Flying from LAX in Los Angeles to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico could not be easier. We flew on a Mexican airline on a flight that took two and a half hours. We were provided with excellent service. The airline served an excellent meal on the plane as well as we were offered two drinks each. This level of service is far superior to anything you receive on the American airlines! We obviously enjoyed ourselves very much.

We drove our car to the airport and used long term parking to leave it while we were in LAX to Puerto Vallarta on vacation. Parking was easy, although expensive and transfer to the airport was no problem. LAX is large so give yourself lots of time to transit to the right air terminal. Security was the usual which you would expect at any of the large airports. We were bused out to our plane since there was no gate for it to pull up to.

LAX to Puerta Vallarta

We arrived in LAX to Puerto Vallarta at a fairly new and modern airport. It is a lot smaller than LAX, but easy to get around, get through customs, find your bags and obtain a taxi. The only thing we did not like was that you have to pay an airport tax when you leave the airport in a taxi. It almost doubles the cost of the fair but then were not going far. The airport is located next to the marina. In fact you can easily walk from the marina area of Puerto Vallarta to the airport. It only took approximately 30 minutes.

Returning from Puerto Vallarta to LAX is much the same. We flew the same airline and were treated in the same wonderful manner. Flying Mexicana airlines is by far the best way to travel compared to many of the American airlines or even the Canadian airlines. They offer better service, the flight attendants are actually nice to their customers and it can be a very enjoyable flight.

How many times have you been to the doctor and felt rushed. Maybe you have forgotten something that you wanted to discuss with them. You may have been under stress yourself due to whatever health issue that you are dealing with. Perhaps you were not thinking as clearly as you should. At the same time the doctor is in a hurry. He or she has a lot of patients and they only make money if they are seeing patients. It is not about how long they spend, it is about how many they see every day that determines how much money they make. They are in a hurry and this also adds stress to your visit to the doctor. This is why you should organize your doctors visit.

Organize Your Doctors Visit

One way to deal with doctor’s visits is to be organized about what you want to do. Write it down.  Take notes. If it is a complex health issue or if you do not feel up to it, you may want to bring someone else along to listen and to take notes. Most doctors are comfortable with this and if they do have concerns, all you need to say is that you are having trouble remembering everything they tell you and that is why you take notes.

How to Prepare for a Doctors visit

Set an agenda. List the items that you want to discuss with the doctor. Tell the receptionist  what will be discussed. She will allocate sufficient time for your visit.

Identify your goals – set a goal for your visit. Renew your prescriptions. Make an appointment for a specialist. Arrange for blood tests etc.

Follow good communication strategies – organize your thoughts and stick to your topics. Don’t go off on a tangent and do not raise topics that are not on your agenda. Focus on what you have to achieve for your visit.

Anticipate the doctor’s questions – there is a lot of information that can be discussed at your doctor’s visit.  Being prepared with answers will reduce the time needed and demonstrate to the doctor that you are preparing for the visit and being thoughtful of his time as well.

Schedule more time

List the topics and goals for your doctor visit. Then communicate these to the receptionist who schedules visits. There is nothing worse than going to see the doctor, getting half way through your issues and then he says you will need to make another appointment. Schedule enough time ahead of time helps you, the doctor and the other patients. Everyone hates waiting for a doctor who is never on time.

Care givers must be diplomatic – if you are a care giver and helping your patient, your mother or father or a sibling get to the doctor, diplomacy is going to be very important. The relationship is between the doctor and the patient. As a care giver you need to be respectful of this relationship.  Take notes which are helpful for everyone. Including family members that may not be able to attend the visit with the doctor.

Special Caregiver Instructions

As a care giver, you can also help to run the doctors meeting on behalf of your patient, friend or relative. Follow the above guidelines.  It will help a lot if you organize your doctors visit. For more information about your health, and related issues, click here.

The writer has a C PAP mask similar to the one that is shown in this picture and has been using it for over 250 days. When it was originally purchased, the supplier suggested that the mask, straps and hose would last about 6 months. Then I would need to replace them with new ones.

Well it has been well over 6 months. They all seem to be as good as new. So I am wondering if I need to replace them soon. Also were I can find C PAP Supplies to replace what I have? I make sure that I take really good care of the mask and the hose. The mask is washed with mild soap every day. The rest of the hoses and straps are washed once a week after soaking in mild soapy warm water.

If you take good care of things, they will last much longer than advertised. In addition to smelling a lot better. On one occasion,  I could not wash the mask for one day. Ifound that there was a slight odor to it the next time I put it on. So wash your mask every day to keep it smelling nice. Also to help preserve it so that you do not need to purchase new supplies.!

Insurance for C PAP Supplies

My insurance company pays up to 80% of the cost so the price is not that big an issue, but I still do not want to pay more than I have to. I also am planning a trip in a few months and wondering I should buy C PAP Supplies to take with me in case I run into problems. The hose could crack or one of the straps could break. Worse the nose mask could spring a leak and I would not be able to use the machine at all. The cost of a new set of hose, mask and straps is about $250 for me less the 80% that my insurance company would pay.

My questions are should I replace them now, or at least purchase the replacements so that I have a fresh set in case they break on me while traveling. The other question is where can I find the best price for the C PAP Supplies so that I am not getting ripped off by some medical company who is making a bundle on these items?

Follow the Instructions

I take really good care of everything and wash the mask every day. The straps and hose are washed thoroughly once a week as well with mild soap. They are clean and do not have that night-time smell that something that is warn every day sometimes will have. I believe if you take care of things, they will last a really long time and you will get more than your monies worth out of whatever it is you are using.

If anyone can let me know where I can find a really great deal on CPAP Supplies, whether it is in a store or online, I would really appreciate it. Saving money is always a good thing, since it means you can spend it elsewhere on something you really want! For more information regarding CPAP Supplies, click here.

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The state of Maine has three main rivers that many white water rafting enthusiasts of all ages and skill levels can enjoy. Maine White Water Rafting Trips include the Penobscot, Kennebec and Dead Rivers. There are adventure pumping river trips for the thrill seekers.

There are trips for the family with gentle floating rapids. They allow you to enjoy the great outdoors and the scenery along the river. All trips are led by experienced guides and all equipment is provided to ensure your safety and that of your family while on the trip. Guides ask that participants follow their instructions to ensure the safety of the group as well as yourself.

Some trips are in large ten person rafts. Depending on the trip and the length of the trip, you may also enjoy a riverside lunch grilled right on the river’s edge. Participants can enjoy side hikes as well as swim in the river to cool off.

