iCampingAdventure.com

There are reasons we cross paths with those that we do. Sometimes its SO obvious, because we have walked a mile or two in what that person is going thru. But other time’s we scratch our head and wonder why. In any case, it’s important to be relatable to those around you in life.

Over the years I have put together, my own be-attitudes, ways of keeping myself motivated and moving in the right direction. Some of the keys have been taught to me by my Pastors and others that have spoken into my life.

Dawn’s be-atitudes for making it in today’s world:

1- Be real-Practice what you wear (bracelets, tshirts, bumperstickers, etc.) or for goodness sakes get rid of them, until you can! It’s a process, and just because you are a christian you are not going to have it all together all of the time of course, but let’s be practical here.

2- Be relatable. Speak normal, elminate the thou’s and thus sayeth the lord from grocery line chatter.

3- Be authentic-Say what you mean, be honest and dont make promises that you cant or dont want to keep.

4- Be Proactive-Never act out of guilt.

5- Be personal-Have your own relationship with God, rather than relying on your peers, your parents or others.

6- Be thankful and grateful. This keeps our eyes off of others and feeling like someone is getting more than what we have or need. Keeps things in perspective.

7- Be informed-Stay up on current events, stay relevent, be flexible, keep a youthful perspective and be ready to move.. God is always on the move, not in yesterday’s move, but in today’s move.

8- Be loving and accepting-Of ourselves and others. Keep your standards without compromising what Jesus encouraged us to do-love.

9- Be excited-life is a gift, try to make each day different than the last!

10- Be a planner-I have heard say that if you don’t know where you are going, you will probably end up there. Make plans, set goals, and get into action!

What are your personal “BE’s”? What is a “BE” that you need to work on? What “BE” can you share with another to motivate and encourage them?

Dawn Peters attends Christian City Church Atlanta. She has been active in the Christian community since a young girl, has taught Bible Studies and lead various youth groups over the years.

She is a Self Employed Business Owner and Teacher. She holds a degree in Early Childhood Education, has been certified as a Nurses Aid, was a foster parent for 7 years. Now she owns and operates a Professional Massage Therapy office and also teaches Massage Therapy at a local School and offers private classes as well.

Dawn has won several poetry awards over the years and has published articles related to her field -Massage and Bodywork.

On a private note-Dawn is married and lives with her husband Mark in Atlanta, GA. They enjoy camping and boating.

For more information on Dawn, her business and Massage, please visit: http://www.simplymassagetherapy.com

[tags]christianity today, being relatable, spiritual, real, today’s christian, encouragement, self improve[/tags]

If you have ever thought about kayaking, consider that the kayak has many exciting benefits, and is much more than just paddling aimlessly on the water.

There are so many kayaking trips and tours available that you can take these days that offer everything from relaxing strolls down your local rivers and lakes, outdoor kayak education tours, to exciting white water adventure excursions.

What can be better than being on a camping trip at your favorite lake, and you have the option to take the entire family on a paddling trip to view the unspoiled scenery and wildlife, or even do some fishing together right from your kayak in areas virtually un-touched by humans.

You may go on an exotic Island vacation, and decide to take a kayaking island adventure, offered through your resort or cruise ship company. What an experience to spend time on the crystal clear water, and be able to take in the sandy beaches, and the spectacular views of your island from the Ocean or Sea.

A Kayaking Experience Can Invigorate Your Body, Mind, And Spirit!

The kayak experience can offer you benefits for your body, mind, and most of all your spirit. Everyone knows that exercise is important for the body, but many don’t stay in shape because the activity they’re currently involved in is boring. When you take a sea adventure, the mind is taking in the surroundings, and you eventually forget that you’re exercising the body, which allows you to spend more time on the water, and feel so much better at the end of the day.

Your mind is not focused on the workout, and you take in all the pleasure around you. This not only calms your mind, but also takes all the stresses away as well. The spirit is rejuvenated, because you’re accomplishing all your goals, such as working your body, strengthening the mind, and letting your spiritual well being grow with what the world has to offer you!

So hopefully you can see that your next kayaking adventure is so much more than paddling a boat, it’s a paddling experience that will fulfill all your personal, mental, and physical needs all in one package. If you happen to be looking into purchasing a kayak, consider for ultimate convenience, an inflatable kayak.

Kayaking Equipment Is Available In A Variety Of Convenient Inflatable Options

Inflatable kayaks have come a long way since their inception, and the quality and price is very favorable for the individual looking for the budget outdoor adventures, or the families wanting affordable options for their relaxing fishing, educational, or overall leisure experience.

