#pros of warmer weather: cool bugs

[carnivalcarriondiscarded]

almost murdered a ladybug due to spider reflexes... but she was so polite about it

[storyspothub]

Expert Tips for Keeping Your New Jersey Home Warm

New Jersey, known for its brisk winters, can turn your cozy abode into frigid tundra if you aren't prepared. Home heating is not only about comfort but also efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and sustainability. If you're a New Jersey homeowner looking to weatherproof your dwelling against the winter chill, these expert tips will ensure you're snug as a bug in a rug – minus the high energy bills!

Understanding Your Home Heating Basics

Before we zip-up the heat, it's important to understand how your home systems operate. In New Jersey, common heating methodologies include furnaces, boilers, and heat pumps. Each comes with its own set of pros and cons, determining the best fit for your unique needs.

Furnaces

Furnaces are the most prevalent heating systems in New Jersey homes, running on natural gas, oil, or electricity. They're known for their quick comfort delivery but can sometimes be less energy efficient than other systems.

Boilers

Boilers use water or steam to distribute heat through pipes, radiators, and radiant floor systems. They're often praised for their even heat distribution and operational longevity.

Heat Pumps

Heat pumps are an increasingly popular choice due to their dual heating and cooling functions. They move heat in or out of the home to match the desired indoor temperature, offering energy efficiency benefits in moderate climates.

Efficient Heating Practices

Optimizing your heating practices plays a crucial role in energy savings. Regular checkups, smart thermostat use, and strategic heat zoning can all make a significant impact on your home's warmth and your wallet's thickness.

Regular Maintenance

Scheduling annual maintenance for your heating system ensures it runs at peak performance and nips issues in the bud before they escalate, keeping your home toasty without any hiccups.

Proper Insulation

A sound insulation strategy is fundamental in maintaining a warm home. Insulate attics and walls, seal leaks, and consider double-glazed windows to trap heat inside.

Thermostat Management

Smart use of your thermostat can save you big bucks. Automate temperature changes based on when you're home and awake or opt for manual settings that keep the temperature in a reasonable range.

Winterization Techniques

Winterization is the art of prepping your home for the coldest months. It's all about ensuring that the precious heat you generate isn’t wasted through unsealed nooks and crannies.

Sealing Drafts

Air leaks can account for up to 30% of a home's heating costs. Identify and seal any drafts around windows, doors, and the attic to keep the cold out and the warmth in.

Weather-stripping

Installing weather-stripping is an economical way to keep your home comfier. This flexible material seals doors and windows from air and water to enhance insulation.

Insulating Attics and Basements

Adding insulation to these major heat loss areas can significantly reduce energy usage. It not only keeps your home warmer but also prevents ice dams and subsequent roof damage.

Air One Heating & Cooling Pros

Air One Heating & Cooling Pros stand out as the epitome of HVAC excellence in New Jersey. With a focus on customer satisfaction and energy-efficient solutions, their services span from installing top-tier heating systems to expert-level maintenance and repairs.

Energy-Saving Innovations

New Jersey homeowners are increasingly turning to modern technology to keep their homes warm efficiently. Devices like smart thermostats allow for precise temperature control, while zoning systems redirect heat only to occupied spaces, reducing unnecessary energy consumption.

Smart Thermostats

Smart thermostats learn your schedule and preferences, adjusting the temperature without any human intervention to save energy when you're away or asleep.

Zoning Systems

Zoning systems divide your home into sections, each with its own thermostat, which can be programmed to maintain specific temperatures, allowing for both comfort and energy savings.

Energy-Efficient Heating Units

When the time comes to upgrade your heating system, opt for high-efficiency models that can significantly cut down on your energy usage and reduce your carbon footprint.

Harnessing Professional HVAC Services

While DIY approaches can be beneficial in minor adjustments, professional HVAC services are instrumental in maintaining a warm and efficient home. From thorough inspections to precision repairs and well-informed upgrades, a licensed technician's expertise can ensure that your heating system operates flawlessly when the temperature drops.

                                From the type of system you choose, to the winterization techniques you employ, heating New Jersey home efficiently is a multifaceted endeavor. By adapting these expert tips and investing in innovative solutions, you'll not only stay warm but also enjoy significant energy savings. Turn to professionals like Air One Heating & Cooling Pros for guidance and support, and transform your winter from daunting to delightful. Prepare your home now, and welcome the cold with open arms – and a comfortably warm interior!

[by-endurance--we-conquer]

I’ve mentioned before that one of my big goals is to run as many challenging races in amazing locations as I can. Orcas Island 50 definitely fit the bill.

First, one of the main reasons I chose this race (besides location) was logistics. The race takes place in Moran State Park on Orcas Island and the Destination Trail Races reserves the bunk cabins just feet from the start/finish line. It was great to be right at the race site and roll out of bed and not have to have that extra race morning stress. There was also a lodge with food provided, hot showers and the ability to be around a bunch of like-minded ultra-runners. Pretty cool set up.  

The course-This is what definitely drew me to the race. Beautiful island with panoramic views of other islands, water and snowcapped mountains. Then there were the amazing single track trails winding up and down the mountains through old growth forests and around secluded lakes. The challenging course was definitely the highlight. Just take a look at the elevation profile. Course consisted of two 26 mile loops. 3 BIG climbs per loop and when I say big I mean steep, switchback type climbs.

Pre-Race- My first race in 7 months and jumping into a 50 miler so I didn’t have big expectations. I knew I wasn’t going to touch my 50 mile PR. My only goal was to really enjoy the day and finish feeling ok. As I mentioned before logistics made everything so easy.

Early miles- 5AM start time. It was just getting light so I only had to wear my headlamp for the first couple of miles. I really liked how the first few miles ran alongside a flowing creek and a few waterfalls. It can’t anymore peaceful sounding than that.

First big climb- Just a few miles into the race we were on the first big climb of the day Mt. Pickett. As I was climbing up through the forest I got a good idea of what I was in for throughout the race. The 12,000 ft. of climbing wasn’t the small roller types that add up over the course of a race. It was the steep, switchback, suck the air out of you, even the pros are hiking parts type of climbing. It was great. Minus that in my pre-trip planning I opted to leave my trekking poles at home so I wouldn’t have to check a bag on the flight. So the same poles that greatly helped my Bear 100 race were 2000 miles away.

Weather- Overall weather was great for the day. Highs in the upper 60’s and lots of sun and a nice breeze at times but many others agreed—it just felt warmer. I felt like I was sweating more than usual. The salt stains on my shirt showed that.

Big mistake of the day- For some dumb reason I only carried my one big Nathan bottle in my vest. Why I thought would be enough I don’t know. Where that proved to be an issue was the 10 miles between aid stations at miles 3-13 and roughly 28-38. I ran on empty for a few of miles and on loop #2 that was an issue. It was warm and I was thirsty. I almost drank out of one of the lakes which probably would have been fine but I kept thinking about the flight the following day and having to run to the bathroom every 5 minutes because of some bug I picked up. So I passed on the lake water and made it to the aid station.

Nutrition- I was kind of all over the place. I fell behind on hydration (and paid for it a little) but eventually worked my way back. I ate just about everything they offered. Pickels, chips, M&M’s, Snickers, bananas, Coke, Tailwind and even 3 gels.

Mt. Constitution- This was the beast of a climb. On both loops you basically climbed it twice from 2 different sides. Definitely the highlight of the race with amazing views from the top. I also liked the climb up through the green/foggy forest on lap 1. There was one section where every tree was covered in a bright green moss and the creepy fog was rolling in. No pic would do that justice.

Loop 1 (first 26 miles) went well, but I knew loop 2 and doing all the climbing again was going to be a real challenge.

Tough spot- It lasted a little longer than I would have liked- roughly miles 31-39. I had this wicked craving for an icee/slushie which I don’t even drink in normal life. Probably a clear sign I was dehydrated. But the mile 39 aid station saved me. I actually sat down in a chair and drank a full bottle of water and ate some food. By mile 40 I was back. That’s the beauty of ultra-running. Just when you think you’re down and out you make a big comeback and get right back in the game. Just in time for another trip up Mt. Constitution.

Maybe it was the magnet of the finish line or just my body coming around but miles 40-52 were my best of the whole race. My legs felt the strongest they had all day. Who knows maybe all those kettlebell squats and swings over the winter paid off. I went from saying to myself, “there’s no way I’d make it if this were a 100 miler to I wish this was a 100 miler.”

It was a pretty small 50 mile field and I ran with no one around for many miles but I also ran pretty close to the same 5 people all day. It was nice to chat a bit but on that second loop I did put in 1 earbud for some music.

The descent off Mt. Constitution was a real quad destroyer, but I was still running. The final lap around Cascade Lake felt like a victory lap. I returned back to Camp Moran 12 hours and 46 mins after I left. 10 minutes later I was in a hot shower. Again, great logistics. That evening a group of us sat around chatting about the day. The common theme- “that was hard.”

Orcas Island was a perfect ultramarathon destination and managed to surpass my pretty high expectations. Destination Trail Races and Candice put on a great race. I talked to several runners who have done some or all of her 200 milers. Maybe they’ll end up being a bad influence on me someday….

[shannrussell-blog1]

Getting a good night’s sleep is one of the most important things when heading out on holidays. But it can be hard to understand which bedding option works best for you when camping. In this article, we’ll look at a range of different sleeping options, to give you a better idea of what you should take when you go on your next camping or outdoor trip.

It doesn’t matter where you are or who you’re with, if you don’t get some good sleep the chances are you’re not going to have as good time as you might have if you do get a good sleep.

But what bedding options are there? And what are the differences? And most importantly, which is going to give me the best night’s sleep?

Let’s take a look at a few of the different sleeping options available to help give you a good start when looking for bedding for your holiday.

Inflatable mattress

Everyone’s slept on an inflatable mattress before to which some have had good experiences and some bad. An inflatable mattress relies solely on air to hold it up. It needs to be pumped full of air which supports you when you sleep on it.

Pros of inflatable mattresses:

These mattresses are very much on the cheaper side of the budget as they are quite basic.

They come in a range of sizes and can even come with a pillow built in.

In my opinion, they are quite comfortable as they are quite deep. This means that your hips stay away from the ground or any other firm surface. They also conform to the shape of your body similar to a water bed.

You can pump them up tight for a more firm feel or you can let a little air out to make it a bit softer.

Cons of inflatable mattresses:

The biggest problem with these mattresses is that they can be quite easily punctured.

If you do get a hole in the mattress and it goes down slowly overnight, you end up on the floor and are usually not sleeping anymore.

Small holes can be very difficult to find and patch, especially at 2 o’clock in the morning.

Inflatable mattresses can be quite cold. They offer no insulation from the ground and are best used with a blanket over the top in cold conditions.

They can be quite bouncy and if sleeping on a double or queen, you are likely to feel every wiggle from your partner.

You will need some sort of pump to blow these mattresses up which is another expense and something else to carry with you.

Using a hand or foot pump can be quite tiring and electric pumps are quite noisy, and require power.

Self-inflating mattresses

Self-inflating mattresses are similar to an inflatable mattress in the way that they are an airtight bag that, when sealed with air, will support your body. Inside the airtight bag is foam that is squashed when it’s rolled up. But when you unroll the mattress and open the valves, the foam expands back to its original size, sucking air into the bag as it does.

When the foam is back to its full size and the bag is full of air, the valves are closed holding all the air in. When it’s time to roll it up open the valves and compress the foam, forcing the air out as you roll it. By closing the valves at the end no air will be allowed to get in, preventing the foam expanding.

Pros of self-inflating mats:

As the name suggests, these mattresses will inflate on their own so you don’t have to pump them up.

Simply roll it out, undo the valves and walk away – just remember to do the valves back up afterwards.

