that digit to an adjacent finger. When you believe that there is a fracture of the lower arm, find some kind of sling and use anything you can find as a splint to keep it motionless. If the upper arm is broken then put the arm in a sling and bind it to the chest. Use a splint to immobilize the leg if it is broken or, if the person is able to be carried, bind the leg to the other leg using it as a natural splint. You will sometimes have to be constructive in finding a splint, when you're camping. Splints are made often of items you can find anywhere around the house some of which include a piece of timber, a magazine or even a rolled up blanket.

To keep your ankle joint protected, it's a good idea to wear walking boots while you are camping out. The popular injury while camping is ankle sprains which is indicated by sudden pain, inability to endure weight, bruising, puffiness, and soreness. The optimal thing is to apply a cold compress or ice for at least 10 minutes, while you need to rest the ankle and firmly should bandage it for support, as well elevate it.

Trust for the best but be equipped for any mishaps that may occur when you are camping out. These first aid tips and rules of thumb will help your next camping out excursion be safe and enjoyable.

You should examine the place of your camping out before doing anything else. Proper care needs to be taken and you will also have to look out for smashed glass and few other trash materials that could creat problems for you and your family. You should treat your camping out site as you would your own home, but don't be amazed if not everyone is as considerate as you are. Before you setup camp take some time to cleanup the camping out site. You also want to make sure that there are no projecting sticks or sharp rocks around that could cause an accident if somebody were to trip on them or onto them. To avoid confusion and potential accidents, prepare and clean your camp site when you first arrive.

You should make sure that the place where you are going to do camping out does not has any kind of limitations on campfires, before you go there to camp. If the weather conditions and lack of rain have made your camping out area dry, you may find that there are restrictions in using campfires. The limitations are put in place to try to help avoid forest fires. You'll also want to avoid building a campfire when it's windy since the wind can make the fire to spread quickly to various areas of your campsite. To be safe always keep a bucket of water on hand to put out the fire and constantly completely blow out the flames before going to bed or your camping excursion could have a deadly outcome.

When you go camping out, make sure you have a emergency first aid kit with you and drink lots of water. This way you and your loved ones will stay hydrated. Try to find out if you may be susceptible to something, like to bee stings before you go on a camping out excursion. You don't want to determine that you are allergic to bee stings and be a long way away from the closest hospital. If you do have severe allergies or allergic reactions, such as those to bee stings for example, be sure to always carry your medication with you. Be prepared in advance for any noxious plants or life-threatening animals that may be found in your camping out area so you can deal with them if necessary.

Camping can be a time for creating memories and having enjoyment. If you take the appropriate safety measures when you go, you will find that your excursion will go smoothly and worry free. To make sure you excursion is successful, make sure that safety is constantly on the forefront of your mind.

About the Author

Michael Hehn is a specialist in camping. If you want more information about camping, visit camping info.

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How Do Canal Locks Work?

Locks are used to lift or lower boats from one level to another. They are found on almost all canals and rivers. Below, we describe everything you will need to know about locks on canals.

What is a Lock?
A lock is a section of canal or river that is closed off by gates which control the water level so that boats can be raised or lowered as they pass through it.

What is a flight of locks?
A flight of locks (or lock flight) resembles a flight of stairs - it consists of a number of locks (or steps) one after another. Sometimes there is a stretch of canal between one lock and the next, and sometimes the locks are so close together that the top gates of one and the bottom gates of the next are one and the same - this is called a staircase flight.

What is a manned lock?
Major rivers such as the River Thames and River Severn have locks which are manned and operated for you during the summer months. Canal locks are generally smaller and you must operate them yourself - with the help of your crew.

How do you work a lock?
Don't worry if you are about to go on your first boating holiday and have no idea how to operate a lock, your hire boat operator is sure to talk you thorugh it before you set off. Once you get to grips with them, locks are all part of the fun of a canal holiday and a most efficient form of exercise!

