simple::nature

I came across this article from http://whitewatervideocollection.com/ and I had to share.  With the arrival of warm weather comes the arrival of a plethora of exciting outdoor activities.  Whitewater rafting is certainly a great one! 

Author: Ryan Hutchings

The United States is chalk full of raft-able rivers and waterways. With so many rivers and rafting options, which destinations provide the best combination of whitewater fun and backcountry scenery?

The United States has the largest concentration of commercial river runners than any other country in the world. River rafting continues to become a popular adventure among all generations, from Baby Boomers down the generation Y. A majority of the people who are on river rafting trips have rafted before, which means that once experienced, a return to the river is sure to come. With so many destinations to choose from, which rivers offer the best rafting trips in the country?

The list below outlines places across the US recognized as some of the best overall rafting destinations. These trips are most suitable for everyone, with no prior experience necessary. The trips also offer a great combination of scenic beauty and white water rafting excitement:

1. Grand Canyon, AZ
2. Salmon River, ID
3. Arkansas River, CO
4. Colorado River, UT
4. American River, CA
5. Rogue River, OR
6. Glacier National Park, MT
7. New River, WV
8. Chattooga River, GA/SC
9. Snake River, ID/WY
10. Deerfield River, MA

Most of these destinations and rivers offer a wide variety of trip options, ranging from short half-day river trips to longer multi-day excursions. Packages and trips durations vary depending on the location and outfitter of choice.

The best way to plan a good rafting vacation is to do your research early. There are many websites that offer comprehensive information on river rafting and good rafting vacations. Go online and look for a whitewater rafting directory or website that covers multiple areas, gives some great general information, and recommends quality whitewater rafting outfitters in your area.

A good place to start research for a rafting vacation would be Rafting America (www.raftingamerica.com). The website offers a comprehensive geographical map with rafting locations in most states, as well as answers to common river rafting questions, river class ratings and contact information.

Spring is here.  It is one of my most favorite times of the year to be outside.  I love the smells.  I love the temperature.  I love the sense of escape from dreariness it provides.  Have fun.  Stop reading this.  Get outside!

For many people, spring break is right around the corner.  Spring break itself hasn’t meant much to me since I graduated from college, but something about this time of year makes me want to escape to the warmth.  So what will you be doing for spring break?

If it’s warmth and sunshine you’re after, Mexico is always a great choice.  Between Cancun, Playa Del Carmen, and Puerta Vallarta, you’re sure to find some fun in the sun. 

If you want to stay closer to home, or at least somewhere that doesn’t require a passport, look south.  Florida, Arizona, California, and even Texas all have great vacation destinations. 

If it’s the fluffy white stuff your heart desires, many places like Utah, and Colorado still boast great powder throughout the spring break season.

Isn’t nature amazing?  Have you ever thought of how cool a pearl is?  I mean seriously, there are little treasures found in so many unexpected places!  I have been thinking about how remarkable pearls are so I have done a little research.  I found it interesting how the human race has kind of “stepped-in” and helped out the process a bit.

Pearls are so timelessly beautiful, it is kind of a shame that they use to only be available at the whims of nature. Luckily for us, were people have developed methods which allow us to cultivate, or culture, these fine treasures, enabling pearls to be more accessible.

The long history behind pearl culturing actually began in Australia. William Saville-Kent actually discovered the methods behind pearl culturing. However, two men from Japan, Tokichi Nishikawa and Tatsuhei Mise, are responsible for its true beginning as a commercial process. In 1916 they were granted the patent in Japan for culturing pearls, and Nishikawa’s Father-in-law then began to apply this technology to akoya pearl oysters. This technology was then applied to the south sea oyster in 1917 however it took another 11 years before a commercial crop of pearls was produced.

The method for culturing pearls is fairly simple. The oyster is brought out of the water, then a small irritant, such as a piece of shell or oyster tissue is inserted into the oyster. The oyster then activates its natural defense system and starts to coat the intruder with a layer of nacre. It keeps doing this until a full pearl is formed. This process, depending on the oyster and size of pearl desired, can take anywhere from 2 to 7 years.

A common misconception of this process is that a grain of sand is used to “seed” the oyster. While sand can cause a pearl to be formed it is much more likely that a bead, piece of shell, or chunk of tissue was used. These provide more reliable pearls, and pearl shapes, great for pearl necklaces and pearl earrings.

