A picnic is, perhaps, one of the most romantic types of dates. The best thing is, a picnic can be as inexpensive (or as expensive) as you want it to be. If you are looking to impress a date, then take him or her on a picnic. To make sure that your picnic is ideal, follow these few picnic tips:

Where should you have your picnic? Of course, depending on where you live, you will have different options. These picnic places are ordered from best to… least best:

	Tuscany, Italy (alright, so a picnic in Tuscany might be a bit more expensive than you can afford(after all, airfare is not included along wiht the napkins in an ordinary picnic basket), but it would be nice, wouldn't it?)
 	The beach
 	The mountains
 	The park
 	Outdoor theater
 	Your backyard
 	On the floor in front of a fireplace
 	On the floor in front of the deli section at your local grocery store
 

What should you bring to eat on your picnic?

	If you are trying to impress your date, it is best to make the food yourself, and you better make it in advance.  Your date will appreciate the forethought.
 	Think of food items that do not need to hot, like cold pasta salads, vegetables and dips, fruits, olives, cheese and crackers, sandwiches, and other food.  It is possible to bring hot food if you properly insulate it.
 	Wine.  You can even find nice plastic wine "glasses" to take on your picnic so that you do not need to worry about breaking them.  For a more casual picnic, bring along beer.  Or, if you do not want to have alcohol, a nice sparkling juice will do.
 	Water.  No matter what other drink you bring, also bring water (especially if you have to trek a little ways to your picnic spot or if you set your blanket out in the sun).
 	Dessert.  Do not forget the dessert!  There is nothing more romantic than sitting outside, sharing a slice of chocolate cake.

Other important picnic items:

Do not forget a picnic blanket. A picnic blanket protects your clothing from dirt or grass stains and ants. A picnic blanket is also great if you are having an evening meal - you can use it for warmth once the temperatures drop. Of course, there are other ways to stay warm, as well…

Remember to bring utensils, plates, napkins, glasses. Many picnic baskets come ready with these items. If you have a picnic basket that comes with these items, be sure to wash them before you use them.

Additional items to consider taking on a picnic:

	Music.  Depending on where you are having your picnic, you ought to consider bringing along a portable music device.  Sometimes, though, just listening to nature and to each other is enough.  If you play the guitar, bring it (but leave the piano at home...)
 	Frisbee or games.  Your picnic does not have to end once the food is gone.  Bring along cards or other games.  If you are picnicking in the mountains, bring along some sturdy shoes so that you can explore.  Bring along a towel for an unexpected swim (or rain shower).
 	Your camera.  Capture the moment.  Take a picture of your date as he or she is silhouetted by the setting sun.  Photograph the piece of chocolate cake that you accidentally smeared across your date's surprised face.
 	Bug spray and sun block.  You never can be too safe.

The most important “item” to bring on your picnic:

	Your date!  Remember, a bad date can ruin a good picnic!  (Just kidding)

Anne Clarke writes numerous articles for websites on gardening, parenting, fashion, and home decor. Her background includes teaching and gardening. For more of her articles on picnics, please visit Picnic Baskets.

What are the most important things that investors look for before investing in a start-up? What separates rejects from stars? Here are seven characteristics most venture capital investors look for in a promising venture.

A Proprietary Product, System, Method or Approach

Investors look for surefire indications that the firms they are investing in have a leg up on competitors. While patents, trademarks, copyrights and other trade secrets do not guarantee success, many successful ventures enjoy one or more of these advantages.

A Large Potential Market

What good is a great product or service if the potential market is too limited? In a relatively small market, a venture might have to capture the entire market to be profitable. Most investors look for ventures that operate in markets large enough to result in significant revenues and profits. Large sustainable profits usually lead to greater enterprise value.

Customer Acceptance

Nothing is more convincing than a rapidly growing base of satisfied customers. Well-written business plans, multiple patents and spectacular Power Point presentations are great, but early rapid product acceptance is where the metal meets the road.

A Highly Talented and Experienced Management Team

Investors look for management teams that are talented and that can deliver on their plans. Many ventures fail, not because the business plan is not compelling or well designed. They fail because the management team is unable to execute their plan. Investors are partial to management teams that have successfully executed plans in the past.

