phillycounts.org

It’s so cold, it’s so wet, and it’s so dangerous?

Please let me share why you and I are not Crazy!

For Everyone.

Snow skiing is one of the really exciting sports that combine exhilaration, fellowship, ambience and adventure, for all levels of participants.

In Europe, children are being taught to ski as young as 2 years old and on the same slopes there are people over 90 years young.

There are people of every nationality, race, creed and colour.

There are one armed, one legged and even blind people, involved everywhere, at some level.

What is the appeal of a sport that brings so many different people together, amidst the cold snow, in the spirit of friendliness and just having a good time?

Challenge.

Everyone that takes up skiing, no matter their current skill level, can find a place on the slopes to be thrilled and challenged.

Whether it is the brand new, novice skier on the nursery slopes (even if 18 years old) tentatively trying his very first snow plough in a desperate attempt to stop, or whether it is the level 1 skier, gracefully carving out sweeping curves across the face of the virgin, freshly fallen snow.

Everyone will find his or her challenge.

Fun.

Skiing is always fun.

We put ourselves into ridiculous situations in the company of others doing the same and we seldom stop laughing.

Watch people coming off the chair lift.

Perhaps we see the super cool youngster, trying to impress his girlfriend, heads off on one ski, collides with the group in front, and collapse into a heap of tangled skis and bodies.

And see how they are all laughing.

Perhaps you will see a group of skiers following the ski instructor in graceful sweeping turns until someone loses control and takes the whole group into a snowdrift.

And watch as they climb out, covered from head to toe in snow and almost hysterical in their laughter.

Camaraderie.

As you meet your friends or join your ski school group in the queue for the very first lift of the day, there is a shared feeling of anticipation and nervousness as to what the day will bring.

Every one is fresh and dry in their colourful ski clothes, possibly a little cold, but already, the adrenaline is staring to flow.

Perhaps it is the first time you have met the group and with the common anticipation, being shared, you are soon talking to others, about where they are from, how long they’ve been skiing etc.

Then as you share your exploits and adventure during the day, by the time the lifts close, you are already on the way to feeling like friends.

Fellowship

The air is still and the twilight is descending onto the mountain.

And lights are on in all the bars, cafes and restaurants as they shout “Welcome, to all you Ski Adventurers.”

You and your group answer that welcome and share glu-wein, a vodka fig or just a cleansing ale.

Your faces are flushed and rosy from the day’s exertions, and as you relive your experiences, they become funnier and braver than you ever felt possible.

By the time it is ready for dinner, you have all become heroes in each other’s eyes, with the quiet satisfaction and internal pride that “today, you did good!”

Ambience.

So you have finished your dinner and you sit in the armchairs in front of the roaring log fire.

The shadows flicker gently on the walls as the flames continue their dance in the huge fireplace.

You feel relaxed, comfortable and sleepy as you spend time with your new friends.

For some, the cobwebs fill your brain and you drift off to sleep.

Others will gain a second wind and be off to the local nightspot to party.

And finally, you toddle off to bed and descend into the deep relaxing, well earned sleep, from which even the party goers returning home, cannot stir you.

Adventure.

Skiing is always an adventure.

When as beginner, you go up to the first time on the chair lift and see the steepness of that blue slope, your heart starts to flutter.

Exactly the same when, as an accomplished skier, you stand on top of the almost vertical expanse of virgin snow, spread out below you.

It is an adventure when you are having lunch, high in the mountains, surrounded by the giant peaks and deep valleys that seem to go forever.

And meeting men and women from all walks of life, foreign cultures, struggling with language and customs, is all part of the adventure.

So skiing is a passion for me.

I learned to ski late in life and after finding it, discovered a wonderful world of fun, friendship and adventure.

So you are welcome to my world and may you share in all of the above, and then some!!

Roger Bourne

Roger Bourne discovered skiing, later in life than most people.
He has skied in most parts of the world in extreme conditions, including, flooding rain, green ice, deep powder, groomed pistes and mogul infested slopes. He has a passion for the sport and all that stuff!

So come and visit: http://www.stuffaboutsnowskiing.com

What has your lifetime obsession always been? What’s your passion? Would it happen to involve working with cars or constantly placing yourself around the roar and rumble of automobiles? If so, why not look into the promising prospect of partaking in the ever-expanding world of automotive franchises? Especially if you’re a business savvy or entrepreneur-driven individual who’s main interest lies in automobiles themselves, the opportunity of getting in gear with an automotive franchise might just be the catalyst you’ve been seeking to spur your own self-enterprise pursuits.