Locks have two sets of gates (top and bottom) and a chamber which your boat enters into. Crucially, locks also have openings (or sluice gates) at the top and bottom and it is by opening these that water is allowed into and out of the chamber to raise or lower the water level - and hence the boat. You and your crew will open and close the paddles using a lock handle (or windlass) which you will carry with you on your cruise.

Going up
1. Open the lock gate and take the boat into the lock. Remember to close the gate behind the boat
2. Open the sluice gate to allow the water to flow from the top pound into the lock
3. The boat will rise as the lock fills
4. Once the water level inside the lock is the same as the water level ahead in the canal, open the top gates and take the boat out
5. Remember to close both the sluice gate and the lock gate behind you to preserve water

Going down
1. Open the lock gate and take the boat into the lock. Remember to close the gate behind the boat
2. Open the sluice gate to allow the water to flow out of the lock
3. The boat will lower as the water level in the lock falls
4. Once the water level inside the lock is the same as the water level ahead in the canal, open the bottom gates and take the boat out.
5. Remember to close both the sluice gate and the lock gate behind you to preserve water

Basic principles and things to remember
Water always flows downhill and lock gates are closed against the pressure of this water. The lock gates will not open until the water pressure (level) is equal on both sides.

How long does it take?
Passing through a lock will generally take from 10 to 20 minutes, depending how big the lock is and whether or not it was originally set in favour of the boat (it is always pleasing to meet another boat coming towards you on the approach to a lock - this boat will have just exited the lock on your level and therefore the lock will be set for you).

About the Author

Waterscape is Britain's official guide to canals, rivers and lakes. Waterscape's website offers boating, walking & cycling guides and holiday ideas.

http://www.waterscape.com/

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General Boat Maintenance Guide – 9 Great Tips

Before you invest in a new or used boat, you must understand that boating is an expensive hobby. You will have to spend time and money on the care and upkeep of your boat. You will also have expenses associated with docking and fuel. With that being said, there is nothing like the passion of sailing the seas, or going out into the ocean for a weekend of fishing, sea and sun. Weighing out all the pros and cons is something you must take the time to do. So that you understand some of the work required to keep your boat in tip-top shape, read the following boat maintenance guide. Please keep in mind that this general boat maintenance guide is intended only to give you an idea of the basic care needed by boats in general and is not by any means all-inclusive.

Know Your Boat

As mentioned above, this guide will only give you an idea, not an end-all be-all instruction for the maintenance of your boat. Your best bet is to research your specific make and model, including the year if your boat is older. Start your research by reading any manuals that may have come with the boat. If you purchased your boat used and it did not include an original owner's manual, you may be able to get it directly from the manufacturer by visiting their Web site or by requesting a copy in writing. You may also be able to get a copy of the owner's manual by calling the manufacturer directly and asking them to send it to you.

Read the owner's manual thoroughly to find any information pertaining to regular care and maintenance of the boat. Realize that if you have an older boat, the information may be somewhat outdated in that you may wish to consult a professional such as a boat dealer or broker that specialized in your specific make and model.

Research the Web and try to find message boards and forums where boat owners that have similar boats to yours post about their experiences and how they deal with certain situations. You may find several boat owners willing to dish out advice specific to the care and maintenance of your boat. As with anything you read online, make sure to take any advice with a grain of salt and check your sources. If many boat owners are consistently giving the same advice, it is safer to assume that the information contained therein is accurate and good.

After researching your boat thoroughly, you should have a more accurate idea of the timing and specifics regarding the regular care and maintenance required by your boat.

Typical Maintenance

* Keep it Clean
A key step in maintaining your boat is to wash it regularly. Cleaning your boat regularly doesn't only contribute to the looks of the boat, but also helps to protect your boat from the wear and tear inflicted by environmental conditions. Be sure to use only products that are earth-friendly. Also, wax your boat regularly to further protect the surfaces from the elements.

* Proper Mooring
Boats don't only sustain scratches and dings from being used out on the water. Damage can appear on your boat's body while docked if it is not moored properly. Make sure all lines are fastened securely and don't show signs of wear or breakage.

* Battery Care
Check your battery regularly by inspecting its charge and fluid levels. Make sure that the area around your battery is clean and dry at all times.

