iCampingAdventure.com

For those of you who hate coffee for reasons I can’t possibly understand there here is something you may like. My wife on occasion makes home crafts and the thing she makes that I like the most are her coffee scents. This is so simple yet very appealing, and the cost is under $20.00. Here is what she does. She takes a large glass bowl and fills it with whole coffee beans. This part is up to you. My personal favorite is the Sumatran Dark Roast, but my wife likes vanilla flavored coffee instead. She then gets a vanilla scented candle and lights the candle and places it in the middle of the bowl full of beans. When the candle wax hits the coffee beans the room starts to smell like Vanilla Coffee. It is a relaxing smell that lingers for hours, and our guests love it. My wife even sends them as gifts, and our family and friends really do love it.

A Coffee Can Grill

Let’s say you have kids and you are going camping. Did you know that your used coffee cans could be used as a grill? Yes! A coffee can grill! Let me explain. The first thing you do is take an empty coffee can and wash it inside and out. Then dry it completely. Take a can opener that you would use to open a can of juice, and start punching triangle holes every 1 inches to allow for venting. Take the plastic lid and place it over the side you just punched to prevent it from getting dirty. Pack a candle (unscented) about 3 inches wide by 5 inches tall. This is a cool project for the kids. When you set up your campsite and are ready to eat light the candle and remove the plastic lid from the coffee can. Then place the can over the candle and let it sit for about 7 minutes. Place a ground beef patty, or hamburger patty on top and cook it the way you like it, and “Presto!” You have just used your disposable coffee can grill. My kids love it!

An Under The Hood Blower

If you have teenage boys that are ready to drive then listen to this cool trick I did when I was 17 years old. I took a large Folgers coffee can and using a hole punch I punched a hole in the center of the can. I then emptied the coffee in the trash, because I can’t stand Folgers coffee. Then I went to the junkyard and found a fan motor with fan blades attached for a Chevy S-10 pick-up. Most of the fan motors for GM are the same, but the Chevy S-10 was what I used. I then made holes in the can for the screws that hold it in place, and the fan blades in the center. After cutting out the center with a pair of tin snips I placed the fan motor inside the can. I then took the can to my car and looked for a place on the firewall to mount it. After mounting it using a modified u-bolt made from threaded rod heated and bent I began to measure the distance from the can to my air intake. I drilled two holes in the can one at the top on the side and one in the bottom. I used silicone and a 2 PVC elbows

Although not a direct recruiting arm for the Army, British Army cadets are taught the skills they will need if they are planning to go on and either have a career in the Army or join the TA. To this end, cadets need to be kitted out fully with cadet clothing that will meet all the needs of the tasks they will be expected to do.
The cadets is not like any other type of youth organisation in the country. Having said that, all leaders are youth workers, and young people who attend cadets are likely to gain a lot of extra skills that can be used later in life.
In the cadet force there are qualifications to work towards which can then be linked up with other youth schemes of a similar ilk. The Duke of Edinburgh scheme and the cadet star programme work together very well, for example. Cadets can also do vocational qualifications such as BTECs whilst a cadet, and the exchange and expedition options are practically endless. Cadets get the opportunity to travel places they will most likely never have been to before - countries across the globe. South America, Africa, even the Antarctic, are all places lucky and hardworking cadets may get to visit.
The cadets use the uniform, traditions and badges of rank of the British Army. And, as such, cadet clothing is vitally important, just as it is in the Army.
Because the cadet force is for boys and girls between 12 and 18, the chances are they will need to update their cadet clothing on numerous occasions throughout their spell as a British Army cadet.
While cadets are not subject to military call up they are still sponsored by the Ministry of Defence meaning that a lot of the training is geared towards full army training. As such, cadets undertake many of the same disciplines including military tactics, target shooting, field craft and navigation skills.
There are plenty of items for parents to have to buy for their son or daughter as a cadet. But if parents are worried about cost implications, they should take heart from the fact that much of the cadet clothing can be picked up from army surplus stores for a reasonable price.
As a basic guide, cadets will need trousers, field shirts, dress shirts, pullovers, t-shirts and hats. There is plenty more but leaders will advise bewildered parents on where to go and what to get. And of course, it doesn’t end at clothing. Cadets will need all of the equipment to keep you safe when camping or on expeditions. First aid kits, cooking equipment and even sewing kits are all things which will help cadets to become better cadets.
Parents may balk at the initial outlay for their son or daughter to become a cadet and kit them out but should always remember what their child will gain. No other organisation can offer the breadth of experience, exhilaration, team work, independent thinking and responsibility of the British Army cadets.

