Sunday, December 11, 2011

Eagle Creek Cicada 28 Pack Black One Size

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DECENT FEATURES of the Eagle Creek Cicada 28 Pack Split Wing cover with Ratchet Lock buckle. Protects pack from roaming hands and inclemate weather conditions Zippered top/panel load, main compartment access Padded laptop compartment/hydration sleeve Front zippered document pocket Two pockets for electronic chargers/cords Dual-access, padded, fleece-lined pocket for sunglasses or electronics Two exterior stretch side pockets Exterior compression straps for managing the load Sturdy, molded, top grab handle Molded foam back panel with contoured shoulder straps Internal HDPE frame sheet with pre-curved aluminum stay Tuck-away waist strap Water and abrasion-resistant Bi-Tech material on bottom The SPECS Capacity: 1700 cubic inches / 28 L Weight: 2 lbs 15 oz / 1.33 kg Size: 12 x 20.5 x 7 in / 30 x 52 x 18 cm Material: 210D TPU Diamond Ripstop, 210D Helix Ripstop, 900D Bi-Tech

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Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Eagle Creek Switchback Max 22 Travel Pack,Red Clay/Gray,22-Inch

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Brand : Eagle Creek
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Price : $205.14
Post Date : Dec 07, 2011 21:27:57
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Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Acai Pro Detox Review

!: Acai Pro Detox Review

If you want to live long and remain healthy, just start using a wonderful product named Acai Pro Detox. The product will wash out the toxins from your body and hence you will start losing weight. You will also feel more energetic than before. After using this supplement for few days, all the signs of aging in your body will disappear and you will have a fresh and young appearance.

The primary cause behind the popularity of Acai Pro Detox is the wonderful blend of natural extracts used in it. It contains acai berry in its purest form and many other essential minerals and vitamins. Acai berry is a very rich antioxidant and thus can detoxify the digestive tract quite effectively.

As the colon gets cleaned up, you will start losing weight and become slim. With a slim figure and more energy, all your heart ailments will go away and you can also have a better sexual life.

With a massive improvement in your bowel movements, ailments like gas, constipation and bloating will be cured. You will feel better from inside as your immunity will also increase. Once you start using this supplement regularly, you can stay young, happy and fit forever.

If you are really interested in using the product, go to their authorized website and order it from there. You will be eligible to receive their free trial offer as it is not for sale in stores. Start using the product without paying anything and you will be amazed to see the benefits.


Acai Pro Detox Review

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Friday, November 25, 2011

Eagle Creek Travel Gear Hovercraft 22 Upright Luggage, Pacific Blue

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Brand : Eagle Creek | Rate : | Price : $139.99
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Sized to meet most carry-on requirements and ideal for 1-5 day trips.

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  • Sized to meet most carry-on requirements and ideal for 1-5 day trips.

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Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Finding Antique Underwood Typewriters

!: Finding Antique Underwood Typewriters

Collecting typewriters has become quite a popular hobby over the last few years and finding reasonably priced machines is not too difficult if you know where to look. Finding antique Underwood typewriters is a fairly easy to task, as this was one of the major manufacturers and there are still a lot of models out there in decent condition. So where do we start?

If you live near a thrift store this is a good place to look. The good side of this is that if you find an old Underwood machine, it will likely be in good condition and very cheap. The downside is that it's not often that these types of stores put antique typewriters on the floor. The people in the back fail to see the collectible value and many get tossed. So, if you live nearby, stop in and check when you can. I've seen vintage Underwood noiseless models sell for .00 at these stores!

Craigslist is an online classifieds site that always has typewriters for sale. It works just like a regular classified newspaper ad. You will have to either call the seller or email them and them arrange to meet. The good side of this is that you can communicate with the buyer and make sure the trip is worth it. Often they will not know what they have and might just list "old typewriter for sale" on the site. This is where you can really cash in! Call and see if it's an old Underwood. Imagine finding out they have an antique Underwood model 3 or 5 typewriter or a nice Champion model that they want to sell fast & cheap! Be ready to bargain too. Most sellers on this site want fast cash so make sure you have it and don't be afraid to wheel and deal!

