Colorado Dude Ranch Vacations

The usual summertime activities can be enjoyed at many Colorado dude ranches, including swimming, hiking, and fishing. During the winter months, guests may find that sledding, sleigh rides, ice-skating, snowmobiling and cross-county skiing are available. The season shouldn’t be a deterrent in choosing to vacation at a Colorado dude ranch, because there’s always something to do.

Dude ranches in Colorado offer numerous trails for riding or hiking. You can ride your horse over mountain trails, alongside rivers, or through open meadows. Your level of experience and comfort will determine your rides, and friendly staff are there to assist you at every turn.

There are also a number of adventures to be found off of the horse. River-rafting, mountain biking, and hunting trips are available at many ranches. On working ranches in Colorado, guests can help with the cattle alongside the cowboys and cowgirls at work.

Lodging can range from log cabins, to simple rooms, to full suites. Fireplaces are provided in many rooms and cabins, perfect for cold winter nights. Log furniture is commonly found, and the rustic charm is often paired with modern day luxuries.

Whether looking for a romantic retreat, bringing the family on vacation, or traveling as a solo cowboy, a Rocky Mountain adventure awaits you at any one of Colorado’s many dude ranches.

Combine Your Next Vacation With The Great Sport Of Kayaking

A vacation is a great time to learn a new activity. You can quickly learn to kayak on one of the many kayak tours available in both tropical and non-tropical locations.

Kayaking is an activity that you can do almost anywhere you go, especially on tropical vacations. Sometimes you will find the best kayaking tours in the tropics or the ocean. These tours teach you how to kayak in great weather, take you on a thrilling adventure and much more!

In tourist locations such as Costa Rica, Belize, Florida and other tropical islands, you will find many kayaking tours.

On these tours, you are accompanied by a professional guide who will assist you in case you have any problems. Of course, they know the area and are familiar with their location.

Tours in the U.S. and Canada are less tropical. But there, you will get to go whitewater kayaking, and participate in competitive kayaking, as well as the recreational and relaxing kayaking activities that everyone enjoys. Where you find tours, you will also find that lessons are available. The lessons can often be a part of the tours. On the same day, you can learn to kayak and go on an exciting tour and try out your new abilities!

You will be able to find a great kayaking holiday no matter where you go! Even if you are not an experienced kayaker or have never kayaked at all, these tours are perfect for you. You can quickly learn kayaking and will immediately fall in love with it!

Kayaking is an activity that you can combine with many other hobbies. That is the best part of it! On your next vacation, find a kayaking tour and you will find lots of various options for your family and yourself. You can easily take advantage of this awesome sport and its variety.

There are many web based resources that will help you find combine a holiday with a kayaking adventure. You will soon be relaxing and taking part in a great sport.

Dartmoor National Park Guided Walks a Huge Success

 walks have been a great success with both tourists and local people due to the careful planning of the walks. The start times and locations are set to make the walks as accessible as possible for all concerned but still manage to take in some of the must see sights on the moors.
u’ve’ ever wondered what creatures are out and about on Dartmoor at night, why not go along for a two hour stroll at Newbridge on Monday 14 August at 8 pm.  Situated in the beautiful Dart valley, the Newbridge area is a haven for
ounger wildlife enthusiasts can join a Wet and Wild stream dipping activity, or a Dartmoor Family Play Day, helping them learn about Dartmoor wildlife while having fun. On Thursday 10 August, a three hour Dartmoor Family Play-Day takes place, from 10 am, at Norsworthy Bridge, Burrator.  The whole family can join in the fun, with nature games and activities suitable for children aged 6 to 12 years.  These events are extremely popular so booking is essential.  Please telephone the High Moorland Visitor Centre, Princetown, on (01822) 890414.  On Friday 25 August there is another chance to take the children along to a Wet and Wild Stream dipping activity, this time at Bellever, near Postbridge, at 2
he full programme of guided walks and events can be found in the Dartmoor National Park Visitor Guide, the Authority’s free information newspaper, available from Information Centres. Many of the guided walks are accessible by public transport.  If you arrive at the start point by public transport, and show your he whole scheme has proved such a success that several other national parks are looking into similar programs for the coming

Descent into Dark Canyon: Kid?s Wild Fishing in Colorado's Raggeds Wilderness

The trout literally leaped to snag our hooks as we cast them again and again into the small pools of Trout Creek as it cascaded down through the brush, waterfalling from rock to rock.  No, really, that is one of those rare memories from childhood that stands out as a boggling phenomena, one of few that I clearly recall.  Beyond that I don’t bank a lot on my abilities to recall a lot from years past, and this trek into the Colorado backcountry almost seems like a journey to OZ.  