A Well Thought Out Plan

Speaking of business plans, a highly focused plan usually precedes a smashing success. Since most investors have limited time to meet with entrepreneurs seeking financing, it is imperative that savvy entrepreneurs put together compelling business plans. In a short well-written plan, they must communicate their vision and business concept in a convincing manner, anticipating and answering the most critical investor questions.

Exit Strategy

Venture investors usually have limited investment horizons. In many cases, they have raised their money using an investment fund vehicle. The vehicle usually requires them to return their investors’ capital within a certain time frame. Most venture investors have a three to seven year investment horizon. High net worth ‘angel’ investors may have more flexibility if they are convinced that greater rewards will come from a longer investment horizon.

The Potential for Excellent Returns

Investors look for ventures capable of generating the kinds of profits that create significant company value. Financial projections must be realistic yet convincing. Large profits produce high company valuations. Upon an investor’s exit from the investment, a large enterprise value usually results in large investment returns.

If you are making plans to tap the venture capital market, keep these points in mind. Focus on presenting a compelling, well-written business plan. Once you get your meeting with investors, be prepared to concisely communicate how your business will become successful.

George Parker is a co-founder, Director and Executive Vice President of Leasing Technologies International, Inc. (”LTI”). A twenty-five year industry leader, George is a frequent panelist and author of several articles and e-books, including “Using Venture Leasing As A Competitive Weapon” and “101 Equipment Leasing Tips”.

Headquartered in Wilton, CT, LTI is a leasing firm specializing nationally in direct equipment financing and vendor leasing programs for emerging growth and later-stage, venture capital-backed companies. More information about LTI is available at: http://www.ltileasing.com

After property, Art is considered the most profitable avenue of
investment by the “big boys”, that’s to say the fund managers
and guardians of pensions! At this level, money is in plentiful
supply and as long as it turns a profit all is well. Therefore,
these people go to the top auctions houses like Sotheby’s and
Christie’s and bid for paintings by artists of considerable
reputation and stature. Something by one if the impressionists
such as Cezanne or Van Gogh is going to set you back several
million. The bank or investment fund will buy the painting,
providing their bid is sufficient and then keep it in the
boardroom or perhaps even send it out to exhibitions as this
provides an advertising opportunity. After a few years have
elapsed and the value of the work is felt to have increased it
will then be sold on, yielding the owner a substantial profit.

Regrettably, as individuals we ware not in that league Money
will not be so plentiful and thus certainty in making a profit
by investing in works of art becomes a much more risky
affair, because, it is important to grasp, art has not real
intrinsic value. It fetches the price that a buyer is prepared
to pay, that’s all! So for the most part the private investor is
going to have to speculate within the ranks of lesser known
artists. Unless you have done your homework, thoroughly, the
picture you like so much at the Gallery around the corner by the
unknown artist who happens to be the owner’s boyfriend, will
fetch less than you paid five years down the road. So what to do?

None of this means you should not buy art. For a start, buy what
gives you pleasure which in the end will far outweigh any
financial loss you are likely to make.

However, if you want to invest, you will need to research the
art world quite thoroughly. Chose an artist whose work lies
within your means. Watch auctions and notice whether or not
examples of his or her paintings or drawings are increasing in
price. This will take a little time. However, thanks to the
internet we are all able to access considerable amounts of
information relatively quickly. Once you have done that, follow
the auctions. Attend a few, and when you feel confident make a
bid. You may or may not be successful, but it’s a start.
Interested in this subject? Try this link for more of the same

1. Reclaim your house!

Round up everyone who is old enough and give them each a large laundry basket, a box, or even a good-sized trash bag. It’s time to free yourself and your house!! Send everyone to their room and tell them that they can’t come out until their bag is full of unwanted items. If your children are too young or too attached to every little thing, have dad take them to the park for a couple of hours while you do the dirty work.

You can start in the office/craft room and don’t be afraid to grab another bag if you need one, but be sure to select your unwanted items carefully; remember that some things may be good resources for this school year. I personally go for the decorative and broken items that just take up space first. I also run into books, games, and materials that my son has grown out of. Drawers, closets, and shelves are a huge hot spot for clutter. Remember, everything you put in that bag is one more thing that you will NEVER have to pick up off the floor again!

