St. Augustine, FL-A Great Place To Get Away To

Castillo de San Marcos, St.  www.oldcity.com

     As much as I like the 'city life', it can be exhausting. Between traffic, crowds and noisy neighbors, it's not hard to see how being in the city can make you want to pull your hair out. Sometimes you just want to go to a place that is smaller and quiet, but where you can still have a good time. If you've just gone through something stressful like planning your wedding, you'll need to get away to preserve your sanity! My husband and I found such a place-St. Augustine, Florida. I hadn't heard of it before, but it's really just a great place to relax. If you want to go to a charming town with lots of stuff to do, that's a good place to start.

     If you ever visit St. Augustine, I highly recommend staying near the bay. My husband booked the honeymoon suite at a bed and breakfast called the Bayfront Marin House. Their 'honeymoon package' included a nighttime ride in a horse-drawn carriage. Since Florida has mild winters, the fact that our wedding was in January wasn't a problem! It was actually quite beautiful. There are all kinds of great restaurants within walking distance-High-end Cuban, Irish pub, seafood, you name it. I think our favorite was a 'mom-and-pop' seafood restaurant across from our suite. Having grown up on the beach, I have an appreciation for seafood that isn't from one of the 'big chain' restaurants.  The fact that it was on the end of a pier made it even better, because you had a beautiful view of the bay! I've never seen a Red Lobster with a view like this...have you? :)

     St. Augustine is also a lot of fun for history buffs. Being an early Spanish settlement, it's the oldest city in the United States. You can go on narrated historical tours of the town if you'd like, but you can also wander around on your own. The Spanish watchtower at Fort Matanzas and the Castillo de San Marcos (the government center of the empire) are very well-preserved, so you can get a good idea about what life was like in the early days of the city. The architecture is simply stunning, especially considering that it's over 400 years old! There is also the Lightner Museum and the Ripley's Believe It Or Not Museum, which are good places to go if you have an affection for the truly unusual. I'd suggest skipping the 'shrunken head' exhibit if you've just eaten, but the stained-glass and crystal items are simply gorgeous! If wax figures are your thing, there is also Potter's Wax Museum. The figures of people are so life-like that you just want to go up and touch them. We have a friend who is a dead ringer for Earnest Hemmingway, so it was kind of creepy seeing that statue! :)

     For people who just like to shop, St. Augustine has a very nice historical district with all kinds of small shops and eateries within walking distance. Like many waterfront towns, there are the cute little shops that sell gaudy souvenirs, salt-water taffy and homemade fudge. What was exceptional, though, was that some of them held classes on how to pull your own taffy or make your own candies! If you're into the paranormal, you can take one of the 'ghost tours' through some of the haunted buildings and alleys. They aren't 'silly-scary' like the haunted houses at the county fair, but there is definitely a fun 'creepiness' in the air!

     If you want a great honeymoon destination or just a fun place to relax, St. Augustine is a quiet Florida town with plenty of variety. Unfortunately we were only able to stay a few days, so we didn't get to do everything. If you want to know more about the city or plan a vacation, visit www.oldcity.com.

Find Great Travel Deals, Part II:

Next to airfare, lodging is the next biggest travel concern. If you're a leisurely traveler, it's fine to take your chances. For the rest of us, having a solid reservation eases some stress. Skip a hotel's toll-free reservations line and negotiate directly with the hotel. Don't settle for the first rate you're offered. Inquire about corporate, military or other special rates and let the hotel know if the price you've been quoted is still too high.

Select a hotel just outside a major city. Rates tend to be cheaper, but you're close enough to get into the city when you want to. Consider the obvious regarding timing and adapt your stay. Resorts are busiest on weekends, but downtown hotels aren't. Ask whether parking is free. At $10 a day for parking, the cost adds up fast. A well-located but more expensive hotel could remove your need for a car rental. Try staying at a bed-and-breakfast inn, especially at international destinations, where they can be cheaper than hotels. Or consider a hostel.

