Bald Eagles Arrive in Squamish BC
July 31, 2008
Bald Eagles Arrive in Squamish BC
by: Gord Addison
Once again our planet’s largest gatherings of Bald Eagles in underway in Squamish British Columbia, just North of Vancouver BC, and just 50 km south of the world class Whistler Ski Resort. Based on population estimates, up to 5% of the world’s bald eagles winter in the very this very accessible area. From one viewing space, often dozens of Eagles can be seen, and a short walk in the right direction will allow you to see many more.
For decades, thousands of majestic Bald Eagles have been gathering on the riverbanks of the Squamish and Cheakamus Rivers, feasting on the ample salmon that either did not quite make it to the spawning channels, or have accomplished their life’s goal, and thus have met their subsequent demise. Working to preserve their energy in the winter months, eagles will eat up to a two pounds of this high value protein every day.
The highlight of the eagle-viewing period is the annual Bald Eagle Count, which will take place on January 8th this year and is headquartered out of the Brackendale Art Gallery. Using consistent methodology, a count of the eagles in the area on this weekend every year has been kept since 1986. In 1994 a world record 3769 eagles were counted within a few kilometers of the Squamish area and its tributary rivers.
The Gift That Keeps on Skiing
July 30, 2008
The Gift That Keeps on Skiing
by: Lisa Mercer
As the holidays approach, you’re probably wondering
what gifts to buy for your favorite skiers.
Fortunately, the Internet has eliminated the need for
long lines at department stores. Spend your time on
the slopes, and purchase your gifts online! If you’re
not sure of what to buy, look into an REI Gift Card.
You can either get them as E-cards, which are emailed
to the recipient or as paper cards which will be
mailed in three or four business days. REI also has a
gift registry.
If your skier wants something very specific, such as a
jacket, a helmet, ski boots, or a pair of ski pants,
encourage them to register. That way, you will be sure
to pick the right size. REI also has gift boxes and
cards are available.
If you are looking for a specific, personalized gift,
you’ll need to carefully consider your skiers’ tastes
and preferences. What colors do they usually wear?
Sleeping Bag Pads
July 29, 2008
Sleeping Bag Pads
by: Steve Gillman
Sleeping bag pads are not one of the things you should cut from your list. Backpackers want to reduce their weight, but not even ultralight backpackers want to reduce their comfort. Still, who wants to carry those monstrous old inflatables down the trail? Try some of these lightweight options instead.
Make four-ounce sleeping bag pads, and sometimes carry two of them. Use the plain blue closed-cell foam pads available from any backpacking supplier. They are made larger than necessary, usually 24 by 72 inches. Just cut them down to a four-ounce size that fits your torso.
It should reach from your shoulders to your hips. You may want to cut the width a little at a time, testing for comfort as you go. The pad should be as small as you can make it, while still big enough to insulate your torso from the ground. A pillow of spare clothes can be used for your head, and your legs can be on your empty pack to insulate them.
Sleeping Bag Pads For Lightweight Fanatics
Swedish Rubbish
July 28, 2008
Swedish Rubbish
by: Gerry Coburn
This week I want to talk about cardboard. Ah I can see you turning the page already, but hold on for just a moment. Let me bring you on a journey. You had purchased a table and chairs from Argus. The boxes have now arrived two days later. You have said goodbye to the driver of the large white van with Argus stencilled on the side. (So much for passing your new furniture off as Habitat originals to the neighbours. You think to your self why they can’t deliver at 3am.) You close the door and eagerly get your Son in Law to move the boxes into the kitchen. You tear open the boxes. Reveal the beautiful new furniture and after two hours of post assembly you sit back and are unable to see them. You can’t see them because of the huge amounts of cardboard now littering your Italian tiled floor. What to do. Break them up; fold them over and over until they are the thickness of a small child. Picking them up you go into the back garden and try and squeeze them into your black bin. They won’t fit, you sigh and plonk them behind the bin and try to forget about them.
3 Stars Hotel In Rome
July 28, 2008
3 Stars Hotel In Rome
by: Stefano Sandano
Rome is a reality. For Rome, more than for most cities, this always has been the central dilemma of city life:how to maintain its priceless heritage while improving the lot of its cheerfully inhabitants. Certainly the 2000 year Jubilee inspired efforts of recent years and have made a difference. Transport has been boosted, new museums have been opened and old ones renovated, and the long awaited Auditorium has opened to universal praise. The city hasn’t re-found the heady days of la dolce vita, but it’s looking good and it’s feeling better than it has for a long time.
Pride also informs much of the typical Roman character: romans are first and foremost Roman and only then italian.
In a country of unparalleled beauty, both natural and architectural, Rome remains the jewel in the crown. In no other city you can see so much in such a short space of time and yet merely scratch the surface. About 10 feet below ground level exists another world, with traces of other settlements deep still. In Rome every period has left a mark. In fact from the time when it was a caput mundi ( center of the world ), through the development of Christianity to the present day ( a period of more than 2.500 years ), Rome has become an unsurpassed anthropological and archaeological archive of Western culture. And it’s enough to wander the streets to see this.
