January 16, 2010 at 1:33 pm 
Destinations
The Outback at Keystone Ski Resort offers amazing views and so much more. The Outback Express is the only lift which services this beautiful region which includes the north bowl and some of the best tree runs in Colorado. Conquest and the victory chutes are on the north facing slope of the mountain. This means the snow will stay relatively soft which makes it a lot easier to make those important carves through the trees. When you get to the top of the Outback Express, go left and you’ll be guaranteed soft snow. If you go right on a sunny day, you’ll be skiing on crust.
The runs on the South facing side (right off the lift) are my favorite tree runs in Summit County. I suggest you wait for a powder day to experience the South side. The trees are so evenly spaced and the hill is at a favorable pitch. Out of: Breckenridge, A Basin, Vail and Beaver Creek, the Outback is my personal favorite place to ski in the trees.
The north bowl is accessible by snow cat, it only costs $5, which I believe is quite reasonable for such a beautiful view of the continental divide. If you are interested in free you can always hike the peak which only takes one hour. You can also hike about 15-minutes and still get a fresh line of powder. Each run from the 15-minute hike offers beautifully gladed forest with a long traverse at the bottom. If you are snowboarding, be sure to get speed at the bottom.
There is a great groomer which, runs right under the Outback Express ski lift. It has plenty of room for you to carve those gnarly turns. This run has a perfect pitch for moguls. Stay right at the top of the lift for a mogul field all the way down the right side of the groomer. These moguls are great to learn on. For the best skiing in Keystone make sure you head to the Outback. You won’t be disappointed.
Article Source: http://www.articledashboard.com
Read more articles about Keystone Ski Resort by going to www.keystonecoloradovacation.com.
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January 16, 2010 at 1:33 pm Travel
There is an interesting dive option for certified scuba divers who are vacationing in the Orlando area especially with family members who are non-divers. The Living Seas at Disneyworld
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January 16, 2010 at 1:33 pm Travel
Here are five simple things that will make the next holiday party enjoyable for everyone.
1) Leave Home Without It
Unless you visit like-minded people, leave your private cause at home. Cover the tattoo, remove the nose ring, take out the tongue stud. Similarly, avoid editorials, lectures, and sermons. Remember: it’s a holiday party. No one comes to be offended.
2) Make Them Special
Let others talk. Be impressed (or at least interested) with what they say. Ask questions to encourage telling more. Find something to praise. Give your complete attention while listening. Appreciation is a gift that lasts a lifetime.
3) Detach
Let others be themselves. Accept what people say, regardless how outrageous. Avoid correcting, criticizing, or complaining. Ignore bait that lures you into arguments. Avoid taking things personally. Just say, “Ah, how interesting,” and move on.
4) Talk Friendly
Offer compliments. Be positive. Be gracious. Be mature. Find diplomatic ways to express your ideas. Avoid negative words, especially “not,” because negative ideas trigger a defensive response. Be a source of solutions instead of complications.
5) Behave
Avoid trick questions (“What kind of idiot would do this?”). Avoid punitive stories that contain hidden insults. Avoid baiting people into arguments. Spend time with people who enjoy your ideas. Realize it is always a bad idea to start an argument.
Article Source: http://www.articledashboard.com
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Steve Kaye helps leaders hold effective meetings. He is an IAF Certified Professional Facilitator, author, and speaker. His meeting facilitation and leadership workshops create success for everyone. Call 714-528-1300 for details. Visit www.stevekaye.com for a free report.
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January 16, 2010 at 1:33 pm Destinations
Dramatic landscapes provided us a continual Kodak moment throughout. It is late spring in the region and the weather was cooperative with a lot of sunshine. This however is a land where the unexpected is the norm, so we came prepared for occasional wind and rain.
After a rest at the lovely Hotel Neruda and a city tour in Santiago, we flew south to Punta Arenas. There we transferred 2 hours by coach to Puerto Natales at the Patagonia steppe. We welcomed an overnight at the spartan but cozy Charles Darwin Hotel and a fabulous dinner of king crab and fresh salmon.
