Motor Home Adventures in California with Volcano Camping

Don't worry - Lassen Volcanic National Park's volcanoes aren't going to explode and spill fiery doom all over you and your motor home. Although once a roaring caldron of magma, the volcanoes are now quiet and still. But, if you wander the park, you can still find among the pristine wilderness and pine forests some boiling pits of mud and steam hissing out of the cracks in the earth. These are just some of the attractions that make Lessen Volcanic National Park one of Northern California's greatest RV destinations.

The park is located about 50 miles west of Redding, California in the northeastern corner of the state. It is about 180 miles from Reno, Nevada. Its location puts it right in the middle of some of America's prettiest country, not far from the parks and wilderness areas of California, Oregon, Idaho and Montana.

What is there to do at the park?

There are more than 150 miles of hiking trails, which means that you will never walk it all, and the wide range of different scenery makes each hiking trail a real journey. The park is close enough to the Cascades and Sierras that you can see great views of the mountain ranges from some areas of the park. There are beautiful mountain lakes, as well as hydrothermal attractions you won't find anywhere else. These include huge vents leading to the depths of the earth that discharge steam and volcanic gas; steam coming straight out of fissures in the ground; and boiling mud and water pools (they're a little too hot for a dip!). At Lassen, you can really get close to what's going on underneath the earth's surface.

And what about the eruptions?

Of course there is always a possibility of a volcanic "event", but there are a few things that should set your mind at ease. First off, although there was an eruption as recently as 1915, eruptions are few and far between at Lassen, occurring usually once every 10,000 years. Lassen is part of a volcanic corridor stretching from northern California up to Mount St. Helens, and there are occasionally small eruptions here and there. The other thing that should set your mind at ease is that there are a large number of scientists constantly keeping an eye on the park. They will definitely let you know well in advance if you shouldn't park your motor home nearby.

There are lots of places to stay around Lassen Volcanic National Park. One of the best motor home sites in the area is Lassen Pines RV Park, located in McArthur, California. Lassen Pines is located in the Fall River Valley among the tall pines and juniper trees. It is a friendly, family-oriented campground with lots of RV sites. They also offer fishing, golfing, hiking, biking and other activities. You can find them online.

If you want to add some great fishing and hunting to your volcanic hikes, try Rancheria RV Park located on Lunker Lake, 36 miles from the park. Rancheria puts you close to other northern California attractions such as Hat Creek, the Pit River Casino and Subway Cave, as well as the fishing and hunting activities around the lake. The park has tent camping, cabins and motor home sites, from very rustic to fully equipped. Check them out online.

Lassen Volcanic National Park makes a great RV destination, or a wonderful stop along the way to any of northern California's parks. It offers sightseeing and scenery that you won't find anywhere else.

Using Pitching Machines to Improve Hitting at Cal-Berkely

David Esquer represents the best in college baseball - first as a player, then as an assistant coach, and finally as head baseball coach at the University of California-Berkley. As a player, Esquer was the starting shortstop on Stanford University's 1987 national championship squad. As an assistant coach with Stanford and Pepperdine, he helped produce six NCAA post season teams and one World Series participant. As Cal's coach, Esquer led the Bears to the program's ninth NCAA regional in 2001 while being named Pacific 10 Conference Coach of the Year in only his second season.

Why did you decide to invest in a pitching machine?

Last year, we really struggled to get runs. We decided to focus on hitting - on getting our average up. We think the feel of a real ball at contact is key in training. At the time, the pitching machine we owned wasn't really effective. It rapidly wore out real leather balls, and they frequently got stuck in the machine. Players were frustrated by the constant interruptions. One of the first things that drew our attention to the Hack Attack was its ability to throw leather baseballs consistently and without any interruptions.

Was that the only reason you purchased a Hack Attack?

No, it was just what first got our attention. As soon as we got one in a cage, we found that many things made it incredibly effective. It's far more accurate, especially with breaking pitches. It also lets you see the ball through the throwing process like live arm motion. Not only did delays due to ball problems disappear, but changing from fastballs to curveballs or left- to right-handed breaking pitches is very easy with the speed control dials and the elevation handle. There is no slow, awkward, complicated process like we used to experience with our unbalanced two-wheel machines. The third wheel on the Hack Attack changes everything.

