Recreation

How to Use -- Contents

Slightly Creaky does extensive research to find the links you would most likely need and provides them for you in an easy-to-find format. You can access the various categories from any of our web pages using the top or side menus. Each category has generalized headings, followed by more specific ones.

Categories

Updated July 9, 2008

There are many ways to categorize recreational activities. The simplify things, this page contains those dealing with what we generally consider to be either outdoor activities or video related. Please scroll down, use the index link, or use your browser's "find" or "search" feature to get the the area you are seeking. Many of these contain places you may want to visit or things you may wish to do with children or grandchildren.

Check the weather forecast before planning an activity:

        The Weather Channel              The Weather Underground

     AccuWeather             International Weather      BBC World Weather

Updates

We need your help

Although this list was complete on the date listed, many web sites change names or even close terminate their services. New ones start weekly. Should you discover a bad link or wish to suggest that we add one, please contact suggestions@slightlycreaky.com.

This listing is the result of more than 500 hours of research. It is the property of Slightly Creaky and may not be reproduced in any form. Every attempt has been made to provide an accurate description of each organization.

Additional Information


If you do not find what you are looking for, please suggest a new site for us to add to this section. We are always looking for viewer-suggested entries. You may also write to us at suggestions@slightlycreaky and let us know what you need. We will attempt to research the topic for you and, if successful, will send you several links by Email and add them to our site. We attempt to respond within 48 hours.

Caution - Proceed with care

We do not endorse any of the sites or procedures linked from this page, nor will Slightly Creaky be responsible for the content of such pages. We always advise our viewers to consider these web sites as references only. Please act responsibly.

"Wilderness" Activities

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Use Link to go directly to the Web site. In cases where there are many activities in a category the link will take you to a supplemental Slightly Creaky page.

"Wilderness" Activities

Camping     Hunting       Hiking & Backpacking
Also see the Boat & Sailing area of our Hobbies Sports Page
Also see Boating and Fishing at Recreation: Sports

Love the Outdoors "Experience the Rewards of the Great Outdoors! Camping, Hiking, RVing & more! "
Wilderness Survival Links to Internet sites that provide survival information.
Orienteering: How Not To Get Lost In The Great Outdoors "If you like the security of knowing you can handle problems dealing with personal safety and first aid, but are afraid of getting lost - fear no more. There is a way to fulfill your adventurous desires and know exactly where you are. It's called orienteering."
How Not To Get Lost "It can happen to the best outdoorsman: the trail disappears, directions get confused, a change in the weather forces you away from familiar landmarks. You can't seem to get your bearings. Suddenly the thin tether between you and civilization has broken. You're no longer just "getting away from it all." You're lost."
Camping