Engine-Roaring Basics On Automotive Franchises

With a considerably slim start up investment and a plethora of rewarding benefits, what better time could it possibly be to put the pedal to the metal and start cruising your way down the triple-crown highway with an automotive franchise kicking back in the passenger seat next to you? What are you waiting for? As it stands, franchises in general are spreading like wild fire and consumers are taking notice toward the opportunity, substantial earning potential and overall appeal of becoming a business owner.

And depending on where your automotive interests lie, the possibilities in different automotive franchise ventures can vary greatly. Say you’re more inclined toward car maintenance, or car repair, or automotive parts or automotive insurance; any and all of the aforementioned can lead you to selecting a specific and quite successful automotive franchise.

Considering Options and Finding Your Automotive Franchising Niche

When deciding on which automotive franchise would be best for you, there are many factors you should take to mind. Clearly, you should have interest in cars and the automotive industry. If you don’t then why would you consider running a business in which you have no prior experience or any knowledge in whatsoever? That said, and assuming you are indeed interested in automotive topics, then what should be considered next are overall start up costs. Typically, start up costs for an automotive based franchise can range anywhere from $10,000-$20,000 dollars, which is, looking from a long-term business perspective, a tiny investment for future and monumental gains and growth potentials.

And of course different automotive franchise types -that is, what services and/or products each offer- can vary greatly in terms of investment costs. So, it’s important to conduct some research and shop around for your best option.

Working With Brand Names or Not? It’s Suggested You Do

Thinking from the perspective of a consumerist mindset, opting to pick an automotive franchise backing a specific brand name might be a great business move. Now, of course, the initial investment costs would be a bit heftier than a standard, lesser-known franchise, but in the long run, brand names are reliable and workable, ten-fold. Customers will flock to franchises with names they’re familiar with or have heard good things about; take this to heart as it will assuredly make your automotive franchise venture a huge success.

It simply boils down to one thing, assurance. And consumers seek this at all costs. A solid, preexisting reputation through your selected automotive franchise brand will almost immediately provide you with a consistent and frequent client base.

It seems the golden opportunities automotive franchises have to offer are in quite in an abundance and just waiting for you to hop into the driver’s seat. So, take the wheel and drive your business opportunities to new distances.

Pets can get very expensive and as a pet owner you need all the help you can get. You don?t have to spend too much to get the best for your darling animals – with a little perseverance and a lot of research, you can save big on quality brands of pet medicines, food and other supplies. Here are some tips to get you started.

Get pet supply coupons. Clip them off pet magazines, get them online, or ask for them from pet supply stores. Coupons will get you huge discounts on pet medications, toys and basic accessories such as collars and leads. Some of these coupons also allow you to get freebies if you buy a minimum amount.

Join consumer and shopping clubs. Membership in these organizations entitles you to cumulative discounts on pet supplies. Some clubs even allow you to use the “points” you accumulate from buying other things (such as furniture and clothes) to get freebies, huge markdowns and even cash back on pet supplies.

Try the Internet. There are hundreds of online coupons you can use if you are buying from participating online pet supply stores. Or, you can enter contests and win prizes for your pets.

Some notes. Pet experts say that while it is always nice to get discounts on pet supplies, you should not scrimp on pet food. Remember that a lot of pet ailments are caused by dietary imbalances that can be prevented if you just feed your pet premium food. Good quality pet food promotes better pet health, which you can readily see in your pet’s increased energy and more attractive appearance (a shinier coat in the case of dogs). You will end up saving a lot of money if your pet is healthy, because you don’t have to buy expensive medications and go to the vet as often.

Pet Supplies provides detailed information on Pet Supplies, Pet Supply Stores, Discount Pet Supplies, Online Pet Supplies and more. Pet Supplies is affiliated with Wholesale Pet Products [http://www.i-PetProducts.com].

Don’t we all dream of owning a sports car? Although buying a used vehicle does not come with a “new car smell,” owning a vintage sports car is a fantasy for a lot of us. Better yet, there are great advantages to buying a used sports car.

There is something special about buying an older model sports car. Many older sports cars are even collectibles and their classic style holds great value. Sports car enthusiasts recognize quality and seek to preserve it.

