I always take my dogs hiking and over the past decade I have developed a hiking trail in the remote back country where we live. My dogs, Buddy and Caleb, absolutely go crazy when they see me getting ready for a hike as they enjoy the back country as much if not more than I do.

Buddy

Buddy is a American Eskimo Dog, a small to medium-size Nordic-type dog known for its bright white coat, jet black points (lips, nose and eye rims) and erect triangular ears. He is an amazing dog and loves to run. His white coat always turns a dingy brown from him running up and down the trail and through the brush. But by the time we get back to the house his is always miraculously white again.

Caleb is a small Terrier mix who thinks he is much bigger then his actual size. He is a true mountain dog and loves trying to keep up with Buddy. I have to keep Caleb on a leash for most of the hike because he thinks he can tangle with the coyotes the way Buddy does.

Caleb

The trail we hike is between 5 – 6 miles long weaving in and out of the trees and open space of the mostly private land that I have hiked for years. Occasionally we will come across one other hiker that lives in the area that found our trail a couple of years back. He hikes with his Bulldog Max. Max, Buddy and Caleb are always very excited to see and play with each other.

We always come across several of the local wildlife from deer, bobcat, raccoon, fox, squire, rabbit, coyote, porcupine and a occasional skunk. Whenever we come across a coyote Buddy will chase them off. I never let him leave my site and a quick whistle always brings him back.

We always experience something different on our hikes and most of the time I run with the dogs. Trail running is one of my exercises I do to keep in shape for riding the ATV. But in the fall I just like to hike and enjoy the sights. Every season offers different experiences, sights and smells.

Maybe its me but I notice the air always seems fresher, crisper in the fall. The dogs seem to enjoy the cooler temperatures more also. The last part of our hike is across a wide open meadow. It is here that I usually unhook Caleb from the leash and let him run with Buddy for the remainder of the hike.

Occasionally I will play hide-n-seek with the dogs. When they run off in the meadow with each other I will run back into the trees and hide. It usually does not take them long to find me and they jump all over me excited to find me.

Fall hiking with my dogs is a favorite activity of mine and I sure with others also. Not only is it healthy to do but it also offers so much more. Don’t keep your dogs cooped up in the house or kennel get them outdoors on a hike in the back country. It will do you both good.

There was six of us for this ride and I have been on several rides before with this group before. The staging area is at about 9,500 ft and today we are going to climb to over 13,000 ft. After we got unloaded and greeted each other for a bit we were ready to hit the trail about 9:30am.

The beginning of the trail is the only treed section we would ride and basically runs parallel to some power lines. We passed several dispersed campsites and a couple of stream crossings before reaching the timber line. Once above the timber line you could see several remnants of old mining sites including the Waldorf Mine and the Santiago Mine.

The town of Waldorf was established back in 1868 and the Argentine Central was the railroad that serviced the area. Early 1900 tourists used to ride the Argentine Central to the top of McClellan Mountain. The railway ceased operations in 1918 and the rails were removed in 1920.

We followed the old railroad grade to the top of McClellan Mountain. As we stood at the top admiring the view, the wind was blowing up the northern face and it was very cold looking over the edge. But when you stepped away from the edge the temperature warmed up significantly.

We rode back down the old railroad grade and over to the Santiago Mine which still had many of the structures still standing. Just below the Santiago Mine is the site of the Waldorf Mine and the area where the town of Waldorf once stood.

We made our way over to the basin made by Argentine Peak and Mount Wilcox. Mount Wilcox was named after Captain Edward J. Wilcox, a prominent figure in the Georgetown area and played a vital role in the development of the Waldorf Mine and the Argentine Central railroad.

After enjoying the views of the basin we rode up to Argentine Pass. On the ride up to the pass it started lightly snowing. At the top of Argentine Pass the trail turns into a hiking and mountain biking trail down the back side. Like most of the mountain passes in Colorado the view was spectacular.

There was a jeep and another ATVer at the top. We saw a few others on the trail but for the most part we had the trails to ourselves. On a warmer day I could see this area being very crowded with OHVs, ATVs and motorcycles. We arrived back at the staging area around 2:30pm.

