Jun
25
Tennessee Provides a Chance to Enjoy a Great Whitewater Rafting Trip
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If you want to enjoy a truly thrilling as well as adventurous whitewater rafting trip then you need to consider heading to Tennessee where you can get your fill of excitement and adventure as you paddle as well as scream down the rivers in that state. Tennessee is in fact a state that offers more than just outstanding music and this is one of the main reasons why people also come to this part of America because they are sure that they can also really get a breathtaking whitewater rafting trip as well.
The Ocoee River
The Ocoee River is famous for having hosted the 1996 Summer Olympic games and it is one of the first places in Tennessee that you should think about visiting if you want an adventure-filled whitewater rafting trip in this part of the country. In fact, there are many families and tourists that visit this part of Tennessee and it is also now a well known tourist destination in Tennessee. The Ocoee River provides the right environment for a whitewater rafting trip and this is why numerous travel agencies recommend it.
The Ocoee River is one of top ten rivers of America and this is also another reason why Tennessee takes considerable pride in promoting this river for those who want outstanding whitewater rafting trips. You can be very sure that you will also get to enjoy the mountain scenery and the Pigeon River in particular provides a wonderful opportunity to get in some truly spectacular whitewater rafting trips to anyone interested in whitewater rafting.
In any case, any whitewater rafting trip in Tennessee is sure to be conducted professionally with guides available that will help you enjoy safe rafting trips. You can also combine a whitewater rafting trip with trekking the smoky mountains of Tennessee and because this is a very popular choice, there are numerous travel companies that offer special combined packages. In addition, you can also combine your whitewater rafting trip in Tennessee with rock climbing as well as rappelling activities.
The Ocoee River in Tennessee provides anyone interested in taking a whitewater rafting trip with two completely segregated areas that include large drops as well as surging whitewater as well as huge waves. So, take your helmets along and scream as loud as you can as you enjoy your Tennessee whitewater rafting trip.
Whitewater rafting vacations are ideally suited for those people that are in need of adventure, like challenges and also love the outdoors. Some of the best such whitewater adventures await you in the state of California and so before looking at other options makes sure to check out what California has to offer you in this regard.
NED
Jun
23
Recreational Guide: the Housatonic River
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Housatonic River Geography
The Housatonic rises from four sources in far western Massachusetts in the Berkshire Mountains.The Housatonic River flows 149 miles from its four sources in western Massachusetts. Following a south to southeasterly direction, the river passes through western portions of Massachusetts and Connecticut before reaching its destination at Long Island Sound at Milford Point. The Housatonic River has a total fall of 1430 feet (959 feet from the confluence of the East and West Branches). Its major tributaries are the Williams, Green and Konkapot Rivers in Massachusetts, the Tenmile River in New York, and the Shepaug, Pomperaug, Naugatuck and Still Rivers in Connecticut.
. The East Branch begins at Muddy Pond in Hinsdale and flows a distance of approximately 17 miles, dropping 480 feet before merging with the main stem. The West Branch starts from Pontoosuc Lake and joins the Southwest Branch at Clapp Park in Pittsfield. From there it flows a short distance until it is joined by the East Branch near Pittsfield’s Fred Garner Park.
The Housatonic River main stem, which flows in a southerly direction 132 miles to its outfall at Long Island Sound at Milford Point in Connecticut. The main stem of the river has an overall drop of 959 feet. The Housatonic River and its tributaries drain an area of 1,948 square miles. From its headwaters flowing south toward Great Barrington, the valley is narrow and the river flows quickly, characterized by several swift drops in elevation, before it emerges from the Berkshire Hills. In this section there is a good deal of commercial and industrial development. The lower region is rich in farmland, and through this section the river flows more slowly, meandering its way through the valley to Falls Village in Connecticut.
The Housatonic River estuary produces one-third of all the seed oysters which are a vital part of Connecticut’s commercial shellfish industry. In this lower 12 mile section of the river are tidal wetlands and salt marshes which provide important habitat for plants, birds, shellfish, finfish and other aquatic life. The Housatonic River enters Long Island Sound at Milford Point.
Housatonic River History
The river’s name comes from the Mohican phrase “usi-a-di-en-uk”, translated as “beyond the mountain place”. The Mohican family of the Algonkin Indians, who came from New York west over the Taconic mountains, were the first valley settlers. The river was sometimes known as “Potatuck”, or the “Great River”, until the 18th century. A large portion of the river basin was developed for agriculture in Colonial times.
