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Thursday, January 2, 2014
Sunday, June 9, 2013
Camping and Picnics: The Perfect Combination
Picnic outside the Jimmy Buffet concert (Photo credit: ShaneRobinson)
Are you looking for a fun and exciting way to spend time with your family, with your friends, or with your romantic partner? If you are, have you taken the time to examine camping? Camping is nice as it is occasionally referred to as a recreational activity that is affordable. As nice as camping is, did you know that you can do much more, like have a picnic? In fact, when you think about it, camping and picnics really are the perfect combination.
One of the many reasons why camping and picnics are the perfect combination is because it seems as if they are designed for each other. For instance, if you were to go camping, there is a good chance that you would choose to do so at a state park or a public campground park. When examining these popular camping destinations, you will find that many of them have picnic areas, many of which may be right on or near your campsite. It is common to find parks and campgrounds that already have picnic tables installed or you can choose to bring your own picnic blankets to use.
Another one of the many ways that camping and picnics make for the perfect combination can be seen when you examine popular picnic locations. What is nice about having picnics is that you can have them in your own backyard and at local parks. While some of the local parks that you may be interested in having a picnic at may be “traditional,” in nature, it is possible to find parks that also have onsite camping available. Often times, you may find that camping is included in the cost of your admission. If the cost of camping is not included, you may be surprised with just how affordable the extra cost it.
When having a picnic, many families, friends, and couples, do much more than just eat. That is one of the many reasons why camping and picnics tend to go hand in hand. Many popular picnic activities, depending on the location of your picnic, tend to include boating, swimming, fishing, and hiking. These are many of the same activities that are associated with camping. In fact, you will find that many state parks and public campground parks have swimming pools, lakes, or other bodies of water, as well as great hiking trails.
As much as camping and picnics make the perfect combination, many individuals do not make this association. One of the reasons for that is because many individuals associate picnics with a few hours worth of fun. Although picnics can last a few hours, there is no need to rush. Many families and couples have their picnics last hours upon hours. If you are interested in doing the same and if you would like to picnic in a public location, like a state park, you may want to consider adding camping to your fun list of activities. Even if you aren’t familiar with camping, it is something that you should enjoy and many of the needed supplies are easy to come by, as well as affordable.
As outlined above, camping and picnics really make for the perfect combination. If you have a little bit of free time in your future or if you are looking to take an affordable vacation, you may want to examining combining a picnic with a camping adventure, as you can have an unlimited amount of fun when doing so.
Related articles
Camping and Picnics: The Perfect Combination
Friday, March 29, 2013
Test Post from Camper Gear
Test Post from Camper Gear http://www.superwebcollider.com/campergear.net
Thursday, January 10, 2013
Using Camper Shells For Additional Storage
Nowadays, more and more people would like to have extra storage in their vehicles to haul essential things when traveling. They would also like that their vehicles can also be used as a rooms for sleeping.
Camper shells are one of the essential add-ons or accessories used for trucks and other types of vehicles for many people who would like to have additional storage. It carriers attached to vehicles. It has rear and side windows and also consist of locks and tailgate.
Camper shells are sometimes called caps or toppers. It can convert any truck or vehicle into a camper which serves as additional storage for food, camping supplies, and can also used as a sleeping room. It is also an ideal shelter whenever there needed especially during extreme bad weather during travel.
The most common materials used for camper shells are aluminum, steel, thermoplastic and fiberglass. This vehicle accessory is attached on top of the rear bed of a pickup truck. Some models are bigger and have an extended size overlapping the top portion of the cab.
Fiberglass camper shells are not recommended for four wheel drive vehicles because it can easily crack due to impact. The most favored are those made of thermoplastic materials because they are more durable and lightweight.
Fiberglass camper shells are the most versatile because they can be manufactured with different designs and styles. There are also custom made camper shells designed according to the exact size and paint of the truck. Many modern type camper shells come with carpet kit and foam padding.
Most truck owners use camper shells to change the physical appearance of their vehicle but the most practical reason is for the convenience of having ample space of storage for hauling groceries, food and camping tools and equipments.
If you plan to have your truck installed with camper shells, you must remember that this accessory is not totally secured even if it has locks so you must not leave any of your valuables for a long period.
Though manufacturers provide warranties with their products, it still important to take care and maintain your camper shells in order to protect it from damage and help to prolong lifespan.
The rubber collar used to separate the cab from the camper shell should always be cleaned and maintained. Inspect it regularly for any damage and replace immediately when necessary.
Also do regular cleaning with the surface of the camper shell by using soap and water. You must also dry the shell after washing so it will not leave any unwanted spots on its finish. During the winter season, as much as possible remove any snow which builds up on it.
When you purchase your camper shell, do not apply any wax for about 60 days in order not to fade the paint of the body. Use the same brand of wax to your camper shell and your truck. For scratches, use recommended rubbing compounds for your type of camper shell.
The moving parts of the camper shell must also be lubricated with lithium based grease to maintain its functionality. Do not use penetrating oils for the door lock.