Tip: Inspire your kids by giving an award to whoever gets rid of the most stuff. Have a quick talk with your kids and be sure that they understand what is appropriate to throw away. You may have to look everything over before the final ok. Last year, my son threw everything from his dresser into his bag so he could outdo his dad!

2. Make a Little Trash Turn into Cash

After you have piled all of these items into one spot you can talk with your family about a garage sale. If there’s enough stuff, this is a great way to pay for some of those fun new items for school. I have a garage sale every year and I try to get rid of as much as possible. Last year alone I made around $375 on a hot Saturday in August, but it was all worth it (you should see the great curriculum that I ended up with)! You can take anything you don’t sell to your local Salvation Army at the end of the selling day. Be sure to get a donation slip from them, because you can deduct the donation from your taxes as a charitable contribution.

Very important! Take your unsold items to the Salvation Army immediately . . . do not leave the extras lying around because you’ll only end up with a headache later! I learned this from personal experience. I tripped over a bag of donation items for 6 months before throwing it in the car and getting rid of it!

3.Tackle the Dust Bunnies

Now that all of that clutter is out the door, let’s clean house. Instead of a Spring Cleaning Day my family has the annual “Summer Sundown.” We clean on the first Saturday of September and don’t stop until the house is spotless, even if the sun goes down! We order pizza, turn on music, and have fun with it. The person who works the hardest gets to pick the fun place we go to the next day.

Here are some ways to inspire the kids to help you:

* Collect Loose Change. You know that when you do laundry, turn the sofa cushions, or move the furniture to vacuum you always find loose change. Keep a big jar in the living room were everyone can drop the change that they find while cleaning. Choose something fun ahead of time to buy with the money (like candy or ice cream cones or even a fun trip to the zoo!). Sometimes I even hide some extra coins for them to find and keep them motivated. It’s really fun to see my son’s face when he discovers that extra fifty cents I put under the coffee table!

* Cleaning for Clues. Write up a checklist of tasks that your children must complete that day and hand the list over to them. Every time they finish a task, they can bring their list to you and you can check off the item. In return for the check, give your kids a “clue.” This can be a clue to where a special thank-you gift has been hidden, a clue about what the gift might be, a clue about where you’re going to dinner that night, whatever gets them excited! If you’re feeling really artistic, you could draw a map that will lead your kids to hidden treasure. Just cut it into puzzle-like pieces and hand out a map piece for every check mark your kids earn. Of course, make sure that your kids won’t accidentally stumble on the hidden treasure while cleaning!

4. Organization Made Easy

Now that you’ve purged all of the extras, and cleaned out the broken crayons and spilled paint, take a good look at the organization of things. Every one of us knows that we have our problem areas. Mine are dirty laundry in bedrooms, my son’s “school zone,” and the scariest of all . . . the Office/Craft area. These are the items I bought to solve my messy problems:

* Laundry hampers and new laundry baskets. Yes, all the gross and half broken ones when out with the trash! I couldn’t believe that such a small change could make me smile so much!

* Two-dozen (yes two-dozen) plastic shoe size boxes with lids. I found them at Wal-Mart for one dollar each. Twenty-four dollars can buy you a lot of freedom. I know twenty-four sounds like a lot, but once you get them home you’ll see that everything seems to belong in one!

* Four big plastic containers with lids. I put all of the summer camping gear into these containers and stored them in the garage; I sorted Art and Crafts materials in the office; I organized the extra curriculum items that I wasn’t going to be using just yet; and (most importantly) I put this year’s curriculum and materials in the last one and kept it close at hand. I also used a couple of the smaller plastic containers to help keep the boxes organized.

* One package of thirty-six labels. I used these to label every one of the containers I bought and a couple of other boxes on the shelves. Keep the boxes stacked label out and make your labels as descriptive as possible. This way, you’ll avoid searching through box after box for that one item you just can’t seem to find!

* One old shoebox. Last but not least my son’s “school zone” was tackled with plastic containers for extras and an old shoebox. The shoebox is turning into a tradition at my house. I cover it with white paper (old birthday or Christmas paper turned over) or a paper bag and then he draws whatever he wants on it. We use this box as his school box. We always keep the following items in it: three freshly sharpened pencils, a big eraser, crayons, ruler, counting bars, and some others depending on what we’re doing. To make your own school box just think of all the things your children need everyday and keep it in their own box. This will save you a lot of time and frustration that would’ve been spent trying to find everything you need everyday.

