EasternSlopes.com » How To

The Fun In The Sun Conundrum

Tim Jones — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 11:28:33 +0000

Out for a hike on a sunny day with a facemask and a good hat. As an added bonus, this hat is an InsectShield model from Ex Officio that keeps bugs at bay. (Tim Jones photo)

Fact: it’s healthy to get active outdoors. Hiking, biking, paddling and a host of other muscle-powered pastimes are good for body, mind and spirit. You get away from work, TV and computer, get some exercise, have some fun, feel good about yourself and what you are doing.

But there’s another now-indisputable fact: too much sun exposure is bad for you. Forget the short-tem painful sunburn or even long-term cosmetic skin damage that can leave you looking old before your time. Those are pretty minor compared to deadly skin cancer, potentially-fatal heat stroke, or blindness-causing cataracts caused by excess exposure to the Ultra-Violet (UV) rays in sunlight. Yup, too much sun is really, really bad for you.

According to the American College of Preventive Medicine, cases of malignant melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer are increasing faster than any other form of cancer except lung cancer. Check out the National Institutes of Health site for more info.

So how do you strike a balance and get the fun without the risk? It’s easier than you might think: just avoid and armor. Here are some simple ideas for enjoying summer safely.

Timing can help. A great rule of thumb is to avoid sun exposure whenever your shadow is shorter than you are (roughly between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.) That’s a rule even kids can remember. When the sun is lower in the sky, light has to pass through more atmosphere, which filters out at least some harmful UVB.

My own favorite strategy is to get up early in the morning and get out before the sun gets strong. You get the benefit of the cool morning air which makes exercise more pleasant, and the low sun angle, which helps reduce sun exposure. Evenings are also good, though you won’t get much temperature reduction until after the sun sets.

Floppy hat, face mask, long sleeve paddling shirt, paddling gloves. Not everyone needs this much protection from the sun, but if you do, it’s good to know you can still get out and play! (Tim Jones photo)

Picking your pastimes and your places can help avoid excess sun exposure. For example, I like to save high-exposure sports like road biking, beach-walking, or paddling a canoe or kayak for early summer mornings or days with heavy overcast (light cloud cover provides very little protection from sun exposure, especially when the sun is high at mid-day).

On sunny days, consider activities with shade potential, like riding a mountain bike or hiking on a woodland trail. The deep woods can be beautiful on a summer day.

Sometimes however, you just can’t avoid sun exposure. Sailboarding, surfing, paddling kayaks or canoes on ponds or salt water, road biking, hiking mountain summits; sun is a given. So that means protecting yourself against potential damage.

Anytime you are outdoors, even in the morning, even in the shade, it makes sense to wear sunscreen and sunglasses. If you are going to be out in the sun at mid-day, sun-protective clothing becomes essential. The single most important piece of protective clothing is a hat—preferably with a wide, floppy brim all the way around, or a big bill with a neck drape to keep the sun off your face and neck.

Light, loose and long are the key to sun protective clothing. Any fabric between you and the sun is good, but the new high-SPF (Sun Protection Factor) fabrics are cooler, lighter and offer more protection.

In a very real sense, the summer sun is no different than winter’s cold wind. If you dress right, and take sensible precautions, you can go outdoors and enjoy doing the things you love to do with minimal discomfort and almost no risk. Life isn’t a spectator sport. Get out and enjoy!

Avoiding Sunstroke

The technical term is “Hyperthermia,” elevated body temperature. And it can kill you just as dead as hypothermia. Fortunately, sun stroke is pretty easy to avoid—especially in New England.

Staying fully hydrated is particularly important if you are going to be exercising in the sun and want to avoid heat exhaustion or sun stroke. But the best protection is to take it a little bit easier in the heat of the day.

Serious Sun Protection

These bikers were in training for their third cross-country bike ride. The Stoker obviously didn’t let a susceptibility to sun poisoning stop her from being active outdoors. (Tim Jones photo)

Sunscreen is a two-edged sword. The best advice I’ve been able to find says wear lots of it, with an SPF (sun protection factor) of 15 or higher, and reapply it often. Bbut don’t rely on it. In fact, using sunscreen may actually increase your risk for malignant melanoma by increasing your sense of confidence and your willingness to expose yourself to the sun. It’s like feeling that it’s OK to drive your motorcycle recklessly because you’re wearing a helmet . . .

Sunglasses: Check the labels before you buy, get ones which block 99-100% of both UVA and UVB and which either wrap around your face or have side-shields. I prefer sunglasses which are also polarized to reduce glare. There are lots of good sunglasses on the market—but the best ones aren’t cheap. I don’t hesitate to recommend Panoptyx and Costa Del Mar for full on sun performance. Use them as a point of comparison. For active sports like biking, we’ve also extensively tested glasses from Revision and Ryders and recommend them.

Sun Armor: Lightweight, light colored, long-sleeve, high SPF clothing and big, floppy hats offer the most protection. Forget mesh baseball caps, choose something with U-V blocking material and at least a 4-inch brim all around or a cap with a brim and neck shield.

My sweetheart Marilyn, who has a family history of sun-related skin problems (which makes her extra cautious), swears by the big, floppy hats with 5 and 7-inch brims from Solumbra, and Coolibar. She wears their clothing, too. And she has even custom-made face masks from the fabric in Coolibar’s sun scarf—this lets her go out without fear on even the sunniest days.

I do a lot of fishing (another sun-intensive sport) and have had great luck using ventilated, technical fishing clothing from L.L. Bean, Orvis, Ex Officio, and Hook & Tackle for regular outdoor sports, too.

How To Pick A Kayak

Tim Jones — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 12:54:29 +0000

Marilyn Donnelly enjoying her 16-foot Prijon Seayak. Having a boat you love to paddle means you paddle more often and longer. (Tim Jones photo)

Marybeth from Connecticut wrote asking advice on picking kayaks for her and her husband: “We are looking for something for the lakes, but have an opportunity to kayak on a quiet ocean inlet in Maine where we vacation.”

By knowing where she wants to paddle, Marybeth has made a good start on getting the right boats for her and her husband.

There’s no way I would ever recommend a specific kayak for anyone. Kayak preferences are as personal as underwear. But there are some general considerations which can help you find a kayak you can live with happily.

Not all kayaks are created equal. Sadly, there are lots of slow, clunky kayaks that aren’t much fun to paddle. They are cheap, so people buy them thinking they are getting a bargain. Typically , they get used a few times, then abandoned. It’s like trying to pedal a clunker bicycle — despite best intentions you don’t go far or stay with it. Good equipment makes a difference.

This 14-foot Perception Carolina handles ponds, flatwater rivers, lakes and ocean bays.(Tim Jones photo)

So here’s my advice for what it’s worth:

1. Know yourself. What’s most important to you? Do you want to go far and fast? Or are you content to paddle just far enough to see the sunset? Do you have good balance? Do you want performance from your kayak? Are you agile enough to get into and out of a tight cockpit. Do you need the protection of a sit-in kayak with a spray skirt, or would a sit-on-top work better for you? Do you paddle alone? Do you want to carry camping gear? Are you strong enough to load a kayak onto a car rack by yourself?

