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Part of planning a trip in our RV is planning which KOA campgrounds we will be staying at along the way. We know what to expect at a KOA campground and we have never been disappointed. If you have been RVing for any amount of time you already know that a big part of the camping experience is the campground experience. This month I am including a checklist that will help you get the most from your campground experience. Most of what is written in this checklist is common sense, but it helps to serve as a reminder of how to make your next stay at a KOA as pleasant and carefree as possible.

If you know where you’ll be staying make campground reservations in advance, particularly during the prime travel season. This way there is always a site waiting for you when you arrive.

You should stop traveling while there is still plenty of daylight to set up and get settled in at the campground.

Make sure the electrical source is compatible with your RV’s electrical system.

Make sure the site will accommodate the length of your RV.

If temperatures are hot outside, request a site that is in the shade, if possible. Try to position the RV, with the side the refrigerator is located on, in the shade to help the refrigerator work more efficiently.

Check the site for any overhead obstacles that might interfere with setting up the RV.

When you position the unit at the site make sure there is enough clearance for slide-outs and the patio awning.

Level the RV and chock the wheels before disconnecting from the tow vehicle (for towable RVs).

Test the polarity and voltage before plugging the RV into any electrical source. After you test the polarity and voltage turn the breaker off, plug the RV in, and turn the breaker back on.

Campground voltage can fluctuate depending on the demand. You should monitor the AC voltage coming into your RV, with a digital voltmeter, throughout your stay at the campground. Plug the meter into any 120-volt outlet in the RV where it will be easy to monitor the AC voltage during your camping trip. By monitoring the AC voltage you can protect thousands of dollars worth of electrical equipment and appliances in your RV. If AC voltage drops below 105-volts or goes above 130-volts you should turn electronic equipment and appliances off until the power is restored. Some digital meters have an audible alarm to warn you of high or low voltage conditions.

Keep a variety of electrical adapters on hand in case you need them. You should also have an extension cord that is compatible with the electrical system on your RV. The gauges of wire used in standard household type extension cords are not suitable for RV hook ups.

Use a water pressure regulator at the campground water source to prevent damage to your plumbing from high water pressure.

Use a white RV drinking hose to connect from the water source to the RV. Hoses not labeled safe for drinking can contribute to lead and other dangerous chemicals getting in the water. It’s a good idea to have a 4-foot, 10-foot and 25-foot hose so you can always reach the campground water hook up.

You should always filter the water going into the RV with a high quality filtration system. The 4-foot or 10-foot drinking hose can be used to go from a water filter to the city water connector on the RV.

Take along a green or black garden hose for all other uses, like flushing out holding tanks or cleaning the RV.

It’s a good idea to have a 10-foot and a 20-foot sewer hose available so you can always reach the campground sewer connection. Spend a little extra and get heavy-duty sewer hoses. Keep an assortment of sewer hose adapters and connectors on hand.

If you’re going to be leaving the campground for more than few minutes it’s a good idea to turn the water supply off until you return.

Always store the awning when you’re not going to be at the campsite and leave it in the stored position at night.

Lock your RV and secure valuables when you are not physically at the campsite.

Always keep a spare set of keys for the RV and any other vehicles.

Always practice good campground etiquette and be sure to leave the campsite in the same condition you found it, or better.

If you travel with pets, respect other campers as it pertains to your pets. Always use a leash, control any barking and always clean up after your pets.
Hopefully this will help make all of your campground experiences happy memories rather than memories you would like to forget. For checklists like this and many more, be sure to get a copy of my Checklists for RVers E-book. Have a great time camping at your favorite KOA campground.

Happy Camping!

Copyright 2006 by Mark J. Polk, owner of RV Education 101

RV Expert Mark Polk, seen on TV, is the producer & host of America’s most highly regarded series of DVD’s, videos, books, and e-books. http://www.rveducation101.com/ Sign up for your free “RV Education 101″ Newsletter http://rveducation101.com/email/

Yosemite National Park has many wonderful attractions and a beauty that cannot be compared to any other on earth. People from all over the world come to Yosemite to vacation, camp, and to enjoy some adventurous rock climbing.

