So, how did it a sleeping bag liner keep me warm? The real secret was the fifteen minutes we spent gathering dead, dry bracken ferns to build a two-foot thick mattress. We set the tent on that. Then, in my liner with all my clothes on, I was fine. Actually, I’ve rarely slept as well camping as I did that night.

Using Sleeping Bag Liners Instead Of Bags

You can buy light sleeping bag liners from Campmor and other suppliers, or do like I did. I sewed a simple one of bargain-bin nylon material ($1/yard) obtained at Walmart. Buy the lightest nylon or polyester material you can find. Depending on what you use and how big you make it, it should weigh between four and nine ounces.

I found I could stay warm with a light sleeping bag liner in autumn, at a few degrees above freezing, so this strategy should work well for summer nights in the sixties. Be careful, of course. It could be dangerous, or at least uncomfortable enough to ruin your trip. Test this strategy near home, and know yourself and your enviroment.

You may want to learn a few tricks for staying warm if you try this strategy. When it isn’t too humid you can breath in your bag, for example. Many backpackers will tell you not to do this, because you’ll be damp in the morning, but in a dry enviroment you’ll dry quickly once you hit the trail. Spread the liner out to dry during a break.

Just as I did the first time, you can also use a mattress of dried plants. Use dead leaves, palm fronds, grass, cattail leaves, some softer tree barks, etc. A mattress of this sort insulates you from the ground, which normally takes away much of your body heat. Scatter the leaves in the morning so they won’t smother the plants underneath.

Try to go to bed warm. If you’re warm when you get into your sleeping bag, you’re more likely to stay warm through the night. If you start out shivering, it’s difficult to warm up, especially in a thin bag.

More tricks for staying warm: Hot tea before going to sleep… Exercise a bit… Cover yourself with extra clothes… Elevate your feet slightly… Go to sleep earlier or later. Experiment to see what works best for you.

These are options, but not recommendations. I’ve gone out with nothing more than a bivy sack in my jacket pocket, but I’m not recommending that either. This is just to present all the possible options for the ultralight backpacker. One of those options is sleeping bag liners.

Sleeping Bag Liners Instead Of Bags is a post from: Tours And Travel - thosenorwegians.com

Each year, thousands of people across the country suffer serious eye injuries because of fireworks, and nearly three-quarters of those injuries occur around the July Fourth holiday.

About 2,000 eye injuries are reported each year, with nearly half by bystanders, not the people who set off the fireworks. Even sparklers can be dangerous – they are the No. 1 cause of eye injury to children. Sparklers consist of metal shrapnel burning at about 1,800 degrees Fahrenheit.

“Despite our many advances in the ability to repair severely injured eyes, the damage can be devastating, often resulting in blindness, permanently impaired vision or loss of one or both eyes,” says Dr. Christopher Andreoli, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary’s chief resident and director of eye trauma.

But Andreoli says that most eye injuries caused by fireworks are preventable. Lions Clubs International and Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary offer these sight-saving tips:

* Leave it to the pros. Pack a picnic and attend a professional fireworks display instead of lighting your own.

* Leave it to the adults. Don’t let children ignite fireworks or stand near others who do.

* Keep your distance. View fireworks from at least 500 feet away, and keep away from a lighted firework. Many injuries occur when checking on a firework that has failed to ignite.

* Wear eye protection. Eyeglasses or sunglasses can help protect the eyes from smoke, falling ash and stray sparks.

If an accident does occur, Andreoli advises covering the injured eye. Don’t apply pressure to the eye or rub it, as that can make the injury worse and cause bleeding. Don’t eat or drink anything until seen by a doctor. Most importantly, seek medical help immediately.

Lions Clubs International is the world’s largest service club organization with nearly 1.35 million members in 197 countries.

Sight-Saving Tips for Viewing Fireworks is a post from: Tours And Travel - thosenorwegians.com

Although it is nice to hear that camping is a fun way to spend some free time that you may have, you may be wondering if you should really go camping. In all honesty, you will find that it depends. While individuals from all walks of life enjoy camping, camping isn’t always for everyone. If you would like to know whether you should go camping or at least think about it a little bit more, you will want to continue reading on.