5. Make a Game Plan With the Kids

This is a perfect time to talk with the kids and see what they want to learn about. I love to give my son the option of one major topic (per quarter or semester depending on how interested we get) and we use unit studies and some creativity to cover some of the basics. Depending on the age of your kids, this doesn’t have to be a very complicated topic. This year my son said he’d like to learn more about sharks (he’s been in love with them ever since “Finding Nemo”).

6. Printable Resources to Simplify Lesson Planning!

Lesson plans are a great place to start. The more you know what you’re doing for the year, the more specific you can be about your school supplies. If you’re using a complete curriculum, then you’ll already have most of the specific materials that you’ll need. On the other hand, if you’re more like me and like to take it a little more relaxed, then check out our homeschool printables page and try out our Blank Goals Sheet. I like to start every year with this, because it helps me decide what I want my children to accomplish for the year.

7. Shop ’til you Drop!

After filling in the goals sheet, use the garage sale money to make a dent in your back-to-school list.

8. Ready Made Schedules

Whether you’re a traditional homeschooler or an Unschooler, schedules can help you stay on track. Here are some great examples of printable homeschool schedules successful homeschool moms have shared with me.

9. Take the Sting out of Record Planning

The more I look into the record planning software the more I’m aware that the perfect one just hasn’t been made yet. So after looking over the top recommended ones I was very disappointed. They weren’t very user friendly and they all seemed overly complicated and tiresome. As I keep my fingers crossed for the perfect computer program to come on the market, I will stick to what works for me. Depending on your states laws you can personalize this to your needs too! I buy one 3 ring binder per child. I color code and give each child the color of their choice. You can buy matching folders and other things to give to each one of your kids. Then I start out with the basic subjects and other important information for the school year. I have made some examples that you can print and use or copy as the beginning of your own record-keeping information. I keep these files on the computer and type in them daily or weekly (or whenever I get around to it). I print them out and put them in the binder. This is the boring paperwork part that we all have to endure. Fortunately, there is a fun way to keep track of the brighter side of your child’s homeschool year. Scrapbooking is a great way to get everyone involved in the fun.

10. Relax, Smile, and go on a picnic at your local park!

Thanks for listening and I hope this helps you along your homeschool journey!

Kristi Hagen is a homeschooling parent and author of the popular Homeschool Book, “A Parent’s Guide to Homeschool”. She’s also one of the editors of HomeschoolViews.com, which publishes an informative monthly Homeschool Newsletter.

Boiled down to all of our essence, all we really want is to be loved…by our spouses, by our family, by the people we work with, by everyone. The key to being loved by all of these people is actually quite simple: love yourself first!

So how do you love yourself, why don’t we love ourselves and why is this all you need? Let me start with the last question first: why is all we need to love ourself first? We need to accept ourself, to love ourself, in order to allow ourselves to be loved by others. If we can’t love ourself, can’t be worthy of our own love, how can we expect others to love us? Oh sure, our mom will still love us, and maybe our dad will love us, and yes, grandma and grandpa will still love us. But how deeply will they love us if we can’t love ourselves, if we can’t be open and honest with ourself first? Probably not as deeply as we need them to. We need to choose to love ourself, just like we choose a positive attitude. You’ve done bad things, or had bad things done to you, that make you feel badly. It’s okay and in fact, it’s perfectly normal.

Why don’t we love ourselves? It goes back to the last word in last paragraph: normal. We don’t think the things we do are “normal.” We have unreasonable expectations of ourselves, and this leads us to not love ourselves as we should.

How do we learn to love ourselves? It begins with self-acceptance. Choose to accept yourself for who you are, warts and all, and then you can open yourself up to sharing your whole self with others.

The next thing to learning to love ourselves is changing our expectations of ourselves. We are only broken people in a broken world, and we are not perfect. We are not to be compared to anyone else, we just are what we are. We’re meant to experience life as it comes, even when it’s not “great” and to learn from our mistakes. I am often SO guilty of not doing this, but I’m working on it. It’s not easy, but with practice, it will get better.

