Clearwater Cabin Living

An Introduction to the Grizzly Bear

2015-08-29T19:46:00.000-07:00

Going bear watching in Canada? Here are some basic facts about the magnificent grizzly bear to take on board before you go.

If you're heading off on a bear watching tour in Canada, you should arm yourself with as much information as possible before you go. Although an expert guide will accompany you on the bear watching tour, having some basic facts at your disposal is always a good idea.

Introducing the Grizzly Bear

The Grizzly is actually a subspecies of the Brown Bear, which populates the west of Canada and the north west of the United States. It stands as tall as 2.5 metres and a fully-grown male adult can weigh 360kg.

Sustenance to Live

These animals have very cleverly adapted to their environment, and throughout the changing seasons their behavior changes to accommodate the conditions. In the warmer months, they eat plenty to stock up their body’s supply of fat so throughout the winter, when they are hibernating, they will have enough energy to survive. A daily feed may equal up to 40kg of food and lead to a weight gain of 1kg over 24 hours. What is most interesting is that they actually get most of their nutrition not from huge amounts of meat, but from nuts, fruit, leaves, insects, and roots. Small animals, such as sheep and rodents as well as fish also make up a small part of their diet. When food is scarcer, they will dig into the ground with their long claws and make good use of their strong shoulder muscles and you may see evidence of this throughout the duration of your bear watching tours.

Shelter for Hibernation

The bears inhabit their dens during the winter months and fall into a deep sleep in order to conserve as much energy as possible to see them through. Their heart rate slows down to just eight beats per minute, and if a female is pregnant during this time, she can even give birth in her sleep.

Skills for Survival

These animals have huge physical and mental strength. They are intelligent, have good memories, and their sense of smell is so good they can detect food from quite a distance away. They also run fast and can swim very well and the young can also climb trees.

Grizzly Bears are, unfortunately, on the threatened wildlife list. Despite being so powerfully equipped, they are no match for the threat incurred from humans. With increased logging encroaching on their habitat and coming into conflict with humans through no fault of their own, their survival is in jeopardy. However, much is currently being done to try to reverse these negative effects and bear watching tours are an excellent way to raise awareness and educate people with regards to their plight.

Thank you to Marissa Ellis-Snow who is a freelance nature writer.

The Lewis & Clark expedition as Adventure

2015-08-28T20:05:00.000-07:00

The first words put to paper about this land we call Idaho came from the journals of the Lewis and Clark expedition. Their trip had been primarily a river journey -- until they were forced to cross, in the words of one member of the expedition, "the most terrible mountains I ever beheld."

Because it was so well documented, their adventure became America's adventure.

Cort Conley

Cort Conley is an author, historian, and former river guide. He has written about some of the 'big ticket' adventures that occurred in Idaho. "For me, adventure has at least two aspects," says Conley. "One is a certain amount of risk, which requires obviously a certain amount of audacity or courage; and the other would be a certain amount of learning to come from the experience.

"There was risk, because, for instance, Sergeant Floyd died; when he fell ill, there was no way to get help for him. And certainly there were a lot of tense meetings with the natives.

Conley says the preparation for the expedition was strenuous. "If you look at the list that Lewis put together, there's 130 yards of cloth, there are 500 flints for their rifles. They had 144 pocket mirrors. I remember 4,600 needles. They had a library. They had Barton's treatise on botany. They even had a four volume dictionary. But obviously nobody ever looked at it for spelling!

Meriwether Lewis

"In terms of the learning from that experience, the expedition was a treasure trove. They brought back our first descriptions of plants and animals and birds and 132 maps. So that was America's odyssey, and it was an 8,000 mile adventure, in a sense.

"And the thing that I like the most about it is when they are on their way back, they are almost to St. Louis, and John Coulter asked permission to stay and go back. To me, there is an adventurous soul! He had been out going on three years and still, what he'd seen and what he'd learned just wetted his thirst for more. And he goes back and discovers Yellowstone."

Thank you to Outdoor Idaho for this article!

Alaska Halibut Fishing

2015-06-30T15:37:00.000-07:00

Coming to Alaska on a halibut fishing trip can be exciting and a bit overwhelming.

Dressing properly for your halibut fishing trip can make the difference between a good time and an uncomfortable time. The weather in Alaska no matter what time of year can be unpredictable. There are two certain precautions that one can take to make sure he or she isn't caught off guard.

First, always dress in layers. Even in the peak of summer the mornings can be darn right cool, sometimes even cold. Your base layer should always be a quick wicking synthetic. I always advise against cotton fabrics. Cotton isn't near as breathable nor has the wicking power of the synthetic garments. Cotton, when wet takes forever to dry and can leave the fisherman uncomfortable for the extent of the halibut fishing trip.

So stick with synthetic base layers. After the base layer you may add as many long sleeve shirts as the weather report calls for. The beautiful thing about dressing in layers is that you can shed off layers anytime you wish and put layers back on when you are feeling chilly. There are many great types of light-weight fleeces being made today. The best type of fleece you can have on is one that's light-weight and that can stop the wind. When you are heading out to the halibut fishing spots you might be on the back deck of the boat, usuallly in the morning. The back deck can be quite cool and the wind can chill the bone. A good fleece will stop the wind and make you feel nice and cozy. In addition to the layers, a medium to light-weight coat should be brought along. You'll sure wish you brought one on a cold Alaskan morning.

Wearing the proper pair of pants can also be critical for comfortable. I highly advise against the wearing of jeans. Cotton jeans when wet are miserable and won't dry for the entire time of your halibut charter. Again, try and wear a synthetic blend pair of pants. As for footwear, I recommend a light-weight wool sock and a waterproof boot of some kind.

Finally, one of the most important precautions to take on any Alaska fishing trip is to bring along the best rain gear that you can afford. Both the pants and the jacket are a must due to the unpredictable weather in Alaska. It can look beautiful out in the morning and by mid-day it's pouring rain and the temperature could drop ten degress or more. Always bring rain gear, if you don't bring anything else, always bring rain gear. Always dress in layers and always bring rain gear. Those two precautions will ensure you being comfortable on your halibut fishing charter, leaving you to fully concentrate on catching those huge halibuts.

Author Bio
Marc Theiler - Alaska Halibut Fishing Expert Alaska Fishing Guide & Outdoor Writer

The Appalachian Trail

2015-05-27T17:54:00.000-07:00

This truly is a trails amongst trails. I have been in awe of any courageous hiker who can actually hike this entire path. The Appalachian Trail is the nation's longest trail expanding 2,181 miles. Of course, this trail will take you months to hike it in it's entirety but there are many entrances along the way so the traveler can choose much shorter hikes if desired.

Here are some interesting facts about the Appalachian Trail:

The Appalachian Trail, completed in 1937:

Is a privately managed unit of the national park system.
Is the nation's longest marked footpath, at approximately 2,181 miles.
Is the first completed national scenic trail, designated in 1968.
Crosses six other units of the national park system.
Traverses eight national forests.
Touches 14 states. Houses more than 2,000 occurrences of rare, threatened, endangered, and sensitive plant and animal species at about 535 sites.
Crosses numerous state and local forests and parks.
Is maintained by 31 trail clubs and multiple partnerships.

Fun facts about the Appalachian Trail:

Lowest elevation: 124 feet – near the Trailside Museum and Zoo at Bear Mountain, New York
Highest elevation: 6,625 feet – on Clingmans Dome in Tennessee
Approximately 165,000 white paint blazes mark the Trail's route.
More than 10,000 people have reported hiking the length of the Trail.
It takes approximately 5 million footsteps to walk the entire length of the Trail.
More than 6,000 volunteers contribute about 200,000 hours to the Appalachian Trail every year.

Grand Canyon National Park Airplane Trips Give You The Best Value For Your Money

2013-10-17T13:16:00.001-07:00

Are you wondering which Grand Canyon tours are the most affordable while still being a lot of fun? The answer is an air tour, and here is why.

Plane tours are on offer every day of the year and depart from Vegas or Tusayan, which is near the South Rim. If you are in Phoenix, you can probably catch an air tour but those are usually landing flights and cost a lot more.

South Rim Plane Tours Are Air-Only

The flights that depart from Tusayan head north and then turn east to fly along the South Rim until they get to the eastern edge of the Park. After that, the flight takes you along the North Rim and heads back to the South Rim after passing through the famous Dragoon Corridor, which is the widest and deepest portion of the Grand Canyon.