One of the many signs that you should think about going camping is if you love spending time outdoors. Whether you just like sitting out on your porch, going swimming, or playing sports outdoors, there is a good chance that you like camping. Camping is based on the doors. You will likely find yourself sleeping outside, eating outside, and playing outside. For that reason, if you have a love for the outdoors, a camping trip is something that you may want to examine.

If you are looking for a change, you may want to think about going camping. If you are wondering if you should go camping, there is a good chance that you have never gone camping before. Unfortunately, when many people take a short trip or a full fledged vacation, many end up staying on the “safe side.” While it is more than possible to do this, you may want to think about trying something new, like camping.

Another sign that you may want to think about going camping is if you are on a budget. Camping is nice is because it is a relatively affordable activity. When it comes to camping, many campers choose to camp in parks or other public campground areas. Many of these camping establishments will charge you a small admission fee or a small camping fee, but you will find that the cost is significantly lower than the cost of an amusement park or airfare for a long trip. It is also important to mention that you can get a lot of your camping supplies, like your food, for very cheap prices as well.

Also, what is nice about going camping is that you will find that you have a number of different options. For instance, you will find that you can choose to camp in a traditional tent or an RV. If you don’t own your own RV, you may be able to rent one. You will also have a choice when it comes to choosing a campground. No matter where you are looking to camp, you should be able to find a number of campground parks to choose from. If you carefully choose your campground park, you may even be able to handpick your own camping spot!

Of course, the decision as to whether or not you want to go camping is your decision to make, but you may at least want to look into it. There is a reason why camping is regarded as one of the most popular American pastimes.

Should You Take a Camping Trip? is a post from: Tours And Travel - thosenorwegians.com

When it comes to determining whether you should buy your own camping gear or just rent the camping gear that you need, you may have a difficult time deciding what to do. If you are wondering what you should do, you will want to continue reading on. Below, the pros and cons of both buying your own camping gear and renting your camping gear are outlined.

As for buying your own camping gear, you will find that the biggest con or downside to doing so is the cost. Depending on what you need to buy, it can get pretty expensive to purchase your own camping gear. With that in mind though, there are a number of camping gear equipment pieces, like camping tents or sleeping bags, that can be purchased for affordable prices. If you are looking to camp on a budget, you can still buy your own camping gear, but you just need to know where to look.

Although there are a number of downsides, like the price, to buying your own camping gear, you will also find that there are a number of pros or plus sides to doing so as well. One of those plus sides is the fact that you will own the camping gear in question. This means that you can use it as little or as often as you would like. If you are planning to take a number of camping trips in the future, you will find that it is easier, as well as cheaper in the long run, to buy your own camping gear.

It is also important to mention the freedom that you have, when buying your own camping gear. When buying your own camping gear, you can buy basically whatever you want. For instance, if you would like a camping tent that is the color black, you are free to do so. When you buy your own camping gear, you have the ability to be picky if you want to be. With a large selection of camping gear pieces to choose from, from a number of different retailers, the decision as to what you want to buy is yours to make.

If you are unable to buy your own camping gear or if you would prefer not you, your other option is to rent your camping gear. When it comes to renting camping gear, you will also find a number of pros and cons. As for the cons of renting your camping gear, you may find that you are faced with a limited selection of camping gear pieces to choose from. Many camping gear rental stations only carry the basic items, like tents, hot plates, and coolers. While you may have some choices, you will mostly find that your selection is limited.

As for the pros or plus sides to renting your camping gear, instead of buying it, you will find that the cost is much more affordable. Despite being relatively affordable, different camping gear rental stations charge different rental fees. You will also find that camping gear can typically be rented for as little as one day or as long as a couple of weeks. Renting your camping gear is nice if this is your first time going camping and if you are unsure as to whether or not you would be interested in doing so again.

As you can see, there are a number of pros and cons to both buying your own camping gear and renting it. In addition to the two above mentioned options, you may also want to think about borrowing camping gear from someone that you know. You may even be able to do so free of charge.