Make sure to do a regular inspection on the camper shell to ensure the safety of your vehicle as well as all the goods and equipments stored in the cab.
When purchasing your camper shell, buy from the leading manufacturers who provide the best in quality with longer warranty period.
For more information on Caring for Your Camper Shell and Camper Shells & Roof Racks, please visit our website.
Camper Trailer Tips: Camping Equipment
Camper trailers provide a unique way to venture out into the wilderness for a weekend of camping with the entire family. However, despite the bevy of features many of these units have, there will still be plenty of equipment that you'll want to be sure you have on hand to ensure that your vacation doesn't end early due to bad luck or inclement weather. The best practice is maintaining a list of things that you want to have with you at all times, and as you are packing up (both before and after you've enjoyed your weekend), you can double-check the list to be sure that you have everything accounted for. Preparation is the key to successful camping trips, so consider the following items as "must-haves" and include a few of your own - in the end, you'll be glad you did!
First Aid
The most important supplies you can have on an outdoor excursion is a first aid kit. Everything from antiseptic to bandages, there are more than a few obvious reasons to have one of these on hand. If you are venturing deep into the wild, consider any common venomous snakes, and consider bringing anti-venom with you. In all likelihood, you won't need to use it, but when you do, you'll be happy to know that you have everything necessary to neutralize a bad situation. Many medical kits can be purchased that are designed for specific camping environments, so look into the options and be sure that your first aid box doesn't leave your campsite!
Cold-Weather Sleeping Bags
While we realize that you may be heading out in the spring, some areas will significantly drop in temperature as the evening sets in. Never judge the expected night-time temperatures by the day-time highs. If you understand the area well, then you are likely already prepared. But, don't be lured into the "unprepared" trap by assuming that the weather will be warm throughout the night. Further, if rains set in, this will also require a bit more warmth. Be prepared for this contingency.
Food Storage
If you are in an area in which there could be several large animals that take a liking to your food, be sure that you have food bags to properly store any unused food. Many camper trailers will have a "food storage door". If this is the case, use sealed bags to limit the attraction of wild animals and store everything in a closed trailer door. This will greatly reduce the chance that an unwanted guest wanders into the camping area.
Extra Fuel
If you're like many Australian campers, you want to venture out into the wilderness and not look back for days. This is a great way to relax, but requires something that many other camping trips do not - fuel. Extra fuel tanks can be very helpful should you get lost and require extra gasoline to make it back to town. Nothing can hinder a camping group's enthusiasm like knowing that you are stuck in the middle of nowhere with no way to get back into town besides your feet! This is an item that will likely never be used, but again, when you need it, you'll be thrilled to have it. It is also recommended that you "rotate" the fuel to ensure that it never expires.
Camping trips with off road camper trailers are a blast, and giving everyone some time away from town can be invaluable. However, supplies are necessary, so our recommendation is that you laminate your list, use a dry-erase marker to check off items, and once you reach the campsite, wipe it clean and use it when you pack up. This will ensure that nothing ever gets left behind.
We bought an off road camper trailer and have had some fantastic weekends away offroading and are looking forward to our annual offroad trip to central Australia. The tent and trailer have been into some pretty rough areas on weekends away and have handled the terrain without a single problem. All round the camper trailer has been great value for money and I would not hesitate in recommending the GIC camper trailers to any prospective buyers.
Food Allergies Go to Overnight Camp!
Sending any child away to camp for the first time can be daunting - and this is all the more true when that child has life-threatening food allergies. Most camps, these days, aim to be nut- and peanut-free, but how can you be sure that the overnight camps on your short list truly take allergies seriously? Browsing each camp's published literature and web site can only take you so far. There is no substitute for a direct conversation with the directors, since they are the ones who make - and enforce - the camp's policies. And once you have the director on the phone (or, in some cases, in your home) here are some questions that will help you determine how safe the camp may be for your child:
What information (and supplies) does the camp require in the case of campers with life-threatening allergies, and how do they handle the information and supplies, once the camper gets to camp?
Overnight camps should request detailed information about life-threatening allergies. But be sure to ask what they do with this information, too. Are counselors made aware of all allergies in their cabins? Are kitchen staff informed, and are photographs of children with allergies posted prominently, where food is served? Camps should also require that parents send at least two Epipens - one to be kept on the camper at all times, and another to be stored with the camp nurse.
What steps does a camp take to ensure that their entire facility remains peanut- and nut-free?
Most camps ban peanuts and nuts in their kitchens, as far as is possible. But what about the rest of the camp facility? Does the camp ban campers and staff from bringing these products onto camp? Do counselors check with their campers as they unpack, to ensure any snack products are peanut and nut free? And do they check more than just their food? Many shampoos, hand creams and other personal care products do contain nuts. All these need to be checked, especially in facilities where washrooms and showers are communal.
Most camps may be prepared to ban peanuts and nuts from the site, but if your child has a different life-threatening food allergy, what steps will the camp take to ensure their safety?