You might be wondering if you can catch a flight from the South Rim to the West Rim. Unfortunately, there are no flights between the rims right now. However, if you depart from Vegas, you can opt to fly directly to the South Rim if you want. The flight to the South Rim from Las Vegas takes about an hour and the package includes a 2-hour tour of the rim on the ground. You can even add on a thrilling rim-to-rim chopper flight when you get there.

When you plan a tour of the South Rim, you probably wonder if choppers are allowed to fly below the rim like they can at Grand Canyon West. You won't be able to fly to the canyon floor there because it is not allowed by the FAA and National Park Service.

West Rim Flights

The air tours in Las Vegas originate at various airports such as the one in Henderson and the one in Boulder City. All West Rim Vegas flights head for Grand Canyon West by way of majestic Hoover Dam and scenic Lake Mead.

The West Rim is where you want to go if you are looking for landing tours. These exciting tours depart on a daily basis from Las Vegas and land at the airfield on top of the West Rim. The standard version lets you explore sights like the fabulous Grand Canyon Skywalk, Guano Point, Eagle Point and the Indian Cultural Center while you're on the ground.

Personally, though, I prefer the upgraded landing tour package that adds an exhilarating chopper flight to the canyon floor and a smooth-water float trip down the Colorado. The West Rim is the only part of the canyon where it is allowable for choppers to descend to the canyon floor, so don't miss out on an exciting opportunity to experience it when you are there.

Book Early

Grand Canyon airplane tours often sell out. It is a good idea to book your seats at least one week or two ahead of time. Booking early gives you more tour options to choose from and it ensures you will snag a seat. Plus, you'll get the best rates by booking ahead.

Get Your Seats Online

Another way to get low prices is to buy your seats online. Buying your tickets online is convenient, easy, and safe, and it also allows you to get the lower Internet rate. You could actually save as much as 30 percent on the cost of your tour. If you buy several tickets, you save a lot of money when you use the Internet discount.

Can't hike 2000 miles in one summer? Take a road trip along the Appalachian Trail

2013-09-02T12:56:00.000-07:00

Not many people can hike all 2,167 miles of the Appalachian Trail, but plenty use a ROAD TRIP PLANNER to create a car or RV version of it. While some expert hikers can manage the footpath in one season, most of us don't even have that kind of free time available. So exploring the Appalachian Trail via car or RV is the alternative and you can cover the same distance in about two weeks at a leisurely pace.

This scenic road trip closely follows the Appalachian Trail, with many spots where the trail and road cross paths. This allows you to immerse yourself in the deep woods with a daily hike but also enjoy nature's colors unfurling before you as you cruise along the two-lane highway. Start your road trip planner with a date in the Fall because then you get twice the benefit: Experience the Appalachian Mountains AND see New England's legendary Fall Colors.

That's not to say your trip itinerary will include nothing but trees and trails. You're passing through 14 historically significant states so you'll come upon many cultural places like quaint villages, country stores, historical museums and memorials to add to your road trip planner.

Even though the Appalachian trail runs through 14 states, this blog will include details on the first 6 of them (not including Maine): New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, Pennsylvania. This leaves New Jersey, Maryland, West Virginia, Virginia, Tennessee, North Carolina and Georgia for another blog. Remember, in order to follow the Appalachian Trail, you'll be meandering through the states, so even though your initial road trip planning might indicate a 1200-mile route, you'll actually be driving an additional 200 miles on this road trip.

CHOICE SPOTS TO INCLUDE IN YOUR ROAD TRIP PLANNER:
IN NEW HAMPSHIRE: You'll be traveling west from Gorham to Orford before turning south.
* Pinkham Notch Camp
* Mt. Washington in New Hampshire's Presidential Range
* Mount Washington Cog Railway
* The five granite ledges of Old Man of the Mountain at the Franconia Notch Montshire Museum of Science in Norwich

IN VERMONT: Your entry point is White River Junction; exit through Bennington.
* The historic town of Woodstock
* Gifford Woods State Park in the heart of the Green Mountains
* A panoramic view of Mt. Snow as you descend into Wilmington

IN MASSACHUSETTS: You'll be skirting the west on Highway 7 all the way from Williamstown to Ashley Falls.
* Mount Greylock State Reservation
* Hancock Shaker Village
* Mount Washington State Forest in South Egremont (stay at the Weathervane, a great B & B).

IN CONNECTICUT: Enter in Canaan on Highway 7 and exit through Danbury.
* Norfolk, for its sheer beauty, including its private forest
* The Appalachian Trail crosses Highway 7 and the Housatonic River at Cornwall Bridge.
* Allow one luxury stay at the Berkshires. The Berkshires is to western Connecticut what the Catskills is to New York and the Poconos to Pennsylvania.

IN NEW YORK: We're only going to include the Appalachian Trail segment in this road trip planner and keep the "other" New York for another trip (unless you really can't help yourself & decide to spend a few days in New York City...it's your vacation after all :>). Drive along US 6 to Highway 7, touching the southeastern part of New York and exiting through Port Jervis.
* West Point, the Army's famous military academy
* Bear Mountain State Park
* Harriman State Park

IN PENNSYLVANIA: Come in at Dingman's Ferry and exit through Gettysburg (you'll actually dip a bit in the Garden State of New Jersey).
* Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
* The Poconos
* Roadside America in the village of Shartlesville to see a scale model of bygone Americana.
* The Pennsylvania Dutch Country
* Gettysburg

Grand Canyon National Park Float Trips Are the Best National Park Day Trip

2013-06-04T21:04:00.000-07:00

Families vacationing to the Grand Canyon in the past would go on a driving trip and stop at a couple lookouts positioned along their preplanned route. Today, more people are ditching the self-guided driving tour in favor of float tours. These trips last for just one day, but they deliver spectacular views and unique experiences unheard of in years past. These experiences are great for couples or groups of friends, but they are also perfect for families since you only need to be four-years-old to participate.

There are many companies offering this type of tour on the Colorado River, but the best outfitters operate from Las Vegas or the South Rim area of the national park. Las Vegas outfitters only go to the West Rim, so you will explore the lowest portions of the river. When you start out on this rafting trip, you have to hop a helicopter and fly down to the floor of the canyon. After this, you transfer to a motor coach and drive to the base of Hoover Dam where the 11-mile journey on the river begins. The float tour ends at Willow Beach, Arizona.

1-day Grand Canyon rafting trips on the South Rim move from Glen Canyon Dam to Lee's Ferry. The most popular South Rim floating tours require you to first take a 2.5 hour bus adventure from the Grand Canyon National Park airport into Page, Arizona. From the Painted Desert to the Navajo Indian reservation, there is a lot to be seen and enjoyed on this tour.

Passengers must first drive through a service tunnel for two miles at the base of the Glen Canyon Dam to reach the boat dock These adventure boats will hold up to seventeen passengers at a time. While this tour goes on for fifteen miles of water, there are several stopping points where the beauties of the canyon can be enjoyed. At one point, passengers can stretch their legs on a brief walk and explore a rock wall featuring authentic Native American etchings. These smooth-water tours end at Lee's Ferry, which is also the launching point for white-water rafting trips.

The second South Rim float trip starts with a flight to Page (Arizona) Airport. Some of the sights you will see on this tour include the Zuni Corridor, Colorado River Confluence and the Desert Watchtower. A 4x4 ride through Antelope Valley kicks off this extended float tours.

The boat, all necessary equipment, lunch, water, and return transportation to Grand Canyon National Park Airport are included in these float trips. You will be lead on these trips by a certified river pilot. A good guide is important and will give you valuable insight into the natural wonders you're seeing.

The Grand Canyon is scorching hot in summer, so make sure you show up ready for the heat to be endured on your 1 day Grand Canyon rafting tour. Water should be provided in the price of your tour, but you may also want to pack sunglasses, a hat, sunscreen, sandals, and lip balm. A change of clothing comes in handy as well, since you will be wet at the end of your tour.

Families and groups of all ages can enjoy this type of Grand Canyon tour. Even kids as young as four can participate. Make sure to plan for an entire day away, since these tours are day trips.

To ensure you get the time and date that you prefer, you should book your smooth water trip down the river well in advance of your trip. It is best to book through the internet so you can get bargains and discounts that will make it more affordable.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Ready to raft the Grand Canyon? Awesome! Read this page for the best rates and times for 1-day smooth-water rafting trips departing from the South Rim and Las Vegas, NV: http://www.grandcanyondaytrips.com/one-day-grand-canyon-rafting-tour

The Background Associated With The Modern Day Piano

2013-06-02T23:54:00.000-07:00

Many of my customers do not know this but in my younger days I was a professional musician. Here is an interesting article about some background of where the piano came from:

The modern piano is actually a cross between two different musical instruments, the clavichord and also the harpsichord. These kinds of devices function according to exactly how much weight is placed on the devices keys by just your fingers. The more push that you apply the louder the particular sound plus the less pressure employed the softer the tone.