The Housatonic River is located in a predominantly rural area of western Massachusetts, where farming was the main occupation from colonial settlement through the late 1800s. As with most rivers, the onset of the industrial revolution in the late 1800s brought manufacturing to the banks of the Housatonic River, in Pittsfield, MA. Water power played a prominent role in 19th century industrial development, and remnants of dams, mill races and iron ore furnaces can still be seen today. Northeast Utilities operates five hydroelectric facilities on the river today. Dams at three of these facilities - the Shepaug, Stevenson and Derby - form a chain of lakes, Candlewood Lake, Lake Lillinonah, Lake Zoar and Lake Housatonic, from New Milford south to Shelton. Much of the upper section of the river in Massachusetts is still in agricultural use, however, past industrial discharges of PCB’s (polychlorinated biphenyls) into the river has created water quality problems. PCB’s still remain in the river’s sediments from Massachusetts to the Stevenson Dam in Connecticut. These synthetic organic chemicals can persist for decades and are a cause for concern and continued action.
Further down in the valley, in the areas of New Milford and Brookfield, tobacco farms flourished until the surge of 20th century development. South of Derby, industrial development, including steel mills and heavy manufacturing, characterizes the river. This stretch is also a tidal estuary, which supports a number of critical habitats for rare plants and animals and is a significant contributor to Connecticut’s shellfish population. The Housatonic estuary is the most consistent producer of seed oysters in the northeast as a public oyster bed, and generates over one-third of all oyster seed available to the state shellfish industry.
The United State Navy also named a ship for the Housatonic river. The USS Housatonic has the distinction of being the first ship in history to be sunk by a submarine, the confederate vessel CSS H.L. Hunley.
Housatonic River Rafting and Recreation
With more than 100,000 acres of public recreation land throughout the watershed, opportunities for swimming, canoeing/kayaking, fishing, sculling, boating, hiking, camping and cross-country skiing abound. The Appalachian Trail runs along the river for five miles between Kent and Cornwall Bridge, the longest stretch of river walk between Georgia and Maine. Farther north the trail again parallels the river for about one-mile in Sheffield, MA.
Since it is a mild river, boating is typically limited to canoes and floating-type trips. Many launch ramps are located along the river.
CLIFFORD
Jun
23
Come and Experience Live Life With Bungee Jumping at the Source of River Nile in Uganda
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When you think of the word ‘Bungee jumping’, instantly images of being flung off a bridge with only a single rubber band spring to mind. Sounds crazy? Well that’s half the point. Uganda is full of interesting things. It is hard for me to describe how i felt when i was flung from that top. But for sure, this is a “must not miss” when you visit Uganda
Bungee jumping! It’s all about doing something that you couldn’t believe that you could do and overcoming your inner most fears. For sure it’s a wild adrenalin rush, but it has also been developed with a series of ropes, and back up ropes which makes it possible to jump off a bridge and still be able to yell “I did it” at the end.
It felt as if I could fly with my arms stretched widely in imitation of flight. Wind rushed through my hair and my cheeks pressed strongly against my face as I accelerated to toward the water.
In that remarkable feeling of slow motion, I had plenty of time to think, I could even enjoy the view as the cliff face flashed past in a blur and the river rose up to meet me.
Puffy white clouds seemed miraculously within reach and within seconds my fingers combed through the waters of the Nile. I hadn’t imagined the whole movement to be so graceful and the splashes on my face emboldened the reality of the water touch.
I had only seconds to enjoy the proximity of the water before the latex rubber retracted and I was accelerating skywards.
This part of the bungee jumping had been given no thought as I had been so focused on the initial plunge and whether this enlarged rubber band would halt my speedy descent – after all the most common use of the rubber is to hold up women’s underwear.
I had never intended to bungee jumping but afterwards as the adrenalin pumped through my body and the rush took over, I struggled to contain the excitement. This had been one of the best decisions I had made in some time.
It remains one of the most bizarre and unforgettable experiences of my life; to force myself to leap from a platform at what seemed like an impossible height above the Nile.It reminded me the escapades i passed through when i went for mountaineering in Mt Rwenzori
am’i a jumpmaster? no no……….
The jump master in charge of the platform had kindly assured me that the most dangerous thing about bungee jumping was driving on the road between Kampala and Jinja
As I sat nervously in the Congolese kings’ chair a soft cotton towel was wrapped around my ankles. Cam and Phil calmly explained the foot-tie system which was developed in New Zealand and this made me firm to continue with my bungee .
They said that I would be attached by my ankles and that the webbing bound firmly around my lower legs would pull tighter as I jumped – I was fine with that.
Nile High Bungee is one of the most spectacular sights you can imagine. The views from the bungee tower are sensational and when the tower is not in use for jumping a troop of Vervet monkeys stand guard against the Nile.
AHMAD
Jun
21
JONAS BROTHERS POLL # 3 (extra special)?