With allergies to foods not regularly used in camps (such as avocado or shell fish) it may be reasonable to ask the camp if the product could be excluded from all meals for the duration of your child's stay. Our camp has certainly done this for campers on many occasions. If your child has a life-threatening allergy to a food other than peanuts or nuts, then you will need to put together a careful action plan with the director, to ensure your child remains safe at camp. What plans can be put in place to ensure your child's safety, on days when the allergen is served? While it is impossible to remove all risk, certain strategies will minimize the chance of a reaction. For example, if your child is permitted to go first in buffet lines, then there is less chance of cross-contamination of foods. Your child's plate and cutlery can be washed and stored separately from others. In the case of food additives, you can endeavor to provide the camp - and your child's counselor - with detailed information on which products may be of concern. Discuss other ideas with the camp director. Remember than most directors will have encountered this issue many times before, and will want to work with you to keep your child safe.
How does the camp handle allergies when campers are off site?
In the case of day trips, does the camp take the time to scout out the location of nearby hospitals, and do Epipens - and the camp medical personnel - accompany campers on the trip? If your child's group is to be supervised by an individual other than their camp counselor, is that person made aware of life-threatening allergies? Perhaps most importantly, are campers permitted to purchase snack foods during the day trip, and if so, how does the camp ensure children do not inadvertently come in contact with allergens? Out-tripping presents a whole other set of challenges, and you may want to ask questions about how the camp ensures the trip is safe for a child with life-threatening food allergies, and how far from medical help the group will be, should a problem occur.
Don't forget to ask about the care available, should your child have an anaphylactic reaction!
Are camp staff taught the necessary procedures, such as how to administer an Epipen? Is there a health care professional on site with sufficient expertise to help your child? And how far away is the hospital? You may want to ask how long the camp anticipates it would take for emergency vehicles to arrive in the case of an anaphylactic reaction, and whether the camp keeps a back-up supply of Epipens. This may help you determine how many Epipens you will want to send with your child.
But talking with the director can help you find out far more than the answers to the questions above. It will help you decide how seriously the director takes the issue of food allergies. The most extensive camp policies mean little if the director is haphazard in ensuring they are implemented. You may get answers to all the questions you ask, but the most important thing is to get a feel for the director herself. Do you believe she will take the needs of your child seriously? Making sure that your child is in the hands of a director you trust is the most important part of ensuring a healthy, successful camp experience for him, and a worry-free summer for you.
Julie Hartley is the co-director of Centauri Summer Arts Camp, an overnight camp in the Niagara Region of Canada that has successfully welcomed young people with food allergies for the past 16 years. You can find out more about the camp at http://www.centauriartscamp.com
Food Tips While Camping
Camping is a great family activity. It is a great opportunity for children to learn about nature. It is also an incredible bonding opportunity. A chance for you to spend some quality time with your children without competing with the television, video games or other gadget that steals their attention away.
Before the campout even begins, plans for what to food to eat, how to store food, and how to prepare it are very important. Depending on the age of your child, you may want to have him assist you with this planning. Not only is this a good learning experience for your child, but it is a great activity to get your child excited with anticipation for the upcoming camping event.
Planning should start with a menu. There are numerous recipes that can be cooked on a campfire. You may also think about investing in a propane stove. This will make cooking even easier and safer too.
Once a menu has been set, you need to ensure that all of the food will be well stored. You not only want to make sure that no food spoils, but you also want to make sure it is sealed well to prevent bugs and animals from eating it. It is important to mention that you should never feed wild animals. It is best to keep your food locked in the car while unattended or sleeping. Don't store food in a tent. I know that this may seem to be impossible if you are camping with younger children. But it is much safer because animals are always hungry for campers' food.
Once you have made a list of everything that you are going to pack, make a shopping list for everything you still need. I definitely suggest taking your child with you shopping for your camping needs. This will really get your child excited about the camping trip. It will also make running the errands more enjoyable for you.
Alright on to some tips to make your life easier while camping.
1) Pack fruit that is firm fleshed (oranges) so that it doesn't bruise easily.
2) Use tortillas for sandwiches instead of bread. It will hold up better.
3) Prepare some foods in advance. Cut vegetables, grate cheese, cook meats and sauces.
4) One large cube of ice (water frozen in a container) will keep longer than ice cubes. Use an old milk container or two liter pop bottles
5) Powdered drinks are easier to pack than pop.
6) Put vegetable oil used for cooking in a spray bottle.
7) Use Pringles instead of chips in a bag to prevent crushing.
8) Prepared bags of salad are quick, easy and healthy.
9) If you use any mixes, such as pancakes, choose ones that you add only water to (no eggs or mild required).
10) Stock your cooler with what you will need for the day. Then restock it in the evening for the next day. This way you won't have to carry extra food and drinks.
11) Make sure that you have large water containers if you will be in an area that doesn't have water piped in.
12) A two burner propane stove makes preparing meals and clean up much easier.
13) Paper plates and paper cups can be easily disposed of in a fire.