The last thing is honesty. Be honest with where you are right now. Take a minute and write it down. Not the location, but where you are in regards to the various important things in your life. Good and bad things all need to be written down. Once you realize where you are, you’ll realize you have a LOT more to be thankful for than you thought.

So all you need is love…love yourself first, and then open your heart and let others love you too.

Phil Gerbyshak leads a team of IT help desk professionals in Milwaukee, WI, and finds that sharing his knowledge is a crucial component in his success as a leader and as a person. Phil’s personal philosophy is paraphrased from Tim Sanders’ fantastic book Love is the Killer App: “Share your knowledge, your network, and your love. The rest will follow.” Read more of Phil’s musings at http://makeitgreat.org

In the early period of the 1900’s, F1 Motor Racing went ahead with rudimentary racing cars and elder gentleman drivers, although the real Formula 1 Championship didn?t start until the nineteen-fifties. Whilst the years went by and the event got extended, it speedily became understandable that Formula One Motor Racing was the pinnacle championship of motorsport. The motor cars were the best, the equipment was the most sophisticated and the racing drivers were at the height of their physical health coming from foreign countries all around the earth.

With the new introduction of sponsorship funding, F1 Motor Racing took on it’s more profit driven arrangement & can without a doubt at this instant be observed as being very, very big business ? with costs reaching millions and even billions with no trouble. With big business arrives politics & sometimes it?s the people you are acquainted to and how much riches you encompass that obtains you what you desire. Formula 1 Racing is peppered with conspiracy theorists ? I will disclose to being one of them ? but depending on how absorbed you wish to get in the Formula One society, that part of things is quickly ignored. What in actuality matters is what transpires on the tarmac. For F1 Explained, then go to F1Tribute.com today.

Travelling from country to country all over the world for about eight months of the year, Formula One Racing embarks in countries large & small, wealthy and poor, with rich backgrounds, glamorous people & heaps of native history to be soaked up. Covering Friday, Saturday and Sunday, a F1 Motor Racing weekend is a severe journey, from early testing, to the last laps of the Formula 1 race.

The fundamental configuration contains a race every two-weeks. On occasion the Formula 1 calendar is changed with a little bit and there are Formula 1 motor races on back-to-back weekends, or at times you have to go a number of weeks before seeing the common Formula One drivers again. Once it is time for the next F1 motor race, you can examine the news for your favourite Formula One constructor as they reach their destination. Friday consists of practice meetings, Saturday is for qualifying and Sunday is for the racing event.

If you’ve been to one wedding, you’ve seen it all. From the flowers and the candles to the dress and the music, the typical wedding can be as predictable and generic as your Uncle Leo’s dance moves. For your wedding to stand out, you need to involve your guests in the sentiment and process of the day. It’s not the cake or the great food that will be remembered, but all the little details that will make your wedding as unique and memorable for your guests as it will be for you. These 25 ideas on how to personalize your day will make it the event that will be talked about for years to come:

1. Write a welcome note for your out-of-town guests on postcards from the city your wedding takes place. It’s a nice personal touch that shows tremendous thought as well as a keepsake that can be saved with photos of the wedding.

2. Include an “About the Wedding Party” section in your programs or on the reception tables for your guests to learn more about the members of your bridal party. Not everyone will know that you and your Maid of Honor have been best friends since preschool.

3. Hang your dress on a pretty silk coat hanger the day of your wedding. People will be taking photographs of the dress before you put it on and you’d like to avoid having it on an old wire coat hanger.

4. Send your invitations to Loveville, Maryland first — they’ve developed special wedding postmarks that add a nice “love” touch to your envelope. Call 301-475-5243 for details.

5. Invite the President, Pope, and the Queen of England for a special wedding surprise. Be sure to send their invites out early.

6. If you’re planning on taking pictures prior to the ceremony, clear everyone out of the ceremony site and have your groom at the end of the aisle. Walk down the aisle, so it’s only the two of you. It’s a very sweet and special moment that you can share… and the pictures of the tears in his eyes will be priceless.

7. Place tissues or personalized embroidered handkerchiefs in the rows where family will be seated for their “tears of joy”.

