Outdoors

Family Fun Destinations in Maine

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The East Coast State of Maine is a beautiful place to visit and is also a great area to travel to with children. Below is a list of some of the best things to do while in Maine for families, or anyone!

Acadia National Park

Acadia National Park is a lovely place to visit anytime of the year, however it is arguably the most beautiful in the fall when visitors can see the miles and miles of trees and changing leaves. The park is nearly 50,000 acres and has everything from beaches to granite peaks, as well as a wide variety of wildlife.

Boothbay Harbor

Boothbay Harbor is the perfect town to visit with the family. It is full of adorable roadside vendors that sell everything from seafood to french fries. Boothbay also offers a wide variety of family-friendly water sports and is home to the Maine State Aquarium.

Mid-Coast

The mid-coast of Maine is another great area to visit and travel to with a family. It is home to several small towns and has a wide variety of fun activities. Visitors can see the huge ships sailing along the East Coast, and enjoy some quiet and relaxing tourism on this less-crowded section of the coast.

Mount Desert Island

Mt. Desert Island is a lovely place to take the whole family. Located between Bar Harbor and Tremont, it is the largest of the islands that surround Maine. Families can find everything from hiking to swimming on this Island that has a population of just ten thousand people.

Camden, Maine

The small town of Camden is a must-see for any families looking to get a small taste of England without the hours of travel. Camden is a small and quaint British-style town that is full of historical homes, lighthouses, and even sunset harbor cruises.

Kennebunkport, Maine

Kennebunkport has an interesting name and an even more interesting set of activities. The upper class town is best known for being President Bush’s summer getaway. It has amazing views and even better lobster.

Clearly, Maine has an abundance of fun things for families to do. From a sunset coastal cruise to a roadside lobster stand, visitors to Maine surely won’t be disappointed.

This article was originally published on KurtHansbury.info

Family Bonding: How to make the most of your time

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family bondingThe author Gretchen Rubin says this about kids: “The days are long but the years are short”. This is never truer than in the case of quality family time. In today’s busy world of deadlines and extracurricular activities and technology, it’s very easy to get lost in the shuffle and forget what’s is truly important in life. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to comingle our modern world with memories that will last forever.

Contrary to popular belief, your kids will be less interested in how much money you spend on them than how much time you spend with them. There are many things to do together as a family that doesn’t cost money. If the weather is permitting, combine bonding with exercise and go on a nature walk or a bike ride. It might also be fun to explore your neighborhood. Many cities participate in local events like First Friday, which brings a sense of community and shows off a city’s artisanal flair.

Another option is to stay at home. Cooking meals together as a family will not only save money in the long run, it will also provide a more nutritious meal for everyone. In addition, the process of cooking itself has been used across the world for thousands of years as a natural way of bringing people together. Social actions are always centered around food, no matter which culture you come from.

As well as preparation, eating together as a family is also extremely important. There are countless studies that prove frequent meals eaten together encourages a stronger self of security and stability for children as they grow up, with some adolescents choosing to not seek out risky behavior.

In addition to quality, there is also the constant debate over quality. There are only so many hours in a given day and sleeping and eating should take just as much precedent as studying. While there are countless choices in the worlds of athletic and musical departments, in addition to a litany of others, it’s important to not overwhelm kids with too many additional requirements. It defeats the purpose of giving them a better life if they’re too tired to enjoy it. If everyone is too busy throughout the week, take advantage of weekends to do something relaxing with your kids, even if it’s just for an hour. Even a chore wheel is a form of family time, and it teaches kids how to be responsible adults.

In addition, screen time is no longer being stigmatized as an arch enemy. Family screen time via a movie night can actually be a wonderful way to spend time together.

Outdoor Activities for Families

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outrdoor activities for familiesNow that the nicer weather is finally upon us, it is the perfect time to choose from all the wonderful options available when taking the family outside on a bonding trip. Depending on where you live, there are countless ways to spend some quality time together in the great outdoors, and the best news is, they don’t even need to cost a lot of money.

Scavenger hunts are a great DIY way to spend time together. Leave notes or riddles for your kids to find that will ultimately lead them to a grand prize, or design a treasure map that lets them find interesting things. At Easter time, take advantage of the weather and hold your egg hunt outdoors.