Maine White Water Rafting Trips

The Penobscot River flows through Ripogenus Gorge in the shadow of majestic Mount Katahdin and the vast wilderness of Baxter State Park. The thrill begins immediately as your rafting guide leads you through Exterminator Rapids, the Staircase Rapids and Big Heater. Then on to the narrow shoots and big drops of the Cribworks. But there’s much more – fourteen miles in all – like Big Ambejackmockamus Rapids, Nesowadnehunk Falls, and Abol and Pockwockamus Falls.

The Kennebec River offers twelve miles of whitewater action, starting at the dam below Harris Station and entering the steep-walled gorge of the Alleyway. Tackle a succession of heart-pounding rapids and waves like Big Mama and Whitewasher before dropping over Magic Falls, the biggest hit on the river. Below there’s Dead Stream and Black Brook Rapids and pretty riverside waterfalls of the same name. Osprey and moose are common along the way, so keep an eye out when you’re not paddling.

The Dead River offers sixteen miles of nearly continuous whitewater, the most in the East! From the put-in just below the beautiful horseshoe of Grand Falls you’ll be on the go with paddle in hand, splashing down through rapids named Humpty Dumpty and Elephant Rock, Minefield and Mile Long. The Dead River saves the biggest and best for last, so hold on for the incredible ride through the watery chaos of Poplar Falls!

Who can raft?

Anyone who enjoys the outdoors and is looking for adventure can raft. You need not be a fitness fanatic or an Olympic Athlete. Maine rafts typically hold an eight person crew and a guide. To protect the environmental quality of Maine’s rivers, the State limits the number of rafters each day.

What is included?

Outfitters provide transportation to and from their base facility to the rivers, life preservers, helmets and paddles, a pre-trip orientation and safety meeting, a ride down the river and a hearty, open grill meal. Most outfitters provide a slide or video show of your trip down the river at an “a près-trip” party at base camp.

How much does it cost?

Prices for river trips vary based on the month, day of the week and number of people in your party. A one day trip on the Kennebec typically ranges from $80 to $120 per person. A day trip on the Penobscot $90 to $130 per person and on the Dead $90 to $140 per person. Packages including lodging or camping and other wilderness activities are available and each outfitter offers group rates.

When can we go rafting?

The season on the Penobscot and Kennebec begins in late April and ends in mid October. Controlled daily dam releases from hydropower dams on these rivers guarantee water levels throughout the season, even during the driest summers. There are seven high water releases of over 5,000 cfs on the Dead River in the Spring and Fall. Kennebec River Turbine Tests of 8,000 cfs are scheduled four times throughout the season.

There are lots of hiking trails in the Palm Springs area and the Coachella Valley. There are over 100 different trails that hikers can go on from very easy to some that are very difficult. In fact if you go up the Palm Springs Tram to the top of the mountains at 8500 feet elevation, and there are another 55 miles of hiking trails in that area as well.

Anyone hiking in the deserts of California and specifically in the Palm Springs area should always remember to take lots of water with them, and tell people where you’re going. It is very easy to suffer from heat stroke, and become dehydrated very quickly which can lead to further difficulties.

Palm Springs Hiking

On a regular basis we see helicopters flying into the mountains to rescue people who cannot take enough water with them and become dehydrated. It is very important that you follow these two guidelines for people to survive properly when hiking in the desert. In addition you should not hike by yourself, you should always take a friend, and some food and again lots and lots of water, at least a liter of water for every hour of hiking that you plan to do.

In addition to taking water with you, and food, and telling people where you plan to be hiking, you should also carry a walking stick to provide balance as well as to scare off any potential snakes that might be on the trail. If you plan to stop always look closely at the rocks in the location around where you plan to sit to make sure that there is no snakes in that particular area.

We have found that the best formula is to start early in the morning before the sun gets too hot and return by 10 or 11 o’clock. This is the best time of day to go hiking because you will see many more animals, and the temperature is very pleasant and comfortable.

If you’re hiking in the summertime with temperatures approaching 120° it is extremely important that you hike early in the morning. In the wintertime January, February and March, you may want to wait until about nine or 9:30 to begin hiking to allow the sun to warm the air up and make it more comfortable.

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We have spent a lot of Time in Puerta Vallarta and found it to be very enjoyable. After all when you look at a picture like this one, who would not enjoy their time in this wonderful tropical paradise. The climate in Puerto Vallarta is perfect for tropical things to grow with a rainy season in the summer and fall and then a relatively dry season in the winter. It still can be quite humid in the winter time, but there is little rain and most days are sunny and hot. This is pool weather!

Time in Puerta Vallarta

If you are considering spending Time in Puerta Vallarta, there are 4 main areas to consider in terms of where you stay. They are the old town or downtown area, the Marina, Nuevo Vallarta and then the various beach communities that are located around Banderas Bay. They all have something to offer the traveler and the vacationer and they are all different. We will give you a short description of each. You can also get from one to another by bus quite easily with some communities like Yelapa connected by water taxi.

Downtown Puerto Vallarta

Downtown Puerto Vallarta is really the center of the what is going on. It is filled with restaurants and bars and there is the walk along the ocean that many people enjoy for their morning walks or their even walks. There are many hotels and motels in this area and almost all of the buses will pass through this area connecting to the outskirts and the other small towns and villages around the bay. It is busy and quaint and there are lots of small streets to explore.

The marina area is new and more upscale than Puerto Vallarta. There is a large marina with many boats of all kinds and many restaurants as well. There are more hotels that are better class along the marina and along the ocean. We stayed at a condo called the Portofino which we enjoyed very much. It was right on the ocean and near a golf course that we walked past many times. There is some shopping nearby and some restaurants offering great Mexican food.

Nuevo Vallarta

Nuevo Vallarta is further out of town with condo projects, golf courses and a beautiful beach as well. It is about 30 minutes by bus. You are really living in an area that could be anywhere in North America. Everything is upscale and does not have the charm of the Mexican culture in the way that Puerto Vallarta does. It is very nice and many expats prefer to live in this area.

Finally there are many towns and villages that are scattered around the bay that can be reached by bus or water taxi. Many are being developed, but still hold the rural charm that many people are looking for. Enjoy summer days and winter days on the ocean under palm trees with and quaint little restaurants. There is also the hustle and bustle of a small town market in most places that you can visit.

We really enjoyed out time in Puerto Vallarta and plan to go back again.

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Are electric cars a fad that will go away over time? Are driverless cars another fad that will go away over time? We think that both of these form part of the future. Many of these kinds of things are developed. As a result they evolve into something that we’re not quite prepared to accept initially! Remember the horseless carriage! It was supposed to never go beyond becoming a novelty. Something that the rich would use. Consequently after 10 or 15 years horses and buggies began to disappear in favor of horseless carriage.