Kerry Bradburn is a marketing consultant for the World Of Surplus Group, one of the UK’s MOST popular Army Surplus websites

Kerry also helps to promote a number of other website topics including:

Show Jumps

Cadet Clothing

[tags]Army Cadets, Cadets,[/tags]

There are many different types of knives available, and as with many other tools, if you don’t have the right one, it’s likely to cause problems. Here are a few tips for choosing the right knife for your outdoor sport.

Hunting
Most hunting knives are designed for skinning. If you want your knife to be good for skinning, the main thing you should pay attention to is the blade shape. You want a rounded or drop point so that when you are “ripping” the skin, the point of your knife will not dig into the meat.

Also, you’ll probably want a fixed blade knife, as folding blades have to many crevices to trap blood and mess in.

Camping
Choosing a knife for camping can be tough, because you need a versatile knife. For this reason, you’ll often find that a swiss army knife or multi tool may fill your needs best. Also, you may want to add a saw, hatchet, or machete to your pack before you leave, for tougher cutting jobs.

Fishing
You should probably get a fillet knife for fishing. A fillet knife is well designed for cleaning fish, and it can also cut fishing line well, which is the other main task for a fishing knife. If you plan on fishing in salt water, be sure your knife is designed to withstand the corrosion of saltwater.

Trapping
Trappers will generally want a a skinning knife, much like a hunting knife. Tougher tasks are normally done with an axe, so a second knife isn’t normally necessary.

Boating
A boaters main need for a knife is cutting line. You’ll need a sharp knife, that is easily accesible and quickly deployed, in case you need to cut a line in a hurry. Be sure that the knife will stand up to wet conditions, too.

Visit http://www.outdoorsandin.com/knivestools.html & http://www.outdoorsandin.com for quality knives.

[tags]hunting,fishing,boating,camping,knife,knives[/tags]

“Why would you need to carry along two poles on a hike. It seems like they would only get in the way. How silly!” I said.
Over time, I began seeing more and more hikers and backpackers carrying those useless poles. On rocky hikes, I could hear them coming down the trail before I could even see them. Well, that was one piece of gear that I was sure I would never purchase.

That same winter, I was getting ready for a snowshoeing trip and I purchased 2 sets of telescoping poles made by MSR for my wife and I. I used them a few times for snowshoeing that winter and then put them away. When spring came, my wife and I geared up for the first hike of the season. I had just purchased some ankle gaiters to keep the dust and debris out of my shoes and I was excited to test them out. As I was digging through the rest of my gear I saw the poles and thought, “why not just take them along and see what all the fuss is about.” So I tossed them into the back of the car and off we went. At the trailhead, I handed my wife a pair of poles which she blatantly refused. Off we went. I must admit that I felt a little funny hiking along a the flat part of the trail swinging those poles along. They weren’t helping me at all. Things changed when we hit a sudden slope. The kind that make your legs swell with blood and burn by the time you reach the top. Now, I am in better shape than my wife, but I made it to the top without even slowing down. She had to stop for a breather before reaching the top. Somewhat convinced of their effectiveness, she took the poles from me on the next hill to give them a try. I didn’t get the poles back after that. Needless to say, after just one hike with trekking poles, we were sold on trekking poles. I later bought some Lekisport Absorbers that have a nice cork grip and a built in shock absorber that both dampens the blow of planting the pole and quiets some of the noise that most trekking poles make.

So, let’s look at all of the benefits of hiking with trekking poles. First of all, as I mentioned earlier, you can hike up hills much easier. They help you do this by allowing you to use your arms as another set of legs to thrust you up the hill. Your posture also benefits from trekking poles as you are more inclined to hike standing up straighter rather than bending forward. This ability to use your arms to hike being able stand more upright puts less stress on the legs and, more notably, the knees each time you hike uphill leaving your legs with more energy to hike greater distances without feeling fatigued. While this may seem like the single greatest advantage from using trekking poles, the next benefit can be a real life saver.