You will find that compared to the traditional hard shell kayaks, the inflatable boats are very easy to transport, inflate quickly, and you don’t have to acquire bulky trailers or expensive roof racks to haul them to your favorite destinations.

There are many styles and prices that will easily meet everyone’s budget, and whether you’re buying one for your next camping trip, or outdoor extreme adventure, you will definitely find one online that will fit your individual and family needs.

Kayaking can be an experience that you can easily incorporate into your lives, and can open the doors to a wonderful outdoor adventure that can benefit your overall wellbeing. I encourage you to research more on kayaks and see what is best for you and/or your entire family!

About the author: William is the owner and the author of “Rugged Inflatable Kayaks” available at http://www.rugged-inflatable-kayaks.com A great source for inflatable kayaks! For individuals and families searching for quality inflatable boats for their next camping trip, or whitewater adventure. You can easily compare and find a kayak that’s right for your needs. View many options of Inflatable Catamarans, Sevylor kayaks, and also a selection of kayaking gear to complete your adventures in style and comfort.

[tags]kayaking, kayak, sea, tours, trips, paddle, trip, water, paddling, kayaking tours, kayak trip[/tags]

Last night Jay Leno challenged Paul Newman to a second great midget auto race. Leno got clobbered by Newman last year and is still smarting from that defeat. Leno claims that Newman jumped the gun last year. I watched the race last year and Leno is just blowing sour grape juice.

Anyway, Leno tried to humiliate Newman by first challenging him to eat some of the canned dog food produced by Newman’s company. Well, it was a naturally organic product produced by a subsidiary of the company run by Paul and Joanne Woodward Newman’s lovely daughter, Nell.

Leno opened the can and handed Paul Newman a spoon. Paul tasted the food and then dug right in, immensely enjoying the delicious Lamb and Rice dish. Leno had lost again.

The Newman’s have produced a large number of food products. The money generated by these businesses is donated to Charity. The Newmans gave one million dollars to Katrina aid.

The Newman’s have donated over 100 million dollars to help children and conservation. Newman described a number of the camps for cancer-stricken children and their families around the world. The camps are called Hole in the Wall Camps and the camping experience is free.

Read Paul Newmans biography at http://tinyurl.com/qkydg.

When it was time for the second edition of the Great Midget Car Race, Leno and Newman went to the track, climbed into their cute little midget cars, and waited for the green flag. Leno was perched to win this one to overcome last year’s humiliation. The flag was dropped, Newman took off like a rocket, and Leno was still standing at the starting line.

Newman immediately showed his racing and driving skills. His car moved smoothly over the course, not wavering but steady as she goes.

Leno wiggle waggled all over the place and bounced off the walls.

If it had been a ten-car race Leno would have come in thirtieth.

Will Leno have the guts to race Newman next year? Probably, but it won’t improve his record.

Maybe Dave Letterman should challenge Leno to a race of midget autos. The winner could then race Newman and lose again.

By the way, Dave Letterman is in the racing business. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rahal_Letterman_Racing. The team has three (3) Indianapolis Class race cars. Letterman is from Indianapolis so racing is his blood.

Leno talked to Newman about his current driving activities. Leno wanted to know what Joanne thought about his driving at his age.

Newman said he just tells her that he is going fishing with the boys.

Leno asked what he told her after he drove. Newman said, “I don’t tell her!”

From what Newman said, she is concerned.

So tell us this, Jay: How does it feel to get clobbered by an 81-year-old man?

The End

Jay, Leno, David, Letterman, Paul Newman, Joanne Woodward, racing, race cars, midget, Hollywood, actor, movies, charity, cancer, children, conservation, Nell Newman, Hole in the Wall

John T. Jones, Ph.D. (tjbooks@hotmail.com, a retired VP of R&D for Lenox China, is author of detective & western novels, nonfiction (business, scientific, engineering, humor), poetry, etc. Former editor of Ceramic Industry Magazine. He is Executive Representative of IWS sellers of Tyler Hicks wealth-success books and kits. He also sells TopFlight flagpoles. He calls himself “Taylor Jones, the hack writer.”

More info: http://www.tjbooks.com

Business web site: http://www.aaaflagpoles.com

[tags]Jay, Leno, David, Letterman, Paul Newman, Joanne Woodward, racing, race cars, midget, Hollywood, act[/tags]

My river-rafting adventure started on a bicycle. The small daypack I wore carried a hatchet, a saw, some scraps of rope, food, water, a garbage bag bivy sack, a hat, and odds and ends. It weighed less than fifteen pounds total.