If you love camping then you will really enjoy the camping sites that abound throughout Yosemite. Yosemite camping reservations can be booked at thirteen different campgrounds with seven of these campgrounds taking reservations up to five months in advance of your trip. You may choose from the following campgrounds for your Yosemite camping reservations, Upper Pines, Lower Pines, North Pines, Camp 4, which are all located in the Valley, Wawona, Bridalveil Creek, Hodgdon Meadow, Crane Flat, Tamarack Flat, White Wolf, Yosemite Creek, Porcupine Flat, and Tuolumne Meadows. It would be best to call Yosemite to learn more about Yosemite camping reservations as not all campgrounds are open year round. Some campgrounds offer RV sites and tent sites, while others only offer tent sites. No matter which type of site you prefer you will love your camping experience at Yosemite National Park.

If you are seeking, a more modern and less woodsy type camping experience there is another type of Yosemite lodging that you will enjoy. The High Sierra Camps have canvas tent cabins available that offer a dormitory style steel frame beds with mattresses, wool blankets, pillows, and comforters for the beds. They also have hot showers, restrooms and soap. You must however bring your own sheets, sleeping bags and towels. You can purchase sleeping bags and towels through the concession services provided by Yosemite. Many people enjoy this style of camping and are in high demand so the reservations are accepted in a lottery style. They only accept applications from October 15 to November 30 each year.

Yosemite National Park offers many things for the entire family to do such as backpacking, biking bird watching, rock climbing, fishing, horseback riding, ice-skating, rafting, skiing, snowshoeing, swimming, stargazing and of course enjoying the great outdoors. There are also many tours available that help you enjoy your vacation at Yosemite and show you all that the national park has to offer. Many of these activities have guided instructors that can give you all kinds of pointers as to the type of foliage and fauna, animals, and birds that frequent the area.

Other wonderful things to see in Yosemite national park include the many falls, which include, Yosemite Falls, the Bridalveil Fall, the Vernal Fall, the Nevada Fall, the Ribbon Fall, the Horsetail Fall, and the Staircase Falls. Rock formations are another awesome attraction that everyone enjoys; some of the most popular rock formations in Yosemite include Half Dome, El Capitan, Cathedral Rocks and Spires, The Three Brothers, Sentinel Rock, Yosemite Point, and Glacier Point.

As you can see, Yosemite National Park is a breath-taking world that you must see to appreciate.

Courtesy of Anita from Write4u.info.

Summer has come and so have the swimming pool trips. Put on your
swimsuits.

Swimming pools in summer feel like a heaven. Cannot imagine a
summer without swimming pools. Getting in the pool is not only a
great feel but a swimming pool is also a treat for your eyes {I
mean the cool water}.

In tropical and warm areas of the world there are wonderful
beaches and they offer a great place to swim. But not all parts
of the world have this great blessing and swimming pools makes
these deficiencies vanish to some extent. Although given a
choice I will be off to the beach. Afternoons and late
afternoons and also early evenings are the best times to jump
into a swimming pool.

If you are interested in starting your own pool for the season
then it’s a great way to go. First drain all the water in the
swimming pool. Use cleaning agents to clean the water clean.
Throughout the swimming season you should be brushing the sides
of your pool to loosen debris that collects there, you should be
reversing your pumping system to help clean out any build up,
and you should be vacuuming the water and skimming the surface.
This will keep your pool in tip top shape through out the season
and it will make your pool an enjoyable place to be near.
Although working on the pool may seem a lot of work its not.
Also you can hire swimming experts to do the job for you but its
not recommended unless you are rich and no time on these
activities.

Swimming is very dangerous for children. Never leave your
children alone in or near the pool, even for a moment. You must
put up a fence to separate your house from the pool.

Power safety cover that meets the standards of the American
Society for Testing and Materials should be installed. Always
rescue equipments and telephone by the pool in case of an
emergency.

When trying to teach children how to swim be with them all the
time and do not permit to go alone even with a tube. Children
have to be carefully monitored during their stay at the swimming
pool.

Swimming pools come with the gift of convenience. Also beware
of the swimming pool leaks. Presence of algae indicates a pool
leak. When in doubt call a leak detection company to further
assist you in determining if you pool has a leak.