14) Use the boxed meals that don't require much preparation.
15) Invest in a large container for all the kitchen utensils.
16) Before placing a pot in a campfire, rub dish soap (with a paper towel) on the outside of the pot. It really makes clean up a snap.
Whether you use a propane stove or campfire, make sure you always observe proper safety rules. Your children are watching you and will do what you do. Teach them to be safe.
This article was written by Sandy. I am a parent who is concerned with giving my children the best start in life. Since my first child didn't come with a manual, I have found other parents' advice invaluable. I would like to pass on what I have learned and hope that other parents would like to do the same. I have recently been reminded of how important my family is and that my family should always come first. Please visit my blog at [http://www.TheFamilyComesFirst.com/]. Hope to see you there.
Sandy
Freeze Dried Camping Food - What You Need to Know
Most sportsmen are aware that some types freeze dried food is available to reduce the weight of traditional foods. But there are now a wide assortment of freeze dried camping food available to satisfy just about any palette.
It used to be that your choices were limited as to what you could purchase for backpacking, cycling, or canoeing in the freeze dried department. You would find freeze and dried spaghetti and stews as well as a desert or two and many sportsmen would look to MRE's or meals ready to eat to give themselves a variety. Now campers and sportsmen can find just about any of this type of food they desire.
You can find freeze and dried beef patties similar to those you would purchase in the supermarket. Then you will simply rehydrate or reconstitute them and cook for a minute on each side. You can also find chunk chicken that you will add hot water too and will be ready in about 10 minutes. You can then use the chicken as you would traditional chunk chicken to make a pasta dish or eat plain.
You can also find freeze and dried campers deserts such as strawberries, apple pie and others. As far as dairy products you will find those as well, such as eggs, cheese and milk that can all be ready with a bit water.
Camper freeze dried food is packaged differently from the emergency food storage and is less expensive. You will find it in pouches that have been vacuum packed and are easy to open. Emergency supply of this type of food is stored in enamel coated cans so that the can does not disintegrate with time. These types of packages can last well beyond 30 years and come in a better variety than campers freeze and dried foods.
There are plenty of items your campers and sports enthusiasts will enjoy as gifts such as different types of campers chocolate bars, nutrition bars and a variety of easy to make freeze dried campers food. There are stroganoffs, stews, lasagna, freeze dried chicken breast and potatoes and many other camper foods that are great for any sports enthusiast gift ideas. Most people have found that these camper foods are better than something traditional foods they would have to bring and offer better nutritional value as well.
You can find camping food at most sports stores such as REI and also direct from your internet. In fact many of the online stores will offer great prices and free shipping if you order enough freeze dried foods and campers gear. You may find the prices are better online due to the low overhead of these camper supply stores.
Enjoy your outdoor camping, hiking, biking and canoeing with freeze dried camping food in lightweight easy to open packaging. Find out more tips about freeze dried food at http://freezedriedfood.referenceguidetips.com
Sunday, August 12, 2012
Juan De Fuca Marine Trail Mini Guide
The Juan de Fuca Marine Trail on Vancouver Island begins at the other end of the town of Port Renfrew from the West Coast Trail, effectively continuing it for another 47 kilometers, going from Botanical Beach to China Beach. The Juan de Fuca trail is directly across the Juan de Fuca Strait from the Olympic Mountains in the U.S. state of Washington. It is not as long as the West Coast Trail, but does have its own challenges. And of course, the terrain and climate are a bit different, giving the trail its own unique character. Access, the crowd hiking the trail, communication, travel difficulty, length, and the sights along the way are some of the main considerations for deciding to hike this trail.
ACCESS
The trail is accessible from either end and from several locations along the way. Highway 14 runs along the coast just above the trail, sometimes within a few hundred meters. The proximity of the highway makes this a very versatile hiking destination. Two main mid-locations are Sombrio Beach and Parkinson Creek. Sombrio Beach is a favorite surfing location for Victorians and others living in the southern part of Vancouver Island. They can often be seen arriving after 4:00 pm for an evening of surfing. There is also access from the highway connected to most campsites along the eastern end, although there is no specific parking available. Hikers are now paying $10 a night to camp at walk-in sites, and $3 per day to park in the lots.
THE CROWD
Many locals hike the trails regularly because they enjoy the park. Because it is so accessible, it is frequently used. Sombrio Beach and Bear Beach have regular surfers, with Sombrio getting quite crowded at times. The crowds are not just surfers and hikers. Sombrio especially attracts young people looking for a place to run amok. Long weekends are not the best time to go because of these crowds. Recent years have seen Sobrio crowds of over 500 people on long weekends. Unfortunately, the easy access creates the crowded, rowdy atmosphere that BC Parks is trying to reduce. Even the further afield sites can be quite crowded on long weekends, even though access is more difficult. Mostly, the more difficult access brings people who are more interested in the experience of nature than anything else. Many locals clean up Sombrio after the long weekends. These people are true heroes.
