Archive for the 'Outdoors & Adventure' Category
Bulgarian border town, awaiting Turkey - Rowed Trip expedition update
August 20, 2008 2:15pm
Six-plus months into their self-propelled journey from the northern tip of Scotland to Syria, adventurers Colin and Julie Angus share another exclusive Rowed Trip expedition dispatch about their travels by oar and pedal power.
“Dubbed Europe’s hottest new vacation destination, Bulgaria has a gorgeous coastline, delicious food and friendly people, but if you’re looking to find unspoiled beaches there’s no better way to do it than by rowboat. Ten days ago we crossed the border from Romania, trading a coastline that all of Romania vacations on for one with infinitely more breathing room. We rowed past expansive sandy beaches tucked between jagged cliffs of limestone and small fishing villages fronted with grizzled men in wooden boats.
“That’s not to say Bulgaria isn’t a party place. Deep bass rhythms often reverberate across the water from crowded beach resorts. In the vacation hot spot of Varna, carnival rides and high-rise casinos dominate the skyline.
“Pitching a tent in crowded places is impossible, even beaching our boats amidst throngs of swimmers is challenging, so we gravitate toward quiet, isolated beaches which are surprisingly easy to find. We’ve camped on fine sand that squeaks beneath your feet and on shores of crushed seashells.
‘Amazing Race’ Season 13 teams are announced
August 20, 2008 12:15pm
Finally! After almost seven months of waiting, Season 13 of “The Amazing Race” (”TAR” 13) is drawing near. Sunday, Sept. 28, is the premiere, so set your TiVos now. In the meantime, check out our video with host Phil Keoghan shot in January 2008, where he highlights his Top 5 countries from past “TAR” seasons.
CBS has done us all a favor and posted the “The Amazing Race” 13 cast bios, so we can start making predictions about just who will melt down with a “My ox is broken, and I hate you!” first. But I’m going to give everyone some extra info on this season’s teams — or rather my opinions, after spending about 20 minutes with each of them last April at a behind-the-scenes CBS media event, just before they headed out on the race.
When I met them, all the teams had seen one another, but each team had a handler preventing them from talking to one another, so just as I was speculating about each of them, many of them were guessing about one another and probing to see if there was any dirt I could share on their competition. So now, in no particular order, here are the “TAR” 13 teams, as I see them.
One of the most interesting things about Terence and Sarah was the fact that almost every other team said they were the ones to worry most about. The tracksuits and Terence’s runner’s physique were obviously intimidating factors. Sarah having to leave her BlackBerry behind was definitely a top concern on her list. They claimed to have a “never quit” attitude, and they listed Latvia and Argentina as countries they hoped the race would take them to. Terence and Sarah didn’t strike me as teammates who would be completely combative, nor completely harmonious while racing. They had confidence and a competitive edge, but then again, what team on this show doesn’t start out that way? I’m not sure how they’ll place, but unless they get hopelessly lost or miss a flight, I think they’ll be part of the race for a while.
Like it or not, you can always count on CBS to give us a pair of cute blonds wearing pink, and in Season 13, the team is Marisa and Brooke. Am I the only one who’d like the blonds to show up wearing all black with a bunch of tattoos, for variety’s sake? Well, that’s not the fault of Marisa or Brooke, best friends who were prepared to “lie, cheat and steal” if that’s what it takes. And of course flirt — they were more than willing to play up a ditzy perception if it meant it would get them further in the race. These two were hoping to visit Italy and Greece, as well as get in some skydiving and bungee-jumping, we’ll see how they fare after a lack of sleep and some bug dishes. Marisa and Brooke didn’t want anyone to have preconceived notions about them, but while they were certainly friendly and nice, nothing about this team indicated they’d go beyond the “team pinks” we’ve seen in previous seasons. I’d like to be proven wrong, but I don’t know if they can do it. Read the rest of this entry »
Last-minute: luxe living at Burning Man with RV package
August 19, 2008 5:06pm
Still not sure about committing to a hot and sandy week at Burning Man, Aug. 25 to Sept. 1, 2008, in the Black Rock Desert of Nevada? If you don’t like to play dirty and you’ve got some (substantial) cash to spare, you might want to consider going in an RV. If so, you’d better act now.