They are very comfortable, particularly in the larger sizes. They will also insulate you from the ground keeping you much warmer.

If you do happen to get a hole in it, you will still be sleeping on foam rather than ending up completely on the ground.

Cons of self-inflating mats:

These mattresses can take up a lot of room.

If you want something thick and comfortable, the compromise will be the space it takes up when packed away, as the larger mattresses will have more foam in them.

There are self-inflating mats available that are quite thick when rolled out but pack down quite small. These mattresses will have more air than foam in them. They’re often a lot more expensive than the thicker ones.

Mattresses can run into troubles over time with the edges coming apart. This will depend on the quality of the item purchased.

If you do end up with a small hole, it can be a lot harder to find on these mattresses than the inflatable mattresses. And the hole will mean the mattress will inflate in its bag when rolled up which can sometimes make them stuck in the bag.

Camp Stretchers

A camp stretcher is a fold out frame with a canvas, or similar material stretched out over the frame pulling nice and tight to support your body.

Pros of stretchers:

Stretchers get you up off the ground, making it much easier to get in and out of bed.

They’re also quick and easy to assemble and provide extra storage space as you can put your bags etc under the bed.

Stretchers don’t take up much room to store and transport. They can also be quite cool in warm weather as they keep you well off the ground.

Cons of stretchers:

Stretchers can be quite heavy, some weighing up to 10 – 12kg.

When new, and depending on the type of stretcher, they can be a little tight. And whilst their design is easy to assemble, they tight canvas can be difficult to stretch into place.

Stretchers do not insulate you from the ground and can be very cold overnight, especially during the winter months.

Some stretchers will come padded however these will be larger and bulkier to pack away.

You may find stretchers quite firm to sleep on and are often partnered with a foam mattress or self-inflating mattress to offer a little more comfort.

Some stretcher frames can be quite rocky and creak loudly when moving around on them.

Swags

A Swag is a canvas bedroll that will protect you from wind, rain, dirt, sand and bugs. It can be used on its own outside or used inside as a roll out bed inside a tent, caravan or on the living room floor. Swags are usually made from canvas and come in all shapes, sizes and designs. They’re most commonly found with a foam mattress inside to sleep on.

Pros of swags:

Swags are possibly the quickest source of a bed. Most only need to be rolled out and they are ready to go.

You can keep your sleeping bag or other bedding such as sheets and blankets inside, even when rolled up. So there is no setup required (depending on the type of swag and how it is used).

Most swag mattresses are made from dense foam that comes in different thicknesses and is usually very comfortable.

Swags will keep you warm as they insulate you and protect you from the ground. They also protect you from the cold air outside as you can be completely covered by the canvas.

Cons of swags:

Swags are possibly the largest form of bedding to pack away and transport.

They often need to be carried in a trailer, or on roof racks.

They are also quite heavy depending on the size and canvas weight purchased.

Swags can be uncomfortable in warm and humid conditions. If there are a lot of bugs around you will need to be zipped into your swag and completely covered. But this can create very hot and sticky conditions inside your swag which can lead to quite an uncomfortable sleep.

Whichever sleeping arrangement you decide, I recommend that you first consider how you will be able to transport your chosen bedding to your destination. Then think that how much space will you have to set it up, once you’ve arrived at your destination.

Check out our range of sleeping gear to find the right bedding that will ensure you get a good night’s sleep on your next camping holiday!

The post Fantastic Sleep Options Explained for the Restless Camper appeared first on Snowys Blog.

[j0sgomez-blog]

Hello Michael,

I read your article about ultra-backpacking and how you did the John Muir Trail in seven days. I am planning on doing it, but would like to know, for an ultralight backpacker, what do you suggest for a backpack, tent, sleeping bag, etc.? Any feedback or thoughts that you have would be much appreciated.

Thank you.

Joei Covina, CA

Hi Joei,

Very cool that you’re making a John Muir Trail thru-hike. (The lead photo above shows a view of the Yosemite National Park.) I did it in late August, and I think late August through mid-September is the best time of year to hike the JMT, because you’ll find a largely snow-free trail, the voracious mosquitoes of mid-summer are just about gone, and the afternoons aren’t as blazing hot as mid-summer.

My specific gear suggestions below would, of course, apply to almost any backpacker who wants to go lighter and hike more comfortably in most mid-latitude mountain ranges in summer—although the choice of shelter would depend on typical weather and bugs.

You should also read my tips on ultralight backpacking, which includes my generic ultralight gear checklist and a chart describing each piece of gear and apparel with its weight; and see my standard checklist for backpacking.

  Hi, I’m Michael Lanza, creator of The Big Outside, which has made several top outdoors blog lists. Click here to sign up for my FREE email newsletter. Click here to learn how I can help you plan your next trip. Click here to get full access to all of my blog’s stories. Follow my adventures on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Youtube.

  Mark Fenton at Trail Crest on the John Muir Trail, Mount Whitney.

Here are my picks for the major gear items.

For a backpack, I like a few models: the Osprey Exos 58 or Exos 48, which have been udpated for 2018, when Osprey also introduced the women’s version, the Eja 58 and Eja 48 (read my review); the Gregory men’s Optic 58 and women’s Octal 55 (read my review), and the smaller Optic 48 and Octal 45; and the Hyperlite Mountain Gear 3400 Windrider (read my review).

See all of my picks for the best ultralight, thru-hiking backpack.

  Want to hike the John Muir Trail? Click here for expert, detailed advice you won’t get elsewhere.

  In late summer, outside the buggy season in the High Sierra, I prefer using a tarp, like the Sea to Summit Escapist Tarp (read my review), which I used on an ultralight, 86-mile, four-day, September hike in northern Yosemite. I often sleep under the stars on a clear night, but a tarp, besides protecting you from rain and some wind, can trap a surprising amount of warmth underneath it on a calm night.

If you want a full tent, look for a solo that’s around two pounds or two-person tent that’s well under three pounds, like the two-person Big Agnes Tiger Wall UL2 (read my review), Big Agnes Fly Creek HV UL2 (read my review), Slingfin 2Lite Trek, which pitches with trekking poles (read my review), or the MSR FlyLite (read my review). Or if you’re willing to carry a little more weight for more space, check out the Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2 (read my review) or Marmot Tungsten UL 2p (read my review).

See my picks for the five best backpacking tents, all of my backpacking tent/shelter reviews, my “5 Tips For Buying a Backpacking Tent” and my story “How to Choose the Best Ultralight Backpacking Tent For You.”

  Plan your next great backpacking adventure in Yosemite and other flagship parks using my expert e-guides.

  On the JMT below Forester Pass, Sequoia National Park.

For most three-season backpacking, I carry a sleeping bag rated around 30 degrees F. It’s warm enough for me on nights above freezing, as most nights are in summer; on an unusually cold night, I can supplement by wearing my clothing. People who get cold more easily may want a bag rated 20 to 25 degrees—and there are some high-quality, relatively light and compact models out there.

Down bags were traditionally warmer, lighter, and more compact and durable than synthetic (if also more expensive), but the best synthetic insulations now compete with down for warmth and packability, while down feathers treated to make them water resistant compete with synthetic insulations for continuing to trap heat when damp or wet.

My favorites include a bag I’ve used for years, the Marmot Hydrogen; the Western Mountaineering Summerlite (read my review); the Sierra Designs Nitro 800 20-degree (read my review), which comes in a 35-degree version; the REI men’s Magma 10 and women’s Magma 17 (read my review); and the Big Agnes Picket SL 30 (read my review).

See my “10 Pro Tips For Staying Warm in a Sleeping Bag” and all of my sleeping bag reviews.

For nighttime lows generally above freezing, take a lightweight or ultralight insulation piece like the Patagonia Micro Puff Hoody (read my review), the Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer (read my review), or the somewhat warmer Arc’teryx Cerium LT Hoody (read my review) or Patagonia Nano Puff Hoody (read my review).

See my “Review: The 10 Best Down Jackets,” my story “Ask Me: How Can You Tell How Warm a Down Jacket Is?” and all of my puffy jacket reviews.

  Get the right pack for you. See my “Gear Review: The 10 Best Packs For Backpacking” and my “Top 5 Tips For Buying the Right Backpack.”

  Lastly, if all of your gear is light, you should get lightweight hiking shoes or boots. You may want something waterproof-breathable that’s still relatively light, like the Scarpa Proton GTX (read my review), Arc’teryx Acrux2 FL GTX (read my review), or Oboz Crest Low BDry (read my review).

For hiking the JMT at a time when it will be largely snow-free, I’d go with non-waterproof, mid-cut or low-cut hiking shoes for maximum breathability, as my friends and I did in late summer because we didn’t have to worry much about getting wet, and highly breathable shoes dry much faster, too. Shoes I like include the La Sportiva TX3 (read my review), Scarpa Epic Lite (read my review), Oboz Scapegoat Mid (read my review), and Arc’teryx Acrux FL (read my review).

See all of my reviews of hiking shoes.

  I can help you plan this or any trip you read about at my blog. Find out more here.

  You should read my story “5 Things to Know Before Buying Backpacking Gear,” which has my general tips on buying any gear and links to my stories offering specific tips on buying a pack, tent, boots, and sleeping bag.

See also my advice to another reader about thru-hiking the JMT in early summer and all of my stories about the John Muir Trail.

The JMT is a wonderful experience. Good luck.

Best, Michael

  Tell me what you think.

I spent a lot of time writing this story, so if you enjoyed it, please consider giving it a share using one of the buttons below, and leave a comment or question at the bottom of this story. I’d really appreciate it.

  The Big Outside helps you find the best adventures. Subscribe now to read ALL stories and get a free e-guide!

[amfish14]

Hi AMFisHers! This blog post is the full story of my recent two day 2017 musky opener fishing trip.

The trip started Saturday June 3rd as that is when musky season officially opened in the area I decided to fish. This is a lake I have fished for many years now and have caught some muskies here in the past. I know the lake very well and know a lot of great musky spots, but my biggest challenge this season was musky fishing out of a kayak.

Musky fishing is already a challenge in itself, strong heavy gear is needed along with big heavy baits, so fishing for musky from a boat is already draining enough and I was very prepared for how draining it would be from a kayak, but determination could not hold me back!

I arrived at the lake around noon as my plan for the first day of fishing was to stay out on the lake well into the late evening as I wanted to experience and get more familiar with fishing for muskies at night. I got all my gear ready and the weather was in full cooperation as it was a warm day with lot’s of sunshine, only immediate problem I realized was the water temperature was still quite cold. The weather in this area had not been hot enough over several days so with the cooler temps I immediately knew I would have to revisit my strategies that were in place in order to try and catch some muskies.

As I headed out to my first spot that was a big weedy bay not far from shore that leads into some deeper water, I was going to stick with my strategy for a short while to see if I needed to rethink things as I kind of knew I would. My presentation was to use 6 to 7 inch bucktails in bright colors due to the very sunny day. I started casting right up over the weedy area, as the weeds were submerged and the presentation was to burn these bucktails back quickly to trigger any active fish strikes. About 20 casts in with no action I decided to slow the speed of my retrieve down slightly as I mentioned the water was still quite cool for early June so it made sense to slow my bait retrieve down. After another 20 casts in this same bay with 4 different bucktails there was still no musky action or even any sign of any fish being interested.

I switched from bucktails to some mid size minnow style crankbaits, then some mid size soft plastic musky baits and lastly some top water pro style baits. The result on my first spot was the same with all the baits I used, no fish in sight no fish interested in what I had to offer. The weather was not ideal as muskies prefer warmer water in the early months during and after their spawn is complete, but a sunny hot day and water that was still cold made me quickly revisit my approach and instantly start considering much slower bait presentations, so I was actually approaching it like I was fishing in late fall.