COMMUNICATION
Related to access, communication is a big issue in the wilderness. Cell phones work along the way, but usually only for emergencies. Some network access is possible from the eastern end, but usually through U.S. networks, which have a nice roaming charge attached. The town of Jordan River and Port Renfrew are at either end of the trail, or near, so phone access is relatively easy. Satellite phone access is easy from the beaches, but may be problematic in denser forested areas. VHF marine radio is also a possibility, although technically, for use on the water.
TRAVEL DIFFICULTY
When compared to the West Coast Trail, this trail is generally easier, although sections can be just as challenging as the most difficult sections of the West Coast Trail. The most difficult sections run from the China Beach Trailhead to Sombrio Beach. The 11 to 12 kilometers from Bear Beach (depending on your campsite) to Chin Beach are the most strenuous because of having to travel up and down over small stream outlet valleys. The trail is quite good, with little blow down and travel over large root system. The last kilometer approaching Sombrio Beach from the east is also quite strenuous because of the mud and terrain. West of Sombrio, the terrain is relatively flat and the hiking is fast, although there can be a lot of mud, depending on the time of year. Beyond its own beauty, the Juan de Fuca Trail can be a good training ground for doing the West Coast Trail or North Coast Trail.
LENGTH
One of the great features of the Juan de Fuca Trail is its versatility. Really good day hikes are possible here, as well as a committed, 5-day backpacking trip. Everything in between is also possible. A one or two night traverse can be made by leaving a car at one of the access points and taking a second car to a trail head, then hiking the trail between, for example, hiking from China Beach to Bear Beach, or Bear Beach to Chin Beach. The ability to hike out quickly to the highway makes this trail unique because hikers can get a good traverse hike in with minimal logistics. The access point also allow the trail to be broken up into several different sections and hiked separately.
SIGHTS
The climate and terrain of the Juan de Fuca Trail is different from the West or North Coast Trails. Along the Juan de Fuca, you get to commune with the eagles, river otters, and martens. There are often bears along the trail as well, but they should be avoided. The beaches are a mix of cobblestone and sand. Sea stacks, sea caves along the cliffs, rock shelves with tide pools at low tides, and stands of cedar and spruce are common. Cruise ships ply the waters of the Juan de Fuca Strait, with their lights passing in the night. The snow-capped, giants of the Olympic Mountains are visible to the east and south. The seclusion of the non-trailhead beaches gives a great wilderness experience while still being just a short hop away from a main highway.
The Juan de Fuca Marine Trail is one of the major coastal hikes in BC. It is a traverse that compares to its sister trails, the West Coast Trail and the North Coast Trail, but with its own unique character. It is one of the most accessible trails on Vancouver Island, with many access points along its length, giving it tremendous versatility. With this versatility, the length can be tailored to fit one's needs and time frame. Hiking the Juan de Fuca Trail can be done in sections or all at one go as a good 5 day backpacking trip. All told, this is a great trail that should not be missed.
Gary Ward has been leading trips and teaching in wilderness areas for 20 years. Having traveled from desert to sea, he spends most of his time now in coastal areas, exploring the boundary between land and sea, land and sky, and sea and sky.
He can be found leading tours on the Juan de Fuca Trail, teaching, and writing for his business, Coastal Bliss Adventures.
The Benefits of a Women's History Trail - Fun AND Profit!
A True Story
My favorite example of the economic impact of a women's history trail happened during the summer of 2009 in Salem, Massachusetts. As the creator of the Salem Women's Heritage Trail, I was hired for the day to lead a tour group of women who were members of the Worcester (MA) Women's History Project. They rented a bus, paid me for my time, visited three ticketed attractions, had lunch, and shopped along the way.
By the time they were ready to leave, they knew they had only scratched the surface. Their bus happened to be parked in front of a Salem hotel and I said, "You'll have to come back next year, stay at the hotel, and see more sites!" And I'm sure they will.
The economic impact of a women's history trail on a community is real, and all kinds of organizations stand to benefit. Historic sites and museums sell tickets, attract members, and enjoy incremental business in their shops. Retail stores and restaurants welcome new customers. Bus companies, tour guides, parking accommodations, and modes of public transportation make money.
People who walk history trails also visit local attractions, eat, shop, and might even stay overnight at one of your local hotels. I've seen it - and not just in Salem, but in Boston where I served as the executive director of the Boston Women's Heritage Trail, on the South Shore of Massachusetts where I helped to develop a driving trail, and in Cambridge, Massachusetts where the Women's History Project website prompted guided tours and programs.
Markets
In my experience leading women's history tours, the majority of my audiences are women who range in age from 40 to 65. They are:
• well educated
• intellectually curious
• financially comfortable
Some work, some are retired.
Some of these female "cultural tourists" are residents, their friends, family, and guests, or those who work in town (local tourists). But more of them are part of the "drive market," visitors who travel to a destination for the day from a not-very-distant location.