It was late May, so Id stay warm in my homemade bivy, without a sleeping bag. I might wear my hat, and pile up some leaves to sleep on. If the mosquitos were bad, I’d use my headnet, which, I had learned, would also trap warm air around my head, keeping me warmer. I had matches and a lighter, in case I needed a fire in an emergency.

Thirty miles of pedaling had brought me from my home in Traverse City, Michigan, down the backroads to the Baxter Bridge, on the Manistee River. It was almost 10 a.m. I pushed the bicycle into the woods, and rolled it along, lifting it over logs, until I was a mile upstream. Looking around at the trees, I knew this was the place to start the river rafting part of the trip.

Sometimes Adventure Involves A Lot Of Work

The first tree was the biggest, and I almost couldn’t drag the ten-foot sections to the river after cutting them. They were perfect, however. Dead, dry-rotted Poplar was always good, because it was like styrofoam inside. It cut easy, and floated well. White Cedar was the best quality, but it was more difficult to find, and to cut.

When I had hauled enough logs to the river, I got into the water and pulled the first two pieces in after me. I tied them together, then tied two long thin poles to them perpendicularly near either end. The other logs were guided, one by one, under these two rails, and tied in place.

By early afternoon I was finished. With the last piece of rope, I tied the raft to shore. I cut a good rafting pole to guide me. I was ready.

Tom Sawyer Day

My first river rafting adventure had involved four of us. I advertised it to my friends as an adventure-disaster, sure to get them wet and cold. Three took the bait. Apart from snacks and water, we took only a hatchet, a small saw, and whatever scraps of rope we could find. It all fit into a small backpack.

We parked near the river and hiked a trail upstream until we were a few miles from the car. The plan was to build a raft, using only dead trees and our scraps of rope. We would then get on it and go rafting back to the car.

It was dubbed “Tom Sawyer Day,” and became a much anticipated event among an ever-changing group of participants. Since it was, in equal parts, fun and dangerous, we didn’t usually bring beer. Even sober, it was enough of a challenge to keep a thousand-pound pile of logs, with four people on it, from going where it wanted to go. Where it wanted to go inevitably involved pain and cold water, but with each trip I managed to learn a little. Sometimes we even stayed dry.

Sometimes Adventure Involves Math

The first trip, Roland and I were cutting and hauling logs to the river, while Cathy and Leslie cooked hotdogs over a fire. We began to do geometry on a piece of birchbark, trying to figure out how many logs were needed, allowing for the dishonesty of the women’s stated weights.

“Cedar weighs 37 pounds per cubic foot,” I told Roland, “leaving a lifting capacity of about 27 pounds, given that water is 64 pounds per cubic foot.” The girls were laughing at me. “The volume of a cylindrical object is pi times the radius squared, times the length, right?”

Roland agreed. We counted out the logs and began to build the raft. When finished, we had a floating pile of old rotten logs and two frightened women.

Sometimes Adventure Involves Getting Wet

Leslie and Cathy sat on a stump in the middle of the raft. Roland and I stood with our poles, ready to fend off the banks of the river and the overhanging trees. We did this successfully for at least fifteen minutes.

Then, when a low, horizontal tree refused to move, Roland pushed us all off in order to regain his balance. We quickly gave up trying to find the bottom of the river, and swam after the raft. Sputtering and cursing at Roland, the three of us climbed back on.

This first rafting trip was in late April, when the water is still like ice. The sun warmed us, but our feet were almost always in the water. It was bad enough that the raft didn’t float very high off the water, but then it began to change shape before our eyes and under our feet.
“It’s a square. No wait! It’s a parallelagram… Now it’s a square again.” The girls decided that there was too much geometry in river rafting, so a few minutes later we let the raft drift close to the shore, where they stepped off into the shallow water.

The water, however, wasn’t shallow. Once the girls had resurfaced, and climbed up the sandy bank of the river, we waved goodbye. The trail took them to and from the river on their way to the car.

The next time we saw them, Leslie was hiking in her wet bra and panties. This part of the adventure story was crucial to recruiting other young males in the future. The trail went into the forest again, and the girls didn’t see us for thirty minutes.

