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your next getaway weekend!
Tell Us Your Story!
Do you have a great place we can share with others? Tell us your story and we'll share it with the rest of the world.
Can You Say Eco Preserve?
Here's a great place: Lake Pierce Eco Resort in Florida is a 4,000-acre lake and wilderness preserve you don't want to miss. Check out Frank Wezyk's Web site and tell him Maria sent ya.
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Forum Fodder ...
Every so often we get a chance to check out the chat rooms, and see what's going on around the Web. So if you're looking for something fun to do, check out the possibilities.
Frisbee Golf is a Breeze Any Way You Slice It
What's the trick to Frisbee Golf? Bring a cooler with cold beverages and some really good sunscreen. Besides that, just hope you can get a decent breeze and watch out for parked cars. Don't own any discs? You can buy frisbees at the park, or borrow a disc from your friend's collection. Don't know the rules? OK, here's a Web site to help lead the way.
Best Beaches in the U.S.
Dr. Stephen Leatherman has a really nice job. He visits some of the best beaches in the U.S. and creates a list of the Top 20. So who holds the honor for having the best beach? Check out the list, because Leatherman has seen 'em all.
Look! Up in the Sky ...
The art of star gazing is really underrated. If you're on a beach with your loved one, just how much star gazing are you actually planning to do? Maybe you could bring Mel along, or better yet, check out his Web site before you pitch that blanket under a dark sky. He can tell you what you need to look for when it comes to telescopes and other planetary observances.
Those Boots Were Made for Hiking
Half_pint_mom and her husband, Whispering Bill have been wearing out their hiking boots -- all for a good cause. The couple lives in Tennessee near the Great Smoky Mountain National Park, and they started a hike in Key West, Florida. They hope to walk 4,400 miles to Cape Gaspe, Canada, to raise money for the American Cancer Society. You can check out their Web site, and follow their adventures along the way.
Catch a Waterfall
One of the most peaceful things you can do is hike to a waterfall. But if you're too lazy to go for a walk, you can stare at the next best thing. Robert Glaubitz has a Waterfall Guide on the Web which provides information and photos on 176 falls from 21 states.
Best Bargains
Looking for cheap camp sites around the country? Look for low-cost camping at National Parks and Forests sites, as well as places that are offered by the Army Corps of Engineers ... The state of California has reduced its camping fees and price of admission to state parks, beaches, museums, and historical sites. In addition, most camping premiums, like peak-season, weekend charges and boat-launching fees, have been eliminated altogether.
All About Four-Wheeling
You just found a great place in the woods. All the tents are set up, and you've cleared a spot for tonight's campfire. So what's there to do in the meantime?
It's time for some four-wheeling.
Whether you're exploring some remote backroads or heading for the mountains, there's nothing better than four-wheeling. All you need is an all-terrain vehicle that can hold up to some serious pounding and a couple of important items you can't do without. Plan on investing in a really good helmet, a pair of goggles that offer super eye protection, boots that have a good sole to them, plus long pants and a long-sleeved shirt. Prepare to be covered in mud, because the rowdy terrain is your playground.
If you want to hook up with other folks who love mud slinging as much as you do, there are all kinds of events happening all over the world. Check out some of our links, because there are all kinds of folks involved in desert racing, mud bogs and drags, rock crawling, triathlons, organized trail rides, and anything that gets you out and away from it all.
Grab Your Saddle
When I was a little kid, it was cool to take horseback riding lessons at Larry's Stables. Now that I'm a grownup, I try to remember what I learned during the summer of '68, and see if I can remember what to do when I hit the next trail.
Some of the best pack trips available include the beautiful backcountry of the Canadian Rockies. Horseback Adventures Ltd. offers 3-day to 10-day trips, depending on the skill level. Some trips are designed for folks who like more rugged and remote rides, while other trips are for people who want a light leisurely trip.
You also might consider planning a ranch trip out west. Dude ranches offer fun for the whole family, and there are plenty of places you can go.
Regardless of where you go, finding a stable full of horses for rent is as easy as hunting down the regional yellow pages. If you're looking for a quick one- to two-hour ride, you're better off asking the locals if they can recommend the best kind of setup for your group. We did exactly that during our trips to Elijay, Georgia; Franklin, North Carolina; Salida, Colorado; and Ketchikan, Alaska.
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