If everything is fine then enjoy the swimming in your favorite
swimsuits.

For more information visit our site www.swimsuitscorner.com
Also visit our sister sites www.bathingsuitsonline.com
www.weddingdresses101.com

You are having a hard time spending some time with your family? Well camping seems to be one of the easiest solutions to get some strong and long lasting bonds event with your kids.
After years and years you will still remember the fun you had together and the adventures you had in the wild. This is top quality time and it will change your life for good.

Tend camping is very common and easy to do if you know the basics. There are several types of camping and I want to remind you two of them : car camping and backpacking. If you have your own car then what remains to do is search for a nice spot: a forest campsite, a nation park or a commercial camp.

But most of you probably like the tent camping so much that you don’t even want to hear about anything else. A combination of the two can really make you’re like pleasant: how about a motor home. This way you have the comfort and the nature at your fingertips. A tent will be a nice addition if you have guests.

A guide can only help and can provide useful tips about where to camp and how to be safe in the same time. There is a lot to do when we’re in nature: fishing, hunting and hiking are just the cherry on the cake. You have to take into consideration that nature is wild so the rain or snow are part of it. The guide can teach you how to keep warm and dry all the time.

With all this in mind, all you have to do is gather you family, take some days off and be on your way. Having a mobile internet connection can provide additional resources and modern technology should not be taken lightly. Technology is here to stay and help you even in the wild.

If you find this information useful you should visit the site http://www.first-camping-online.info where you will find lots of interesting articles related to this topic, all original and wrote by Michael Lastun.

Experienced canine hikers are all too aware of the prohibitions against dogs on national park trails but not so many know about the hidden gems the national park service reserves for dog owners: historical parks and battlefields. Dogs are typically allowed anywhere outside buildings in these places and hikers will often find the same mountain views, verdant forests and refreshing streams familiar in national parks. All with the added bonus of engaging in our shared heritage along these tail-friendly trails.

Gettysburg National Military Park, where Civil War Union forces halted a
Confederate invasion commanded by Robert E. Lee, in south-central Pennsylvania is
America’s most-visited battlefield. A good way for dog owners to digest the most
analyzed three days in American history - and escape the crowds - is to leave the
auto tour and explore the grounds on foot. The battlefield swallows the town of
Gettysburg although most of your walking will take place in quiet farmland and
boulder-studded hillsides south of the village where the climactic fighting took
place.

A full day to hike with your dog can be crafted on the 9-mile Billy Yank Trail
and the 3.5-mile Johnny Reb Trail. Part of the Gettysburg Heritage Trails Program,
printed guides lead the way on these rambles. Shorter canine hikes include the
one-mile High Water Mark Trail that interprets the final desperate Confederate race
across nearly one mile of open ground by the 12,000-man “Pickett’s Charge” and an
historic climb that twists through the woods to the summit of Big Round Top, a
crucial Union position on the top of Cemetery Ridge.

While at Gettysburg, also take time to hike with your dog on informal trails
leading to more than 1,400 statues and memorials erected to remember this most
historic of American ground, where more men fell than in any battle ever fought in
the United States.

Gettysburg National Military Park can be found on Route 15 in southcentral
Pennsylvania, north of the Maryland border and south of the town of Gettysburg.

I am the author of over 20 books, including 8 on hiking with your dog and the
widely praised The Canine Hiker’s Bible. As publisher of Cruden Bay Books, we
produce the innovative A Bark In The Park series of canine hiking books found at
http://www.hikewithyourdog.com Articles in the Doggin’ America series of dog-
friendly parks can be found at http://www.DogginAmerica.com During the warm
months I lead canine hikes for hikewithyourdog.com tours, guiding packs of dogs
and humans on hiking adventures. Tours, ranging from one-day trips to multi-day
explorations, visit parks, historical sites and beaches. My lead dog is Katie, a
German Shepherd- Border Collie mix, who has hiked in all of the Lower 48 states
and is on a quest to swim in all the great waters of North America - http://web.mac.com/crudbay/iWeb/Katies%20Blog/Katies%20Quest.html

There is nothing quite like the thrill of pulling a trophy
northern pike through the ice. Big northerns are not only an
open water phenomena. They are one of my favorite ice fishing
targets. As an ice fisherman I love the thrill of seeing that
huge ‘gator’ head fill the hole. I’ve learned a few lessons over
the years. However the tough part is, we typically learn the
most from our failures, not our successes, and that also holds
true for ice fishing for big northern pike. With a proper game
plan and the right equipment you can set yourself up to put some
beautiful fish up on the ice. There is not a lot to it, but you
do need to create a game plan that will give you the highest
opportunity possible to catch these monsters.