Have you ever been hiking along and stepped on a rock, only to have the rock move causing you to sprain your ankle? Spraining your ankle is like getting a flat tire on your car and not having a spare. You can’t just “shake it off” and keep going. If the injury is bad enough, you may require emergency help to get you off the trail. Ankle sprains and fractures as well as knee strains are some of the most common injuries related to hiking and backpacking. More ankle and knee injuries occur during backpacking due to the extra displaced weight being carried. Trekking poles, when used properly, can almost completely alleviate the menace of ankle and knee injuries. With a pole planted firmly on the ground, if you do happen to slip or roll on a rock, you can shift the support of your weight to your arms to prevent a potentially dangerous injury.

Now that we’ve discussed the major reasons to use trekking poles, let’s talk about some of the little bonuses that you can also enjoy. Have you ever crossed a creek, balancing on rocks or a log as you go? How easy is it to loose your balance and slip in? With trekking poles, you are sure to keep your balance the whole way. Have you ever had some sort of varmint come after you? Trekking Poles can become your first line of defense against these critters. I personally haven’t experienced this bonus, but I feel a little more secure having something in my hand to swat at an unwanted guest rather than just my hand. Now, I’m sure that with a little more thought, we could come up with a larger list of additional uses for trekking poles. But we’ll pretty much end with one last area of use. In the last few years, there have been many advancements in hiking and backpacking products to make them lighter, thus allowing hikers and backpackers to lighten their overall load. A lighter load means less aches and pains when all is said and done. A lighter load on your back can allow you to wear lighter shoes that do not have as much ankle support. I personally wear some low top nikes that weigh ounces instead of pounds. The use of trekking poles pretty much assures me that I won’t sprain an ankle. Wearing lightweight shoes to hike in is like taking five or more pounds off your back. Here again, you will be able to hike farther with less stress on your body. There are also several companies that make tents to utilize your trekking poles as tent poles. As a result, instead of carrying a 5-10lb tent, you can carry a sil-nylon tent that only weights a few ounces and your trekking poles double as your tent poles. This lightens load significantly.

Are you convinced now? If not, just go to this hiking and backpacking forum on Backpacker.com and type in trekking poles. You’ll find countless testimonies from experienced hikers and backpackers on how much they love their trekking poles. So do your legs and ankles a favor and get some trekking poles for your next hike or backpacking trip. If you are still unsure or just don’t want to invest a lot of money in some yet, visit a local thrift store. Many thrift stores like salvation army or goodwill carry old ski poles that you can buy for just a few bucks and use them for a test run. Your knees and ankles really will thank you.

Darron Robbins
President of OuterSports, LLC
http://outersports.com

[tags]hiking, backpacking, trekking poles, walking, sore, ankles[/tags]

Human life is a truly beautiful and amazing gift, and along with the opportunity to inhabit these bodies and this planet comes a great responsibility. Humankind was given the capacity for unlimited mental processes, and as a result, we are custodians of this planet, and responsible for the advancement and evolution of our species. In order for humanity to evolve to the next level necessary to create a more peaceful and unified society, each individual must tap into their core of potential and achieve a higher level of self-realization and improvement.

The vision is quite simple, but the domino effect would have far-reaching repercussions. If each person takes a step to overcome their personal obstacles and bettering themselves toward the greater good of humankind, the effects will reverberate throughout the general populace and collectively we will create a better planet for everyone, just by making positive improvements in our own lives. The premise is simple, but how exactly does one begin the path to self-realization, and ultimately, self-improvement? There are certainly no shortages of options available to the seeker - from traditional psychotherapy to metapsychology and numerous techniques in-between. It is up to the individual to identify their areas for improvement, and then choose the path that will lead them toward their goals. Therefore this is a guidebook of suggestions that have helped me achieve a higher degree of competence, intelligence, health, and personal power than I ever thought possible.

Idenics is like a de-hypnotizing process. Habits and compulsions disappear in minutes, and the debris continues to disperse following each session, definitely making this incredible technology one of the keys to a better world. The more people who experience Idenics, the faster the evolutionary process will ensue. Suddenly, the veils are lifted and one awakens to a new reality, free of the negative programming which we have all experienced, simply by being alive. For anyone who has tried traditional psychotherapy and lacked the desired results, as well as for those who haven’t tried any formal therapies, Idenics may be the answer to overcoming obstacles that are keeping you from reaching your full potential.