Musicians in early times were frustrated using the clavichord in addition to the harpsichord because they found it wasn't very loud. These kinds of instruments were originally played in big rooms, cathedrals and church buildings, in places you needed the songs to be heard and quite often a lot of these instruments basically did not produce.

Around 1700 a whole new keyboard device was created and so it came to be called pianoforte. This was created by a certain Italian musical instrument producer known as Bartolomeo Cristorfori. This particular instrument could certainly execute both soft(piano) and loud(forte) therefore dealing with the old dilemma of the device not being loud enough. The label was later reduced from pianoforte to piano.

The majority of pianos these days, along with the connection relating to the fingers on the keys plus the audio, also have two foot pedals. One pedal is referred to as the sustain pedal and in addition the other will be the soft pedal. The sustain pedal holds the actual tone regardless of whether the pianist no longer has his finger on the key and also the soft pedal you might say softens the volume of the key currently being played. Pianos once had a 3rd pedal and in fact some still have the actual 3rd pedal. It is commonly found on American grand pianos at this time. This specific pedal whenever depressed enables the targeted notes to go up until the pedal is in fact released.

Some other keyboard musical instruments are the pipe organ, that was significant right from 1600-1750. This particular instrument was encountered in numerous places of worship and even was basically thought to be the king of instruments. Some other samples of keyboard musical instruments might be the accordion, the present day organ as well as the electronic keyboard.

Keyboard instruments have greatly improved through the years. The piano is amazingly adaptable in this modern society. The piano can be utilized in several styles of music which can include classical, pop and also jazz. The piano can be used to entertain a variety of people, from the classical connoisseurs towards shows of screaming followers to kids in school.

In time the piano has grown to be an exceedingly significant instrument in today's world. A large number of households actually have their own piano and so we might think that plenty of people rely upon the upbeat energy that music and the piano specifically provides.

Music and songs takes on an essential part in our society these days. Music of some style is available in a good number of gatherings no matter if this is a social, spiritual or perhaps a political gathering. Music conveys concepts and brings folks along side each other. Pertaining to the current younger population it delivers a voice that is over heard by absolutely everyone.

We cannot leave out just how valuable music could be to our children maturing in today's society. Music commonly bridges the space regarding the generations not to mention the races. Music can be looked at as an effective standard language which often actually does break away a lot of the boundaries dividing us all.

We all are undoubtedly even luckier at present because thanks to present day know-how and computers most people can certainly learn to play piano from the computer. Yes you are able to, in reality, take an online piano lesson. This particular online piano lesson could possibly possibly be a start designed for you to successfully get your thoughts out there.

Autoresponders Can Be Used For Brick and Mortar Stores Too

2013-05-28T22:15:00.000-07:00

If you own a brick and mortar establishment such as a restaurant, retail outlet or any kind of business that depends on walk in traffic for your survival, you should be using an autoresponder system. What is an autoresponder? We have all gone to websites where they have asked us to fill out a short form providing your name and email address. After you submit this information to that website, you get a response back into your email giving you the information you requested. This is an autoresponder. From filling out that form, you may even get a series of letters over several days or months from that company telling you about upcoming sales or giving information about a certain product. When autoresponders are used correctly, they can be a valuable tool in not only retrieving information from customers but also sending your customers information and keeping them informed for weeks and even months or years about the products your business has to offer.

So how can an autoresponder benefit you as a store owner? When a customer comes into your store to do business with you, set up a guest book asking them to give them their name and email address to receive information about promotions and discounts your store can offer them. By doing this, you can keep in contact with your customers via email and with your autoresponder, you can send them a series of letters keeping them in the loop about what is going on with your business.

You can promote things like:

*Discounts off meals such as buy one meal and get the second at half off.

*Inform your customers on close-out items in your store that are specially priced.

*Send them coupons in your letters so they are prompted to use them in your store.

These are just a few examples of what you can do with an autoresponder series of letters but there are many more ideas that can be implemented by just using your imagination.

What comes first when using an autoresponder system? You first must purchase the system from a reputable company on the Internet. There are several companies out there that are extremely trustworthy and reliable and charge a small monthly fee for their services. Look around and choose the one you feel works best for you. After your purchase, there are most likely detailed instructions that come with your autoresponder telling you how to load your letters into your system and how to enter your client’s names so they start receiving your promotions or updates on a daily, weekly or monthly basis. This is a very inexpensive way to promote your store and I know you will find it very beneficial to increasing your customer base.

To sum this up, a good autoresponder system can:

*Engage your readers with visually stunning newsletters.

*Bring visitors back to your store with targeted follow up messages.

*Quickly build rapport, brand recognition, and customer loyalty.

*Automatically deliver product information and training.

*Quickly Create repeat visitors and repeat sales.

I hope this opens your eyes to an inexpensive highly effective way to bring more business into your establishment. In these times when every penny counts, finding efficient productive ways to advertise is a must for your business to survive.

For more information about getting your own autoresponder system, please fill out the form below.

Mike Powers

The Grand Tetons National Park in Wyoming - A Great Vacation and Travel Destination

2013-05-26T00:26:00.000-07:00

The Grand Tetons National Park is located in northwestern Wyoming and it offers visitors a view of many different species of wildlife in additional to amazing mountain views. The Teton mountain range rises more than 7,000 feet above Jackson Hole valley and creates a backdrop that is awe inspiring and absolutely beautiful. The park’s elevation ranges from 6400 feet on the valley’s floor to an amazing almost 14,000 feet on the summit. The mountains are covered in forests and the Snake River makes its way through the valley.

During the winter, Jackson Hole is freezing and full of snow and bitter cold. The coldest temperature on record is –63°F in the Grand Teton National Park and that is certainly too cold for most visitors to bear. When the weather is cold, but not too cold, visitors will appreciate the beautiful snow covered landscape that usually lasts from November through April. During the summer the weather is warm and plants and flowers cover the park.

There are more than 60 mammal species in the park, including six different types of game fish and 300 bird species. The American elk also calls the Grand Teton National Park home and is the most common of all the deer family found here. The elk can be seen during the summer time looking for food high in the mountains. During the winters most of the elk will descend to the floor of the valley or migrate to the National Elk Refuge.

Visitors will enjoy many different things in the Grand Teton National Park kayaking, climbing, camping, boating, hiking, and more. Not to mention the many photographic opportunities that exist for photographers in the park. Many visitors choose to explore the park by taking one of its many trails and this is a great way to experience the Tetons and get exercise, too.

The Park is headquartered at Teton Park Rd, Moose, Wy, 83012. Admission rates vary and can be seen at www.nps.gov/grte. There truly is no better vacation than one spent in the Grand Tetons National Park for the simple reason that the mountains are so spectacular and the wildlife unbelievable that you will create memories to last a lifetime. You truly can get in touch with nature when you visit the Grand Teton National Park so if you are heading to Wyoming it is a trip that is totally worthwhile.

There is a website that has great information on USA Vacations and Unique Travel Spots Listed State By State and Season, the website is called: Seasonal Vacation Spots, and can be found at this url: http://www.seasonalvacationspots.com

By Robert W. Benjamin

Robert W. Benjamin has been in the software business since the 1970's on the C64, AMIGA, and WINDOWS Computer Systems. He has won magazine awards for the 'Game of the Month', and more, in several European computer magazines.

Fishing: Trout Fishing With The Best Fishing Lures

2013-05-21T20:26:00.001-07:00

Fishing for trout? Having some difficulties with your fishing game? If so, chances are very high that you're not using the right fishing lure or bait. Now how can I be so sure?

Trout are quite voracious. They are insatiable eaters. If you present the proper lure, they'll gobble it up most efficiently and with impressive speed. The first thing then is being able to make that fish bite the hook. And if you're armed with the right powered fishing rod and a fishing line with the correct flexibility and strength, catching trout will be a simple pleasure.

We know that trout are ravenous eaters. To be precise, they are carnivores who have a fondness for live small creatures that are willing to put up a good fight. No creature, aquatic or terrestrial, is ever safe with this fish. A trout would even feed on smaller fishes, providing that they could fit into its comparatively large mouth.

Based on these facts, the following are considered to be the most excellent baits for trout:

ª Dry flies. These artificial flies are crafted to look like real flies. When tugged upon, they can even imitate the movement of their living counterparts. Considering a trout's voracious appetite, dry flies are perfect baits for its perpetually hungry mouth.