Trout Creek was a small side creek to the Anthracite in western Colorado between Paonia and Crested Butte up on Kebler Pass.  I was 13 years old, and trekking into the Raggeds Wilderness with my buddy Steve, his dad and brother.  We followed an obscure overgrown trail around Marcellina Mountain down into the fabled Dark Canyon to fish and camp, following Anthracite Creek out to the other trailhead.  

My family had driven over Kebler Pass many times, and Marcellina Mountain stood tall and daunting right near the road, jutting up in the Colorado backcountry to a lofty 11,348 feet within the Raggeds Wilderness.  That we were actually going to backcountry trek around that peak, hiking through the Raggeds Wilderness and down legendary Dark Canyon - a childhood dream come true.

To get there, we followed Highway 133 around 16 miles east up the North Fork of the Gunnison River from Paonia, Colorado to the road fork below Paonia Dam.  Turning right the road leads up Anthracite Creek 5 miles to Erikson Springs Campground and a switchback, the road leading up Kebler Pass.  Around 5 miles past the switchback, forest Trail 836, leads east into a tall stand of aspens.  Trail 836 leads to Trout Creek following it down to Anthracite Creek and the heart of Dark Canyon, connecting with Trail 830.  

Our trail circled Marcellina Mountain looming tall south of Dark Canyon.  North of us, the Raggeds Mountains rose tall and inaccessible as we worked our way down toward Anthracite Creek.  Herein lay the wonder of the trek into this rugged backcountry.  Crossing into the Raggeds Wilderness, we hit Trout Creek, receiving our fishing instructions from Steve’s dad. Issuing each of us a small barbless hook, we tied them to our lines, and were then instructed to enjoy.   

Never since have I experienced such amazement.  Trout Creek, true to it’s name was teaming with trout as this wild little stream crashed through the brush .  With no fly or bait on the hook I expected nothing.  Instead to my disbelief, every cast into a pool below a rock prompted a rush of trout, all fighting to grab that shiney treat hitting their waters.  Every time - boom - a set of trout would strike, one of them seizing the prize and the point of a hook.  The majority of course, were far too small to be of any use whatsoever and were all tossed back - hence the barbless hooks.  As Steve’s Dad pointed out, we would catch more than enough for our dinner and breakfast down on the Anthracite.

We boys whooped and hollered at cast after cast.  It was beyond unreal, falling into a category of sport fishing I had never encountered before.  Working our way down the small creek through the brush we finally hit Anthracite Creek, and headed down through the fabled Dark Canyon, a deep and mysterious gorge through surrounding benchlands of aspen and spruce.  The canyon narrows with rimrock cliffs and caves in the outcrops above.  The narrow valley and the walls of Dark Canyon close in high above, casting deep shadows as the rock cliffs rise 1,700 feet above the river in the darker stretches.  As the day waned, the trail grew dark and narrow, as it led through a deep forest of aspen and enormous spruce trees.  

Following our narrow trail around 5 miles from our beginnings up on Kebler Pass road, and down into Dark Canyon, Steve’s dad knew the perfect place to set up camp on the banks of Anthracite Creek.  We set up our meager sleeping quarters in a park-like setting under the towering spruce.  I strung my best tarp between two trees, staking the corners and figuring a good spot to sleep on the ground with a couple of wool blankets Mom was able to spare for this adventure.  Within minutes after hitting the nearby pools of the Anthracite, we had more than enough fresh trout to ccommodate our evenings dining pleasure.  Fortunately for us boys, Steve’s dad was skilled at wrapping the trout in foil with butter, quickly cooking them in the campfire coals to nothing short of gourmet erfection.

The shadows grew longer with a deep, dark night settling upon us, far down in Dark Canyon, a prime Colorado habitat for bears in the heart of the Raggeds Wilderness.  Despite that brief concern, our exhaustion from the days journey and excitement brought a deep, restful sleep to the bunch of us.  Dawn came early even as the sun seemed to take forever to pierce into the canyon and warm us.  As another of those wonderful memories of this journey into Dark Canyon, Steve’s dad had rustled up a morning catch of trout, and was again foil cooking a mouthwatering breakfast on the campfire to start our day.