Once you identify and work to overcome your target obstacles through Idenics, you can then work toward increased mental capacity and brain enhancement through numerous techniques including meditation and affirmations that are available through various programs on the internet. I’m including brief descriptions of a few that work particularly well and for which I can attest to their success and credibility.

I’ve found several Audio programs that are excellent brain balancers, helping one achieve states of deep meditation, allowing for whole brain functioning: Holosync, Hemisync, binaural beats, brainwave entrainment, subliminal recordings, and hypnosis audio programs are all now available. In addition, NLP- Neuro-Linguistic Programming, can help individuals reach their full potential by using this brain enhancement technology founded by Richard Bandler. This process can help associate pleasant memories, disassociate unpleasant memories and put distance between yourself and them through affirmations and anchoring techniques.

In addition to meditation and increased mental capacity, another essential key toward self-improvement is building self-esteem. One of the simplest strategies that can lead to an increase in self-esteem is to develop better thinking skills, and eliminate fear-based thinking. Don’t think in terms of failure, but rather experiments. When you try something new it’s an experiment; learn from feedback. One vehicle that can help achieve this level of thinking is the ThinkRightNow! subliminal program. Simply leave it on the entire time you’re on the computer and re-program your subconscious for success, health, intelligence, self-esteem, creativity, increased awareness, better relationships, etc. In addition, read Nathaniel Branden’s, The Six Pillars of Self-Esteem, which provides further tips on processes all individuals can employ to reach a deeper level of self-esteem.

Another crucial step to achieving true self-improvement is to create personal time for one’s self. This is one of the areas where humans woefully fall short. We’ve given ourselves so much that we must “do” in a day, that we fail to do the things required to nurture our selves; our souls. It is impossible to be a positive force in others’ lives if we fail to take time to identify and nurture ourselves, which means achieving a balance of physical, mental, and spiritual health. There are many ways to exercise the body, mind, and spirit: Chi Gung, meditation, weight training, walking, hiking, Tai Chi, yoga, etc. The goal is to find out what activity brings you the greatest sense of peace and accomplishment, and build time into your schedule to follow-through daily.

The evolution of our race will be a gradual process, which will only occur once each individual takes responsibility for their own self-realization and improvement. The world will begin to be a better place once each individual learns to connect to their true self. The techniques described in this essay can help any person down the path to self-discovery, but there are also an enormous number of practical, simple things that people can do daily with minimal effort that will have ripple effects throughout society.

Visit these websites every day to help people, the environment, and animals: www.thehungersite.com , www.stopthehunger.com Watch the movies Koyaanisqatsi, Powaqqatsi, and Baraka and recommend them to others. Expand your interests by taking classes, volunteering, visiting websites, and reading books, and share your knowledge with others. Find a mentor, or better yet, be a mentor. Employ empathy and compassion toward everyone you encounter and strive to emanate love and positive energy.

We seldom receive any guarantee that our endeavors will materialize, but once you begin something, as Goethe said, “Great forces come to your aid.” And finally, smile, for there is much beauty and greatness in the world.

© 2005 Evolutionary-Design.com - All Rights Reserved Worldwide

Evolutionary-Design.com

[tags]self-improvement, intelligence, health, personal power, self-esteem, evolution[/tags]

This article deals with the most common use of the word hammock. A hammock is a comfortable sling for sleeping or resting in and consists of cloth or a network of twine or thin rope which is stretched between two firm points. Particularly in the southern US, a hammock can also mean a piece of thickly wooded land, usually covered with bushes and vines.

The Garden Hammock was developed in South America or the Caribbean. Hammocks are standard items in almost all yards and homes in the Yucatan. Hammocks were said to have arrived in Yucatan from the Caribbean less than two centuries before the Spanish Conquest. Hammocks are made of various materials. The quality depends greatly on the thread and the number of threads used to create them. Hammocks are made in villages surrounding the capital city Merida and are sold throughout the world as well as locally. Hammocks hold such a strong place in the hearts of the Yucatecans, that even the most humble of homes have hammock hooks in the walls. Mayan hammocks are made on a loom and are hand woven by men, women and children.

Currently, there are a wide variety of hammocks available. There are hammocks that are designed specifically for backpacking and include mosquito netting along with pockets for nighttime storage. There are hammocks made out of thin and lightweight material which makes them ideal for taking on trips such as camping. Other hammocks include self-standing metal or wood structures that support the hammock. Although many people today purchase their hammock pre-made, it is also possible to make your own specialty hammock.