8. Write a letter to your mom and dad and have it waiting for them at their seat during the ceremony. It could be about anything: a thank you, how you hope your marriage turns out like theirs, your gratitude everything they have done for you, etc. They will be so touched and honored that you took the time to arrange for this and you’ll have them in tears before you begin to walk down the aisle!

9. Have each bridesmaid carry a bouquet made entirely of their favorite flower. Your bouquet will be a combination of all of their flowers.

10. Dress your flowergirl in a bright color rather than a replica of your dress so that the dress can be worn again.

11. Read your vows to candlelight. All your guests will receive a candle on their way into the ceremony. When it comes time for the vows, have your ushers or groomsmen go around and light the candle at the end of the row and let them “pass the flame.” It’s a nice romantic touch to a very sentimental and powerful moment.

12. For family members who have passed away or cannot physically be there with you, wear something of theirs so that they are with you. It could be a lapel pin tied to the ribbon of your bouquet, your great aunt’s pearls, or your grandmother’s handkerchief.

13. Pick a special ceremony start time, like 5:17 — the exact time he proposed to you.

14. Serve your cocktails from a “Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue” menu. Take recommendations from special people involved in the wedding for their favorite old/classic drink, a new/modern drink, a favorite borrowed unique drink recipe, and a blue cocktail. It’s a festive way to get the party started!

15. If an ice sculpture is a must have, go for a martini luge. It’s a great accent to every bar and it will certainly give your guests something to talk about!

16. Write special love quotes on the inside of everyone’s place cards.

17. Forget the clinking glasses and ringing bells. Have your guests sing loves songs to get you and your groom to smooch during the reception.

18. Have guests sign a tablecloth or guest book platter to be used at special dinners in the future in lieu of a guestbook.

19. Set small photo albums, notecards and a disposable camera at each table. Create a sign asking each guest to write some words of wisdom on the notecards and put the card into the photo album. Make sure they take a photo of everyone at the table. After the wedding you can combine the notecard on the same page as the photograph and you’ll have a special keepsake of every guest at your wedding.

20. Be sure to have your parents and married siblings first dances played at the reception- and make sure the DJ or band recognizes them when its played!

21. Rather than doing the money dance, do a “wish dance”. The bride and groom start off dancing together, then guests cut in for 10-20 seconds of dancing and their chance to give you any last minute marriage advice and parting words.

22. Assign table numbers by age and accent the decor with pictures of you and fiancé from that time. For example…at table sixteen you could show pictures of your fiancé with his new car and you at your sweet 16 birthday party.

23. Be sure to have a kid oriented table. Lay down block paper for them to draw on, have them make you cards, serve hot dogs, chicken fingers, ice cream sundaes. Perhaps even have a side room for them with Disney movies playing or a magician for entertainment. Your guests will love you for getting the kids out of their hair for the night!

24. Wrap a “keep out” or “no trespassing” sign around your leg outside of the garter. Your groom will find a shocking surprise when he dives in and your guests will find it to be quite humorous!

25. Race through a tunnel of swords, ski poles, sparklers or boat oars for a different grand exit.

Remember that this wedding is about celebrating your love and inviting your family and friends to see a glimpse of who you are. Don’t be afraid to do things a little differently… your guests will appreciate and remember your day all the more for it!

Reprint Rights: Feel free to use this article on your website or online publication. Please remember that you must include the resource box and live URL links, exactly as shown below, to the author’s website at the end of the article.

Ashley Rader is the owner and editor for Moments of Elegance Bridal, an online boutique specializing in discounted wedding favors, personalized gifts and wedding accents that will truely make your event unforgettable.

With the onset of winter, hikers in California turn to Joshua Tree in the Mojave Desert. Hiking Ryan Mountain is good way to see an excellent summit view of the park.

Joshua Tree - Ryan Mountain

If you’re looking for the best view in Joshua Tree National Park, Ryan Mountain is the undisputed winner. Make it to the top and you’ll find a 360 degree view of the park with mountains on one side and the sprawling desert on the other.

Ryan Mountain is reached by hiking the…drum roll please…Ryan Mountain Trail. The trail is roughly one and half miles and takes 45 minutes to an hour depending on your pace. Easy to follow, the trail winds to and up the mountain, giving you a unique panorama as you climb. The incline is pretty moderate, but hiking the trail can be a good workout if you happen to catch it on a really windy day.