We packed our gear and later that morning hit the trail for the next 6 miles of trail to follow the rest of the way down through Dark Canyon.  As the day progressed we paused along the trail to pull in yet more wonderful trout, filling our limits working our way down stream.  The canyon and the surrounding forests were a wonder as we worked our way through old-growth spruce and aspen, with views back up the small side canyons toward the surrounding peaks. Finally in late afternoon we straggled out the other end at the trailhead at Erickson Springs Campground where Steve’s Mom picked us up.     

What an outstanding adventure through Dark Canyon!  Years later that journey will be revisited beginning and ending in the comfort of nearby motel accommodations in Crested Butte or Delta, Colorado found at:

Dubai's Great Desert Safari

Dubai is one of the finest cities not only in the middle eastern region, but also throughout the globe. What makes it more special among the known urban centers of the world however, is the sandy surroundings it has been built upon. It shows on one hand the ability of the city planners to have got such an architectural marvel built in the middle of the desert, and on the other it lends a chance for some major outdoor activities around for the fun seeking enthusiasts. There are several locations around Dubai that one could choose to embark on with their desert safaris and have plenty of leisurely time ahead in the rustic Arabian countryside.

These safaris normally take place at a time the sun just starts lowering down on the western horizon and the sand dunes begin displaying larger shadows. The excitement of traveling straightway down from Dubai into a vast deserted land can be immeasurable in these circumstances. One normally encounters scattered villages and well-bred camels straying across on earth while being on these expeditions. The purple Arabian skies provide a very fitting backdrop for camping out in the desert as the evening finally sets in. Dubai is appreciated not only for its trade and commerce but also for the tourism activities it presents these days, and desert safaris may without doubt be stated as one of the key areas where these activities generally lay around at.

There are several available options for the tourists to get their safaris selected from. Generally all major hotels and resorts will get such trips organized when asked for by their clients. Guides are provided with all traveling parties for the duration beginning from the late afternoon start of any journey to the same night return later. Travelers should keep aware about the kind of topsy-turvy ride they might be about to undertake, as miles of sand dunes will be lying ahead in the path to be taken care of. Any lack of carefulness on part of the driver may cause the jeep to be overturned or get stuck inside the sand. Somehow, the fun and excitement of traveling like a gypsy will make out these stressful parts insignificant.

Once deep inside the desert, one may witness camels ferrying tourists across from one souk to another. It's not only entertaining but challenging as well to be placed at the top of mounting and dismounting camel backs. The long-necked mammals on their part are well bred and nicely taken care of by their masters, and would start acting somewhat like puppies whenever pampered by someone. Just scratch behind any camel's ears and it would start flattening its necks as if asking for more of the same massage.

The late evening outings normally include visiting souks in the desert and having Arabian dinner along with some entertaining folk dance and music shows on. Liquor drinks may cost between $7.00 - 10.00 and beers in the range of $5.00 - 7.00. You will enjoy watching stars at night provided Dubai is not very near the place where you have landed for your outing. The return journey takes place soon after all you camp fire itineraries, including having dinner and spending time around in shops, have ended to the best of your fulfilment. You will be back to your hotel just before the midnight and get on with your usual Dubai holiday making.

East Cape Wahoo Strike

Setting out for a day on the water we had no idea that the wahoo gods had in store for us. As the boat left the dock before the sun was coming up I had a feeling that this was going to be a great day of fishing. I stayed up pretty late the night before rigging all my wire leaders for the wahoo I was dreaming of catching. So as we headed out the water was calm over the sea of Cortes and the sun just starting to break as we came south our of cabo san lucas. We had a pretty good run in the boat before we could fish, we had heard the day before that the wahoo bite was going crazy on the east cape. So after about three hours of hard running in the boat we decided to get the lines in the water. I set up the out riggers and my buddy steve set up the the cockpit pattern, as captain fernando got us on the fish.

It was about an hour after dropping our lures in the water that we had a huge wahoo strike. All at once four of the rods bent to the extent that they looked like they were going to break. We were fishing with really light tackle and even lighter fishing line. We are only out there for the sport of it, so we take no fish that we catch, only pictures. Anyways as everyone on the boat was going crazy from the four rods screaming like they were about to blow up. You could feel the excitement in the cockpit of the boat, it was so think you could have cut it with a knife. We reeled in the other lines that didn't have fish on them to get them out of the way, and started to fight these four fish that we had hooked up. After we lost one due to our own fault we got our first wahoo to the boat, and she was big about sixty pounds. It is a little tricky to get these fish un hooked and released but you can do it once someone with some experience shows you the right way to do it. Well we did the same with the other two witch went as big as the first but still nice size.