In the driver's seat (literally):

Like finding a low airfare, landing a rental-car deal is no small feat. It's typically cheaper to rent online than to phone or walk in, however, so again, do your homework. If you're heading for international locations or big U.S. cities, consider whether you need a car at all. For a fraction of the cost of driving and parking, you may be able to use public transportation or take taxis. If you decide to drive, consider these suggestions:

Don't limit your search. Start with the major travel sites (see above), then check the rental companies' sites for specials. Once you've booked, check back periodically to see if you can get a better deal.  Don't forget to figure in taxes. Government-mandated charges can make up 20% to 40% of the total bill. Review your auto-insurance policy and your credit card's benefit guide to see if you're covered in an accident with a rental car. Take the time to circle the car and look over the interior before you drive off and note any scratches, dents or stains, to avoid getting billed for someone else's damage.

Now you're traveling:

Once you're happy with your itinerary, take time to think about the details: At your destination, walk anywhere that would take 30 minutes or less. You can sample the local cuisine with less guilt and save money, too. For meals on vacation, decide what is important to you and spend your money on those things. If breakfast is not a big deal, stop at a grocery for bagels or fruit. Why spend $15 or more on a breakfast buffet when what you really want is fresh lobster for dinner? Do we really need to tell you to avoid the hotel minibar? Electronic sensors at some hotels now automatically bill your room even if you, or one of your children, simply picks up an $8 bottle of water and puts it down. Assuming it's the old-fashioned kind, you can try replacing cheaply the next day what you couldn't resist the night before. Pack some snacks as well as a book or MP3 player in your carry-on luggage. If you run into delays, you can still be comfortable while you wait. Headphones are also a great way of warding off bores sitting next to you in flight.

Getting Your Kids Involved In Fishing:

Are you having trouble getting your kids involved in going fishing with you and your spouse? Most children are naturally drawn to the water, and the chance to get out on a boat can be a big thrill. If you’re a my-way-or-the-Intracoastal-Waterway kind of captain, you run the risk of turning them off of boating. The key is to get them involved in every aspect from the planning to hands on crew responsibilities. This is even more important for kids who may be reluctant to hit the water. Let them help you and learn from you, and you’ve got a crewmember for life.

Here are some ideas to help get your children, grandkids, nieces and nephews, etc. involved in your boating lifestyle. Obviously the responsibilities will need to be age-appropriate. And be prepared to add new tasks when they’ve honed their skills at the first assignments. You don’t have to tell them that they’re learning responsibility and teamwork, but rest assured they will be getting some great “teachable moments.”

Get their help in creating a pre-launch checklist. If they had a hand in putting it together, they will be especially vigilant about checking for the appropriate number of life jackets, test the battery charge, and always verify a properly secured drain plug. Teach them to tend the fenders, dock lines and how to stow them the proper way. Let them see you communicating with dock hands at a marina or gas pump station so they understand how the system works. Once they master the hand signals and nuanced gestures, they will get in the proper position before you have to say a word.

Make sure they are familiar with the basic boating terminology. You wouldn’t take them to a foreign country without coaching them on basic communication skills, would you? Take the time to clarify fore and aft, port and starboard, lee and windward, etc. It will help them feel like they’re one of the “insiders.” Always look for an opportunity to reinforce the “why.” Children are learners. You may have noticed they don’t respond well to “because I said so.” Why not explain how the safety equipment works. Or show them how the trim affects the ride of the boat. They thrive on “behind the scenes” knowledge. Show them how to operate the VHF radio to communicate with other vessels, the dock master or the local boating law enforcement. It’s important they know the proper etiquette, plus they will love the chance to communicate with others via an “official” microphone.

Give them their own “log book,” an unofficial record of your travels, complete with destinations, time of departure, passenger manifest, and illustrations they create to remind them of their trip. Later, they can add photos from the day to remind them of the highlights. With a boatload of responsibilities for the safety and well-being of your passengers, it’s a natural reaction for the captain to take on all (or nearly all) the duties yourself. But remember that your family (especially kids) thrives when given a task to complete that helps make the outing a success. As long as you clearly explain what needs to happen, and resist the urge to constantly “advise” your crew, you can help make boating a family-friendly activity and keep your crew fired up about the next trip.

Annual Motorcycling Events

 

If you've read one of my earlier posts about motorcycling (http://www.womensoutdoorlife.com/2011/11/womans-guide-to-motorcycling.html), you'e seen that it isn't as scary as one might think. It can actually be a lot of fun! If you're wondering where or when you'd use your newfound steel horse, there are plenty of events each year where bikers from all over get together to socialize, 'talk shop' and even raise money for charity.

