I am forced to wonder about the sometimes ignominious position of the canoe in our society. I think it must be related to two issues. One, for man people, the canoe is associated with summer camp, which is a rather ridiculous situation in and of itself, at least from an adult perspective. And two, thanks […]
Some of my friends from the East Coast get a little annoyed with me when I refuse to acknowledge certain geographical landmarks as mountains. Well, I’m sorry, but in order for it to be a real mountain, it must meet one of the following characteristics: it must have that jagged, roughhewn look; it must have […]
Most people think of a fishing rod as being fairly straightforward, and to some extent that is an accurate idea. A fishing rod is, at its most basic, an implement for catching fish: a casting tool fitted with line, line guides and a reel for line stowage. However, beyond this basic definition, there is a […]
It seems like almost everyone owns some level of pocket knife. Soccer moms, business executives, teenagers-they all carry at least one in their purse, their briefcase, their car or some other handy location. Most knives tend to be designated into one of two categories: those intended for domestic use, meaning for the preparation of food […]
I am lucky enough to live in Seattle, Washington, a place that worships the outdoors. People hike, ski, rock climb, and do just about any other outdoor activity you can think of. One of the advantages to this area of the world is that we have both mountains and water. If you look out over […]
Snowshoes, like many useful human inventions, are based on the adaptations seen in nature. Animals that live in cold and snowy climates, such as the snowshoe hare and the snow leopard, often have oversized feet. It is their feet that allow them to move quickly and efficiently over snow without becoming mired down. The additional […]
A swimming pool is just simply a large tub full of water but without the proper swimming pool toys for children to enjoy throughout the summer. There are a number of swimming pool toys available on the market for children to enjoy.
Swimming pool toys have the ability to add excitement and even adventure for children […]
Americans in the 21st century are obsessed with trying to live healthier lifestyles. Granted, the level of obsession varies according to individual and geographic location. Nevertheless, there is a marked trend toward healthful living, which in turn has inspired many people to adopt outdoor pursuits. Hiking, camping, boating, cycling-all are enjoyable activities that promote health […]
The magnetic compass is one of those interesting devices that, in essence, has not changed since its invention. Oh, it has been improved upon, made more accurate and more durable; the basic concept, however, is the same as it was hundreds of years ago. There is actually some confusion about when the compass was first […]
The uniform of the fly fisherman, or angler, is difficult to mistake. It consists of two main components: hip boots and a fishing vest. Both components are designed to meet the needs specific to the sport of fly fishing; namely, to prevent the fisherman from getting wet, to keep him warm and to allow him […]