Others are "frequent independent travelers," people who visit from other countries for two or more weeks at a time. These visitors are usually drawn to an area for a reason other than women's history, but they are itching to find new and interesting things to do during their lengthy stay - and women by far make the majority of travel decisions. Since exchange rates tend to work in their favor, these women are also prepared to spend money!
Women's History and Tourism
Tourism is such an important part of the U.S. economy that in 2008 President-elect Obama instructed his transition team to look hard at tourism in the United States, bring traditionally segmented parts of the industry together, and make recommendations to improve that would "help fuel America's economy."
In the National Travel Association's December 16, 2008 report, they offered the following statistics:
• For the U.S. economy, travel and tourism annually generate $1.7 trillion in revenue and approximately 17 million jobs.
• Spanning every state and congressional district, the economic benefits of travel and tourism generated more than $115 billion in tax revenue in 2007.
• Tourism is either the first, second or third largest employer in 29 states.
• International travel is America's fastest-growing travel segment, due to favorable exchange rates. Travel and tourism exports accounted for 7.5 percent of all U.S. exports of goods and services and 25 percent of service exports in 2007. That includes international passenger fares and international traveler spending in the U.S.
• Adding 10 million additional international visitors every year boosts the U.S. economy $12 billion per year. That is 151,000 new jobs and $2 billion in federal, state, and local tax revenues.
• An increase of just 1 percent in international travel market share would produce $13.5 billion in additional revenue for the U.S. economy.
Given these impressive figures, it's more important than ever for women's history - and women's history trails - to become a more visible part of the national tourism picture.
But let's look at specifics. During the process of creating a women's history trail, when and where can you notice its economic impact?
Planning Phase and Early Marketing
Women's history trails are developed in different ways. Sometimes, a nonprofit organization is formed to create and promote a trail - like the Boston Women's Heritage Trail. Other times, leaders of historical, educational, and business organizations come together under one participant's "umbrella," which is what happened in Salem and Cambridge, Massachusetts. On the South Shore of Massachusetts, I worked with an enterprising newspaper reporter who created a driving trail because the historic sites were so spread out. It was published as a special supplement in her newspaper.
However you plan to develop a trail for your community, know that from the very beginning you are in the business of marketing. People need to know your trail is there! No one will derive any economic benefit unless you promote the trail throughout the development process and well after. And it will serve you well to budget for marketing from the project's inception.
Rule #1 in marketing is "know thy audience" and in the planning phase your primary audience is residents, especially adult women (including those with school-aged daughters). They can:
• give you information for the trail
• attend your fundraising events
• go on tours with you when the trail is complete
• recommend your trail to tourists
During the planning phase, you will want to hold well-publicized public meetings to present your ideas for the trail, solicit new information, and introduce the members of your planning committee who should represent your cultural and business communities, town, schools, and local college or university.
Right away, you are in a position to promote these committee members and the organizations and businesses they represent - meaning, your trail project is benefiting them economically from the start! You can encourage the people who attend your meetings to patronize your committee members' companies, and if they are smart, your committee members will use their involvement with the trail to self-promote, offer incentives, free passes, and so on.
You also want to involve your local Chamber of Commerce from the beginning. If you have a Main Streets program, engage them as well, or perhaps your community development office - wherever the intersection between business and tourism/marketing happens in your town. These business organizations understand that people who walk also shop and dine. If local businesses don't understand how your trail can benefit them, your Chamber of Commerce can help them "get it."
In Salem, Massachusetts, the Chamber believed so strongly in the economic benefit of having a women's heritage trail they hosted fundraisers, promoted the trail to their members, and helped plan the kick-off event.
Development Phase and More Marketing
While the trail is being developed, publicize your progress. Send press releases and email blasts, use the "social media" of Facebook and Twitter - and be sure you are always promoting the participating historic sites and businesses. By doing this, you will send customers their way AND build momentum for your grand opening.
You will also need to raise money for your "product," whatever it might be - a brochure, book, or website. Hold fundraisers at your hotel, historic site, or a local business. You will be providing a perfect opportunity for participating sites and businesses to promote themselves. You can set up information tables where they can display products and interact with new customers.
You might also want to call special attention to woman-owned businesses! An exciting (and potentially lasting) byproduct of the development phase is collaboration and networking between nonprofits and for-profits. In Salem, one of my greatest joys was introducing historic site representatives and local business people to each other during fundraising events. More often than not, they had never met. Store owners picked up new customers and promised to make a greater effort to direct visitors to their new friend's historic site. Frequently, these new business relationships led to future win-win collaborations.
In Salem, we held an evening fundraiser at The House of the Seven Gables while the museum was closed. I overheard many residents admit they had never been to The Gables before. Seizing the opportunity, the director provided free passes for daytime visits and easily secured new customers and new members - and the gratitude of the community.
Opening Phase and Even More Marketing
When the trail is complete and you're ready to "open," all kinds of opportunities await! In Salem, we rented two trolleys and gave "driving tours." Later, we offered walking tours. We invited reporters to go along, and they wrote terrific stories that inspired people to visit Salem for a new reason.