I hit my second spot which is a decent size rock shoal a few hundreds yards straight out from the main dock area. This spot is ideal for muskies, large somewhat shallow rocky sandy flats with many scattered weedy patches that are surrounded by deep water escapes and even thick weed cover deeper water as well, the best of everything. I started off with my original approach for several casts and actually got a solid hit as soon as my bucktail with the water. It felt like a good hit from a decent size fish but I knew it was not a musky and was pretty confident it was a nice big smallmouth bass that was hanging around the rock shoal. Low and behold the battle was on, this very chunky smallmouth was jumping everywhere trying to get off the hooks!

Needless to say during both these smallmouth bass fights the fish got the best of me this day, as they jumped and bounced off the kayak as I was was pulling them into the cradle I had secured on the side of my kayak. After wrapping up at this spot I paddled over to my third spot which was the largest one I had easy access to and holds muskies. Again it a large flat with various weed edges in that 5 to 10ft depth range and has access to deeper water and shallower water. I started off with top water, then went to my shallower running crankbait, then back to bucktails and finally a medium size soft plastic musky bait. At this spot I must have made over 12,977 casts and figure eights, talk about grueling work! Unfortunately again there were no musky sittings in the area, nor any kind of fish activity at all, so the pattern of this many casts with several baits and not fish brought me back to the fact that the fish had really turned off being active and it was going to take even more than a slower fall presentation to hook into any.

Day one ended with me continuing to fish right up until around 10pm, but I fished the two first spots again and again as they were much closer to shore so safety had to be first. Once day one ended I went back to the main dock, loaded all my gear and kayak and decided to try some casting from shore to see if any big ones were cruising the shallows at night. Worked the same group of bait presentations I had been working all day, not one bite not one breach not one fish anywhere to be found. After a few more chats with fellow musky anglers they too mentioned a few smaller musky run in’s but no landed fish, so I decided to call it a day as the bugs by this time were out in full force.

I crashed for the night as a typical angler would do, in my JEEP and enjoyed a very not so good sleep, when I actually thought it would not be too bad to sleep in but those JEEP seats are not comfy at all! Got up early Sunday morning grabbed some breakfast and a coffee from Tim’s and headed back to the dock which was only 7 minutes away. Note to anyone thinking of sleeping in there vehicle overnight during a fishing trip, make sure to make yourself as secure as possible, which is why I decided to crash at a Tim Horton’s because it was an all night open location with a lot of car and people traffic, cameras and lights, seemed like the safest place to crash. Also make sure to have a very bright luminous flashlight handy, as it can make for a great self defense item, by utilizing the intense brightness to blind the eyes of anyone either trying to get into your vehicle or trying to harm you.

Once I got to the lake it was absolutely the most stunning view I had seen in many months! The lake was completely motionless and resembled a large piece of glass, not a wave or any water movement in sight. While getting things prepped and assessing if the rain they called for was going to actually happen, I knew that water this still would not make for good musky fishing. While enjoying my coffee and breakfast there was zero and I mean zero water activity by anything. No bugs moving on the surface not birds feeding and no fish breaches, all things you do not want to see not taking place.

A few other anglers that were there for their second day of fishing walked over and we engaged in a lengthy conversation about if we any of us were actually going to fish that day. Since I had mad the 2 plus hour drive up to this lake from Toronto and was in no rush to get home, I spoke with a few guys a long while longer to see if any changes would start happening to the lake. After some time had passed a slight wind picked up and the water started to move, this was a good sign but it needed to last in order for the fishing to start picking up. The wind stayed steady and the few of us were about to get out on the water in the next few minutes, when it clouded over even more and the rain moved in.

I jumped into my truck to observe what was going to happen next, as rain usually stirs up the lake and fish start to feed. Low and behold nothing was happening, the wind got stronger the rain less intense and there was once again zero fish activity, no surface breaches which is usually the norm once it starts to rain. I decided to wait a while longer as it was still quite early and cool that morning. A couple of boats headed out anyway and I used this time to rethink about what my strategy was going to be if I got out on the water.

After a short while it was still raining but quite lightly, so I decided to shore fish again with some top water musky baits, to see if anything was going on. When I say zero attention to my baits I mean a big fat “0”, nothing was anywhere, no roaming fish not feeding fish. From here I tried a few more musky baits with no success and decided to downsize dramatically to see if any other species might be feeding. Started using smaller size inline spinners and again no fish action of any kind. After an hour or so of experimenting I could see the two boats heading back towards the dock, with their heads shaking side to side as they had not had any luck. The second boat was heading to the other side of the lake and also gave me the we saw no fish look as well, this was when I knew battling the lake in that wind with my kayak with a hope that fish would start to feed was completely off the table at this point.

I continued to walk around the immediate shoreline casting various size baits with no success at all and the decision to pack it all in and head home seemed fitting right about then. All in all it was a very tiring musky opener with a lot learned on my end even though I did not catch any fish, I was going home with a new appreciation for musky fishing as well as very sore muscles.

The fish of 10,000 casts definitely beat all the anglers that weekend and that is how things go sometimes, we do everything we can and still come up empty handed when it comes to catching fish, but the learning’s are the most valuable takeaway for any angler who stuck it through as long as they could.

Hope you enjoyed this musky story…tight lines!

The AMFisH guy…

Join me on Facebook: www.facebook.com/amfish14

#muskyfishing #fishing #AMFisH

[benchmarkinsurance1]

Ways To Use Pest Control Tips

Things You Must Know About Pest Control Tips

    A cloche is a bell-shape covering that you can put over a plant you desire to safeguard. Wire versions are common, economical and easy to find. Just position them over growing plants, and animals will have a difficult time reaching those delicate leaves. It's an exceptional option if you have one or two particularly susceptible plants in your garden or planters that require defense.

    The issue comes when you have many plants in the exact same area that need to be safeguarded. If your plants remain in a row, then using one long, low loop of chicken wire to cover them all is a sophisticated service. If not, you might need to examine other alternatives.

As climate condition across the country lastly start to resemble what we would anticipate from spring, insects will also begin to emerge from their overwintering websites looking for food and water two things quickly discovered in homes. In an effort to avoid unwanted infestations throughout the warmer seasons, experts from the National Insect Management Association encourage property owners to integrate pest-proofing as part of their spring cleansing and yard tidy up routines in the coming weeks.

link-building-matters-for-competitive-terms

Seal any little cracks and crevices with a silicone-based caulk. Usage steel wool to fill bigger gaps and holes, as bugs are frequently discouraged far from the roughness of the steel fibers. Watch out for indications of termite damage, such as mud tubes, soft wood that sounds hollow when tapped, and broke or bubbling paint.

Clean out leaves and other debris from the rain gutters to prevent standing water, which can offer the ideal breeding ground for pests. Repair fascia and decayed roofing shingles; some insects are drawn to weakening wood. Replace weather-stripping and repair work loose mortar around basement structure and windows. Screen windows, attic vents and openings to chimneys.

Direct water far from the home through properly functioning downspouts, rain gutters and splash blocks. Repair leaking faucets, pipes and A/C units. Shop fire wood a minimum of 20 feet away from the house. Keep mulch a minimum of 15 feet far from the foundation. Dispose of trash regularly in a sealed trash can.

A Complete Guide to Broken Pest Control Tips

Likewise, store food in sealed containers, and keep ripe fruit in the fridge. Vacuum at least once a week. Keep pet bowls tidy and wipe up any spilled food or water around them without delay. Shop dry pet food in a sealed plastic container instead of the paper bags they often are available in.  Read more at:  best pest control services in gladstone missouri

Routinely examine under sinks for locations of wetness and fix any leaky pipelines. Consider using a dehumidifier in wet basements, crawl spaces or attics. Eliminating insects once they have discovered comfort within the boundaries of a home can be obstacle, and once within, some pests can trigger severe residential or commercial property damage while others can present health hazards.

Acquiring a house is a severe investment. Follow these seven steps to not only preserve, however likewise increase the worth of your property.

What Does Pest Control Tips Really Mean?

Every home-dweller needs to ultimately compete with pests such as pests, raccoons, and rodents. However do not stress: There are time-proven methods to deter and eliminate these little beasts. We've collected some here: Bugs Keep ants far from your house with a mixture of borax and sugar. Mix 1 cup sugar and 1 cup borax in a quart jar.

The ants are drawn in by the sugar and poisoned by the borax. If you have cockroaches, sprinkle borax powder in the bathroom and kitchen cabinets. Prevent sprinkling where kids and pets might be impacted. If there's a hornet, wasp, bee or other flying bug in your house and you have no insect spray, kill it with hair spray.

Change the water in a birdbath every 3 days to help lower the mosquito population. The presence of carpenter ants indicates another issue. Because they're fond of moist wood, you should examine your pipes, roofing and windowsills for water leakages. Centipedes prey on other bugs, so the presence of centipedes in your house may show the presence of other pests as well.

The Juice is Loose - Responsible Pest Control Tips in 2020

Termites typically eat just the soft part of wood, leaving the yearly rings intact. If you live in a multiunit structure, any pest control measures you take separately will be inadequate in the long run merely due to the fact that bugs can travel form one house to another. To get rid of bugs entirely, the entire building must be treated at one time.

Make sure a mouse will need to tug the trap to remove the bait. If you're using peanut butter, dab some on the setting off gadget and let it harden prior to setting the trap. If bacon is your bait, tie it around the triggering gadget. If a raccoon establishes housekeeping in your attic or chimney, chemical repellants-- such as oil of mustard-- are temporarily reliable.

To keep rodents out of your house, seal every opening they could squeeze through. Some need less than 1/4 inch of area. Put poison in deep fractures or holes, and things them with steel wool or scouring pads pressed in with a screwdriver. Close the spaces with spackling compound blended with steel wool fragments.

Top Tips for Pest Control Tips

Image SourceNothing ruins a picnic like a line of ants. Nothing ruins a barbecue like a swarm of mosquitoes. And nothing ruins a morning like finding a spider, cockroach, or mouse somewhere in your home. Keep bugs and critters away from your house and backyard this summer with these 10 best bug control practices.

Examine all your screens for holes, and repair if you discover any. Inspect around your doors and windows for gaps, and change window removing when needed. A pile of crumbs on your counter or flooring is like a treasure chest to ants and other bugs. Let them discover treasure elsewhere - outdoors and far away from your home - by ensuring you use no treasure to be found in your own cooking area.

Getting rid of standing water is the primary step to control mosquitoes. Standing water is a breeding ground for mosquitoes, and a huge, fat invitation for mosquitoes to start a household. It's easy to miss out on standing water often, so frequently stroll your property to look for it. Look in rain spouts, check for leaks near your cooling system, and pick up toys left scattered throughout the yard.

How to Pest Control Tips in a Scalable Way

Trim bushes and trees that are near your house, rake up debris, and yes - you're also going to need to weed. Don't let fruits and veggies get excessively ripe on your counter. If you do, the fruit flies will welcome themselves in for a spell and eliminating fruit flies is a headache you do not desire.

If you keep firewood, keep it away from your house or shed. As far away as possible, really. Five feet must be the minimum distance, however if you can store it even farther away, you'll remain in much better shape. Also, store it in racks in the air. Try not to toss meat scraps in your outside garbage unless the trash will be chosen up in the next two days approximately.

Routinely check the chains and corners of your swing sets and outdoor furnishings for spider webs and egg sacks. Eliminate them when you see them. Keep outside toys outside and inside toys inside. If you have to generate a toy, chair, or table, completely wipe it down initially. Employ a regional bug control service to come to your house and frequently spray for bugs and rodents common to your location.