Should You Buy or Rent Your Camping Gear is a post from: Tours And Travel - thosenorwegians.com

Nine days earlier my six-year-old son, Jerry, and I had arrived in Arusha, a beautiful Tanzanian metropolis and the main jumping off point for those wishing to book budget safaris. As with all visitors, the word of our arrival spread like wildfire. By dinner the first night, three of Arushas tour operators were courting us. By breakfast our journey was booked.

Two days later we were off. Nothing was left to chance. A jeep, driver, cook, tents, water (though I felt it best to bring my own) and park permits, were to be provided for us as part of our safari package.

WILDLIFE ABOUNDS
Five days of photographic heaven followed. Tanzanias best: Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro Crater, Olduvai Gorge all were our playgrounds. Each was an oasis offering its own unique landscape and unimaginably diverse wildlife. Finally, as I looked over the edge of Ngorongoro I put my camera down. No photo could do it justice. Those who do not venture there will just never know! All this grandeur, and still the place of my calling, the Serengeti, was ahead. This was the safari I had dreamed of.

An inconspicuous signpost in the middle of nowhere marked our arrival at my 14, 763 square km. field of dreams. We had four days to spend in the Serengeti. Yet, within twenty minutes giraffes galloped past in their slow-motion way. Playful zebras danced in dust storms of their own creation. Nearby, lionesses lovingly groomed playful cubs. This life long fantasy achieved was all laid out for our film to capture. What more did we need?

I know we needed a drink of water. I reached, I looked, I counted, one! There was one bottle of water alone in its box. Next, I added. Two people, six days out, three days left, 13 bottles of water gone. I suspected a flaw in the plan. With little choice, I begrudgingly surrendered the last bottle of good water to my progeny. I would drink the questionable water provided by the safari operator the rest of the trip. Why not? After all, It was a safari.

An hour later, still roasting in our jeep, we photographed an incredible golden lion as he lazed in the mid-day sun. This magnificent beast was obviously oblivious to our presence. His bed, a gigantic reddish brown termite mound standing over three feet high, could easily have slept two more.

FRUSTRATION MAKES AN APPROACH
Inspired, and thirsty, it was time to go forth with the courage of that lion and consume the mystery water. Thomas, my driver, was a spotlessly tidy, smartly dressed, obviously well washed and well-watered fellow. As I approached, he flashed his perfect smile and asked what I needed. Water I replied. Thomas looked off. Ninataka maji ya kunywa I tried. (attempting Swahili for I need drinking water) Ah, Thomas replied, Maji hapana (meaning no water). I tried English again. We still had no water.

I am sure my body temperature rose five degrees as I tried to figure out why Thomas had not brought any water from camp that day. Then, it rose another eight degrees while I tried to figure out why he did not need to drink anything. Oh well, we would soon return to camp where I would indulge in all the beige colored water I could ever hope for. I decided to tough it out. Se la vies. We were on a safari.

As evening approached, we relaxed in the shade near a water hole. The sweet sent of cool water filled the air. The emerald green pool shivered ever so slightly with each twitch of a hippos ear. When the sun sank low, the parched orange horizon beckoned for one last snapshot. It was time our crew headed for camp.

Meanwhile, back at the camp, our cook had dinner ready and waiting. Before the Jeep stopped my door was open. I approached him parched, maji ya kunywa? I said. He responded, maji hapana. I mean water, I regrettably snapped. You must have some to drink! Both Thomas and the cook shook their heads no and looked at me as if I was crazy for thinking anyone would have water in the bush. Didnt I know I was on safari?

Not being parent of the year, I took my sons water – some of it anyway. We put the rest away for morning.

CONTEMPLATING THE SITUATION
I sat grudgingly at dinner watching my son, my driver and my cook, all laughing together on the man side of the camp. As a zoologist, I knew they had to have water, didnt they? Just how stupid did they think I was? Then the questions swam through my mind. How could we stay out here nearly three more days without any more water? What happened to the water the Tour Company agreed to send? What did the cook cook with? How was Thomas staying so freaking clean? If I killed my offspring and took his water, do they extradite me or would I stand trial in Tanzania? And, just how stupid did they think I was?