Once that first hookup came it seemed like we were just on fire, with fish practically fighting to eat our lures. That day we caught over 14 wahoo and 6 stripped marlin, all tagged and released. I will never forget this day and I can guarantee that the guys that were with me wont either. So if you ever get the chance to fish baja don't pass it up, but please release what you dont need and keep conservation in mind. Its a very fragile ecosystem out there and we need to help preserve it.

Easy Camping Food: Devour Delicious and Easy Camping Food in Minutes

It’s true.

You too can now enjoy the same quality meals you enjoy in your home kitchen in your campfire kitchen with little fuss.

Meals around the campfire are just as much the centre of camping life as meals around the kitchen bench at home.

It’s possible to unleash the gourmet campfire chef within you when you know how to make your campfire work for you!

For an experienced outdoorsman, the key to good outdoor cooking is both simplicity and creativity. Outdoor cooking need not employ the techniques of a high-paid chef, or even require the latest array of advanced cooking tools. It’s all about a case of good preparation, good thinking, and a whole lot of luck.

Here are some simple campfire cooking skills that will help you create mouthwatering dishes around the campfire in minutes that are not only delicious but turn out just the way they would if you were at home.

It is best to start off with a low heat fire and if the food isn’t cooking quickly enough increase coals.

Practice with a friend’s camp oven before you go out and buy one for yourself.

There are basically two kinds of fires – a trench fire or the traditional, old-fashioned above ground fire.  A trench fire is a pit dug into the ground about 30 x 45 cm deep.

Look for ground that’s free from rocks as this is easier to dig.  If the ground should become loose and the sides fall into the hole, place rocks around the top to support your barbeque plate and grate.

Building a below level fire will be safer for you in windy conditions.

A below level fire is also easier to cook with in bad weather conditions.

A trench helps retain the heat if you are forced to use poor quality wood.

If you use good quality dry wood in the morning you will normally wake up to hot coals under the ashes.

Remember it takes time to build good coals.  Don’t expect to be able to cook a delicious feast 10 minutes after lighting your fire.

Use the cooler end of the trench fire for cooking cakes, dampers and scones.

Remember to preheat your oven over the flames and level out the ash and coals at the cooler end and place your oven down on those coals.

It’s a good idea to check the food you’re cooking every five to ten minutes and to add or remove coals in accordance with how your foods are cooking.

Lift your dutch ovens and other cooking utensils off the fire by using a thick rag and a piece of wire with a hook on one end.

Carry strike anywhere matches as well as a butane lighter and candle.

Keep matches in a plastic jar with cotton wadding on top.

Cotton balls dipped in Vaseline make great fire starters.

You should be able to hold your hands over the coals about 60 centimetres away if your oven is moderately hot.  It will be hot but it should be bearable.

Your fire is ready when the flames have subsided and coals are glowing.

Cooking in the outdoors may seem hard when you’re miles away from the comforts of your own kitchen, market, or grocery store. But this is one experience that’s worth a try. So let nature bring out the best cook in you. Be prepared, be simple, be creative – whatever suits your fancy. But, don’t forget the most important part – get your family involved in the process and have as much fun outdoor cooking as you possibly can.

After all, these are among the special ingredients of a great camping cooking experience that truly lasts a lifetime.

Enjoy Great Summer Activities in the Heart of the Rocky Mountains

Winter Park has so many outdoor activities to choose from, you could spend the whole summer here and never see and do everything.  Regardless of the activity you choose, you will enjoy some of the most spectacular views of the Continental Divide that Colorado has to offer.

A 600-mile trail system spreads throughout Winter Park and the Fraser Valley.  These trails are great for either hiking or mountain biking, and have something for every skill level.  Also known as “Mountain Bike Capital USA”, Winter Park hosts many bike races throughout the summer that are open to the general public.  Winter Park Resort offers 50 miles of trails that can be accessed by chair lift, and it’s all downhill from there.  You’ll need to purchase a lift pass, but your bike rides up for free.  Before heading down you may want to stop at the Sunspot for lunch and enjoy 360 degree views of the surrounding mountains.  There is also a 18 hole disc golf course that may keep you up top for awile.

Winter Park Resort is also home of the longest Alpine Slide in Colorado!  A 3000 foot long slide, with a 600 foot drop winding through the wilderness.  At the base you can also find a miniature golf course, a climbing wall, Rock N' Roll Gyro, Human Maze, Leaps & Bounds Bungee and a whole lot more.