We think that the driverless car and electric vehicles are part of our future. As a result electric cars will over the next 10 to 20 years make a significant introduction into the economy. What do you think of this opinion, we would appreciate your comments about electric cars?

Electric Cars – A Fad

The combination of the electric vehicle and the driver less car will have significant impacts on our economy. First of all there will be less gas stations. Secondly there will be fewer accidents, insurance premiums should decline. In addition there will be less garages were repairs will have to be made. These vehicles will be in far fewer accidents based on the driver less car.

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This is a really interesting story that puts earth’s population in perspective. If you could fit the entire Earth’s Population into a village consisting of 100 people, maintaining the proportions of all the people living on Earth, that village would consist of

• 57 Asians
• 21 Europeans
• 14 Americans (North, Central and South)
• 8 Africans

There would be:

• 52 women and
• 48 men
• 30 Caucasians and
• 70 non-Caucasians
• 30 Christians and
• 70 non-Christians
• 89 heterosexuals and
• 11 homosexuals

6 people would possess 59% of the wealth and they would all come from the USA

80 would live in poverty  70 would be illiterate 50 would suffer from hunger and malnutrition 1 would be dying 1 would be being born 1 would own a computer

1 (yes, only one) would have a university degree

Earth’s Population – Understanding

If we looked at the Earth’s Population in this way, the need for acceptance and understanding would be obvious.

But, consider again the following :

If you woke up this morning in good health, you have more luck than one million people, who won’t live through the week.

If you have never experienced the horror of war, the solitude of prison, the pain of torture, were not close to death from starvation, then you are better off than 500 million people.

Can you go to your place of worship without fear that Someone will assault or kill you. If yes, then you are luckier than 3 billion (that’s right) people.

If you have a full fridge, clothes on your back, a roof over your head and a place to sleep, you are wealthier than 75% of the world’s population.

Do you currently have money in the bank, in your wallet and a few coins in your purse? You are one of 8 of the privileged few amongst the 100 people in the world.

If your parents are still alive and still married, you’re a rare individual.

You are Fortunate

If someone sent you this message, you’re extremely lucky,

Because someone is thinking of you and because you don’t comprise one of those 2 billion people who can’t read.

and so?

Work like you don’t need the money. Love like nobody has ever hurt you. Dance like nobody is watching. Sing like nobody is listening. Live as if this was paradise on Earth.

Send this message to your friends.

Bypass those who are determined to see the worst in the world no matter what. If you don’t send it, nothing will happen.If you do send it, someone might smile while they are reading it, and that will be a positive.

AND APART FROM THAT, SIMPLY HAVE A NICE DAY

Author Unknown

For lots more posts about travel related topics, click here.

The Mucho Burrito restaurant is a relatively new place that opened in Orleans, Ontario , Canada.  The restaurant we went to is on Innes road in the southern part of Orleans. Modeled after Chipotle in the US, it is even better since it has a much nicer decor. The food is about the same which is to say great. The prices are about standard for Canada. Which also means they are much more expensive than in the US. Of courses our taxes also add to the overall cost. We enjoyed this location. However it just does not have the same vibe as Chipotle in the US.

But the place is nicely decorated, the sound does not ricochet the way it normally does in some places and the staff was very friendly and quick. We will definitely be back for lunch at this location.

One small complaint that we had is that we ordered a burritos bowl and asked for several tacos to be added to that. The manager did not want us to sell us tacos and did not know how to charge for them or how much to charge for them even after I offered to pay for them. At chipotle we routinely get six tacos with her burritos bowl and this is a big difference from the Chipotle burritos offering.

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Canadians traveling to the US and other countries need to understand the rules when they are out of the country to avoid having to pay a lot more tax than they should. Snowbirds taxed at higher rates make investments very risky as a result.  Here is what we have found and will update this as time goes on and more information becomes available.

Snowbirds Taxed – Substantial Presence Test

To meet the substantial presence test, you must have been physically present in the United States on at least:

1. 31 days during the current year, and
2. 183 days during the 3 year period that includes the current year and the 2 years immediately before. To satisfy the 183 days requirement, count:
   • All of the days you were present in the current year, and
   • One-third of the days you were present in the first year before the current year, and
   • One-sixth of the days you were present in the second year before the current year.

Here is the link

http://www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc851.html

The page was last updated Dec 19,2012

Current Ontario Rules

Current Ontario rules allow 212 days out of province per year for Ontario with no consequences

US rules allow 182 days per year with a 3 year average of 120 days without need for visa or consequences

Read below for proposed changes and tax consequences within the USA. No real consequences regarding tax for Canadians who over stay just loss of benefits.

***** *A proposed travel law going through the U.S. Senate could have serious tax consequences for Canadian snowbirds, experts say.

* * * *The good news is that the JOLT Act, (Jobs Originated through Launching Travel), would allow Canadian retirees to spend up to eight months, or 240 days, each year in the U.S. without a visa. That’s almost two months longer than the current 182-day annual limit. The bad news is that snowbirds who spend that long in the U.S. may be required to pay U.S. taxes.

“It looks like a great deal. I can be in Palm Springs for 240 days., but they didn’t tell you that it comes with a very high tax cost,” Roy Berg, international tax lawyer at Moodys Gartner Tax Law in Calgary, said in an interview.

The changes, part of a U.S. immigration reform bill introduced in the Senate on April 15, are likely to become law, but it is not clear when they would take effect, observers say.

Would-be holders of the so-called Snowbird or Canadian retiree visa could become subject to U.S. income tax and estate tax, “and would, therefore, inadvertently light the fuse on the Snowbird Visa tax bomb,” Berg wrote in a recent article.

US Travel Rules

Under the current rules, those who spend more than 182 days out of 365 days in the calendar year, or more than 120 days per year on average over a three-year period, may be considered a U.S. resident for tax purposes.

The U.S. also imposes an estate tax on the value of certain individuals’ worldwide assets owned at death, Berg said. The estate tax could take effect even for someone who lives in the U.S. for a brief time, depending on the circumstances.

Kevin Nightingale, partner at tax consulting firm MNP, a specialist in U.S. and Canadian tax, agrees that the consequences may be serious.

“Canadians who are going to take advantage of these provisions have to be careful because if they stay in the U.S. for long amounts of time, they will be treated as U.S. residents for tax purposes,” Nightingale said.

Staying out of the country for more than 212 days can also put eligibility for health insurance at risk in Ontario, he added.

Form 8840

Snowbirds are typically advised to file a Form 8840, Closer Connection Exception statement with the U.S. Internal Revenue Service, said Michael MacKenzie, executive director of the Canadian Snowbird Association, which has about 75,000 members.