2. Know where you want to paddle. There’s no such thing as an all-around kayak. Do you paddle on rivers, ponds, lakes, the surf, protected bays or the open ocean? The best boat for paddling on a quiet pond is not the best boat for a wild, whitewater river , paddling Inn to Inn on Lake Champlain or camping the Maine Island Trail. Decide where you paddle most and buy a boat for that. If it works in other situations, great. If not, rent when you need to (or own more than one kayak!)

3. Based on the above answers, you should be able to narrow your choices. A salesperson at a good paddling shop can help you narrow your choices. Generally, shorter boats are lighter, more maneuverable, slower and less seaworthy than longer ones. Wider boats tend to be more stable but harder to paddle. Longer boats are faster, heavier, handle bigger water and carry more gear. Smaller cockpits are harder to get into but aid performance once you are in. Sit-on-top-boats are fine for warm weather and water. Plastic boats are heavier, cheaper, stand up to more abuse than composites (Personally, I think plastic boast are the only reasonable choice for rocky New England.)

This Wilderness Systems Pungo 120 is a stable, versatile, and lightweight, at home on rivers and ponds, but some people will want more paddling performance. (Tim Jones photo)

4. Try as many kayaks as you can before your buy. Rent! Borrow! If someone has a used kayak for sale near you, ask if you can paddle it. Go to a paddling demo or buy from a shop that lets you get in the boat.

5. If you buy a boat and eventually find isn’t perfect for you, don’t despair. There’s a strong market for used kayaks. Just sell it and get another one that suits you better. You’ll know more about yourself and what you want and will be more likely to get it right the second time.

My personal choices? I like kayaks in the 14- to 16-foot range, especially if you are only going to own one boat for pond, lake, flat river and ocean bay paddling. Marilyn started her paddling career in a stable, comfortable 14-foot Perception Carolina, but just bought a fast, lively 16-foot Prijon Seayak. She’s in love. I have a big, 17.5-foot Aquaterra Sea Lion for the ocean and big lakes, kept the Carolina for paddling on smaller waters, so now we are a three-kayak family. There’s nothing wrong with owning more than one kayak! Life isn’t a spectator sport. Get out paddling and enjoy!

Picking A PFD

You never just buy a kayak. You also have to buy, at least, a paddle and a PFD (flotation vest). Let’s start with the PFD, since no one should EVER get into a kayak without one. The only two criteria you really need to worry about for kayaking are fit and flotation.

These folks are out having fun on a lake in kayaks that are just right for them. (Tim Jones photo)

To fit properly, a kayaking vest has to be the right size for you and it has to let you sit comfortably in the seat of your kayak and move your arms in a natural paddling motion. If it pushes up, binds or limits your paddling motion, it doesn’t fit. Women will typically appreciate the anatomic contoured fit of a woman’s vest.

PFDs are categorized by Type. Bulky Type I and II vests, for example, will turn an unconscious user upright in the water. The need for unrestricted paddling motion usually eliminates most of the bulky Type I and II PFDs. Kayaking-specific Type III or Type V vests are your best choice if you intend to paddle regularly. The only difference between Type II and Type V is that a Type V vest must be worn at all times. Since you should always have on a vest in a kayak, the distinction is meaningless.

Vest have different buoyancy ratings, usually marked on the hang tag. My advice: get as much flotation as you can in a vest that fits.

Marilyn and I both use paddling specific vests from Kokatat. Hers is a Type III MsFitTour woman’s vest with 16-plus pounds of lift. Mine is Type an Orbit Tour with 15.5 pounds. Both are so comfortable we don’t mind wearing them whenever we are paddling.

Picking a Paddle

Kayak paddles come in different lengths for different boats and paddling styles, with different blade shapes for different purposes. One general rule with paddles: all else equal, lighter is better, which is why carbon fiber is the (expensive!) material of choice. Most paddles today allow you to adjust the blade offset angle (feathering) to your personal preference. As someone who grew up paddling canoes, I prefer an unfeathered paddle, but it seems I’m in the minority these days

Some paddles have the blades in the same plane, others are “feathered” with one blade offset from the other. Most are adjustable. There are bent and straight shaft. Try different configurations and find what’s right for you.

Marilyn has a better paddle than me and I’m, frankly, a little jealous. She paddles with an elegant, lightweight 27-ounce Wind Swift paddle from Eddyline (a company which also makes some exquisitely beautiful kayaks . . .). My “best” paddle is a Harmony Tortuga Featherlock Carbon which adjusts for both length and blade offset. I use it for long paddles, especially in the ocean. Most of the time, however, I use a lovely older two-piece wood paddle with a brass ferrule from Mitchell Paddles. It’s heavy by today’s standards, but pleases my eye, balances well, feels good in my hands, and has a big blade that really drives the boat, which makes it a fine paddle for me.

Sprayskirts and Rudders

If you are paddling a sit-in kayak where there’s any chance of encountering a wave or boat wake big enough to wash into the cockpit, you really should have a fitted spray skirt. Personally, I think every sit-in kayak needs a spray skirt—it just makes the boat more versatile. Take paddling in the rain, for instance—it can be a lot of fun and a lot more comfortable with a spray skirt than without. Lot’s of times, you don’t need them, but when you do, you do. I always have mine with me in the boat, and if there’s any chance of rough water I have it on (you wear them like a funny-looking skirt, hence the name) and ready to snap into place around the cockpit if the wind, waves or boat wakes kick up. My spray skirt is a Gore Tex model from Kokatat, Marilyn has one from NRS, while our “spare” is from Harmony

For paddling on quieter waters, a splash deck can keep paddle-drips off your legs and protect them from the sun. I don’t own one, but if I did a lot of paddling on ponds and quiet rivers, I sure would.

Two of our kayaks, my 17-foot Aquaterra Sea Lion and my sweetheart Marilyn’s 16-foot Prijon Seayak are outfitted with rudders, which can be very handy on big water to keep you tracking straight, especially in the wind and waves. Our other boat, a Perception Carolina 14 doesn’t have a rudder and therefore require more finesse with a paddle. A rudder isn’t always necessary, but there have been many times I’ve appreciated having one, even though they add cost, weight and complication to your boat. If you want to add a rudder to a kayak you already own, Harmony makes re-fit kits for many popular boats.

A Wash-And-Rinse Cycle

Tim Jones — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 11:52:48 +0000

The new CAT ferry service out of Portland Maine brings Nova Scotia close enough to bike to. Bringing your bike on board is easy, and much cheaper than taking a car. (Tim Jones photo)

The people in their cars looked like they felt sorry for us as we waited with our tandem-bike-and-BOB trailer in the pouring rain to board the high-speed CAT ferry in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia. We were headed back to Portland, Maine following a much-too-short visit. It hadn’t rained the whole time we were in Nova Scotia. It hadn’t even rained most of the time. It had just poured whenever we were out riding our bike. So what? We went riding anyway and felt sorry for the people who let the rain spoil their fun. It had been raining constantly before our trip – enough to shatter monthly rainfall records and flood the hardest-hit spots. Rain like this could keep you indoors – or not..

The weather reports looked truly horrible as we left Portland. We could have cancelled our getaway, but why? We cleared Canadian customs quickly in the gloom of a misty, foggy evening, and pedaled the mostly-level two miles to Harbour’s Edge, a perfectly marvelous Bed & Breakfast in a restored mansion overlooking the water. Our plan was to leave the trailer with our luggage at the B&B for two nights and explore the Yarmouth area by bike.