That night I sat by the fire under the most brilliantly lit sky I have ever seen. I sat speaking to Thomas, explaining that Homo Sapiens consumed water. It was a necessity! It was a fact! He didnt buy it for a second. Ultimately, I gave up. I told my crew we would have to return to Arusha the next day. Had I been alone, I would have risked death by dehydration for one more day, but the PTA frowns on this sort of thing. Obviously annoyed by my insane whims the guys turned in.

The remainder of the night was dedicated to reflecting on days past, on our incredible experiences and on something else – something odd. The previous morning while we drove through a dust-ridden wallow, we had approached a Maasai Warrior walking barefoot through the grasslands. Thomas pulled near to ask of cheetahs and such. As they spoke, I eyeballed this magnificent looking man who leaned against the front of our jeep.

His long, twisted strands of hair were red with ocher and draped elegantly down his perfectly built back. He wore the traditional red Maasai fabric that was slightly tattered. In his right hand was a spear, pointed at both ends. In his left hand was the less traditional orange Fanta. Yes, I did a double take. It remained an orange Fanta. Thinking back, I recalled droplets of condensation. I was sure it was cold. I could not even come up with H2O, well enough a refreshing sugary beverage. Was I hallucinating? Was I even on safari?

VANISHING THROUGH THE BUSH
The sweltering heat of morning came all to soon. Breakfast with thick condensed milk, missed the spot completely and reconfirmed my decision to leave. The cook and I began to pack up camp. Jerry and Thomas (Tom and Jerry?) wandered into the bush together long before the work was finished – surprise! Whenever, I started any project the men tended to fade into the trees. In fact, completing the task at hand, I realized my moisture-retaining chef had vanished. An hour later no one had returned.

I was guarding our waterless belongings from a troop of misschevious baboons and could not go in search of my three self-osmoting delinquents. Besides, If the men perished, it would prove to them my theory that they needed water to live. Ha! I would be vindicated! Ritchesness would prevail! Thus instead, I sat filming my new found primate friends. After all, I was still on safari?

Half an hour later the guys emerged from the bush, talking casually as they slurped on their strawberry Fantas. My mouth dropped. Jerry nonchalantly pointed off behind them as he passed and asked, Mom, why didnt you came to the soda stand with us? You could at least have gotten some bottled water. I stood defining dumbfounded! Were they slurping away each time they vanished? What was a soda stand doing in the middle of? Why hadnt someone just said it was? Ah..? Was there a Dennys in there as well? How silly of me to have expected them to mention this. Auuuuuug! Hadnt I realized I was on a safari?

Serengeti Safari – Memories and Miscommunications is a post from: Tours And Travel - thosenorwegians.com

Some of the more popular types of sea kayaks include the flatwater kayak, touring kayak, sea kayak, sit-on-top kayak, surf kayak, canoe, and then of course, you have your kayak accessories. In this article, we wanted to touch on the sea kayak specifically so you can see the differences in this category alone. With this, you can determine the right type of kayak for you and have a better understanding why sea kayaks have become such a hot commodity.

Most people who start out kayaking will go with a recreational or flatwater kayak. Once the basic strokes have been mastered, they will generally progress to the sea kayak. With this, you would find you have more confidence on the water, having the ability to explore the ocean waters in a new and exciting way. However, to enjoy sea kayaking, you do not have to be a professional, although you could be. You will find everything from in-store sea kayaks that are your entry level choice to the expedition models, which are generally used for the more seasoned kayaker, to the adventure kayaks, those used by people who love pushing the envelop.

Dagger Apostle – This sea kayak is a high performance, large carrying capacity vessel that is made from durable plastic. Great for extended touring or expeditions in open waters, this sea kayak has three bulkheads and an easily accessible day-hatch located just behind the outfitted cockpit. This sea kayak comes with bow and stern hatches, neoprene cover and hard hatch, deck lines, shock cord deck riggings, recessed deck fittings, adjustable foot braces, carrying toggles, flip rudder system, padded seat cover, and three, secure mini-cell bulkheads.

Galasport Metax – This sea kayak is a light, fast option with an easy access cockpit and comfortable seating for extended touring. This kayak is also stable but responsible, quick turning, handles surf windward waves well, offers a functional deck layout, low stern deck, two water proof hatches, rudder, recessed fittings, and SS fasteners.