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WOULD YOU RATHER…
1. CONTACT THE JONAS BROTHERS THRU MYSPACE AND NEVER TALK AGAIN
OR
B AT A CONCERT AND THEM HAVE YOU COME UPON STAGE 1 TIME
2. CALL THEM AND TALK FOR 4 HOURS
OR
HAVE THEM OVER AND GO SWIMMING
3, HAVE THEM WRITE A SONG SPECIALLY FOR YOU
OR
NICK TELLS YOU HES NEVER MET ANY1 LIKE YOU B4
4. GO SPEND A DAY WITH THEM BIKING
OR
GO RIVER RAFTING FOR 1 HOUR
PLEASE STAR ME!!!
i am NOT 12.
to the girl who said i was.
KELVIN
Jun
18
Wierd dreams, meaningful or just there?
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I keep having these bizarre dreams that are somehow (or not at all) related to things in my life. One day before a river rafting trip with my church, I drempt we were crossing a river on our way to our destination. I got stuck in the river, but everyone went on quite happily without me. The next day, it turned out that my church had left without me on the trip. Also, I have these dreams when i’m something else, like a bird or cat. When i’m a bird, I always can’t fly. As a cat, I can’t use my claws.
Is there some explanation to these kinds of dreams, or are they just dreams . . .? May my dreams have to do something with my own self?
DARYL
Jun
18
White-Water Rafting, Natural Hot Springs, And Backpacking Are Just A Few Adventures That Ouray, Colorado — Jeep Capital Of The World — Offers The Va
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Colorado offers the traveler a panorama of activities and delights for all ages and to suit all tastes. That is not an exaggeration! There’s not another small town in Colorado that offers the variety of things to see and to do and one-day trips through the most spectacular mountain scenery. Whether you’re a single person looking for the physically challenging activity or the mom and dad wanting to share age-appropriate recreation and excitement with your children, Ouray, Colorado, meets those needs. A week is not too long to schedule for this “Gem of the Rockies.”
You may discover your greatest challenge is to do all you want to do in a week. So, what will it be today? For certain, it will begin early. If only once in your lifetime you take a brisk jog or a meandering stroll just as the sun rises over the surrounding peaks, you’ll know that the next few days in Ouray will begin early. Then indulge in one of the finest breakfasts available anywhere. What next? Take a walk down to the Natural Hot Springs Pool for the morning, or reserve that for later to soak out the knots in our legs from backpacking one of the many hiking trails? Or take a Jeep tour over Imogene Pass at 13,000 plus elevation, have a snowball fight, and then tour the gift and rock shops? OK, get the picture? Ouray is the center for fun and excitement for all.
Granted, the majority of activities are outdoors, but the rock and gift shops offer gems and art, and it’s never very far to a hot tub or nature slide show. Even though this mountain hamlet with a population of approximately 800 swells to a few thousand visitors a day during the peak summer days, that doesn’t mean that there’s no quiet and solitude for the weary of body and soul looking for some healing. Quiet aspen and spruce groves and cascading waterfalls provide a wonderful balm and escape from the stresses of our hectic lifestyle. And again, the natural hot springs work wonders!
This is one little town of Western Colorado, tucked back in a box canyon, that is just plain hard to beat. Do your research first (http://www.cedarviewresources.com in the articles section) Check the calendar of events. Look over the providers of jeep trips and gold mine tours. If you’re really adventurous, rent your own Jeep. Don’t overlook the neighboring communities that provide interesting day trips into the past gold and silver booms, legendary ski resorts, first-class Indian ruins of Mesa Verde, and the Durango-Silverton narrow-gauge train.
Is camping your thing? KOA hosts a beautiful camp north of town along the Uncompahgre River and the US Forest Service provides camp sites south of town with a bird’s eye view of the valley below and canyon walls surrounding the valley. Now there’s just no excuse! Plan a week, or at least 3 or 4 days to savor the beauty of Ouray. This is one place you will want to revisit, guaranteed!
PEDRO
Jun
16
if ur invisible.walk through walls of talk to people? other q’s too?
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–would you rather die by falling of a mountain..or in fast flowing water (say after river rafting)…no chance of survival either way…
–do vet’s eat meat?
BOYD
Jun
15
Rafting in Holly Ganga the Water Never Stinks
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RAFTING IN HOLLY GANGA THE WATER NEVER STINKS
The icy heights of the Himalayas are the source of some of India’s mighty rivers. The magic behind river rafting also referred as white-water rafting is extreme and thrill in the untamed rivers. The upper Himalayan zone of India is the best in the world of breaking into white water rapids, foming and falling in a thunderous din.