Sometimes giving is the best way to receive. It feels great to donate time through volunteer work or to deliver goods to those less fortunate than ourselves. Local animal shelters are a great way to combine a volunteer mission by meeting some new furry friends. Holidays are always a good time to volunteer to help out at shelters of all kinds.

In most cities, there are unlimited charity walks and races throughout the year. Taking the family along on a 5K,  10K, or half marathon can be a very rewarding experience, not to mention a great way to make some new friends.

There are also local sports teams to visit. If your town or city sponsors a baseball or softball team, that’s another great way to bond as a family. Attending a sporting event as spectators can be a very relaxing, enjoyable experience. Backyard camping is a great way to have an overnight adventure without straying too far from the comforts of home.

For people who don’t mind spending extra money, there are countless choices in the ticketing department. Amusement parks and water parks are a fun treat to reserve for special occasions to keep them feeling special. We now live in a world with activity centers suck as outdoor trampoline parks. If your city is lucky enough to have one, then take advantage of it.

If horses are your thing, find a local stable who offers trail rides or lessons. If you’re really lucky, you can ride on a beach. For people who live near an ocean, it is worth it to go on a whale watching tour.

Ultimately, it doesn’t matter what you do, as long as it’s together.

Mountain Bike Challenge: Toughest Trails in the U.S.

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toughest mountainbike trailsWhile most people do everything possible to avoid a tough climb, some mountain bikers are a special breed. Whether they undertake grueling paths in order to then reward themselves afterward with a beverage and hefty meal, or whether they voluntarily chose them as part of a rigorous training routine, mountain bikers have gone to great lengths to rank the toughest mountain climbs that exist, even when the hills simply exist in order to provide the excellent downhill moments.

The metrics they use to determine which ones make the list are well-researched and thorough. They rate each climb by the average and maximum grades, the distance of each climb, the altitude, and the climb-descent ratio. Here are a few of the toughest U.S. trails, from shortest to longest:

The Hangover trail in Sedona, Arizona is three miles long. But don’t be fooled by the shortness of the length. The reason for its name is because of the high risk of injury, making a rider feel as if they’re hungover. The overhanging rocks can make riders feel the urge to swerve, going perilously close to the open edge.

Mt. Elwell is a steep, downhill path located in Graeagle, California. It is over 15 miles long. The steepness of this trail is so acute it might require treading on foot and pushing your bike along parts of it.

The Virginia Mountain Bike Trail is massive. At 272 miles, it stretches between Little Mare Mountain to Douthat State Park. The full trail is over 700 miles long, but this stretch is the most challenging portion. The climbs are extremely sharp and there are long stretches of abandoned wilderness.

In Colorado, the 14ers Loop is 285 miles of steep climbs and dirt roads. It is named because of the multitude of 14,000-foot peaks. Many of its hills cannot be accomplished by cycling alone, riders must dismount. There are large rocks everywhere that must be avoided, and you must first climb 4,000 feet on foot to reach the summit before attempting to ride down.

The Whole Enchilada is a mountain located in Moab, Utah. At 32.6 miles long, it is not the longest trail on this list but it is extremely challenging nonetheless. The iconic red rock cliffs are just one of the reasons to attempt this stunning climb. This trail joins up with four others, called: Burro Pass, Hazzard County, Kokopelli Trail, and Porcupine Rim.

Different Types of Surf Boards and Surfing Styles

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The fact that there are so many different types of surfboard shapes and designs can be confusing to some beginners, but they each serve their own purpose. Because of this, it is not uncommon for more advanced surfers to own more than one type of board.

Shortboard

This type of surfboard, also known as a thruster, is most commonly used for shredding and contests because it facilitates a variety of tricks. The shorter style — boards start at 5’6″ — is ideal for speed, but it sacrifices paddling ability. For this reason, these boards aren’t recommended for beginners.

Longboard

Boards that are over 8″ long with a rounded nose are known as longboards. The size offers more stability than smaller surfboards, and they catch waves and help you paddle easily. While tandem surfing and other tricks are possible, surfers can’t make sharp turns or dive like they can with shortboards because the board remains at the surface.