Each year, the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation holds its Ride For Kids in various parts of the country. Along with corporate sponsors such as Honda Riders' Club of America and GEICO Insurance, riders raise money toward research for a cause and cure for childhood brain tumors. The minimum donation to participate is $35, but there are all sorts of premium items (hats, t-shirts, helmets etc) for people who raise more money. Even if you don't want a hat or t-shirt, however, you can take home with you the fact that you've helped fund a cure for brain tumors in children. Since the events are held in areas ranging from south Florida to Los Angeles to Puget Sound, WA, it's easy to find an event near you. For more information, check out http://www.pbtfus.org/rideforkids/.

One annual event that I find particularly interesting is Myrtle Beach Bike Week. I like these events because the Myrtle Beach, SC area is a very nice place to take a vacation. While the name would imply that it only happens once a year at the same time every year, this isn't true. In order to avoid the madhouse that is Myrtle Beach in the summer, they alternate years between having it in the fall and in the spring. It also spans areas from Florence, SC to the NC/SC line, so there are plenty of places to stay outside of the city. There are live bands, specials on accommodations and restaurants, and even a Mothers' Day ride to honor the 'biker moms' in our lives! My father and uncle have ridden in this event a few times; I grew up about an hour away! Myrtle Beach and the surrounding area is home to some of the best restaurants and hotels you'll ever see, so it's definitely worth your while to visit! For more information, go to http://www.myrtlebeachbikeweek.com/.

If you've always wanted to see the whole country, there is the Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge. Named after the battle cry of Sioux warrior Crazy Horse, this annual race takes participants through 48 states and some parts of Canada. For example, the 2012 route will go from Las Vegas, NV to New York City. The route is less than 6000 miles, but you can join at any stop if you don't want to go the whole way. There's one rule, though-no speeding! This is not for the faint of heart, but can be a very rewarding experience for those with a strong sense of adventure! For more information and to register participants, visit http://www.hokaheychallenge.com/index.html.

These are just a few of the many annual motorcycle events you can join if you want to get outside with your bike and see the country in the process. If you'd like to find out if there are any rallies or events near you, check out http://www.motorcyclelife.net/ and http://www.lightningcustoms.com/. If you are more interested in a charity ride, visit http://www.travelingbikers.com/charities.html for a list of events and receiving charities. If nothing else, it's a great way to meet people!

The Benefits of Practicing Meditation

In this day and age nearly everyone, young and old needs to take a few minutes each day to slow things down a bit. Jam packed schedules on a daily basis can run the body and the mind down very quickly, which can also lead to having a high amount of stress. Along with high stress, follows high blood pressure and several other health ailments such as chronic fatigue and headaches as well. All of these can be avoided by maintaining your stress levels by participating in meditation.

Meditation can be achieved in the comfort of your own home. It only requires but a small window of time during your busy day and a quiet space to relax in. You can begin the practice meditation on a mat or carpeted area on the floor and sit with your legs crossed as you would when you were a child. Begin by breathing in and out slowly and start to relax the muscles in your body. Instantly, you will feel the difference when you diffuse the tension that you contain on a regular basis in the shoulders and neck areas.

You can purchase in any local department store various meditation techniques and practices to have a more broad spectrum of exercises to utilize. Online you can also find numerous resources for meditation all for no cost at all as well. Several websites will be ones that are specific just for meditation and many others you can locate through yoga and Pilates websites also. Buying a mat can also greatly help your routine by giving you a comfortable place to sit on. Comfort is a must when practicing these breathing techniques to gain the full effect of them. Wear lose or soft clothing pieces that do not bode many zippers, buttons or tight fitting material to allow you to reach your fullest inner peace.

Some that meditate do so on a daily basis, they feel it empowers them and releases those good feelings in their minds and throughout their bodies that brings them to a center of tranquility to get through their day. Others use the breathing a few times per week and that is plenty for them, it is best to practice it when you know you will have a set time each day when it will work best for you. Meditation is a form of exercise, and it can bring many benefits to the body by engaging in it on a regular basis. Lower levels of stress, improved heart rate, better clarity to think precisely during the day and many find they lose weight as well. Meditation can also help your sleeping habits, it is a calming remedy that can be performed during the day or just before bed if you prefer. Chanting or humming while practicing meditation can be an added boost, but it is not necessary to reap all the benefits. It is a good idea to start off with a short meditation session first on a day when you can enjoy the results and truly see how your body reacts to it. From there, make a schedule and commit to practicing your meditation exercises as often as you like!