Why Should You Take A Panama Cruise ?
July 27, 2008
Why Should You Take A Panama Cruise ?
by: Paul Selson
A Panama Cruise is amongst the most spectactular cruise available worldwide.
Just in case you are unsure exactly where Panama is in the world,… it is situated in Central America.
Panama is home to the Panama Canal, which is a man made waterway joining the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. The canal is known as one of the greatest feats of engineering in the 20th Century, due to the fact it physically severs the land mass of North and South America for a total distance of 80 kilometers.
Since opening in August 1914, it’s use has steadily increased, culminating with over thirteen thousand vessels using the canal last year.
Hundreds of ships, including Panama cruise ships travel the length of the canal offering spectacular scenic voyages to a truly international audience.
Actually touring the canal aboard a luxury cruise ship is an amazing experience. The journey takes a little over eight hours, passing through three locks, which raise the water level to allow the ships to pass.
Family Fun and Finery on Oregon’s Coast
July 26, 2008
Family Fun and Finery on Oregon’s Coast
by: Andre’ Hagestedt
It’s a place of incredible romantic possibilities, with unbelievably pristine beaches and rugged shorelines, and plenty of hidden spots perfect for long walks hand-in-hand, finding yourselves all alone. With such gushiness-inducing qualities, it’s no surprise you’ll soon wind up reproducing.
Lucky you. Oregon’s coast is perfect for families as well. Those hidden spots put you and the little ones right in the middle of some of the best nature can show off. Then there are the myriad of kid-friendly lodgings, restaurants and towns which pull out the stops for the kidlets or bring out the kid in everyone.
Still, you don’t have to sacrifice the finer things when you bring the kids.
On Oregon’s north coast, the tiny town of Manzanita is endowed with a mysterious, woodsy vibe just above its vast expanse of crystalline beach. Here, the San Dune Inn provides a vast array of freebies like bikes, game equipment, popcorn and movies. Stay at this charming, unassuming place just blocks from the beach and you’ll find stuff for volleyball and other games suitable for the sand, as well as beach balls, bikes and simple sandcastle-making gear like buckets. They have an enormous selection of movies, and their choice of board games is a kick as well. It’s a kid’s dream come true.
Barbados: Coast to Coast
July 25, 2008
Barbados: Coast to Coast
by: Joan Wingert
The capitol of Bridgetown serves as the dividing point between the West coast and the South coast. Nearly every hotel and resort on the island will be located on or near one of these two coasts. What is the difference? Are there advantages to one or the other for a visitor to the island?
The prevailing easterly trade winds affect the most distinctive natural differences between the two. Because the wind invariably blows from East to West, the eastern coast has heavy surf—the primary reason there are no hotels on the East. There are some very nice beaches but they are not suitable for swimming or watersports activities.
This Easterly wind also bends around the south coast, creating a bit of wind and surf there as well for those beaches. It is not surprising that this is where the best windsurfing is located (and there are some world-class locals). These beaches are generally suitable for swimming; only during bad weather will the red “no swimming” flag be posted.
Why You Should Pay Attention To Property For Sale In Cyprus
July 24, 2008
Why You Should Pay Attention To Property For Sale In Cyprus
by: Glenn Ford
Why buy property in Cyprus? Why has there been so much interest in property in
Cyprus in recent times? These are some of the questions being asked by the few
property investors who have yet to discover this hot market.
Amazingly Cyprus is midway between Dubai and the
UK being just three and a half hours away from Dubai.
When you add other factors like the wonderful, mild island climate, low crime rate
and the fascinating history, you will begin to understand why Cyprus has been
irresistible to many property investors. I recently used http://www.citrus-iberia.com/ to find some wonderful rentals in Cyprus.
Cyprus joined the European Union (EU) on 1st May 2004. This single move transformed
the already booming Cyprus property market and ushered in an even higher level of
prosperity. The first thing that happened after Cyprus joined the EU was that the
list of international property entrepreneurs looking to buy exploded, especially
Britons who now have an automatic right to work on the island and social security
Passing Through Customs is Easy in the Caribbean
July 23, 2008
Passing Through Customs is Easy in the Caribbean
by: Jennifer Smith
With so many souvenirs to bring home, it’s no wonder Caribbean travelers are often curious about passing through customs. The question many travelers ask is how to bring these purchased items back into their home country. With a little knowledge, and the right paperwork, passing through customs can be easier than you think.
Each Caribbean island is different, so you’ll find plenty of variations in the laws you’ll find throughout the region. Each island will also have its own popular native goods as well. Knowing which items are permitted to be brought out of the country and which are not will protect you from additional fees or lost goods.
Leaving Home
When leaving home to enter the Caribbean, some travelers choose to document their prior possessions - particularly big-ticket items like laptops - registering them with a Certificate of Registration or similar form available through a home customs office. Make a note of serial numbers and other permanent markings on such forms to keep customs agents from being concerned about your personal items.
