Winter is almost here, so it is time to break out the sleds and snow tubes. If you have gone into the closet and found your tube put out to pasture, then try one of these unique inflatables:
Yeti 48 inch Snow Tube ($14.99)- This inexpensive snow tube is perfect for a first-timer out on the slopes. It's designed for kids, but still sturdy enough to last an entire childhood. Made of vinyl with a K-80 cold crack additive, this tube is ready to go out in the snow and come back in to dry. The triangular design makes it aerodynamic. Unfortunately, it is a children's snow tube so it is recommended for one person up to 170 pounds only. Flexible Flyer Fireball ($29.99)- Flexible flyer has been creating quality outdoor fun since 1889 and are most famous for their sleds. This tube has tree individual seats each with their own handles. Three people can ride and lean to turn each other to go backwards, or two people can ride with their feet up and the other end pointed downward. It has a slick bottom for less friction and faster rides, and is recommended for ages 4 and up. Pelican International The Rotator Inflatable Snow Tube ($14.99)- Pelican is another well-known name when it comes to quality sleds because they manufacture sporting gear. Get ready to go backwards and forwards on this tube because the round shape guarantees an unpredictable and unforgettable ride each time. Sturdy handles are double stitched into the material so there's no letting go even during the wildest moments. It'll be hard to lose this sled in the snow with its colorful design. It helps parents keep track of their kids during the busy season Aqua Leisure AW-4107 54 Inch Oversize Snow Tube ($18.99)- Snow tubing can be a little dangerous, but this extra large snow tube provides extra padding for unexpected tumbles. Even the handles are over-sized to fit thick winter gloves for a safe grip. It's good for two riders or one rider with a lot of room. Sportsstuff 30-2525 Double Amerisport 2 Person Snow Tube ($44.99)- Although it is more expensive this tube is designed both snow and water, so you can use it all year long. It has two extra large seats for big kid riders. You can go down the hill with your best friend, your first love, or just go by yourself with your legs stretched out. </p>
Although winter resorts are fun, skiing and snowboarding are not for everyone, but sitting in a lodge for the entire vacation can end up ruining the trip. Snow tubing is a fun way for the entire family to enjoy a resort, even your great grandmother and your baby brother.
With the Appalachian Mountains so close, there is snow tubing abound. Wisp Resort- Deep Creek Lake, Md., is home to multiple resorts for both the summer and the winter, including Wisp Resort. Bear Claw Snow Tubing at Wisp offers 10 tracks to get rid of boring lines that skiing offers. Riders enjoy 750 feet of snowy adventures. Tickets are $15 during the week and $29 on weekends and holidays. If you buy the Bear Claw Adventure Combo, you can go ice skating and ride the Mountain Coaster for less. Reservations are recommended and the website offers a print out of the snow tubing release form, so you can fill out the paperwork before you get there. Whitetail- Whitetail Resort, located a few miles from the Maryland-Pennsylvania line, is a favorite among hobby skiers. Like Bear Claw Snow Tubing, Whitetail Resort allows you to download the snow tubing agreement and fill it out beforehand and offers 10 tracks to eliminate lines. They also allow you to link together tubes and slide down with your friends. Rates range from $18-$26, depending how long you want to spend on the slopes and when you go. During the holiday season, Whitetail offers extended hours for those who want to spend Christmas and New Year's enjoying the snow and sipping hot cocoa. Wintergreen- This resort is a little farther away, but boasts the largest tubing park in Virginia. The Plunge Tubing Park at Wintergreen Resort is on a hill 100 feet high and 300 feet wide. Riders are known to reach 30 mph. Tickets for two-hour sessions are $20 for the weekday and $28 for the weekend and during the holidays. Tickets sell out quickly and are issued on a first-come, first-serve basis, so reservations are highly recommended. The release form is a printed on the ticket. For younger riders, there's Ridgely's Fun Park, which offers tubing and other fun activities. Liberty- Liberty and Whitetail are owned by the same company so passes work for both resorts. Boulder Ridge offers 15 lanes and a smaller slope for young children called Pebble Ridge. As an added bonus, Boulder Ridge offers a zip line and obstacle course. Rates range from $17-$28, depending on when you go and how long you are on the slopes. On the website, they let you know when the resort is most busy, so be sure to plan ahead. I did not know ice skating was so popular outside of the northern states. There are many ice rinks in the Baltimore area, but these three are the ones I recommend most.