“Regular snow birds are very aware of the tax consequences with respect to the current situation. So I’m quite confident they would understand there would be an issue if they spent longer in the U.S.,” MacKenzie said.

He said that the association has been in discussions with U.S. lawmakers to ensure that tax changes would follow the proposed visa changes.

The aim of the bill is to boost the travel industry, which currently employs about one in eight Americans.

The expanded visa would be eligible to Canadian citizens who are age 55 or older, have a residence in Canada, own or rent a residence in the U.S. They will not work or seek social assistance benefits during their stay in the U.S.

Those who are outside of Ontario for more than 212 days in a 12-month period because they are studying, working, vacationing, or doing missionary work, can apply for continuous OHIP eligibility.

The Canadian Snowbird Association estimates that there are over 500,000 Canadians that spend the winter in Florida each year. It defines snowbirds as those spending 31 nights or more in a southern destination.

Would you ever consider placing an order for CPAP supplies online? The writer needs CPAP supplies from time to time and we were wondering if it is worth the time and the trouble to order CPAP supplies online or just go to the local medical store to obtain all of our supplies. Pretty soon we will need a new hose and a new mask since the one in use now is about 10 months old at this time and I have to begin comparing prices.

Insurance Claim

The additional complication is that I can claim this expense as part of my medical expenses with my medical insurance. As long as I have a receipt for the items purchased there should be no problem with submitting a claim to my health insurance company to get a refund for my expenses. The real issue with buying things online is whether the cost of these items is lower when you purchase CPAP supplies online or not.

When you make an online purchase, sometimes there are additional charges that may surprise a consumer.

Order CPAP Supplies Online

Making a purchase at a local store eliminates or reduces the shipping charges that you may incur when you purchase on line. This is something that must be taken into account whenever you make any purchase online including CPAP supplies. Another point to take into account if you happen to be ordering something from a company that is not in your country is brokerage and import fees. Some companies will not ship across the border for this simple reason along.

Before making a purchase online, check or compare the final price with tax, shipping, and brokerage fees to what you can purchase the same product locally for. Consumers can save money, but doing your homework can sometimes save you time and money as well as frustration.

Visit a Local Medical Supply Store

One of the things that I did is to visit a local medical supply store to price out the cost of the CPAP supplies. I wanted to compare the prices they charge with purchases I can make on line. I found the prices to be fairly reasonable. However I am wondering if  I order them in the US and have them shipped to me in the US? Can I find a lower price, especially when you take into account the taxes and duties that are charged on items being shipped into Canada?  Stay tuned for more investigation results.

In summary compare prices for CPAP supplies that includes the purchase price, any tax that may be charged, brokerage fees, import fees and shipping fees with the price you may pay for an item that you purchase direct from a local store. If the cost difference is not too much different, then you may as well purchase locally and receive the service you should get from the local store. If there is a problem with any of the components, you can simply return them for an exchange which has a lot of value in my books.

In addition you may also want to check with your insurance company if you are making a claim to make sure that they will accept the receipt for the items you are purchasing. Make sure they do not have any funny rules about buying in country or need special receipts for the items you purchase.

Comments? For more information about CPAP supplies, click here.

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There are lots of Maine rafting trips available across the state. However we identified a couple that many readers of white water rafting excursions may find interesting. These are on the Kennebec and the Dead Rivers. There are a variety of trips offered along the rivers suitable for all levels.

You really just have to check with some of the operators. Let them know your skill level and interest level and they will set you up with the proper trip. It is very important to match skill levels with the rafting trip you plan to go on. This is for your own personal safety and the other people who are in the raft with you.

Maine Rafting Trips – Kennebec River

The Kennebec River offers something for everyone from families to enthusiasts. World class whitewater rafting, with crystal clear water and spectacular scenery are available. With a daily release from the Harris Dam there are lots of white water rafting available. A word of caution is in order. Always go with a guide who is familiar with the water and the timing of the release from the dam.

There are full day trips and half day trips which many people may find interesting. Prospective white water rafters should always check ahead to make sure that they have the conditions they are looking for. Half day trips start around 9:30 and you should be finished by 1pm.

The Dead River

The Dead river is another wilderness white water rafting excursion that is popular in Maine and New England. It flows 16 miles through the Maine wilderness. There are 10 scheduled high water releases from the dam in the spring and fall. Enjoy spectacular white water among some of the best scenery in the nation.  N the fall you can also enjoy the beautiful fall colors if you have time to take your eyes off the roiling water that flows down the Dead River.

These dam releases fill the river with whitewater and create one of longest continuous stretches whitewater rapids rafted in the East. This rafting trip is fun, fast, and furious. The rapids can become stronger as the day progresses with big class IV+ holes and large wave hits. Highlights of the rapids include  “The Mine Field” “Elephant Rock” and “Humpty Dumpty”.  The wilderness setting is outstanding and the best rapid the class IV+ ” Poplar Hill Falls”.  This mile long rapid has over 15 large waves. This whitewater rafting trip is a fantastic way to kick off or wind up the rafting season.

There is no doubt that Palm Springs and really all of the valley towns derive their lively hood from  tourists. Vacation rentals of homes, condo’s and of course hotels / motels provide many places to stay. During the spring Palm Springs Rental traffic swells the city to at least double its normal size.  All of the snowbirds that are in town for the season take up many rooms. You can literally see the difference in the amount of people in the city after March 31^st. The majority of the snow birds leave town at this time.

Palm Springs Rental – Rent Hotels, Homes or Condos

They stay in a variety of locations. Many will rent condo’s or homes for the season, while some will only come to the city to visit for a couple of weeks and live in one of the thousands of motels that are within a 5 block walking distance of down town Palm Springs. There are lots of homes and condo’s all over the city, some in gated communities that are some distance from the down town area and require a car to visit everything from shopping for groceries to going out for the weekend.

We have stayed in the Palm Springs area for many years during the winter and strongly recommend that visitors try to find a place within walking distance of local shopping and restaurants. You do not need to be concerned about drinking and driving and it can be much more pleasant to go for a walk in the evening and visit the downtown area of Palm Springs.

Gated Communities in Palm Springs

There are lots of golf courses in the area and many have gated communities surrounding them. They are quiet and serene, however you must always get in your car to pretty much do anything. Some come with golf courts and these can be used also for short trips. We suggest that you think about the type of lifestyle that you would prefer and then book a place for the time you will be in Palm Springs that fits your type of lifestyle.

If you are staying for less than a month, homeowners and motels are obligated to charge city tax on the rent payments. While if you stay longer, taxes are not charged and can save a great deal of money for many people. Always negotiate your rental rates. Before you begin, take the time to learn what the going rates are for whatever you plan to rent and then negotiate based on this average rate.