Hammocks have also traditionally been used by sailors on ships and by astronauts in space. During the Apollo program, the Lunar Module was equipped with hammocks for the commander and pilot to sleep between moonwalks. Hammocks are also handy on a ship. Since a hammock moves in concert with the motion of the ship, the sleeper is not at a risk of being thrown onto the floor. Some people worry that it is easy to fall out of a hammock during sleep, but this is rarely true. The sides of a traditional hammock wraps around the sleeper like a cocoon which makes a fall from the hammock virtually impossible.

Neisha Bjorklund is a web master for http://www.luxuryhammocks.com. Take a look at our luxury line of hammocks, hammock chairs, and hammock swings. Drift away in peace while relaxing in your very own hammock.

[tags]hammock,hammocks,camping,for,garden,caribbean,mayan,and,sleep,backpacking,lightweight,[/tags]

There are all kinds of sports that involve long hours spent in the sun. In these same sports, visibility is a key factor in success. Outdoor sports such as hiking, snowboarding, golfing, cycling, skiing, and tennis rely heavily on vision, and so reducing the glare from the sun is a great help. The practical uses for sunglasses are easy to understand, but many may wonder how sunglasses can fulfill everyday needs and still look good.

Ideally, sports sunglasses will both help the athlete perform better, and look good. In order to understand how this is done, it is important to know the technical elements that sports sunglasses must contain. Sports sunglasses must be able to reduce glare and protect the athlete’s eyes from harmful UV rays. Sunglasses need to also reduce brightness, while not hindering vision. Regular sunglasses can sometimes be very dark (which is good when lying on the beach, but not when snowboarding in the mountains). Some people also have prescriptions. As a result, sports sunglasses may have to be customized to help the wearer see in ways other than simply reducing light.

Different lens shades offer different types of protection. Fortunately, different shades also provide unique style for an athlete. Sports sunglasses will often have shades of green, blue, red, or orange. These shades may look very hip, but they are also serving a definite purpose. For example, in golf, Bolle sunglasses have EagleVision 2 lenses that can enhance contrast in the green part of the color spectrum. This is accomplished through both the type of lens and its shade. Sunglasses also have different types of frames. These frames can be very stylish. At the same time, these frames can meet special needs for certain sports. In some sports with heavy motion, frames can be very strong and somewhat tight on the head. Some designers may make these frames look very unique. An example of a frame used in sports is the Oakley Pro M Frame. This frame has a hinge-less design which can responds acutely to inertial changes in a specific sport. For sports such as golf, frames are not as important, and so more leeway can be taken in regards to style.

The best way that sunglasses combine style with effectiveness is by being made to fulfill specific customer needs. There are many companies that allow customers to customize sunglasses to meet the demands of a specific sport. Many people will choose shades, frames, and designs that are pleasing to them aesthetically, as well as technically. Some of the most popular sunglasses on the market can protect the eyes and look great. These brands include Oakley, Costa Del Mar, Action Optics, Bolle, Fitovers, and others. With sports sunglasses, it is very possible to look great while being protected from the sun and improving one’s game. Finally, you can have your cake and eat it too!

Michael Burkhart recommends Technical Gear to buy sports sunglasses.

[tags]sports sunglasses, sunglasses[/tags]

It is an unwelcome surprise to suddenly find you are not alone in the woods.

You’ve worked hard to get away from it all, driving and hiking for hours to escape phones, pagers, people, or cars. It’s your annual elk hunt, and the whole forest is your private refuge. Sneaking along in the woods, you begin to feel like the only soul for miles around.

Then suddenly another hunter pops into view and you both jump! Surprise is followed by dismay at being intruded on. Then you try to guess whether the other fellow wants to talk or be left alone. It’s an odd, awkward moment.

Sometimes it’s very awkward.

Like one particular day of last year’s elk hunt. After hunting on foot all morning and finding no fresh sign of elk, I saddled up my big black and white paint, Chief, and headed out on an eight mile ride through new country. For the first hour we just side-hilled through the trees, following nothing but random game trails. Presently we found ourselves on a long abandoned logging road, threading its way through tall aspen. It was easy traveling, hindered only by the occasional fallen quakie, or washed out switchback.