Golf Gifts and Gallery Electric Putting Partner

The Golf Gifts and Gallery Electric Putting Partner is one of the best electronic putting systems on the market for the affordable low price. This unit offers three different scoring zones that are numbered 1, 2, and 3 for easy identification. This electric putting partner also gives the user a wide entrance zone to aim the golf ball at when practicing a put. This unique electronic putting system has many advantages to offer the user.

One of the greatest advantages to using the Golf Gifts and Gallery Electric Putting Partner is that it will help you to improve your putting game. Utilizing this putting partner on a consistent basis can help you to improve your aim and your skill in terms of putting, which will ultimately improve your skills overall as a golfer.

Another benefit of using this specific electronic putting system is that the ball return feature is extremely accurate. The strength level can be adjusted on the unit to change to the level that best fits the distance that you would like it to return to the ball to. The strength level ranges from short to a fairly long distance.

There is no excessive noise or sound that is caused by the Golf Gifts and Gallery Electric Putting Partner, which can be great if you are using it inside of the home or with other people in close proximity. The product does not make any type of constant sound when it is plugged in and while it is in use.

Another great feature of this electric putting assistant is that it is very light in weight. This product weighs in at right around one pound in total. Because it is so light weight, it is easily moved to different locations to practice your puts on different surfaces.

In addition to being light in weight, the Golf Gifts and Gallery Electric Putting Partner can be used in virtually any location. Whether you want to use it to relax at the office or to work on your putting skills in the family room, the small size of this product makes this possible.

One of the things to watch out for if you are using the Golf Gifts and Gallery Electric Putting Partner is that the ball can roll right over the product if it is hit with too much power. Be careful not to hit the ball at the putting partner with excessive force to prevent this issue. A second hitch can arise if the golf ball is hit without enough force at the unit. This may cause the ball to rest on the back of the unit instead of finding its way into the retrieval and being sent rolling back to you.

Regardless of your skill level in the game of golf, the Golf Gifts and Gallery Electric Putting Partner has the ability to progress and perfect your putting abilities. By using this product on a regular basis, you will start to see an improvement in your abilities on the golf course.

Looking For Useful Putting Tips?

If you want to get to the PGA tour, or just improve your game to show off to your friends, you’re not going to get there from only having a strong drive. Your putting game is just as important. So what’s the best way to enhance your put? Here are a few tips to lead you in the right direction:

1) Pick the perfect putter - In order to get the golf ball where it ultimately needs to go, you need to have the right equipment. A square-to-square putter should be used if you need the putter to stay square to the path from your ball to the hole. Tiger is known for his square-to-square putts. Other golfers, like Lee Trevino and Ben Crenshaw, find success in using the open-to-closed putter. The back of the club is open and closes as you swing the club through. Another choice is the closed-to-open putter. With this putter, your upper-body guide the blade and hold it open as you sing through.

2) Practice Drills - Practicing eye-hand coordination is going to help your putting immensely. One drill, called Eye on the Dime, forces the golfer to work on his follow through by placing a dime under the ball. Throughout your stroke, to try and avoid watching the ball after it is hit, keep your eyes focused only on the dime. Another drill, especially useful for three foot putts or longer, are to imagine that there is a bulls-eye behind the hole. This forces you to hit the ball with enough inertia to make it to the hole in a straight line. Another great putting exercise is to putt with your eyes closed. By doing this, your senses are overloaded and you feel the movements that your body is making. You feel your muscles work together and take note of what muscle group is focused and when. While doing this, try to focus on keeping your head still as well. This is a great tip that you will be more aware of while you are putting if your eyes are shut. Rolling your ball into the hole is another way to practice getting comfortable with the amount of force required to get the ball to the hole.

3) Technical Tips - After you’ve picked your putter and practiced some drills, you will be ready to focus on the more technical aspect of the game. For example, adding an arc to your putt will be very useful if your square-to-square game is struggling. To do this, keep the toe of your putter on the green and aim your putter to open and close in a smooth, transition motion to the green’s arc. Another successful way to enhance your putt is putting through the gates. Place two golf balls approximately 6 to 12 inches apart and one foot ahead of your ball, then strike the ball. This gives your mind the mental picture of having ‘bumpers’ and the line between your ball and the hole doesn’t seem so vast.