The winds on Ryan Mountain can get very serious. We are talking gale force winds. Even if the winds are roaring on the day you visit, go ahead and make the hike. It is relatively short and the views definitely make the effort worth it.

Once you reach the summit, you are going to be literally and symbolically blown away. It is a rare day the wind doesn’t blow like all get out. Still, you’ll hardly notice since the view is incredible. From the summit, you’ll be able to see Queen Valley, Pinto Basin, Lost Horse Valley and even the snow covered peak of Mount San Jacinto in the distance.

To get to Ryan Mountain, take Park Boulevard out of Joshua Tree Town. After 16 miles or so, you’ll see a sign for Keys View. Turn left and go a bit over two miles till you see a parking lot on the side of the road with a sign for the trail. Crowds are usually at a minimum.

While much of the country is in a deep freeze in the winter, Joshua Tree is at its best. Hiking the Ryan Mountain Trail is a good way to check it out.

Rick Chapo is with http://www.nomadjournals.com - makers of writing journals for hiking, backpacking and camping. Hiking journals are great Christmas gifts for him or her. Visit http://www.nomadjournaltrips.com for more hiking articles and stories.

Harry Vardon is one of the greatest golfers of all time. 6 time
British Open Champion, Vardon (Overlapping Grip), debut of the
vertical swing, etc. etc. etc.

BUT there is something that is still a very very well kept
secret that almost no one understands. The secret to his
DISTANCE.

Harry was considered a long ball hitter of his day but also a
weakling. He suffered from tuberculosis and had repeated
attacks.

In fact, he had to cancel a promotional tournament tour in
America sponsoring the newest golf ball from Dunlop due to a
bout of tuberculosis, which also forced him to cancel his ticket
on the Titanic!

So how could he be a long hitter and suffer from tuberculosis at
the same time? The answer is in his bent left elbow.

Yes, I know your Pro has told you many times to keep a straight
left elbow. And that is the classic thinking even today.

But is a difference between the problem the Pros are trying to
prevent and what Vardon did. Many amateurs will over-swing at
the top and let their left elbow bend.

On the start down, they will again straighten out the elbow
causing extra movement and swing plane variations. What Vardon
did was something else. He HELD the bent left elbow until just
before impact with the ball.

John Jacobs, in his book - The 50 Greatest Golf Lessons of the
Century (HarperAcademic), described Vardon’s swing LIKE THROWING
A FRISBEE!!

Theodore Jorgensen in his book - The Physics of Golf - devotes 1
separate chapter to Vardon’s swing and comes to the conclusion
that by using his left elbow as an additional hinge a power
increase of up to 50% is theoretically possible.

Another description of Vardon’s bent left elbow is that he made
his left arm into a whip with an additional bending point in it.
And then threw his left arm down the target line similar to an
athlete throwing a discus but in a more vertical plane. How can
you try this out?

Think - throw the Frisbee down the target line.

Keep your left elbow bent on the way down to the ball and unfurl
it, like throwing a discus, down thru the ball.

Whether you are planning a vacation to Denver, or you’re a local looking for something new to see or do, chances are you’d like to find something for free. Good news: you’ve come to the right place!

Let’s start off our free day (if today happens to be a Tuesday during the warmer months) by dropping in at Denver Botanic Gardens. Enjoy a fitness walk through the beautiful gardens, followed by a healthy snack (also free!). To add more balance to your morning, attend the free T’ai Chi class as well. (For more information: call 720-865-3500 or visit www.botanicgardens.org/pageinpage/fitnesswalks.cfm)

That was invigorating! Now, let’s head downtown to the Colorado State Capitol Building. The distinctive dome is plated with Colorado gold. The gold has been replaced several times, using rolls of ultra-thin gold, requiring only 47 ounces of gold to coat the entire dome!

As you explore the building on your own, or join a free tour, enjoy the murals, stained glass portraits, wall hanging, and presidential portraits. During the legislative session, step into the Senate or House of Representatives gallery to watch state legislators in action.