Businesses along the route hung our posters and sold our book. Some offered refreshments, others gave a flower to each woman customer. Historic sites offered new women's history-focused tours and created special displays from their collections.
All of these places - for-profit and nonprofit - made money!
Once your trail exists make sure it's featured in your community's visitor information, including materials distributed by your Chamber of Commerce, Main Streets program, local and state tourism offices. You do NOT need to handle all of the marketing yourself at this point, nor should you. That is what tourism professionals do, and why they are valuable partners. Meet with them, provide information, and follow their recommendations.
Having said that, you probably know more about women's history than most tourism people do so you should do some of your own research. Which women's history websites do potential visitors to your community peruse? Which publications? Where should your trail be listed or linked? A good example is the National Collaborative for Women's History Sites website and book. There is a section on walking trails in the book, and an online section with links to trails and historic sites all over the U.S.
Another example is Discover New England, the tourism marketing organization that promotes New England as a destination for international travelers. In 2010, they are launching a new page on women's history trails and historic sites!
Think about offering special tours for affinity groups (Girl Scouts, women's clubs or organizations, women's studies students at your local college) and for local students. If you reach the students, you reach the parents, and they are the ones with the money to spend. And plan your walks to include time for food and shopping!
Assuming you created a PowerPoint presentation for your fundraising events, you can now present an updated version to local groups (Rotary, senior center). Some people will never walk the trail, but they will visit specific sites and shops. Again, steer them toward your collaborators!
Moving Forward
In the years after your trail is open, the biggest challenge will be to sustain its visibility. Some communities are able to paint a line or install plaques, but most cannot. You do need to keep your brochure or book in print, your website updated, and send out messages from time to time via email blasts, an online newsletter, or Facebook to keep the buzz going.
History isn't static. Even after your trail is complete, people will find new information about historical women in your community. Today's women will open new businesses. Through your trail, you can "own" your local women's history. Make announcements, report news, and celebrate achievements.
In Salem, to perpetuate the link between business and history, I recently transformed the trail website into the Salem Women's History and Business Community. Through the website and social media, I promote women business owners in Salem and make announcements about historical and contemporary women.
The month of March, National Women's History Month, provides an annual opportunity to promote your trail. For several years in Salem, the "trail" hosted a series of talks in March on historical women and women's history sites people could visit. As a virtual organization, the "trail" partnered with the Salem Maritime National Historic Site (National Park Service), which hosted the events.
You can continue to lead tours as well. For the Boston Women's Heritage Trail (BWHT), I always combined a walking tour with a visit to the host historic site and lunch at a neighborhood restaurant. Like Salem's trail, BWHT had no official office. Every program had to involve collaborating with a historic site - and they benefited!
Men Can Become an Important Audience as Well
I have given plenty of tours that included men - husbands who reluctantly attended with their wives who told me afterward, "I had no idea I would actually enjoy this!" and fathers who brought their daughters because they wanted them to be inspired by women's achievements. These kinds of men are a very important audience, and they can become some of your fiercest allies!
Final Thoughts
The story I told at the beginning of this article is just one example of how a women's history trail can benefit a community economically. Imagine adding more and more women's history trails to walkable downtowns or to driveable regions in states all across the country.
Imagine if the National Travel Association gave special acknowledgment to women's history trails (and women's history in general!) as the fastest-growing tourism segment in an upcoming report?
If you think about it, historic sites are already "there." No one will be adding sites to Boston's Freedom Trail, for example, any time soon. Those places are, literally, set in stone.
Women's history trails, on the other hand, are a new history "product" that can be created and marketed to generate income for hundreds of nonprofits and local businesses. That's heady stuff to contemplate, and you can make it happen!
You can create a women's history trail for your community!
Helpful Links
• Salem Women's History and Business Community
• Boston Women's Heritage Trail
Acknowledgments
Many thanks to the Salem Chamber of Commerce for their support of the Salem Women's Heritage Trail, specifically, former executive director Ellen DiGeronimo and former president Joseph Correnti. I am also grateful to the Boston Women's Heritage Trail, especially Mary Howland Smoyer and Polly Welts Kaufman, for encouraging me to be creative with women's history in Boston many years ago.
Bonnie Hurd Smith is an unusual combination of historian and marketer. Her work as a historian has focused largely on women's history, especially the eighteenth-century essayist Judith Sargent Murray and women's history trails, but she has also managed a historical society, served as the president of a historic house museum, and planned and implemented dozens of history-based events and projects through her business, History Smiths (formerly Hurd Smith Communications). On the business side, Bonnie has not only planned highly successful large- and small-scale community events, she excels in public relations, marketing, fundraising, project management, writing and graphic design. She is a popular speaker, tour guide, and writer on historical subjects. Her passion is to boost the visibility of women's history throughout the United States as a source of inspiration for girls and boys, women and men, and to tell a more balanced story of American history.
The Top 5 Bike Trails North and Northwest of Chicago
The Chicagoland area is known for great bike trails and you've just found a summary of the best bike trails in the Chicagoland area (north and northwest).