I called several RV-rental companies that have long been sold out for Burning Man week. However, El Monte RV has some vehicles remaining, including a couple under its upscale “cool deal” tailored specifically for burners.
Deal: What’s the price of luxury on the playa? Read the rest of this entry »
Grand Canyon National Park remains unscathed by nearby flooding
August 18, 2008 4:57pm
Grand Canyon National Park remains open and trouble-free amid the rains that have prompted flooding and rescues in Supai Canyon, an Indian reservation about 75 miles west of the canyon’s South Rim.
“The primary area for all of this going on is … west of the primary village and just south of the Grand Canyon corridor,” said spokeswoman Shannon Marcak. “Within the Grand Canyon, we have not received any known damage.”
Read the rest of this entry »
Lake Tahoe: Six days of skiing/snowboarding for $259
August 18, 2008 10:53am
If you’re a skier or snowboarder, it’s not too early to start thinking about next season on the slopes — if you want the best deals, that is.
Season passes often provide the greatest value for the money, if you’re sure that you’ll have the time to take full advantage of the pass and you’re happy to do so at your one-and-only favorite resort. But for those of us Tahoe fans who appreciate more flexibility, the “Lake Tahoe Six Pack” is a good offer worth considering.
Deal: The Lake Tahoe Six Pack, which costs $259 (including taxes; add $9.95 for shipping), consists of six vouchers for all-day lift tickets. Read the rest of this entry »
Tonight: Full-moon fun in Southern California
August 16, 2008 6:00am
Assuming clear skies tonight, you don’t have to do much more than step outside your house to enjoy the moon in its once-every-29.5-days full-illumination state. But it’s much more fun to go out on the town or trail to enjoy a moonlit summer night.
Following are some ideas for you, if you’re like me and haven’t planned ahead.
Hiking: To be fully mesmerized by the moon, get as far away as possible from the bright lights in the big city and participate in a full-moon group hike. Read the rest of this entry »
Bigfoot, Humboldt County’s native son
August 15, 2008 5:30pm
Richard Stenger is sure of one true thing.
“We want everyone to know that Bigfoot is from Humboldt,” says the media and marketing spokesman from the Humboldt County Convention & Visitors Bureau. His comments come after two men held a press conference today to proclaim that they found Bigfoot in northern Georgia — and have the body on ice to prove it.
Read the rest of this entry »
Muster up mettle for the Paddle Boat Regatta in Echo Park, Aug. 17
August 15, 2008 4:00pm
This Sunday, Aug. 17, 2008, paddle-boat racers will test the mettle of their pedal power on Echo Park Lake, here in Los Angeles. A fundraising event organized by nonprofit group 826LA, which helps students and teachers improve writing skills, the races of the Paddle Boat Regatta will consist of three heats with 15 teams each.
Head over to the lake to watch the racers go at it. But if you and a partner are yearning to get pedaling yourselves, it’s not too late. The deadline to register to participate in the race is midnight Saturday, Aug. 16, 2008, the night before the race. Registering now, late in the game, you may be at a disadvantage, since those who raise the most money leading up to the race get the best starting positions, but take up the challenge anyway — it’s for a great cause. Read the rest of this entry »
Tim Cahill regales Book Passage travel writers with adventure stories and writing advice
August 15, 2008 10:48am
Thursday night, Don George kicked off the Book Passage Travel Writers & Photographers Conference, held in the Bay Area, with an event featuring adventure travel writer Tim Cahill. Cahill, author of nine books including “Jaguars Ripped My Flesh,” “Pass the Butterworms: Remote Journeys Oddly Rendered” and “Hold the Enlightenment,” talked about his career from his first published piece for a local Bay Area magazine, for which he teamed up with an artist friend to write an article about turkey vultures, to the beginnings of Outside magazine, and finally to his most harrowing travel experience: an episode in the Queen Charlotte Islands where he ventured off on his own, fell off a moss-covered wall, and used survival skills through bush and ocean to be found by his fellow kayakers. Since many of Cahill’s books cover stories of a much higher danger level, it was his infectious humor that brought the story to life.
New Yosemite postage stamp will debut Thursday at the park
August 13, 2008 6:40pm
Swing by the Yosemite Village Post Office at 10:30 a.m. Thursday and you will be able to get first-day cancellations of a new stamp featuring Yosemite National Park.
