Tourist Information on Virginia
By Giuseppe Mathis

  The scenic Blue Ridge Parkway travels over 469 miles of mountain tops through North Carolina and Virginia. Along the way, there are plenty of panoramic overlooks, picnic areas, and several campgrounds to accommodate both trailers and tents. The Blue Ridge Parkway also offers more than one hundred hiking trails, as well as access to larger trail systems like the 2000 mile long Appalachian Trail and the 900 mile Mountain to Sea Trail in North Carolina.

Many of the short trails offer historical exhibits and live demonstrations of a forgotten life in the Appalachians. There are also many other attractions along the Blue Ridge Parkway that are fun for the entire family. Plan a weekend camping adventure and enjoy a few of these memorable attractions or choose to visit one for a unique day trip!

Humpback Rocks is an 800 acre park with various hiking and bicycling opportunities. The visitor center is located at milepost 5.8 and features a working 19th century Appalachian farmstead. Boating access is available at nearby Sherando Lake.

The Stonewall Jackson House offers guided tours of the confederate general's home. There are also lush gardens, an informative museum, and small gift shop. This attraction is located just off MP 45.6 in Lexington, VA.

Just 15 minutes off the Blue Ridge Parkway at MP 63.7 is The Natural Bridge, one of the seven natural wonders of the world. Aside from this wondrous sight, there is a nature park, a variety of peculiar museums, and a living village displaying the life of Indians who once inhabited the area. The Virginia Safari Park is also located minutes away.

Peaks of Otter is a 5000 acre park between MP 84 and MP 87 of the Blue Ridge Parkway. Surrounded by the Jefferson National Forest, this parkway attraction provides a variety of hiking trails. Visitors can see live interpretations at the old Johnson Farm and view the first travel lodge in the area, Polly Wood's cabin. Peaks of Otter also features a picnic area and restaurant, campground and lodge, and a 24 acre lake, so bring your Coleman inflatable kayak.

Virginia's Explore Park, located just off MP 115.1, is a cultural attraction with living history demonstrations, a restaurant, and a variety of outdoor activities, including hiking, fishing, and kayaking.

Mill Mountain and Roanoke Mountain, located off Blue Ridge Parkway MP 120, offer a campground, a variety of hiking trails, and Mill Mountain Discovery Center, an educational attraction with fun hands-on environmental exhibits. Roanoke, VA also has a variety of attractions only minutes from the Blue Ridge Parkway, including a zoo, caverns, and museums.

Rocky Knob is a 4800 acre park at MP 167 offering the only cabin rentals on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Rocky Knob has 15 miles of hiking trails and is also the location of the restored Mabry Mill, a very popular parkway attraction. The Mabry Mill offers self-guided tours of Appalachian life more than a century ago and also features a country restaurant and a gift shop.

The Blue Ridge Music Center is located at MP 213 and features outdoor musical performances during the summer with an emphasis on bluegrass.

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Tips on Correcting Your Golf Swing

By Giuseppe Mathis

  Hold it Right - Without doubt, the golf grip is perhaps the single greatest challenge faced by the casual golfer. Your grip is your only point of contact with the club and unless you get it right you will be sorely challenged to improve your game. Yes! Proper Hand set-up is crucial for your stroke.

Proper Positioning - Firstly, you must ensure the club grip is ahead of the ball with the club grip initially in alignment with your leading hip. If you are a right-handed golfer, the left will be your leading hip. Switch if you are a leftie. This positioning will ensure that the angle of the iron face is optimal for contact with the ball and for transference of the maximum amount of energy on impact. Grip more with Your Fingers - Proper positioning will also allow you to grip more with your fingers than with the palm of your hand. Your result will be less tension, especially at the upper end of your swing arc. If you avoid the common mistake of griping the club too much in the palm of your hand, you will have much more power in your stroke. Power strokes come from relaxed muscles and by gripping more with the fingers you will enjoy more dexterity in controlling the club and more refinement in your feel.

The More Relaxed the Better - Sometimes, when we are anxious about a shot, we can squeeze just that little bit too hard. Tension is insidious and before you know, it can creep up your arms and into your shoulders. Unhappily, this can result in the overuse of certain muscles and the overall action of your swing is not as relaxed or effective. On a scale of 1-10, with 10 being the hardest you can comfortably grip, aim for a normal grip pressure of about 5 or 6. A more relaxed grip will give you a faster club head speed on impact and you can look forward to enjoying those awesome long drives A Yoga Trick for You - You can more easily maintain a state of focused relaxation by taking long slow deep breaths as you set up. Breathe in and out through your nose with the tip of your tongue pressed against the roof of your mouth (a yoga trick). This automatically cultivates your body's natural relaxation response and you will be surprised at how much greater ease you enjoy in your swing.

Choose Your Grip Type - In order of popularity, there are 3 common grip types: Overlapping, Interlocking, and Ten Finger (a.k.a. the baseball grip).

** In the overlapping grip, you place the little finger of your trailing hand between the index and second finger of your lead hand. Rest the lead hand thumb in the lifeline of the trailing hand.