Yard/Garage sales are another great source for vintage or antique Underwood machines if you are into this sort of thing. Some people truly enjoy hitting the summer yard sales, enjoying the sun and fresh air. If you are one of these people, you are bound to find an old Underwood somewhere in your travels and you can really get a bargain! Many of these sales are organized to clean out the basement and attic. The money is secondary to getting rid of the "junk" that's taking up space. I once bought an old portable Underwood from the 1920s with white on green keys for .00! What beauty! It's not uncommon to find antique manual Underwood's from the early 1900's, complete with case and owners manual at these summer sales.

eBay is truly a modern marvel in itself! You can find almost anything on that site and antique typewriters are no exception, including plenty of Underwood models. The best thing about eBay is the fantastic search tool. You can find specifically the model you want if you know what you are looking for. Type in Underwood 4, you'll probably see a few listings. Type in just "Underwood typewriter" and you'll get a few pages! Although you most likely won't find any "steals" on eBay, you can get more than a fair deal and the selection is better than anywhere on the planet, literally! If you know what you want, this is a fantastic site to check out.

Do you have friends? I hope so! This is so simple that it's often overlooked. Ask your friends and family if they have an old typewriter or if they know someone who does. Many folks have these old machines tucked away in their attics or garages and have no intention of using them. Many times they've even forgotten they were there but if you refresh their memory by mentioning it they'll remember instantly. Chances are good someone you ask will have, or know someone who has an antique Underwood typewriter in storage. Of course, you should offer them something for the machine, but you'd be surprised how many people will give them to you, and free is the best deal of all!


Finding Antique Underwood Typewriters

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Saturday, November 12, 2011

Talk Security - The Advantages Of Pepper Gel Versus Pepper Spray

!: Talk Security - The Advantages Of Pepper Gel Versus Pepper Spray

There are many advantages and disadvantages of self-defense products. Today we will explore the advantages and disadvantages of chemical irritants commonly known as pepper spray.

Which Pepper Spray to Buy
First there are several things to consider before choosing a self-defense spray such as your environment, what are the laws in your area in regards to possession and use of defense sprays; will the defense spray be concealed by you when carried?

Types of Defense Sprays
Defense sprays come in various formulas, sizes, nozzle types, and spray patterns. They usually contain one or more of the following chemicals.

CS (Orthochlorobenzalmalonitrile) also known as CS Tear Gas is a chemical agent used in riot control by the military and police. The compound is dispersed as an aerosol or as a finely divided powder. Exposure to CS causes intense pain in the eyes and upper respiratory tract; the pain spreads to the lungs and gives the sensation of suffocation. In humid weather CS may cause severe blistering of the skin.

CN (alphachloroacetaphenone) also known as CN or CN Tear Gas has been around for a while. It was a popular defense spray in the past until the introduction of pepper spray into the law enforcement community. CN Tear Gas is an irritant to membrane tissues. It causes stinging pain and profuse tearing.

The disadvantages of CS and CN Tear Gases CS and CN Tear Gases irritate the membrane tissues and cause stinging and tearing. They can take from 5 to 30 seconds before they are effective and may not work if someone is drunk, on drugs, psychotic, or tolerant to pain. The affects of CN and CS Gases are not immediate taking up to 30 seconds to affect the assailant. These chemicals aren't effective self-defense weapons unless formulated with the third chemical listed below OC or Oleoresin Capsicum.

OC (Oleoresin Capsicum) also known as OC Pepper Spray, Pepper Spray, OC gas, or capsicum spray is a lachrymatory agent or a (tearing agent) which is used in riot control, crowd control and personal self-defense, including defense against dogs. The active ingredient in pepper spray is capsaicin, which is a chemical derived from the fruit of plants in the Capsicum genus (hot pepper plants) category, including chillis.

Pepper Spray can be purchased with formulas ranging from 1-20% of active OC ingredient. Exposure to OC Pepper Spray causes the person's eyes to slam shut. A person may be able to open their eyes after direct exposure however; OC dilates the capillaries and causes temporary blindness. Additionally, instant inflammation of the breathing tissues restricts all but life support breathing. They double over coughing uncontrollable; this condition is temporary but very debilitating.

The heat generating capacity of OC Pepper Spray is measured in Scoville Heat Units or (SHU's) Peppers have a range of range 0-300,000 Scoville Heat Units. Pure OC can have a rating of 15 million SHUs. The type of pepper used to make the pepper spray determines the heat generating capacity. Basically the higher the SHU the hotter. The formula percentage has no bearing on the heat generating capacity of OC Pepper Spray. The higher the percentage of OC in the spray the thicker the formula, resulting in a slower penetration rate. Therefore a 1% formula OC Pepper Spray penetrates faster than the higher percentage formulas thus affecting the assailant quicker. The disadvantage of the thinner OC formulas are that the assailant will recover sooner.