"Your ultimate resource for "everything camping." Find a campground or rv park, make online camping reservations, view travel guides, buy camping gear, and connect with campers. "
Camping.com
Reserve America "ReserveAmerica is the largest provider of campsite reservations in North America facilitating more than 3 million transactions at more than 100,000 campsites in 48 states. ReserveAmerica is also a leading provider of campground management tools to government and private campground operators offering clients comprehensive reservation systems including: website development, dedicated call-center services, database management tools, local campground management software, and marketing services. "
Go Camping America "It's easy to envision the ideal camping experience-but not everyone has actually experienced it. If your best recollection of camping is frozen toes, a deflating mattress and a large rock in the middle of your back, take heart! Camping has changed, and there's something for everyone."
Recreation.Gov: Camping "There is nothing quite like spending an evening away from home at one of America’s thousands of public land recreational area campsites. Whether you seek the solitude of a backcountry camping site or a convenient place for you and your family to pitch a tent or park an RV, there are plenty of places to camp in our parks, national seashores, lakeshores, forests, and wilderness areas."
GORP Camping Guide A complete web site dedicated to all things camping
Camping Tips "Camp life is made easier by gaining experience and learning the tricks. Here are some great camping tips and advice to help make your camping adventures more enjoyable."
Camping Tips "Nothing is sweeter than the smell of fresh outdoors. Nothing is more pleasurable than kicking back in the breeze or doing activities with mother nature. Lots of time has gone in to bring you the content on this site, so make sure to go through everything and take advantage of the camping tent reviews, camping supply reviews, and the many many tips we have to offer! "
26 Cheap Camping Tips "Backpacking and camping are awesome frugal activities. It costs nothing to take a hike. It costs a bit more to camp overnight, but even that can be done inexpensively."
Camping Checklist A printable list of camping supplies
Camping Checklist "Preparation is essential for any outdoor adventure. Having the necessary supplies and equipment can make a difference in your overall enjoyment and experience. Checklists are a great tool to help with your organization. Your camping list will vary according to the type of camping and activities you have planned, the places you are going, the time of year and the length of your trip."
Coleman Checklist "Checklists are a good habit to get into when you prepare for an outing. Print this one out, make your own additions, and maybe you can avoid that, "Oh, no, I forgot..." scenario."
Camping Recipes " View great camping recipes submitted by campers that visit this site. Give some of them a try on your next camping trip! "
Camping Recipes - Razzle Dazzle Recipes Main dishes, desserts, and more
Camp Recipes "Many meals can be done by advance preparation and cooking at home to help make camp meals an adventure, not a chore..."
Hunting
"We are the largest and most popular animal, hunting, fishing and archery information site on the Internet. According to ranking.com we are also the most popular after Cabela's with over 15,000 unique visitors per day."
Hunting Society
US Fish & Wildlife Service "Since the late 19th century, hunters concerned about the future of wildlife and the outdoor tradition have made countless contributions to the conservation of the nation's wildlife resources. Today, millions of Americans deepen their appreciation and understanding of the land and its wildlife through hunting. Hunting organizations contribute millions of dollars and countless hours of labor to various conservation causes each year."
Britain's Hunting, Shooting, and Fishing Website "We were almost certainly the first country sports website in the UK and we are still amongst the most popular - by far. Use the menu at the top of the screen to navigate the site. Our "Shooting" page contains details of the foremost sporting agents and guides offering the cream of British sport. For duck and goose hunters, the "Wildfowling" section is a must. "
Hunting Info "Hunters, get the information you need for hunting in any state. Access all 50 official wildlife agency Web sites. Find state-specific hunting information on season dates, application deadlines, license fees, hunter education classes, and more. "
Hunting Information by State and Subject "We try to provide you with the most complete information we can about where to get Hunting and Fishing Licenses. We try to update our sources constantly."
Hunting Season Links By State/Canada Click on any State or Provence
Dangers To Avoid During Your Hunting Trip "The wilderness is vast with many acres of undeveloped land. It contains its own version of muggers, robbers and most likely serial killers loose in it: it is no different from the urban jungle. Every action has its consequences and ignorance of the rules can get you into big trouble."
Hunting Dogs "This is a list of breeds that are often still used for hunting today"
The North American Versatile Hunting Dog Association "Our purpose is to foster, promote, and improve the versatile hunting dog breeds in North America; to conserve game by using well trained reliable hunting dogs before and after the shot; and to aid in the prevention of cruelty to animals by discouraging nonselective and uncontrolled breeding, which produces unwanted and uncared for dogs."