There is never a guarantee you are going to purchase a winner as opposed to a lemon, there are many things you can do to increase your chances of success. The two most important things you can do is research and investigation. Do your homework first, look into the type of sports car you would like to purchase first. Then, when looking at used cars make sure to really investigate the car before making an offer.

Start your conquest by researching the car of your choice. The first place you should look is Kelly Blue Book to determine the estimated value of the sports car you want to buy. Then ask around about the car, maybe a local mechanic, or a friend with sports car knowledge. The internet is an outstanding resource as well. What kind of problems does the car experience? Find out what you need to look for when inspecting the car for yourself and what kinds of questions you need to ask the salesman and a mechanic. It is also important to look at numerous resources to determine an appropriate price the make and model of the car you are researching.

Developing a notebook with questions and notes is a handy tool. This way you can bring your notebook when looking at used cars. You will know what questions to ask about the car and appear organized to the seller.

The next step is investigating the real live car. You have a good idea of what to expect and what to look for when looking at used sports cars, now it is time to put your research to work.

Ask the current owner for service records, or even invest in a vehicle history report on the internet if it is not provided. Ask lots of questions about the car you are looking at and find out everything you can possibly think of.

Now is the time to take a close look at the car itself. First check the condition of the car, inside and out. Look for problem areas that you wrote down in your research. If you are not a car expert, have the car checked by a trusted mechanic. Often they will give it a once over for free or minimal charge. This could save you a lot in the long run. Note areas that need fixing and about how much it is going to cost you. Consider this when looking at the price tag of the car.

Take the car for a test drive. Look for any issues with the transmission. Are there any other things you should be looking for indicated by earlier research? Beware of sellers that do not let you take the car for a test drive or to a mechanic for a check up, they are probably trying to hide something.

Finally, if you are happy with your inspection and all other reports show that the car is in good condition, it is time to make an offer. Consider any problems noted on the car and what needs to be repaired when making an offer on the sports car.

If everything works out, the research and investigation you did will be well worth your time and effort in the long run.

Jake Newberry sells for NuStar Motors, a used car Sacramento dealer, which specializes in lifted 4×4 trucks and fast cars such as Mustangs, Cameros, and Honda V-techs.

Your camping trip can be hazardous, incomplete, and less fun if you do not have the right kind of camping gear. So if you are a camping enthusiast, you may want to check out some of the newer developments in camping equipment available. As far as camping accessories go, they can enhance your camping experience and make it all the more exciting. If you are a new camper, you need to know exactly what kinds of camping supplies you will need before you go. Not only to ensure your safety, but also to make the trip as enjoyable as possible.

There have been dozens of new technological advancements made in recent years to improve camping equipment and even add new kinds of camping accessories you never imagined before. From items such as, camping stoves, camping lanterns, camp showers, and camping cookware, the types of camping gear that is now being manufactured is pretty amazing.

I was astonished when I found out about the latest, highest technology items that camping merchandise designers have come up with. And camping manufacturers are selling their new lines of items with much success.

The right brands, the right prices and all of the pertinent information you want to know can be found right here on our website. However, ultimately, the decision will be based on what kinds of camping equipment, accessories, and other merchandise suit your personal desires and interest you most. Take into consideration the kinds of equipment you will need based on when and where you will be camping, and have a look at the accessories too.

Of course, you will have to have things like sleeping bags and tents etc–these are the essentials for anyone camping without an RV or camper. If you want to spoil yourself while camping, be as comfortable as possible, and make things especially easy, there are great types of camping equipment and accessories available for you.

Believe it or not, there are now camping accessories such as camping showers being sold, special camping cookware, camping stoves and more. Imagine waking up in the morning while on your camping trip and just hopping into another tent for a warm morning shower–sounds impossible doesn’t it. But this new type of camping merchandise is very popular and, in our opinion, absolutely amazing.

There are, of course, people who prefer to use very little and really experience nature. However, most of us prefer to sleep with our head on a pillow instead of the hard ground. And even those who do not prefer to sleep in a tent or cabin or RV can appreciate portable stoves and grills for taking hikes and having picnics etc.

Try the very best camping equipment for you, and have a more wonderful camping experience this season than you’ve ever had before.

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 camping please visit Camping Gear, or Camping Equipment , or visit Camping Lanterns.