Santiago Mine

It was a good day of ATV riding and we all were prepared for the colder temperatures. The Argentine Pass/McClellan Mountain area only has about 25 miles of fairly easy trails but the views and the sites make up for the lack of challenge the area has.

RV Camping – This form utilizes an RV or Recreational Vehicle which is basically a self contained home-away-from-home on wheels. RV’s have many of the modern conveniences found in your home like a stove, refrigerator, bed, bathroom with shower, heater and even air conditioning. Most are equipped with a generator for power. Camping areas are limited to public campgrounds in most cases.

Camping Trailer – Similar to an RV with all the conveniences of home but these trailers are pulled behind your vehicle. Once at the campsite the trailer is disconnected from the tow vehicle and leveled for use. Camping areas are limited to public campgrounds in most cases.

Car Camping – This form of camping can utilize a tent or individuals can sleep in their vehicle which is parked at the campsite. This form typically is for first time campers and does not require the purchase of much gear.

Bicycle or Motorcycle Camping – Lightweight camping gear is loaded on a bicycle or motorcycle which allows for greater distances into the back country than backpacking although less capacity for storage. This is primitive camping using a tent or just sleeping under the stars.

Backpacking – This form of camping use lightweight camping equipment that can be carried long distances on foot. Backpackers usually hike long distances across varying terrain, camping at remote spots along the trail. Due to limited space and weight campsite conveniences are very limited.

Canoe/Kayak Camping – This form of camping is similar to backpacking and motorcycle camping with the only difference being that canoe or kayak is used as a mode of transportation to carry weight in place of a backpack. Again due to limited space and weight campsite conveniences are limited.

ATV Camping – Like Motorcycle camping, backpacking and canoe camping except more gear can be loaded on an ATV and it can be utilized by more people like the elderly and handicapped. ATV camping is primitive camping with the ability to have more campsite conveniences like chairs, coolers and tables.

Winter Camping – This form is more of a seasonal type of camping but due to the often extreme conditions such as cold temperatures and snow it requires different gear to be used such as tents, sleeping bags and clothing. Winter camping requires more preparation and survival training.

Glamping – This type of camping is like staying at a resort in the back country. Luxurious tents and sleeping accommodations are already setup and meals are cooked and served by gourmet chefs. This is tent camping with all of the conveniences of a 5-star resort.

Camping is a popular way to enjoy the outdoors and experience nature at its best. There are many forms of camping and I have listed a few here. Properly equipped it is very satisfying for people young and old. What form of camping do you enjoy? For more information and all of your camping needs visit CampingATV.com by Clicking Here.

Ever find a trail that just keeps going and going? Having the ability to carry extra fuel eliminates the worry of running out and allows you to continue on your journey. But bulky gas cans can be obtrusive and difficult to secure to your ATV, plus most are not designed for the rough ride on an ATV.

Rotopax has been manufacturing ATV fuel packs for several years. Rotopax is the leader when it comes to durable storage solutions for carrying fuel, water, and more on your ATV, UTV, OHV and motorcycle. Also, they are the only EPA and CARB approved rotationally molded portable fuel containers.

Rotopax flat storage containers were originally designed for use on ATVs but with their unique mounting hardware they can be securely mounted on almost any type of vehicle. Their low profile make them un-obtrusive to the rider and allows for many more miles of riding.

Rotopax makes flat containers in many sizes including 1, 1.75, 2, 3 and 4 gallon. The 2 gallon sizes are a color-coded modular design that interlock with each other allowing you to have a custom configuration of gas/water or several other configurations. The result is 2 – 2 gallon packs that when connected together are the same size as the flat 4 gallon pack.

For ATV camping the durability of the Rotopax fuel packs allows your camping gear to be stacked on top of them without the fear of leakage. You can even stack the fuel packs with the pack mount extension for an extra long camping trip in the back country.

Exploring new trails, riding areas and ATV camping are just part of the enjoyment of riding ATVs. When you are prepared you help make it a stress-free and trouble-free experience. Riding a new trail that goes on and on up over the horizon and noticing you are almost out of fuel kind-a puts a damper on the ride.