Sometimes Adventure Involves Running

Actually, they saw the raft first, floating quietly down the river by itself. Soon they saw Roland and I, running along the opposite side, trying to catch up. This was because of a tree that stuck out from the bank, low to the water.

We were unable to avoid it, despite our excellent rafting skills, but we thought we could jump over it as the raft passed underneath. It seemed like a reasonable plan at the time. It didn’t seem so reasonable when Roland was pushing my face into the sicks in the tree while climbing over me to get to shore.

The raft went on, not noticing our absence. We ran through swamp and woods, pretending this was part of the plan when the girls saw us. The raft came near the riverbank just as we caught up to it. We leapt for it, and we were back in control. More or less.

“How do we get off?” Roland asked, when we were near the car. We decided that we just had to get close to shore and jump. It seemed like a good idea. Roland was still hanging over the river from a tree when I started up the big hill to the car. Tom Sawyer Days went a little smoother after this first one.

Sometimes Adventure Involves Being Pointed At

After pedaling thirty miles and hauling logs for hours, I was tired, but satisfied. It was the best raft yet, and I was soon rafting down the river, under Baxter Bridge, and into the National Forest. I noticed immediately that these rafts float better with only one person on them.
There was just one small group of houses to pass before a long uninhabited stretch. My bicycle stood proudly in the center of the raft, tied in place, with the backpack on the handlebars.
The first guy to see me yelled hello, and pointed me out to his wife.
The second didn’t know what to say. The Manistee is not a well-traveled river, especially not by bicyclists. A few minutes later I was past the houses. Around the next bend, a whitetail deer saw me and backed off through the cattails.

I floated for hours. Apparently my previous river rafting experience was paying off, because I managed to miss the trees, rocks, riverbanks, and to stay dry. I was even able to sit down and soak up the sun for a minute or two at a time. The latter was always interrupted, of course, by the necessity to jump up and use the pole to avoid something.

In the evening, I stopped, disassembled the raft, and began pushing my bicycle through the woods. A mile later I found a trail, and started pedalling. A mile after that I met two guys on a two-track, with there truck. The ice-cold beer they gave me made them instant friends, so I told them that, no, I wasn’t out bicycling. I was river rafting. Then they weren’t sure they wanted a new friend, so I traveled on.

Sixty miles of bicycling, miles of pushing the bike through the woods, three hours of log-hauling, and five hours of rafting, all in one day, seemed like a worthy goal, so I decided to just head for home. And the mosquitos were worse than I had anticipated.

Sometime after dark I rolled into the driveway, dropped the bike, and stumbled into the house. I took a shower and answered the phone. It was time to go dancing.

Steve Gillman has been hiking, biking, floating and adventuring in general for decades. For more of his stories and outdoor advice, you can visit http://www.TheMountainHikingSite.com

[tags]adventure,river rafting,rafting,bicycling[/tags]

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.

Marc learned about quality gear just after his pup tent flooded forcing him to sleep in his tiny 2-seat Honda CRX. His hiking equipment & camping gear guides & reviews save you time & money. Subscribe to his camping & hiking newsletter & get the most usable info. FREE! © 2005. Reprint permission if author, copyright, links & this notice are intact.

[tags]camping tents, camp tent, dome tent, family tent, hiking gear, camping equipment[/tags]

Reader Views is excited to talk with Cynthia Ogorek, author of “Along the Calumet River,” a documentation of the history and development of the Calumet River running through Illinois and Indiana. Cynthia is speaking with Juanita Watson, the Assistant Editor of Reader Views.

Juanita: Thank you for talking with us today Cynthia. Can you tell us about your book and what readers will learn regarding the Calumet River?

Cynthia: It is a historical photo-essay about the Calumet River which is located in northwestern Indiana and southeastern Cook County in Illinois.

Juanita: Were you born in this area?

Cynthia: Yes, I am a native of the Calumet Region. I was born in Hammond, Indiana, grew up in Calumet City, IL, just the other side of the state line.

Juanita: You are a historian, with an obvious love of the area you talk about in your book. Can you tell us about your passion for history and in particular, the Calumet River area?

Cynthia: That’s a rather romantic way of putting it. I don’t feel very “passionate” when I get to my office in the morning. Most times it’s just plain work. I saw an interesting quote the other day, “Home is where your story begins.” Prior to that I kept telling myself, “Bloom where you are planted.” I have an analytical sort of mind and I like to tell stories on paper. I used to love to listen to my parents and older relatives tell stories about what they did as children, how their parents did things, where they came from, what this area was like when they were young. There’s just something intriguing about getting a feel for another era. Imagining how those people felt. Trying to communicate to readers how things were in another time. The reward comes when someone lets you know that they “got it.” That’s the best!