Always check with your local law enforcement agency in regards to the possession and use of any self-defense weapon. Defense sprays can be purchased in CS or CN Tear Gas, OC Pepper Spray or CN/OC and CS/OC combinations.

Defense sprays come in several spray patterns: spray, stream, fog, foam and gel.

Spray Pattern disperses in the direction pointed and does not have a wide spray pattern. The disadvantage of using a spray is blowback. Blowback is when you spray your defense spray directly into the wind defending yourself and it blows on you or others contaminating both you and others in the area.

Stream Pattern disperses at a greater range than sprays usually 15 feet. Stream sprays aren't as affected by windy conditions as sprays making it unlikely for blowback. However the OC doesn't disperse as well out of the carrier as sprays with spray patterns.

Fogger Pattern disperses in a wide pattern and is the preferred choice for defense against multiple assailants. The fog pattern stays in the air and they have a range up to 20 feet.

Foam Pattern disperses in a foam pattern and is good for use in crowded areas because secondary exposure is minimal due to the concentration. The pattern isn't very wide and police reports have shown that assailants have wiped the foam off their face and threw the foam back at officers. Foam pattern is good unless you have to subdue an individual for an arrest or detainment.

Gel Pattern disperses in a sticky gel and literally sticks to an assailants face or body. This formula is new to the industry and eliminates the possibility of having it thrown back at you like with foam patterns. Blowback and secondary exposure are minimal with this new formula.

The sizes of pepper sprays range from 2oz. to 9oz. and come in several types of carriers jogging weights, kubatons (striking device), key-chains and even pagers for easy access without notice. Defense sprays are a very good non-lethal way of defending you or loved ones. They don't require contact with an assailant like stun guns and batons making it an excellent choice for defense at a distance.


Talk Security - The Advantages Of Pepper Gel Versus Pepper Spray

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Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Eagle Creek Rincon 90L (M), Night Sky Stratus

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Brand : Eagle Creek
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Post Date : Nov 08, 2011 13:39:39
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Perfect For: This is our biggest modular travel pack for your biggest travel adventures. The Contour Fit Suspension zips away, making this pack perfect for storing in hostel lockers, plane and train overhead bins and small spaces when straps need to be out of the way. For the traveler who doesn’t need a grand plan, just a general direction and willingness to follow their instincts. Bags durable enough to carry the contents of life comfortably, flexible enough for last minute detours.

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Tuesday, November 1, 2011

To North Carolina's Nantahala Gorge With the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad

!: To North Carolina's Nantahala Gorge With the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad

I

Misty clouds, rising from the dark green faces of the Great Smoky Mountains during the morning, appeared like smoke tendrils. The twelve-car train, wearing the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad's tuscan red and Rio Grande gold livery and pulled by an EMD GP-9 diesel locomotive, vibrated and clanged its bell atop the gravel-imbedded rails next to the gray, wooden Bryson City depot, as it prepared for its imminent, 44-mile, round-trip departure to Nantahala Gorge. Passengers, many of whom had dislodged from buses, inundated the tiny portico waiting area, lulled into a North Carolina mood by a guitar-strumming trio. I would make the journey in the MacNeill Club Car, number 536, today, attached to generator car 6118 and trailed by Silver Meteor dining car 8015. That journey, inextricably tired to these western North Carolina mountains, could trace its origins to the mid-1800s.

Although the ruggedly beautiful area had been rich in natural resources, such as timber, fertile soil, and minerals, the Appalachian and Blue Ridge Mountains, peeking at 6,000 feet, had rendered it isolated and inaccessible, with a rough, wagon-plied route its only connection with the rest of the state. After considerable efforts to persuade the state legislature of North Carolina to rectify this deficiency, it had agreed to subsidize the construction of track between Salisbury and Asheville in 1855, to be used by the Western North Carolina Railroad.

A smooth development period, spanning six years, had been thwarted in 1861 by the Civil War, at which time some 70 miles of rail had yet to be laid, but momentum had ultimately been regained 16 years later, when convict labor had been employed for the first time. Five hundred tracklayers had been subdivided into 150-men camps, each of which had been led by a captain, a foreman, and several guards.

An erroneous route survey, revealing that existing topography had been unsuitable for track, had required another decade to properly determine, and had been exacerbated by crude, hand tool usage and primitive rock removal methods, the rocks themselves expanded by fire-created heat and cracked after drenchings with cold water.