Even in the rain and fog the Yarmouth Lighthouse at Cape Forchu is a welcoming sight. Decommissioned in 2001, the light is now a museum and historical site, and a beautiful 10-mile bike ride from the ferry terminal in Yarmouth. (Tim Jones photo)

The next morning, as we ate a huge, absolutely delicious breakfast in the parlor overlooking the water, a squall blew in. Watching the rain cascading against the windows and tree-branches dancing wildly, we lingered over tea and coffee. By the time we’d donned our raingear, the winds had calmed and the rain had slackened a bit.

We started with a loop through the village of Yarmouth – looking for places to explore later. Then we headed out of town for a ten-mile ride out to the historic Yarmouth Lighthouse at Cape Forchu.

This southern tip of Nova Scotia is perfect bicycle country. Most roads have relatively little traffic and small hills. The coastline is uneven so each turn of the road offers new, often sweeping views of the harbour, the sea, and the coastal marshes. We saw deserted beaches, lobster boats tied up at wharves. The roadsides were lined with lupines and beach roses in full bloom. Even in the rain the views were spectacular, and the pace of a bike gave us time to enjoy them.

We saw the sea, we saw the boats going by, the only thing we didn’t see on our bike trek to Nova Scotia was the blue sky. Didn’t matter. We had a wonderful time riding in the rain.(Yarmouthonline photo)

By the time we reached the lighthouse, it was raining hard again. So we ducked inside for a museum tour and a tasty lunch (try the lobster sandwich and Patricia’s pumpkin chocolate-chip muffins for dessert) in the tearoom. When we came out again, it was raining even harder, so we pedaled a looping route back into town, explored the local visitors center and a wonderful used book shop before heading back to the B&B. There, we showered, warmed up and dried out before walking back to town on a pleasantly dry evening (how unusual—if we’d taken the bike it would have rained) for a great dinner (Digby scallops!) at the lively Rudders Seafood Restaurant and Brewpub .

The next morning we rode our bike in another downpour back to the ferry. In total, we’d biked about 25 soggy miles—just enough to justify all the great food we ate. If we’d taken our car across instead of the bike, we’d have spent a lot more money, seen more miles of road—but not as well—and we’d have probably gained weight. So what if it rained?

Here in the northeast, we’re being forced to learn the lessons that our Active Outdoors cousins learned long ago in the Pacific Northwest: Enjoy sunshine whenever you get it, but don’t expect it. Rain is the new norm. Life isn’t a (dry) spectator sport. Get out, get wet, and enjoy!

Rain Riding

Look on the bright side! You don’t have to worry about sunburn, sunstroke or dry skin while riding in the rain!

A high-quality waterproof, breathable rainsuit is pretty much essential if you’re out for a day on a bicycle. If the jacket has a hood to wear under your helmet and the pants legs zip closed to keep them out of your bike chain, so much the better.

For safety’s sake, you definitely want to be seen through the rain and gloom. Our tandem is outfitted with super-bright LED head and tail lamps by Princeton Tec . These lights shine long and bright on regular batteries.

Even for short trips you want to carry your wallet, a camera, possibly a cell phone, and a few other essentials including of course, the all important maps all dry and safe. After lots of looking, I found a “Tour Guide” handlebar bag from Topeak that snaps off the bike for use as a shoulder bag, and has a fully fitted rain cover. Topeak also makes cool biking tools, pumps and other necessities.

Arriving at your lodging with wet gear wouldn’t be any fun at all. We saw other bikers using all kinds of improvised stuff to keep their gear dry, including trash bags inside ordinary stuff sacks and bike bags and panniers. We put all of our gear in dry bags inside the Burley “Nomad” trailer, which we also use for going to the grocery store back home. The trailer pulls along with little additional effort, has its own waterproof cover, so everything was double-protected. Worked perfectly. If we’d had more time, we could easily have explored Inn-to-Inn traveling 30 miles or more a day.

Nearby Nova Scotia

We pedaled this same road and saw these same boats, but the blue sky was nowhere to be seen on our visit. (Yarmouthonline photo)

With the new CAT ferry service out of Portland, Maine you no longer have to drive all the way out to Bar Harbor to cross to Nova Scotia. It would even be possible to load your bike on a train or bus bound for Portland and do even less driving.

The CAT is an amazingly fast, smooth ride. Six and a half hours after leaving Portland, you’re in Yarmouth. It cost only $27 to bring along our tandem bike and trailer compared to $150 for a car.

A bike is the perfect way to explore the area. Rain or shine, I could easily imagine spending a week or two here enjoying great biking, good food, uncrowded beaches and wonderful people.

Getting Beyond Bugs

Marilyn Donnelly — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 20:36:08 +0000

Camp chores are easier and more fun if bugs aren't bugging you. (Tim Jones photo)

Before I met my husband Tim, who is the founder of EasternSlopes.com, I didn’t spend much time outdoors. Since meeting him my life has changed… and much of it has moved outside. Goodbye Girlie Girl, Hello Outdoor Woman! And Hello bugs. For awhile, bugs were the bane of my existence. But that’s changing . . .

My favorite season is still winter: downhill skiing, cross country, Nordic skating, sledding, snowshoeing and no bugs. They are all on vacation in Florida. Summer for me used to mean air conditioning, TV and lots of books. Now it means kayaking, cycling, camping and hiking – all activities that place you in bug territory.

I hate bugs!! I’ll bet you hate bugs too. I hate crawling bugs, squirming bugs and, worst of all, flying, biting bugs. At least with bugs that crawl, you can get up and walk away -most of the time. Flying bugs hunt you down wherever you try to hide, get in your face, sting you, suck your blood and leave bites that develop into red, swollen mountains that seem to last forever.

I’ve tried every possible solution that will let me get out and enjoy the things I love to do without being bugged by bugs. Maybe what I’ve discovered works for me will help you.

Let’s start with bug repellents. Tim swears by the low-concentration DEET formulas, but then… bugs don’t like him very much to begin with. Personally, I haven’t found a bug repellent I can live with. They all feel awful on your skin. Most just don’t work for very long, especially the “natural” ones. And the ones that do work? Do we really want to be putting chemicals on our skin? Hello?!!!

Fortunately, there are other options if bug protection is as important to you as it is to me. And they all beat staying cooped up indoors.

Three Bug strategies: Marilyn wears her complete-protection suit from The Original Bug Shirt Company, plus an Insects Shield hat (the face mask is for sun protection but also helps with bugs). David has a headnet and an Insect Shield shirt from Ex Officio, Susan wears Insect Shield shirt, hat, and bandana from Ex Officio. (Tim Jones photo)

First you can try the mosquito head nets. These just fit over a hat and are very inexpensive. They do work (sort of), and are definitely light weight and inexpensive. But headnets have one tragic flaw. They only cover your head. The one I used had arm loops that were supposed to keep it down. Now imagine having a mosquito or black fly somehow find its way inside the net. It’s buzzing in an enclosed space around your eyes and ears, ready for a gourmet meal (that would be you . . . ). HORRIBLE! No matter what else you’re doing, your first priority is to get that net off fast. Mosquito head net? No thanks! Not enough protection for me.