Hiking & Backpacking
 "American Hiking Society is the only national organization dedicated to promoting and protecting America’s hiking trails, the natural areas that surround them, and the hiking experience itself."
American Hiking Society
Hiker Central General Information about outdoor activities.
Beginner Backpacking Tips "Welcome beginner backpackers and hikers! This page is your information resource for outdoor gear reviews, trail reviews, and advice about backpacking tricks like how to pack a backpack or safely hike the backcountry. These tips will help you whether you're interested in back packing, hiking, camping, climbing, or just spending some time outdoors on the trail."
Backpacker Online magazine
Where to Hike US and around the world.
Backpacking and Hiking TrailHead " The Trailhead goal is to showcase some of the most informative backpacking and hiking related sites in the outdoor community. The overall general theme is traveling and camping in a manner that minimizes impact on the outdoor environment. "
Hiking Information "Here is the hiking information you need to decide if it is right for you, and to make it more interesting, enjoyable, and safe.Is hiking right for you? The introductory articles in the first section will help you decide. Already a hiker or know you want to be? The second section contains articles and hiking information on topics of interest to hikers of all skill levels from the causal day hiker to the long distance ultralight backpacker. The gear section of the web site focuses primarily on equipment, clothes, and materials for the more serious hiker, especial for those hikers interested in backpacking or overnight hikes."
Staying Found:
Lost-Proofing in the Outdoors		 "Before you leap into another season of hiking, camping, fishing, or biking, take a prudent first step: Get yourself and the rest of your family"lost-proofed.""
What is GPS and How Can it be Used "Many of you will have become familiar with GPS through its use in the car. Many motor manufacturers now make cars fitted with GPS as standard and the principles for its use in hiking, camping and, in fact, any outdoor activity are just the same - it helps you navigate a course from A to B."
Trail Descriptions & Trail Maps "This is the place to find hiking trails, mountain bike trails, road biking routes, running trails, walking trails, snowshoe trails, paddle routes, rail trails or just about any other type of outdoor activity. All of our 40,000+ trails have detailed route descriptions, custom trail maps, driving directions, and all the other details you need to plan your next trip into the great outdoors. "
Day Hiker "This site is dedicated to "extreme" day hikes that are rigorous, exciting, unique, with interesting sights and terrain. The Day Hiker philosophy is a minimalist approach to clothing, food, and equipment."
One Day Hikes "OneDayHikes.com - the best day hikes and hiking trails of the world." Includes hiking guides and photographs.
Hiking & Backpacking "to find info on hiker and backpacker activities. It’s also a fast way to find out who has the best deals on outdoor gear, including backpacks, hiking boots and shoes, clothing and accessories. We’re constantly searching the Web for best buys and good deals on outdoor gear, but we only recommend these deals if they are being offered by a well-known and trusted site. "
What to Take in your Hiking Pack "As an outdoor enthusiast, you have complete control over what you carry or what stays in the car - such as a cell phone, do you carry one? I wouldn't dare go in the backcountry without all of the items listed below as "Highly Recommend." What's In My Hiking Pack? Here is my list split into two categories with the weight of each item in ounces."
Hiking Equipment &
Camping Gear Review		 "I hope to help you avoid days of PAIN and FRUSTRATION because of bad hiking equipment, camping or backpacking gear. This site is chock full of researched recommendations and experience proven high quality information to help you make the best choice, and save you money in the long run."
And Bring Some Toilet Paper " To prevent Thomas from becoming fatigued I'd try to keep pack weight to less than 30 pounds. Sadly, there are many considerations that would have precluded Thomas from bringing an optimal hiking assembly, including the fact that many items listed below weren't available in the 1980s. Of course I'd want to supply him with a GPS device and cell phone but they wouldn't have worked in the Land. Other things like the magnetic compass and Suunto watch might or might not work reliably depending on the alternate Earth's physical characteristics. "
Outdoor Nature Hut
1. Never spit into the wind.
2. Never follow anyone who's eaten campfire beans.
3. Wet wood won't burn.
4. Fishing line makes excellent floss.
5. Marlin Perkins was a robot.
But what about the other dangers out there? The unknown? Do you know what to do in the face of Danger?
Winter Hiking and Avalanche Danger "Here are some tips for safer backcountry exploration in winter..."
Dangerous Travel "Many people enjoy spending their vacation in the wide open spaces of the great outdoors. For these individuals, camping and hiking are excellent choices for vacationing. Vacations are a time of relaxation and rest; a time of breaking away from the day to day. Both camping and hiking offer a chance for people to connect with nature and enjoy a more rugged lifestyle. Still, there are dangers to both camping and hiking."
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Organized Activities