Mt. Pleasant Ice Rink- This one is cheaper than the better known rinks in the area with very friendly staff. It is also never busy and the employees are really nice. It is closed during the hotter parts of the summer and usually opens back up in October when the weather turns mild again. People who have never been there before might end up passing it because it is hidden between Hillen Road and Northern Parkway with a small entrance to the rink. This is also one of the only rinks in Baltimore that is open all week long. Their hours are Monday through Thursday from noon to 2pm, Fridays from 8:30pm to 10:30pm, Saturdays from 3pm to 5pm and again from 8:30pm to 10:30pm, and Sundays from 3pm to 5pm. Admission is $4 and you can rent skates for $2. They have skating lessons for children of all ages and adults for those of us who are not very graceful in ice skates. Mimi Dipietro Family Skating Center- This ice rink is located in the beautiful Patterson Park downtown where many family activities occur in the city. Admission is $4, but you can buy a season pass for $30 which is good for 10 sessions on the ice which saves money if you skate regularly. Skate rental is also $2. Their hours are Tuesdays from 12pm to 2pm, Fridays from 7pm to 9pm, Saturdays from 3pm to 5 pm and 7pm to 9pm, and Sundays from 3pm to 5pm. I was very surprised to learn that they do not sponsor any youth hockey teams nor do they offer lessons for beginners. They have some great deals on renting out the ice and the lobby for parties. Reisterstown Sportsplex- This rink is brand new and it is gorgeous inside. Not only is there an ice rink but on the other side of the building is an indoor soccer field. It can get rather crowded. It's open all year for public skating and hockey teams to practice. They are open five days a week; Mondays from 1pm to 3pm, Fridays from 8pm to 10:30pm, Saturday from 2pm to 4pm and 8pm to 10:30pm and Sundays from 3pm to 5pm. This rink is more expensive than the others. Skating sessions cost $6 on the weekdays and $8 on the weekends with skate rental being $4. On the plus side, they do offer skate sharpening. There are multiple ways to spend the holidays, but ice skating is one of the cheapest. It might not be easy to pick up but it is always worth a try. The Paleo Diet sounded really good when I had first heard about it. As humans we were meant to eat what was around us. My cousin's husband does the Paleo diet and loves it. However, anyone who knows their history could easily debunk the miracles of this diet and within a week I felt sick, gained weight, and wanted nothing more than a big glass of chocolate soy milk. We are not what we used to be- Humans used to roam the Earth, following the herds. Their entire life was hunting for food and eating to keep themselves alive. They ran after prey and ran from predators, burning calories. Athletes might do this, but I am a writer. I spend most of my day in front of a computer screen so I do not need that many calories nor protein. Did I mention my cousin's husband is over six feet tall and served in Iraq? I am barely five feet and I served on the board of the anime club. Our food is not either- Over the millennia we have traded, bred, and modified foods to fit our needs and tastes. Very few plants that were around during our early years still exist. Our food is fortified with vitamins and selectively bred to create the biggest and best produce. Our ancestors slowly gained the knowledge and technology to be able to do this. Cavemen did not live very long- The average lifespan of a cavemen was mid-twenties. Even taking into account tragedies of the era, it still does not come close to how long we live presently. Our average lifespan is 75 years, three times the amount cavemen lived. True we cannot say they died of cancer or other ailments of today but their bodies shut down faster because they did not have the benefits of the foods we have today. It is good to eat the foods from nature, but going by the diet our ancestors lived by is not the answer unless you do some serious working out. Even then, the diet is not exactly what they ate so long ago. We are not them, our food is not theirs, and people today live longer than ever. I will stick to eating less and exercising more. Eating as vegan as possible and concentrating on vegetables and fiber is what makes me feel the best and made my body healthiest. We have lived in our house for two years, and this year was the first summer we had the money and the time to do anything with the backyard. I had to tear up the garden to rid it of all the lily bulbs, making a mess on the sidewalk. We tried to make a swing in the big tree. It ended up becoming a pull knot for our pit bull, but she loves it. Finally, we stained the new deck a solid white. These projects took place over a few months and each of them taught us something about outside DIY projects.