Juanita: Who were the original settlers of the Calumet River region?

Cynthia: They were a varied lot. In the 1830s, they were mostly people moving west from the east coast and New York state. Lots of New Englanders and Ohioans and British, too. In the 1840s, the Dutch started coming in and about the same time, many Germans. By the turn of the 19th century, they were joined by Irish, Russians, Poles, Croatians, Romanians, Serbs, Hungarians, Italians you name it.

Juanita: When did pioneers make their way into the area and what lead them to eventually establish towns in the area?

Cynthia: The pioneer era started after the Blackhawk War of 1832 and with the signing of the final treaties with the Potowatomi, Ottawa, and Miami, in 1833. After that, this region was surveyed and opened to settlers. At that time, most families were looking for land to farm and most of the settlements were located near water and wooded areas. People needed water for drinking, irrigating, and to power mills. Wooded areas provided fuel and building materials.

Juanita: How has urbanization and development changed the region of the Calumet?

Cynthia: Oh, my! Those 1830s folks wouldn’t recognize the place! By the time we finish this interview the rest of the farmland will be paved over. I’m not exaggerating too much when I say that. The post-World War II housing boom started the subdividing process. I think that whatever land was not under cultivation at that time was used for housing. And it didn’t matter if the houses were built right on the river bank. For a long time, too, lots of men kept the family farms going while they worked in the factories in Gary and East Chicago. But now, they are retired and either their kids are not interested in farming or the land and taxes are just too costly. So, they’ve sold out. What used to be “suburban” is now “urban,” in my opinion. The region today is nothing like it was even in the 1950s.

Juanita: Where are the headwaters of the Calumet and what makes up the watershed area of this river?

Cynthia: The headwaters are in LaPorte County, Indiana. And the watershed dips down to an area just north of Valparaiso in Porter County, somewhat north of Crown Point in Lake County, and as far as the Monee area in Cook County.

Juanita: How many square miles is the watershed?

Cynthia: Almost 600 square miles.

Juanita: What environmental issues have concerned inhabitants of the Calumet River region through its progression over the years?

Cynthia: There has always been a problem with cleanliness. By 1900, the shores of Lake Michigan were so polluted that people were afraid to drink the water which was collected in the cribs a couple of miles out. So, the Chicago River and the Calumet River were reversed and used to carry sewage away from the Lake down into the Illinois River valley and then to the Mississippi. Not long after that, industrial waste became a huge problem.

However, about the same time, botanists and zoologists from the University of Chicago began studying the flora and fauna of the region and lay people, mostly from Chicago, began hiking through the area and these groups recognized the importance of clean land. So, the contest, if you will, between groups that just threw their dirt anywhere and those who want human beings to respect their environment, in other words, to not foul our nest, was set up. They’ve been at it ever since. Every decade of the 20th century saw some sort of effort to clean up the rivers.

Juanita: What does this region look like today?

Cynthia: It depends on who’s looking or how they are looking. Some people come from the east on I-90 and all they “see” are the steel mills along the Lake which look pretty awful. Others travel on the Dunes Highway, for instance, and they zip through pieces of the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore interspersed with those steel mills and suddenly find themselves in downtown Gary, IN, and then more urban areas as they travel west and north toward Chicago. The view from I-80 isn’t much different. The view from the Lincoln Highway, or Route 30, is changing so fast it makes my head spin. What used to be dunes and farms and old houses is now one gas station after a strip mall after another.

Still, if you get off of those major thoroughfares and stop to look at the different towns, visit parks and forest preserves, historical society museums, you’ll get an idea of who lives here and how. Some remnants of the region as far back as the 1830s remain. You just have to be patient and find out where to look for them.

Juanita: What is the geography and climate of the Calumet River region?

Cynthia: The climate is affected by Lake Michigan. We are located at the southern tip or South Shore. Mostly the wind comes from the southwest, but storms coming in from that direction are affected by the Lake and sometimes they turn around 180 degrees and we have “Lake-effect” snow or rain. But generally, we have hot summers and cold winters. Sometimes it gets very humid in the summer.

The terrain is called “Lake Plain” which means it’s fairly level. The river, for instance, drops only about 40 feet across Porter County. Then through Lake and Cook Counties there’s barely any current. By draining and channelizing the river and paving nearly the entire flood plain, we’ve destroyed the natural sponginess of the area. There used to be lots of marshes. During the wet season the river could easily be a mile wide. Now “they” have to dig enormous underground chambers to hold rainwater until it can be released into the river.