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Organized Activities

Storm Chasing     Geocaching     Reenactment      Ballooning
Skydiving        Safaris         Rafting

Life Recreation “For the game of life.”
Recreational Ideas “Real adventures and real ideas.”
Storm Chasing


" We are the top-rated storm chasing page on the Internet. Our family of web pages averages over 1.4 million views per year!"
Storm Chaser
Stormtrack "Stormtrack's primary objective is to provide a venue for quality storm chasing discussion."
Tornado Chaser "There are some chasers out there that are a pain in the neck to everyone and it is getting to where it effects safety.  I had one officer tell me of chasers blocking the road for safety vehicles during a tornado.  Several chasers are now filming other chasers that are breaking the law and sending the video to local and state police.  Don't be one of the problem chasers, follow the rules and be courteous."
TornadoScapes Yes, it's commercial, but we know these people. Roger and Caryn Hill set the standard with state of the art equipment, placing the safety and comfort of their clients first, and they know the business of storm chasing. In fact, you learn more about weather just listening to Roger for one week than watching all the weather shows on TV for a year. Our son has toured with Roger six times already and will probably return with him again.
Storm Chasers " Storm Chasers are people who try to get close to storms for the purposes of observation or science. Chasers are usually amateur photographers, hobbyists and private citizens who pursue tornadoes and severe weather for personal reasons, often logging hundreds of miles during a single event. "
Who Can Chase Storms "Some chase for the scientific aspects, to measure the storms and attempt to gain data on the formation of tornadoes. Some go for journalistic reasons, to photograph and video the storms. Some are out for the thrill and excitement, similar to those who hunt big game. Are any of these reasons more valid than another? No. They are all reasons to chase."
Frequently Asked Questions About Storm Chasing and Tornadoes "Becoming a storm chaser can be as simple as choosing to do so. However, just going out and chasing storms can become hazardous to you in a variety of ways. If you go out without taking advantage of what has been learned about storm chasing, you are already behaving irresponsibly! My recommendation is to not do storm chasing! If you must try it, go out with an experienced storm chaser for at least one chase season, preferably more, before trying it on your own."
How to Become a Storm Chaser "Storm chasing has become popular with cable networks like The Weather Channel and movies such as Twister spotlighting this dangerous hobby. Storm chasers need a great knowledge base of weather science to be effective. Here are some tips on gaining the expertise to become a storm chaser."
Cows Don't Fly, But Cars Do "The 1996 hit movie "Twister" is ostensibly based on the work of tornado chaser Howard Bluestein. But there's not much similarity between the special effects-laden adventure movie and the real McCoy, says the modest University of Oklahoma meteorology professor and visiting scientist at the National Center for Atmospheric Research in Boulder, Colo. While much of Bluestein's work does involve driving hundreds of miles at the drop of a dime to chase one of nature's most elusive and unpredictable storms, there's also plenty of disappointment, waiting around and boredom."
Storm Chasing Ethics "Caravans of storm chasers with no experience, taking unnecessary risks, blocking traffic, driving dangerously, creating a general nuisance for law enforcement (getting on the radio saying, "Aunty Em, Aunty Em, it's a twista, its a twista!"), chasers becoming so excited that they make erroneous reports to NWS (National Weather Service) offices and the news media. Picture also dozens of chasers crowding NWS offices getting in the way of people who are trying to work, chasers screaming in ecstasy as a tornado churns through a mobile home park, and those persons that wish only to get the best and closest video to achieve bragging rights."
The Weather Channel Storm Chaser's Conference " At 9 AM, Chuck Doswell from the National Severe Storms Laboratory gave a presentation about chaser safety. Those who had never watched Chuck speak were in for a surprise. Let's just say that Chuck is a great thinker...and he's BLUNT in how he speaks. And rightly so. Chuck gave a fantastic presentation on storm chase safety: the dangers of core punching, the most dangerous aspects of storm chasing (lightning, auto accidents, the storm itself), and the individual hazards of each....."
Geocaching
" Using your GPS unit and/or written directions provided by NGS, which are available for review by the public, you can seek out NGS survey markers and other items that have been marked in the USA. At the top of peaks or in a village square, you probably walk by at least one every day. "
Official Global GPS Cache Hunt Site
GroundSpeak The Online Geocaching forum
The History of Geocaching "On May 3, 2000, Dave Ulmer proposed a way to celebrate the demise of SA. He hid a bucket of trinkets in the woods outside Portland, Oregon and announced its location in a posting made to the USENET newsgroup sci.geo.satellite-nav. This announcement is remarkable for laying out the essence of the hobby that is still in place today. It's all there. The container. The trinkets. The log book. The rule of take something, leave something, sign the logbook. Dave Ulmer invented geocaching in one fell swoop in that newsgroup posting."
What the Heck is Geocaching?  A Beginner's Guide "When I explain geocaching to friends the inevitable question is, "Well if the GPS gadget takes you to right where it is, what's the game?"  First, the gadget only gets you close -- typically about 15-20 feet away.  And, the cache is hidden -- either from geocachers to increase the challenge/fun, or to conceal it from muggles.  Muggles are the uninitiated -- people who don't know about geocaching, and may stumble on the cache and take it, ruin it, or throw it away."
Garmin Geocaching "Basically, geocaching is a high-tech version of treasure hunting. Geocachers seek out hidden treasures utilizing GPS coordinates posted on the Internet by those hiding the cache. Using a GPS unit, they then trek out into the backwoods or urban jungles to find the hiding spot of the cache. Once found, a cache may provide the visitor with a wide variety of rewards. If the visitor takes something out of the cache, they are asked to leave something in return. For some, the biggest reward is the thrill of the search and the discovery of a place that they have never been."
Geocacher University "You cannot deny that geocaching has significantly impacted the manufacturing of GPS’s. When Garmin first updated the eTrex to include geocaching icons it was big news. The world had noticed our little game. Now, entire models are marketed specifically for geocaching. Recreational GPS usage is a major factor in this high-tech marketplace."
Today's Cacher "It seems to me that when most people think of great caches, they think of epic hikes, tough hides, or unique containers. What I kept thinking of were the caches where I had the most fun, or maybe had some nice scenery. "
Reenactment
 "Historical reenacting is a great hobby!! And here on reenactor.Net, you will find information about historical reenacting all around the world. Now, you're probably thinking "You mean like the Civil War stuff?" Well, sort of... ANY time period you can think of is reenacted today and we cover them all!"
Reenactment
Historical Reenactment Events Diary "Here is a very healthy historical global re-enactment movement comprising of many Societies and Organizations dedicated to research and performance of varied periods in English History. It is the intention of the site to get as detailed a list of historical and reenactment groups as possible,"
A Cross-disciplinary
Glossary of Terms
for Historical Hobbyists		 "I have made note of the "origin" of most terms, these are simply the source where I first heard the term and may not be the definitive origin. Also, usage may vary around the country. I have tried to make some note of this, but some definitions may reflect the "Midwestern usage" since Minnesota is where we are based."