What is Pest Control Tips? A definition and suggested readings

" An expert pest control company can offer more defense than you can on your own, and the assurance you'll receive knowing you have a professional safeguarding your house is countless", states Revill. While there are a lot of things you can do to attempt and avoid insects around your home, sometimes you just require to generate the pros.

No one wants to see pests show up in their house. That's the factor we purchase pest avoidance treatments on a routinely set up basis. However, lots of customers discover themselves annoyed when they see pests pop up in between their insect technician's visits. Each week, there is an ups and downs to the college football rankings that ESPN, the AP poll, and the Coaches poll release.

Preferred Pest Control LLC 502 S 10th St, St Joseph, MO 64501 Q572+7J St Joseph, Washington Township, MO (816) 279-2000 https://toughonpests.com

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[number06fan]

What Do Climate Change, Fruit Flies and Food Poisoning Have Common?

“It’s a cool place, and they say it gets colder.  You’re bundled up now wait ‘til you get older.  But the meteor men beg to differ, judging by the hole in the satellite picture.”  Perhaps Smash Mouth is on to something.  Don’t believe them?  Just ask Nelly, “It’s getting hot in here.  So take off all your…”  Whoa Nelly!  Hold up!  This is a family blog!

Let’s be serious here.  Whether your belief system lies on the spectrum of climate change or the cyclic nature of climate, most people cannot deny that the world we are currently living in is getting warmer.  While this affects so many aspects of our daily life, up to, well…  Life itself.  In the short term, we may see so many small changes.

One particular change is the insect population.

The Rise of the Flies

As the temperatures rise, many things are not going to be able to adapt to the change.  Insects are going to take a pretty large hit.  One recent analysis predicts that a whopping 40% of the world’s insect species could go the way of the dodo.  Extinct.

These insects include beautiful butterflies, moths, the ever-important bees (the potential hardships that result for this is a topic for a whole other blog), and even dung beetles.  But flies.  Those little flying insects may actually thrive in a warmer world.  “Under a warming scenario you’d have a larger fly population which is able to hang around for a longer period of time,” explains Amy Greer, epidemiologist and mathematical modeler at University of Guelph of Ontario.

You see, flies like the warmer weather.  That’s their jam!  They come out and are way more active when it is warm.  This increased fly activity is more than just a nuisance.  It could have major health implications, such as the spread of foodborne illness.  “With this increase in fly population and fly activity, this may lead to more transmission of Campylobacter,” says Greer’s student, Melanie Cousins, doctoral candidate at the University of Waterloo.

Campylobacter is a bacteria known to cause foodborne illness.  It too enjoys the warmer weather.  Many outside food-centric gathering related outbreaks usually involve this pathogen.  Think backyard bar-b-ques and picnics in Summertime.  This warmer weather helps Campylobacter bacteria to replicate quite efficiently.  Paired with flying insect activity, this is a recipe for disaster.  These flying bacteria carriers can cart this harmful bacteria all around, depositing it on clean and bacteria free food and surfaces, leaving a trail of Campylobacter in its wake.

Cousins estimates a modest 4 ⁰F rise is possible by the year 2080.  This 4 ⁰F hike could more than double the fly population.  Eek!

The Dirty Truth About Flies

Flies, rats, cockroaches, and other pests are a major vector for spreading bacteria in homes and restaurants.  Flies are one of the most common disease vectors.  For simplicity, we are lumping the common housefly and fruit flies into this fly category.

“Flies can spread diseases because they feed freely on human food and filthy matter alike,” says the World Health Organization (WHO).  “The fly picks up disease-causing organisms [like Campylobacter, E. coli, and Salmonella] while crawling and feeding.  Those [bacteria] that stick to the outside surfaces of the fly may survive for only a few hours, but those that are ingested with the food may survive in the fly’s crop or gut for several days.”  This means that a single fly can hop around from surface to surface depositing these harmful bacteria, littering your surfaces and foods with bad bacteria.  This is done by passive transfer of the bacteria attached to the surface of the insect, but also from the bacteria ingested by the fly because each time it lands to rest it regurgitates and excretes,

The common housefly does not discriminate.  They are known for aiding in transmission of at least 65 diseases to humans.  Things like anthrax, cholera, dysentery, leprosy, poliomyelitis, tuberculosis, tularemia, typhoid, and yaws.  I don’t really know what yaws is, but it doesn’t sound good.

Fly Management

So now we know that warming climates will likely cause a considerable increase in the fly population.  We also know that flies are a major mode of transmission of foodborne illnesses.  This correlates to an increase in temperature, which will lead to an increase in foodborne illness.  That is the case if we don’t do anything about it.  I don’t mean reduce carbon emissions or greenhouse gases.  While likely a great idea.  I’m talking about fly management.

Fly management can be broken down into four basic methods.  Sanitation, exclusion, non-chemical measures, and chemical measures.  Each method has their own pros and cons, so choose your combination of fly management wisely.  I say combination, because covering several fronts is your best bet to reducing fly-mediated foodborne illness.

Sanitation –  It takes food to draw in and allow flies to breed to large numbers.  Keeping fly food limited will help reduce the fly population.  Do not allow key materials such as garbage, grass clippings, manure, or other decaying organic matter to accumulate.  Trash cans should be clean and tightly covered.  Unfortunately, flies can eat so many different things, keeping all food sources out is just not a possibility.  When washing garbage cans, use care to clean them where the rise water will not drain into the soil, as flies can breed in soil that is full of organic matter.

Exclusion – Keep flies away by providing barriers.  In your home, use window and door screens to prevent them from entering.  These screens should be tight-fitting and free of holes.  Flies are industrious little insects.  They can find their way into your home through openings in the wall around water or gas pipes, electrical conduits, and ventilation holes.  Caulk or plug openings in the walls and use a screen on ventilation holes to exclude flies from your home.

Non-Chemical Measures – Shoo fly!  Don’t bother me!  Mechanical devices such as the simple fly swatter are great for controlling the occasional fly.  Non-chemical devices such as sticky fly traps, baited fly traps, and ultraviolet light traps are great for larger flying insect problems.  Bug zappers are great!

Chemical Control – Chemical measures, such as insecticides are a great idea for situations where completely sealing up an area is not an option.  These insecticides are generally applied by licensed pest control operators.  The downside is that they are often broken down by sunlight, which will affect the products ability to kill flies over time.  You may get a few days or maybe even a week out of it.

Take That Fly Seriously

Now that you know how serious a fly problem can be, make sure that your home and your backyard bar-b-que are “no fly zones.”

By: Heather Van Tassell, Contributing Writer (Non-Lawyer)

The post What Do Climate Change, Fruit Flies and Food Poisoning Have Common? appeared first on The Lange Law Firm.

[occasionalgypsies]

After going to Rockport and Port A in South Texas in Jan/Feb to try and outrun the cold (ahem, it was pretty cool and rainy most days but still, better than the weather in Dallas), our next adventure, just as Texas started to warm right up to comfy poolside temps, was to head off to Santa Fe, NM for all of April!

In a nutshell I have to say Santa Fe and all of NM really are: hauntingly beautiful with lots of light variations and distant mountain ranges in shades of blue/black; wonderfully dry so colds aren’t too cold and hots aren’t too hot; amazingly bug free allowing for open windows; quiet, even in the busiest of places because it only has maybe 2 million people IN THE ENTIRE STATE; full of some friendly people; brown (everyone seems to have signed a pact to build only earth tone adobe houses which while beautiful and well designed to blend, can be very monotonous); and loaded with Santa Fe cuisine (lots of red and hatch green chili sauces and stacked enchiladas, packing some heat).

We’ve really loved it. We have the good fortune to be house sitting through Trusted Housesitters, and have a lovely place up in the hills from Santa Fe a few miles. We hear Robert Redford lives right down the road but Stanley and I have yet to see him on our walks up his way. Here’s Stanley, our delightful little Schih Tzu for the month.

Anyway, following are a few of the highlights from our trip that to me, you shouldn’t miss.

Bar Z Winery near Palo Duro Canyon

Palo Duro Canyon

Our abode for the night in Palo Duro

Cadillac Ranch!

On our way from TX, we decided to check one item off of Jim’s bucket list, and spend the night at the bottom of Palo Duro Canyon. Did you know that it’s the second largest in the US, after the ol’ Grand? I didn’t. Don’t ask me based on what, I just read that somewhere. It was pretty amazing (upon driving past the first spot where you could kinda see it, Jim exclaimed, “Look at that, it’s almost like a…” and then he looked at the expression on my face, and stopped talking, because, ya know yes, it’s kind of like a canyon over there, like the one we put in our GPS maybe!) We spent the night in a decently comfy bed/cabin, no heat or air necessary due to it being early April in TX., and we had just a lovely time. FYI, I suggest a stop at Bar Z winery nearby, nice wines and amazing views of part of the Canyon. And you HAVE to check out Cadillac Ranch and spray paint something there. Pro tip: don’t buy any spray paint unless you are really picky, there’s plenty there for the taking.

Palo Duro Canyon

Bar Z Winery near Palo Duro Canyon

Our abode for the night in Palo Duro

Cadillac Ranch!

So after that overnight stay, we were off to Santa Fe! The scenery rather abruptly changed at one point, from flat grassland to scrubby, hilly desert. And then at one point, I realized, holy cow, I haven’t seen a person or a building or a cow or ANYTHING for a looooong time. Texans like to think we have wide open spaces but wow, even on the major highways you might see nothing here for an hour. Pretty cool, I have to say. Except don’t come here if you are addicted to your interwebs on your tele-device. Cell services is more like an occasional surprise than a reliable utility. Get used to it!

If you can, spend some time on Route 66 here. Lots of kitsch of the charming kind. We went through Tucumcari, partly because I like saying it and partly because it said it had some of the best art around. As you can see, it has some mighty fine stuff! I didn’t post the wall crawling with cockroaches because while it was cool, it really creeps me out.

OK, just kidding, here it is.

Anyhoo, we arrived, and all was beautiful if a bit chilly. The mornings were often in the 30s, but again, didn’t really feel too cold and it warmed up fast. Temps in the 60s are pretty mild here, being high altitude, sunny and low humidity. 70s feel great. 80s, you’re going to get hot and thirsty if you are out for long.

One of the first things we did was take a drive to check out the Rio Grande Gorge. It was pretty spectacular, even if the little phone box telling you not to lose hope freaked me out a bit. Smart, but still.

The scenery was awesome. Best part was we found a road that led to the bottom of the Gorge, where just a few people were hanging out fishing or relaxing. We like finding out of the way spots like that. On a warmer day, I could have hung out there all day, reading and swimming.

Rio Grande River Gorge

The crisis hotline at the gorge bridge

Jim at the bottom of the Rio Grande River Gorge, via a remote little dirt road

Another day we decided to take the high road to Taos (they actually call it that, we weren’t being especially virtuous or anything), a drive known for its beauty. There’s a faster way, but don’t do it. We also sort of accidentally took some kind of big circle around the mountaintop called the Enchanted Circle, also known for its scenery, mainly because I also wanted to see Red River where I spent some truly special time as a kid (Community House, you seem a sad shell of your former self, I hope I’m wrong, but prob you don’t have square dancing and hand jive lessons any more, sniffle) and because I wanted to drive through Angel Fire which I had never seen (we didn’t look too hard but it was just OK).

Next, we visited Bandelier National Monument, took a long hike and saw some great petroglyphs. You can also climb up ladders to see inside the old caves the Native Americans carved out of the little mini-caves in the cliff face. Saw some cool deer. Also took a drive to Jemez Springs and saw Soda Falls (below) along the way. Super cool, the river rushes through a small opening, lots of dripping mineral formations and a random hot spring on the side of the road. Also, Jemez Springs seemed fun and nicely isolated although we didn’t stop.