Juanita: How did you go about compiling the facts and great photos for your book?

Cynthia: Well, I knew a great deal generally about the region. It took me a while to focus, but then I created a timeline and outlined what I thought were the important themes. After that I began visiting historical museums, archives and libraries. I think I hit 24 of each, more-or-less. Plus I talked with lots of individuals.

Juanita: What are the themes you address in your book?

Cynthia: The wilderness or the time before there were bridges; the pioneers who built the bridges literally over the river and figuratively among themselves and the natives; industrialization; urbanization; recreation; and the newest history: environmental and historical preservation in the valley.

Juanita: How long was it in the making?

Cynthia: Seven or eight months.

Juanita: How has the role of the river changed over the years?

Cynthia: Well, it’s not so much of a sewage disposal system anymore. Certain stretches of it are quite nice for recreational use. In other areas you can see how commercial it is. I mean, with barges hauling bulk commodities. Most of the industrial complexes are gone. So, it has a good chance of being a pleasant natural asset for the community. But it will never be the river it was before the pioneer era.

Juanita: What would be some historical facts that even long time residents of the Calumet River region would be surprised to hear?

Cynthia: That the St. Lawrence Seaway ends in the Calumet River. That the Skyway Bridge is 7.8 miles long. That the Calumet River was an integral part of the Illinois & Michigan Canal.

Juanita: Cynthia, why is this such an important book not only for the Calumet River region, but as a documentation of American history?

Cynthia: For one thing, it briefly documents the westward movement in the 19th century in a region of the country that is under-reported. Northwest Indiana and south Cook County, Illinois, are kind of the “drive over” areas around here. All the publicity goes to Chicago and people don’t realize that Chicago has thrived because of this hinterland, both in agricultural times and industrial. The Calumet River valley was known as the “workshop of the world” in the 1930s and 40s. And those who weren’t working in the factories were producing food for the restaurants, hotels and households of Chicago and elsewhere in the nation. We were also home to several food processing concerns and once were known as the “Onion Set Capital of the World.”

As the nation changes from a manufacturer to a service provider, so does the Calumet Region.

Juanita: Along with writing “Along the Calumet River,” you are a local historian and speaker extensively in your area. Can you tell us a little of your other endeavors?

Cynthia: After running a local history museum for six years, I started my company, The Public Historian, in 2003. I write and speak about history. One of my programs is called “Romancing the Spoon, The Victorian Love Affair with Silver” and I recently published a small guide to the historical and environmental sights in Calumet City. I also prepare National Register of Historic Places nominations.

I try to promote history whenever I can, mostly by serving on the boards of several historical organizations and being involved in conference planning. I also do contract archives work.

Juanita: What is your educational background that has allowed for your extensive career as well known historian/advocate in your community?

Cynthia: I had a classical education. There was always a balance between the humanities and science. I always had a strong interest in geography, history and languages and found in college that plants were interesting, too. I loved to read. When I was old enough, I traveled as much as I could. I was always curious about people and how they did things. Later on, I was a stringer for a local newspaper and got to travel around the region. It was about that time that I also became a member of my hometown historical society. One thing led to another and I found myself in graduate school working on a degree in history. It’s all coming together now.

Juanita: How can your readers find out more about your and your endeavors?

Cynthia: They are welcome to take a look at my website www.centerofknownhistory.com. Or contact me by email at sealuna@juno.com.

Juanita: Thanks for talking with us today Cynthia. Your book “Along the Calumet River” is a thorough documentation of an area in this country that deserves recognition for its historical significance. Do you have any last thoughts you’d like to share with your readers?

Cynthia: Just that if they happen to pick up a copy of my book, I hope they’ll enjoy the readand the picturesand learn something along the way. It’s been a pleasure speaking with you today.

Juanita Watson is the Assistant Editor for Reader Views.

[tags]nonfiction, travel, Calumet River, Ogorek[/tags]

Are you sick of searching for flashlight batteries every time they run out? A wonderful alternative exists. Emitting powerful light, no-battery flashlights are an easy option wherein we don’t have to reload our flashlights with batteries time and again.