Have a plan- Not having a plan for our swing made it an unsuccessful project. When I had to tear up the garden, I made a plan to first get rid of the lily bulbs and then turn the soil to break up the remaining roots. My garden turned out great and the seeds began sprouting within a week. I even got the idea to put a plant box on the deck railing for easy access to spices from the kitchen. Research city codes, homeowners' association guidelines, property lines, and permits needed for your project- This is mainly for large projects but it can make a big difference depending on where you live. Our garden against the fence separating us from our neighbor so I want to make sure my plants stay on our side. The owners before us installed the fence too close to the road, putting it on city property. Use a tarp to prevent run off- If the project involves disturbing the Earth and may take several days, put a tarp over the project at night and secure it with heavy objects or stakes just in case it rains. Run-off is unsightly and bad for the environment. No one wants to go back to a project having to work with mud and water everywhere. Make it a social affair- Outside projects are a fun way to socialize with family and friends, especially if there is a promise of pizza involved afterward. It also teaches kids a little about owning a home and working with their hands. My husband and I could have used a lot of help staining the deck but we did not think to ask. Our next door neighbor did however fix the leak we had in the sub-pump pipe for us. There are dozens of video game franchises for every console. Everyone has their favorite but only a select few maintain enough popularity to keep games coming out for years. Madden- It is no wonder why Madden is one of the highest selling sports franchises and has been for over a decade. Each year a game comes out with updated statistics, graphics, and team specifics. Every sports fan can grab the latest game or a copy of one from the year their team won the Superbowl. John Madden's voice adds to the atmosphere but it is also the motion capture of the players that brings these games to life. The only drawback is that players can see both playbooks and what their opponent chooses to use. NBA Live- EA seems to have a monopoly on sports games but they do it well especially when it comes to NBA Live. The dribbling and passing controls are smooth and the graphics are almost like watching the game. This franchise started with the popular hit Bulls vs. Lakers and the NBA playoffs when Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, and Scottie Pippin were in their prime. Their amazing start gave them the advantage over the competition and the fans keep coming back for more. NHL- Hockey games have been around since the early days of the Super Nintendo and Sega Genesis. The sport itself is fast paced and requires focus which is exactly what the game replicates. In addition to the regular game play of hockey, most offer a genuine treat that hockey fans love; the fights. Once the players throw down their gloves, it is up to the player to show his opponent who is boss. Newer releases make fighting an entire mini-game similar to boxing. Wii Sports- Interactive game play gets families off the coach and into the action. It also helps that each player can make their own character that looks just like them and use it with every game. Wii Sports is a great way to exercise and offers more playable sports each year. Skiing and snowboarding are two of the most original to the Wii console. Mario Sports- Mario has done everything over the years including playing several sports like golf, tennis, soccer, baseball, basketball, hockey, and racing. Many of them are also cooperative which makes them great for families. Players can choose their favorite characters from Nintendo, Pokemon, and other franchises. Where else can you see a monkey play tennis against a ghost? Bikram Yoga is a style of hot yoga where the room is heated to 104 degrees, making the body sweat more. Many celebrities swear by it, but a large number of people believe Bikram Yoga is dangerous and bad for your health. Take these safety precautions to limit the amount of risk involved if you decide to attempt Bikram Yoga. Check with your doctor first- Some professionals condemn Bikram Yoga and would not recommend it to any of their patients. People with preexisting health problems such as high blood pressure or history of a heart attack or stroke should make it a priority to visit their doctor before attempting this type of yoga. A doctor might ask an overweight patient to get to a healthy weight before they sign