ª Sinkers. These are nymphs and wet flies that have been prepared to sink to the bottom of the water. Because trout feeds beneath the surface of the water most of the time, sinkers have improved odds of capturing the target's attention.

ª Emergers. Trout are predators. They know when their preys are most vulnerable. Can there be any more fragile condition than that of an invertebrate which has just emerged from its nymph stage into young adulthood? (Lo, the circle of life.) By replicating these "emergers," lure-crafters manage to garner the attention of trout greedy for a satisfying meal.

ª Streamers. These are lures that are intended to descend rapidly so that they may attract and appeal to an aggressive trout. Streamers are among the most popular artificial fly baits. This category includes the woolly buggers and the sculpins.

When fishing for trout, as when hunting for wild game, you always have a better chance of getting a good catch when you know how your intended prey behaves. Not only that but your chance for success will significantly increase if you also know about your prey's location. As with most things in life, the more you know the better.

When it comes to fishing lures, you shouldn't ever just settle for the first lure that becomes available. Study the list above and plan a strategy based on that. You'll have a much better chance at having a great fishing trip with a more abundant yield.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Len Q. is a master blade sharpener and an adventurer who strives to protect the natural world. If you would like to find out about ª Knife Sharpening: How to Sharpen Knives, Maintain and Store Them ª Sharpening Other Edges (e.g. Lawn Mower Blades, Chain Saws, Gardening Tools, Axes) Find it here at http://www.MakeKnivesSharp.com .

Enjoy Memorial Day Weekend On A Fun Grand Canyon Coach Trip

2013-05-19T22:33:00.000-07:00

Are you looking for a fun way to spend Memorial Day weekend? Take your family on a fun and educational bus tour of the Grand Canyon. These tours are a big hit and they sell out fast. If you are going to this wonder of nature over the holiday, get your tickets early because they might be sold out if you wait until the last minute.

You can begin your tour in Vegas or Phoenix since they follow the usual schedule over the holiday. If you start from Vegas, you have the most options since you can book tours from there to the West Rim or the South Rim. When you depart from Phoenix, you can only go to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon.

Let's take a look at your options for bus tours over the holiday weekend.

Vegas Bus Tours To The West Rim

The bus ride from Vegas to the West Rim of the Grand Canyon takes around 2 hours. When you get there, you get off the bus and explore the area for around 3 hours. A neat thing about going to the West Rim is it is the only location helicopters can fly to the floor of the canyon, so you can enjoy the thrilling ride to the bottom and hop on a raft and float down the Colorado River. This exciting upgrade is a lot of fun, so you should do it if you can.

Another option you can add to your tour is a pass to the Skywalk. Also known as the Glass Bridge, you can walk out on its transparent surface 70 ft past the edge of the rim. You can look straight down to the canyon floor nearly 4000 ft underneath you!

Vegas Bus Tours To The South Rim

The South Rim bus tour from Vegas is a fantastic value at just $80. Just be sure to read the details and itinerary to make sure the stops you want, such as the Hoover Dam photo op, are included.

The South Rim is a lot farther from Vegas than the West Rim. It takes 5 hours to get there by bus. The long ride is totally worth it. The South Rim is often referred to as the Official Grand Canyon because of its notable scenic landmarks and you will see most of them on your tour.

South Rim Or West Rim?

The length of the ride might help you decide. The bus tour to the South Rim takes around 15 hours from start to finish, while the tour to the West Rim takes about 12 hours. Plus, you have to think about what kind of experience you will enjoy the most. If you are a thrill seeker, you want to go to the West Rim. If you want to soak up the beauty of nature, then a bus tour of the South Rim is the best option.

Phoenix Bus Tours To The South Rim

You can begin your bus tour from several cities around Phoenix such as Scottsdale, Mesa, and Tempe. It takes about four hours to make the bus ride from the Phoenix metro area to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. You are treated to a fantastic view along the way. You get to view the desert surrounding Phoenix and then watch as the terrain becomes the forests of North Arizona. If you choose a tour that stops in Sedona, you will get to see the spectacular red sandstone buttes in the region. You will also see the tallest peaks in the state called the San Francisco Peaks.

Touring By Private Van

Touring the Grand Canyon by private van is very popular. The vans are customized for sightseeing and ultimate comfort. The seats go fast though because the vans only carry 12 people per trip. These tours provide a personal experience with your tour guide too. Your tour goes smoothly since there aren't so many people getting on and off the bus every time it stops.

In Summary

Get ready for Memorial Day on Monday, May 27. It is a popular travel weekend since a lot of people have a three day weekend and it begins the busy travel season. So be sure to book your seats as soon as you decide to go. The sooner you get your tickets, the better, but try to get them at least one week before your departure. When you are ready to book seats for your fun adventure to the Grand Canyon, be sure to do it online. When you buy your tickets on the tour operator's website, you qualify for the discounted Internet rate as long as you complete the transaction online.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Travel writer Tracy D. is a specialist on bus rides to the Grand Canyon and advises going here for the best trips at the cheapest rates: http://www.grandcanyonbustours.org/best-grand-canyon-bus-tours.html

Smokey Mountain Cabins - There Is Only One!

2013-05-12T13:31:00.001-07:00

Did you know there are no Smokey Mountain Cabins for vacation rentals inside the Great Smokey Mountains National Park - except one! It is called Leconte Lodge. Even though the National Park Service Leconte Lodge is called a lodge, it also includes rental log cabins. These are the only cabins for vacation rentals inside the national park.

To get there, do you just hop in your car and drive up to the front door? No way! There is no road to these Smokey Mountain rental cabins. If you want to stay there, the only way in is by hiking! Talk about Smokey Mountain secluded cabins - it is a hike of over 5 miles if you are up to it. Lots of folks do just that, as this Smokey Mountain cabins facility fills up fast during the summer. Not only does it fill up fast, you may have to wait months to get a cabin reservation.

Located at more than 6,500 feet elevation, these Smokies rental cabins are very popular. Prepare for a spong bath. While there is running water for the toilets, there is no electricity. Kerosene lanterns will provide you with light. You will not be blow-drying your hair or watching reruns while here. It is life somewhat like it used to be many generations ago.

These Smokey Mountain cabins only have a capacity of up to fifty guests per night housed in either handcrafted log cabins or group sleeping lodges. The cabins have upper and lower double bunk beds, which are great for two couples or a family of four or five persons. Each of the larger cabin lodges can sleep from ten to thirteen persons.

For your Leconte stay, make sure you bring sturdy shoes that you have already broken in. Include more than one change of socks in case your feet get wet. Layered, lightweight clothing will give you the flexibility to add more or take it off as temperatures change. A warm sweater or jacket is advisable and a lightweight raincoat or poncho is absolutely essential. Nature shows no mercy for those unprepared for the sudden changes in weather. Summer nights can dip to 40 degrees or lower, while in spring and fall, night temperatures can drop into the teens with snowfall.

No need to bring suitcases and other cumbersome luggage. A light backpack should be what you use for your neccessities since personal clothing and toiletries are all you really need. Remember, it is a 5 mile hike to enjoy these very special Smokey Mountain cabins.

The Great Smokey Mountain National Park is about half in North Carolina and half in Tennessee. Leconte Lodge is located on Leconte Mountain which is on the Tennessee side in the national park. But you will not know which state you are in. Does it really matter? You WILL know that you are away from civilization in a beautiful unspoiled mountain retreat. Whether you stay in Leconte Lodge or other Smokey Mountain log cabins outside the park, once you have been there, it is easy to see why the Great Smoky Mountain National Park is the #1 visited national park in the USA.

Copyright 2005 InfoSearch Publishing

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

David Buster is Vice-President of InfoSearch Publishing and webmaster of http://www.bestvacationrentalsonline.com - visit the website to read more about finding log cabin rentals, vacation home rentals. condos and chalets, pet freindly lodging, discount hotel rooms and other vacation fun.

The Cabin Theme...Still Going Strong

2013-04-28T12:34:00.000-07:00

Years of building furniture of many different styles has given me much insight into what people like and dislike in the decorating world. One thing that is often common in many of my clients is that people seem to long for the simple life and cabin living. Like me, many of us are in search of the mountain sort of living, which gives us a sense of hope to return to the days when things were a more simple and not so confusing. There are all kinds of ‘cabin’ décor websites, magazines, brochures, books, and how to videos for sale just about anywhere you look from your local grocery store to the Internet.