I target these larger fish later in the season when the weather
is warming and with that the fish are bulking up for the spawn.
I like to fish lakes with a history of big fish, but more
importantly, lakes that have good weed structure. I drill a
series of holes when I first hit the ice and then let the auger
lay. I would recommend using a hole no less than 10 inches. When
it comes to getting that massive head in the hole you need all
the advantage you can get. I like to drill the holes along a
weed bed that is alongside deeper water. Ideally you want to be
situated near a spawning area.

For big pike I believe in presenting a large, still bait. I love
using a tip-up for this type of presentation. I build my rigs
using a 12 to 18 inch leader, 2 size 1/0 treble hooks and a slip
ring. I attach one treble hook on the end of the leader and have
the second leader slide freely on the leader with the slip ring.
I attach the leader to a 40 to 50 pound black braided line. I
like a black braided line so I can see the line on the ice and
also so I can control the line with my hands as I fight the
fish.

Large pike hit large bait. I complete the rig with about 8-10
inch bait. I buy my bait from the local super market. I like
using sardines. They are very soft and I think that they become
an attractant as they sit in the water. Tulibee are also a good
choice especially if they are natural to the body of water you
are fishing. I simply apply one treble hook in the head and one
treble hook in the tail of the bait. I let the bait sink to the
bottom and raise it about 6-12 inches off the bottom. Then I let
it sit. I like to set the rig on the deeper side of the weed
bed. I use a tip up for this rig as now I just let it sit. If
I’m fishing with a group we will run a number of these rigs
along the edge of the weed bed, some closer and some further
off. The pike I catch on a rig just described is 30 inches and
up, with the majority of my fish in the 40 inch range.

Now it can be a waiting game, or you can be active in the
process. Living in Manitoba I am only permitted 2 lines in the
water. Depending on the body of water I am fishing, I set up 2
rigs like this, or other times I set up one rig and then use an
ice fishing rod to target pan fish and bait fish. This does 2
things. Firstly it helps occupy me as I usually need to be
moving and have something to do. Secondly, it attracts baitfish
to the area, and therefore helps draw in the larger pike. I
enjoy jigging for perch and as I keep perch in the area I am
fishing I’m convinced it acts as another attractant to big pike.

When the tip up flag goes, the real fun begins. Approach the
flag slowly as you do not want to spook the fish. It is
important not to set the hook right away. This is where
experience comes into play. I am convinced these fish spin the
bait in their mouths after the initial hit. You need to get to
the rig and quietly determine what the fish is doing. After they
hit the bit the fish will move a short distance and then stop.
This is where your will power and discipline come into play.
Wait! Wait until the fish starts to move again before you set
the hook. I gently pull in the slack after the initial hit and
pull it until is tight. Then I let it off just a touch and wait
until the fish starts to move again. This process will take at
least a minute and possibly more. I have set the hook at this
point if I have waited for a considerable amount of time and it
has not moved. Again, slowly tighten the line and then when it
is tight give a hard set and get ready for that line to sing. If
you set the hook and there is nothing there, you may have set
the hook too soon. It may also be a smaller fish and they tried
to bite off more than they could chew. Once the hooks are set,
the fish will take off and you need to keep tension on the line,
but let it go where it wants to go. If you have other rigs down
in the area, get them up because these things can run a long way
and a tangle only makes the tension higher.