Numerous companies exist which provide high-quality no-battery flashlights that emit strong, bright lights. Companies such as Quality Items Online, Forever Light, Think Geek, First Alert, NightStar 1, Hammacher Schlemmer, The Led Light, Merit Line, and Midwest Native Skills Institute offer brilliant flashlights that have powerful beams.

No-battery flashlights usually have to be shaken for some seconds or minutes before they can emit any light for some more minutes, which enables the magnetic field within it to produce electricity and pass it on to the wire that passes through it. While some flashlights require very little shaking, others need a little more extra time to get charged.

Quality Items Online offers no-battery flashlights such as the Diamond Gen III, which emits light for twenty minutes after some seconds of shaking, and Diamond Gen IV, which emits light for around an hour. Such flashlights give long-lasting continuous light and are guaranteed for six years. Waterproof to a few dozen feet, they are an excellent choice among no-battery flashlights.

Coming with a full one-year guarantee are the products of Forever Flashlight. Available in waterproof and weatherproof versions, the no-battery flashlight provided by this company emits a ’super-bright blue LED’ light that is said to be visible for over a mile. Think Geek is another company that provides flashlights of Forever Flashlight.

NightStar 1 has an excellent collection of flashlights and hence provides flashlights suited for different purposes such as ‘boating enthusiasts’, ‘home, tool, and emergency kits’, ‘backpackers and fishermen’, and ‘military corps’ among others. Coming with warranties, the flashlights have all different colored LEDS, especially suited for different uses. The aforementioned company also offers discounts.

A combination of three bright LEDs and two red LEDs is provided by The Led Light. It is especially suited for people interested in hiking, camping, and other kinds of outdoor activities and excursions.

Merit Line offers a unique no-battery flashlight that uses solar power. With seven bright LEDs and water-resistance feature, this flashlight is available at $19.99.

Midwest Native Skills Institute and Hammacher Schlemmer also provide good-quality, super-bright no-battery flashlights.

Flashlights provides detailed information on Flashlight Bulbs, Flashlight Reviews, Flashlights, Key Chain Flashlights and more. Flashlights is affiliated with Cell Phone Batteries.

[tags]Flashlight Bulbs, Flashlight Reviews, Flashlights, Key Chain Flashlights[/tags]

Jeff Alt, an experienced hiker and his wife (Beth), a novice hiker, walk the entire John Muir Trail across the Sierra Nevada (218 miles) to raise awareness of depression. They embark on their journey 10 months after Beth’s brother Mike commits suicide. Jeff Alt writes about their experience in his new book “A Hike for Mike.”

Believing that Mike’s death was due to undiagnosed depression the couple sets out to raise awareness of this treatable condition. As the couple makes their way along the trail Mike is never far from their thoughts. While logging their experiences onto a website and speaking to other hikers about their mission, Jeff Alt is able to relate their hiking experience to depression and some of its treatments. For example, in one passage the author writes: The first few days of our hike, we encountered gray skies, rain and the adversity of leaving behind some vital gear. But we retrieved our gear with the help of others; the weather cleared up; and we bore witness to some of the bluest sky and absorbing sun of our entire journey. In some ways, it symbolized depression. Many with clinical depression see only gray skies, but by forging ahead, getting help from a physician, taking the right medication or therapy, and embarking on a walking or exercise routine, people suffering from depression can summit the mountain from the dark valley of depression and see all the blue sky that this world offers.

This book is written so that even a non-hiker can enjoy the book. The author gives an accurate account of the challenges, beauty and perils of hiking. The couple encounters bears, fierce storms, day hikers, long-distance hikers and beautiful scenery. They summit mountains and walk through three national parks. He relates information as an experienced hiker in a way that is was to understand. His description of the beauty of the trail makes the reader want to take up hiking. Also included is a chapter on depression facts, symptoms and treatments for all ages, as well as resources to obtain more information.

“A Hike for Mike” is a wonderful book about a couple’s experiences on the John Muir Trail. Their unique way to raise awareness for depression will inspire readers to take up hiking as a hobby and also become involved in activism for causes they believe in.

Featured as “book of the week” January 23, 2006 by Reader Views.

Lisa Kisner is a book reviewer with Reader Views, a book review service http://www.readerviews.com.

[tags]dpression, healing, wounds,[/tags]

Camping is one of my favorite activities and my favorite type of camping is car camping. However, there are many other types of camping such as base camping, canoe camping, RV camping, tent trailer camping and back yard camping. Regardless of how you spend your time out of doors or how much time you spend out of doors, there is always more to learn. I have compiled an extensive list of camping tips and this installment is for car campers. Here are my favorite tips for getting the most out of your car camping experience.

