"Nothing in life is to be feared. It is only to be understood."Marie Curie
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4 Steps to an Enjoyable Hike
Some people have fought many years of their lives to preserve the rich heritage of the outdoors and nature we now enjoy. That dedication and effort has been rewarded by fantastic hiking opportunities in our local, state, and national park systems. In ...
5 Ways to Get the Most Out of Your BackCountry Gear
Time out of doors is a precious commodity to the outdoor enthusiast - but are we getting the most out of this time. One way to ensure maximum backcountry enjoyment is to get the most possible value from the gear you acquire and use. Here are 5 ways to ...
Fishing Vacation 101
Universally, the term “gone fishing” is associated with vacations. In that case planning a fishing vacation should be nothing more then a natural choice. Fishing combines sport, relaxation, communing with nature and free food and hence qualifies as the ...
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With so much to do at the National Parks found throughout the islands of the Caribbean it's easy to get excited. Want to spend an afternoon underwater, swimming with the fish? What about a morning watching beautiful tropical birds awaken? Or an evening gazing at the sun setting over mountains? These parks have it all.
While most travelers are familiar with their own country's national parks system, the Caribbean's parks get relatively little notice. From the volcanoes in Costa Rica to Curacao's sunken ships, there are a wide range of nature-oriented activities and sights to delight all ages.
Unusual Terrain
With mountains, volcanoes, valleys, and plenty of other island terrains, doing a bit of island exploration is never dull. Travelers in search of a place to stretch their legs can find it among the Caribbean islands.
The Madre de Las Aguas protected area in the Dominican Republic contains the mountain range called Cordillera Central and the island's highest peak, Pico Duarte. At more than 10,000 feet tall, Pico Duarte is the tallest mountain in the Caribbean. Of course, mountains aren't all you'll find on the Dominican Republic. The ancient solenodon, a mammal which first appeared 30 million years ago, now lives only on this island.
Dominica's Trois Pitons offer picturesque splendor, and the geysers in the Valley of Desolation will delight visitors. Dominica is also well-known for its incredible nature and relatively untouched physical surroundings.
Rincon de la Vieja, or Old Woman's Corner, is another unique park in Costa Rica for vacationers interested in sights with heights. The volcano is said to be named for an old lady in Guatuso tribal lore who is, in some stories, angry, but in others is a kind old lady whose cooking fires send up the smoke for which the peak is known. This volcano is known to bubble and steam even now.
Puerto Rico offers an entirely different kind of terrain in its El Yunque Rainforest. Stop in at the only rainforest within the U.S. National Parks system. Puerto Rico's rainforest is unique and is known for its beautiful plants and animals.
The other end of the terrain
spectrum includes deserts, and the most well-known is probably found in Aruba's Arikok National Park, an unusual sight on a tropical island. Vacationers can explore the desert and see sights like no other. Find divi divi trees, aloe, and unusual animals.
Aquatic Adventures
While some travelers may be content to stay on land, others want to explore beneath the sea. Luckily, the Caribbean is full of incredible underwater sights, like sunken ships and amazing sea creatures.
Hol Chan Marine Reserve in Belize is just one of many areas full of underwater treasures. Snorkel off of the world's second-largest barrier reef during your stay in this unique vacation hideaway. Make sure to check out the world-famous blue hole, where the bottom suddenly drops to more than 300 feet in a nearly-perfect circle.
Curaçao also has a marine park in which snorkelers and divers can take in picturesque shipwrecks covered in coral. With almost 1,500 acres of marine park to explore, it's hard to go wrong!
Saba's National Marine Park was established in 1987 to help preserve Saba's natural underwater beauty. This tiny island did not establish the park to repair an already-damaged environment, but to stop any damage from occurring. These pristine reefs offer something truly one of a kind.
Although Caribbean islands share many characteristics, each has its own terrain and culture, making the Caribbean a diverse place. When you're planning to explore the islands, take a look at what their national parks have to offer.
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Outdoors calendar -- Published May 23, 2012Stockton RecordBy The Record Go Outdoors - Bass Pro Shops at 1356 Bass Pro Drive in Manteca is offering free classes for adults to enjoy the outdoors. At 6 pm, hiking basics; 7 pm, campfire cooking; 8 pm, kayaks and canoes. Information: (209) 825-8400 Festival ... |
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Celebrate the great outdoorsPayson RoundupPayson's third annual Arizona Mountain High Games is a celebration of the great outdoors in the Rim Country. It is also part of the state's official ongoing festivities marking the 100th anniversary of Arizona Statehood. The event has been sanctioned ...and more » |
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