Archive for the ‘The Great Outdoors’ category

Using Promotional Umbrellas to Drive Business

August 23rd, 2009

Marketing can be a funny thing. On one hand, it can be pretty fun to come up with crazy ideas to be able to draw customers to your company but on the other hand, it can cost a lot of money and you won’t even know what your return on investment is right away. There are a ton of things you can do when it comes to attracting customers but you can only do so many things due to a limited budget. One thing you may want to try is to give away gifts with your company name on it such as a promotional umbrella.  The reason why this can work pretty well is because unlike other items such as pens where only the user will see the name, your company name on an umbrella will be seen by other people passing by the person holding the umbrella. It’s all about getting your name out there so why not let customers do it for you?

Treat Your Camping Chair with Care

August 22nd, 2009

Camping chairs, especially the “quad” type, have become a very common and convenient necessity for most camping trips, picnics, ballgames, and just about any other event that may require bringing your seat with you.  However, they do not always prove to be that durable.  Here are a few simple tips to increase the lifespan of your folding camping chair.

The key to camp chair longevity is in how you get up and sit down.  Most of us are used to using the arms for leverage in getting up out of a chair, but if you lean too hard on a quad chair armrest, it will break.  Use your leg power to get out of the chair, holding the arms only for balance, and you will almost never break them.

When sitting down, do not just plop down into the chair, unless you want to end up on the ground very quickly.  Most quad chairs are only designed to hold about 225 pounds, and even lighter people will break them if they sit down too hard.

Finally, make sure the chair is positioned on relatively flat ground.  The more the legs have to flex to compensate for uneven terrain, the sooner the hinges and stress points will wear out.

That should do it.  Apply these simple practices every time you use your camping chair, and you won’t have to keep buying a new one every year anymore.

Choosing Your Tent

August 20th, 2009

It doesn’t matter if you are a regular camper or someone who just likes to go occasionally, you will be in need of a tent. They are the most essential piece of camping equipment and it is important that you chose the right one. They can be quite confusing if you don’t know what you are looking for, but you just need to consider a few important things. You should be looking at what style of tent you want. You have a choice of a few. If you are someone that can’t really set tents up well, and you don’t need to get a lot of people in, then a tunnel tent might be the one that you are after. If you are taking a family on a little trip, then you should be looking at a family frame tent, they fit more people and are slightly safer.

Brand Name Beach Umbrellas

August 19th, 2009

There are many brand names out there in the world of beach umbrellas but one brand gets the most attention and probably has one of the best quality umbrella on the market. Rio beach umbrellas is one of the most used brands on the market. They feature everything from sand anchors to beach umbrella accessories. You can find all their fine made products online at various online stores and outlets like Ebay and Amazon. Rio specializes in umbrellas with a really high spf as high as 100 so no sunlight can penetrate the umbrella itself. Their beach umbrella poles are made from wood or aluminum whichever you prefer. The aluminum lasts longer but tends to turn color whereas the wood holds its look much longer. Its simply a matter of preference but suffice to say whatever Rio beach umbrella you decide to go with you will be making the right decision.

Backpack Camping Chairs

August 18th, 2009

While camping in and of itself is extremely popular, more and more outdoor adventurers are taking a liking to a combination of hiking and camping. The combination of these two leisure activities provides the unique outdoor experience of not only hiking the trails, but also sleeping in the wilderness. As one may imagine, the combination of hiking and camping requires some pretty specialized equipment. One piece of gear that has become quite popular with hike-campers is the backpack camping chair, which as you may have guesses, mixes the trail backpack with a camping chair

Backpack camping chairs differ from your usual camping chair in that they either turn into, or detach from a backpack. This kills two birds with one stone, providing a much needed backpack and the luxury of a comfortable place to sit when setting up camp. Many hikers who stop for camp only have a small tent and other essentials needed for basic wilderness survival. The backpack camping chairs allows these adventurous spirits to also bring a little bit of civilization with them.

Octagon Picnic Table

August 17th, 2009

A picnic is a perfect bonding activity for you and your family. Pack up your favorite wines and drinks and prepare sumptuous cold meals of meat, vegetables, and sandwiches. You can even include a bunch of finger foods like chips and biscuits. To keep your food from being soiled, they must be placed on a higher elevation. Don’t settle with just putting your food on a blanket. Place them over an octagon picnic table for a more stable support. Aside from preventing your food from being soiled, picnic tables ensure that you are more comfortable during meal time. With blankets, you still need to balance the food in your plate with one hand and try to avoid spilling the drink you’re holding in your other hand. Just place your plate on the table and eat without hassle. With this worry out of your system, you can have more time to enjoy the picnic with your family.

Low Voltage Deck Lighting

August 12th, 2009

Many people are looking to low voltage deck lighting for making their decks, balconies and stairs safer places at night. In the dark it is very easy to miss a step and trip. This can be avoided by using recessed deck lighting, where the the light is mounted into the stair riser, and thrown light on the stair to help people to see where they are going. Most deck step lighting is low voltage which means it runs at 12V instead of the regular 110V. This means it can be installed easily and is safe to have around children and pets. Many low voltage deck lights are LEDs – these give a bright light at a lower safe voltage. Deck lighting add ambiance and style to your outdoor features – look into low voltage deck lighting.