>From here you just pull when it lets up and let it run when it
wants to go. This is where the heavy braided line is nice at it
won’t cut your hands if you are careful and you can see it as
you pull it up on the ice. Your blood will boil as you see the
beast swim past the hole and keep your head about you as you
need to gently work that massive head into the hole. As the fish
comes out on the ice be careful as this is where many break offs
can occur. A gaff can be used, but it could definitely damage
the fish. I usually prepare to go down after it with my arm if
needed, but the trouble is you are taking your life in your hand
when you put your arm down a hole with a big pike and 2 trebles!
But hey, your wounds will heal. And I find those wounds heal a
lot sooner than the wounds of losing one of these trophy fish.

I trust you will have the opportunity to pick up some of that
spring sun as you sit out on the ice this spring and wait with
anticipation for the flag to dance indicating you have a fish on
the line that is worth getting up out your seat for.

January Hunting Tips

Now that we right in the middle of winter, most deer season are
over and hunters putting away all their equipment. It is a good
time to check over your hunting stuff, take note of what didn’t
work right, what needs to be replaced, wash and store your camo,
and reflect on what went right and what went wrong this past
season. I also look over my notes to see where I saw any deer
while driving around the area so I can maybe find a new hunting
spot for next year. It is also the time to thank all of the
farmers and land owners that let you hunt on their land.

Every January I will start to put away all my hunting equipment,
this year is different for me because we are moving to new
house. I have all the tree stands and ladders in the garage
waiting to be moved, and all the camo and small stuff boxed up
and waiting to go. When we get to the new house I will have to
take time to check the nuts and bolts and touch up the paint on
all the tree stands and ladders before putting away.

The camouflage hunting clothes will be washed in baking soda and
checked for tears or holes and any new camo needs noted on my
list to purchase for next season, then all camo hung and stored
away in the basement closet.

As I look back over my notes from this past season, I see the
positive things that happened. I saw that we passed up 6 or 7
different yearling bucks very early in the bow season. We had
many deer coming to the Food Plots we made. We also got some
good footage of the deer on Video Tape. I saw two Pope and Young
Bucks from my stand during the archery season, and could have
shot numerous other deer.

There were many negative things that happened this past hunting
season also. The first and biggest was that we did not draw an
Iowa deer tag. The second negative was that we didn’t have a
solid ” Plan B “. We had leads on possible hunts in Buffalo
County, but they all fell through. Another negative was when I
had my chance at a book buck I missed a diffcult shot, had I
took the time to bring my deer decoy out that morning I most
likely would have had a much easier shot as the buck would have
been focused on the decoy. The next negative came during the gun
season, in the area we were hunting, the deer movement was
almost non existent and I didn’t have a good ” Plan B “. I was
going to check out a new area before the season started but I
didn’t get around to it and when I did finally check out the new
area during the gun season, it looked very good but it was too
late in the hunt and I had to return home with an empty tag. One
last negitive was that I didn’t take the time to find any new
Bowhunting spots. You always need to be on the lookout for new
spots, you can lose a great spot you have been hunting for years
if the farmer sells his land. It happens all the time. Always
keep your eyes open for new spots.

Now that the hustle and bustle of the Holiday season is over, we
will thank the land owners and offer venison sausage and other
goodies for their generosity in letting us hunt on their land.
And hope they will do so again next fall.

Keep checking www.advanced-whitetail-hunting.com for updates on
hunting permit deadlines, new equipment and new info for your
upcoming Food Plots and Mineral Licks. Also, send me any
pictures of you or your buddies’ deer and tell me how your
season turned out.

Enjoy the winter, dale@advanced-whitetail-hunting.com

Preparing for a Catalina Island camping trip requires some careful planning and packing, as you won’t have your car or RV with you.

Since the Santa Catalina Island Conservancy owns most of Catalina, the natural beauty is well preserved, so you are in for a real treat.

There are five campgrounds on the island, not counting the boat-in campsites. Most people arrive by ferry or private boat, so you want to pack enough, but not too much.

A permit is required by all campers, which can be obtained at the Two Harbors Visitor Services or Avalon’s Island Plaza. When arriving at the island, you must check in with them before going to your campground.

For Catalina Island camping reservations, call 310-510-8368. You may also be able to rent camping gear such as tents, sleeping bags and pads. All the campgrounds charge $12 per adult per night and $6 per child. They also all have a 10-day maximum stay limit. Unfortunately for campers who love to bring their dogs along, no pets are allowed.