If you’re braver than I, or just want to make a smaller investment and get some protection, Bug Baffler (see below) has a quality mosquito head net for just $7. If you want a head net with elastic around the neckline for better protection, REI has the Outdoor Research Deluxe Spring Ring Headnet for $18. I haven’t tried it but I like the idea of the stainless steel spring that keeps the net off your face and probably keeps bugs from touching you through the net.

A top-to-toe mesh bug suit from Bug Baffler baffles all blackflies and bees, will keep mosquitoes off if you are moving or wearing something underneath. (Tim Jones photo)

A much better choice for me is the Bug Baffler suit, which comes in tops and bottoms. I’ve had a couple of sets. The roomy one-piece shirt is made entirely of mesh, with an attached hood. It provides complete upper body and head protection and the hood design allows plenty of room to wear your favorite hat beneath the mesh. The brim of your hat keeps the netting from touching your face. There’s a convenient zipper in the front neck seam in case you want to unzip quickly and take a drink. The pants are roomy and have an elastic waist and tight knit cuffs. They fit easily over your shorts or long pants. A Bug Baffler suit is reasonably priced – the top sells for about $35 and the pants are around $25. I’ve used a Bug Baffler for early morning gardening for the past 15 years.

One small disadvantage is that the mesh does limit your vision a bit, but you learn to live with that. The two other disadvantages to the Bug Baffler are that mosquitoes can bite you anywhere the mesh pulls tightly against your skin. Wearing long pants and a long-sleeved shirt under the netting solves this problem but it can get pretty hot under there on a summer day. This outfit works very well on a cooler day.

"Baubushka" David with an Insect Shield shirt and bandana. He says it really worked well. (Tim Jones photo)

Speaking of cooler days. I’ve tried some of the insect repelling clothing from L.L. Bean. It looks great, keeps away bugs, but I found the shirt I have is just TOO HOT to wear in warmer weather when bugs are often most active. The pants are fine and look good enough to wear around town. There’s newer stuff on the market and Tim and EasternSlopes.com Publisher and Senior Editor David Shedd and his girlfriend Susan have all been trying it out. They’ll let all of us know how it works.

As good as the Bug Baffler is, I’ve found something I like even better. The Original Bug Shirt Company has a shirt that does it all. It has an attached hood, mesh on the sides to keep you cool and a lightweight, tightly woven microfiber fabric that actually breathes–and that mosquitoes can’t get their hypodermic mouthparts through! You are completely protected, even where the fabric is tight against your skin (sitting and watching the sunset, for example).

The shirt has zippers with two sliders to make opening it for eating and drinking easier. It also has an adjusting cord to keep the hood back off your face and ribbed cuffs and elastic cord adjusters at the wrist, two pockets and an adjustable drawstring at the bottom. The Elite Edition sells for $79.95 and I think it’s worth every penny.

If you hate bugs as much as I do, you’ll get the pants, too. The pants have elastic stirrups in addition to being very long, both functioning to keep your ankles covered. They come in two versions: drawstring waist pants sell for $57.95 and the zipper-fly style is $69.95.

The real challenge in bug season is enjoying yourself camping. Except when you are in the tent and asleep, you are under attack. We just did an overnight backpacking trip and I wore my Elite Edition top and matching pants the entire time. I can’t even begin to tell you how wonderful it was! I stood by and watched mosquitoes swarm, land on and bite everyone else while I was fully protected. During periods that were bug-free, I just unzipped my hood and had the luxury of quickly putting it back on whenever the nasty critters reappeared.

At last, peace of mind where bugs are concerned. Never again will I have anything to dread when Tim says, “Want to go camping this weekend?” My answer will be, “Sure! I’m prepared.”

If you have additional good ideas about how to show the bugs who’s in charge, please post a comment and let me know. I’ll not only use it myself, I’ll share it with others. We’re all in this battle together.

Inn To Inn In The Rain In Vermont

Tim Jones — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 17:56:45 +0000

Take time to smell the flowers if you bike in vermont in lilac season. (Marilyn Donnelly photo)

David Shedd, the Publisher of EasternSlopes.com is a bike nut. He regularly pedals 40 miles in the rain before breakfast on work days. For fun, he races, sometimes for 12 hours on a mountain bike, sometimes up the Mount Washington Auto Road in New Hampshire.

Most of us will never be that fanatic, but ordinary mortals can have a lot of fun riding a bike and do both the world and ourselves some good. Once upon a May weekend, before Memorial Day (off-season and therefore cheaper . . .), my sweetheart Marilyn and I parked our car on Friday night, never saw it again until Monday afternoon. We spent our days exploring the beautiful, flower-filled countryside of Vermont’s lower Champlain Valley on our Burley tandem bicycle.

We used a service called Country Inns Along The Trail. With one phone call and a couple of emails, we designed exactly the trip we wanted: three nights in three different inns, with about 20 to 25 miles of biking between inns each day. Each inn provided dinner and breakfast, and Country Inns made the reservations, planned a daily route, provided maps and directions, and moved our luggage for us.

We started at the Swift House Inn in Middlebury. After we unloaded our luggage and the tandem, we parked the car and didn't see it again for three days. (Tim Jones photo)

We started in beautiful Middlebury, Vermont with an exceptional dinner followed by a peaceful overnight, they a hearty breakfast at the casual-yet-elegant Swift House Inn. Though we were sorely tempted to linger in quiet luxury, we instead jumped on the bike, pedaled out of Middlebury, promptly missed a turn on the map (my fault, not the map’s) and took a roundabout 30-mile ride through the rolling green Vermont countryside to our next stop in Shoreham. We’d originally planned an easy 20-mile day . . .

A note on maps and route finding: missing a turn is annoying in a car but on a bike it can make the difference between an easy day and a challenging one. Pay attention! We were lucky; my miscue took us through some delightful countryside, and we ended the day only 10-miles more tired than we had planned — nothing Ibuprofen, a great meal and a good night’s sleep in a comfortable bed couldn’t fix.

Vermont weather can fool you. We started out on a sunny morning from the Shoreham Inn in Shoreham, VT, landed later that afternoon at the Lilac Inn in Brandon looking like a couple of drowned rats. But we had fun every inch of the way. (Shoreham Inn photo)

The Shoreham Inn is down-home, super friendly, popular with locals and visitors alike, and really geared (pardon the pun) to cyclists—there’s bicycle memorabilia everywhere. Our hosts were welcoming, the room was comfortable and quiet and the food was hearty and absolutely delicious – perfect for fueling heavy exercise.

On our second day, we started off pedaling in the morning sunshine, rode to the lower end of Lake Champlain where a cable ferry could have taken us across to the restored Fort Ticonderoga in New York . We took a look at the wind-whipped choppy water and the building clouds to the west and decided to forego the fort and make haste to our next inn. By the time we reached the town of Orwell, it was pouring. We continued in a downpour along the mostly-flat road (inches from being closed by flooding) along Otter Creek to the town of Brandon and the warm, and very welcome Lilac Inn, another friendly, casual-elegant, romantic stopover. When we arrives, they treated us like honored guests despite our drowned-rat appearance as we stripped off our soaked raingear in the foyer and headed upstairs for a shower (hot this time . . .) We enjoyed another great dinner, another comfortable bed, and another lavish breakfast to pedal on.