One reason for the phenomenal popularity of this particular type of home decorating style probably has a little bit to do with the simplicity of it. There are no hard and fast rules, there aren’t fancy faux finishes and textured painting that needs to be done in order to complete the look and there aren’t overly complicated rules for what is and isn’t acceptable. From the bear budget to the champagne and caviar crowd there is some sort of décor available that will suit not only the home decorating needs but also the need for quality as well.

Another thing that many find appealing about a cabin themed home decorating plan is that it simply exudes warmth year round. From the dark colors to the flannel materials and the soft homespun simplicity of the design many find it simply irresistible. If you want the warmth of a Montana cabin in your home every day of the year this is one great way to do it. Bring the bears, the moose, and all the furry forest friends to frolic in your living room, on your light fixtures, and in your dreams as you fall into restful sleep each night. From the bedroom to the bathroom and the kitchen in between, the cabin style of home decorating is one that is making great waves in the market place.

You will find many stores online and locally that cater to the cabin loving audience for hardware, knick-knacks, and what knots galore. The thing to remember is that the design essence isn’t the little touches you add along the way, it’s the warmth of wood, fire, leather, and wrought iron. These are the materials that will establish the cabin appeal more quickly than any of the small accessories you may find. Drywall and plaster simply cannot carry the look. Knotty pine, cedar or some other rich style of wood is the best option for walls when pulling off a cabin home appeal.

More importantly than anything though is the need to include a little bit of yourself in the design. Do not hesitate to carve your initials with a heart into the wood of your walls. It is one more thing that will be not only endearing but also appropriate to the home and the atmosphere. There is a type of innocence about a cabin style home and your own little touches will leave a lasting impression and create the cabin living lifestyle you have always dreamed of.

Mike Powers

Mike Powers is an entrepreneur, craftsman and internet marketer. His website, Clearwater Cabin Living, offers a variety of tools to equip you along the way in creating the cabin and outdoor lifestyle you desire. We offer articles on building and decorating your dream cabin, great trails to hike, camping tips, the best ways to hook a rainbow trout, outdoor cooking and much, much more.
Visit Mike’s website: http://www.clearwatercabinliving.com

She Was Not So Deer To Me

2013-04-22T00:25:00.001-07:00

In the region of North Idaho between the cities of Coeur d’Alene and Kellogg, there lies a beautiful stretch of river known as the North Fork of the Coeur d’Alene River. Here is where an unusual event took place between me and a not so dear deer.

There are many wonderful campsites along the North Fork that offer spacious secluded spots with many of them sitting right on the banks of this crystal clear river. Some of these sites have campground hosts and charge a small fee per night for your stay. Many of the sites are free and this is where I chose to stay for my weekend adventure. The site had great shade, a perfect swimming hole and was off the road enough so I thought I would not be disturbed by any humans so I could enjoy a nice quiet couple of days. Well, it was not the humans I should have been concerned about after all. I never thought a small female deer could be so much trouble.

It all started on my first night while I was having a nice camp dinner of spaghetti, garlic bread and salad. In the middle of my feast, I left the campsite for a minute to get some water from the river. Down at the river, I heard a sound coming from my camp table. I forgot about getting my water and hurried back to my table only to find my dinner on the ground with a beautiful doe munching on the spaghetti. I was quiet and watched her eat the rest of my food and when she was done, she sniffed around the campsite for a while and slowly meandered down the river bank.

This was fun and exciting for me to see and I was thankful for the experience until the next morning. What a great feeling it is to wake up to the sound of a rushing river and the crisp mountain air, I thought, as I began cooking my breakfast of scrambled eggs, potatoes and bacon. The coffee was perfect, the breakfast tasted better than any other and once again, I found myself in the presence of my dear deer friend. With her nose up in the air sniffing the aroma of my cooking, she seemed to have little fear of me. As beautiful as this deer was, I shooed her off so I could actually finish this meal but my shooing did little to keep her away from my table. The doe would not come up to me but she did come within three or four feet with her mouth watering and her lips smacking. I gave in to her hunger and threw her some eggs and potatoes. She gobbled this food down quickly and wanted more. “That’s all you get!” I told her and she eventually left but not before relieving herself of some of her pellets on my site.

I love to hike more than just about anything in my life so after breakfast, I set off for a short five mile excursion along a trail that went to a gorgeous mountain meadow well above the river. After two or three hours of some great scenery and rugged terrain, I was back at the campsite ready for a snack and a cool drink. Normally when I camp, I am not too worried about putting my cooler away until I go to bed so I had left it out under my table. Like I said, normally this is fine but not this weekend. My cooler had been tipped completely over with food and ice scattered everywhere. Plastic wrappings that held a variety of different food items had been chewed open and whatever was in them was gone. The only thing left was my raw eggs and bacon. I did not even think twice about who the burglar of my food was. Can you guess?

I was not really upset about this and it gave a great story to tell you. Luckily, there was a small store and restaurant just down the road a few miles so In case you were worried if I starved that weekend, I did not. I did learn a valuable lesson about putting away my food when leaving the campsite. I also learned from a forest ranger that I was not the only person in the area that had been visited by this deer. The doe had been going around to many of the campsites the entire summer and had actually had been given a name from a group of campers a few weeks prior to my visit. The name they chose was Frita, for the deer’s insatiable love of Fritos.

Attack Of The Bear

2013-04-20T00:28:00.000-07:00

She talked about it; she dreamed about it, she never let it go. This was how a friend of mine regarded her fear of coming across a bear when we would go hiking in the wilderness areas of Idaho. Her character is strong in all other ways. She is kind, hard working, intelligent, prosperous and loving. But when the word “bear” crosses those ears of hers, she turns to Jell-O. In other words, her life is somewhat Un-Bear-Able!

We were hiking last spring in the Coeur d’Alene mountains going for a 10 mile excursion to visit one of the beautiful alpine lakes that are plentiful through out this part of Idaho. We packed a lunch, threw on our backpacks and set off for a glorious day of exercise and becoming one with nature. My friend, however, was nervous and carried a canister of bear spray (kind of like pepper spray only for bears) with her just in case. I assured her that bears were harmless in this area. Only black bears roamed the woods here…no grizzlies I told her. Yet she was set out to believe that a bear was a bear and in her mind, they were all very very bad.

After about an hour of vigorous hiking we sat down for a minute to take a drink of our water and take in the natural beauty that surrounded us. SNAP! went a tree branch just up the trail and there it was…everything she ever imagined in her worst nightmares was in front of her. It was, you guessed it, a big black 10 foot growling snarling bear! Actually, that is how she remembers it. It was actually a small female black bear just crossing the path about 50 yards in front of us. My good friend screamed, grabbed a hold of me and started to shake. I joined in with the screaming part because the first thing you do when you come across a bear is make a lot of noise to scare it off. So I figured, what the heck, I might as well scream too to make her feel better.

Well, the bear scurried off, my friend almost fainted and I laughed till I cried. I gave her a few minutes for her heart to slow down from it’s 160 beats a minute and then I calmly and gently said to her, “You see, bears are not going to hurt you”. She calmly said to me, “We got lucky this time buster”. Well, needless to say, this experience did not help her fear of bears but only increased the intensity of her phobia.

We still go on hikes together and now my friend is more at peace in the wilderness like never before. No, she did not get over her extreme terror of bears. No, her dreams have not stopped. No, she has not made peace with this precious animal. When we returned to our city dwellings after that last hike, my dear loveable sweet caring friend immediately called up a shooting gallery, enrolled in a class to learn how to shoot a gun, and now carries a pistol on her side whenever we roam the hills and valleys of bear country (just in case, she says). My friend feels less nervous and seems to enjoy our hikes like never before. Me, I feel sorry for the poor bear.

Visit our website and see our new line of stone lamps and candle holders.

http://www.clearwatercabinliving.com/

Creamy Fettuccine With Romano Cheese Sauce

2013-04-19T00:05:00.001-07:00

After some thought about what I should add next to my blog, I decided to add some of my favorite own recipes that are not only tasty but add a bit of elegance to your cabin or camping experience.

That being said, on your next overnight camping adventure, become the hit of your campsite with my version of fettuccine with a creamy Romano cheese sauce. This is easy to prepare and the ingredients will not take up a lot of room in your camping cooler.