On your next ride in the back country eliminate the concern for fuel with an ATV fuel pack. Find out where that trail goes that leads over the horizon or find that ideal remote, uncrowded camping spot you thought didn’t exist. Enjoy the happiness of owning an ATV.

What is this urge for me to be in the back country? Not everyone has this continuous desire to be one with nature at a remote campsite. But for me it is a mental cleansing I require, a purging of all the stress and negativity we are exposed to from today’s media channels, the TV news, radio and the internet.

After a couple of days camping in the back country I am re-energized and ready to face the challenges that reality has set forth for me. I try to complete and conquer as many of those challenges as quickly as I can because I know, deep down that soon the mountains will be calling again and I must go.

When I do go I try to venture into new areas I have not explored before to find new campsites. There is no such thing as a routine camping trip as there are no clocks or schedules to meet. There is just the sunrise and sunsets that we gauge our days by.

If it has been several weeks since the last camping trip I really start to get antsy and inpatient. My wife will notice subtle changes in my behavior and when she finally asks what’s wrong I respond “the mountains are calling and I must go”. It’s then that I start planning my next trip to the back country.

Then as the days count down before the trip, I am like a kid waiting for Christmas morning. My productivity at work declines because all I can think about is what new sights and trails am I going to experience on this trip.

By the day of the trip the mountains aren’t calling anymore….they are shouting “WHERE THE HELL ARE YOU!”. “I am all loaded up and heading your way!” I respond. When we get to the staging area and unload the ATVs it’s like a sigh of relief. “I’m here, now show me what you got!” I shout and away we go down the trail on our ATVs loaded with our gear.

I answered the call and ready for several days of ATV camping in the back country. Like I stated earlier, not everyone has this continuous desire to be camping in the back country. But if you are like me and you are sitting at home or at work listen very carefully and you can hear them…The Mountains Are Calling.

Click Here to browse our selection of ATV camping accessories.

Self Defense: The Color Codes of Awareness

Author: Imran ali

According to experts, self defense is based upon 90% awareness and the remaining 10% is the physical training.

The Color Code System was developed by Colonel Jeff Cooper. The purpose of these color codes is to help recognize, evaluate, and avoid potential threats. The following are the colors in ascending order of awareness of danger: white, yellow, orange, and red.

Code White:

• You feel secure, whether or not you are actually safe.
• Awareness is switched off.
• You are oblivious of your environment, its inhabitants, and their procedures of attack.
• All attackers look for victims in this state.

Code Yellow

• You are cautious and should spend most of the time in this state.
• Awareness is switched on.
• This is known as a state of threat awareness and relaxed alertness.
• You have a 360-degree marginal awareness of such environmental danger spots as secluded doorways, entries, and alleys, as well as such psychological triggers as adrenal dump and attacker tricks. Be aware of people, vehicles, behind large objects, dark areas, etc.

Code Orange

• You are in danger and aware of a potential threat.
• It is a state of threat evaluation.
• There is a specific alert which means a possible target has been identified. A particular situation that has drawn your attention and could present a major problem. Someone may be giving oral indicators such as direct threats or using suspicious language. Focus on the potential attacker.
• Check to see if there is an avenue of escape, or any potential weapons are available, and if others around you are friend or foe.
• Decision is made to take action.

Code Red

• You are in conflict.
• This is a state of threat avoidance.
• Fight or flight. Flee, defend, or attack. You have evaluated the situation, and if there is a threat, you prepare to fight or run.
• Never stand or fight if there is a possibility of fleeing.
• Carry out decision to act made in Code Orange. You don’t have to think; no indecision on the course of action; you are prepared.
• If use of physical self defense techniques is necessary, use the level of force appropriate to the threat.

Conclusion

To practice these codes then start right now, be in Code Yellow. Throughout the day, identify probable areas of danger and switch to Code Orange as necessary. If not threat exists then switch back to Code Yellow, awareness should be made a habit by doing this exercise regularly, as it is the most important self defense skill.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/self-defense-articles/self-defense-the-color-codes-of-awareness-1497836.html

About the Author

Grandmaster George Alexander Maughan offering online self defence videos, classes and courses for everyone, around the world. Check out http://www.defencecourse.com/.