Ready to ride in the rain. The Lilac Inn was a welcome dry refuge, (Lilac Inn photo)

Instead of taking the “pre-planned” route back to Middlebury, we explored gravel roads on our tandem, reveled in the dry weather and lush scenery at the peak of lilac season.

Over the three days, we biked about 75 miles of quiet roads in beautiful settings, burned several thousand calories each, significantly improved our leg strength and cardio capacity, and felt like we’d done something worthwhile. We ate heartily, slept well, and, even in the rain, enjoyed every minute.

You could do it, too. Just get on a bike and go. Life isn’t a spectator sport. Get out pedaling in the rain and enjoy!

Bike Tour Central

If you’re biking in Vermont, be sure to allow plenty of time to just stop and admire the scenery. (Tim Jones photo)

Vermont is bike-tour central especially around Lake Champlain where the rolling terrain makes for ideal riding. Yes, there are some hills to huff-and-puff up, but that means there are also some hills to coast (Wheeee!!!) down. Coasting on a tandem is a lot of fun.

Lots of individual inns, including the three we visited, offer biking packages. You stay in one place, explore the countryside by bike. But there’s always the danger of getting too comfortable (especially if the weather’s less than perfect) and doing more relaxing that biking.

We wanted the built-in challenge of having to get from one inn to the next each day. Because we were new to tandeming on this trip, we wanted to bike alone, at our own pace and the self-guided trips designed by Country Inns Along the Trail let us do that without having to worry about our luggage or reservations. They also provides detailed maps which included lots of side trips and points of interest along the routes. They’ll even rent you a bike if you need one. Their service was impeccable.

If you are just getting started in bicycle touring, you might want to check out the (more expensive) guided full-service trips, where your group is accompanied by a tour guide who will fix a flat tire for you and a “sag wagon” to pick you up if you poop out. Google “Inn to Inn Biking Vermont” and “Vermont Bike Tours” for a complete listing. There’s also a good resource at www.vermontvacation.com, the site for the state tourism board.

Fuel Stops

You are your bike’s engine, and any engine needs fuel. A gourmet dinner and hearty breakfast were part of the package at the inns we stayed in, which left us on our own for lunches. The first day, where there were no restaurants along our (planned) route, we carried sandwiches from Middlebury Bagel & Deli. With our long detour, they turned out to be lifesavers.

In Orwell, we ducked into a little cafe called Made in Vermont to get out of the rain and found a genuine local haven with good food and friendly people who welcomed a couple of oddly dressed, dripping-wet stangers.

Biking Comfortably

Biking in the rain requires good raingear. Otherwise you are wet, cold and miserable.

Staying hydrated is critical when you’re biking. We used small hydration packs instead of water bottles, which we found more convenient. The packs also held snacks and additional clothing.

Bike seats take some getting used to. Before you take a trip like this, be sure to get in a few rides to strengthen you legs and toughen your butt. Carry a small tool kit with you to make seat-position adjustments.

Alpine Garden Wildflowers

Tim Jones — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 13:01:04 +0000

Get out and smell the Alpine Azaleas. Of course your dignity will have to suffer, but the experience is worth it. These incredibly beautiful little wildflower grow only in harsh alpine environments, so you’ll have to head to the top of Mount Washington in New Hampshire to find them. (Tim Jones photo)

Hey! Have you taken the time to smell the Alpine Azaleas this Spring? Everyone gets all excited about smelling the roses, but let’s face it, wildflowers are more fun. And the wildflowers that grow on the top of Mount Washington in New Hampshire—like the Alpine Azalea — are the most fun of all.

Wildflowers are one of the finest excuses ever invented for getting out and walking. To find them, you have to keep your eyes open and be aware of the world around you.

Every trail through patch of woods and fields, every bog, marsh, meadow and pond edge has its own particular mix of wildflowers, but the plant community that grows on top of the very highest mountains are unique. To find their like, you’d have to travel north to Northern Quebec, Labrador and Newfoundland.

June is prime time for wildflower hiking on Mount Washington. It’s when the greatest numbers and greatest variety of plants are in bloom. There’s no one magic moment to see everything at its finest. Your best bet is to plan several trips to the summit starting in early June, ending around the 4th of July. That will give you the best shot at seeing all there is to see.

My best-ever encounter with alpine wildflower came near the top of Mount Washington where I spent a couple of nights at the Appalachian Mountain Club’s Lakes of the Clouds Hut and one day hiking with a wonderful group of wildflower enthusiasts led by naturalist Nancy Ritger.

Hiking on my own one day, I couldn’t help but notice the showiest of the alpine flowers. Diapensia were everywhere, creating the most beautiful constellations of little white stars on the carpets of green among the sedges and grasses that cling to life on the thin soils of this harsh alpine environment. Equally showy, though less numerous were the bright magenta flowers of the Lapland Rosebay. I also spotted some little pink dots that I couldn’t identify.

But I’m amazed at how much I missed. Unless you have the most intense patience (I don’t), and the discipline to keep looking at what you don’t understand (I’m trying . . .), you are going to miss a lot of what’s there to see.

Take those little pink dots . . . Hiking along the aptly named Alpine Garden trail with Nancy Ritger’s trained eyes in the lead, I learned that those little pink dots are Alpine Azaleas, and if you are willing to forego your last shred of dignity and get down on your hands and knees and stick your nose right down in them, they smell wonderful.

Nancy also pointed out and put names to Mountain Avens, Bigelow’s Sedge, Deerhair Sedge, Alpine Bluets (which, unlike their lowland cousins, have beautiful bright yellow centers, Bunchberry, lowbush Blueberry, Crowberry, Bearberry, Mountain Cranberry, False Hellebore, Rhodora and the rarest of the rare, Robbins or Dwarf Cinquefoil, which is a plant that only grows here.

She identified the lichens growing on the rocks, pointed out the differences between spruce and fir in the Krummholz (low-growing trees twisted by the mountain winds) and called our attention to the ferns and other plants growing beneath then.

She alerted us to the calls of Pipits, White Throated Sparrows and Juncos which nest in the alpine zone at this time of the year, and identified a Sharp-shinned Hawk that floated overhead.

Admiring alpine wildflowers means getting yourself to some of the most beautiful scenery on earth, then tearing your eyes away from the expansive views of open sky and far-away horizons to focus in on the nearby and small. But it’s so worth it. Life isn’t a spectator sport. Get out and enjoy!

A naturalist at the Lakes of the Clouds hut high on Mount Washington shows guests some of the wildflowers that grow in profusion here in June. (Tim Jones photo)

Learn As You Go

The best way to encounter the wildflowers in the alpine zones of Mount Washington (or anywhere else for that matter) is to hike. But if you aren’t able to hoof it all the way to the top on your own, you can cheat and drive your car or catch a van ride up the Mount Washington Auto Road.

But, please, hike it if you can! It’ll do you good.

The AMC conducts several guided hikes every year. They are a terrific way to stretch both your mind and your legs at the same time. If you’re new to alpine hiking, this is a great introduction—your leader will help keep you on the right path and out of trouble and point out all the things you would have missed on your own.

