Lisa's Travels

Archive for the ‘Chicagoland’ Category

The Snowdonia region is most likely one of the picturesque places in the United Kingdom. The area has some of the highest mountain ranges in Wales and England and it is the place to find the Snowdonia National Park. Being the largest national park in Wales, the Snowdonia region comes with an extremely strong tourism industry. Each year a large number of tourists visit the area to hike and revel in nature.

Nature is often very unpredictable so hikers need plan in advance to be sure they are ready for anything. The following are important guidelines to follow before venturing out on your next trek.

Let someone know where you are going and when you will be back: This is the first thing every good hiker has to do no matter where they go and no matter what size the group. If you’re lost and hurt outside, time becomes key factor. If people don’t know you are missing then they won’t start to look for you. Also if they’ve known where you are hiking they are able to define the search to some specific area.

Never stray off the path: Though it could be exciting to explore off the path that concept can result in a great deal of problems pretty quickly. Not only do your foot prints damage sensitive areas, however when you’re off the path it could be easier than you think to get turned around and not know where to go next. The terrain could also become unpredictable and cause increased risk if you decide to would like your hike to generally be problem free, stick to the designated paths.

Wear proper comfortable hiking shoes: Having comfortable shoes means that at the end of the day your feet won’t be sore or have blisters and you will enjoy your trip much more. Having solid shoes or hiking boots will even help limit the chances of injuring your ankle and foot. Under no circumstance are flip-flops best for hiking even if you are on a well-used trail. These should only be used at the end of your day when you find yourself relaxing at home or in front of a campfire with a bottle of beer.

Plenty of water for the entire trip: Whatever you are doing, your whole body is always losing moisture; this takes place even in cooler weather so it doesn’t matter what the physical conditions are always use a bottle of water. The effects of dehydration are often very subtle but could severely impair your judgement and decision making abilities. Dehydration begins with a dry mouth and can lead to fatigue, dizziness and nausea so drink plenty of water. Don’t hike with alcohol; this could be a little bit of a disappointment; however alcohol will dehydrate you faster and also impair your judgement.

Bring a snack: You don’t need to pack a complete course meal; however if you are out hiking for the whole day it is best to pack a sandwich and other foods. We always recommend eating natural-sugary foods like fruits. Apples and oranges are perfect. They will help keep you hydrated and provide you a boost of long-lasting energy. Trail mix, (Our favourite bag is really a combination of sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, peanuts, cashews, pecans, raisons and choc chips) can be another great snack since it will provide you much needed protein and sugar.

Wear different layers of clothing: Weather in the Snowdonia area can be quite unpredictable, however, it is wise to get ready for rain. The region is among wettest in the UK so your last layer needs to be something that is breathable and waterproof. Gortex is often a fantastic waterproof layer. You need to plan for no less than 3 or 4 layers, including: an inner layer, middle layer, outer layer and a waterproof covering. Try to avoid cotton because it holds in moisture and may sap your body temperature away from you. If you like natural products, a great outer layer is wool; it may be lightweight or heavy and it doesn’t absorb moisture.

Stretch before you begin: At the end of the day the goal is to enjoy it and not be sore everywhere. Hiking is incredibly demanding therefore you need to make certain that your muscles are warmed up. Stretching your legs, back and arms will also help alleviate problems with any injuries like cramps when out on the trail.

Hiking is certainly a fun activity and if you want to stay safe, you have to make smart decisions and be prepared. Unfortunately accidents do happen however it is good to know that if something does happen you can rely on groups including the South Snowdonia Mountain Rescue Team. Rescue teams such as the SSMRT are comprised of hard working and dedicated individuals who take their responsibilities seriously. If something does go wrong you know that they will will perform their utmost to be sure everybody is safe.

Before you begin on your walk take a minute to think about beingsafe in the mountains, and remember mountain rescue teams are there for you if you need them.

During the months of September and October, the Ohio Fall Festivals are beginning to start. It is a great time to enjoy the crisp weather and enjoy what Ohio has to offer. Each fair has it own kind of celebration and honors such things as pumpkins, cheese and grapes. The festivals bring in thousands of visitors as they enjoy some fall flavors and fun entertainment.

If you want to get an idea of what it was like at a pioneer encampment, check out the popular Yankee Peddler Festival at Clays Park Resort. It is in Canal Fulton and runs over three weekends during September. Craftsmen and artisans offer their wars for sale and there is also plenty of lively entertainment and tasty food from the era.

Vermilion is the site of the annual Woolybear Festival. A Woolybear is black with an orange stripe. Many activities are scheduled during the one day event including a huge parade, a woolybear race and a costume contest for both kids and pets. The event closes each year with the winter weather prediction based on how wide the stripe of the woolybear is.

If you want to get a look at a 400 pound pumpkin, stop by the Circleville Pumpkin Festival. The four day event begins the third Wednesday in October. You can get your fill of everything pumpkin including pie, muffins, bread and ice cream to name a few. A daily parade is just part of the fun and there are plenty of additional old fashioned activities.

Every year Grand Rapids, Ohio hosts the Apple Butter Festival on the second Sunday in October. It is a celebration of the spirit of pioneers and is held on the Maumee River banks. Visitors will enjoy crafts and reenactments along with plenty of good food that honors the fall harvest.

The second full weekend during the month of October is when the Bob Evans Farm Festival is held. It celebrates harvest time at the Bob Evans Farm located in Rio Grande, Ohio. Events include farm activities, entertainment, food booths and all kinds of dancing.

Grape harvesting is the theme of the Grape Jamboree held in Geneva each September. The festival happens during the last weekend and activities include a pie eating competition and a grape stomping contest. You can also get your fill of grapes with the many kinds of foods that are available.

Sugar Creek is called the Swiss cheese capital and is the site for the annual Ohio Swiss Festival. Visitors stand in line to get some of the tasty cheese products. The cheese and wine tasting is another event that should not be missed. Music, rides, food and crafts are also add to the fun.

In the middle of September visitors flock to the Johnny Appleseed Festival in Brunswick. Mapleside Farms operates the event and there are many varieties of apples for sale. Family fun can also be had by visiting a corn maze and taking a hay ride. The scenic views from the hills around the farm are amazing.

Ohio Fall Festivals are a great time to enjoy the season of harvest. You can get outdoors and try some tasty harvest food, listen to the great music and participate in some of many scheduled activities. The selection of fall fests offer some old fashioned family fun.

The website found at www.applehill.biz provides information about upcoming Ohio fall festivals to visit. For more details about locations and activities, see the links at http://www.applehill.biz now.