** With the interlocking grip, hook the little finger of your the trailing hand under and around the index finger on the lead hand. Tuck the lead hand thumb in the lifeline of the trailing hand.

** The ten finger grip is as it sounds, with 10 fingers in perfect contact with the handle. Grip the club with the lead hand and position your trailing hand so that your little finger is right smack against the index finger of the lead hand. Tuck the lead hand thumb under the lifeline of the trailing hand.

Listen to Your Body - Everyone's different, so you should experiment, to find the most effective grip-type for you. You should always seek optimal comfort and listen to the natural intelligence of your own body when discovering what's best for you. No mater which grip type you prefer, watch that the V.s of both hands (formed by the index finger and the thumb) point between the chin and the right shoulder. If you look down at your grip, the knuckles of the index and middle finger of your lead hand should be clearly visible. Finally, check that your grip is properly aligned with the clubface and rotate the shaft to make any necessary corrections.

Good Wrist Action - is the automatic result of a good grip. Your wrists can move in two directions during the golf swing. Forward/ backward motion in the direction of the swing is known as "breaking". "Hinging" refers to the upwards/downwards motion. Your goal is to eliminate breaking at all costs and to naturally create the proper hinging action as a result of proper grip. It's simple! If you ensure the back of your lead hand remains flat with respect to the back of your leading forearm, the proper hinging action will effortlessly and automatically result.

A Great Foundation - Your grip is your foundation to a great game of golf. So remember to position your club correctly and start with the club grip ahead of the ball. Cultivate a relaxed feel in your grip and enjoy the natural "chill" response from breathing properly. Choose the grip type that's right for you. Watch your Vs and enjoy effortlessly good wrist action. Remember, your game is all about fun and relaxation and with these simple pointers you can look forward to many days of enhanced driving pleasure on the fairway.

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North Carolina Tourist Information

By Giuseppe Mathis

  Shortly after entering North Carolina on the Blue Ridge Parkway, you will find the first public recreation area on the parkway, Cumberland Knob. At MP 217.5, Cumberland Knob is a 1000 acre park with a picnic area and a variety of plant and animal life, including many species of birds. There are also two hiking trails, one short stroll to Cumberland Knob. The other trail is a strenuous 2 hour hike through Gully Creek Gorge.

Stone Mountain State Park, in Roaring Gap, NC, is a fun attraction a few miles off the Blue Ridge Parkway at MP 229. Camping, fishing, and hiking are popular activities at Stone Mountain. There are also mountain cultural exhibits, including an old moonshine still, the Garden Park Baptist Church, established in 1897, and the restored Hutchinson homestead. Rock climbing and rappelling are also popular at Stone Mountain State Park, but a permit is required, and admission is free.

Doughton Park is a 7000 acre park on the Blue Ridge Parkway at MP 238.5. Here, visitors can enjoy fishing, hiking, camping, picnicking, and even cross-country skiing during winter months. The restored Brinegar Cabin, built in 1880, offers weaving and basketmaking demonstrations during the summer. These handmade wares can be purchased in the gift shop.

MP 259 is home to a popular shopping destination on the Blue Ridge Parkway, Northwest Trading Post. Here you can find locally crafted gifts and other handmade goodies, as well as a unique selection of collectibles. Minutes from the parkway is the New River and a number of canoe and tubing rental outfitters are available for fun family river trip. You can also bring your own boat, like the Coleman Navigator 3-person inflatable boat, and access the river for your own family adventure. The New River State Park is located just off MP 261 with boat access to the river, as well as canoe camping and primitive camping sites. Parkway visitors can also find cabin and chalet rentals along the nearby river, many with hot tubs and fireplaces, for a romantic mountain getaway.

Also off MP 259 are the world renowned Church of the Frescoes. These Episcopal churches are always open and there is no admission charge. The famous fresco paintings are displayed at St. Mary's Episcopal Church and the Holy Trinity Church showcases a wall mural of The Last Supper.

For a fun, music filled night of dancing with the entire family, visit the Mountain Music Jamboree, just off Blue Ridge Parkway MP 261 in Glendale Springs. Enjoy square dancing, clogging, and other fun family dances every Saturday night and on Fridays as well during the summer.

Blowing Rock is a short drive from the parkway at MP 291.9 and is famous for its mountain charm, extraordinary shopping, and unique attractions. Here you will find the legendary Blowing Rock and can enjoy the 4090 feet view above John's River Gorge (small admission fee). One of the most popular family attractions near the Blue Ridge Parkway, Tweetsie Railroad, is also located in Blowing Rock. Shopping in the area includes an outdoor recreation specialty store and Tanger Outlets, with 30 various outlet stores.