If you do go on your own, all of the AMC huts also have naturalist programs most evenings. These are a good introduction to the environment around the huts, though they are much more limited in scope than the naturalist-lead hikes which can cover many miles through many mountain habitats. But if you happen to be staying at the huts, they will help you learn more during your stay.

If you’re hiking alone, be sure to take a guidebook. There are lots of them out there. For the high White Mountains, the best is the compact AMC Field Guide to New England Alpine Summits by Nancy G. Slack and Allison W. Bell.

I’m also very fond of the book Spring Wildflowers of New England by Marilyn J. Dwelley, published by DownEast. It has detailed drawings instead of photographs and is arranged by the color of the flower, making it very easy to use.

GO CAREFULLY!

If you’re going to admire the wildflowers, try not to kill them with love. Be careful to stay on the marked trails and step on rocks whenever possible. (Tim Jones photo)

Mount Washington is a formidable place, especially for an inexperienced hiker. Almost every year, someone dies on its slopes. The weather can change in an instant, and often for the worse. So even if you are driving your own car up the auto road and just going out for a short stroll, be sure to carry some insulation, and rain gear. A map and compass can also save your life if you have them with you and know how to use them when a cloud rolls in and turns the entire summit zone to pea soup.

The other thing to remember while you are on the mountain is that the vegetation there is tough enough to withstand the worst weather in the world, but it isn’t tough enough to stand up to human feet. Stay on the trails while you look and, wherever possible, step on rocks, not plants. The lichen on the rocks is generally tougher even than a bootsole.

How to: Going Guided

Tim Jones — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 11:29:30 +0000

This AMC Wildflower Hike lead by a naturalist took a group of intrepid hikers to the Alpine Garden on the slopes of Mount Washington. (Tim Jones photo)

My first hikes were guided. I’ll bet your were, too. Very few of us ever take to the trail solo without going with someone else first.

I clearly remember several occasions when my grandfather would lead the clan up Watatic Mountain behind his farm in Ashby, Massachusetts where everyone would pick blueberries and eat a picnic lunch. I must have been very young because I remember my grandmother along on at least a couple of those outings and she was sick for a long time and died the year I started school. Little hikes can make big impressions on very young kids—something to consider if you have kids or grandkids.

I was lucky that I grew up in a time and a place where we could, literally, walk out the door of the house and go for a hike or, at least, an exploration in the woods. So once I got my start, I was good to go on my own, to learn in increments as I went. I did one hike that I remember with a Boy Scout troop and climbed a mountain or two with a town recreation program and a church group. Any of those would have been a good start on an Active Outdoors lifestyle.

Not all kids are that fortunate and many today are so enamored of team sports, TVs and computers that they never take to the trails even if they have the opportunity. Sad.

Sometimes, a guided hike is just going out with a more experienced friend. (Tim Jones photo)

But even if you are well past being a kid, guided hikes are worth considering If you’ve never done any hiking at all, a guided hike is a great way to get started. If you’ve already done some hiking, a guided trek is a way to safely push beyond the limits of your experience. It’s also a wonderful way to meet like-minded souls of all ages and ability levels. And, if you are an experienced hiker, leading a group hike or just tagging along with one is a wonderful way to share your experience and knowledge with people who can learn from it.

This group hike for the Over 50 crowd explored the trails around Crawford Notch in New Hampshire. The pace was easy and the camaraderie made the exploration even more fun. (Tim Jones photo)

Here in the northeast, the Appalachian Mountain Club and its regional chapters probably account for more guided hikes than every other organization combined. In fact, I went to their home page one time and under “Get Outdoors,” clicked on local programs and then narrowed the search to “hiking”, and found that they had 783 guided hikes and walks scheduled between Memorial Day and the end of the year. They have hikes for kids, hikes for seniors, hikes for beginners, experts, couch potatoes, fitness freaks and everyone in between. If you can’t find a guided hike that interests you among those choices, you aren’t looking.

A couple of years ago, my sweetheart Marilyn and I joined one of the AMC’s 50+ hiking adventures and did a few easy climbs in the White Mountains from the AMC Highland Center in Crawford Notch. Though we aren’t normally the type to hike in a group, we had a wonderful time.

Another time, I joined a naturalist-lead Wildflower Hike with an AMC group on Mount Washington in NH. I learned more about the alpine ecosystem in that one hike than I had in a dozen excursions on my own or with a companion.

The Green Mountain Club and the Adirondack Mountain Club (www.adk.org) and a plethora of smaller, more local organizations offer dozens upon dozens of guided hikes throughout the summer. Whether you are out for your very first hike or you just want company on your thousandth, try going out with a guided group. I’ll bet you’ll learn something. Life isn’t a spectator sport. Get out and enjoy!

National Trails Day

The first Saturday in June is probably the biggest day of the year for guided hikes. It’s National Trails Day, a huge event sponsored by the American Hiking Society. There are hundreds if not thousands of events scheduled across the country. The very best of these events are where volunteers get their hands dirty helping to maintain the trails they enjoy free of charge the rest of the year.

Go to the web address above, scroll down and click on the state you want to go hiking in. You’ll find something fun to do, probably within a few miles of your home.

Even if Trails Day and all its events have passed when you read this, don’t despair. The organizations which put on Trails Day events will have others scheduled throughout the year.

Grampa guiding is how many of made our first hikes. The view from the top of Mount Kearsarge in New Hampshire may inspire this tot to a lifetime of outdoor fun. (Tim Jones photo)

Sunapee, Ragged, Kearsarge

Mount Monadnock gets most of the attention in southern New Hampshire but there are other substantial hills that are well worth exploring. A group called The Sunapee-Ragged-Kearsarge Greenway Coalition is looking to protect and promote hiking in that area. This year, they offer a program of eight guided hikes to introduce newcomers to the best of the area. They maintain 75 miles of public trails, incorporating 14 separate blazed hikes open to all at any time, free of charge.

How To: Bike Safely

Tim Jones — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 15:16:35 +0000

RoadWorthy: this experienced bike tourer is riding with traffic, staying far to the right on the wide shoulder, and sporting bright colors so he’s sure to be seen. (Tim Jones photo)

Yes, you are seeing more bikes on the road than ever before. The $61 billion global bicycle industry produces 100+ million new bicycles annually) . And that doesn’t count the number of old bikes cleaned up and put into service. When gas prices go up, so does the number of people pedaling bikes . . . .

Some people are commuting to work or to public transportation stops by bike. Good for them! Maybe in the future more U.S. kids will be forced (horrors!) to walk to school as bus routes are scaled back to save fuel. Maybe we could borrow an idea from Reggio Emilia, Italy, where they’ve invented the “BiciBus.” Kids wait at a stop with their bikes, ride to school in a pack chaperoned by adults. Great idea! Saves fuel, gets kids active, and teaches them how to ride safely.

What’s Wrong With This Picture? Whether it’s required by law or not, all cyclists should wear a helmet all the time. And it helps to keep both hands on the handlebars. If you are really being picky, they aren’t riding in single file (even though this is a bike path, not the road), the rider with a helmet should probably also have eye protection and the closed-toe shoes are safer than open-toed sandals. (Tim Jones photo)

Riding safely is critical, and it’s a learned skill. An appalling number of the bike riders on the roads clearly have no clue about how, and where to ride a bike safely.