Robotic Pool Cleaners

August 8th, 2009

When it comes to automatic pool vacuums you may have heard of suction side pool cleaners and pressure side pool cleaners, but the new innovation in pool cleaning technology is robotic pool cleaner. Ok well it’s not actually new but very few pool owners use robotic pool cleaners because they can be expensive. However now a days robotic pool cleaners are relativly inexpensive since so many manufactures make them now. The best part about robotic pool cleaners is the fact that your pool doesn’t have to be running while your vacuum is doing the work. That’s because robotic pool cleaner are electric. Just plug it into a standard socket and drop it in your pool and you swimming pool will be clean in no time, that’s the best part.

Enhance Your Garden Decor With a Fountain

August 4th, 2009

Enjoy the calming sound of a stream or waterfall with the addition of a fountain to your garden décor.  Most fountains are manufactured in fiberglass making them very lightweight and weather resistant.  They are available in contemporary designs with symmetrical shapes that are soothing and pleasing to the eye.  Probably the most popular style of fountain is the Romanesque urn sometimes with a woman standing on a pedestal.  Another common one is the lion.  More unique designs are available ranging from well pumps to comical figures and animals.  Some have the added beauty of lighting inside the fountain that reflects in the water.  This is particularly beautiful in the night.  One that is a great focal point is a fountain that has mechanisms that move with the running water creating fun and wonder to the observer.

Epcot.071809 (144)
Creative Commons License photo credit: bunnygoth

Getting to Know Lures for Bass

August 3rd, 2009

Finding the right bass fishing lure can be for some a headache, but a great deal in finding success with lures is learning more about the bass you want to catch.  To help you a little bit, here are some of the best brands in the fishing lures for bass market: BOOYAH, Vibra-Fix, X-Calibur and YUM.

There are many other great names, and on your way to become a successful bass fisherman, you might as well discover some gems, but these one have served more than OK t a great group of people.

Keep in mind my first advice though: get to know the fish you’ll catch.  If it serves you, ask this question “What would the bass find so irresistibly delicious?” Think about that and you’ll have greater chances of success.

Selecting a New Tackle Box

August 3rd, 2009

If you are an angler that is completely new to the sport, choosing which tackle box is right for you can be something of a challenge. With all the different sizes, shapes, and styles of fishing tackle boxes, the modern fisherman is truly spoiled for tackle box choices. Most fisherman will go for the simple tray tackle box, as they feature great storage capacity and are usually small and light enough for even the most mobile fisherman.

However, certain fishing styles, such as wading and fly fishing, demand the use of more specialized tackle boxes. For example, when fly fishing most anglers employ the fly box. Fly boxes are simple tackle boxes that feature foam inserts that the lures are stuck to. Another example is the pocket tackle box, which are very popular among ultralight fisherman.

Deer Hunters! Gear Up Now

August 3rd, 2009

If you’ve been laying around under the A/C waiting for deer hunting season to start, then you need to prepare now. Now is the time to get out and go through your gear. Check your treestands for loose hardware and rusted parts, check to make sure your rifle is still sighted in. While you’re at it, make sure your scope mounts are still tight and that your sling does not squeak. Check your bow for squeaks as well and make sure those broadheads are razor sharp. If you’re a blackpowder shooter, make sure your gun is still sighted in and that you have plenty of dry powder and ignition caps. It’s also a good idea to get out your hunting knife and clean it as well as sharpen it.

Pest Control: San Diego Needs it for Removal of Unwanted Critters

July 28th, 2009

Should you have wild animals on your property even snakes, there are organizations that will set catch and release traps. The animal will be taken to a safe haven and at least will save the animal from a painful unjust death. In South Africa there is an organization called “Free-Me” they offer an excellent service to the public – they will collect the animal, even if it is injured and relocate it back into a suitable habitat.

Before you eliminate a swarm of bees, rather call a bee catcher. Not only is this safer, and will prevent you getting stung, but you will also be helping the environment a far as pollination does. Without the bees, we will not have food or anything else to eat. We should all really consider this reality before ordering pest control san diego.

What is Fishing Line?

July 28th, 2009

Over the cource of human history, people have developed many ways of both enjoying themselves, and filling their bellies. One of these ways is the sport of fishing. When fishing, one at the very least employs a rod, a hook, some kind of fishing bait, and fishing line. Fishing line is any cord made or used when angling. What this means is the fishing line is what connects the bait to the rod, and allows you to hook and reel in the fish.

Because of sport fishing’s huge popularity, there are a vast number of different sizes, colors, and even chemical makeups of fishing line available. Choosing the right one can be quite difficult to the budding angler. Braided and super lines are often used when “big game fishing” or when fishing in abrasive cover. Fluorocarbon fishing lines feature much of the same strengths as the braided and super lines, but also become invisible in the water. Monofilament lines are a great all around fishing line.