The rails, following Indian trails and cow paths, entailed an 891.5-foot elevation gain with an average two-percent grade, and passed through five tunnels, and the precarious route had hardly been forged with safety. Indeed, on March 11, 1879, the Swannanoa Tunnel, which had been being bored from both ends, had collapsed and instantly crushed 21 workers.

Murphy, already the eastern terminus of the Marietta and North Georgia Railroad, served the same purpose in 1891 when the tracks for the Western North Carolina's Murphy Branch had been laid, albeit six years later than planned, and traffic interchange between the two had been facilitated when the former had changed its gauge from narrow to standard. The 111 miles from Asheville had, for the first time, been connected by rail.

Despite the delays incurred by its construction, its crude method, topographical obstacles, rough roadbed, and lack of ballast had often caused derailments, a condition partially alleviated with the addition of culverts and abutments.

Rapidly becoming the lifeline to the communities lining it, it carried supplies, agricultural products, and timber, and connected with other, existing shortline railroads, such as the Alarka Valley, the Appalachian, the Carolina and Tennessee Southern, the B&B, the Smoky Mountain, the Ritter Lumber Company, the Sunburst, and the Tuckasegee Southeastern, but it had always been plagued by steep grades, sharp curves, low-capacity locomotives, and inferior maintenance.

Three years after its completion, the Southern Railway took control of it, and, in 1907, it had been reorganized as the "Murphy Division," with Bryson City serving as its headquarters. Its local businesses and industries, manufacturing pulpwood and pallets and selling propane, had heavily relied on rail transport to support their activities, routinely requiring feed, cross ties, lumber, and sand.

Improved road access, however, gradually replaced the need for the rails. In 1937, for instance, two daily trains had departed Murphy-a freight service at 0600 and a passenger run at 0800-but by 1944, only a single passenger train had plied the line, leaving Murphy at 0715 for Asheville and returning at 1415. Aside from offering increased western North Carolina access, road development had been necessitated by the opening of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Diminishing timber resources, coupled with the completion of the nearby Fontana Dam, had finally resulted in the permanent discontinuation of passenger services on July 16, 1948. Thirty-two years later, in 1980, 2,239 freight car loads had plied the rails, yet by 1987, the number had dwindled to 817. During the last three years, by which time the railroad had been acquired by Norfolk Southern, regularly scheduled service, of no more than five cars, had only been maintained between Waynesville and Andrews, with stops in Murphy only sporadically made.

Maintenance costs, already high because of the 34 bridges connecting Dillsboro with Murphy and the excessive track curvature, had escalated without a commensurate increase in revenue, and in 1984, the Champion Paper Mill, long dependent on the line for its business, had converted its traditional pulpwood product to woodchips, packaged in a cube whose size had precluded its rail transport through the Dillsboro and Rhodo tunnels. Costs to either lower their roadbeds or increase their ceiling heights had been prohibitive, particularly for use by only a single company. As a result, the papermill had been forced to truck its products to Canton and Norfolk Southern, unable to stem its losses, had been forced to abandon the 67 miles of track between Dillsboro and Murphy in 1988.

Although several prospective operators had explored both passenger and freight uses for it, none had been financially self-sustainable, and on July 18 of that year, the North Carolina Department of Transportation had forcibly purchased the track for 0,000 for the intended introduction of a passenger excursion train operated by the newly-established Great Smoky Mountains Railroad.

Its initial equipment, two GP-9 locomotives from Burlington Northern and Union Pacific, along with several converted, open coaches, had been joined by a 1942 Baldwin steam engine originally built for the US Army and two more GP-7 diesels from Chicago and North Western by 1995.

Its present fleet, comprised of open cars, coaches, "Crown" coaches, club cars, dining cars, and cabooses, had been acquired from several railroads and extensively refurbished. Track modifications, whose 80- and 85-pound ratings stipulated 25-mph maximum speeds, have entailed heavier rail and track side lubricator installations on sharp curves, the reinforcement of many trestles, and the redecking of the bridge crossing the Tuckasegee River at Dillsboro.

In 1996, the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad purchased the Dillsboro-Andrews section of track from the state of North Carolina, while the state itself continued to own the remainder of it, from Andrews to Murphy.

Acquired three years later, on December 23, 1999, by American Heritage Railways, the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad became one of three excursion trains owned by the new company, which operates similar ventures in Colorado and Texas.