* Regular Overall Inspection
Boats require regular inspection, as that is the only way to identify any problems or potential problems. Routinely check your boat's controls, engine, cables, rudder, throttle. Always be on the lookout for loose fittings, fraying ropes or hoses/cables that are dry, cracked or brittle. It is easier to prevent damage to your boat when you are actively looking for little things that might cause damage in the future.

* Motor Maintenance
Follow best practices for motor care as outlined in your boat's owner's manual. Flush your engine after every use. Check fuel tanks and clamps for rust, damage or corrosion. Check the engine's oil levels and cleanliness. Also keep an eye on your boat's cooling system to ensure that it is working properly.

* Winterization
To protect your boat during the months that it's not actively in use, you must take the proper winterization steps. Whether you are able to store your boat under shelter or not, you must check your boat's owner's manual for the proper techniques of winterizing your boat. If you are not familiar with what needs to be done to winterize your boat, enlist the help of a more experienced friend or contact your local boat dealer or broker for assistance.

* Bilge Pump
Don't forget to check that your bilge pump is working properly. In case you do need to use your pump, you may need enough power to run it for an extended period of time. Make sure your battery system can support this.

* Electrical Systems
Keeping all of your boat's electrical systems clean, dry and free from damage is crucial to the overall safety and well-being of your boat. Look for any signs of corrosion, and apply water-repellant grease protector to all fittings.

* Boat Covers
Investing in a boat cover can prevent much damage that can occur as a result of exposure to UV rays and the elements. Consider picking up a used boat cover, you can save some money and extend the life of your boat.

Trust the Pros

As with anything, if you are new to boating, you may wish to seek out the advice and assistance of professionals. Contact your local boat dealer or broker to get referrals for qualified technicians you can contract to help you maintain your boat. You may wish to put your boat on a regular maintenance schedule and keep a close eye on all systems between visits.

About the Author

For great deals on boats for sale or to connect with a boat maintenance pro, visit BoatLeeg Boat Classifieds.

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FFA Today – February 18, 2009

An award-winning FFA chapter devoted to community service and a special story from our friends at America's Heartland.

FFA Today – February 11, 2009

A guide to FFA scholarships and the Top Ten activity ideas for FFA Week.

Cagliari, Sardinia: A Mediterranean Gem

Cagliari is the capital city of Sardinia, which is a region of Italy. There are about 160,000 people that live directly in the city, but over half a million live in the entire metropolitan area suburbs. This city is rich in history and culture, and is one of the premier tourist destinations in Sardinia.

The oldest part of Cagliari sits on a hill and has a beautiful view of Angels Gulf. Most of the city's walls are still standing and you can find two beautiful limestone towers. These two towers, St. Pancra and The Elephant Tower, are intact and add a simple elegance to the city. This white limestone was used to build many of the buildings found in Cagliari, as well as the city walls.

In 1930, the Cathedral was restored to more of its original appearance. The Baroque exterior was transformed back to a Medieval Pisan facade. The bell tower is completely original. This Cathedral has been referred to repeatedly in literature and artistic song for the alabaster beauty from the limestone walls.

Architectural Wonders of Cagliari, Sardinia

To the people of Sardinia, the Basilica di San Saurnino is the most important monument in the entire island. The Basilica is dedicated to the memory of Santurninus of Cagliari, a martyr that was killed during Diocletian's reign. It was build during the fifth century and only the center part remains. There are crypts and a necropolis located nearby as well.

Another popular tourist attraction in Sardinia is the Roman Amphitheater. It was actually carved into the face of a hill made of limestone. Built between the first and eleventh century, the amphitheater could seat ten thousand people. Many tourists mistakenly think that this piece of Roman architecture is located in Rome.

The Sardinian Archaeological Museum is in Cagliari and is the biggest and most important representation of the Nuragic civilization. This museum has several bronze sculptures that are worth the trip to see.

