Tag Archives: outdoor recreation

Camping Options For The Anti-Camper

My name is Michele and I am an anti-camper. I’ve regaled you with my camping stories (okay story) in a previous blog, just to prove that I am not someone who voices discontent with an activity without trying it first. What can I say? I’m just not the camping type. At least that’s what I thought until I heard about “glamping.” Have you heard of “glamping?” According to tour companies, the word is shorthand for glamorous camping. Resorts in the United Kingdom and Canada have turned the spotlight on luxury camp sites in an effort to lure high rollers to … Continue reading →

Top Ten Family Ski Resorts Countdown (Part Two)

We continue with the countdown… 7. THE CANYONS, Park City, Utah The American Skiing Company is sending SpongeBob SquarePants and Dora the Explorer to a number of ski resorts this season. The Canyons plans a Nickelodeon Family Winter Fest March 19-23, 2007. Kids under 14 can ski free during the Fest. During the week, family activities, music, and special events will delight even the most hard-to-please child. Here and at Sunday River, the staff is creating miniature terrain gardens for kids (and kids who never grew up), complete with SpongeBob cutouts and a “secret passageway” that brings a little adventure … Continue reading →

Top Ten Family Ski Resorts Countdown (Part One)

Over the years, I have skied both the East and West coasts. Myself, I prefer West Coast snow. The higher altitude keeps the snow dry and fluffy. East coast snow tends to be a bit icy. In any case, I went in search of the top ten resorts in the USA that are family and kid-friendly. We will countdown from the number 10 spot to number one. Some resorts deserved an honorable mention and they are: Heavenly in Lake Tahoe area, California – The whole family can ski together, with a kids’ instructor tagging along to help the kids. Killington, … Continue reading →

Take A Handcart Trek

For the outdoors family a handcart trek can be a fun family adventure. During the 1800’s thousands of people traveled west in wagon trains and handcart companies. Your family can have the chance to reenact the handcart experience. In Wyoming, between Casper and Rawlings and near Independence Rock, is the Mormon Handcart Visitors Center. It lies along part of the original Oregon Trail. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has handcarts that the public can use at no cost. Families can take a handcart and pull it along the trail, getting a taste of what the handcart pioneers … Continue reading →

Walking and Children

With so many indoor entertainments today — video games, computers, cartoons, etc — it’s not surprising that the level of participation in physical activity is going down. Kids are less active; parents are less active. And in case you haven’t noticed… everybody’s weight seems to be going up! So what can you do to help get your kids up and moving a little? Walking is a great exercise for physical AND mental health. You just need the right motivation. Make the walk exciting. Have a destination in mind that will be interesting to your child, even if it’s walking to … Continue reading →

Walking and Mental Health

A therapist once suggested that I try to take a walk every single day. Part of that was just to get me out of the house; part of that was because walking is good for your mind! Think about it. Sitting around the house doing nothing can be kind of depressing. Even if you are super-busy all day, if you rarely get the chance to get out, you’re going to get very tired of the same four walls. Walking gives you a chance at a new perspective! A stroll around the neighborhood, especially now that spring is here, shows you … Continue reading →

The Big Deal About Walking

Studies show that walking is GREAT for your health! If you’re not in the best shape (not many of us are!), walking is a great way to improve your overall health and start to get back into shape. Benefits of walking: Walking lowers your blood pressure! Walking improves your mental well-being! Walking helps increase bone density! Walking helps control your weight! Walking improves flexibility and muscle tone! Walking can help reduce cholesterol! Walking can help lower your blood sugar! Walking can fit into any lifestyle! Walking is good for the whole family! Believe it or not, a 1996 study by … Continue reading →

Adding a Walk to Your Day

You don’t have to change your schedule drastically to add a little bit of walking. Here are some tips to help you find the time to get moving! Set your alarm fifteen or twenty minutes early. Before anyone else is up, you can throw on your sweats and sneak out for a quick walk. Take twenty minutes out of your lunch hour at the office for a walk. You’ve still got forty minutes to eat, and you’ve added a walk to your day. Even a few laps around the parking lot give you a chance to get out into the … Continue reading →