Ladies of Reenacting " We are proud to bring you this site that is dedicated to the ladies of living history and it has been created by two veteran re-enactors. Through our many years of re-enacting, there has never been a site that was dedicated to the ladies."
The Association for Living History, Farm and Agricultural Museums "Serves those involved in living historical farms, agricultural museums and outdoor museums of history and folklife. Since its founding in 1970, ALHFAM has been at the forefront of the growth and professionalization of the use of living history techniques in museum programs."
Call to Arms " International Directory of Historical Re-enactment and Living History "
Living History Society "We are an organization dedicated to the preservation of history through example. We portray, at present, eleven different eras of history."
The Society for Creative Anachronism " The SCA is an international organization dedicated to researching and re-creating the arts and skills of pre-17th-century Europe. Our "Known World" consists of 19 kingdoms, with over 30,000 members residing in countries around the world. Members, dressed in clothing of the Middle Ages and Renaissance, attend events which may feature tournaments, arts exhibits, classes, workshops, dancing, feasts, and more. "
Renaissance Fairs, Renaissance Festivals and Renaissance Faires "The Renaissance faires allow you to "go back in time". Faire-goers, or Rennies, enjoy dressing in the period costumes and speaking in the accent of the times (many do a very poor job at this, but they enjoy it none the less)."
At the Faire ""Posting renaissance festival stuff on the Internet since 1997!""
An Extensive Guide To Renaissance Faires & Medieval Festivals Around The World "Choose your pathway. From here you can find Faires & Festivals...links to Clans, Guilds, Re-enactment Groups, Musicians and more...webrings to follow...and even the Olde English Game of Farkle."
Renaissance Faire And Festival Guide "Come, step back to a time when romance and chivalry abound. Enter a magical world where knights, dragons and fairies play. Step back to a time where people take pride in their craft and trade. Come now and explore our renaissance faire!"
Renaissance Festival Forum "Welcome to the forums!  You've found the best place for fest info, and an even better place to meet us like-minded enthusiasts."
Renaissance Magazine "Renaissance Magazine is a print publication which features articles on history, castles, heraldry, culinary and herbal arts, and in-depth interviews with the movers and shakers of the re-enactment and faire communities. Regular columns review period books, movies, music, web sites, and games."
Ballooning
"We warn you: this sport is addicting! Once you go ballooning the first time, you're bound to be hooked. Say goodbye to sleeping in on weekends and say hello to a wonderful family activity!"
Hot Air Ballooning
Hot Air Balloons "Balloon pilots need a commercial pilot's license (fixed-wing). They must have at least 35 hours of flight instruction, attend ground school for basic aviation training, pass a written test for hot-air balloons and have a flight check from a Federal Aviation Administration official."
Hot Air Balloons USA "Floating in a hot air balloon feels as if you're suspended in the wind. The earth appears to be turning below. The horizon rises as you dip to kiss the treetops, then falls away until the landscape spreads to incredible dimensions. A mere whisper of wind on your cheek tells you that the balloon has changed direction, moving with the breezes through the crystal blue sky."
How Hot Air Balloons Work "If you actually need to get somewhere, a hot air balloon is a fairly impractical vehicle.You can't really steer it, ­and it only travels as fast as the wind blows. But if you simply want to enjoy the experience of flying, there's nothing quite like it."
The Official Site of the US Hot Air Balloon Team Commercial. "The United States Hot Air Balloon Company was launched in 1987 to provide, fly and maintain hot air balloons for the purpose of involving pilots, passengers and spectators in the sport of hot air ballooning."
Hot Air Balloons.com Here you will find a directory and calendar of hot air balloon festivals, rallies and events around the world.
The History Of Hot Air Ballooning "On the 19th September 1783 Pilatre De Rozier, a scientist, launched the first hot air balloon called 'Aerostat Reveillon'. The passengers were a sheep, a duck and a rooster and the balloon stayed in the air for a grand total of 15 minutes before crashing back to the ground."
History of Airships and Balloons "Hot air balloons were first flown by the brothers Joseph and Etienne Montgolfier as early as the spring of 1783. While the materials and technology are very different, the principles used by the earliest eighteenth-century experimenters continue to carry modern sport and weather balloons aloft."
Skydiving
 “Skydiving.com is North America’s premier Skydiving provider. Professional skydive information representatives are standing by to answer all of your questions about the Worlds most wild experience, Skydiving! Our experts are tops in the field and our network of preferred jump sites, the largest anywhere, stretches from coast to coast.”
Skydiving.com
National Skydiving Association "Find a certified safe Skydiving center in your area by browsing this list of NSA members. The National Skydiving Association has approved the following skydive training facilities. Skydive ONLY at SAFE approved skydiving centers."
Parachuting and Skydiving " Since it's inception, Skydiving has fascinated those adventurous enough to experience the exhilaration of freefall, along with those that are simply curious about those thrill seekers crazy enough to enjoy this constantly evolving sport."
United States Parachute Association The United States Parachute Association and its 31,000 member skydivers enjoy and promote safe skydiving through parachuting training, rating, and competition programs. USPA represents parachute jumping from aircraft and helps keep skydivers in the air.
Dropzone "Dropzone.com is the destination site for skydivers all over the world. We have established a personal relationship with the skydiving community and offer a wide range of skydiving features and services found nowhere else on the web."
Skydiving Magazine "Published continuously since 1979, Skydiving magazine is the authoritative, independent magazine published by jumpers and for jumpers. It contains the latest news on the equipment, events, techniques, people and places of parachuting. Each colorful monthly issue informs and entertains; it makes the sport safer and more fun for its readers"
Skydiving History "The first jump ever using a parachute was from a building, long before airplanes were built. Fauste Veranzio, a Hungarian, jumped from the Bell Tower of Venice, Italy in either 1595 or 1617 (accounts vary). He dropped over 300 feet under a parachute with a rigid frame, very similar to drawings made by da Vinci a century earlier. "
Skydiving Parachuting "The term – skydiving – is used for sports an air activity involving a freefall from height using a parachute. Skydiving is often used as synonymous with “parachuting,” but sometimes, less commonly, skydiving parachuting are used together. The skydiving parachuting also does mean a freefall from height using a parachute."
The History Of Sport Parachuting The ancient Chinese and Leonardo da Vinci are both credited with conceiving the idea of a parachute but it was in France in the 18th century that the first parachutes were made and used.
Skydiving Fatalities Query Engine "You'll need to select that option from the Query page. I'm also using resources at my disposal to add incidents from 1995 and before, predating when Barry originally started recording this information. I hope to have this data incorporated soon."
The Truth About Skydiving Deaths "Sadly, there are some skydiving deaths each year, but they are very rare in comparison to the number of jumps involved. It is estimated that there are roughly thirty skydiving deaths in the United States each year, an average of one death for every one hundred thousand jumps."
Safaris
 Due to lack of general information on the Internet, many of the sites listed here are commercial. We do not endorse any specific agency and include them only as examples. We highly recommend that if you are planning a trip outside your general area you speak to an expert and arrange travel through a professional agency.