Image by ATVCourse.com

When riding the trails on your ATV you should be in condition Yellow, you have a 360-degree marginal awareness of such danger spots as blind curves, other ATVs, animals, rocks, logs, branches and other trail debris. When encountering any danger spots you now have a point of focus and you immediately switch to condition Orange and possibly on to condition Red if the situation warrants.

Because trail conditions change and are sometimes unfamiliar and occupied by others, the need to pay attention is huge. By being mentally prepared most accidents can be avoided. The Color Codes Of Awareness will help in developing a mindset that will react appropriately to changes in your environmental surroundings.

Family Holiday – Benefits of Going Camping

By Judy Doiron

Do you have a holiday without anything to do or a weekend when you don’t want to do anything? How about taking your family holiday camping in the nature?

The main benefits for a family holiday in nature are:

#1: You and your family will become emotionally closer.

Camping is a great excuse for bonding with other people and especially with your family. That’s because while your family will be camping, each member will have his or her role. Every person will have to contribute with something.

#2: Reinvent your family life and make plans for the future.

Each individual has goals and aspirations. In the same way, a family can have goals and aspirations. Some of them are common to every family member and other goals are individual. One of the main purposes of a family is to help each other get better results than they could get on their own. When you are in the middle of nature with your family, it’s a great idea to fantasize and plan for the future. Come up with new goals and plans for their accomplishment.

#3: Become inspired by nature and recharge yourself.

It’s pretty easy to be and feel inspired while you are in nature. This is because you are in another environment. Your senses are attuned to the present moment because everything you are perceiving is new. As a result, you tend to think faster and more innovative.

#4: Eat healthier and lose a few pounds.

Most people have trouble losing weight because of their hectic schedule and lifestyle. While you are camping, you have a lot more willpower at your disposal that you can focus on eating healthy and less.

#5: The perfect weekly escape from your work schedule.

Some people say that camping is the best thing to do with their spare time. I don’t believe them. I believe that going camping each week is much better than just going camping once.

Camping is the perfect choice for a family holiday. Don’t waste any more time. I’ve already told you the benefits of why it’s so important to go camping with your family. Get busy, find the right camping site and plan your next camping trip.

Without the distractions of television, telephone, internet and alarm clocks, you will have a wonderful time. I’ll always remember something a dear friend of mine told me years ago, “Time spent in our great outdoors is time added to your life.”

Judy Doiron has been spending her summer vacation camping with her family for many years. Working hard all year with children going to school, sports schedule, homework, it might be hard to spend valuable time with your family.

Don’t spend your summer holidays at home, even if you don’t have a huge vacation budget, Camping in New Brunswick

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Judy_Doiron
http://EzineArticles.com/?Family-Holiday—Benefits-of-Going-Camping&id=7175072

All camping families agree that the summer holidays are for camping. If you are one of the families that spend the summer holidays at home barbequing in the back yard, move that barbeque to the back country and enjoy the benefits of camping. Don’t have any camping equipment. Click Here and browse the selection at CampingATV.com

It is not uncommon to see others on the back country trails and more and more I am see elderly people and people with physical disabilities riding ATV’s. Many are just out sight-seeing, while others are out to find that remote lake for a day of ATV fishing or that uncrowded campsite for ATV camping.

You see today’s utility 4×4 ATVs are engineering marvels, designed to handle the abuse of the trail while providing a comfortable ride for the operator. The features of a new utility 4×4 ATV help make the vehicle very easy to operate and handle.

Most new ATVs now have an automatic CVT transmission which are easier to operate, because the transmission takes care of the gearing in order to match acceleration and deceleration needs, riders don’t have to learn how to use a clutch, when to shift, and the proper timing required for operating a manual transmission effectively. The rider only has to shift an automatic between Park, Low, High and Reverse which is much easier and requires less specific knowledge.

All major brand utility 4×4 ATVs are available with optional electric power steering (EPS). EPS adds comfort, control and reduces fatigue. Another big benefit is the dampening effect that helps reduce handlebar kickback. Turning these ATVs require very little effort on the rider.

To improve the ride and stability of the ATV most manufacturers utilize rear independent suspension (IRS). IRS on the back country trails helps tremendously with the bumps because each tire absorbs them independently. With a solid rear axle when one tire hits a bump the other tire feels it also which can make the ATV hop sideways.