According to the website www.helmets.org, (which has excellent instructions for buying and fitting a bike helmet and lots of information on why you MUST wear one), there are about 85 million bike riders in the U.S. About 540,000 injured cyclists are treated in emergency rooms every year. Of those, about 67,000 have head injuries, and 27,000 of those are hospitalized. In 2006, 770 bicyclists died on U.S. roads, over 90 percent in crashes with motor vehicles.

Most such accidents could be prevented if both cyclists and motorists pay more attention to their surroundings, display common sense and courtesy, and obey the rules of the road. For motorists, that means being aware of cyclists, giving bicycles as much room as you can, passing safely, and checking your rearview mirror before you open the street-side door if you are parallel parked.

Cyclists bear a heavier burden of responsibility. After all, they are the ones who really get hurt if something goes wrong. Having the “right of way” doesn’t do you might good if you end up in an ambulance.

On the Right Path. A bike path, that is! This dynamic duo is wearing properly fitted helmets and staying in a single line to the right. Good job! (Tim Jones photo)

Here are some basic rules for keeping yourself safe on a bike:

1) Ride Aware: Use your eyes (wear eye protection!) and ears to keep track of motor vehicles (in front and behind), other cyclists, pedestrians, dogs and other road hazards. The more aware you are, the more advance notice you have of potential trouble, the more time you have to avoid it. Never ride with headphones and never talk on a cell phone while you are pedaling (yes, I’ve actually seen it . . .)

2) Obey traffic laws: legally, bikes are vehicles, which means you must ride on the right with the flow of traffic and obey all stop signs and other traffic signals. Running stop signs and red lights, and riding against traffic are recipes for disaster.

3) Ride predictably: You are much safer if you ride in single file, signal turns, don’t weave in and out of traffic, or dart from sidewalks, side streets or alleys.

4) Ride defensively: No matter what the law says, you don’t have the right of way unless someone consciously yields it to you. If you challenge enough cars and trucks, eventually you will lose. Remember, a certain percentage of those drivers are texting, talking on cell phones, yelling at their kids, grooving to tunes, drug or alcohol impaired and otherwise not paying full attention to their driving.

5) Be Seen, Be Safe. Many experienced road cyclists dress in garish, neon colors, the better to be seen. On dark days, in the evening or at night, use a headlight, a tail light and reflective clothing . For years, I’ve worn gear from Illuminite that’s well designed and really shines in a car’s headlights.

It’s really all common sense, isn’t it? Ridden safely, bikes are energy efficient, healthy and fun. Life isn’t a spectator sport. Get out and enjoy!

Bike Safety Sources

For more excellent information on sharing the road with cars: www.bicyclesafe.com, www.kenkifer.com/bikepages/traffic, www.humantransport.org/bicycledriving/roadvogue, and www.bikexprt.com/streetsmarts .

Books on the subject: “The Art of Urban Cycling: Lessons from the Street” by Robert Hurst and Marla Streb is a solid overview; “Effective Cycling” by John Forester apparently advances some very, very controversial ideas.

The Bike-Walk Alliance of NH, which puts on excellent “Bike Smart” programs in schools, also distributes a flyer with good safety tips.

WEAR A HELMET!!!

All these cyclists are obeying the rules of the road, riding single file, and wearing helmets. (Tim Jones photo)

Many states mandate bike helmets for kids, not for adults. They assume adults are smart enough to always wear a helmet when they ride.

Estimates vary, but anywhere from 45 to 88 per cent of the brain injuries suffered in bike accidents can be prevented just by wearing a helmet.

Don’t give me some line about how uncomfortable or how expensive they are, or how much they restrict your freedom or muss your hair. A helmet can keep you out of a wheelchair. Get a helmet that fits and wear it! (Sorry to sound so bossy, but I want you around to read future stories.)

Modern helmets are cheap, have plenty of ventilation so they stay cool. The best ones have a slick, hard plastic skin over protective foam

Your helmet should fit snugly and level on your head. When you look up, the front rim should be barely visible.

If you don’t fasten the straps, you aren’t really wearing a helmet! The “Y” of the side straps should meet just below your ear, and the chin strap should be snug enough so that when you open your mouth very wide you feel the helmet pull down.

If the helmet moves when you shake your head, or if you can push the front edge up more than an inch, it’s too loose—tighten the straps, add thicker fit pads or get another helmet.

Never throw or drop your helmet. If it’s damaged in any way, replace it. After a few years, replace it anyway; UV light breaks down the foam, potentially reducing its effectiveness.

Once again, I’ll repeat the basic rule of bike helmets: get one; wear it!

Bike Safety Check

I know it’s just common sense, but before you jump on your bike, make sure the tires are properly inflated (too much is as bad as too little; the correct range will be on the tire’s sidewall), check to see that your brakes work, that the chain isn’t so loose it’s going to come off, that your handlebars and seat are secure, and that the quick release levers which hold the wheels on the bike are properly tightened and seated. It’ll take 30 seconds, tops, and will help keep you safe.

Active Seniors: AMC Offers Fun Over 50

Tim Jones — Mon, 31 May 2010 14:27:48 +0000

The light at the end of the tunnel! The first big achievement on the of the 50+ Adventure crew was hiking to the stunning views atop Mount Willard in Crawford Notch. If the 3.2 mile Willard hike was too much, an easier alternative was available. (Tim Jones photo)

Whoever first said that “life begins at 50” was definitely onto something. Having passed 50 quite some time ago, I already knew this. But it’s nice to see other people getting out and enjoying the best years of their lives.

My sweetheart Marilyn (who doesn’t look or act like she’s anywhere near 50) and I spent a couple of nights at the Appalachian Mountain Club’s beautiful Highland Center at the top of Crawford Notch in New Hampshire. We were there to sample part of the AMC’s “50+ Adventure Camp: Spring Hiking in the White Mountains.” Frankly, we had so much fun, I wish we’d been able to stay for the entire 5-night, 6-day program.

I was too busy enjoying myself to take an actual head count, but it seemed there were about two dozen participants in the 50+ Adventure, some couples, others solo travelers. Some were experienced hikers, others were taking their first tentative steps into the wilderness; some had a specific interest such as birding or botany, others were out exploring everything and anything that caught their attention.

Hitting the Trail. The group divided into fast and slow hikers, but even in the "fast" group hiked at a leisurely pace and enjoyed the experience. (Tim Jones photo)

The folks I talked to at meals and while hiking ranged from the tender age of 51 to a spry and very enthusiastic 76. They had arrived from at least six states, including at least one couple from Florida.

While none of the participants in this program looked like Olympic athletes, most were clearly not couch potatoes, either. In other words it was a group of active folks, all of whom happened to be over 50, out to have fun.

Most of the planned activities, all optional, of course, were set up around hiking.

Each morning at 7:30, they had a “learning walk,” a short stroll to seek out and identify trees, amphibians, animal tracks, moose sign and birds. Great stuff: really seeing what you might otherwise just have walked past is a good skill to cultivate.