Condo’s and homes have the advantage of being a home away from home. All of the linens, towels, furniture and kitchen utensils are provided. Meals prepared at home can be much less expensive than eating out all of the time. Of course if you are on vacation for only a week, you may decide to eat out more often than someone who is staying for several months.

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Joshua Tree Park has fantastic views and is a great place for hiking and rock climbing. There are many trails  to hike as well and there are many places to camp. Bringing enough water is probably the single most important thing to remember. When we visited the park it was probably 100F in the valley. But up in the park which is at a higher elevation, the temperature was probably 20 degrees lower in temperature. In the high desert which is where  Joshua tree Park is located, it can become quite cold at night. Campers are urged to bring warm clothes and sleeping bags when they camp out under the stars.

There is no fuel to be collected and burned. In fact the park has very strict rules about camping and fires. They urgently want to avoid fires getting out of control in the dry conditions. They do not want people taking some of the local brush and using that for firewood. Bring your own if you intend to have a fire.

Joshua Tree Park

This park is in the high desert and visitors can drive up to a look out that over looks the Coachella Valley, where the cities of Palm Springs, Cathedral city, Rancho Mirage and several other desert cities are located.

On a beautiful sunny day you can see for up to 100 miles and on some days you can see all the way to Mexico. If you are planning to visit Joshua Tree park, we suggest you wait until there is little wind that is not blowing the dust around and making the visibility much less than a 100 miles.

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We were sitting in the outdoor patio of the Blue Anchor just east of Cornwall, Ontario along the St Lawrence river. We saw this lake freighter heading up stream towards one of the great lakes. The Blue Anchor is a really great place to spend an afternoon enjoying the sun, having a cold drink and something to eat. You can enjoy the great food while gazing out on the river and watching the lake freighters head up or down the river. There are also many pleasure boats that cruise along the river or tie up at the Blue Anchors dock. Read the rest of this entry »

The town of Joshua Tree California is aptly named since it is
in the middle of the Joshua tree forest and next door to the Joshua
tree national park. This is a really great place to go hiking. Many people also camp under the stars. If you go take lots of water, warm clothes, it gets cold at night and tell someone where you are going in case you need to be rescued.

Joshua Tree California

These pictures were taken in the park which is
roughly ten miles from the town. The elevation is somewhere around 6000 feet and there are look out points in the park that over look the Coachella valley with the towns of Palm Springs, Cathedral city, Rancho Mirage, Indio etc. The climate is always much cooler compared to the desert. You can typically find the temperatures at least 20 degrees cooler and much stronger winds as well. Many people from the desert communities will head up into the high desert in the summer time to get away from the extreme heat.

The desert communities can hit 120 degrees F, while in the high desert is only 100F. It might not seem like a lot, but anytime it is 20 degrees cooler you appreciate it.
There is lots of camping and hiking available in the park. The town of Joshua Tree also has several hotels to stay at. They also have a Walmart and several coffee shops including a Starbucks to stop at. There is a park information center in the town. It has a lot of great information about the park, the hikes, camp sites and the many animals that live in and around the area.

For more posts about hiking and all topics associated with hiking, click here.

We go to a lot of buffets at casinos and are trying to control our weight. In fact we want to lose a little bit of weight. Is it a good idea to even go to a buffet.  The price is right, usually comp’d by the casino. Everyone gets to pick what they want to eat. It is so difficult not to over eat when you go to a buffet.

We really are thinking about just not going to one at all.  We needed to think about how much we eat. How to Control Eating at Buffets is a question many people worry about. We have come up with these rules for ourselves when we go to buffets or family get to gethers.

How to Control Eating at Buffets

You know when everyone brings something and wanted to pass them along to our readers in case you are going through the same issues:

• Scout your food and only pick foods you really want.
• Ask yourself which dishes you most want out of all the choices offered.
• Pick smaller plates if they were available than those who are larger.
• Make fewer trips to the buffet. Just go up once if you can so make it count on your small plate
• Sit farther away from the buffet to reduce the temptation
• Chew your food a little longer — about 15 chews per mouthful for those who were normal weight compared with 12 chews for those who were overweight.
• You will get that full feeling when you eat slowly and drink lots of fluids
• Order a glass of water instead of a soda drink
• Drink lot’s of water with your meal to fill your stomach to avoid eating more than you can deal with
• Make these rules become essentially habits over time.
• Avoid a buffet’s temptations in the first place.
• Eat fruit instead of other deserts

Use Small Plates

One of our favorite strategies is to use small plates. You can only get so much on a plate and by the time it comes to go for a second plate, you are feeling full and will not be able to eat as much as you might have other wise. We have found that for us this is one of the best strategies for controlling how much you eat at a buffet while still enjoying the food that is offered at a buffet. Often we will have soup first which is very filling and if you have soup based on a vegetable broth and not creamy soups you can further limit the calories that you intake as well. Our favorite is chicken or turkey noodle soup. There is a lot of salt in these soups, but at least they are filling and the calories are reduced for these types of soup.

Another approach that we have not mentioned is to drink a large glass of water to fill up your stomach before you are eating. Chances are you will eat less as a result which is the best strategy in the long run.

Some people may feel that since you paid for a meal one way or the other. Even if you are being provided the meal free, you should eat your money’s worth. They tend to eat as much as they can until they feel uncomfortable and cannot even eat another mouthful. Not only are they consuming thousands of calories which they will have to work off at some point, they will feel uncomfortable for many hours after the meal.

We happened to feel that it is better to enjoy your meal, not overeat and feel comfortable at the end of the meal. This is one of the best ways to control how much you eat and control your weight loss as well. for more information on how to control eating at buffets, click here.

When you raft the Grand Canyon you are traveling through history of over millions of years. The picture on the left really shows the majesty of the Grand Canyon and although it is spectacular this picture really does not do justice to the Grand Canyon and all of its splendor. The Colorado River has carved this canyon out of the rock, sand and limestone over millions of years to give us this spectacular scenery that is one of the wonders of the world.

If you have a chance to raft down the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon, you should take it. The trip can be truly spectacular. This canyon is over a mile deep in spots and you can really appreciate it when you are standing on the top of the ridge looking down at the river far below. If you are rafting down the river, you also get an idea of the true majesty of the grand canyon gorge.

South Rim Raft Grand Canyon

We have driven to the south ridge of the Grand Canyon several times to view the canyon and visit some of the sites on that rim. The north rim of the canyon is over 10 miles away and the river is over one mile deep from the edge of the rim at that point. Many people hike from the south rim to the river and back, taking over 2 days to complete the trip. Most people will hike down one day and back up the next. Anyone planning to visit the river from this point will need to make arrangements to camp out or book a place in the bunk house along the river. Otherwise you will need to hike down and back the same day which can be a pretty tough trip if you are not in great shape.