Perception Eco Bezhig – For this sea kayak, you will enjoy the ultimate in comfort. The design is sleek and responsible. This expedition boat is great for both day and multiple day trips. The kayak tracks well, offers increased stability, offers a roomy cockpit, although some feel it is a little too restrictive.

Australis Gecko – Known as the budget sea kayak, this is a great day trip choice. With two sealed storage compartments, you will find you have enough room for one to two nights of camping gear. The bow is shaped to cut and lift any oncoming swell while deflecting water from the kayak, keeping the kayaker dry.

Sea Kayak Sales is a post from: Tours And Travel - thosenorwegians.com

To unwind, I typically stop on my way home from work to hike from Cardiff to Carlsbad on the beach. For picturesque sunsets and tasty waves, the beach between Cardiff to Carlsbad cant be beat.

Cardiff – Starting

I typically start this hike by parking just south of restaurant row in Cardiff. Restaurant row is located to the north of the lagoon between Cardiff and Solana Beach on Highway 101. Parking is located on the side of the road, which is right up against the beach. Give me convenience or give me death!

As you head north, you first pass Charlies and other restaurants. Past the restaurants, you will come to the beginning of the bluffs that will line the beach to the end of the hike. San Elijo campground is on top of the initial bluffs and extends for roughly a mile north. The campground is very popular and the temporary home of locals and tourist. You can tell the difference by contrasting tans with sunburns.

Following San Elijo, you will walk through Sea Cliff County Park with bluffs over 100 feet high. An area known affectionately as Swamis quickly follows this park. The name derives from the fact the area above the bluff is the home to the Self Realization Fellowship Center. This area is know as hot surf spot, but is very crowded. If you are a bit winded, you can stop and watch 50 or so surfers maneuver for waves. Yes, traffic jams arent exclusively restricted to California freeways.

North of Swamis, you will cruise along a long strip of sand hemmed in by 50 to 60 foot bluffs in the town of Encinitas. For those with a wicked sense of humor, there is a relatively popular game called, Watch the house fall. Yes, the bluffs are giving away slowly. As they erode, the homes first lose plants, then patios and so on. They say real estate is all about location, location, location, but sometimes a beach front home isnt all that great.

The Encinitas section of the hike is fairly long. With the high bluffs, you will find sections of the beach that are deserted. Yes, even during summer. The only thing breaking up the solitude is Moonlight Beach, a fairly popular beach with locals. Otherwise, its just you, shells and joggers until you arrive at the end of the bluffs and South Carlsbad. Time to turn around and find the car.

The Cardiff to South Carlsbad hike is about 5 miles in each direction. The walk is flat and quick. By the end, you will be relaxed and forget that Bert in accounting is a jerk. Enjoy.

San Diego Beach Hikes Cardiff to Carlsbad is a post from: Tours And Travel - thosenorwegians.com

Nowadays, thankfully, there are few amongst us who would consider slaughtering the wonderful creatures of Africa as a sport, but we still like to experience the adventure of hunting them down in order to watch them in the wild.

Most people are keen to see the Big Five – elephant, rhinoceros, buffalo, lion and leopard. Why the graceful giraffes and antelopes and cheetahs, the fastest creatures on earth, are left out of this revered group is a mystery, but thats the way it goes. In addition to the mammals, there is also a fantastic array of colourful bird life as well as butterflies and insects, so never a dull moment on safari.

Uganda is much improved, having recovered from the depredations of Idi Amin and you can risk Zimbabwe if you want but the best safariing is to be found in Kenya, Tanzania, Botswana and South Africa. Within these countries, there are many different game parks or reserves, each with a special character or attraction and often a different group of resident animals. For example, the Serengeti National Park/Ngorongoro Conservation Area is famous for the enormous herds of wildebeest, zebra and antelope where the calves are born before the grazing runs out and the herds move on. In Kenya, Tsavo East National Park is renowned for the largest herds of elephant in the country, whereas the Masai Mara is home to all of the Big Five as well as most other species as well as being the best place to see the migration south of the wildebeest, zebra and antelope back to the plains of the Serengeti.