Bandelier Deer

Gophers on the roadside maybe?

Bandelier

Deer everywhere at Bandelier

Soda Springs

Soda Falls

Then, our friends came to visit! Super fast, we did a lot of stuff. We went to some Breaking Bad locations in Albuquerque, went to the Georgia O’Keefe museum in Santa Fe (totally worth it, and then in honor of her I took a very O’Keefe photo of the sky over the buildings outside), we experienced snow shaped like tiny little snowballs, we drove up to the Santa Fe ski area and saw snow-covered trees, we got caught in a crazy snowstorm that made us feel like we were Han Solo hyperdriving through space, and we geeked out on a roadside attraction full of those funny little plywood art thingies that you put your head in for photos. That was in the most adorable town of all around here, Madrid (pronounced like Bad-rid, accent on the first syllable). Some great restaurants, shops and live music, don’t say we didn’t tell you to stop there because we did.

Go see the Key Frances Band at the Mine Shaft Cantina in Madrid. You won’t be sorry. Especially on a beautiful day. (Ugh, didn’t write down the name of the band, sorry).

Also, if you like mysteries or funky art, go to Meow Wolf. Just go. It’s unique, although I highly recommend going when kids are in school if you don’t want to be overrun. And if you don’t want to work on solving the puzzles, you still might like it but you might not think it’s worth the $25 admission fee. We stayed 6 hours so, it was worth it to us, even if I think they need to work on shorter clues for the next rendition!

Jim through the wormhole

“They” are always watching

My fav, the 3D art (glasses required)

Lovely quote: When in doubt, just doubt your doubt.

For our final (up to now) adventure, we took the tram up to Sandia Peak, which was breathtaking. It has the longest cable span in the US (world?), so they say. If you are afraid of heights, I’d advise against it though! And last but definitely not least, we availed ourselves of the iconic spa here, 10,000 Waves. Very Japanese, very relaxing, expensive but not crazy so unless you do what we did and get the Shiatsu 80 minute massage, the head/neck massage, the foot/leg massage, the facial and a regular mini-massage. That’s a bit pricey, but it was a celebration and so, we splurged. Don’t forget to build in time for the baths, the sauna, etc. I hear you can even go to the dining room in your spa robe!

That’s it for now. I guess that’s enough. I’ll have one more post from our weekend bonanza of cramming in all the sights we’ve missed so far, plus our drive home through Roswell and Carlsbad Caverns. So long for now!

Top of Sandia Peak

One of the big towers for the Sandia Peak Tram

Ah…10,000 Waves

  So, logically, next we went to a cool place… After going to Rockport and Port A in South Texas in Jan/Feb to try and outrun the cold (ahem, it was pretty cool and rainy most days but still, better than the weather in Dallas), our next adventure, just as Texas started to warm right up to comfy poolside temps, was to head off to Santa Fe, NM for all of April!

[nostalgiaispeace]

1026.

Do you have a crush right now? no. i’m married. What are your crush’s/partner’s initials? MCA Do you shop at Wal-Mart or Meijer’s more often? Walmart, i guess. What’s your favorite store? (other than Hot Topic) Half Price Books What do you think about tattoos on women? love Do you drink? Smoke? i don’t drink like ever; i smoke cigs Any nonprescription drugs? Prescription drugs? i have to take meds for mental health reasons. Are you allergic to anything? What? like everything Have the cops ever gotten on to you for anything before? No. What other countries have you visited? States? none; FL, NY, NJ, KY, IN, PA, Maryland

Do you have a Myspace? And if so what is your screen name? not anymore Do you have a Youtube? Yes. Facebook? Yeah. Gaia? ? Bzoink? ? What email thingie do you use? (yahoo, gamil, rock) Yahoo and gmail Do you own a cellphone? If so what kind is it? yes; iphone 8S plus Do you text? Yeah. Do you have a digital camera? What kind is it? No. What is your most common typo? (I keep typing have, ahve, grrr) not sure? What kind of computer do you have? MacBook Pro. Do you have an ipod/mp3 player? No. What game system(s) do you own? old ones...somewhere What is your favorite video game of all time? The Last of Us Are you any good at Guitar Hero? No. Have you ever played Call of Duty? no Do you play games on the computer? no What is your favorite/most visited website? Tumblr Can you type fast? Yes. What color are the walls in your room? beige What kind of floors do you have? beige/brown carpet. How many doors are in your house? Windows? doors = 3; windows = 1 Do you have any posters on your walls? Of what? yes; band posters What kind of bed do you have? (fouton, twin, bunk) queen Is your bed comfertable? yes Would you rather sleep on the floor? No. Where is your computer located? where ever i am Do you have a tv in your room? Yes. Other than a closet do you use a dresser/wardrobe to keep your clothes in? kinda How many mirrors do you have in your house? (other than hand helds people) 2 How many rooms are in your house all together? 5 How many floors? 3 floors in my building Do you have a garage? No. Should you be doing anything right now? What? probably making some food. Do doctors or dentists make you more nervous? yes Did you ever think you were about to die before? yes Have you ever really had a near death experience? Was it cool? not sure; no? How often do you brush your teeth? often How often do you shower? (Come on, tell the truth) i try to every day Is it warmer or colder where you live? coldddd What is your favorite kind of weather? comfortable Favorite season? there are no seasons here so i can’t say Favorite month? none What is your relationship status? married Sexual orientation? Straight. Do you pick your nose? sometimes lol Have you ever cheated on anybody? no Ever done something illegal? yes Are you a virgin? No. Have you ever done pot? Yes. Ever tasted beer? Yup. Do you have to shave your toes? if i have to

Do you have chronic foot odor? no Do you use deodorant? Yes. Most embarrassing singer/band/group you listen to? i’m not embarrassed by the music i listen to Most embarrassing tv show you watch? i like the tv shows i watch so...not embarrassed. Have you ever crapped your pants? when i was sick, yes Have you ever…. Been skiing? No. Eaten sushi? no Seen a dead body? yes Killed a bug with a magnifying glass? No. Poured salt on a slug? don’t think so? Cried in front of someone? Yes. Drowned? no Been shot? No. Inflicted pain upon yourself on purpose? Yes. Laughed so hard you thought you were gonna puke? No. Wanted to do mushrooms? no Kissed someone of the same gender? yes Been so nervous you thought you were gonna pass out? yes Passed out? no Fallen asleep in class? Yes. Shot a gun? yes Driven a car? Yup. Stolen anything? yes Can you…. Use chopsticks? not well Tie a good knot? sure Snap yo fingers? yes Do a cartwheel? not well Do the splits? no Sing well? yes Dance well? No. Make yourself fart? no? Rotate your fingers in two different directions? no? Start a fire with two sticks? no Do any magic tricks? If so what? No. Hold your breath for longer than one minute? idk Cross your eyes with using your finger? yes? Draw well? nwa Make a baby laugh? sometimes? Stick your finger down your throat without gagging? yes Touch your tongue to your nose? no Curl/roll your tongue? no Make your tongue do that clover looking thing? no? Do the worm? i used to, dunno if i can anymore Touch your toes for longer than five seconds? doubt it Do a pushup? lol no

[goodairgeeks]

Bionaire Humidifier Review

So, you've decided you need a humidifier, and you might've seen the Bionaire brand around, but you still aren't sure whether you need a small, medium, or whole house. And then there's the question of whether you should get warm mist or cool mist. You know that a humidifier is bound to ease the stuffiness of everyone in your house, make it easier to sleep at night, and even possibly stop the annoying snoring. Not you, of course, you don't snore.

The Bionaire Ultrasonic Warm and Cool Mist Humidifier combines a lot of the features and functions you might be trying to decide between, and it's a good size for almost any size of room.

To see whether this is the right humidifier for you, keep reading to see the pros and cons, how this humidifier sets itself apart from all the others on the shelves, and what others who've bought it have to say.

Click For Price

Table Of Contents

Pros And Cons

What Makes This Humidifier Different?

Warm and Cool Mist Options

Tank Size

Timer

Night Light Functionality

Maintenance

Features & Benefits

Large Tank

Mist Temp Options

Mist Output Options

Combination Nozzle

Timer

Nightlight

No Filters

What Others are Saying About the Bionaire

Filling the Tank

Cleaning the Tank

Warm Option

Ease of Use

Leaking

White Dust Output

Mist Output

Cost/Value

Conclusion

Pros And Cons

Pros

Large tank

Demineralizes water

No filters needed

plus

Option of mist type

plus

Three output settings

plus

Includes light

plus

Timer is included

plus

Refill indicator

plus

Three-year warranty included

Cons

Won't work as diffuser

Hard water buildup can be common

Marketing language a bit misleading

Click For Price

What Makes This Humidifier Different?

Check out any aisle in a big-box store that sells humidifiers or go online and scroll through the lists of humidifiers there. You're sure to find plenty of options. There are the small, inexpensive ones that will shoot out a small burst of what looks like steam. Run your hand over it and the mist feels cool to the touch.

Warm and Cool Mist Options

The great thing about this Bionaire is that you are getting a bit of a compromise in some areas, and you aren't compromising at all in others. Whether you pick warm or cool mist machines, the result is the same: Water vapor is added to the air, and once that humidity gets to the air and you, it's all the same temperature. It's nice to have the choice, though, and you get that with the Bionaire.

That's why this Bionaire may seem a little misleading with its warm and cool mist options. You won't feel warm mist coming out of this unit. The benefit to having both is that the warm mist option heats the water and can kill contaminants in your water, such as some bacteria and viruses. The cool mist setting saves energy, but it won't filter out those icky bugs and such. Whichever setting you choose, you'll get the same results: more humidity in the air.

Enter your text here...That extra humidity can help your furnace or heater work more efficiently because higher humidity helps it feel warmer to you. Just make sure to monitor the levels, because too much humidity can have negative effects.

Tank Size

When it comes to the size of the tank, this one has a 2-gallon capacity. That's large enough that you shouldn't have to refill it every day. Set it to low and you may be able to go days before having to refill it. Speaking of refilling, there's an indicator light to let you know when it's time to refill, which is so much better than having to pick up the unit and inspect it for leftover water.

The Bionaire Warm and Cool Mist Ultrasonic Humidifier will work hard at the high level to turn your room into a virtual rainforest, but it won't run for very long because so much water is being used. The medium setting puts out a good amount of humidity to fill a medium- to large-sized room. And the low setting adds just enough humidity to ease symptoms of dry weather and illnesses without you really noticing.

Timer

You can use the timer to only pump vapor into the air while you're sleeping, or while you're hanging out in the room where it's located. You get your option of 4, 8, or 12 hours. And while we're on options, there are two nozzles at the top that you can reposition to direct the vapor streams where you want them. There's no need to move the actual humidifier.

Night Light Functionality

This Bionaire humidifier includes a light that glows a pretty blue, which could be helpful as a nightlight. The good news for those who can't sleep with a light on is that it does turn off, too. 

Maintenance

To refill the tank, you remove it from the humidifier and fill it from the bottom. Many humidifiers are bottom-filling, and there's nothing wrong with this design element. However, leaking could happen. And the fan intake is in an odd spot. Most fans for evaporative and ultrasonic mist are located on the bottom, which doesn't interfere with anything. This Bionaire's is pointing sideways, which kind of makes sense, except water falling on top can (and usually does) get into the opening where the fan is located.

Bionaire made this humidifier to be as convenient to use as possible. There is a demineralizing tab included, but replacements are not available, which could be confusing. The company simply changed the way they offer a way for consumers to "clean" tap water they use in the tank by offering a water-soluble solution instead.

Using it can mitigate some of the white dust that's emitted when you use the cool mist setting. Warm mist humidifiers won't spit out that white dust at all because it essentially boils the minerals out of the water. Another option to avoid that fine white powder ending up all over your floor and belongings is to choose distilled water for your humidifier.