NOTE>>
Tours in Uganda "We are a tour destination company, and has been a local tour operator for over 5 years, offering wildlife safaris, Gorilla tours , primate trekking safaris, white water Rafting, Birding safaris, mountain trekking and tailor made tours depending on the your needs."
Nature Trek "Real Adventure is the aim of our operations. We have exciting safaris that takes you to pristine wildlife areas where few travelers venture. We combine the abundant wildlife with the beauty of the varied cultures and dramatic landscapes to make your safari a memorable one. "
Trek North "Trek North Safari's is a locally owned and operated tour company. Established in 1991, Trek North has proudly been showing off the exotic and unique World Heritage Daintree Rainforest to thousands of tourists every year. Trek North really knows the Daintree!"
African Impact "Join a group of intrepid travelers and get involved in rural community work by building a bridge across a local river that when flooded in the rainy season cuts off medical assistance to several surrounding rural villages. Then venture out on a camel trek through some of Kenya’s most pristine wildlife conservation areas and finish off on safari in the world famous Masai Mara for encounters with the Big 5."
Australian Portfolio Australian Portfolio offers a premium collection of travels through Australia on behalf of Wilderness Australia,  a small privately owned travel company. We specialize in quality tailor made safaris and small group departures throughout our diverse environment. The majority of accommodation is hosted on outback properties, homesteads, small bush camps and lodges, each carefully chosen by us for its wilderness location, and for the unique insight that each offers into Australia’s natural environment.
Safari hunting – in Australia (PDF) "Most parts of Australia are cursed with at least a few species of feral animals, such as pigs, deer, goats, foxes or buffalo, and some people have a passion for hunting such game. Put the two together and you have a safari hunting industry. However, it’s not really that simple."
Australia Wildlife Viewing and Safari Vacations "We have compiled a list of wildlife viewing and safari vacations in Australia. If you are interested in any of these vacation packages, please contact the operator directly with any questions for ordering free brochures or booking. The list is updated frequently so visit often."
Welcome to Wildlife Viewing "Find information about 137 wildlife viewing destinations around the state and learn about a selection of Florida’s most fascinating wildlife species. Check out what is happening in our wildlife world by month, what you can do in your backyard to attract wildlife or how to maintain an earth-friendly habitat."
Alaska Wildlife Viewing From the state government, includes a list of animals and birds found in Alaska
Away.com "Regional Wildlife Guide - nature, birding, watching"
Wildlife Viewing in South Africa " Looking for things to do or places to visit based on your interests? The following are travel blogs about wildlife viewing in South Africa selected for quality by our editorial team and other travelers to help plan your vacation or holiday."
African Holiday Destinations and Safari Tours " Wildlife Africa is a South Africa based tour operator specializing in tailor made African safari holidays and tours. "
Mountain Biking and Wildlife Viewing Safari "This safari trip includes cycling, game viewing, day walks, cultural exchanges and drives outside the national parks. Maji Moto camp is a village campsite which we make our own, putting up a comfortable tented camp. It is situated 20minutes drive from...."
Top Safaris Trips This page is for Africa, but has links to every continent
Uganda A Unique Tourism Destination "Uganda enjoys one of the best climates in the world. It is sunny and green all year around with two distinct rainy seasons stretching from March to May and September to November. However, rain can occur anytime. The temperature average 27C with the highest being 31C in the Karamoja and Kasese regions and lowest being 15C in kabale"
African Safaris & Tours Includes information about African countries.
Rafting
 "Rafting.com is designed to provide visitors with helpful information about selecting a river trip and to develop an online community platform for the whitewater rafting industry. The river and rafting descriptions found in this website were based partly on the works of the some of the most authoritative whitewater guidebooks available. " 
Rafting.com
International Rafting Federation "The IRF is an assembly of national associations and organizations with the goal of  harmoniously developing, organizing and assuring rafting's future and that of international competition."
White Water Rafting "White water rafting is a great way to experience the forces of nature first hand. The thrill and excitement of paddling a raft through white water over fast flowing rapids and close to huge rocks will really get your adrenaline pumping. It's an experience thrill seekers everywhere should try - and is definitely not a sport for the faint-hearted."
How to Learn the Basics of Whitewater Rafting "Whitewater rafting does require some skills such as learning how to paddle and steer and basic water safety procedures but it’s not a particularly difficult pastime in general. "
Inflatable Technologies "The Latest News and Events for Rafting Enthusiasts"
White Water Rafting Trips and Trip Planning "Planning a whitewater rafting trip? Whether you are looking for a beginner whitewater rafting trip or are a seasoned, high-adventure whitewater rafting veteran, RaftInfo.com can help you plan your next river rafting adventure."
Dangers Associated with Whitewater Rafting:
Planning A Safe Rafting Adventure		 "Advancements in equipment and safety standards have made commercial whitewater rafting accessible to just about everyone, and now more than ever, this trend is resulting in an increased number of novice adventurers and weekend warriors on the river. Many first time rafters understandably have questions about the dangers associated with whitewater rafting. Rafting is obviously not without its inherent risk, but serious incidences associated with commercial rafting are infrequent."
River Rafting Tour Risks "Commercial river rafting tours have been a staple of summer vacations for decades. With the boom in outdoor tourism the number of people hitting the whitewater continues to increase and with that so does the risks. With the advent of extreme sports people are seeking wilder challenges. River rafting companies are in savage competition for tourist dollars and who can offer the most intense ride."
Sample: Waiver and Release Agreement NOTE from Slightly Creaky: Every commercial rafting site we visited has a release similar to this one. Please remember that white water rafting can be dangerous.
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Photography
 "PhotographyTips.com is for everyone with an interest in photography. It is intended to help beginners get started in photography, and become so good at it that they turn into advanced amateurs. But, accomplished photographers will also find useful tips and hints here. Our primary objective is to help people like you to take better photographs."
Photography Tips.com