Here’s what you will need:

½ package fettuccine noodles.
½ cup Romano cheese (you can substitute parmesan but I wouldn’t recommend it)
½ cup sour cream
½ cup butter or margarine
½ cup sautéed onion
1 tablespoon garlic powder
Seasoning salt and pepper to taste
Chopped tomato (optional)

Suggested additions to sauté with the onion:
Ham
Shrimp
Sausage
Chicken

Cook the noodles as per package instructions in a fairly large pot (you will be using this to mix your noodles with the other ingredients…less dishes to clean up you know). When the noodles are done, be prepared to move fast as this recipe requires to mix everything while the noodles are still hot! Drain the noodles into a colander and immediately put the butter, sour cream and Romano cheese into the pot the noodles were cooked in. Put the drained noodles right back into the pot on top of the ingredients and mix together to create a wonderful creamy sauce. Now add the sautéed onion, the tomato and the meat of your choice along with the seasonings. I believe you will find this to be a 5 star restaurant quality dish that will make you an instant success!

Enjoy,

Mike Powers
http://www.clearwatercabinliving.com/

Loving the Ling: A Tribute to the Ugliest Fish in the Sea

2013-04-17T20:30:00.000-07:00

The ling or “eelpout” is without a doubt a disgusting, repulsive, annoying, slimy, smelly and unattractive fish in the sea. Despite these negative qualities, it has a delicious lobster-like taste and boasts its own annual festival near Walker, Minnesota. Why? The eelpout may be ugly, but its redeeming qualities far outweigh any appearance deficiencies.

Eelpout, also known as spineless catfish, lawyer or burbot, tend to reside mostly in the deeper waters of clean cold Northern lakes. Their appearance is part eel, part catfish, sporting one single chin whisker known as a barbel. Its physique is lean and mean with considerable strength, challenging anglers with an audacious game of hide-and-seek. Its primary draw for many anglers is the ease with which they are caught. During the winter months, eelpout relocate into water 25 to 50 feet deep for spawning. As a result, anglers can expect to catch large numbers of these homely swimmers, often weighing in the double digits.

Early evening and after dark are prime times for successful eelpouting. These ugly creatures of the deep are known carnivores; if it’s fishy and fits in their mouths, they will eat it. While this makes baiting them somewhat easier, it is this trait which also makes them an unwelcome guest to other anglers, as they tend to steal bait. Like other nocturnal creatures, eelpout prefer to sneak up on their victims while they rest.

The strength, depth and aggressiveness of this species require stronger equipment than most game fishing. Stronger lure combined with leaders of at least three feet and a swivel will keep the catch online and prevent lure from twisting with the fish. Glow hooks and rattle spoons with minnows top off the lure, which is then allowed to free-fall to the bottom. The lure mingles with the muck and is then snapped back to the surface, at which point an eelpout may already be on board. During the spawning period in late February, a catch of 100 or more is not uncommon, weighing on average between 3 and 8 pounds.

Those who love the ling are welcome to pay its tribute at the annual International Eelpout Festival on Leech Lake in Walker, Minnesota. Three full days commemorating the ugliest fish in the sea begins with an Opening Ceremony, complete with Torch Lighting. Entrants are encouraged to use their imagination when constructing their fishing shelter, as prizes are awarded for the most lavish structure built on the lake. Extra points may be earned if the shelter sports a logo from one of the sponsoring companies of the tournament. Prizes are also awarded for the single pout with the most weight, for the most combined pout tonnage by a single angler and for most combined pout tonnage by a team of anglers.

If actually catching these despicable creatures is not on your agenda, the Festival offers numerous activities to help celebrate the eelpout in style. The Eelpout Peelout is a 5K run which challenges its contestants to be the first to win the race and win the angling contest. The Snowmobile Radar Run, Eelpout Bowl Rugby Tournament, the Polar Plunge, a black-tie dinner on the ice and an “On-Ice” Auto Race ensure there is something fun for participants of all ages, whether an angler or spectator.

Few creatures are as unappealing, yet offer so much in the spirit of fishing. There is nothing refined or fancy about fishing for eelpout; it is simply fun. For those who like to fish, enjoy the outdoors, and catch a lot of fish without regard to species, the eelpout is a beautiful thing indeed.

Clearwater Cabin Living
www.clearwatercabinliving.com

Catch and Release Fishing

2013-04-16T18:32:00.001-07:00

Fishing is a sport, but it has become less about survival and more about fun in recent decades. There is an issue of fish becoming depleted and many anglers are now employing the practice of catch and release fishing. Catch and release fishing is a great theory, but many people are doing it incorrectly and as a result many fish are dying. A few steps should be followed when trying to catch and release a fish. Once you get the hang of how to do it correctly, you will be able to enjoy your hobby and keep the population of fish full in your favorite stream or lake.

The best place to start is with the hooks. A fish that has a hole through its mouth is going to be more likely to survive than a fish with a hole in its lung or gill. If you happen to hook a fish in the gut, the best thing to do is to cut off the hook as much as you can then release the fish. Many times the hook will dissolve and the fish will spit it out, but they can also live with a rusted hook hanging from them. Whatever you do, do not tug on your line to pull a hook out or you will severely hurt the fish. If you are able to easily remove the hook, use a pair of needle nose pliers. The process of pulling the hook out is easier if you remove the barbs from the hooks, but try not to wiggle while you pull the hook out.

Fish are obviously unable to survive outside of the water. Therefore, the longer that it takes you to release them, the more it becomes as if you are suffocating them. The way that a fish is gripped when out of the water will make a big difference. For instance, avoid touching a fish’s body with your bare dry hands. The fish have a slimy protective coat that will be stripped if you touch them with your hands. If you have to touch a fish, make sure your hands are wet. You may want to wear gloves to protect your hands from cuts or permeating fish smells.

Part of the fun in fishing is to “play out” the fish. The struggle can be what some anglers wait all day to do. Fish are like humans; when they “work out,” they build up lactic acid. When you are fighting a fish, they are fighting too. Just like when someone works his or her body out and it feels sore, a fish experiences the same thing. The build up of lactic acid can be toxic to a fish even days later. Therefore, if you are going to practice catch and release, try to keep the struggle to a minimum.

Try not to let a fish flop around when you catch them. A fish that flops around can bruise or damage its internal organs, causing them to die later from the injuries that are incurred. You can also revive a fish if you need to do so. A fish is likely to run out of oxygen and pass out, so to speak. In order to revive a fish, you place the fish in the water with their belly down and gently grasp their tail. Start to slowly move their tail back and forth until they give you the signal that they are ready to take off into the water. Sometimes you will need to repeat the process more than once, but don’t let a fish go until they are ready. A fish that is not ready to swim could get carried away and swept into rocks or embankment and cause serious injury.

More than anything, when you are practicing catch and release, have everything ready to go. Make sure that your camera, pliers, and gloves are in reaching distance. Try to take the precautions necessary to preserve fish and one of America’s favorite pastimes.

Staying Focused on Your Decorating Project

2013-04-15T09:59:00.000-07:00

Very often we begin a project with a specific goal in mind, only to find ourselves sidetracked. It happens every day in every way. The phone or doorbell rings, one of the kids needs help, or your spouse hollers something unintelligible from the basement. Anything can and often does happen to break our concentration. Murphy's Law is alive and kicking.

However, one can stay focused on the current project. Focusing on the current project to satisfactory completion will enable you to move on to the next project, without that nagging realization that you didn't finish this one. Returning to a previous enterprise in order to tweak or fix something is actually a waste of your time whereas, if you had been focused, you wouldn't have to "do" it again. Isn't it amazing how often it is that we have the time to do it again, but often don't have the time to do it right the first time?

In order to stay focused, one should prepare an outline. Preparing a written outline is a surefire way to stay focused on your project. You can prepare different plans for separate projects, with several projects ongoing at the same time. During some projects you may encounter "waiting times", for any number of reasons. Having different project outlines available will ensure that "waiting time" does not necessarily mean "wasted time".

When writing an outline, it's important to cover each aspect of your project, from start to finish. Always ask and answer the Who, What, Where, When and How questions. This may sound elementary, even redundant, but it works. And no-one can fault what consistently works.

While preparing your outline, ideas will pop into your head. The "what ifs", and "could be's" will enable you to see a great many possibilities to incorporate into your project. Or not. Whether or not you use those ideas will determine the completed product. Those ideas and their quality may or may not be incorporated into the final product, but having those ideas now is certainly better than wishing you had planned for them, when it's too late. You may need to revisit some aspect of your outline. It's much easier and less costly to revise the plan, than to revise the project after beginning. An outline will enable you to "see around corners", so to speak. To look ahead and foresee possible problems. It all comes from writing it down. Most of us don't plan to fail, but very often we fail to plan. Failing to plan is tantamount to planning to fail.