With so many great bike trails to choose from, there will, of course, be different opinions, depending on your personal riding style and preferences and what is most important to you. The top 5 bike trails selected have quite a bit to offer to a wide variety of riders.
Our top 5 bike trails choices include nicely paved trails as well as crushed stone trails and trails with access to more rugged mountain biking areas. Most of our top 5 trails connect other trails which will allow you to vary or extend your rides as you choose. You can select the best sections of the trails for short or medium distance rides or extend your rides to 100 miles or more on a some of these trails!
The Top 5 Bike Trails - Chicago North and Northwest
Fox River Bike Trail - The Fox River Trail (FRT) is the nicest paved bike trail in the Chicagoland area. The FRT has beautiful wooded areas along the river, cool winding paths through the woods and scenic views from the trail and from the many bridges that the FRT crosses.
The FRT starts in Aurora, Illinois on its southern end and runs north to Algonquin where it connects to the McHenry County Prairie Trail. Although the Prairie Trail can be taken all the way to the Wisconsin border, it becomes crushed stone and more rugged as you go north. You can also connect to the Illinois Prairie Path (IPP) (also crushed stone in many sections) at three different locations, for some very nice rides that branch out east on the beautiful IPP.
You can easily ride over 100 miles on the FRT and it's connecting trails or you can select your favorite areas along the Fox River and enjoy a relaxing ride in the wooded areas along the riverside. This bike trail does get a little crowded on hot summer weekends and on holidays so if you prefer less people, I would suggest a weekday or off time.
Des Plaines River Trail - The Des Plaines River Trail (DPRT) is a nice crushed stone trail with some wooded and shaded areas mixed with sunny prairie sections. Traffic on the trail is a little lighter than many of the other bike trails in this area (probably due to the crushed stone surface). Most of the highway intersections are bridge underpasses so you can do quite a distance, non stop without having to deal with highway crossings.
The northern section of the DPRT is the nicest crushed stone bike trail in the area. The northern part of the DPRT starts in Lincolnshire (Half Day) and can be taken all the way to the Wisconsin border. One of the nicest features of this trail is that most of it is well shaded on hot summer days. You may want to avoid this trail in extremely wet weather. The underpasses can be closed when the river is high and when there has been flooding.
Green Bay Bike Trail - The Green Bay Trail (GBT) is a crushed stone path that winds it's way through the wooded north shore suburbs not far from the shores of Lake Michigan. The main 18 mile stretch of the GBT avoids most of the north shore business areas but there are many nice places that are easily accessible for an interesting break from the trail. Some parts of the GBT actually lead you through some residential streets of the affluent north shore suburbs and you can also visit Ravina Music Festival and some of the beautiful beaches on Lake Michigan.
The GBT starts in Wilmette, Illinois at the southern end and goes north to Lake Bluff when it turns into the Robert McClory Bike Path. There is some disputes regarding the exact path names but for this article I am referring to the GBT between Wilmette and Lake Bluff. The GBT does get a little crowded at peak times so if you prefer more solitude, I would suggest planning your ride around the potential busy times.
Great Western Bike Trail -The Great Western Trail (GWT) is one of the many Rails to Trails bike trails and rolls through the Illinois prairies and countryside from St. Charles, Illinois to Sycamore. The trail is crushed stone, has a few easy rolling hills and very light bike traffic. What I really like is the rural atmosphere, prairies and open farmland.
The eastern end of the GWT is mostly shaded while the tree cover on the western part of the trail opens up and it can be quite sunny. The trail ends in a quite community park in Sycamore. I'd suggest this trail if you would like to get away from the rush of the city and enjoy a quiet rural bike ride where you can hear your own thoughts.
Busse Woods Bike Trail - The Busse Woods Trail (BWT) is a paved bike trail that loops through the Busse Woods Forest Preserve in Elk Grove, Illinois. There's quite a variety of scenery in this 12 mile bike trail. At the northeastern part of the trail there is an actual Elk heard (in a large fenced off area). Once you head south from the elk herd you'll ride past a number of forest preserve entrances with lots of activity on busy summer days and weekends. You will pass over the Salt Creek and some small lakes and will ride through some scenic wooded areas.
There are also plenty of other side attractions such as lots of boaters, fishers, major kite flyers and a Remote Controlled airplane field in one of the groves. It can be a lot of fun to watch the flyers do their aerobatics... The one drawback to this trail is that it can get quite crowded on busy weekends and at peak times. If you don't want to deal with the crowds you will want to visit this trail at an off time.
Please keep in mind that there have been quite a few "runner ups" for this top 5 bike trail category, and there are many more great bike trails out there in the Chicagoland area. There may also be some changes in this top 5 listing as time goes on, but for now, this should give you some real good opportunities to get out and enjoy the ride!
If you would like more information on the top 5 bike trails listed here, or detailed description and photos of other great Chicago area bike trails, check out the About-Bicycles Bike Trails pages.
Rob Chapman, http://www.about-bicycles.com.
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