Rounding a bend, we were suddenly encroaching on some hunters setting up a new camp. They looked up, startled and dismayed. Then their southern hospitality took over and they waved us in for a chat. I reined Chief down off the roadbed and into their construction site. Plastic tarps were strung up for shelters and camping gear was scattered everywhere. It was tricky, but we got in close enough to talk with low voices. Three fellows were plainly in view and from the activity on the other side of camp I gathered there must be a couple more.

Exchanging pleasantries I learned they drove all the way from South Carolina and had just packed in five miles on foot. Since I was a “local”, and on horseback, and having just hunted several days, they were eager to hear anything I had to say. The fact I hadn’t killed an elk yet didn’t seem to diminish their attentiveness, so I let them have it with both barrels. I elaborated on the elk, the weather, hunting pressure, and about the big ol’ bear Troy had seen near our camp. They were drinking it all in. Even Chief cocked an ear my way, as if he was surprised I was giving up so much information to the competition.

On I went, being as helpful as I could. They were an easy audience, in full anticipation of the hunt that lay before them. I could see I was winding them up pretty good so I poured it on a little thick, just for fun.

“One advantage you all will have”, I said, “is that I talked to a rancher day before last and they are pulling all the sheep down out of here, so you won’t have to contend with that.”

They were especially grateful for this bit of information.

“Oh good”, said one. “Sheep or bears could sure ruin a hunting area.”

Another said, “Yeah, I saw all these mowed down areas on the way up here. Those *$&%@ sheep must have done that. I’m glad they’ll be gone.”

“They are”, I affirmed. “I also met a lone rider huntin’ strays last night and he said the sheep would all be down out of here by today.” I don’t know Spanish, I didn’t add, but I was pretty sure I understood the fellow right.

Chief decided I was telling a lot more than he wanted to stand around and listen to. He was getting antsy and hard to hold still. Chief is a big boy and when he starts moving, people on the ground get uncomfortable. Besides, we were in a maze of rope and twine strung between tents, tarps, and trees. His off hind foot was only one more fidget away from squashing a Solar Shower Bag warming in the sun. I decided to head out before we had a one-horse rodeo in a real small arena. As I pointed Chief up toward the road, they kept talking.

“I hate hunting where sheep’s been”, said one dejectedly. Over my shoulder, I reassured them.

“Don’t worry guys. They’re gone, for sure. Sheep are noisy and I ain’t heard one all day. I’d say the roundup is all done and you’re in the clear. Believe me, if there were sheep within two miles of here, you’d know it! Good luck!”

Chief was glad to be moving again. I began to get a view of the rest of their camp as it strung out alongside the road. These four or five guys had carried an enormous amount of gear. I wondered how many trips they had made from whatever trailhead got them here.

Approaching the far end of their camp, I noticed one fellow hunkered down studying something on the ground. His hat was pulled down low around his ears and he was concentrating almighty hard. It seemed like he was so engrossed in the flora and fauna that he wasn’t even going to look up and say “howdy”. We were going to walk right by him and I began to wonder if the poor guy was deaf.

The mystery cleared up though when we got close and I realized his pants were pulled plumb down around his ankles - he was busy making fauna of his own! I was embarrassed for him and me both. I felt Chief bunch up underneath me and, before I could stop him, he blew a big old loud snort. The poor guy flinched but still didn’t look up.

As I said, it is an unwelcome surprise to suddenly find you are not alone in the woods.

I averted my eyes quick, trying to give him what little was left of his dignity. I held them thus for a few steps until a new bend in the road required my attention again.

My jaw nearly hit the saddle horn - the whole road was swarming and spilling over with 50 or 60 sheep being pushed hard by another horseback sheepherder! They were coming fast, darting to and fro, cutting a swath 20 yards wider than the road on both sides.

And they weren’t making a sound! No bleats. No whimpers. Hardly a twig snapped!

Chief is a young horse and he had seen a lot of things for the first time this week. Sheep was one too many, and he made it clear that if I asked him to part that herd up the middle, the answer was going to be NO. So I let him have his head and he squirted uphill fast to the left. His quick pace through the thick trees forced me to duck my head and watch out for my knees - I dared not look back.

It killed me not getting to see what happened. We reined in at the top of a knoll and I listened intently for what must surely be total chaos in the camp below.

But there was nothing. No shouts. No cussing. No sounds of plastic tarps being drug through the ferns and serviceberries - just silence.