The 2-up ATVs have the extra suspension and length to handle two riders comfortably. These are great for couples and for taking the kids along for a ride. An ATV covers terrain much faster and easier than a full-sized vehicle. Also there are many trails that only allow vehicles of 50” in width or less.

So if you want to enjoy more of the back country but aren’t physically capable of hiking or biking long distances then get yourself a new ATV – It’s the best way to experience the back country. When it comes to adding accessories to your new ATV Click Here to browse the selection at CampingATV.com.

When I am in the back country there are certain things that catch my eye and I have to stop and take in the vision. The other day I was trail running with my dogs when something caught my eye high up in a tree. It was an owl sitting at the very top of a ponderosa pine tree. It sat there very majestically with a blue sky background and a couple of clouds.

This is one of the many visions of the outdoors I have. Some people are very good at capturing these visions with a camera to share with others. My problem is I always get caught up in the awe of the moment, mesmerized by the vision of the outdoors and forget about capturing the outdoor picture with a camera.

I am trying to get better but it is like nature has a hypnotical effect on me. Some of my favorite visions of the outdoors is at sun-rise and sun-set. These are natures way of welcoming in a new day and then later on closing out the day with a grand finale. I have just been too captivated to capture these moments with my camera.

Riding my ATV or camping in the back country has given me several opportunities to capture some other visions of the outdoors with my camera. Finding a mountain meadow, a mountain range off in the distance, wildlife,  a lake view or a stream all exemplify what the outdoors is all about here in Colorado.

But my visions of the outdoors may be totally different than someone else, like a lone flower in an open meadow, a dolphin swimming in the ocean, the desert cactus at sunset, or an open prairie for as far as you can see. Sometimes when I see images of other visions of the outdoors I think to myself of all the missed opportunities I had to take a picture but I was too mesmerized by the moment.

We all experience some pretty outstanding visions of the outdoors from time to time. I find it difficult sometimes to explain what I admire most about some of the scenery in the back country, I believe it is just the splendor of nature expressing herself. As my outdoor photography improves I will be posting more outdoor images.

What is your vision of the outdoors? Leave a comment below.

Last year the EPA initially was going to approve E15 fuel for 2007 and newer cars and trucks as can be seen from the brightly colored original warning label with easy to read contrasting text . This recent announcement approves E15 fuel for 2001 and newer cars and trucks as can be seen from the new smaller dull label with smaller text.

Ethanol increases the instability of gasoline due to its water-absorbing properties. It is particularly damaging to a vehicle that sits for a long period of time, like winter storage. The water absorbed into the fuel can cause corrosion to metal parts.

Ethanol is also a solvent and will loosen up rust deposits, caused by the corrosion, which can clog areas of the carburetor and fuel injectors. All the damage to your ATV caused from ethanol is not covered by the ATV manufacturer. Always read the label on the pump before you gas up!

There is an easy way to prevent damage caused by fuel containing ethanol. The use of a fuel stabilizer with E10 or E15 fuel each time you fill up will prevent corrosion caused by ethanol and help clean fuel injectors and intake valves. Also for long-term storage the use of a fuel stabilizer is highly recommended.

Fuel stabilizers are special fuel additives that can be used with any gasoline engine, including engines that use gasoline/oil mixtures and ethanol blends. There are many brands of fuel stabilizers available:

• Traveller®

• Sta-Bil®

• Chevron Techron®

• Sea Foam®

• Star Tron®

• Lucas

To complicate things, if a gas station offers E15 and E10 from the same pump you will be required to pump a minimum of four gallons of fuel. This is to dilute any remaining fuel left in the hose from the previous user.

This will pose a problem for ATVers and motorcyclists who don’t require four gallons of fuel or have four gallon tanks.

It’s highly unlikely that E15 fuel will start showing up at your local gas station anytime soon. This is because most gas stations will require a new separate corrosive-resistant underground tank for E15. Also with the current drought conditions, corn crops are suffering causing corn prices to surge upward. But whatever the case be prepared.

Always read the label on the pump before you gas up!

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