Camping Chairs

July 27th, 2009

Searching for camping chairs can sometimes be a daunting process. There are lots and lots of different kinds of chairs out there and it’s easy to get confused as to what you should look for.

The first thing to consider when looking for a camping chair is what sort of camping you’ll be doing. If you’re going to be car camping – i.e., you will be able to drive right up to your campsite in your car or RV – then go for the biggest, most comfortable chair you can afford. If you’re going to be backpacking and will have a hike in to your campsite, then you’ll probably want to give up some comfort in order to get a lightweight camping chair that you can lug around easily.

Getting Started In Beekeeping

July 23rd, 2009
beekeepers Valeria and Massimo
Creative Commons License photo credit: wohack

If you are thinking about beginning beekeeping either as a hobby or as a business, you will be happy to that beekeeping is an interesting and rewarding hobby and can be a profitable business.

When people are starting with keeping bees they usually have two main questions.  The first is “Will I get stung?”  The answer to that question is simply “yes” but if you wear protective gear like shown in this picture you won’t get stung much.  So if you are allerigic to bee stings than getting stung is not a great option for you, but otherwise most people get used to the occasional sting.

The other thing that people usually want to know is how much time will it take.  This varies greatly depending on the amount of hives you have and how often you move them.  If you have just a few hives that you don’t move than beekeeping only takes a few hours a month at most.  If you are running a large operation, it can easily be something that you do full time.

Beekeeping is fun and interesting.  If it is something that you are thinking about doing then you should look into it more.  You will be happy that you did.

Barbecue Under Solar Lights

July 21st, 2009

It was barbecue whether but Grant found that he was not able to enjoy his garden as much as he thought he would because despite the barbecue area being well lit, the rest of the garden was shrouded in darkness.  He thought he had the answer though.  That very day whilst wondering around the hardware store he had seen some solar lights.

Not just any old solar light, but solar lights for your garden.  This was just what he needed.  They were easy to install, they came on automatically each evening, and they required little or no maintenance.  This was just what he wanted.  He could now light his garden and have some mates over for a barbecue and they could sit, eat, chat and enjoy the garden too.

Protect Under Your Deck

July 13th, 2009

If you are like most homeowners, you really could use more outdoor space for entertaining and your own enjoyment. If you have a deck with a porch underneath, chances are that you wish you could really use this space more efficiently.

Well, you can! With under deck waterproofing systems you can turn any once unusable and unsightly space into a dry and great spot for entertaining.

An under deck waterproofing system is like a ceiling for the deck above your porch. When it rains, you can’t really use that space. However, the deck ceiling will take any rain or debris and divert it away from that space. It will also hide those ugly deck boards above your head and give you a custom look that more people will love to be around.

How To Field Dress A Rabbit With Your Hunting Knife

July 9th, 2009

 

Leafeater
Creative Commons License photo credit: ibm4381

Field dressing a rabbit is not very difficult, but there are a few things to keep in mind before you start. Wear latex or vinyl gloves if possible. Always use clean water and keep the carcass away from twigs, leaves, dirt, mud or other contaminants. Use clean, sharp hunting knives because a dull knife is more dangerous than a sharp knife. Skin the rabbit before starting the gutting process.

First,  remove the urine by holding the rabbit, head up in one hand around the chest and taking your other hand and placing it around the abdomen. Gently stroke downward to expel the urine. This is done so the urine doesn’t contaminate the meat. Next, take your hunting knife and make a shallow incision about three quarters of an inch long starting  just below the rib cage. Take two fingers and insert them into the incision. Tear the opening to about three inches long. It is done this way to make sure you don’t puncture the entrails with the knife and contaminate the meat.

Grad the rabbit around the chest with one hand and by the back feet with the other. Now, raise it to shoulder height and swiftly swing the rabbit downwards to remove most of the entrails. They will still be attached at the front and rear however. Just pull the attached part in the rear and it will break loose. The front part must be removed by placing one hand around the ribs and grabbing the stomach with the other hand. Gently remove the stomach while being careful not to puncture it. You now have a gutted rabbit ready to be chopped and cooked.

What Gear Do I Need For Fishing In Streams

July 4th, 2009
Its all in the wrist
Creative Commons License photo credit: Dave-F

If you’ve decided to take a stab at fishing in rivers and streams you will need to change your selection of fishing gear just a bit.  You should consider using a lighter weight rod and reel as most small rivers and streams produce fish that are not as large as those found in lakes and large ponds.  Try out some ultra light rods and reels or a fly rod if you are up for some real challenges fighting smaller fish.  Your selection of lures will also be different as most of the time you will be fishing in water from 4 to 15 feet deep and don’t require deep diving fishing lures.  I will typically use live bait when fishing from the banks or wading in a stream.  I find crayfish, shiners, and night crawlers to be especially good baits for catching small mouth and large mouth bass on moving bodies of water like this.   Don’t forget to bring a good set of fishing waders to keep you dry and warm.  Many streams are much colder than lakes and you will want a quality pair of waders to keep you from getting hypothermia.  If your waders dont have attached boots double check your wading shoes to make sure the soles are in good condition , rocks and river bottoms get very slippery.