II

Bryson City, origin of my own Nantahala Gorge excursion, is a mountainside community of 1,400 located on the Tuckasegee River and named after Colonel Thadeus Dillard Bryson. Incorporated in 1887, it had been laid out in accordance with the ancient trails and roads of the Cherokee, who had originally referred to it as "Big Bear Springs," and today serves as a gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains and is the hub for the railroad. Because of its proximity to the Fontana Dam, it had temporarily burgeoned during its construction period.

The current railroad depot, built during the 1890s, is the only one remaining from the Southern Railway's operation of the line, although its freight storage portion had since been removed and replaced by an open portico. A one-and-a-half mile long rail yard, of four tracks, had facilitated the town's many industries, including the Carolina Wood Turning Company, the Carolina Building Supply, the Southern Concrete Company, and a petroleum dealer, while a turntable, a water tank, and a coal chute had been instrumental in the then-present use of steam locomotives. Bryson City is located at mile marker 63 on the track running from Asheville to Murphy.

My train's complement had included the 1955-manufactured diesel engine, a generator car, the MacNeill club car, the Silver Meteor dining car, the Dixie Flyer dining car, the Conductor's Café, the Bryson City coach, the Wildwater open car, the Cherokee coach, the Fontana open car, the Crescent Limited coach, and a caboose.

A car coupling-created lurch preceded the train's initial movement at 1030, as it slowly glided over Everet street-imbedded track, soon mirrored by the stationary, red and gold Great Smoky Mountains Railroad's chain of coaches cradled by the freight yard, before it plunged through dense, almost tunnel-like foliage at increasing, although still-gentle speeds.

Re-emerging from the dense forest, whose tall, thin trees stood like sentinels guarding the single track, the chain of cars inched away from Bryson City, paralleling the north bank of the Tuckasegee River. The original roadbed, curing to the right at mile 64.5, had been replaced by the present route in 1944 because of dam construction-created flooding.

Traversing a steel truss bridge, which had been constructed in 1898 and spanned 426 feet, the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad crossed the Nantahala River, and thence arced into a 12.1-degree curve, commencing an almost-imperceptible climb up a 1.3-percent grade, before reaching its summit by means of a horseshoe curve to the left. The Alarka Creek, a blue sheen amidst the blur of deep forest green, flashed through the left windows.

The train's gentle rock, lulling me into relaxed serenity, prompted closer internal inspection of the MacNeill club car in which I rode. The line's newest addition, it had been built in the 1940s and had previously been designated the "Powhatan Arrow," operating Norfolk and Western's service of the same name on its Premier line until 1982, at which time it had been transferred to the merged Norfolk-Southern's Steam Program. Although it had been refurbished in 1993, it had been subsequently damaged the following year in a collision in Lynchburg, Virginia.

No longer needed after the Steam Program had been discontinued in February of 1995, it had been auctioned and acquired by the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad, renamed in honor of Malcolm and Jean MacNeill for their years of service and dedication, and for their vision of an economically viable western North Carolina scenic railway. It had been inaugurated into this service in mid-1999 on the very Nantahala Gorge run I had currently made after meticulous restoration.

Opulently decorated, it had featured a serving area; single, swivelable, tan-upholstered, opposed easy chairs separated by round tables on one side, and pairs separated by rectangular ones on the other; wood-grained wall paneling; brass lamps above the tables; and thick, red carpeting. Fruit salad, blueberry muffins, and coffee had been served shortly after departure.

The sun, finally managing to tear the billowing white, gray, and silver cloud deck open, revealed patches of blue. The pine green, glass-reflective surface of Fontana Lake, once a fertile valley, flicked through the dense foliage before opening up to a full water body, at mile 72.2. Its very creation had dictated the current railroad's route.

The Murphy Branch track, having been 8.5 miles longer, but with gentler grades, had followed the north bank of the Tuckasegee River to Bushnell, the small community located at the converging point of the Little Tennessee River and the junction of the Carolina and Tennessee Southern Railway Company's track. But World War II-necessitated demand for increased electrical power to facilitate production of vital war materials had sparked the Tennessee Valley Authority's Fontana Dam Project and the Murphy Branch's track rerouting.