Exactly how do you use the Hack Attack in your practices?

We now have three Hack Attacks. We set up a hitting station for each one in a circuit that we use daily, including for batting practice on game days. One station is for right- and left-handed curveballs, the second is for fastballs, and the third is where we move the machine up and hit against a short fastball without a stride to improve bat quickness. We just ordered a fourth machine for an additional fastball station with change-of-location. We want one on the field all the time, so we plan to buy a fifth machine for defensive and bunting drills. When we take a machine on the field now, we spend a lot of time on cut-offs, and it has allowed us to double our outfield work. We've never been able to get such quality repetition on hard-to-hit fungo work until now.

The Hack Attack is a solid machine - is it easy to move around?

It is the easiest machine to set up and operate that we've ever used. It moves quickly on and off the field. One player or coach can roll it anywhere. It used to be a struggle to get players to help set up and put away machines. That's no longer a problem, and that is saying something.

What results have you seen from using the Hack Attack?

It has made a measurable improvement in our hitting - more than 40 points over the past two years. We credit much of our improvement to the Hack Attack. We think it's the best investment in our team that we could have made.

What Is a Workout Playlist

A "workout playlist" is a list of songs to play during your workout. Working out requires a different set of tunes than hanging out with friends, enjoying a couple beers, or taking a road trip. Playlists tend to be full of "upbeat" songs, fast songs with a good bass beat, or melodic pop tunes that get your motor running for a good workout.

Picking Songs for a Workout Playlist

There are any number of ways to put together a playlist of workout songs. The songs you pick depends on the type of workout you want to do and your own taste in music. In general, songs that work well on playlists have a steady and fast beat. Everything else is really up to you.

Workout Playlist Example

Here's a simple ten-track to give you an idea of the kind of music that works best for workouts. Substitute any of these songs for ones you love, but try to build your first playlist to be uptempo and loud.

HINT--throw in a "cooldown" song at the end so you remember to ease into the end of your workout. See if you can pick out my cooldown track.

"War", Mos Def

"City of Angels", The Distillers

"Flower", Moby

"Mr Brightside", The Killers

"Crazy", Gnarls Barkley

"Dragula", Rob Zombie

"Rock n Roll", The Sounds

"California Love", Tupac & Dr. Dre

"Stronger", Kanye West

"Redemption Song", Bob Marley

Pop Music and Workout Playlists

Though the most common workout playlist songs are techno or electronic music, or maybe a little uptempo rap and hip-hop, you can easily use the pop music you love as a workout tune. The point of a workout playlist is to get motivated to exercise, not to show off your hip-hop street cred. If "Walking on Sunshine" gets you going, throw it on your playlist. The way your playlist makes you feel is more important than the type of music you play.

Untraditional Workout Playlists

Some people listen to music that may not seem meant for workout music. It's common to hear some weird tunes in gyms--soundtracks to Broadway musicals, instrumental tracks, even classical music.

The benefit to nontraditional playlists is that you can change up your workout routine. Maybe you've gotten used to listening to that one Moby album while you do cardio--switch up the routine and pop in the soundtrack to Cabaret. I guarantee your workout will be anything but routine.

At the end of the day, the workout music that works best for you is whatever music you love and whatever music gets your heart pumping. You may have to tweak over time to figure out the best soundtrack for your exercise. You may find that different workout playlists are good for different workouts. The point is to have a little fun while you workout.

California rolls :: My aboriginal time

Il California Roll, è una forma atipica di sushi, preparato negli USA con ingredienti quali cetriolo, surimi e avocado. In alcuni paesi in sostituzione dell'avocado viene utilizzato il mango. The California roll is a maki-zushi (roll), a kind of sushi roll, usually made inside-out, containing cucumber, imitation crab stick, and avocado. In some countries it is made with mango instead of avocado. Sometimes crab salad is substituted for the crab stick, and often the outer layer of rice (in an inside-out roll) is sprinkled with toasted sesame seeds or tobiko. The California roll has been influential in sushi's global popularity and in inspiring sushi chefs around the world in creating their non-traditional fusion cuisine.[1]



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2_EO-MTt1s4&hl=en

KIKSTYO X TruNinjaTV (vlog #1)

www.twitter.com/BELLOBLOCK check out kikstyo.com ,they always keep me lookin fresh comments,subscribe,suggestions, n follow me! my first vlog so bear with me, shot with still camera cybershot (bad quality)



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KUyg7jHJkTc&hl=en

Tipping, What's The Going Rate?

