Archive for category The Great Outdoors
Outdoor Chimineas For Your Patio
Posted by whaleadmin in The Great Outdoors on October 16th, 2009
Until I started learning more about outdoor fireplaces I didn’t know what a chiminea was, but the more I learned the more intrigued I became. Outdoor chimineas are kind of like mini, portable outdoor fireplaces. They are perfect for your patio or deck just make sure they are placed on a brick or concrete surface for safety (you wouldn’t want them directly on a wood surface).
The nice advantage they have over fire pits is that they direct the smoke up into the air, even on windy evenings when the smoke from a fire pit may blow in your face. This is thanks to their shape with the round body connected to the slim neck which directs the smoke up. Beyond their functionality they make a very attractive piece of furniture for your patio as they come in a variety of styles.
Ultralight Fishing Poles
Posted by whaleadmin in The Great Outdoors on September 20th, 2009
For most people that think about ultralight fishing poles, they automatically think of images of old cane poles with a piece of string attached to a hook and a piece of corn, or at best, some cheap combo that they have seen inside the store that came with hundreds of different plastic lures that you will never use. The days of these types of ultralight fishing poles are over though, because more and more anglers are beginning to see the benefits of downsizing their line and lures to coax more fish into biting. Most people believe that you catch smaller fish with ultralight fishing poles, and while this is true, you catch some monsters as well! The numbers that you catch total are much higher than other forms of fishing!
Camping Cooking Supplies Guide
Posted by whaleadmin in The Great Outdoors on September 16th, 2009
When you’re outdoors camping in the woods, one of the things that often presents a small problem for people is what to eat when you have to cook over a campfire. Well I have two words for you: hot dogs. Hot dogs are great for taking on a camping trip because they are widely available, they’re easy to pack and travel, and they won’t spoil in your pack. They’re also really easy to cook – all you need to do is poke a stick through them and cook them over your campfire for a short time until they get warm. Then just stick them in a bun or a slice of bread and you’re good to go.
For more information on camping cooking, read this camping cooking supplies guide.
MRE Meals For Dinner
Posted by whaleadmin in The Great Outdoors on September 13th, 2009
I was cleaning the basement over the weekend and I just realized that I have cases of MREs. I had totally forgotten about these but they were meant for emergency preparation. I guess that’s good that it’s one of those buy and forget type deals but they are about to expire. I will have to buy more cases. In the meantime, there are going to be a lot of MRE meals in our house! That’s okay since the kids really like them. They have really come a long way since they first came out and the kids like pouring water over them and watching the steam rise. And it only takes ten minutes to cook too. Perfect for when you have a hungry family demanding their dinner!
Looking After Your Motorhome Awning
Posted by whaleadmin in The Great Outdoors on September 6th, 2009
Caring for your awning will make a big difference to it’s durability and life. The weather can play havoc with the supports and the fittings. Rain water can start to rust any metal, and high winds can damage virtually anything. The awning fabric is especially prone to rotting and fading, time takes it’s toll on them. The best way to make them look a bit better is to wash them down after every trip with some soapy water, and then rinse them off and let them dry in the air. You don’t want to pack them up when they are wet, you are asking for mildew to set in.
Modern motorhome awnings are made from high tech materials that can withstand water and mildew. This takes the hard work away, and reduces the maintenance issues. You pay for this technology, but it does mean they last much longer, and will serve you well in the years to come.
Climb Walls with Ninja Foot Spikes
Posted by whaleadmin in Sports and Games, The Great Outdoors, Uncategorized on September 6th, 2009
When you think about martial arts weapons your mind probably goes to swords, staffs, and shuriken right? But not all martial arts weapons are held in the hands of a martial artist. Some weapons are just as effective when attached to the body of a person in different areas. One weapon in particular that is not really like traditional martial arts weapons is the ninja foot spike.
The Ninja is a legendary martial artist who uses subterfuge and camouflage to sneak around in the night and attack by the cover of darkness. Ninjas are all about stealth tactics and one of their most cunning approaches is climbing up on walls and through windows. Spikes are common to ninjas. They wear them on their hands and on their feet so that they can grip the sides of walls and cliffs more easily as they climb and the spikes can also be used to rake across the faces of enemies and do some serious damage.
Aluminum Window Awnings
Posted by in Home and Furnishings, The Great Outdoors on August 24th, 2009
Being able to block out sunlight from entering your home can be important especially during the summer days where it can be very hot. There are a lot of things that you can do to prevent this from happening. One of the things you can do is to simply close your curtains. However, this can make the house look dark. If you want to be able to control the amount of lights that comes into your home but at the same time enhance the look of your house then you might want to consider getting one of those aluminum window awnings. These won’t make your home much darker but at the same time will still keep out the heat to keep your home cooler. You can find these findings online.
Above Ground Pool Heaters: An Overview
Posted by whaleadmin in The Great Outdoors on August 17th, 2009
Above ground pool heaters are finding increased use since homeowners want to get more use out of their pools. They are being used to heat the pool’s water during the evening hours and in the cooler months. However, shoppers are faced with various types of pool heaters when they begin searching for a way to heat their pool’s water. The type of heater that is selected will depend on the individual’s budget for both the initial purchase cost and the unit’s operating cost, as well as the types of energy that they have available for the pool heater.
Gas pool heaters use either natural gas or liquid propane to heat the water. The choice between these two fuels chiefly depends on whether you are serviced by a natural gas company, since natural gas costs less than propane it would normally be the first choice. However, both of these energy sources are in abundant supply in the United States and are reasonably affordable. Gas heaters for above ground swimming pools are also favored by homeowners because they can increase the water temperature in a relatively short period of time and they have the ability to raise the water temperature higher that the other types of heaters.
Swimming pool heat pumps use the same principles as the heat pumps that warm your house. They utilize the thermodynamic properties of a refrigerant similar to Freon to transfer the ambient heat to the pool’s water. This is the reverse operation of a home’s central air-conditioning system in that an AC unit’s coldness results from the refrigerant’s expansion while a heat pump’s heat is a result of the fluid being compressed. Although a heat pump has a higher capital cost than a gas heater, the operating costs are generally lower than an equivalent capacity gas pool heater since they are more efficient in their operation.
Solar pool heaters use the sun’s radiant energy to heat swimming pools water. And although there is no direct cost with capturing this energy from the sun, there is an operating cost due to the fact that this water must be circulated through the solar panels. However, the largest drawbacks to solar pool heaters are the high capital cost, the complex plumbing system required and the large space requirements needed to site the solar panels.
While each of these pool heater technolgies can accomplish the same result to a varying degree, consideration must be given to your budget, your heating requirements and the technical aspects required of each type of heater. Your local pool professional will be able to resolve your questions and help you make the best choice for your individual situation.
Beekeeping in an Urban Setting
Posted by whaleadmin in The Great Outdoors on August 11th, 2009
If you find bees interesting like I do, but live in a city, you may be wondering if beekeeping is even possible. It certainly is possible, and here are some things to think about.
Check with your local regulations.
Some cities are more open to beekeeping than others. Before you invest any money in beekeeping equipment be sure to check with your local government to see what rules you need to follow.
Decide what kind of beekeeping you want to do.
There are basically two ways you can keep bees in an urban setting – for honey and beeswax, or for observation. You will need different equipment for each, so decide what your goals are so you buy the right things. Either way you will need to find bee equipment and bee hives for sale. Bee supplies are available on eBay and at other sites online.
Have fun with your beekeeping adventure.