There are also many types of safari to choose from. You can travel by small purpose-built mini-bus which holds about eight people, by jeep, by elephant or horse or even, for the adventurous, on foot (accompanied by an armed guide, of course).

You can stay overnight in luxurious lodges (very welcome after a hot dusty game drive) or permanent camps (nearly as luxurious), in tree-top eco-friendly hotels or join in setting up camp on the more rugged safaris. You can also book a beach holiday and just take a half-day or a night or two away, booked locally.

The most important part though, is not your mode of transport or your accommodation, but the animals. The thrill of the chase, the news from your driver that one of his colleagues has just seen a lioness with her cubs, right by the trees over there, the excitement of actually seeing in the wild, a beast which you many only have seen previously in photographs or at best, behind bars in a zoo.

You may see sociable elephants, usually to be found in large family groups, if youre lucky, with babies in tow. You may see black rhino, but he probably wont see you – they have extremely poor eyesight but a great sense of smell. Then there are tall, elegant giraffes, munching from trees far out of reach of the other beasts, dainty antelopes, big cats, ferocious or playful and so much more.

Put these fabulous creatures together with the vast beauty that is Africa and the sense of the dangerous and the exotic and you have the experience of a lifetime so go and shoot a few animals (with your camera, of course).

Safari in Africa is a post from: Tours And Travel - thosenorwegians.com

From my window seat I could see the vibrantly coloured flowers hanging from the trees clinging to the banks above the bays, bright flowers in pots along the platforms of the tiny train stations, and the heart warming sight of an Italian Nonna sweeping her porch out, her house sitting right next to the train tracks. As I was later to travel this track many times she became my Italian Nonna and I looked out for her everytime I passed by.

Arriving in Ventimiglia, the first real stop over the border from France, (Monaco was also along the way) into Italy I was pleased to see a distinct difference between the Italian locals and the French ones Id left behind. Admittedly there is a real sense of the Mediterranean life all the way along the Cote DAzur, with fairly laid back individuals, all there to soak up sun and wine, but these locals appeared even more so. The Carabinieri on the platform as we pulled up were looking so relaxed as to almost appear asleep, even the sniffer dog didnt look at all bothered that 15 sweaty backpackers had just arrived. Nobody moved, no passports were checked, just a few cheery ciaos and a benvenuti.

After leaving our bags with the guide to mind we set off to explore for an hour before catching the next train. Having already spent the better half of the previous hour practising how to order a cappuccino in Italian I was eager to try it out. We found a kerbside caf and sat down. To my amazement the waiter understood my request on the first go and duly brought me the coffee. I was still grinning when we got back on the train.

The journey to Cinque Terre takes you through countless tunnels, carved into the cliffs hanging out over jagged rocks and pebbly beaches. Each time we hit the darkness, the curtains flapping dementedly in the open windows, I could still see the blue water imprinted on the inside of my eyelids. Nowhere else have I experienced that effect.

The locals and us were all chatting amongst ourselves until one guy asks me where we are all going in Italian. I answer Rio Maggiore. Then he asks me where we are all from. I explain that I am a tour guide and my group are all from all over the world. He is going to Calabria to see his mother and he is from Milan. He works in a factory there making cars. Another lady opens her travelling cool box to share some iced coffee in tiny plastic espresso cups with the 2 Korean girls in my group, and another one pulls out some dolce, sweet pastries to share with the Canadian girls.

Of all my train journeys in Europe I have found the Italians to be the most generous to backpackers, in terms of communication and sharing the contents of their cooler bags. Especially on the train going to Calabria from the north.

I once spent the leg between Pisa and Rome stuck in a corridor with an old guy of 60, a phrase book and a lot of sign language. He was very keen to tell me his family history and was most impressed that a kiwi from lontano was trying to speak Italian. He even gave me grammar lessons and corrected my pronunciation. That never happened on a French train.

More recently on the train to Florence from Pisa I sat next to a girl from Romania getting an entire itinerary of what to see and do in Florence from the guy opposite her in Italian. The interesting bit was she only spoke a few words but seemed to grasp most of what he was saying. It was great to see the passion for which he was talking about what was obviously his home town.