HERMIT GULCH CAMPGROUND

Located 1 1/2 miles from the boat landing on Avalon Canyon Road, you can hike in or take a taxi from Avalon. It is set on a grassy field with trees, inland near Wrigley Memorial and Botanical Garden.

This campground has 54 tent sites. You’ll find flush toilets, showers, picnic tables, BBQs and a small store. Propane, charcoal, firewood and ice is available for sale from the rangers.

TWO HARBORS CAMPGROUND

This campground is located in Two Harbors on a bluff above the beach. You can either hike 1/4 mile uphill from Two Harbors or take the Safari Bus. There are 43 tent sites and 3 group sites. Several of the sites are sheltered, which is a blessing during the hot summer days. There are chemical toilets, cold showers, a snack bar and a coin laundry. Activities include snorkeling and biking.

LITTLE HARBOR CAMPGROUND

A third campground is the Little Harbor Campground. Located 7 miles east of Two Harbors and 16 miles west of Avalon, you can get there by hiking (for the studly), or take the Safari Bus from Two Harbors or Avalon.

This campground has 17 tent sites, of which 8 are group sites. They have chemical toilets, cold showers, picnic tables, a BBQ and a fire ring. You can snorkel and swim at two sandy beaches.

If you prefer, you can arrange in advance with Visitor Services to have your gear transported from Two Harbors for a fee.

BLACKJACK CAMPGROUND

Another of the campgrounds on Catalina Island is the Blackjack Campground. It is located near Mt. Orizaba, which is the highest peak on the island. It is inland, set amongst the trees. Located 9 miles west of Avalon and 11 1/2 miles east of Two Harbors off Old Stage Road, you can access it by a 1 1/2 mile hike to the campground. To get to the trailhead, hike in or take the Safari Bus or Airport Shuttle from Avalon. You can check in at either Avalon’s Island Plaza or Two Harbors Guest Services.

This campground has 11 primitive tent sites, along with chemical toilets, BBQ, fire ring and picnic tables.

PARSON’S LANDING CAMPGROUND

This campground is found between Land’s End and Arrow Point. Located 7 miles west of Two Harbors, you must hike in or come by kayak to get there.

It has 8 primitive tent sites, chemical toilets, BBQ, fire ring and picnic tables. There is no water so you must bring your own. They may include water and firewood in the fee, so double-check this when you make your reservation. It faces the beach, which is nice, but it is advisable to bring your own shade

BOAT-IN CAMPSITES

A unique way to experience Catalina Island camping is by boat or kayak. There are nine named boat-in camping areas in all, covering a total of 17 campsites.

All are situated around the northeast shore of Avalon. They are primitive sites with no water, toilets or moorings. You must pack out your trash and bring your own portable toilets and water. No fires are allowed. A ranger will check you in and then checks on each site daily. Kayak rentals are available in Avalon. For more information, call 310-510-7265.

If you love to camp by the beach, try getting away from the hustle and bustle and crowds of the mainland by camping on Catalina Island.

Laura Eggers is a beach lover with a website. http://www.southern-california-beaches-vacation-guide.com offers visitors a plethora of information about the different beach areas to help with planning their beach vacation in sunny Southern California.

Having made my share of mistakes in the wilderness over the years, I have compiled a list of gotcha’s that can be applied to any outdoor adventure. I urge you to print this out and store with your outdoor gear. Hiking can be a most rewarding distraction from the daily grind, but safety should NEVER be taken for granted!

Preparation

1) Plan your hike. You are more likely to have a safe and happy hike if you “plan your hike, and hike your plan”. To rush out on a big hike w/o proper planning is asking for trouble! ALWAYS notify someone close to you where you will be and how long you will be gone.

2) Know your terrain. Use every resource available to get to know your hiking trail before you set out. This will prepare you for the walking conditions. “Are there streams to ford?, Elevation changes?, Is terrain rocky or smooth?”, Just some of the questions that can be answered BEFORE you set out.

3) Know your climate. Hypothermia is real, dangerous, and misunderstood. Hypothermia can strike in relatively warm environments. Hypothermia plain and simple is a rapid cooling of the body. This can be caused by cold, wet or a combination of both. Hypothermia can easily be prevented with proper preparation.