It seemed impossible. And what about Fauna Guy? I just knew there was no way he could have got his pants up fast enough, even if he’d seen what was coming. They were too close and coming too fast.

I’ve read about cowboys dying in a stampeding herd of cattle. Their headstone reads, “He died with his boots on”. What do you say for a guy killed by a flock of sheep?
“He died with his pants down”?

What to do? I asked my horse.

“Well Chief, I reckon my credibility on sheep is pretty well ruined. How ’bout we ride back down there again and tell them not to worry about any bears? I bet they’d pack up and leave right now”

Chief snorted again. I think that’s how he laughs.

Or maybe it’s how he says I’m full of fauna. I don’t know which.

Jim Deeming is a lifelong Colorado native who writes about his 20 plus years of hunting and guiding adventures. He publishes a free newsletter with tips, tricks, and stories of elk hunting, aimed primarily at the public land, do-it-yourself hunter. His upcoming book, “Do-It-Yourself Elk Hunting” is due to be released in time for the 2006 seasons.

For more information, go to
http://www.diyhunting.com

[tags]Elk Hunting Colorado[/tags]

It’s that time of year when cycling enthusiasts to take to the roads, bike paths and mountain trails to enjoy the thrill of pedaling along in unbridled freedom. Think about that statement for a moment.

Where does mankind enjoy freedom the most? In the broader sense, it’s in creativity, self-motivation and accomplishment.
I love to write about the enjoyment I get from skiing, cycling, hiking because those are activities that bring joy to my heart.

But, what is it about any activity, which makes you happy, that keeps you coming back for more? It would seem to me, it is the childlike sense of accomplishment.

Take a moment, and think back to those thrilling days of yesteryear, when you were with a group of friends on a warm summer day and everyone rode bikes. The freedom from parental supervision, the joy of going fast down an alley, or jumping over a pile of dirt brought squeals of delight.

But, most of all, it was the excitement of getting good at something you could do physically, and the more you did it, the better you got.

I grew up when the brake was part of the pedals, and I loved to turn a corner, step down on the brakes and make the rear wheel slide sideways around the turn; you’d then let off and pedal for all you were worth to keep up the momentum.

By now, you’ve probably picked up on the fact that these were dirt roads in a rural town in the 50’s, and the bikes were all Schwinn’s with fenders, one speed, probably had a bell to ring or playing cards in the spokes. The girls had streamers at the ends of the handlebars, but the guys never did.

We’d race around town in mock Tours de France, dogs running alongside, their tongues hanging out, ears flopping and eyes wild with excitement.

Of course, when we tired, it was off to the local store for a Popsicle or can of soda, if we had .10 cents.

Freedom is often childlike. We adults could learn a lot from children sometimes; tear down the barriers of stoic maturity and let loose with some real unadulterated fun.

I train for my bike races with a buddy named Jeff, and he never quite knows when it will happen, but he knows that during our rides, at some point in time, I will break out into a terribly off-key version of “O Sol O’meo” which I think is from The Barber of Seville.

I can’t help it, the endorphins take over, joy spills out and the words to the opera (what few of them I know) burst into the air, startling motorists and pedestrians alike. I’m generally grinning from ear to ear, totally out of breath and completely in the moment, the joyous, present, moment.

Children live almost always in the moment. The past is what happened ten minutes ago and most likely already forgotten; the future might make it into the weekend when they get to visit Grandma or go the zoo.

Adults, on the other hand, are far too busy to grasp the present and enjoy it for what it’s worth; our minds are too full of junk. Junk about the argument with our spouse this morning, the creep who cut us off in traffic yesterday still lingers, and, how on earth are we going to get little Suzy into that expensive pre-school which will most certainly define her future.

The solution is to be creative in some way that you don’t normally do. Expand your circle of activities to something, which used to bring you much joy that you done in a long time. Or, try that one thing you’ve always wanted to do, butIf at all possible, do something physically active, so you get the blood moving, the muscles warmed up and the endorphins flowing. Then, don’t forget to laugh and have fun, let go, be in the moment, be a kid again; your kids will wonder what happened, but be ever so glad it did.

In the end, it’s just one man’s opinionmine.