Life's A Beech! At 7:30 every morning, 50+ Adventure week participants could take a learning hike lead by the AMC staff or volunteers. Here, the subject was tree identification. Other days brought walks to look for amphibians, animal tracks, moose sign, or to listen for bird calls. (Tim Jones photo)

Most days, there were choices for longer or shorter guided hikes. We were there on the warmup first day and opted for a 3.2-mile round trip up Mount Willard, which may have the best view for the least effort of any hiking trail in New England. The other choice that day was a steeper, shorter climb to Ripley Falls, the second highest waterfall in New Hampshire.

Other days, the 50+Adventureres could visit the AMC’s Zealand Falls hut and Arethusa Falls. Groups also summitted the Sugarloafs, and Mount Pierce, a relatively easy 4,000-footer.

None of the hikes were designed to be marathons. There didn’t seem to be any tendency among the group toward competition. The longer hikes were divided into a “fast” and a “slow” group, each with its own leader, and in the group we hiked with, everyone seemed to be content with the pace. The relatively easy pace made for good conversation with like-minded souls.

In all, it was simply a good excuse to get outdoors and have fun in a lightly-structures, safe, communal environment. What a wonderful way to begin exploring if you are over 50 and new to the outdoors!

Of course the AMC also has programs designed for families, teens and adventurous younger adults, too.

I suppose it’s true that none of us are getting any younger. But, if your attitude is right, being over 50 doesn’t have to slow you down much at all. For most of us, the simple act of placing one foot in front of the other and letting it take you to interesting and beautiful places is the key to getting more out of life.

Life isn’t a spectator sport. Get out and enjoy!

Magnetic north! Learning the basics of map and compass was not only educational but fun. (Tim Jones photo)

One of the afternoon classes offered at the 50+ Adventure program was called “Map and Compass 101.” Since most of the program’s participants were relatively new to hiking, this session was well attended.

The lesson began in the classroom, learning to interpret the various lines and symbols on a hiking map and how to begin to bring together (orient) the compass and map.

Then the lesson went outside where, for all the world, it looked like some weird county line dancing group turning as a synchronized unit as everyone learned how to orient the map, compass and themselves into a single functioning unit.

I’ve used a compass so long, it’s second nature to me. It’s not that hard, but it’s one of those skills I can’t even imagine trying to teach to someone else.

The 50+ Adventure folks got a terrific introduction, including a briefing on the mysteries of declination. (the difference between “magnetic north, which your compass needle points to, and “true north” which your map is geared to. If they use the skills they learned often enough to retain, they will travel wild county more confidently.

How about you? Could you use a lesson or refresher in map and compass skills. The AMC and its regional affiliates often offer classes. Or you can go to www.learn-orienteering.org for a good on-line tutorial.

How To: Get The Picture . . .

Tim Jones — Fri, 28 May 2010 22:02:18 +0000

Taking a picture helps you remember and relive the adventures you've enjoyed. (Marilyn Donnelly Photo

Every week since my Active Outdoors syndicated newspaper column debuted in April of 2004, I have supplied at least two, sometimes as many as four photos with each column. Another 26 weeks a year, I include the same number of photos with my ski column. All of those photos (plus thousands more I have stored away) were taken with simple, point-and-shoot digital cameras, probably very similar to one you own.

There are two tricks to shooting photographs of your active outdoors adventures. Trick number 1 is to always, always, always have a camera with you. Trick number two is to use it a lot; the more photographs you take, the more certain you are of getting a good one.

Digital cameras are great for playing this numbers game. Back in the “olden days”, taking lots of photos cost a lot of money for film and processing just to see what you had. Today, images are, for all practical purposes, free. So there’s no excuse not to shoot lots and lots of images on your outdoor adventures. When you get home, dump them onto your computer, sort them at your leisure, then print any you might want to display.

Of course you can only shoot lots of photos if your camera is handy. I’ve discovered that if I can’t reach my camera instantly, I’ll either miss a fleeting moment because the camera wasn’t quickly available, or, more likely, I just won’t bother to stop and get out the camera when an interesting photo presents itself. The easier it is to access my camera, the more pictures I shoot. That’s why I like the little pocket-sized point-and-shoots rather than bigger, “better” cameras. I may not get magazine-quality photos, but I get photos.

All of these cameras are small enough to fit in your pocket, an important consideration if you always want your camera handy. (Tim Jones photo)

I find that protective cases which hang from your belt or backpack strap are one extra, annoying step that stands between me and whatever photo I want to take. So, most of the time, one or another of my little point-and-shoot cameras rides on a cord around my neck and tucked into the pocket of my shirt or jacket. They are ready in an instant. I’ve trained myself to hit the “on” button when I first touch the camera in my pocket, so by the time the view screen is at eye level, the camera is powering up and almost ready to shoot.

With the neck cord, I don’t have to worry about dropping the camera, as I fumble for it. and it’s probably not going to get banged up too badly unless I get banged up with it. In fact, last year, when I broke my collarbone in a bike accident, my camera came through unscathed. EasternSlopes.com publisher David Shedd used it to take photos of me in the Emergency Room wearing the spiffy new helmet he’d bought to replace the one I’d smashed in the crash. There’s a photo op I’d rather have missed . . .

These hikers at Sterling Pond near Smugglers' Notch in Vermont have stopped to capture a moment with a pocket camera. (Tim Jones Photo)

For most of us, taking photos isn’t our purpose for being outdoors. Taking photos is something I do while I am doing something else. I don’t consider myself a “real” photographer. I’m just out to have fun hiking, biking, paddling, snowshoeing, skiing or whatever. But I find that taking photos, whether it’s for the newspaper columns and this website, or just to have a record of the places I’ve been, forces me to really pay attention to my surroundings and what I’m doing, to see more of what’s right there in front of me. It makes being active outdoors even more fun.

Put a camera in your pocket the next time you head out for an adventure. You’ll be glad you did. Life isn’t a spectator sport. Get out, take pictures, and enjoy!

Outdoor Capable Cameras

Four pocket cameras. The two in Dive housings are totally waterproof, the others will withstand getting dunked. (Tim Jones photo)

Cameras you use outdoors are inevitably going to get bumped around. And, at some point, you know they are going to get wet. That’s why I recommend getting cameras specifically designed for outdoor use.

Both of the cameras I use daily are shockproof and waterproof point-and-shoot models from Olympus.

If you don’t have a waterproof camera get a waterproof bag like the welded TPU accessory cases from Sea to Summit for the camera you have. It makes the camera a little more difficult to access, but at least you won’t be tempted to leave the camera home if it’s going to rain.

Some camera shops also sell waterproof bags with windows you can actually shoot through in a pinch—though in my experience, they are often awkward to use and photo quality suffers.

If you shoot photos around water, a dive housing is a good investment. (Tim Jones photo)

Dive Cameras

If you are going to be shooting photos on or in the water (think kayaking, canoeing, surfing, windsurfing, fishing, swimming) where there’s a real chance of more than a quick dunking, a dive case for your camera is a terrific investment, even if your camera is waterproof. Most makes of digital point-and-shoots have dive housings available. The best ones have a shade over the display window which makes it easier to see the photos you are taking.

I have a dive housing that’s waterproof to 120 feet for the Olympus 720. Using a camera in a dive housing takes a little getting used to, but the buttons are all in the same place so it isn’t too difficult.

If you play a lot around the water, a dive case makes sense, even if it means the camera won’t fit in your pocket anymore.