North rim Grand Canyon

There is a road that takes you to the north rim and another that takes you to the west rim of the canyon. We have not been to either, although friends, who have been to these rims, tell us that the views are even more spectacular than the south rim. If you are planning to visit either of these rims, from Las Vegas, you can arrange for a bus tour and even a helicopter ride into the canyon and lunch on the canyon floor. A great trip no doubt, but nothing would beat the ride down the river in the middle of the canyon.

If anyone reading this post has taken this raft trip into the Grand Canyon, we would really like to hear from you. Your comments and description of your trip would be much appreciated. Anyone we have spoken with about these trips whether it is to one of the rims or along the river itself, they have all thoroughly enjoyed their experience.

There are approximately five hotels in Palm Springs to chose from and then there are hundreds of motels and rental condos / homes that can also be rented. The hotels in Palm Springs include the Renaissance, Hotel Zozo, the SPA, the Hilton and the Hyatt.  The Renaissance, The Spa and the Hilton are located on Tahquitz road, the Hotel Zozo is located on Indian Canyon road and the Westin is located on Palm Canyon Drive. There is also a Best Western and a Comfort Inn, however these are smaller hotels that are not comparable to the above mentioned hotels in Palm Springs. All are within walking distance of the downtown area of Palm Springs, the Casino and the convention center.

Hotels in Palm springs – Hard Rock Hotel

The Hotel Zozo is in the process of being converted to a Hard Rock Hotel and this should be completed by the end of 2013. Construction / renovations have already started on this property. It most likely will become the premiere location to stay at since it will be fully modernized and up to date when renovations are completed.

Another high end hotel will be built according to reports on the site were the downtown mall is being demolished. This area has sat vacant for more than 10 years and is now finally being torn down. The new owners plan high end shops to be built, restaurants and the hotel that was just mentioned.

Motels in Palm Springs

There are literally hundreds of motels within 6 or 7 blocks of the downtown area of Palm Springs. We do not have an estimate of the number of rooms, however rest assured that there are motels of all types that cater to the varying demands of visitors. Readers should note that some places cater only to gays and lesbians. Others are pet friendly and some only to heterosexual couples. It is a good idea to ask ahead of time if you have specific preferences.

Many homeowners have purchased homes and condos as investments to rent out to vacation oriented snow birds and weekenders. The high season is considered January through March, with the shoulder season in Nov and December, and April and May. The remaining months, June through October are considered the low months. This is the time when not many people visit Palm Springs due to the high heat.

Depending on when you visit Palm Springs, you will pay more for a condo, home, motel or hotel room during the high season. Also especially when events are being held in the city. Rates can double or triple during conventions and entertainment events. Book early and also check on the rates before you book your vacation.

I recently received one of the new jawbone devices as a birthday gift and have been using it for a couple of days. I have been using it for 4 days now and it accurately logs my sleep pattern , times I woke up remembering how many times I had a deep sleep and light sleep etc. You have to remember to tell the jawbone that you are going to sleep.

You do this by pushing a button on the end of the device to switch it from daytime to evening. I try to do this before I turn out the lights at night.  It is pretty accurate from what I can recall about my sleep. I do recall when I have woke up during the night and also that I am having light sleep  times, but not how many. The Jawbone records all of this and provides it on a handy graph on your smartphone.

Jawbone – Monitor Your Steps

The first day I was not  walking nearly enough, lol, they say that you are supposed to walk 8000 more steps every day. The only day that I met that objective was when I cut the lawn and managed to get in 12,000 plus steps. I have to do more lawn cutting I guess or make sure I park the car a long way from wherever we are going shopping etc. I need to get in a brisk 10,000 step walk every day. In addition I did go on a treadmill and found that it does not accurately record your steps on a treadmill if you are holding on to the treadmill. Next time I will try it without holding on and see how many steps I take in 30 minutes of treadmill work.

Inactivity Reminder

I also set it to vibrate after 30 minutes of inactivity, it has gone off a lot. It is amazing how quickly 30 minutes goes by. In fact since I have been writing this article 30 minutes has passed and it is already vibrating and telling me to get up and get moving. I think that this feature is a really great reminder.

MyfitnessPal

I also integrated it with fitness pal and that also works but not as well as I think it should. For some reason it is not passing the information back and forth as accurately as it should. Meals recorded in Myfitnesspal do not always find their way back to Jawbones UP application on my iPhone and vice versa. I will have to play with that some more and see what I am doing wrong or if this is feature that still needs some work.

Update

I have used the Jawbone for about 4 weeks now and really enjoy wearing it and finding out how active I have been. It is difficult to get all of the steps in that I need to simply because of my schedule and lifestyle. Fortunately I do a lot of my own landscaping and yard work. This helps but not enough to make up for the total amount of steps I want to put in every day. The suggestion by the experts is 10,000 steps per day which is difficult to achieve, but I am gradually getting better at it. For information about dieting, click here.

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I have just begun using the new product called Jawbone from Up! It was a father’s day gift from one of my kids. I think it is part of keeping me more active. For those of you who may not know what a jawbone is, it is a wrist bracelet that has a lot of intelligence and smarts built into it. This device basically keeps track of all of your activity. This includes walking, running and sleeping. Input special activities such as biking or other sports that might not register properly. Include what you eat and suddenly you have a complete history of all of your activity for the day!

Using Jawbone – Walk 10,000 Steps

Did you know that the average person should be walking 10,000 steps every day and getting approximately 8 hours of sleep every night? Well you can pretty quickly tell if you are even coming close to those goals by wearing the Jawbone. I found out that I am getting just under 7 hours of sleep on average. With an occasional 5 hour sleepless night. In addition it takes a lot of walking to get in 10,000 steps, but I have been managing to do that with all my activities. When I cut the lawn for example, I am well over 10,000 steps.

Track Your Sleep

Regarding sleep, it can tell you how much time you spent in deep sleep vs. light sleep and if you woke up during the night and how long you were awake. This is all pretty interesting and so far it has not changed my lifestyle too much, however I am much more conscious of making sure that I get in my walking every day and achieve those 10,000 steps.

Log Your Food Intake

You can log your food intake with Jawbones Up program which is an app you can download to your iPhone or your Android device. I use the iPhone and it seems to work really well.

The JawBone is supposed to last 10 days on a battery, however it seems to be coming in at 7 or 8 days battery life. We will let the battery get acclimatized and then see how well it works. So far I am really satisfied with this device.

For more health related topics, click here.

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A new really nice 2nd Cup coffee shop just opened in Orleans at 10th line and Charlemagne. It is upscale and comfortable with lots of seating and an outdoor patio to use on sunny warm days. There are cozy little nooks to use while reading a book or to enjoy the company of a friend.