Foamboard

Foamboards are more stable and easier to catch waves. They also cause less damage during an accident because they are lightweight. These softer boards are therefore ideal for a beginning surfer.

Fish

Compared to a shortboard, a fish surfboard has a wider, rounder nose and what’s known as a swallow tail, giving it that distinct fish-like appearance. Fish boards range from 5’2″ to 6’4″, and the design makes it suitable for catching small to medium waves while maintaining a decent speed. Surfers often transition from a longboard to a fish board before choosing a shortboard.

Gun

This type of board is long, thin, and pointy at both ends. With some reaching over 10″ long, this board is fantastic for riding larger waves. The shape allows for easier paddling and control on waves but it is more difficult to turn.

Funboard

Also known as the Malibu, a funboard is a hybrid of the longboard and shortboard. Funboards can be up to 8′ in length and navigate smaller waves. Because of this, both intermediate and casual surfers may enjoy using it.

Paddleboard

Surfers can switch things up with stand-up paddleboarding (SUP), which uses a paddle instead of arms to propel themselves forward. These boards are wider and thicker than a longboard, making it easy to maintain balance. Inflatable versions are also available, and surfers can catch waves from the smallest to largest sizes or take their boards on lakes for a casual paddle.

While the six boards above are the most common, there are several others. Tow-in surfboards are led by jetskis, and foilboards have a hydrofoil that extends below the water to achieve lift. Some even consider this design to be the future of watersports.

This post was originally published on kurtHansbury.net.

The Greatest Places in the World for Mountain Biking

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Mountain biking is a passion that has some people hopping around the globe in search of the next thrilling and awe-inspiring location to enjoy their hobby. An ideal spot is definitely subject to individual taste, but out of the top-rated areas, there are sure to be places that will bring your mountain biking venture to greater heights of bliss.

Lupra Pass/Mustang Valley

This trail is located in the Himalayan Mountains where the tallest peaks in the world reside. Not only is this one of the most amazing places to behold on earth, but it will literally take your breath away because of the high elevation.

The Old Ghost Road

This trail is located in scenic New Zealand. Some of the most beautiful forests and views of rolling hills can be admired here as you traverse a trail that spans 85 kilometers. The paths include some long, exciting descents into the rain forests.

401 Trail

Here is a beautiful trail located in the USA. The town of Crested Butte, Colorado provides a relaxed atmosphere amidst the Rocky Mountains. This trail is the site of some important mountain biking events. You can explore quiet remote areas that include some beautifully colorful flower meadows.

Italian/Slovenian Alps

This trail is famous for a remote cheese farm near the Soca River. Consequently, this trail has been nicknamed the “cheese man trail.” The trail features high pastures that overlook the Julian Alps and a variety of different wooded areas.

Top of the World

This is a special experience that features a 6-kilometer descent after a chairlift ride. Located in British Columbia, Canada, this trail has some unique thrills unlike any other.

Cotopaxi

In the remote country of Ecuador is a trail that should not be missed. It has impressive mountains, volcanic slopes and many types of terrain. Ride through sand and ash. Navigate solidified lava flows and large boulders. The trail also has three 700-meter descents that add to the excitement.

Cerro Paine

While you’re in remote regions of South America, why not head over to Chile? A bit of hiking with your bike in tow will bring you to the view of impressive mountain peaks and beautiful mountain lakes. The trail will take you down into a moist forest.

If you’re the globe-trotting type, these are some destinations that you should put on your short list. There are many picturesque, remote areas for mountain biking, but these definitely won’t disappoint you.

This post was originally published on kurtHansbury.net.

The Best Places To Surf In The World

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Most surfers agree that a great surfing destination isn’t only about the break. Picturesque surroundings and interesting places are a big part of what makes this sport so attractive. Check out these best places to surf in the world according to those who know best, the Travel Channel.

 

Ulu Watu, Bali

Besides professional-grade breaking waves, Ulu Watu is famous as the home to Bali’s oldest Hindu temple. The Pura Luhur Uluwatu Temple is visible to surfers below the enormous cliff it sits perched upon.

 

Playa Grande, Costa Rica

A popular beach town, Playa Grande is Costa Rica’s top surfing spot. It’s also a large nesting ground for the Leatherback Turtle, the largest marine reptile.

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