Organize your gear before you go. The basic principle is to organize or categorize your gear by “when” and “how quickly” you will need it. When I get to the campsite, the first thing I do is prepare shelter. So my tent and shade awning are the easiest pieces of gear to get to.

Plan your campsite. Understand how vehicles, wind, sun and rain will enter the campsite. For example, if the wind is coming out of the west, you’ll probably want your tent and kitchen west of any campfire to reduce smoke nuisance.

Always have a first aid kit in camp. Everyone in camp should know where it is, have access to it and know how to use it. I keep mine in plain sight in my kitchen. If it’s locked in my truck, no one can get to it except me.

Every camp needs a shovel. I believe a shovel is the most important tool in camp. You’ll use it to manage your campfire, leveling sleeping spots and countless other uses. Don’t leave home without it.

What tent should you use? I recommend a tent that is bigger than you think you’ll need. If inclement weather sets in, you’ll have a spot out of the elements for reading and playing games. My tent is big enough for two people, two cots, two chairs and two dogs.

There is nothing wrong with having a checklist. Things frequently forgotten are: extra batteries, trash bags, kitchen towels, hats, reading material, sleeping pillows, hiking boots and pet food.

Your most important camping gear should always be on your body. Not in your pack, not in your tent or in your vehicle. Whenever you leave camp always have a watch, a whistle, a cell phone, a flashlight and a knife on your person.

Some neat tidbits I’ve picked up over the years are: a golf towel is perfect for hanging in your kitchen because it comes with a grommet, you can never have enough zip lock bags, you won’t find me camping without a flare - it’s perfect for lighting wet firewood, my camp chairs have side tables attached to them, I pre-cook baked potatoes at home and warm them up in the camp fire, in good weather my hammock gets lots of use.

Car camping allows you to take virtually anything with you when you camp. But the most important of all is good company. Take along good friends and family. When you do, it doesn’t really matter if you have the best gear or the best techniques, the one thing you will have is the best of times. Use this information and you’ll Get It Right The First Time. Get Outdoors!

Chuck Fitzgerald is the owner of Arizona based BackCountry Toys, an online specialty store with the “Best Gear Out There” and dedicated to helping outdoor enthusiasts to “Get It Right The First Time” with timely educational information. Please visit http://www.BackCountryToys.com to find great gear and to receive the Fact & Tips e-newsletter, “FreshAir.” (800) 316-9055.

[tags]backcountry, hiking, camping, leave not trace[/tags]

Embrace the soundless dignity of death
For now his name be with the passing dead.

Grieve not because Lord Sipan has died
Under Peru’s amber vernal, open skies:

Unlike turquoise in a cloudless sky
His jewels and gold splendid they lay.

Here, his tomb faces the divine silent sky,
In the Sipan Valley, where vultures fly.

Still on the Northern verge a sunset looms:
Sipan’s glory on pyramid tombs.

Beyond our loss is a potent recompense
A newborn loneliness for soul and spirit:

Thrown through the lofty, cloudless heavens

To earth’s ephemeral fading RoseSipan!

#1308 4/9/2006 [Written in Lima, Peru] Notes on (commentary): Old Civilizations: I have seen many of the world heritage sites, they are fading like the one in the Sipan Valley, where the Pyramid of the Moon and Sun, reside, and where the Lord of Sipan’s grave site remains; worn out by rain, and other elements, disappearing as man watches. Perhaps that is why it seems to some, I am on a mission to capture in pictures and verse their last morsel of flesh on their skeletons. I don’t blame anyone or thing, it is as it is. Life is a trail one is hiking on, some times you are in the dust of the road, sometimes in poison Oak, other times you’re in a mudslide, seldom, are we in the sun, in the valley, smoking a Havana Cigar, but when you are, grab the moment.

Thus, are the world’s sacred sites is likening to us? We must not stop people from seeing them; they belong to them and that would be breaking the spirit of humanity: to save a stone, and slight man, as less worthy: he is worth more than the stone. Perhaps we can put them in the Valley with a Havana Cigar by their sides, and polish them up, so the next generation can afford to see them. Whatever the case is, Civilizations vanish and new ones emerge, we will rebuild them old ones should we feel it is necessary. But now it is our time, and we must, touch them: feel their power, grace, peace, and wisdom, it is all built within them.

See Dennis’ web site: http://dennissiluk.tripod.com

[tags]Poetry[/tags]