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Exercising with a Rowing Machine

By Jimmie Mcdowell

  Ever since I got into sports I have always been looking for exercise equipments that I could use inside my room. There were days when I found it impossible to do road work exercises outside due to weather swings. I went around shopping in fitness stores and found out that rowing machines are one of the most popular exercise alternatives. It is a system that works different areas of the body. Its unique setup creates resistance to different muscle groups, both in the lower and upper body. This provided a great alternative to muscle strengthening and conditioning. Rowing machines are well known for its efficiency in improving back and shoulder muscles. However, they do also provide a great work out to the thighs, calves and gluteus maximus. There are various rowing machine techniques that can be followed in order to achieve different levels of muscle growth in different areas of the body. Certain types of positioning, repetition, and set managements can all be applied to enhance the conditioning and strengthening of certain muscle areas. What I was looking for was a flexible equipment that can allow users to exercise different types of rowing machine techniques

The Search Continues
With this knowledge in mind, I shopped around looking for the best rowing machine that fit my needs. I run everyday and lift weights on a regular 3 day a week basis and so when rain is pouring hard or if the snow is unbearable, a certain type of exercise equipment should be able to provide the same results as my everyday workout. That was what I was looking for. Something that I could bring inside my room and make me sweat and work similar to the way the open field and road does.

Short Description of Stamina ATS 1400 Air Rower
I was looking for something special and just as I expected it, the cost was unforgiving. I looked around so more, checking rowing machine ratings, reviews, and comparisons in order to find the best rowing machine there is that would fit my budget. I found attractive products but the best rowing machine that was available at the time was the Stamina ATS 1400 Air Rower. Its price ranged from 300-400US$ and its benefits were attractive. Some of its benefits were included in the product which had features such as multi-function monitors, molded seat that ensures comfort, wheels for portability, easy storage, and strong and efficient wind resistance. It is constructed through steel which makes the product very durable and therefore much more attractive. Its user ratings and reviews were high and it was voted most efficient rowing machine of the year. Having a rowing machine comparison on this price budget would be senseless as nothing would beat the Stamina ATS 1400 Air Rower in terms of price and product quality.

The Leading Rower Machine - Stamina ATS 1400 Air Rower
I have previously tried my friends' rowers which were supposed to be of higher quality as stated in early rowing machine reviews and ratings. What is surprising is the difference in user friendliness and efficiency of the product. I reviewed the online ratings and user reviews of those products online and found out that many of the users rated the products high in the beginning but after a few months realized the problems such as missing wheels which makes it harder to move around, quick deterioration of mechanical parts, and safety hazards in the way the products are designed. Due to my findings and experiences with the Stamina ATS 1400 Air Rower, I am 100% convinced that I have gotten way more than what I paid for in purchasing the product. It is one of the best deals in the market and I am a 100% satisfied customer.

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How to Choose Mountain Biking Shoes

By Giuseppe Mathis

  Mountain bike shoes are an integral part of your mountain biking equipments since the right shoes can make your ride comfortable and help you to handle strenuous pedaling and difficult situations like feet swelling etc. during long mountain biking trips. There are a wide variety of mountain bike shoes available nowadays ranging from Clipless pedal shoes to custom-made mountain bike shoes. However there are some basic as well as individual specific factors which can help you decide and select your mountain bike shoes.

Investing in a good pair of mountain bike shoes is essential since they can comfort your feet and prove enjoyable, safe and efficient while you go mountain biking. Nowadays you can easily find shoes designed for use with clipless pedals as well as shoes with toe clips and standard pedals which give bikers the opportunity to pick and choose. However in the past the choices were limited and clipless pedals did not exist. Bikers had to struggle with shoes having toe-clips and this sometimes caused hindrance while riding. For instance, if there was an accident during the race, the biker could not free his feet from the toe-clips thus causing the biker to fall with the bike and hurt himself as well as damage the bike.

Shimano Pedaling Dynamics

The viable option of Clipless pedals available nowadays is preferred by bikers mainly because of the safety factor that they offer. An alternative to Clipless pedals are Mountain Bike shoes with Shimano Pedaling Dynamics (SPD). So if your bike does not have the option of Clipless pedals, you could very well use mountain Bike shoes with SPD. A known fact is that apart from the general discomfort that bikers experience during mountain biking, there is also the trouble of feet swelling during treacherous terrains. It is therefore wise to use laceless mountain biking shoes. These not only provide comfort during general biking but also allow more room for your feet in case they swell.

Mountain Bike shoes are available in many varieties and options. There are mountain bike shoes having stiff soles for mountain bikers who require pedaling power. Then there are the flexible shoes which can be used while biking as well as trekking in the mountains. The choice is yours. However if the selection process seems confusing you could get the opinion and advice of other experienced biking enthusiasts or the salesperson at the mountain bike retail outlet.

Unlike in the past, mountain bike shoes can be custom-made to suit your liking or your specific requirement or the type of terrain you wish to explore during your next mountain biking trip. The basic principle to follow is that your mountain bikes pedals determine the type of shoes you should wear. Though having mountain bike shoes with either Velcro straps or complex straps instead of laces is a good choice since such shoes can be opened or unhooked. Also some more aspects for consideration while buying your mountain bike shoes is that the shoe should be a little curved at the ball of the foot and the soles should be smooth, tough and inflexible. Basically the shoes should be adaptable while you are mountain biking.

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