Other Wonders of Cagliari, Sardinia

Cagliari has many winding, narrow streets, so transportation is somewhat tedious. However, you will find several craftsmen workshops down these scenic lanes. Tourists often flock to these workshops in search of carpentry, weaving, ceramics, and jewelry items. The skills needed to create such items have been passed down through the generations.

If you are planning a vacation to Cagliari, you will find accommodations for just about any taste and budget. There are hotels, bed and breakfasts, and even holiday houses. You can find a room directly on the beach, or back into the center of the city. There are many festivals each year in Cagliari, and they draw thousands of visitors. Many are religious in nature, but several recognize the hard work of the people that live on Sardinia.

Diving, horseback riding, bicycling, and hiking are some of the most popular pastimes in Cagliari. Sardinia is breathtaking and you will find some great scenic views, no matter where you are on the island.

For those of you that want to experience Cagliari, Sardinia, there are many websites that are dedicated to help you find the best in accommodations and travel options. You will also find that many of the hotels offer diving and sailing excursions, as well as lessons. There many fine restaurants, some of which are world-renowned for their gourmet food. There is also the largest open air market in Sardinia, and this is truly something to experience.

Cagliari is truly a great vacation destination and you are sure to find something that tickles your fancy. If you simply want to relax, there are white sand beaches to enjoy. The locals are warm and friendly and you will be glad that you picked Cagliari, Sardinia for your next vacation holiday.

About the Author

Seomul Evans is a senior Internet Marketing Services consultant, Entrepreneur Blogger and copywriter with leading Sardinia Hotels booking services provider.

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Hunting the McGraw Ford Georgia WMA

I had the pleasure this weekend to visit the McGraw Ford Georgia WMA this weekend, and found it to be a nice small Georgia WMA. The only thing I really didn't like was the fact that there were literally no places to stay overnight nearby.

This whole Georgia WMA is only around two thousand two hundred acres, so it's not a real large Georgia WMA. The roads on the Georgia DNR map were fairly correct, however, getting there from I-75 coming from Atlanta proved to be a chore. I did put very specific directions on my enhanced Georgia WMA map clarifying some roads that had no names, and also a showed a few of the food hot spots on my enhanced map.

One thing I did like was that the Etowah River runs straight through this Georgia WMA, and there was very easy access and parking right along the bridge going over the Etowah River where hunters could park, and walk all along the Etowah River to locate good hunting spots. I ate at two different BBQ joints while I was there, and one was ok, and another was awesome.

I ate first at Two Brothers BBQ (770)735-2900 just outside of the Georgia WMA. I had a BBQ sandwich and was not that impressed. For starters there were very few choices on the menu, and you could only get chopped pork, which I personally prefer sliced pork, they bring your sandwich out wrapped in thin paper, and you don't get a plate to put it on. The Brunswick stew was a mush style, which I prefer more of a stew style as opposed to real mushy. I can say that Two Brothers BBQ had friendly staff, and a nice environment with hard wood floors, and country collectibles lined the walls. You do need to know, that they are only open Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from ten thirty a.m. to nine p.m. They are closed Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday.

The second BBQ place I found was a very small ma and pop joint called Amos BBQ (770)889-3866. Amos's BBQ was to die for, the stew was perfect, and the pork was very juicy. They had a large menu of items to choose from, and most important to us hunters, is that they serve an insanely awesome breakfast. They had a variety of fresh homemade biscuits including steak, chicken, tender loin, hot link, sausage, bacon, and gravy. The BBQ is true smoked in a smoker and not exposed to open flame, so all their meats had that great classic smoked flavor. I have to say that there prices were very reasonable. They have been there for five years, and the owners name is Paul Johnson. There hours of operation are Monday thru Thursday five thirty a.m. to eight o'clock p.m., Thursday thru Saturday five thirty a.m. to nine o'clock p.m. They are closed on Sunday, and they stop serving breakfast at ten thirty a.m., or until all of the breakfast foods are gone.

I put both of the BBQ places on my enhanced Georgia WMA map for future reference. Outside of these two BBQ joints, I didn't find any other places to eat that seemed worth mentioning. I did see one small like sandwich shop right in the middle of the small town, but it seemed really expensive. I walked in the door, and just saw a wine menu with like really expensive wines and sandwiches, and turned around and walked back out. Not my kinda place.