Your outline doesn't need to be fancy. Depending upon the intricacy of your project, a numbered or bulleted list may serve your purposes. Of course, the more intricate your project, the more intricate your outline will become. You can even incorporate check boxes, so that when those distractions come, as they usually do, you'll know exactly where you stopped.

Your outline should flow from beginning to end just as if you were actually working on the project. This will help you keep the various phases in perspective. You may need to plan the various phases in detail. These phase plans will become part of your overall plan. For the purposes of building your outline, pretend you're building a house. The foundation would naturally come first, then the walls, finally the roof. Your outline should follow this "building code". All worthwhile structures follow this example. The fleshing out of your outline would be the same as the landscaping and decorating of your house. Save them for last. In other words, start with the basics: What, When, Where, Why and How, (the foundation). Then move on to the tools, resources and knowledge, (the walls). Next comes the finish (the roof).

The "outline" stage of your project is where you'll do most of the learning required to reach a successful conclusion of your project. For example: What tools do you need? Where will you find those tools? How much do they cost? What resources can you find to help you? What resources do you have? Where can you go, or who can you see to gain the necessary know-how? These questions and many more need answering before you can expect to be successful in your project. When you ask yourself these questions and get them answered, often you'll find the project is within your capabilities. When you write down and follow your plan, one step at a time, the project becomes less daunting. The longest journey begins with one step. When you write your outline and re-read it a few times, your memory will be "unlocked" and sometimes you'll be amazed at what you already knew.

Now you're ready to go back and flesh out your outline. (The landscaping and decorating.) This is where you can get bogged down with the details if you lose sight of the "big picture". Take your time with the details; after all, quality is also part of your project. But put together the details in such a way that they can be changed. This is an outline, not a plan carved in stone. You can make revisions, additions, deletions, substitutions and corrections. It’s easier to make those changes now rather than later.

Open ended projects have a tendency to stay "open". So unless your project is collecting Manchurian artifacts, or some such, it should have an end date or time. You may need to extend the completion date or time, but you'll be much closer to the end if you have a completion schedule, than if you don't.

With the outline you've created, you can go on to create a formal plan with all the diagrams, drawings, measurements, etc. All an outline really does is give you a starting place. If your project is fairly simple, maybe this is all you need to use as a guide to finish your project. In any case, you now have that first step.

Cowboy Up with Western-Style Home Decorating

2013-04-14T19:19:00.000-07:00

Itching to add some western-style or cowboy-style home decorating?

Great choice! There is something timeless and enchanting about this style of home decorating. Closely related--and possibly the same--are rustic style, log cabin style, and mountain style decorating.

Regardless of what you call it, this type of interior design will center upon the use of natural materials. The first thing you'll want to do is evaluate how you can add more natural wood, metal, rock, and leather to your room.

When it comes to furniture, Western style is most often large and bulky, but simple in design and structure. Look for lots of bare wood. Fabrics tend to Native American prints, Cowboy prints, or outdoorsy-kinds of prints. If busy prints are not your cup of tea, consider matte-finish leather, denim, suede, or nubbly weaves.

Colors should be those found in nature, such as rich browns, dark greens, dark reds, golds, etc. Other colors might include rock gray, metal black, and cream.

Add Western motifs such as knickknacks, blankets, wall hangings, pillows, and more. This would include motifs such as cowboys, saddles, horses, Native American crafts, wild animals found in forests and mountains, rivers, wildflowers, etc.

Vintage items will go well with Western home decorating too. Look for bold-colored quilts, old saddle blankets, barrels, weathered farm tools, and so on.

If you're crafty (or know someone who is), you can really let your imagination run wild when it comes to cowboy (or cowgirl!) home decorating. Use old horseshoes as candle holders on your wall or as bookends. Take bandannas and sew them into pillows, quilt squares, or even lampshade covers. "Plant" dried flowers in old Mason jars and scatter them around on your side tables and bookcases.

Your floors in a western style home should also be natural... preferably hardwood or recycled plank flooring. But they could also be made from flagstone. Be sure to scatter western-style area rugs around though, because natural floors can be cold!

If you can, don't use window treatments... just leave them bare, especially if you have a great view of the mountains or other natural settings. But, if you must use window coverings, keep them simple, such as plain valances, straight panels, or shutters.

Lighting needs to go with the western style of your home decorating too. Vintage lamps are great, but you can use almost any lamps made from wood and metal. Lampshades made of stretched rawhide will really add to that cowboy feel. But the rule here is plain and functional.

Other decorative details might include beading, fringe, twig accents, nailhead designs, metal drawer pulls and doorknobs, and anything made from logs. Pottery and stoneware will also enhance the look.

So, do you see how easy it can be to add western and cowboy touches to your home decorating? Whether you go "whole hog" into it or just add a few touches here and there is up to you. Whatever changes you make, though, are sure to give your home decorating a whole new look.

Tips For Accessorizing Your Home Or Cabin

2013-04-12T10:54:00.002-07:00

Accessorizing your home is a very important aspect in the decorating process. When you buy a new outfit it is greatly enhanced with jewelery, scarves and purses for women and ties or watches for men. A home is no different! You can add character and beauty to a home in many ways just by following a few inexpensive changes.

First look at your home and decide what theme you want to accomplish. Is it a contemporary, country, southwest, traditional or ethic style that would suit your personality? Look in magazines, books or the internet to get a flavor of the accessories you would like to see in your home. Have at least one piece you treasure in every room! Purchase accessories that go with the theme and color of your room. Color choices should compliment the main color in the room.

Occasionally it is simply a matter of rearranging some of your accessories on a shelf. It is recommended to group your accessories in odd numbers rather than even numbers. Different heights and textures are also attractive. For example, a night side table can have a lamp, picture frame and small pot of flowers as a grouping.

Entry ways should be uncluttered. This area of the home is the first hint at what the rest of your home is like. A side table with your most dramatic or unusual accessories will set the tone in this important area of your home!

Pictures or art work are often hung too high. The rule of thumb is the picture should be hung so that the middle of the picture is at eye level. Art work should be placed no more than five to eight inches above the sofa or seven to ten inches above a table. Try to align pictures in different geometric shapes (vertical, circular, triangular or rectangular groupings) in various sizes for a different effect.

Bookcases are often found to be too cluttered and full of small knickknacks. Try to vary the size of the shelves vertically for interest. Vary the heights of books with the tallest in the middle. Don't put small books next to tall books. Take off dust covers from books to show their often rich colors. The upper shelves can be used for candles, family pictures, fancy bowls or larger ornaments in odd number groupings of 1, 3 or 5 pieces. You can also mix and match books with ornaments, but make the books the focal point. Don't leave a gap between the ceiling and the top of the bookcase. Place a plant on the top shelf for balance.

Lighting is an important element in accessorizing your home. Accent a large picture with a spot light to enhance a focal point in a room. Lighting creates ambiance and should coordinate with the theme you want to create. Get creative with an old lamp by adding tassels, beads or decorative finials. Use faux paint or wrap funky fabric around the base to give it a new lift.

Area rugs can define a space and pull a room together. Place furniture completely on the rug for a warmer effect. Area rugs used under a dining room table should be large enough to also accommodate the chairs when fully pulled out.

Use many pillows on the bed as this can add a splash of color in a bedroom. Vary the colors and patterns of the pillows and graduate the sizes from large to small. Pillows are also great on a sofa and will add tremendous character to a dull living room.

Mirrors are great to expand a smaller space. Try a large mirror that stands on the floor attached to the wall behind a small dining room table. Try leaning a tall mirror behind a bed as a head board for a dramatic look! These mirrors can be five to six feet tall. It has an amazing effect!

Bathrooms can have a spa appeal by placing clear glass bowls filled with colored soaps, bath salts or bubble bath beads on the bathroom counter. Candles are also nice on a bathtub. Low lighting with lit candles will sooth all your troubles away!

Kitchens also can be accessorized to create a gourmet feel. Hang copper pots and pans from a wire rack above to add color. Don't be afraid to hang plants from any bare ceiling corner to give a lived in feeling to a plain kitchen. Grow a few herb plants on a kitchen window sill to use in your cooking and add wonderful aromas. Accessorize your counter tops with small attractive appliances or cooking utensils. A large bowl of fruit on the kitchen table can be fresh or artificial. Prints are also a welcome addition on kitchen walls.

Have fun trying out new things. Shop around for different accessories for your home. Try antique stores, consignment shops or flea markets for ideas. There are many craft books available that you can also explore. First impressions are lasting. Do not mix beautiful furniture with cheap accessories. Accessories can make or break the ambiance of your home. Be creative and trust your instincts!