Of course, you'll need to wash this humidifier at least once per week, as hard water can build up over time, and mold is always a concern. It's easier to clean than you may think. While this is a compact unit, it's easy to reach all the parts that water touches. And Bionaire includes a small brush to help you scrub clean all the bits and pieces.

Leave your essential oils out of the tank because you won't be able to use this humidifier as a diffuser, as many others are equipped to do. It's unfortunate, but you could damage your humidifier if you do. The good news is that if anything goes wrong with your unit because of defective parts or labor, you have a three-year warranty to protect your purchase.

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Features & Benefits

Most humidifiers are one-trick ponies, but this Bionaire humidifier offers a few more features that could benefit you in the long run.

Large Tank

The 2-gallon tank on this unit ensures you aren't refilling it constantly, which makes this a more convenient choice compared to smaller units. In spite of the large tank, the whole unit is quite compact and should fit easily anywhere.

Mist Temp Options

You can choose between warm and cool mist, which only switches the way the vapor is created. It's nice to have choice, even if the resulting vapor is the same either way.

Mist Output Options

Pick low, medium, or high output for the amount of humidity all at once you want. Of course, the lower the setting, the longer your tank of water will last.

Combination Nozzle

This unit has two nozzles at the top where vapor streams from, and these nozzles are adjustable. So, you can point them where you want the vapor to go.

Timer

A timer is helpful if you only want your Bionaire humidifier to run for a certain amount of time and then shut off. This one comes with a 4-, 8-, and 12-hour option.

Nightlight

There's a button on the face of the humidifier that lets you turn on and off the light that's built into this unit. It can be helpful to have a little light in the middle of the night.

No Filters

You won't have to buy any extras to keep your humidifier running properly. There is a demineralizing cartridge included, but you can't find replacements. Instead you can buy a water softener or supplement to distill your water in the tank.

What Others are Saying About the Bionaire

Those who have bought this humidifier seem to either love it or hate it. The in-betweeners are few and far between. Here's what the consensus was for each feature or issue.

Filling the Tank

Overall, consumers who purchased and reviewed this Bionaire humidifier agreed that filling the tank is easy enough. The tank is a bit too big to fill up in a bathroom sink, but a kitchen sink or bathtub should work well, others agreed.

Cleaning the Tank

The process of cleaning the humidifier's tank is easy because it's so large, and the included brush is helpful. However, some people mentioned that hard water buildup is difficult to get off.

Warm Option

The warm mist option confused several people who used this humidifier. The language in the marketing makes it seem as though you'll feel warm, wet air coming out of the unit, and that's not quite the case. It might be room temperature, but no warmer than that. So, there were some complaints that the warm mist option didn't work.

Ease of Use

This humidifier is literally plug and play. And fill. It's as easy as that, and those who bought this humidifier said as much.

Leaking

This is the most common issue that people had with this Bionaire humidifier. Not everyone experienced leaks, but those who did said it was more than water vapor gathering around the unit – it was more like flooding at the bottom of the unit.

White Dust Output

At first, consumers said there was no fine white dust on their belongings after running this Bionaire humidifier, but after a while longer, the dust appeared. Part of this is because the demineralizing cartridge likely wasn't demineralizing any longer, and you can't buy replacements. So, this can be annoying.

Mist Output

Generally, people who bought this machine agreed that it puts out a lot of moisture for such a compact machine.

Cost/Value

While some people believe this humidifier was worth the cost because of the two mist functions, most people agreed that it was a bit too pricey for what it does.

Conclusion

The Bionaire Ultrasonic Warm and Cool Mist Humidifier has an attractive square shape with a slightly translucent blue topper. The handle at the top makes it easy to move this humidifier from room to room. Don't let the compact design fool you, though. There's a 2-gallon tank situated in this unit that holds water. It can run for several days without you having to refill it, or you can crank the vapor up to turn a smaller room into a humid jungle-like atmosphere to help you breathe.

Bionaire included helpful features, such as a timer with three different settings, and a nightlight that glows a pretty soft blue. You can also turn it off, if you'd prefer. The choice of warm or cool mist is a nice option to have. You get the same kind of vapor, but cool mist uses less energy, and warm mist can kill off some bacteria and viruses.

Although there were some complaints about leaks and the unit not working properly, part of that is that expectations were not correct to begin with. In the leaking cases, it was probably a defective unit. The three-year warranty included with this humidifier should take care of those issues. This humidifier is easy to keep clean, and it'll work hard to turn up the humidity in small, medium, and large rooms. There are also two nozzles at the top that are directional, so you can push the nozzles to point the water vapor to where you want it to go.

Overall, this is an excellent humidifier to add to your home. It's a bit pricier than other humidifiers like it, but you get far more options with the Bionaire Ultrasonic Warm and Cool Mist Humidifier.

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The post Bionaire Humidifier Review appeared first on Good Air Geeks.

[hikingambition1]

Best Hiking Pants

Hiking is one of the best ways to enjoy the outdoors. There are endless places to explore when you strap on a backpack and head out into the wilderness. When you are preparing to go on a hike, even an afternoon hike at a local trail, it’s essential to have the right equipment to ensure your hike is safe and enjoyable. You’ll want to be sure to invest in a high-quality pair of hiking pants to ensure you are protected from the elements, and that you remain cool and comfortable during your hike. We’ve rounded up the best hiking pants to help you decide which pair is right for you.

Best Hiking Pants

Our RankModelMaterialWaterproofComes With Belt 1Helikon-Tex Outback Line, OTP Outdoor Tactical Pants93% Nylon / 7% Spandex / DuPont Teflon CoatingMoisture-wickingNo 2Huntvp Men's Tactical Pants Outdoor Lightweight WR Hiking Mountain PantsNylon / Cotton BlendWater-resistantNo 3FREE SOLDIER Men's Tactical Pants50% Cotton / 50% NylonWaterproofNo 4HARD LAND Men's Waterproof Tactical Pants Ripstop Cargo Pants65% Polyester / 35% Cotton TwillWaterproofNo 5TBMPOY Men's Outdoor Quick-dry Lightweight Waterproof Hiking Mountain Pants85% Polyamide / 15% SpandexMoisture-wickingYes

Know what you want? Buy your hiking pants here now!

Top Rated Hiking Pants

Editor’s Choice – Helikon-Tex Outback Line, OTP Outdoor Tactical Pants

Made from 93% nylon and 7% spandex, these pants are designed to breathe and move with you. The elastic-like fabric makes it easy to enjoy the outdoors, and the breathable material keeps you cool and comfortable. These pants are ideal for hiking because of their slim fit so that excess material doesn’t get caught around your waist as you move. There is a 2-inch adjustable band in the waist for when you need to add layers and make room in your pants for those layers, but they still sit nicely against your body to keep you comfortable. There are 2 large front pockets sewn into these pants that are great for everything from your map to food to a knife. The lay-flat design means that you won’t be carrying the added weight on your sides, making it easier to lift your legs for steep hikes. There is added fabric to the knee area to prevent wear and tear on your journeys. Available in several colors including green, black, khaki, brown, gray and more, there is a color for everyone and every need. These pants aren’t waterproof, but they do work to wick the moisture away when they get wet, so you aren’t being weighed down by excess water on your pants.

Pros:

Teflon coated materials

Patented design

Adjustable waist

Form-fitting

Lightweight

Cons:

Not fully waterproof

Huntvp Men’s Tactical Pants Outdoor Lightweight WR Hiking Mountain Pants

These hiking pants by Huntvp offer style and flexibility in a military-inspired pant that provides a great deal of durability and strength for the avid hiker. The build and construction of these pants feature high-quality zippers and high-density metal alloy buttons that will stand the test of time.

Made from a durable, ripstop cotton blend, these pants will keep you feeling dry with water-resistant treatment and design. The elastic stretch waistband ensures the pants stay put while hiking and it provides a great deal of comfort while on the move. The elastic waistband design also helps to reduce friction when carrying a backpack for added comfort on the trail. These pants are available up to size XL, but be sure to measure before you buy because they are made a little smaller than some other pants. The form-fitting design will keep your pants from shifting while you hike. These are an excellent option for any hiker at any level. They are also great for camping, fishing, and layering in the winter months.

Pros:

Water resistant

Nylon/cotton blend

High-quality construction

Great design

Form-fitting

Elastic waistband for stretch and comfort

Cons:

Made smaller than other pants so be sure to measure before buying

FREE SOLDIER Men’s Tactical Pants

If you are in the market for a pair of high tech hiking pants, the Free Soldier tactical pants might be right for you. This 50/50 cotton/nylon blend features heavy duty zippers, a number of deep pockets, and hanging clips on the side of the pants for all of your tools and gear that you want to grab in an instant. The pants are scratch-resistant, waterproof, tear-resistant, oil resistant, and great for four seasons of wearability. They are also coated with Teflon and offer a great deal of breathability and comfort. The pockets are big enough to carry large items such as flashlights or other large tools. They are perfect for hiking, but you’ll get a lot of use out of them on the construction site, while camping or hunting, and they are great for everyday wear as well. With stylish 3D tailoring, these pants look cool, and the attention to detail means you’ll have these pants for years to come. The pants come in several colors including green, black, brown, and camouflage. Great for serious hikers with a lot of equipment to carry.

Pros:

Durable design and build

High-quality materials

Waterproof, oil proof, and scratch resistant

Great for four seasons of wear

Made from lightweight material to keep you cool

Loads of storage pockets and MOLLE system for hooking tools on the pants

Cons:

We can’t find anything wrong with these pants – they are great!

HARD LAND Men’s Waterproof Tactical Pants Ripstop Cargo Pants

These tactical hiking pants from Hard Land are waterproof and weather resistant. They are great for all kinds of weather use. They won’t fade, shrink or even wrinkle so they are great for everyday wear in addition to your jaunts in the woods. You can also get yourself a pair of these hiking pants for camping, fishing, and hunting. Made from a polyester and cotton blend, they’ll keep you warm in the cold weather and cool in the warmer weather. The zippers are made from high-quality materials, and there are multiple pockets and D-rings for your gadgets and tools. The belt loops are oversized to support the weight of a tool belt or large tools while working or hiking. The waistband sits flat, which will help keep you comfortable when you are carrying a large backpack. There is a place for all your tool, snacks, and even magazines in these great hiking pants. Available in navy blue, black or green, and up to size 46 waist, you can be sure that these pants will stand the test of time.

Pros:

Good range of sizes for all body types

Waterproof

Weather resistant

Polyester/cotton blend

Available in 3 colors and a variety of sizes

Cons:

Could use more deep pockets

TBMPOY Men’s Outdoor Quick-dry Lightweight Waterproof Hiking Mountain Pants

If you are looking for a rugged and reliable pair of hiking pants check out the TBMPOY Outdoor Mountain Pants. They are made of 85% Polyamide and 15% spandex giving you lots of flexibility and durability. There are multiple pockets: two at the knees, one back pocket, two slanted side pockets and more. This pair of pants comes with an adjustable belt, which is a nice added feature since belts are expensive on their own and this one is designed to stand up to the elements and hiking. The waist is adjustable and has a nice bit of stretch to it, and there are “knee darts” sewn into the fabric to allow the pants to move freely while providing an excellent fit. These pants are great for camping, hiking, hunting, construction and more. They aren’t waterproof, but they are water-resistant and offer a quick-dry technology that helps you recover quickly from spills in puddles and while wading through streams. They are rated for 3 seasons, so you’ll need a thicker pant for colder months. Otherwise, these are great hiking pants for any level of hiker.