Fontana, a town 1.5 miles from the construction site, had been nucleic to its successful completion and the Carolina and Tennessee Southern's track, extended 2.84 miles along the Little Tennessee River, had formed the temporary lifeline to it, facilitating material and machinery transport. A timber trestle had been built over Eagle Creek. A four-track rail yard, long enough to support 100 cars on each of its spurs, along with a machine shop, a carpenter shop, a warehouse, and storage areas, had formed the base of the project, and cement-filled boxcars had run from Bryson City to the dam, conveying 8,000 cubic yards of concrete and 15,000 tons of sand and gravel per day.

The war had carried two stipulations: the dam had to be completed within a two-year period and steel could not be allocated for it, requiring relocated or reconstructed bridges and enormous amounts of fill to substitute for otherwise needed trestles.

Three different rivers had formed the bottom of the newly-created Fontana Lake when the resultant reservoir had flooded 24 miles of former Murphy Branch track from Bryson City to Weser, and the dam, at 480 feet, had been the highest in the eastern United States and the fourth-largest in the world when it had been completed in 1944.

The old line, discontinued by the Southern Railway between mileposts 64.5 and 88.2 on September 25 of the previous year, had been replaced by the new one on July 30, 1944.

Eating away the steel girder, concrete stanchion-supported Fontana Lake Bridge, the present Great Smoky Mountains Railroad crossed the evergreen-reflected water.

At milepost 76, orchard remnants, location of the former Southern Railway president's summerhouse, moved by. Following the azure of Fontana Lake, the diesel locomotive negotiated the 14.2-degree curve to the right at mile 77.8, the relocated line's sharpest, which could only be safely traversed at five mph.

The Nantahala River, a fluid life force exploding into small fumes of white anger with every rock and boulder obstacle thrown in its path, paralleled the 12-car link.

Lunch, served in the Silver Meteor dining car attached to the MacNeill club car, had included grilled vegetables, portobello mushrooms, and creamy goat cheese on a hero, served with seasoned potato wedges and a side of lettuce and tomato. The two-axle, lightweight car, built in 1940 for Seaboard Airline Railway and restored by the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad in 1994, had featured a forward galley; twelve, four-place, black lacquer tables with upholstered, floral motif-sporting chairs; small, brass lamps; and gray, geometric textured carpeting which had adorned the bottom half of its sidewalls.

The Conductor's Café, a snack car constructed in 1949 and an alternative eating venue, had been operated as a dormitory on the Atlantic Coast Line Railway and had also seen brief service with Amtrak before being converted to its present configuration in 1997.

Plying the last mile of relocated track, the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad passed Weser Creek Falls and the Nantahala Outdoor Center before crossing the Appalachian Trail at milepost 80, now cradled by steep mountains which formed Nantahala Gorge and impeded all but the high, afternoon sun's rays from penetrating it. The track, paralleling the river, had been laid close to the mountain's side with the aid of nothing more than picks and shovels and seemed to bore through cool air and nature's dense, perennially-green, vegetation-created tunnel.

The caves beyond the coaches' right windows had once been used by hunters and settlers and had been instrumental during the Cherokee's exile to Oklahoma in its Trail of Tears period.

Maneuvering through the line's sharpest curve, of 17 degrees, at milepost 83.2, the train approached Talc Mountain, approaching Nantahala, once the last location of a water tank, a coal chute, and a sand tower for replenishing steam engines, thus necessitating sufficient provision for the 56-mile round-trip to Murphy and back. Today, it had served as my own journey's terminus.

Diesel locomotive 1751, disconnecting from its 11-car chain, passed it on the Stanley track to its right before reconnecting in front of the caboose and reinitiating motion, now in the opposite direction, after a barely perceptible lurch, destined for the Nantahala Outdoor Center and a one-hour interlude.

Gently lurching and rattling, the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad retraced its path, boring through the forest green walls which reeked not of soot or coal, but instead of dense vegetation.

Amid the rushing of the river, where the tracks briefly doubled, it inched into the Nantahala Outdoor Center. Immediately above the green canopy, tiny specks of blue had rendered the otherwise white and silver cloud blanket an afternoon mosaic. The center itself, starting point for rafting excursions and permanently suffused with the heavy scent of pine, had been comprised of several wooden, rustic cabins housing gift ships and restaurants.

After having been pelted by a fierce, but quick rain shower during its one-hour rest, the diesel locomotive, once again signaling imminent departure with its whistle, released its brakes at 1400 and reinitiated momentum, each car induced into coupling-snagged motion like a chain in mimicked reaction.

The Nantahala River, now paralleling the train on the right side and a reflection of the mountain-covered vegetation, appeared a crystal green mirror. The gentle blue of the sky crested the towering trees.