The following day we sailed several hours on the cutter vessel
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January 16, 2010 at 1:33 pm Destinations
This is a friendly cosmopolitan capital for all tastes. Everyone speaks English, it
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January 16, 2010 at 1:33 pm Destinations
We set out with a group of 38 singles and as usual they were initially timid but quickly bonded in friendship. On arrival in Lima we check into a lovely hotel located in trendy Miraflores district. There was a guided city tour, leisure time to explore and a delicious dinner of sea bass ceviche at a restaurant built on an ocean pier.
Next day we flew Lan to Iquitos where we were greeted by 3 top guides who remain with us for our 6 days in the jungle. They are truly pro’s on flora, fauna and having fun! All transport is by boat. 90 miles down river we arrive to Explonapo Lodge in the heart of Amazonia. No plumbing or electricity, feels like an episode out of “Survivor.” Rustic to the extreme yet therein lies the unique charm. I fell in love with the resident “pets”. There was Adrian the toucan who would poke his long beak into the dining room door for a treat, along with several tame parrots and scarlet macaws. Charlie was a Capybara that looked like a mutant 100lb. guinea pig. When I’d scratch under his chin he’d close his eyes and make cooing sounds.
The pitch black nights were spooky with a symphony of wild noises. Our rooms were connected with a privacy wall and an open thatched roof. Like a giant slumber party, we all shouted “goodnight Johnboy” from our mosquito netted beds. Suddenly Sharon screamed and the guys run to her room. She found a giant lizard tucked in with her in her bed. At 3am I head to the latrine with flashlight in hand. Inside a bat flutters near my head as I repeatedly whisper “bat’s are good.”
Enough roughing it. We board our boats for “luxury in the Amazon” at Ceiba Tops. With air conditioning, tropical gardens and a pool, it feels like the Ritz to us. I take the world’s longest shower as others enjoy Pisco Sours by the pool. We all gain weight with fresh food throughout that is both delicious and plentiful.
On daily boat tours we saw giant water lilies, sloths, countless birds and the elusive pink dolphins. We fished by cane poles for piranha to fry up for dinner. We visited a family with a pet anaconda snake. My brave clients drape it around themselves for a photo op. We delivered medical supplies to a remote clinic serving the poor river people. Here a tooth extraction costs $2 if they can afford it.
There were many highlights! We hiked the world’s longest canopy walk 100′ high in the trees. We visited Monkey Island, a research station for 8 species that room free. For one photo I held 3 at a time. There was a lecture by two resident shamans who taught us about medicinal plants and then blessed us individually as they removed our bad spirits. At the Yagua Indian Village we traded our western goods for masks and blowguns (several of these were later were confiscated by TSA.)
The best part of the trip for me was a surprise visit to a rural school. Inside were 50+ children barefoot and wide-eyed who never see tourists. Tears filled my eyes as they sang their national anthem to us. We sang our anthem to them and deposited a ton of school supplies to the two teachers. It was a glorious sight.
Back to Lima, we all scatter to shop the Indian markets. The dollar is so strong here that several in the group bought another suitcase to fill. I did my Xmas shopping in May. Our fabulous dinner was at a restaurant set in pre-Incan ruins. We toast each other goodbye with many hugs as I remiss a journey well done. This group was so prefect I’d like to clone them all for future AFS trips. I couldn’t hand pick better travelers for this adventure.
I have always loved the land of Peru. I am now designing a unique future trip to include Machu Piccu, boating Lake Titicaca, visits to natives on floating reed islands and crossing to La Paz Bolivia. For the moment, I have tired of Europe. There is a spirit of humility found in the hearts of these people that I am unable to adequately describe here. Nor can my photos justly convey Peru. It truly must be experienced.
Article Source: http://www.articledashboard.com
Suzy Davis www.adventuresforsingles.com
Adventures For Singles Inc.
800-813-9421 or GA. 770-432-8225
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January 16, 2010 at 1:33 pm Destinations
Planes, trains, motorcoaches, boats, cable cars, gondolas, lake steamer, funicular, cog wheel train and ferry were our modes of transport. We were 62 singles with 124 bags who came, who saw, who conquered Switzerland & Italy. Aside from the traffic delays of high holiday season, it went without a hitch. No lost passports and no one lost. It was a whirlwind vacation but my theory has always been “carpe diem per dollar”, that is to squeeze in all experiences possible enroute of any journey. After all, travel is intensified living as we attempt to absorb the maximum thrills per minute. (When I compare this to my
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