up for classes. You should never attempt Bikram Yoga if you are pregnant and it is not designed for children under the age of eighteen. People suffering from depression or other forms of mental illness may be too sensitive to heat to be able to do Bikram Yoga. Buy the Right Equipment- Clothing worn for regular yoga is usually loose and comfortable like cotton. These articles of clothing would not be good for Bikram Yoga as over time it gets wet with sweat and sticks to the body. Wear light sports clothing made from fabrics that breathe. These are usually clothes that bicyclists or runners wear because they plan to be soaked in sweat after their workout. The type of mat for Bikram Yoga is also different from regular yoga as it needs to keep its grip even when wet due to the amount of sweat the user gives off during class. Start Slow- Starting out can be the hardest part and usually determines whether or not Bikram Yoga is right for you. Go twice a week for the first month and then add in classes if you feel comfortable with hot yoga. If you feel tired, dizzy, or sick to the stomach, stop immediately and rest or leave the classroom to cool down. Stay Hydrated- Bikram Yoga is practiced in a very hot room, making the practitioners sweat and lose massive amounts of water. That can cause you to become dehydrated quickly and even pass out. Keep at least four water bottles near you when you first try it, and then go down to two once you are comfortable with that. After class, concentrate on rehydrated for the next two hours. Most classes offer a water break one third of the way into class to encourage hydration. Do not eat a heavy meal within 3 hours of starting- Since Bikram Yoga is heavy exercise in a hot room, having a great amount of food in your stomach could cause you to vomit. Try eating a light snack a half hour before class so you do not feel faint but you are not completely full. After the yoga session allow the body to cool down before eating a meal. There is so much to do in Tampa, Fla., it can be hard to plan an adventure during baseball training season.
Here are three major locations to get you started: Busch Gardens - This is a given when you visit Tampa. Enjoy high-speed thrills and the safari experience in the same day. Choose from four different safaris, six animal attractions, or just head straight for the intense roller coasters. The Cheetah Hunt launches riders 60 miles per hour through high flying twists and turns. Take a ride on SheiKra, a floorless diving coaster that is making a splash, or the Gwazi, the dueling coaster where riders pass each other at phenomenal speed. There is just as much for kids to do as there is for adults. Younger guests can sail through the jungle and watch the animals graze on Jungle Flyers or take a ride with Grover as he skims the ground. Don't know which attraction to tackle first? Take the Skyride over the park and plan your day accordingly. Since this park is popular and there is so much to do, it is on the more expensive side. Luckily, there are great deals for families who bundle tickets to Busch Gardens, Adventure Island, and SeaWorld. Adventure Island - Owned by Busch Gardens, this water park is a hot spot in the summertime. It opens March 10, since warm weather comes early in Florida. Race your friends on the tubes of the four-lane mat slide Riptide to see who gets to the bottom first. Go down the Gulf Scream at 25 miles per hour if you dare. If you're not into speed, take a spin on Wahoo Run and get just as soaked. Take the younger kids for a dip in the wave pool or one of the two exciting water playgrounds for all ages. Rumbling Bayou allows you to kick back in a tube and float along for a half of a mile and enjoy the tropical scenery, before allowing Splash Attack to dump 1,000 gallons of water all over you. Don't even want to get wet? Play volleyball in the Spike Zone or rent a cabana and enjoy the sunshine with a book. Get 30 percent off when you book a vacation for both parks--good for up to two weeks of purchase. Museum of Science and Industry - For those who don't want to spend a ton on extra attractions during training season, MOSI offers education and fun at an affordable price. Families can take in a planetarium show or watch a movie in the IMAX theater. Kids who are a little more active will enjoy the new ropes course or the high wire bike. Younger children and their families enjoy taking a stroll through the butterfly garden. Sources: http://www.mosi.org/">http://www.mosi.org http://seaworldparks.com/en/buschgardens-tampa http://adventureisland.com/Ai/default.aspx |
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