Traveling in a northwesterly direction, the long chain of cars thread its way through the dense forest toward the almost-blue peaks of the Great Smoky Mountains ahead, their wheels screeching in protest as they adhered to the track's curvatures.

The cork on the champagne bottle had been popped and cheese and crackers had, in the meantime, been served in the MacNeill club car.

Fontana Lake, draped by green-carpeted hills and dotted with houseboats, once again glided by, now visible through the long, rectangular windows on the left side, as if they had served as large television screens depicting a world from which one had been temporarily disconnected in the self-contained coach.

Following the dense, green mountain valley-cradled tracks, the train once again traversed the steel truss bridge and inched past the railroad yard, crossing Evert Street in Bryson City and snagging its brakes for a final time abreast of the gray depot.

Climbing down from the MacNeill club car, I stepped back on to the gravel and caught glimpse of the last car. Behind it lay a track comprised of light rails laid by convicts through mountainous, river-abundant terrain, having requiring restricted bridges, small tunnels, tight curves, and varying grades. Behind it lay a story of the Murphy Branch, which had provided the lifeline to the Great Smoky Mountains' isolated communities, facilitating their growth and development, and connecting town to town. And behind it lay the ultimate connection-the one from soul to soul.

Opening the door, I stepped into the Bryson City depot.


To North Carolina's Nantahala Gorge With the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad

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Saturday, October 29, 2011

Vail Trails and the Gore Mountain Range

!: Vail Trails and the Gore Mountain Range

Skiing and related winter activities are the biggest outdoors attractions in Vail, Colorado for about half the year, but once the snow melts, trails in the Gore Mountain Range become accessible to hikers once again. So, put away your ski poles and snowshoes and let's take a look at what trails can be found in and around Eagle County, Colorado.

Baker Mountain Trail -- Head one hour east on Interstate 70 to the Baker Mountain Trail located near the town of Bakerville. This trailhead starts out at 12,000 feet and rises by less than 500 feet before you hit the summit. This two-mile trail is easy on the kids and you can bring your dog along as long as she is leashed.

Grizzly Peak Trail -- If the moderately challenging Baker Mountain Trail doesn't present enough of a challenge for you, then the Grizzly Peak Trail should. Located nearby, this trail starts at just below 12,000 feet and rises more than 1,600 feet at the summit. Enjoy the spectacular views along the ridge and keep an eye out for signs of mountain goats. Visit Trails.com for more information.

Gore Creek Trail -- This paved trail runs along Gore Creek, offering a leisurely stroll anyone can handle including small children. For the section of the trail heading out to Lionshead, you'll be walking astride West Meadow Drive instead of by the creek.

Vail Nature Center -- Right on the grounds of the Vail Nature Center on Vail Valley Road can be found interpretive trails featuring bird, wild flower and beaver pond hikes. The center is also the home to the Vail Hiking Club, offering guidance on the best trails in the area. Take in adult half-day hikes on Mondays and Fridays beginning at 8:30 a.m. or rise early on Tuesdays and Thursdays by meeting at 7 a.m. for an all-day hike. Fees apply for these guided tours. Check out vailrec.com for more information.

Turquoise Lake Trail -- If you're looking to travel around a lake and discover pristine coves and enjoy peaceful water views, then the trail at Turquoise Lake may have what you want. You'll be traveling within yards of the lake at all times, right up to the water's edge, but never so far away that you lose site of the shoreline. Turquoise Lake is one hour south of Vail off of Colorado Highway 24. Eight campgrounds are in the area and trout fishing is considered excellent. Yes, Bigfoot has been spotted in the area....

There are far more places to hike when you extend your radius out from Vail by several hours. You can also hire a local guide who will gladly take you around the area -- for a fee of course. Ask around town and you'll find at least a handful of willing takers or stop by the nature center to learn more.


Vail Trails and the Gore Mountain Range

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Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Eagle Creek Centerline Load Warrior LT 30

!: Eagle Creek Centerline Load Warrior LT 30

I've been looking for a discount on luggage or wheeled duffle bags in preparation for my well deserved two week vacation away from work. Recently the nearest travel gear shop started offering discount luggage and wheeled duffle bags in anticipation of the coming vacation season. I'm only going on a 2 week trip so I won't have any need for a huge, bulky luggage. My options were limited to duffle bags and since I don't like to carry a heavy load all the time, I had to go with wheeled duffle bags. Out of all the discounted wheeled duffle bags on display, only one caught my attention: The Eagle Creek Centerline Load Warrior LT 30.