If you are in search of fishing holes, you can wade 1,000 miles of streams, wander around 1,000 acres of high mountain lakes, or troll 11,000 acres of reservoirs. Rainbow, cutthroat, brown & brook trout can be found in most of the rivers, while mackinaw and kokanee salmon cruise the depths of the larger bodies of water.  Having so much water also provides ample opportunities for rafting, canoeing or kayaking.

Music always sounds better with a backdrop like the Continental Divide, and free music concerts can be found just about everywhere in Winter Park all summer long.  Music and food festivals also take place in the area, but generally cost up to $40 for admission.  Events like the Jazz Festival and the Food, Wine & Beer Festival may require advance planning for stays in Winter Park.

Eureka! A Science Camp For Girls

"Eureka!" That's what many parents say when they find a camp for their daughter that focuses on science.

That may be the cause of excitement as more than 1,700 girls, ages 11-13, will take part in a variety of engineering and science-related projects at the weeklong EX.I.T.E. camps across the United States, Canada, Latin America, Europe and Asia Pacific, sponsored for the eighth year by IBM. EX.I.T.E. stands for EXploring Interests in Technology and Engineering.

"Traditionally, girls have shied away from taking math, science and technology courses because they didn't think they could excel in them, or thought the classes were unrelated to what they wanted to do in their lives," said Katherine Hegmann, IBM General Manager, Global Application Services, Business Consulting Services. "What many girls don't realize is that technology is providing opportunities for careers in virtually every field they could hope to pursue."

As part of this year's program, EX.I.T.E. Campers will work in teams with IBM employee volunteers on innovation projects allowing the girls to realize the wealth of ideas and talents they possess that could make a difference in medicine, health care, agriculture, entertainment, consumer goods, environmental preservation or rescue and relief efforts. Each camp will document its innovations by creating a three-dimensional model, blueprint or presentation. The campers will get a chance to present their innovations to local IBM volunteers and executives who will in turn provide feedback.

Since its inception in 1999, 85 percent of the more than 5,000 girls who participated in an EX.I.T.E. Camp indicated that they would consider pursuing an engineering or technical-related degree when they go to college. This shift in perception is critical for companies that depend on technical talent to fill key positions in addition to being timely, as evidenced in a recent survey by the Society of Women Engineers, which indicated that 75 percent of girls, ages 12-17, do not plan to pursue careers in math, science or technology.

When the camps conclude, girls can stay in touch with the technical women at IBM through an e-mentoring program. So far, most girls have found the camps to be an effective motivational experience.

Parents may want to contact their child's school to see if the school participates in the program. For general information on camps, visit the American Camp

Everything You Need To Know About Canvas Tents

Many camping enthusiasts enjoy the comfort of canvas tents while they are out in the wilderness.  The only thing that is certain about nature is that nothing is certain.  Canvas tents are durable and can withstand rain and wind much better than standard tents.  They are generally well constructed using quality materials and are simple to set up.  This is especially beneficial to the most common purposes for canvas tents, which is shelter for hunting and fishing trips.

Canvas tents offer sturdy walls, floor and roofing.  They are usually accompanied by metal bars to secure the tent on site.  In this instance, you will definitely get what you pay for.  Canvas tents offer heavy duty zippers and high walls and ceilings.  They are designed for the most comfort in camping by offering wilderness buffs an opportunity to stand up, walk around, stretch out or even sit down in a chair and relax.  The high ceilings provide additional comfort to campers while also providing extra headroom.  This comes in very handy, especially for the taller individual.

When shopping for canvas tents, it's a good idea to decide on a budget before you start browsing.  If you know how much money you can spend, then you will be better prepared to make a decision and will be less likely to overspend.  After all, you will need to save some money for the additional camping supplies that you will want to take along for the trip.  It's always a good idea to work out a reasonable budget anytime before you make a substantial investment.  When shopping around, keep in mind that canvas tents are more expensive than other models and can be priced at several hundred dollars each.  For a model with more features, they can cost as much as $1,000.00 or slightly more.  

There are a few bonus features to look for in canvas tents, including the presence of a back door to allow more air to circulate during the warm summer months and a tent bag for convenient storage and transportation.  If possible, purchase a white canvas tent because the white color reflects light inside much better than colored tents.  Before making a final decision, you may want to consider the weight factor.  Larger tents are much heavier and can be more difficult to set up but, if that's what you need, then go for it.  If a smaller lightweight tent will work for you, then consider that option as well.  

Canvas tents are more expensive, but they are a true investment.  A quality product, with proper care and maintenance, should last for up to 20 years or more.  Now, that's a lot of camping.