2nd Cup Coffee – WiFi

There is a fire place, lots of seats and of course WiFi. It did not take long for the computer users to try it out. When we were there at this shop, several had already planted themselves and were using the WiFi to work or just browse the internet. We actually dislike this of course because they take all of the good seats and they are there for hours. These people must not have internet access at home because you see them at all of the coffee shops where there is free WiFi.

There is also lots of parking and it is one of the few 2nd cup coffee shops with a drive through for cars. Most 2nd Cup coffee shops do not have a drive through, although this is very popular in our particular area. The other nice point about this particular Second Cup coffee shop is it’s location. Although it is part of a small shopping mall, it is in the middle of suburbia where consumers can actually walk to the coffee shop to get a cup of coffee when they are out for a stroll. With the drive through it also is ideal for those people who are on their way to work and looking to pick up a quick coffee to sip on while stuck in traffic.

There are other competing coffee shops in the neighborhood, however this one is by far the best with its ambiance and comfort which many of the others simply do not have. This is the place to go.

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We saw this email and just had to include it here on our blog because we are Proud to be Canadian. Not sure who the writer is, but whoever it was he did a good job! This represents the English side of Canada. There may be something like this hanging around for our french contingent. If there is, let us know and send it along. We would be happy to include it on this blog. This is both funny and also contains a lot of truth to it as well.

Proud to be Canadian – You May Be From Canada If…….

You’re not offended by the term, “Homo Milk.”

You understand the phrase, “Could you pass me a serviette, I just dropped my poutine, on the chesterfield.”

You eat chocolate bars, not candy bars.

Canadians drink pop, not soda.

You know what a Mickey and 2-4 mean.

You don’t care about the fuss with Cuba. It’s a cheap place to go for your holidays, with good cigars.

A pike is a type of fish, not part of a highway.

You drive on a highway, not a freeway.

You have Canadian Tire money in your kitchen drawers.

Casey and Finnegan were not part of a Celtic musical group.

You get excited whenever an American television show mentions Canada.

More Canadian Hints

You brag to Americans that: Shania Twain, Jim Carrey, Celine Dion and many more are Canadians.

The C.E.O. of American Airlines is a Canadian!

You know what a touque is.

You design your Halloween costume to fit over a snowsuit.

The last letter of the English alphabet is always pronounced “Zed” not “Zee”.

Your local newspaper covers the national news on two pages, but requires six pages for hockey.

You know that the four seasons mean: almost winter, winter, still winter, and roadwork.

When it’s 25 degrees outside, it’s a warm day.

You understand the Labatt Blue commercials.

You know how to pronounce and spell “Saskatchewan.” (Sas-Kat-chew-wan)

Canadians perk up when you hear the theme song from “Hockey Night in Canada.”

You were in grade 12, not the 12th grade.

“Eh?” is a very important part of your vocabulary and more polite than, “Huh?”

You actually understand these jokes and forward them to your Canadian friends! Then you send them to your American friends just to confuse them…further.

For more travel related stories, click here.

The Blue Anchor restaurant in Cornwall is a great little place to stop for lunch or dinner. Situated just east of Cornwall on what is referred to as old number 2 highway, it is on the river side of the road. There is ample parking and if you get their early, ie before 11:45am, you will have no problem getting parking as well as a seat on the patio overlooking the river. There are lots of umbrellas and quite a few servers so you do not have to wait long for your drink or your food. We have only eaten at this restaurant at lunch time and since we are not from Cornwall we unfortunately only make it to this location about once per year but it is definitely worth the trip.

Blue Anchor – Patio

The view from the patio is shown in the picture below. This is the St Lawrence river that runs from lake Erie all the way to the ocean. As a result we see many ships and freighters that make their way along the river. Some are on their way as far as lake Superior. On a beautiful sunny day this is truly a great way to spend the day.

We also visit this restaurant for another reason. They prepare perch fillets in a bun, toasted and drizzled with their own private topping which is delicious. The perch is caught locally in the river and they are well known in the area. They are referred to as Lancaster perch. Lancaster is a small town on the river not too far from Cornwall. If you have the time or are just passing though, look up the Blue Anchor restaurant and try it out. We enjoy it every time we are in the Cornwall area which unfortunately is not too often for us.

For more restaurant reviews, click here.

The California pizza kitchen in Palm Springs was located inside the mall that has been torn down. As of 2017, it is no longer there. A new building has been constructed. It was on the main strip of Palm Canyon Drive and provided typical American-style pasta food and salads etc. The location is not fantastic but the food was very good and reasonably priced. It was one place that you should probably visit while you’re in Palm Springs. But there are lots of other restaurants that are better quality, that provide better service and are  in a better area just down the street within one or two blocks.

California Pizza Kitchen

In fact the city has just approved a new development that involves tearing down the mall that the California Pizza Kitchen is part of so next time we visit Palm springs we expect that this restaurant may be closed or may have moved to another location. Once the upgrades are completed, this area will be a lot more interesting to visit and spend time in.

We have eaten several times at this restaurant and have always enjoyed the food, however we are trying out many places to get a feel for all of the new restaurants so that we can report on them in this blog.

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This is a picture of the Ottawa 10K marathon taken in June 2013. There were over 10,000 people who raced in this particular marathon. My daughter finished at 62 minutes and 48 seconds. The fastest runners ran this race in under 30 minutes and it was quite astounding to see them. They ran a fast-paced race for the entire 30 minutes and covering the 10 km of the race in downtown Ottawa. They can run faster than I can at the end of the race than I can run anytime.

It was really something exciting to watch as they rounded the corner and headed towards the finish line. The location where this picture was taken was roughly 500 m from the finish line in downtown Ottawa near the NAC.

Ottawa 10k Marathon – Elite

These runners are considered in the elite class. Hence they can run faster at the finish than most people can run at the beginning. They are generally tall and very slim, taking long paces that really move them at fast pace. Consequently these runners do not seem to slow down even after running for 10,000 m’s at a very fast pace.

They were finishing a good 30 minutes before the main pack of runners came across the finish line. As a result hey are very strong competitors and very fit athletes.

For many more posts about things to do in Canada’s capital city, click here.

This picture was taken on the Ottawa River during a boat cruise in June of 2013. The picture shows the Rideau River Falls were it enters into the Ottawa River were the two major rivers congregate. There are two actual falls at this point in the river and there’s an island in the middle of the Rideau river that separates the two falls. This cruise can be taken any time in the summer from the Quebec side of the river. Large groups can also book the cruise and patrons can enjoy food on beverages while they view the river, the parliament buildings and both the city of Ottawa and Gatineau.