American Museum of Photography Celebrating 100 Years of Color Photography 1907--2007
Photography Tips From Kodak. Tips, projects, and general photographic information.
Tips, Tricks & Techniques to Improve Your Photography "PhotographyTips.com is for everyone with an interest in photography. It is intended to help beginners get started in photography, and become so good at it that they turn into advanced amateurs. But, accomplished photographers will also find useful tips and hints here. Our primary objective is to help people like you to take better photographs."
11 Surefire Tips for Improving Your Landscape Photography "While there may be times that you want to get a little more creative and experiment with narrow depth of fields in your Landscape Photography - the normal approach is to ensure that as much of your scene is in focus as possible. The simplest way to do this is to choose a small Aperture setting (a large number) as the smaller your aperture the greater the depth of field in your shots."
Landscape Photography, It's All About Contrast "The bright sunlight streaming over the valley walls made an understanding of contrast--and how it inter-relates to the dynamic range of your camera--essential to getting good photographs. Basically, sunlight and shade mixed in an image creates far more contrast than can be captured by a single digital image. "
A Guide To Great Landscape Photography "So you take a camera, run off a few shots and take the pictures home to show everybody how fabulous the place was and...you're disappointed with the results. Your photos don't really convey a "sense" of where you were"
Landscape photography Capturing scenery at its best. "A landscape is a section or portion of scenery as seen from a single viewpoint. Scenery is the subject of a landscape image. Typically, people and animals are not shown in a landscape, unless they are relatively small in the image and have been included in the composition to show scale."
Digital Photography Tips Taking Better Photos With Your Digital Camera    Photography tips in Article 1 include framing, using diagonal lines, including foreground, depth of field, filters, ISO, shutter speed, aperture, using a tripod, choice of film and tips for choosing between digital and film cameras.  Article 2 includes more photography tips and suggestions.  Articles 3 will cover common photo editing tasks and Article 4 will talk about the various things you can do with the image files (e.g. printing, emailing).
Wildlife Pictures "Wildlife Pictures Often Disappoint , but for the average tourist, picture opportunities are limited by numerous constraints - time, weather, equipment, access restrictions - so the wildlife pictures taken on safari are often disappointing and not a true reflection of the experience."
Animal & Wildlife Photography "Photographing animals, whether your cat at home or a cougar in the great outdoors, requires patience, perseverance and an understanding of animal behavior so you can predict how they will be likely to act or react, and anticipate the moment for a good photograph."
Shooting Animals "Animals come in all shapes and sizes from rodents like mice to large mammals like elephants. Animals can make very eye catching subjects to photograph whether wild or domesticated. However there is a distinct difference between a wild animal and a domesticated one. This will dictate how the subject will be approached."
How to take Pictures from a Moving Train/car? "There is always somewhat about the vision from any moving vehicle that I have appreciated. The main effect to keep in mind if one think of shooting out of the window of a moving means of transport like car, train, bus, plane etc. "
Travel Photography Tips "You should photograph whatever you want, because this is the best way of ensuring shots which are imaginative and creative.   However, it doesn't hurt to think about the different types of things you could photograph, in order to whet your appetite.   Since you're doing travel photography, it makes a lot of sense to concentrate on the things which are unique or distinctive about the place you've spent so much money to reach - there's not a lot of point photographing your friends at a hotel or golf course, if you could have been getting identical shots back home! "
A Shot In The Dark - Guide To Cave Photography "Caves are a very fragile and essentially non-renewable resource. While most people would condemn wanton vandalism of caves without hesitation, the destruction of cave resources goes way beyond that. First of all,NEVER touch any cave formations with your hands. Aside from leaving dirt behind on the formation, you also leave oils from your skin as well as skin flakes. Dirt, of course, is the most visible effect, yet the oils and bacteria associated with your skin also change the biological landscape of the cave itself."
Cave Photography; Color, Gear, And Light Painting, Underground Style " Photographing in a cave is a completely different experience than photographing above ground and requires special attention to many factors, nearly all of which relate to light. Lighting a cave is a little like lighting a football field with candles: some smaller details of the field will be well lit, but it’s still going to be pretty dark overall; areas adjacent to a candle will be relatively bright while a few yards away from any candle the field will be totally black. In other words, low-light levels and high contrast must be dealt with to create a successful photo."
Cave Photography:  Getting Good pictures in Nature’s Darkroom "Shooting decent photos in caves can be a daunting task even for a professional photographer who is not used to working in that environment. Caves are one of the few places to be found where darkness is total once leaving the twilight of an opening to the surface."
Underwater Photography "This is an extensive and essential course in underwater photography, bringing together in one place all the known theory, extensive hands-on experience, many examples, tips and technical solutions, without going into commercial details. Taking photos under water is one of the most difficult branches of photography because the underwater world has such strange optical properties and is rather taxing on the photographer himself. By mastering the advice provided in this large primer, you will enhance your chances of success considerably, resulting in more enjoyment. Why re-invent the wheel?"
Underwater Photography Primer "Underwater photography combines the challenges of (1) trying to make an aesthetic statement that hasn't been made by thousands of photographers who've dedicated decades of their life to the craft, with (2) trying to stay alive."
WetPixel "Wetpixel is dedicated to providing the latest information on digital underwater photography and imaging, "
Underwater Digital Photography "One of the Digital Camera Accessories that is becoming more and more common is the 'Underwater Housing' that enables a user to take their digital camera where it was previously impossible to take it without things getting pretty messy - under water. Getting great underwater digital images is not as easy as simply having an underwater housing or purpose built underwater digital camera - so once again we've searched the web for the best tips, tutorials and online resources on getting stunning underwater digital images."
Horse Shoes