On one trip I managed to fulfil the desires of one rather shy Chinese girl who had a thing for men in uniform. She was trying to collect as many photos of them as possible from all over Europe. Some Italian Navy boys had got on at La Spezia, obviously from the Naval base there, heading to Rome along with a couple of Air Force boys. They were filling the corridor outside the dining car, laughing and yelling, all only too willing to pose for a couple of photos with my now tomato-red-in-the-face passenger. We thought we hit the jackpot when some army boys were spotted on the platform at Ostiense in Rome, but they were waiting for another train. She got a photo through the window instead.

The most frustrating time on the trains can be Florence S.M.N. The letters could easily stand for so many new platforms instead of Santa Maria Novella as they have an annoying pastime of switching tracks on you. You have to listen to the announcements very carefully. They do them in both English and Italian but as soon as one train is late arriving they start shuffling the rest of the platforms like a deck of cards. With a group of 12 individuals one day we were waiting an extra 45 minutes for the train to Venice, supposedly arriving on track 11, then it was track 9, then it was back to track 11 at the very last minute. We broke the rules and ended up hurling packs across the train tracks onto the end carriage as the guard blew his whistle for the departure and we had some stragglers who hadnt heard the change walking back from the sandwich bar. Everybody made it with a sprint finish.

On the contrary, in Venice the train guard was very accommodating when I had lost an American passenger between the baggage depot and the train in the short space of about 10 minutes. I explained she was late and he smiled, said ok, and waited an extra 5 minutes with me. Eventually he tapped his watch and we had to abandon her. This was the last train out of Italy to Austria that day so I wasnt sure when Id see her again. When I eventually did she had an awesome adventure to tell, but thats entirely another story.

For point to point travel you cant beat the Italian trains for good value, not just in the price because with a train ticket you get so much more than just a seat. Sometimes you dont even always get a seat, especially if its in the middle of August, but you get a fantastic opportunity to experience the local culture that just cant be had from a guide book or the inside of a bus.

Riding the trains in Italy is a post from: Tours And Travel - thosenorwegians.com

-Take only pictures, leave only footprints. If you carry it in, carry it out. This will eliminate litter.

-Protect water sources from contamination. Use bio-degradable soap, or try hot water soap-less dishwashing, bathing and clothes washing. When using soap (even bio-degradable) and toothpaste, dispose of the wastewater at least 100 feet away from natural water sources, well or faucet water sources.

-Be a good neighbor – control your noise and your pets. Always keep your dog on a leash no longer than 6 feet, and away from public swimming areas. Barking and not cleaning up after pets leads to many complaints from other outdoor enthusiasts. Do not leave pets unattended.

-Be respectful of the natural environment keep the trees and shrubs alive and growing.
Nails and wires should not be used on trees because they can cause serious damage to trees. Burn damage will permanently scar or kill a tree.

-When hiking or biking, stay on designated trails. This keeps damage to vegetation and erosion in one place.

-Before leaving your campsite, clean your fire pit and your campsite. Make it as clean as you would want it if you were arriving that day. The next user will appreciate it.

Leave-No-Trace, www.lnt.org, offers the following Principles for Outdoor Ethics: Plan Ahead and Prepare, Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces, Dispose of Waste Properly, Leave What You Find, Minimize Campfire Impacts, Respect Wildlife and Be Considerate of Other Visitors.

Here is the Tread Lightly!, www.treadlightly.org, pledge: Travel and recreate with minimum impact, Respect the environment and the rights of others, Educate yourself plan and prepare before you go, Allow for future use of the outdoors leave it better than you found it and Discover the rewards of responsible recreation.

Responsible recreation means having the common sense and the courtesy to enjoy the backcountry without spoiling someone elses experience. Most outdoor enthusiasts understand this very well and spend a good deal of their time restoring, enhancing and conserving our backcountry. Have a good time when youre outdoors and share these keys with your friends.

Use this information and youll Get It Right The First Time. Get Outdoors!

Responsible Recreation in the BackCountry is a post from: Tours And Travel - thosenorwegians.com