The Eagle Creek Centerline Load Warrior LT 30 is a wheeled duffle bag with a relatively large size for a duffle bag with its 59 inch linear size (30 inches by 17 inches by 12 inches dimension). To help with its large size, the cleverly named Load Warrior employs compression straps to hold its entire load securely.

The seemingly large off road wheels are complemented with a set of rugged footplates, providing a smooth, reliable ride over all terrains. As an added bonus, a soft touch telescoping handle makes for a versatile and adjustable handle length.

Made with the intention of being zipped from end to end, this wheeled duffle bag is very similar to a book, making for an extremely easier access and packing. It also features a convenient laundry chute pocket, accessible from the interior, intended to segregate the dirty stuff from clean ones, making it ideal for separating dirty laundry from reserved clothes. There is also a lower "boot" compartment that is ideal for storing your shoes and separating it from clean items (my shoes seem to be too large for the compartment, but I assume other people with smaller feet may find it useful for its intended purpose).

Going back to its relatively large size, multiple handles were designed into the Load Warrior to make it easy to move around. Convenient handles are placed on the top, the bottom, and center for an easy grab and go functionality. It highly efficient oversized wheels worked well when I tried it on the rutted, uneven gravel outside the store, making it easy to roll and drag the bag around, especially with its balanced frame, which meant that it won't topple over when left alone.

All in all, the Eagle Creek Centerline Load Warrior LT 30 is an ideal discount wheeled duffle bag for short, 1 to 2 week trips. Available in dark gray colors with tomato red trims and silver handles. I bought mine as a special on the store's discount luggage and wheeled duffle bags promo, but was told by the clerk that it is usually priced in the mid range. Even at that price, all the features of the Eagle Creek Centerline Load Warrior LT 30 make it a reasonable buy and well worth your money.


Eagle Creek Centerline Load Warrior LT 30

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Thursday, April 14, 2011

Eagle Creek Travel Gear Pack-It Medium/Large Compression Sac Set

!1: Now is the time Eagle Creek Travel Gear Pack-It Medium/Large Compression Sac Set Order Today!


Nice Design by :Eagle Creek Travel GearOver All Rating Reviews : Great Deal : $17.99Date Created :Apr 14, 2011 21:52:15
Sometimes you need to bring an extra jacket or your favorite pillow, and now you can without having to take an extra large suitcase. Just place your bulky items inside a compressor sac and roll the excess air out; it'll reduce the volume by 80%.....

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Thursday, March 31, 2011

Climbing Gear

!: Climbing Gear

Climbing is a sport that is adventurous and exciting but also involves a certain level of risk. These risks can be reduced if the right gear is used.

Climbing gear is very unique, right from the kind of shoes and gloves we wear. This equipment makes a lot of difference, and this difference can mean life or death. The level of safety thus depends directly on the equipment we use.

Previously, people just used regular tennis shoes, a normal rope and a regular belt for climbing. But these days, there is fashionable gear that makes climbing not only fun, but also safe. Regular climbing gear includes: shoes/mountaineering boots, gloves, harnesses, ropes, racks, belay devices, locking carabiners, helmets, axes, headlamp, sunglasses, first aid kit, camming devices, sewn runners, climbing belays, climbing harnesses, climbing screws, pulleys, pitons, holds, books/maps, special pants, and even underwear for rough weather. Other personal items may comprise: food and water, sun block, extra clothing, camera, tent, cookware, camp stove, sleeping bag/pad, a knife, approach shoes and a chalk bag.

Climbing gear has to be carefully carried since it has to stay with you until you reach the top. You can clip some of the things to your harness, thus keeping the upper part of the body relatively lightweight. However, you may not be able to carry too many things like this, and there is also the chance of losing some things on the way. Most climbers use special backpacks that are designed to hold most of the essential things.

There are many providers of climbing equipment. Some of the most popular brands are: Black Diamond, Volcom, Nixon, Oakley, Smith, Spy, The North Face, Nikita, Eagle Creek, Dakine, Mountain Hardwear and others. Climbing equipment has to be certified by the International Federation of Mountaineering Associations (UIAA) and the European Committee for Standardization (CEN). Before buying the equipment, test for the right size, as comfort is very important. There are many manufacturers of climbing gear today. Check for their products by testing them. Companies are making very durable, strong, yet lightweight products for climbing.


Climbing Gear

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