"Horseshoe pitching boasts of being one of the few sports that has a national champion for men, women, boys and girls and can still be played in one's backyard. It can be played by one or more and by the young as well as the old."
National
Horseshoe
Pitchers
Association
Horseshoes "If you are interested in learning the horseshoe rules for playing in a tournament, or even in your own backyard, you have come to the right place. Here is a video clip of people playing horseshoes in their backyard. A picture is worth a thousands words, a video is worth a million."
How to Play Horseshoes "Got a stick and some old horseshoes lying around the backyard? Turn it into a fun and competitive game of horseshoe and challenge your friends. The following guidelines for this traditional American pastime have been adapted from the official rules of the National Horseshoe Pitchers Association of America."
Horseshoes: Rules & Scoring "Usually horseshoes is played with two stakes/pits, each stake being 40 feet across from each other. If you are playing an informal round of horseshoes at a family picnic or gathering and only with to use one stake that's not a problem – just try to ensure the pitching point is 40 feet away from the target."
History of Horseshoe Pitching "As early as the second century, before the Christian Era, iron plates or rings for shoes were nailed on horses' feet in Western Asia and Eastern Europe. In Greece and Rome athletic contests, games of different kinds generally formed some part of religious observances and festivals. "
Building your own
"Backyard Horseshoe Court"		 "So you wanna pitch 'shoes in your backyard with your kids or neighbor without constructing a professionally designed regulation court... Well, it is easy as planting two stakes in level ground."
Permanent Horseshoe Court "A horseshoe court shall be a level rectangular area 6 ft wide and a minimum of 46 ft long. A north-south setting is recommended for outdoor courts to minimize the effects of the sun."
Build a Horseshoe Court "Turn the overgrown backyard into an inviting entertainment area with a horseshoe pit and spectator seating. Here is a list of tools and materials, and summary of the basic steps, in the installation of the horseshoe pit."
Types of Horseshoes " Horseshoes are made from steel, aluminum, synthetics, titanium, brass, and even rawhide .Horseshoes come in two basic configurations: open heeled and bar. The two basic types have an infinite number of variations which can be custom fitted to a horse. "
How a Horseshoe is Made "Horseshoes protect a horse's hooves from wear on hard or rough surfaces. They are also designed to improve a horse's gait, to help its conformation (how the horse stands), and to control interference problems (when hooves or legs collide with each other). For instance, for a condition called winging in—where hoof flight is to the inside of the stride—can be corrected by a square-toe shoe."
Bocce
 "A player may toss the pallino any distance so long as the pallino passes the center line of the court and does not hit the back wall. If a player fails to validly toss the pallino after one attempt, the opposing team will have a chance to toss the pallino and put it in play."
Rules of Bocce
Bocce "Bocce originated in Italy and is one of the oldest of all lawn bowling games. It is now gaining popularity in the United States and Canada since it can be played by people of all ages and on a great variety of surfaces. Bocce is played between two players or two teams of up to four players on a team. It is played with 8 large balls, 4 of one color, 4 of another color and one small target ball called the Jack."
Rules of Bocce " The sport is played with one small ball (Pallino) and eight larger balls [Bocce (singular), Bocci (plural)]—four for each team. The Pallino is thrown first and becomes the target. Then each Bocce is thrown with the goal of placing it as close to the Pallino as possible."
Crockett Bocce
League Rules and
Regulations		 "The game of "Open" Bocce is played on a 91'x13' court with eight large bocce balls and one small target ball called the "pallino." The object of the game is to roll the bocce ball closest to the pallino. There are two balls per person, and four players make up a playing team. Teams must have a minimum of six and a maximum of twelve players. Anyone 16 years of age or older may play on a team."
US Bocce Federation "Our main purpose is to promote the sport of bocce, get bocce into the Olympics, and to send the best players in the United States to world bocce championships. We have had a national tournament every year since 1979 with the winners going on and representing the United States in the world championships."
How to Play Bocce "This ancient game, whose modern adaptation most closely resembles bowling, requires skill, strategy and just a little luck. Bocce ball is a great game to play outside on a beautiful day. It is highly popular among seni