In The Pack Essentials

1) Potable water. Always have fresh water available, on any excursion. It is also a good idea to bring along purification tablets and/or a filtration device. Having the ability to produce drinking water can be just as important as the water you pack in. I also bring along some protein snacks, just in case.

2) First Aid Kit. Although an obvious choice, it is surprising how many folks go in the wilderness without one. Items as simple as pain relief tablets can be a welcome addition when you are far from civilization. Other items are bandages, tweezers, moleskin, antiseptic, needle and thread (for repairs).

3) Fire and light source. Matches and a lighter are essentials for me. I usually pack along a small piece of commercial starter stick for quick fires in moist environments. I also pack a small conventional flashlight and an LED light, as well.

4) Clothing. It is always wise to pack some extra layers. The weight of these items will be dictated by the environment, err to the side of caution, as temps can fluctuate greatly, especially in mountainous environments. An extra pair of socks can be life savers.

5) Orienteering. Packing along a map and compass has gotten me out of a jam more than once. I also carry a cell phone, even though I may not get reception in most places, in a pinch, I may be able to get a call out.

The single most important item to pack on your next hike is common sense. Making sound decisions while on the trail will keep you out of most troubled situations. If you hike with your family members, especially children or seniors, remember that they may not have the stamina handle the same level hike as you, and you ultimately must make the right decision.

Forrest Treker is a path stomper from way back. Frequently blazing trails in the mountains of North Carolina. Join Forrest for a hiking good time at Discount Outdoors!

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.

Bad weather can be good for eagle viewing as the eagles tend to stay closer to the riverbanks and closer to viewing areas. When the weather is great, they are more likely to be off for a little fly around the rivers, mountains and forests of the Squamish area.

One of the best ways to see the Bald Eagles in their spectacular surroundings right in their own habitat is on an Eagle Float tour, or Eagle Safari through Canadian Outback Adventures. A dream experience for adventure travelers, photographers, families, schools and educational groups, it is the best way to get up close to these raptors without disturbing them. While they usually run white water rafting trips in the summer, in winter, Canadian Outback takes vacationers, school and educational groups on float tours down the rivers in the area in order to see these spectacular birds in their natural habitat, all with stunning mountain and forest backdrops.

The closest Squamish accommodation to the prime eagle viewing area in Brackendale is the Sea to Sky Hotel & Conference Center on Highway 99 at Garibaldi Way. Excellent eagle viewing areas are only about a kilometer away. The hotel also offers discount ski packages to those traveling to ski or board at Whistler Blackcomb.

There are other good viewing areas in town, particularly along the river dykes at the end of Judd Road, and around the spawning channels between the Mamquam River and the Squamish Valley Golf and Country Club.

Directions: To see the eagles from arguably the best viewing area, turn west from Highway 99 at Garibaldi Way. This is a left hand turn if you are coming from Vancouver, or a right hand turn if you are coming from Whistler. Turn right again in about 20 metres at the T-junction with Government Road. Follow Government road for just under one kilometer, and you will be at the Eagle Viewing area. There is lots of parking on the right and an interpretive center on the dyke from which you can get a great view of dozens of Bald Eagles. If you are very lucky, there may also be a few seals around, as well as a variety of other bird species. On weekends from December to mid-February there are often volunteers from Squamish’s Eagle Watch program on have to offer more information and a peek through higher powered telescopes. Other great viewing areas are near the Tenderfoot Fish Hatchery, The Squamish Estuary, and near the Spawning channels between the Mamquam River and the Squamish Valley Golf and Country club.

Squamish is an outdoor recreation Mecca with thousands of rock climbing routes, hundreds of kilometers of Mountain Bike trails, a dozen excellent day hikes, some of the best windsurfing and kite-surfing on the west coast of North America, excellent white water rafting or kayaking, and scuba diving in Howe Sound. For the less adventurous, there is fishing, 3 scenic golf courses, walking trails, beaches and lakes, and sailing available. The new Squamish Adventure Center was recently opened on Highway 99.

Gord Addison has travelled extensively through four continents. Currently he lives in Squamish BC and writes when he is not running, hiking, mountain biking, cycling, or rock climbing.

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