Bringing the Old West to Modern Home Decorating

2013-04-11T12:05:00.000-07:00

What could be more fun when you think about it than incorporating the age-old story of cowboys and Indians into your home décor? For those who love a great story and have a wild sense of adventure this could be an incredibly fabulous design theme for your next home decorating project. This is a great way to bring the rustic charm of the old west into the modern world of today’s busy lifestyles.

Immediately visions of the hacienda with knotty pine and leather upholstered furniture comes to mind. Massive fireplaces and antlers everywhere are also first and foremost in my mind when this design idea pops into my head. The possibilities are as endless as your imagination and only limited by your budget in all honesty. This is a look that could be pulled off however on almost any budget for those that are willing to make a few thrift store purchases along the way while investing a fair amount of elbow grease.

One thing you want to be careful of with this particular theme is not taking it too far. This could be so easy to do and it will only subtract from the charm and appeal if you do so. Choose the accessories carefully but implement them minimally. This should also help with potential budget restrictions as well as keep you on track for finding the perfect accessories rather than picking up everything you see only to find later that many simply will not work with the style and design you are hoping to achieve in the long run.

Wood floors and wood paneled walls are a great statement for this sort of décor as well as stone for a fireplace (if there is a fireplace of course). You want solid furniture rather than something that appears fragile or dainty and you definitely want to keep the room masculine in appearance if at all possible. Home decorating in the style of the old west isn’t for bachelors alone but too much of a feminine touch will simply kill the appeal all together. In fact, the less feminine touches the better. Save these touches for a romantic bedroom or bathroom rather than the primary areas that friends and family will visit.

You will also want to take great pains to imitate the rustic nature of the old west within the kitchen. No delicate china patterns or tables with legs that look like they might fall off with a hard wind. This is a ‘mans’ style of decorating and it needs to look as though it will withstand any punishment a man can dish out in order to maintain the fun and light appeal of the remainder of the home. You can find modern sinks, fixtures, and hardware that are designed to resemble those of the old west and beyond if you look in the right places.

For those who are looking for something a little out of the ordinary this is one style of decorating that definitely fits the bill. See what wonderful schemes and dreams you can come up with and what sort of tall tale will go along with your old west design story then create the story within the walls of your home. There is no better way to go about home decorating than this.

Use Native American Drums For Unique Rustic Tables

2013-04-10T15:53:00.000-07:00

Native American drums used for rustic tables are the exact opposite of the cold look of contemporary style and ultra modern decorating. People are making a strong shift in their expectations for their furniture’s comfort and design by embracing Native American. Drums suite both form and function when one desires to build a sense of home into their design. Warmth and friendliness have become the emphasis of this popular décor with Indian drum tables, antler lamps and rawhide lamp shades leading the way. The congeniality of a country smile or closeness with dear friends is the atmosphere sought after in today’s rustic design and becoming a reality through Native American drums.

Drums, Native American designs and natural materials are playing a big part in the reversal to comfort and simplicity. By combing various accents, decorators are creating rustic home décor with down home feel that is affordable and interestingly beautiful. Native American drums seem to fit the bill perfectly. Large pow wow drums are used as center or coffee tables while smaller Indian drums make perfect end tables. The primitive natural rawhide of the drums and the rich wood tones bring a rustic theme to the room that harmonizes all of the elements. It’s truly amazing what a unique look can be accomplished by using tables made from Native drums.

Native American drums as furniture hasn’t found a place in the lime light of flashy magazine photos of contemporary homes with hard steel and glass, but Native drum tables certainly have found a place in the hearts of Americans, Native or not. The homey relaxed feeling that it’s ok to take off your shoes and sit on the furniture is made with fabrics of homespun character, quilts and rag rugs, bent wood rockers and cedar drum tables.

Table drums also help the flow of the room because of their rounded corners. Coffee table drums help keep the room from looking overcrowded. Some of the greatest examples of rustic décor using Native American Indian drums are those that have a feeling of a country cabin or lodge, open and warm. Tarahumara Indian drums in particular are a type of Native American drum especially well suited to rustic furniture adding a rough hewn look with warm color for a great cabin look. Tarahumara pedestal drums range in size from 12” to 24” diameter making them just right for corner and end tables, while the larger powwow drums can be as large as 42” in diameter. Both use a perfect combination of beautiful rawhide with natural pine and cedar for an inviting feel.

Think Native drums American style, by using country crafts to warm your whole room and add a touch of rustic charm. Imagine the rekindling of by gone days when Teddy Roosevelt made the masculine hunting lodge style so popular. Antler chandeliers, bears carved from logs and antique hooks for hats and coats. Try using a lot of wrought iron lamps and accessories with your new drum tables. If you love western furniture as well as southwest style, try an old horse collar mirror or wrought iron horseshoe wall decoration. Native American drums as rustic furniture may be a new concept to some, but there is nothing more warm and simple than a Navajo rug under a Native drum, with Indian pottery and a log ladder near by to make a subtle but amazing affect. Southwestern designs on wool throws and tapestries are also perfect for this style. So make a bold statement in your favorite space with beautiful Native American drums.

Craig Chambers is the director of Mission Del Rey offering Native American drums, rawhide lampshades and southwest or western home decorating accessories from the Tarahumara Indians.

http://www.missiondelrey.com/native-american-drums.html

Article Source: http://www.ArticleBiz.com

Smoking Salmon (Or Trout)…A Quick Guide

2013-04-09T13:57:00.001-07:00

Have you ever tried to smoke a fish? (I know, it is hard to get them lit!) Anyway, I have here a great recipe for smoking salmon and trout that is simple but very tasty. In a minute, I will give you the recipe but first a little story about how this recipe came about.

Years ago, my uncle Bob along with his 2 sons and his father-in-law decided they would like to start fishing for the small Kokanee salmon, (commonly called bluebacks), at a couple North Idaho lakes namely Lake Coeur d’Alene and Lake Pend Oreille. My uncle came up with this special bait he figured would catch those fish like crazy so they all decided to give it a try. Back in those days, maybe 30 or more years ago, both these lakes had commercial fishing available on them with limits from 125 to 250 fish a day per person for the small Kokanee salmon. On a good day, a group of four could really bring in the fish. My uncle and his crew all purchased commercial licenses and began fishing with his new discovered bait.

It took only a few hours on their first trip out to discover that my uncle’s bait was indeed amazing and that all of a sudden they had caught a whole slew of fish. When they returned to shore and counted their first bounty, they discovered that they had brought in a total of 650 fish! What were they going to do with all these slimy creatures? Well, they put their minds together and they decided that smoking them would be the best way to not only preserve them for a length of time but also maybe they could make some extra money selling them to the local stores.

So, to make this story readable and not bore you with all the details, they did start a little smoked fish business and began distributing their fish around the local town. Before I give you the recipe for this incredible smoked fish, there are some essentials you must have to get started.

A good quality smoker is needed to begin with. I don’t believe you have to pay $100’s of dollars for one either. I have a small little smoker I purchased from Home Depot for around $75.00 and it does very well. An electric smoker is preferred because you don’t have to tend the fire as often and it cooks much more evenly.

As far as the wood you need I would recommend apple, cherry or hickory wood chunks (not chips if possible). The wood chunks last much longer and burn slower. Slow, cool smoke is what you are after and the wood chips tend to burn too quickly. Before you start your smoking, soak the wood chunks overnight in water so they will burn slow and not catch fire so easily.

Now, here is what you have been waiting for, the recipe.

*1 Cup Non-Iodized Salt (it must be non-iodized).

*1 Cup Brown Sugar

*2 Gallons of Water

*1/8 Cup of Pepper if preferred.

*Soak your fish overnight (12 hours) in the above mixture and take out and leave at room temperature for an hour before putting the fish in the smoker.

That’s It!! I know it looks simple and it is. Many recipes ask for seasonings, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce and other things but this recipe is simple and the very best.

Your fish should be filleted if possible but not completely necessary as the meat will pull away from the bone easily after smoking. It is important to leave the skin on the filets as it keeps the fish from sticking to the grill. Use good quality salmon or trout when smoking. Fish with white meats do not do well and tend to dry out, as they do not have the oil in the meat like the salmon family does.

Place your wood chips in your smoker and put your fish on the grates. Depending on the temperature outside, it could take a couple of hours to several to smoke your fish. Test the fish after an hour or so to see how the texture looks. You can taste test the salmon as it is getting done to get the required texture you desire. I like my salmon fairly moist but others may like it drier. The choice is up to you.

It may take a time or two until you get this smoking thing down but after you have perfected this recipe, you will be smoking fish on a regular basis.

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