The culturing of pearls has provided a unique opportunity for those who seek after this jewel. They are able to have a real pearl made through the same process as natural pearls however they don’t have to wait for the rare natural pearl to found. It also provides the chance to have longer strands of matching pearls. Whatever the case may be, the culturing of pearls has most certainly made the jewelry world a better place.

I have been following the blog Dadventures in Beantown for a while now.  I am a parent myself, and I love to see somebody post about adventures that can be done with the kids.  Seth, the author of Dadventures, lives in Massachusetts (hence the title) where he is an elementary school principle, husband, father, and adventurer.  He and his family have traveled through five continents and are always keeping us up-to-date with adventures close to home as well.  They are about to embark on a big adventure to Rome (can you sense my envy?) and they promise to keep us posted on their adventures while there.  Hopefully his posts will be a cure for my insatiable desire to travel to that ancient land.

He’s given me permission to re-post one of his entries.  I wanted to give you a little taste of his writing, and encourage you to head over to his blog for the full feast!

First Freshies: Nashoba Valley Ski Area, Westford, MA

Sydney and cousin Sklyar ride their own, personal magic carpet, cousin Carey up the bunny hill. Nashoba may be little, but it’s perfect for beginners.

Nashoba Valley Ski Area
79 Power Rd
Westford, MA

Dadventures were defined in the snow for me. I put on first pair of wooden boards at age two at the Dartmouth Cross Country Ski Center and it has all downhill from there. My dad and I have spent innumerable hours crossing the globe, shoving our feet into boots and bombing down the moguls. Today was Sydney’s second time out, and who better to share it with that one of my favorite dadventurers, Cousin Carey. Carey was a kayak guide in Chile, has torn up the slopes of New England and generally shares my ambition for crazy outdoor fun. It is obvious that his daughter Skylar will do the same.

A quick phone call last night, a check off the freshies forecast (3-4 by morning), a perusal of Curious George in the Snowby H.A. Rey and we were off. Thirty-five minutes from my house (yes people, 35 minutes to pow-pow door to door) and we were on the hill. Sydney made me buy a full lift ticket, even though Nashoba has a nice feature for the under five set: $20 for the bunny hill. In the end, those two blue runs with him gripping me for deal life and laughing so loud my ears hurt off the chair were more than worth the extra $20 for me. Sure, Nashoba is not the alps, the lodge needs a little more room and Sydney could have used some beginner blues, but all in all, three hours later we were beat. The first step in a ridiculously expensive and rewarding adventure career.

Thanks Dadventurer!

The 2010 Olympic Games are less than 2 weeks away! I’m not going to lie. I love the Olympics. I love the competitive nature, as well as the sense of pride that occompanies the games. I know this is a bit premature, but it’s simply been on my mind as of late. What are your favorite events to watch?

I feel kind of silly posting about great ski trails and fantastic river runs when there is so much devastation in Haiti.  I don’t want to dwell on this for long, but I didn’t want to ignore it either.  I thought I would share a quote and a video straight out of Haiti:

In an e-mail newsletter Alex Thompson of Britain’s Channel 4 News writes:

Agencies on the ground, and the U.S. commander, are growing doubtful now of finding anybody else alive. He says US forces have not found anybody alive for the past two days. But we know that earthquakes always surprise us with the endurance of the human spirit. We may yet be further surprised.

Unless you live under a rock, I am sure you are aware that Whistler, BC will be hosting the Olympics in February this year.   I figured that now would be the perfect time to highlight that beautiful little piece of nature.

I just wanted to sneak a quick post in to wish everybody a happy and safe new year celebration!  I hope you all had a fantastic 2009, and hopefully 2010 will be even better.

Mammoth Mountain, Mammoth Lakes, CA

Mt. Bachelor Ski Resort, Bend, Oregon

Alpine Meadows, Tahoe City, California

The Canyons, Park City, Utah

Kirkwood, Lake Tahoe, California

Park City Mountain Resort, Park City, Utah

Mt. Hood, Mount Hood, Oregon

Big Sky Resort, Big Sky Montana

Sugarloaf, Maine

Squaw Valley, Olympic Valley, California