For those Coloradoans who’ve visited in the past and remember hiking up and up the spiral stairs into the dome to enjoy the views of the city and of the building below, we have some bad news. After 9/11, this part of the building was closed to visitors. The good news is that visitors are still able to stroll through much of the building to enjoy its beauty and fascinating history. (For more information: call 303-866-2604 or visit www.milehighcity.com/capitol).

As we approach lunchtime, how about browsing the incredible book offerings at one of the Tattered Cover bookstore locations? What’s a bookstore doing in an article about free things to do in Colorado? Well, my friends, the Tattered Cover isn’t just any bookstore. What started out over 30 years ago as a small, cozy bookshop with an eclectic selection of books evolved into an amazing place for anyone who enjoys books. Not only will you find an outstanding selection of books (over half a million in the two original locations, consisting of over 150,000 titles), but you’ll still enjoy the feeling of being in a cozy shop where you feel welcome to curl up on a sofa or sit back in a recliner to enjoy reading a book, magazine, or newspaper. This is the bookstore that some of the “big box” booksellers wish they could be.

Although lunch isn’t free, may we suggest a light meal at the in-house coffee shop, or if you’re visiting the Cherry Creek location of Tattered Cover, take the elevator up to the Fourth Story Restaurant & Bar to enjoy a lovely lunch. (For more information: call 303-322-7727 or visit www.tatteredcover.com).

Are you up for one more tour? If your free day is a Wednesday or Saturday, and it’s now about 2:00 PM, head over to the historic Brown Palace Hotel downtown. Meet in the sitting area beside the entrance to the Ship Tavern inside the hotel, and enjoy learning some fascinating Denver history on this 45 - 60 minute free guided tour. See a hotel that has hosted kings and presidents, executives, rock stars, and even people like you and me. (For more information, call: 303-297-3111 or 800-321-2599 or visit www.brownpalace.com/historical_tours.cfm).

Next up: Dinosaur Ridge by Morrison. This site gives new meaning to the term “leave only footprints” when hiking! You’ll be amazed at the variety of prehistoric animal tracks, both large and small, which are available for viewing along this well-preserved site. Stop by the Visitor Center, and then take time to experience the self-guided tour which includes sixteen interpretative signs that describe fossil remains as well as other relevant features of the area. (For more information, call: 303-697-3466 or visit www.dinoridge.org).

From Dinosaur Ridge, it’s just a quick jaunt over to the gorgeous Red Rocks Amphitheatre and Visitor Center. From Opera to Rock, Jazz to Reggae, Folk to Swing, Classical to Country; all types of musical performances have occurred at this spectacular natural amphitheatre since the early 1900s. During the day, or late into the evening when no concert is scheduled, you can come explore this beautiful concert venue.

When you’re done exploring the amphitheatre, don’t miss the captivating Visitor Center, which opened in 2003. The Visitor Center is tucked under the seating, so it made a minimal impact on the appearance of the area. Watch a 10-minute film that describes the history - both natural and musical - of the park. Reminisce as you view concert posters from the past 40 years, see instruments belonging to favorite musicians, or use the interactive computer terminals to find out who performed here or to remember a special concert. (For more information, call: 303-295-4444 or 303-640-2637 or visit www.redrocksonline.com).

Are you up for one final stop and a few free beers? Take a tour at one of Colorado’s best-known companies, Coors, and enjoy up to 3 free samples of their variety of beer products (if you are over 21), or complimentary soft drinks if you are younger or prefer something non-alcoholic.

More than 250,000 people take this popular free tour each year. Participation is on a first-come, first-served basis; no reservations are taken. Your personable tour guide will show you the main steps of the brewing process at the world’s largest brewery at a single site.

The tour takes 35 to 40 minutes; allow additional time to enjoy your 3 beer samples, to browse the gift shop, and sober up before you drive. (For more information: call 866-812-2337 (toll free) or 303-277-2337 (303-227-BEER) or visit www.coors.com).

Whew! That’s enough fun for one day. Thanks for joining me.

Diane Winger is co-author of several hiking and travel guidebooks, including “Highpoint Adventures” and “The Essential Guide to Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve”.

Visit http://www.Colorado-for-Free.com for more fun ideas for free things to see and do throughout Colorado.

Diane Winger ©2005 All Rights Reserved.