Rideau River Falls

We enjoyed the boat cruise and spent two hours on the boat with drinks and a buffet meal. There were about 45 to 60 people on the boat and it departed from St. Jacques Park on the Hull side of the Ottawa River. This cruise lasts about two hours, traveling up the river to see the falls and the parliament buildings. It then turns around and heads down river for several kilometers. Finally it returns back to the dock just as the sun is setting.

If it cools off and you do not want to be on the open deck on top, patrons can always  go below the main deck to one of the lower decks, still above water, and get away from the cooler weather.  Sometimes in June the nights can still be quite cool and if there is a bit of wind, you may need to get a bit of shelter. Many people brought jackets for that purpose.

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If you are going on a Puerto Vallarta honeymoon, you have picked a great place for your vacation. Your spouse will enjoy a great time on your honeymoon. Pick a resort that has great pools, clean rooms and close to the bars. There are some places that are not so great so you have to be picky! But there certainly lots to do in Puerto Vallarta on your honeymoon. You also want a location close to downtown so that you can easily walk to the restaurants and bars and enjoy the beach at the same time.

Puerto Vallarta Honeymoon – Things to Do

There is lots to do in Puerto Vallarta as well as in the surrounding towns and villages. There are some pretty nice beaches along Banderas bay to spend time on and they are only a bus ride away.

Take a bus to one of the little seaside towns and spend time at the beach. This picture shows what some of these beaches are really like. There is always a nice restaurant and bar close by to enjoy. The buses are inexpensive and easy to get around on. Just check the schedules and make sure that you do not miss the last one.

The Beaches

Some of these beach side towns have built palapas along the beach which are really thatched umbrellas to sit under with a small table where you can sit back, catch some sun, have a few beers and have a very nice meal brought right to you on the beach. We have spent many an afternoon doing just this on several beaches along the bay. The swimming is also very nice with warm water and shallow sandy beaches. Whenever you are swimming, always swim with a partner and always check out the rip currents. You do not want to be pulled under and out to sea in one of these rip currents. The locals can help you understand the best location to swim and the time of the day as well when it is safest to swim.

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Can you imagine going down the Colorado river in the grand canyon in a raft like the one in this picture? The view is beyond belief. Although they say a picture is worth a thousand words, even this picture does not do justice to the scenery. You will see fantastic scenery in the Grand Canyon from the vantage point of the Colorado river on a raft. We recently spoke to a person who used to guide trips that would last up to two weeks through the Grand Canyon. He never got used to the beauty and the grand views that a trip like this would provide. He enjoyed his time as a guide very much and goes back every year to take in this great view.

Grand Canyon Raft – Trip of a Lifetime

Grand canyon rafting with a properly outfitted team can be exhilarating. Something that you and your friends will talk about for many years. The scenery is one thing, the exhilarating rides through the rapids is another and the evening camp life under the stars is another. With no lights to blind your eyes, you will be able to see millions of stars on a clear night. They will equally enthrall you as much as the river does during the day.

The Water is Cold

One word of caution is warranted if you are planning in taking one of these trips. The water is very cold and comes from snow melt a long ways up in the mountains. Ice cold water such as what is in the Colorado River is also very fast moving and people have succumbed to hypothermia very quickly. They have been swept away before anyone could do anything about it. When you guide tells you to stay out of the water, he is not doing this to be mean. He is probably saving your life. Follow his advice, because if you do not one of two things will happened.

If he is a strong guide, he is going to call in a helicopter and have you removed at your expense. Although you will be very upset and probably threaten lawsuits etc, he will have most likely saved your life. If he is a weak guide, he will tell you what can happen, but then you will go and do it anyway. You probably will end up dead in the cold Colorado river water. Grand canyon rafting can be a lot of fun, just follow your guides rules and recommendations to remain safe.

Enjoy the Trip

This is really a trip of a lifetime and why would you want to ruin it by not following the guidelines of your guide. He or she has been doing it for years, knows what works and what does not and also what is safe and what is not. Follow his instructions and I am sure you will have a really great trip.

This is another fad diet that we came across and do not support. It is called the fast diet. However we wanted to write about on our blog and provide our comments for people to consider. Your comments on the “The Fast Diet” are welcome. Both success and failures are useful to help people understand what can be possible with these diets. In addition what the impacts may also be. Basically you need to eat only 500 calories a day for two days a week.

This is exactly what the latest blockbuster diet from Britain recommends. It is authored by London-based doctor Michael Mosley and writer Mimi Spencer. It outlines a weight-loss plan that limits a person’s daily intake to 500 calories twice a week (men get 600 calories, women get 500 calories). But allows dieters to eat whatever they want on the remaining five days of the week.

Fast Diet

You suffer during two days of the week. You eat normally during the other days of the week. During the two days were you are only eating 500 calories a day, there is a chance you are going to feel faint, weak. You may also have headaches. This situation creates potentially dangerous situations for a person when they are operating a vehicle for example. Or trying to perform at work and participate in every day life. Concentration can be very difficult if you are distracted due to hunger, low blood sugar and general weakness. If you are susceptible to low blood sugar situations, you may not want to follow this diet. Or at least follow it under the supervision of a doctor or at the very least a family member.

Also when you fast for two days or only eat 500 calories, many people will eat many things they might normally deny themselves. They might actually over indulge on these days when they are allowed to eat normally. Some people may over eat the night before that they are supposed to cut back on calories. They do this with the idea that they will eat enough to carry them through to the end of the two days were they can eat again. We think this just defeats the purpose. If you are following this diet, the best results will be gained by eating normally before and after the 2 day diet of 500 calories.

Changes in Food Intake

With these drastic swings in food intake, there is a good chance that some harm can be done to the bodies systems. Regular bowel movements can be upset for example. This can cause constipation etc. In fact if you are already susceptible to this health related issue there is a good chance that this condition could be aggravated. The same applies to many other health conditions.

We feel that before you embark on a diet like this one, consumers should really consult their doctor. Assess the impact and concerns that the doctor might have regarding this type of diet. In addition we believe that a balanced weight loss program is far superior to any of these fad diets. By balanced we believe that a weight loss program should involve your current health. Also anaging your food intake and also increasing your activity level within proper health levels. Consumers need to consider all of the facts before they embark on a diet of this sort and also take into account their own health situation as well. If you are already struggling with some health issue, there is a good chance that this type of diet will only make it worse. Be careful and use your common sense when dieting.

For more information on this sort of diet program, please refer to some of the other posts on this website. Remember the best diet is the balanced diet and exercise program over a longer period of time where you form the correct eating and exercise habits that fits your lifestyle and personal objectives. For more diet related articles, click here.