Pros:

Multiple pockets

Water-resistant

Lightweight fabric

Durable construction

High-quality zippers

Comes with belt

Adjustable waist

Cons:

Not rated for cold weather

Hiking Pants Buying Guide

Go For Pants, Not Shorts

Experienced hikers will tell you to always opt for pants over shorts when hiking because they protect your legs better. Pants that are designed for hiking will keep you cool in the warmer weather and warmer in the colder weather. Plus, it’s easy to layer lightweight hiking pants for more frigid weather hikes. Pants help protect your legs from the sun, bugs, and numerous branches and twigs you are going to come in contact with on your travels.

Zip-off Legs

Some people prefer hiking pants that have zip-off legs; the idea is that you can prevent your pants from getting wet if you have to cross a stream, or you can quickly switch to shorts if the weather takes a warmer turn. Zip-off pants are no better or worse than regular pants, but it will be a personal preference as to whether or not you will want to buy this kind of hiking pant.

Multiple Pockets

One thing – actually multiple things that are necessary on a hike is pockets. You want as many pockets as possible in your hiking pants so that you can access items quickly and easily on the trail without having to remove and open your backpack all the time. Map pockets, knife pocket, and pockets for snacks and sunscreen are essential. Make sure the pockets are deep enough to prevent things from falling out as you move along the trails.

Waterproof

Some hiking pants are waterproof, so you don’t have to worry about staying wet for long when you cross a stream or step into a puddle. Waterproof and water resistant are two different concepts: waterproof means the water won’t penetrate the fabric, so you stay very dry, but water resistance means the material will eventually become saturated with water and you’ll stay wet longer.

Material

The best hiking pants are made from lightweight nylon, cotton, or spandex material that dries quickly when wet and keeps you cool in warmer weather. For cold-weather hikes, fleece-lined hiking pants are ideal because they help to keep the warmth in without making you feel too uncomfortable. Many of the best hiking pants have nylon/cotton blends that have excellent cooling effects while hiking.

Season

If you hike all year round, you’ll want to invest in several pairs of hiking pants that will perform well for the type of weather you will encounter. For extreme climates – hot or cold – you’ll want to invest in the best hiking pants you can afford so that you stay comfortable and dry wherever you are hiking.

Color

Some people will care about the color of their hiking pants, and some won’t. Just know that the lighter the color of your hiking pants the more dirt and dust they will show. Lighter colored pants will keep you cooler in the warm weather though, so keep that in mind as you shop for your perfect pair of hiking pants.

Fit

You might be tempted to get a loose-fitting pair of hiking pants, but the more fitted the pants are to your body the better the material will perform. Wide-legged hiking pants just get in the way of your movements, and the added material only weighs you down as you hike. Pants that move with your body are best so when you try them on, be sure to do a couple of different moves, including squats, to see how your pants hold up. Another thing to consider is if the waist lays flat around your body. If you are carrying a backpack and the waist of your pants bunch up as you move, your backpack may rub against that excess material and cause you a great deal of discomfort.

Conclusion

When it comes to choosing the right hiking pants for you, don’t skimp on the important things like durability, construction, and weather-resistance. You want a pant that can take you from hot to cold, and keep you comfortable no matter what activity you are doing. Hiking is made even more enjoyable when you have the right equipment and are prepared for taking on the elements. Get yourself a pair of hiking pants today, and you’ll be glad you did.

The post Best Hiking Pants appeared first on Hiking Ambition.

from Hiking Ambition https://hikingambition.com/best-hiking-pants/

[punchedit]

Best Time to go Fishing on a Day

Well, not to be confused with the fishing weather conditions. We’re talking here about the best time to go fishing in a day. Not that easy to quote, right? The reasons are many. We have plenty of experts and pro anglers around and almost each one of them has a different opinion about it. I’m sure that you have heard it somewhere that the best time to fish in a day is all the day. However, it has been spread like a proverb in our fishing communities. Whereas in reality, it has a very low relevance to the topic.

So, here are we! We’ll try to give you some bold ideas to determine the best time to go fishing. In fact, in most of the cases, those won’t be the best time of the day. But we guarantee that it will be comparatively more likely for you to go on and reel in a fish easily. You may have the best fishing spot and all the equipment but fishing at the correct time is important for a fruitful outing. If you leave at a bad time, hands can be empty while you return. There are plenty of factors to keep in mind deciding when to go for fishing. Now let’s get straight into the points.

  Time and Tide

There’s a proverb; time and tide wait for none. However, we are not gonna dig into that proverb though. Keeping a tide chart is likely to be the very first thing for a fishing trip. Why? None of your methods are gonna work well unless you are fishing at the right time. You are narrowing down your chances. And charts are nothing rare to have. Just hit the tackle stores or search on the internet. Type “Tide Chart” along with the name of your city to simply determine what times the tide is high or low in your area.

Tides work as an effective catalyst for fish activities and behaviors. Try fishing when the tide is falling or rising. This allows fish traveling to shallow areas to look for foods. While the change in tides takes place, they access the newly made shallow areas seeking new food sources. Fish move exactly as the tide moves. Stay alert! And choose the right spots for throwing your lines or nets. You might need some extra buckets to fill with fishes if you do your calculations right. Always find a shallow zone if the tide is high. Otherwise, look for an area to the bottom during a low tide. Fishing is not easy in low or high tides due to the lessened water movement. But fishing 90 minutes either side of a tide change is a definitely a good choice.

Fish are cold blooded, unlike us humans. They don’t like their body temperatures at a persistent level. Because the water temperature affects the body function of the fish. Besides, the volume of oxygen in the water lowers, when the temperature is very high or low and this makes the fish sluggish. So fish are less active in days when it’s too cold or too hot. They eat bugs, little tiny fish. So naturally, they are supposed to be active when the bugs are most active. If the air is warm and dense with mosquitos, expect fishing to be great.

  Light and Temperature

Fish activity changes depending on the light and temperature. Low brightness and lower temperature are the favorites. So instead of fishing in the exhaustive sun of midday, you better through your hook in the early morning and late afternoon. The water temperature is more comfy to move and jump around as they feed in these specific time periods. Flawless time to cast your line, isn’t it? Late morning is better as the sun warms up the shallows by then.

Fish lean towards cooler, deeper waters to stay more relaxed when the sun is bright and hot. So, early morning and late afternoons are brilliant times to go fishing with top water lures or shallow. Temperatures are comparatively cooler, and the lights are lower at these times. And guess what? This is what the fish wait for! This is when they travel the ridges for meals.

If you are equipped with deep fishing baits, lures and rigs, then the midday is a pretty good time for your catch. As the rise of temperature of brightness occurs, fish tends to the deeper parts of the water.

Overall, fishing will be dawdling when it’s too hot or too cold. So keeping a bit of biology might help you pick the right kinds of lures and baits to use. Try working your tackle slower in colder water and faster in warm water. By this time, you know how a combination of time, light and weather can affect your fishing.

  Moon Segment

Moon segments do have effects on fish. Fish loves splendid light and temperature. They float around close to the water surface in full moon and like to feed when there is light with no high temperature. And when it’s a full moon, they are lured by the light so that they use it to look for food. Alike temperature and tides, moon segments alter on a daily basis as well. Nevertheless, there are two times that are unfailingly appropriate for fishing and they are between the dawn and dusk.

  Seasons

Similar to every other animal, fish also have behavioral arrays that are affected by seasons. They come out in plenty in specific times of the year. This will certainly diverge based on where you are fishing and what sort of fish you are to catch. As fish bite on and off, you surely can have better luck just before the end of the season when things get a little warmer, instead of depending on the spring season only. If you can avoid the hottest times of the day as we mentioned earlier in this article, summer is another good fishing season here. Fall is kind of unpredictable. But there is nothing else wrong with fall. It can also be a season of catching plenty of fish. And lastly, winter is never a good time for fishing by any means.

Spring – Fish bite on and off during Spring. But as we discussed earlier that spring isn’t a season to rely on. Only when things get a little warmer, you’ll have the chance to reel in some fishes. During the spring mornings fish can’t find enough bugs to feed themselves. So a big opportunity for your lies here. We recommend taking advantage of their feeding time at dusk. At this particular time of the year winds are supposed to push the warmer, food-filled surface water close to the shore. Trying to position yourself downwind along the shoreline will be a good move.

Summer – Early summer mornings, fish don’t bite. The water stays cold and doesn’t heat up since the sun is low and the rays leap off the water. There are plentiful food and shelter for fish in the summer time, so finding hungry fish for your lures or baits won’t be easy. From the late morning to early afternoon, fish are biting off and on. This is because the water starts to warm up as rays begin to penetrate the water. The winds push the warmer surface water as well as food into the downwind shoreline. So try fishing in that area. Water cools during the early sunset until dark, fish swim up from the depths and explore the surface. And as their digestion and metabolism are activated, they will be eating a lot. And this is an excellent time for fishing. Water remains warm before the evening because the sun stands directly overhead.

Fall – This can be an uneven period, but when you’re fishing good, it becomes too good. They don’t bite frequently in the morning and early afternoon. Water remains cool as the sun stays too low to breach the water. Concerning the end of the day, the water is warm from hours of sunlight, and the fish will be biting off and on more than usual due to warmer, shallow water. Also because of the looming food unavailability that winter brings. Dusk is hence an excellent time for fishing. Water is generally cool due to the season. From afternoon to early evening, fishing is excellent. Sun is quiet overhead for numerous hours and the water near the surface gets comfier. This creates a great time to go fishing, as fish are hitting on weight for the winter.

Winter – For certain reasons, winter is not the best time for fishing. But if you are talking ice fishing, which is completely a different thing, then it’s okay. Else, you could leave your fishing tackles in storage during this season and go to hibernate. Lol.

The post Best Time to go Fishing on a Day appeared first on Spinning Reel Advsior.

Source: http://spinningreeladvisor.com/best-time-to-go-fishing/

[bestforlessmove]

Guests to Impress? 7 Tips to Make Your Spare Bedroom Shine This Summer

Solidago/iStock

With summer vacation season in full swing, chances are good thatyour guest roomwill seeits fair share of traffic. If you haven't stepped footin that space since Uncle Humbert's visit last Christmas, you might be feeling a little uncertain: Does your guest bedroom say budget motel or five-star getaway? Will your loved ones actually look forward to staying at your place, or dread it?

Luckily, it doesn't take much to create a stylish and welcoming haven that will impress your guests-and keep them comfortable during these hot, sultry months. Try these designer tips and touches to elevate your space for summer visitors. Just beware: They mightfeel so at home,they'll never want to leave.

Tip No. 1: Make it dark

Photo by Karen White Interior Design It's summer, so you might be inclined to use thin, airy linen for your window coverings-don't we all love that elegant beachy look that lets the light pour in?

But as nice as they mightappear, thin curtains aren't always the most practical choice.Ensure a good night's sleep-and lots of privacy-by installing blackout shades or other thick curtains that can block out the summersun and heat.

A set of blinds or drapes will also help create a buffer between the room and street traffic outside, notes Marty Basher, a home organization specialist with Modular Closets,in Lakewood, NJ.

If you don't have blackout shades, it's nice to provide a sleep mask, adds Bea Pilaof B. Pila Design, in Miami.

Tip No. 2: Provide luggage racks

Photo by NICOLEHOLLIS This simple and inexpensive guest room addition will end up being alifesaver. For starters, your guests will appreciate not having to bend over and unpack on the floor. Also, a luggage rack serves as a subtle hint to your guests not to toss their dusty suitcases onto the bed, Pila says.

You'll also want to empty a dresser drawer, clear some closet space, and leave extra hangers, adds Kelly LaVineof Closet Factory, in Minneapolis.

Want to install something more permanent? A multipurpose coat rack with built-in cubbies is ideal for bags, hats,coats, and bathrobes, saysJennifer Popis, a spokesperson for Lowe's.