To wrap things up, this Georgia WMA made the perfect day trip for me, I had breakfast at Amos's BBQ, got out in the woods around nine o'clock, hunted till lunch, went to Two Brothers Pit BBQ for lunch, went back and hunted along the Etowah river for a few more hours which even though I didn't see anything, it was a nice hike with good views, and then went and ate dinner at Amos's BBQ, and then called it a day.

Overall this is a perfect place to get to early, with good food, and easy access to many hunting areas, and would give it a good grade of a Georgia WMA I will definitely return to, but just no overnight facilities.

About the Author

Brent Thomason manages a Web Site MyGeorgiaOutdoors.com

This site specializes in reference articles associated with Georgia outdoor adventures in Hunting, Fishing, Camping, and whatever he finds of interest on his outdoor excursions.

Enhanced Georgia WMA Maps

Georgia Deer Hunting

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Adventures in Camping with Night Vision Devices

Camping is a fun activity and it lends itself to all types of adventures depending on where you go. Whether you use a hammock or a sleeping bag you can find so many things to do that you won't be bored. In the old days you would enter the woods with a good flashlight and extra batteries, because you would have to get to the latrine, and you wanted to look out for snakes or other things that might make you stumble.

No one really thought about it as they went out and about, but they could have done more exploring around their campsite. Today, it is good to have a flashlight but you can enhance your experience by taking along a pair of night goggles or other night vision device.

For thousands of years people have had trouble seeing in the dark because we as humans lack that ability. We had to come up with some way to do it though because there are many practical reasons why you would want to see in the dark. As an example, when you are on a camping trip you will hear noises around you. Imagine how much fun it would be to actually get to see what those noises belong to. Granted, it might be scary, but it would be interesting to get to see.

When you are sitting at your campsite it might be fun to have a pair of night vision binoculars because you never know what you can see while you are sitting there. Many people have found that it is interesting to look up into the trees at night because there are creatures that hang out in them that come out only at night. These creatures can be very quiet as they move around humans but they are interesting to see as another way to commune with nature.

One of the reasons why people love night vision devices is because they are associated with adventure films, spies and thrillers. We have all seen James Bond movies where he has to see what is going on with his enemy in the dark and we all felt the thrill of the near touch in Silence of the Lambs. These movies intrigue the average person to want to try a set of goggles out to see what they are like to wear and to use.

At night in the woods, night vision devices level the playing field between people and the animals that can see in the dark. Night vision goggles are also a good device to have in case you get lost in the dark; they can help you find your way back quickly.

Besides finding your way to the bathroom, night vision devices can help you throughout your camping trip. As an example, if you have to look for a child or an animal that has wandered off a pair of night vision binoculars can be of tremendous help. If you are the type of person who hunts at night these can be a good device for you. Also there are night vision rifle scopes that can help you see your prey more easily.

Night vision devices come in a variety of styles. Most people are familiar with the goggles that either fit over your head or are placed on your face. There are also monoculars that children love because it makes them feel like pirates or the binocular that you can use to see larger distances. There is no one device that is better than another so it is all a matter of taste as to the type that you like.

You can also use night vision devices for navigation at night. When you are going on a hike all you would need is a compass and a pair of night vision goggles to get you where you need to go. Kids can be introduced to the woods through the use of night vision devices because it makes it more interesting than to just show them a few things. They can explore on their own. If your child is involved in scouting of any kind it would be a great idea to add night vision goggles to the rest of their gear to enhance their experience in the woods. These would have been great fun on the old Girl Scout Camp adventures!

Fun with night vision devices doesn't have to stop with camping. There are so many practical uses that you can explore your backyard, explore the desert or create family adventures outside.

About the Author

Cynthia Conradt has a Blog on Night Vision Technology and its wonderful usages for adults and chrildren. Visit http://www.nightvisionseeing.com to learn how Night Vision technology works. FREE shipping on all Night Vision products!

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