Flowing through an amazing landscape of thrilling, forests and remote villages, the garhwal hills in the state of uttaranchal Pradesh, provide settings for some dramatic water rafting adventure.
Cautions – for river rafting – if you are healthy person without any fear of water one can become a skilled rafter in few hour of tanning. Rishikesh the resort of tourist is the best station for taking training for rafting. Carry sunglasses with strap to secure them and a camera.avoide taking your wallets, cell phone etc nylon shorts tennis shoes, require the additional clothing for rafting trips.avoide cotton cloths while rafting in rivers.
From Rishikesh in the state of uttaranchal the magic valley of holy Ganges starts the surprises for the rafters. The stretch of the Ganges is from devpryag many tourist agencies and state department also providing the services for rafters.
Ganges water never stinks if stored for years – water of that holy river recursive property that any water mixed with of ganga water became ganga water, despite its many impurities ganga water never never rat or stink keep it stored at home at any climatic conditions you will surprise to see that the other waters collected from world region will start stinck and rot and after 24 hours is not fresh for drinking but the water from ganges can taken as fresh as the day you have collected from the holly river.
This is true ,come and see the holy river of this planet giving you the natures minerals at free of cost, come and collect as you need no charges ,no service charges and no intervention of any power.
Satish semwal
Post graduate in tourism
www.tours-guide.com
STUART
Jun
14
Premier Recreation Destination: The Columbia River Gorge of the Pacific Northwest
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The small town of Hood River resides at the heart of the Columbia River Gorge, a National Scenic Area and a premier destination for anyone who is serious about recreation.
Hood River was once an agricultural center surrounded by pear orchards, but fifteen years ago the town became a mecca for windsurfers. Although it was windsurfing that put the Columbia River Gorge on the recreation map, today the gamut of the recreation industry is firmly established in the scenic Gorge, and Hood River is its base of operations.
If you can name it, then there is someone doing it someplace in the Gorge - from kayaking and kite surfing to mountain biking and snowboarding. It’s all available within half an hour of downtown Hood River.
Passing along the main street of this little town where colorfully painted Victorian homes on the steep hillsides overlook several dozen shops and restaurants, there is a sidewalk bustle of hard-bodies seeing and being seen. They step in and out of boutique sport shops where one can order a custom wet-suit or select obscure handmade flies for fly-fishing.
Nearly every parking space is occupied by an all-wheel-drive vehicle sporting a Yakima or Thule roof rack that secures some kind of recreational gear.
On one survey of the six block stretch that comprises the main drag, there were one or more of the following on display atop the sporty vehicles: kayaks, snowboards, mountain bikes, windsurfing boards, skis, road bikes, and although there wasn’t a canoe this time, there often is.
Those roof-top items are just the beginning. A look inside some of the rigs reveals the greater depth of recreational opportunity. Small kite-sailing boards, wet-suits, fishing rods, hiking packs and boots are visible in many of the vehicles.
Go down to the marina and there is even more: sail boats, motor boats for water skiing, jet skis, and an outfitter for white-water rafting on tributaries of the Columbia River.
If there is an outdoor sport that you love - water, snow, mountain, whatever! - or a sport that you’d like to try, then the Gorge is the place for you. It’s happening here, guaranteed.
And after a grueling day on the slopes, on the river, or on the trail, you can relax at one of the many charming bed-and-breakfasts or historic hotels (Hood River was part of the Oregon Trail, after all).
Soothe tired muscles at Carson Hot Springs across the river in Carson, Washington, and then return to the Oregon side of the river to meet people from around the world who share your interest in whatever sport you played that day, or would like to play the next.
You’ll enjoy funky cafés or fine dining. Choices abound. And cap off the night with freshly brewed gourmet coffees or craft beer, since Hood River is the home of the famous Full Sail Brewing Company. Mmm, mmm good. What are you waiting for?
Any time of year, fly in to Portland, Oregon and head east on Interstate 84, along the border between Oregon and Washington state. Within an hour you will find yourself at the heart of the scenic Columbia River Gorge. Be ready to play hard; you’ve arrived at the ultimate recreation destination.
FRANK
Jun
13
Good Birthday Card Message?
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Ok, I have 2 friends whose birthdays were today and tomorrow.
friend A will be getting this card tomorrow (1 day late), likes singing, plays guitar, is smart, and river rafting. I want something sincere, but not cliche or sappy or cheesy, maybe kinda funny
Friend B sings in honor choir, loves dogs (a lot), plays piano, and is such a sweet nice person. I kinda want something funny for her (or cute)
both are in 8th grade, turning 14, and are girls. Any card designs or message sugestions would b appreciated, and i kinda dont want to send an ecard so dont suggest that
MARCO