Tipping, the practice of giving someone extra money for service, has existed for centuries. We tip for various reasons: good service in the future, super service, and unusual service, like a singing waiter. You may have tipped someone because they were funny.

But most of us tip to compensate for low wages. Tipping has gotten confusing in the last few years. The question is, "Why?"

There are more people to tip. According to a "Forbes" article on the MSNBC Web site, we used to be looked after by a few service people. Today we are looked after by many. "Now there are pool attendants and ski concierges, personal shoppers and fitness coaches, not to mention butlers galore," according to the site.

Tipping rates vary. As the howstuffworks Web site explains, the practice "varies not only from country to country but from city to city." You know this if you're a frequent traveler. Tipping rates have increased almost everywhere. Daryn Eller, in his "Guide to Tipping" published the "Oprah Magazine" Web site, describes the change.

"If it seems as if you have to shell out tips left and right, that's because you do," says Eller.

Tipping has gotten complex. So complex the state of California, Division of Labor Standards and Enforcement, has established guidelines for it. The state Web site answers questions about tipping, employees' rights, and guidelines for protecting them.

One guideline: Employees should receive a credit card tip "not later than the next regular payday following the date the patron authorized the credit card payment." Under California law employers may not deduct tips from paychecks and may not use an employee's tips as minimum wage credit.

The tip you give depends on the service you get. Luxury service (cruise ship, five-star hotel, posh resort) requires larger tips. It can be confusing. To avoid confusion the Holland America Line adds a $10 per day tip to each passenger's bill. One third of this amount goes to cabin stewards, one third goes to food workers, and one third goes to behind-the-scenes employees.

How much should you tip? Here are some guidelines for the US. Consult your travel agent and travel guides for tipping rates in other countries.

Doorman -- $2 for hailing a cab

Bellhop -- $2 per bag (more if your bags are large and heavy)

Chambermaid -- $2 to $4 a day

Room Service -- $10% to 15% (unless it's included in your bill)

Coat check -- $1 per coat

Server -- 18% - 20%

Bartender -- 15% to 20%

Concierge -- $5 to $10

Taxi driver -- 15% to 20%

Airport shuttle driver -- $1 to $2 per bag

Hair stylist -- 15% - 20%

Postal worker -- $20 at holiday time

Pizza delivery -- $2 to $5

Newspaper delivery -- $15 to $25 at holiday time

Garbage collection -- $15 to $25 at holiday time

Part-time cleaning lady -- One day's wages (or more) at holiday time

When you give someone a monetary tip please take a moment to give them a verbal "tip." Your brief comment, such as "Thanks for your excellent service. I'll ask for you next time," will give them a smile that lasts for days.

Why Myrtle Beach is a Great Vacation Spot

If we think of beach resorts in the US, the majority of us will think of California or Florida. In fact, one of the best resorts is in South Carolina; I refer to the fabulous Myrtle Beach.

This is one of those rare resorts which satisfy both families and couples who are looking for a romantic getaway. There are dozens of activities if you want them, or simply relax and recharge your batteries.

You will be in heaven of you are a golf lover, as there are over 80 pro courses in the area. For those less adept with the clubs, there is mini golf, as well as water parks and some very fine restaurants.

There are so many fine restaurants in the Myrtle Beach area that you will be absolutely spoiled for choice.

After dinner experience the great night life that Myrtle Beach is renowned for. Whether you want to take in a comedy show, a musical concert or a rock n roll bar, you will find it here. The area is famous for 'the shag' and you will hear it blasting out in many a nightclub.

Away from the bustling town center you will discover numerous coves of powdery white sand. This can be very romantic as you explore the beaches together. The salt water marshes here are brimming with delicious crabs, oysters, fish and shrimps. The smooth ocean breeze sweeps across the area and is extremely relaxing.

Just eight miles to the north is the imaginatively titled North Myrtle Beach. This is a much quieter area with an altogether slower pace of life and a lot less hotels.

A stroll in the early morning along a deserted beach is the kind of thing that dreams are made of. Try and spot the little creatures that hide away when the beaches are packed with sun seekers.