Tip No. 3. Use lightweight linens on the bed

Photo by Loaf Now's not the timeto show off that luxuriously warm down duvet you scored on sale. Cool cotton or percale is the way to go in warmer weather, but don't forget to add a lightweight blanket or comforter on the end of the bed.

It can be chilly in the morning in some parts of the country, and your guests may be cold if the AC is on high, says Carole Marcotte, a designer at Form & Function, in Raleigh, NC.

Leave out bath and hand towels, plus a washcloth and a new bar of soap-not thatmelting mess in the shower stall.

And Ilike to leave a couple of robes in the closet, one medium, one large, which fitsmost guests-and then tuck a corresponding pair of slippers in each pocket, she adds.

Tip No. 4: Provide access to tech

Photo by The Aldrich Group, LLC

A TV in your guest room is a real treat, especially if you have cable, or a Netflix account and a Roku/Chromecast/Amazon Fire/Apple TV/insert-your-favorite-tech-device-here.

Make sure to leave written instructionsfor the remote control and login information, Basher says. An extra phone charger is key. And don't forget the Wi-Fi password.

You could type it up in a pretty font and then frame it on the desk, suggests Amy Bell, a designer with Red Chair Home Interiors,in Cary, NC.

Tip No. 5: Offer bedside accompaniments

Bedside accessories

Flavia Morlachetti/Getty Images

A few well-chosen accessorieswill set a welcome tone. Marcotte puts out a sea-salt-scentedcandle in the summer months, and Basher printsa photo of his guests off their Facebook or Instagram page and frames it for the nightstand.

I would also add a journal or paper and pen so guests can write down their thoughts, recommends Julie Coraccio, a home organizing pro with Reawaken Your Brilliance. She also snips fresh herbs or flowers from her garden and sets outsunscreen and bug spray.

Include a list of things to do around your town, tourist brochures, and places to eat,too, she adds.

Tip No. 6: Serve drinks and snacks

Photo by Houzz

Much as it might feel like it, you'renot running a hotel-so you don't need to set up a whole minibar. But a few treats will offer an extra-welcoming touch.

In the guest room, you can leavea bottle of sparkling water or a carafe and glass set (Marcotte adds sliced cucumbers and limes to the water carafe). Fruit in a bowl is a healthy idea, especially seasonal peaches. Youcould also add a granola bar and a box of mints.

Want your guests to really feel comfortable(and like they don't have to tiptoe into your kitchen in the wee hours of the morning)? Try giving themtheir own caffeine fix.

Pila recently decorated a home with several guest suites and includeda small coffee maker and a place to heat water for tea in each space.

Tip No. 7: Stock the bath

Photo by Bill Fry Construction

You know you'll have a guest who forgets her toothbrush. Or one who needs floss or a bandage. Be prepared with these necessities in the medicine cabinet or in a basketon the counter. Include travel-size shampoo, conditioner, hand lotion, lip balm, and toothpaste. Also have on hand a packet of Advil, disposable razor, and extra hairdryer.

These help a guest who's left something at home-and she won't have to feel awkward asking to borrow something, Marcotte says.

The post Guests to Impress? 7 Tips to Make Your Spare Bedroom Shine This Summer appeared first on Real Estate News & Insights | realtor.com.

[j0sgomez-blog]

Hello Michael,

I read your article about ultra-backpacking and how you did the John Muir Trail in seven days. I am planning on doing it, but would like to know, for an ultralight backpacker, what do you suggest for a backpack, tent, sleeping bag, etc.? Any feedback or thoughts that you have would be much appreciated.

Thank you.

Joei Covina, CA

Hi Joei,

Very cool that you’re making a John Muir Trail thru-hike. (The lead photo above shows a view of the Yosemite National Park.) I did it in late August, and I think late August through mid-September is the best time of year to hike the JMT, because you’ll find a largely snow-free trail, the voracious mosquitoes of mid-summer are just about gone, and the afternoons aren’t as blazing hot as mid-summer.

My specific gear suggestions below would, of course, apply to almost any backpacker who wants to go lighter and hike more comfortably in most mid-latitude mountain ranges in summer—although the choice of shelter would depend on typical weather and bugs.

You should also read my tips on ultralight backpacking, which includes my generic ultralight gear checklist and a chart describing each piece of gear and apparel with its weight; and see my standard checklist for backpacking.

  Hi, I’m Michael Lanza, creator of The Big Outside, which has made several top outdoors blog lists. Click here to sign up for my FREE email newsletter. Click here to learn how I can help you plan your next trip. Click here to get full access to all of my blog’s stories. Follow my adventures on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Youtube.

  Mark Fenton at Trail Crest on the John Muir Trail, Mount Whitney.

Here are my picks for the major gear items.

For a backpack, I like a few models: the Osprey Exos 58 or Exos 48, which have been udpated for 2018, when Osprey also introduced the women’s version, the Eja 58 and Eja 48 (read my review); the Gregory men’s Optic 58 and women’s Octal 55 (read my review), and the smaller Optic 48 and Octal 45; and the Hyperlite Mountain Gear 3400 Windrider (read my review).

See all of my picks for the best ultralight, thru-hiking backpack.

  Want to hike the John Muir Trail? Click here for expert, detailed advice you won’t get elsewhere.

  In late summer, outside the buggy season in the High Sierra, I prefer using a tarp, like the Sea to Summit Escapist Tarp (read my review), which I used on an ultralight, 86-mile, four-day, September hike in northern Yosemite. I often sleep under the stars on a clear night, but a tarp, besides protecting you from rain and some wind, can trap a surprising amount of warmth underneath it on a calm night.

If you want a full tent, look for a solo that’s around two pounds or two-person tent that’s well under three pounds, like the two-person Big Agnes Tiger Wall UL2 (read my review), Big Agnes Fly Creek HV UL2 (read my review), Slingfin 2Lite Trek, which pitches with trekking poles (read my review), or the MSR FlyLite (read my review). Or if you’re willing to carry a little more weight for more space, check out the Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2 (read my review) or Marmot Tungsten UL 2p (read my review).

See my picks for the five best backpacking tents, all of my backpacking tent/shelter reviews, my “5 Tips For Buying a Backpacking Tent” and my story “How to Choose the Best Ultralight Backpacking Tent For You.”

  Plan your next great backpacking adventure in Yosemite and other flagship parks using my expert e-guides.

  On the JMT below Forester Pass, Sequoia National Park.

For most three-season backpacking, I carry a sleeping bag rated around 30 degrees F. It’s warm enough for me on nights above freezing, as most nights are in summer; on an unusually cold night, I can supplement by wearing my clothing. People who get cold more easily may want a bag rated 20 to 25 degrees—and there are some high-quality, relatively light and compact models out there.

Down bags were traditionally warmer, lighter, and more compact and durable than synthetic (if also more expensive), but the best synthetic insulations now compete with down for warmth and packability, while down feathers treated to make them water resistant compete with synthetic insulations for continuing to trap heat when damp or wet.

My favorites include a bag I’ve used for years, the Marmot Hydrogen; the Western Mountaineering Summerlite (read my review); the Sierra Designs Nitro 800 20-degree (read my review), which comes in a 35-degree version; the REI men’s Magma 10 and women’s Magma 17 (read my review); and the Big Agnes Picket SL 30 (read my review).

See my “10 Pro Tips For Staying Warm in a Sleeping Bag” and all of my sleeping bag reviews.

For nighttime lows generally above freezing, take a lightweight or ultralight insulation piece like the Patagonia Micro Puff Hoody (read my review), the Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer (read my review), or the somewhat warmer Arc’teryx Cerium LT Hoody (read my review) or Patagonia Nano Puff Hoody (read my review).

See my “Review: The 10 Best Down Jackets,” my story “Ask Me: How Can You Tell How Warm a Down Jacket Is?” and all of my puffy jacket reviews.

  Get the right pack for you. See my “Gear Review: The 10 Best Packs For Backpacking” and my “Top 5 Tips For Buying the Right Backpack.”

  Lastly, if all of your gear is light, you should get lightweight hiking shoes or boots. You may want something waterproof-breathable that’s still relatively light, like the Scarpa Proton GTX (read my review), Arc’teryx Acrux2 FL GTX (read my review), or Oboz Crest Low BDry (read my review).

For hiking the JMT at a time when it will be largely snow-free, I’d go with non-waterproof, mid-cut or low-cut hiking shoes for maximum breathability, as my friends and I did in late summer because we didn’t have to worry much about getting wet, and highly breathable shoes dry much faster, too. Shoes I like include the La Sportiva TX3 (read my review), Scarpa Epic Lite (read my review), Oboz Scapegoat Mid (read my review), and Arc’teryx Acrux FL (read my review).

See all of my reviews of hiking shoes.

  I can help you plan this or any trip you read about at my blog. Find out more here.

  You should read my story “5 Things to Know Before Buying Backpacking Gear,” which has my general tips on buying any gear and links to my stories offering specific tips on buying a pack, tent, boots, and sleeping bag.

See also my advice to another reader about thru-hiking the JMT in early summer and all of my stories about the John Muir Trail.

The JMT is a wonderful experience. Good luck.

Best, Michael

  Tell me what you think.

I spent a lot of time writing this story, so if you enjoyed it, please consider giving it a share using one of the buttons below, and leave a comment or question at the bottom of this story. I’d really appreciate it.

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[weprajith]

Insulation - What Types Are Out There

Insulation is the phenomenon of slowing down the flow of heat, electricity or sound. Insulation can be used both to prevent heat gain and heat loss from the surrounding. Most electrical appliances use insulation technology like Refrigerators, freezers and Heaters. Insulation should be installed in the areas between heated and non heated space.

One of the main applications of insulation is house insulation. An insulated home is more energy efficient, requires less maintenance and is more comfortable as the temperature remains uniform over weather changes. Insulation at home helps in saving energy and reducing utility bills. It makes the house more comfortable. Insulation at home not only helps in keeping the house cool in summer and warm in winter but it also prevents damage from leaking water and provides a good thermal resistance. Insulation is very useful to keep the temperature of the house independent from outdoor temperature.

Insulation at home helps in saving energy and reducing utility bills. It makes the house more comfortable. Insulation at home not only helps in keeping the house cool in summer and warm in winters but it also prevents damage from leaking water and provides a good thermal resistance. Insulation is very useful to keep the temperature of the house independent from outdoor temperature.

There are many types of home insulation available. All the different types of insulation have their pros and cons. They are mainly differentiated based on the material used for the insulation. They can be separated into Plastic foam, rigid board, reflective, loose fill, batts and blankets and blown in insulation etc.

Foam insulation is performed by pouring the liquid foam from a container. Foam insulation is a bit more expensive than batt and blanket insulation. Foam insulation is convenient to install while constructing the house rather than going into already built structures. As the foam insulation used to be air tight , it is not generally recommended for attic insulation.

Spray foam insulation is used to insulate the walls and ceilings do keep the house warmer during cold weather and to keep it cool in summer. Spray Foam insulation is a bit more expensive than Fiber glass insulation. This type of insulation can reduce utility and repair bills as your house is naturally warmer and free from bugs due to the insulation. Spray form insulation lasts longer than other types.

Ductwork Insulation is used to insulate ducts and hot and cold water supply pipes, water heaters and air conditioners etc. to control the temperature of air and water. It is not that expensive but can help in high energy and cost saving.

Attic insulation is a must in any house to have comfortable room temperature. A house should have an attic that has a room temperature close to the outdoor temperature. Attic insulation would not be adequate if there is not a sufficient amount of it or it has gotten wet or has become less effective due to gaps or damage in insulation. The houses that have a warm surroundings and environment can have R38 insulation while a house in a cold climate can have R49 insulation.

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