Keith E. Renninson is a motivational speaker and co-author of the popular parenting tool and illustrated storybook “Zooch the Pooch, My Best Friend”. Through the 1990’s with much self-examination, academic study, bicycle racing, and mountain climbing, he discovered a renewed zest of life, which included a love of metaphysics, philosophy, humor, and writing and speaking. As Keith says, “Some days you’re the pigeon and some days you’re the statue…it’s all in what you make of it.” You can read more about “Zooch the Pooch” or contact Keith to speak at: http://www.zoochthepooch.com
Keith and his co-author Michael Conrad Kelley speak to teens and adults on “The Seven Simple Steps to a More Fulfilling Life.” This course focuses on how to build a successful Life Philosophy that works for each individual.

[tags]Children, fun, cycling, laughter, laugh, sports, bikes, freedom, childlike, endorphins, creativity[/tags]

A Poem: I PONDER GIVING

UPON SORROWFULL CREATURES MY THOUGHTS DWELL. I PONDER GIVING, LIKE UNTO PLACING GIFTS UPON PANTRY SHELVES. RECEIVING ALL, ABSENT OF MENTAL CONCEPTIONS, INANIMATE, FEELING NOTHING, DESIRING LESS. TOUCHING ONLY THAT OUTSIDE ITS POWER. DUST AND OTHER THINGS BORNE UPON THE AIR. CHARITY’S LIGHT QUICKLY DEVOURED, ERE ITS LUMIENCE FELT. STRADDLING POSSIBILITY AND APATHY, I PONDER GIVING.

Life experiences with others can be hurtful and we find it difficult to want to ever share again with anyone at all. As a Christian life and leadership coach, I have felt the same way. There is no executive, manager, leaders or team member that has not felt this way. However, each of us must move on past the hurt and learn from it. That is the purpose of this article is to help those who have be hurt to move on and be successful.

I remember working with a guy that had lost his home in a fire. He had no place else to go, and I took him into my home until he could find a place to live. We both worked for a major Department Store. I was a night manager and had closed up the store after everyone had left for the day. Right after setting the alarm and locking up, this guy sneaked back into the store. My new room mate went on a “five finger” discount spending spree. He stole everything he could get his hands on, reset the alarm, and left the store. He thought he had the same alarm code as me. And since I had locked the store and set the alarm that the authorities would look to me as the one who had burglarized the department store. What he did not know is that as a manager, my code was different from his and he was arrested for the crime.

I was hurt and felt used because I took pity on this guy homelessness. He had attempted to have me arrested for a crime I did not commit. I wondered what it was that I had done to him to make him want to do this to me. I did not want to trust anyone again. I know that many of you have been hurt in your lives by others in many different ways. But, I had to understand that not everyone in this world is out to harm me. I could have really allowed him to put me in a prison, if I had locked my self away from others. He would have won.

Today, I am happily married with two wonderful kids. I freely give my time to mentor boys and young men on how to become leaders in a Christian camping program called Royal Rangers. I also work with children in local schools and teach them leadership. I have excellent friendships with several people whom I cherish and respect. I have so much now, but I, like many of you, was at a turning point. I could give into the pain and hurt or move past it. I choose freedom. You should too.

Do not allow yourself to ponder giving to others, because of past hurts. I have opened my eyes to see both sides of giving. Because of this, I clearly see that I get back more than I can ever give to my wife, kids, those I mentor, my or my friends. So don’t let past hurts or present day hurts limit you from giving a part of what makes you unique and special. There will be those that take advantage of your generosity, but that is ok. You have no control over what anyone will do with your generosity, but you do have control of the generosity that can come forth from you in terms of giving. Like me you will see that you are getting much more back than you can ever give, if you will try to see both sides of giving.

If you are not donating your time or pouring into other people lives, I challenge you to do so. As I said, you will find that you shall get far more in return than you can ever give to someone else. So never ponder giving.

Copyright 2006 Stan Lewis

Stan Lewis is a Christian Leadership & Life Coach. If you liked this article, you should really check out his new “Thinking Style” assessment by Clicking Here - http://www.assessmentgenerator.com/H/cRstanlewis1134788755.html If you would like a complimentary chat to talk about any issue, goal setting, or problems - Click here - http://realleadership4coachinglife.com/wst_page3.html Please take advantage of other FREEBIES by at http://www.realcoach.org Questions about this article or you need assistance, please call me at 214-629-7217

[tags]Christian, life, coach, leadership, mentor, special, self-confidence, success, giving, acceptance, p[/tags]