TAKE A WALK, RIDE A BUS, GO GREEN !!

TAKE A WALK, RIDE A BUS, GO GREEN

http://www.thestar.com/opinion/commentary/2013/04/23/ottawa_is_the_missing_link_in_transit_action_plan_for_cities.html

Article by Olivia Chow, Toronto Star

* * *

Do you walk to school or to work? Do you take the bus or the train? Do you car pool. If you partake in any of these exercise activities, then you are an eco-friendly individual and the world thanks you.

The article presented above is a motivational and inspiring speech about the economy and how more people should be involved in public transit. It explains how frustrated people are with morning traffic commutes and elaborates on the fact that it wouldn’t cost that much extra money to ensure every city, province and territory has accessible public transit. In some cases though, as explained in the article, many people cannot get to their destination without the use of their vehicles. In this situation those individuals can always be eco-friendly afterwards, or be physically active to keep a healthy lifestyle for themselves. In my opinion, taking transit or walking to school or to work or even taking the train is a more healthier and productive lifestyle. While keeping a regular routine everyday, people at the same time can exercise and be healthy, which is surely an accomplishment everybody wants to fulfill at some point in their life. This article has made me think of how much better it would be to be more eco-friendly. Being more green will not only help yourself in gaining a healthier lifestyle, but it will promote a healthier world to live in. Take a walk, ride the bus, hop on a train and go green!!

The Kayak Roll

Basic Principles Behind a Kayak Roll by Dan Seaman from Explore Magazine

***
I give this article 3 stars because it teaches a valuable, possibly life saving lesson. It could be improved by giving a more in-detail description of the steps of how to carry out the procedure.

This article could potentially save my life! As a kayaker myself I was very interested to learn a self-rescue technique that I might someday be in the situation to use. The article gives a diagram on how to execute the kayak roll, which is a technique you use when your kayak or canoe has flipped over. It then goes on to give tips on how to do it most effectively. It encourages people to use their hips to roll the kayak over, where most people would be inclined to use their upper body strength. It also persuades people to go against their natural reaction to pull their head up above water first and keep it down, that way your centre of balance is lower which makes it easier to roll yourself over. Then it encourages people to practice the technique over and over, and to practice it rolling both ways.

I found this article incredibly helpful and it made me realize how unprepared I would be if I were in the situation that my kayak flipped over. I have been kayaking for years and I have grown confident in my ability to keep it upright, as i`ve never even once flipped over before. I`ve also never worn a lifejacket in my kayak because of this reason. I am always with my dad when I go kayaking too, so that gives me a level of security about my safety aswell. The article made me realize that I should put more consideration into my safety and practice emergency procedures such as the kayak roll in case that I go kayaking alone, or I get into a dangerous situation in my kayak. I have been inspired to learn more about kayaking and safety procedures so that I can keep myself safe, and I plan to hopefully try the kayak roll when I get the opportunity.

Article Source: http://explore-mag.com/1316/fitness-and-nutrition/basic-principles-behind-a-kayak-roll

Longbeards: A Different Approach

Longbeards: A Different Approach

Jace Bauserman

3/5

          The article I read reflects bow hunter Jace Bauserman's personal encounter with an un-aware turkey hunter.

          Bauserman wrote this article to inform other bow hunters of how to experience longbeard (turkey) solitude while staying on public land. Bauserman was hunting for longbeards, and as he prepared to take the shot with his bow, a loud shot rang out, and Bauserman saw his turkey on the ground dead. Another hunter stepped out of the brush and hoisted the turkey by the legs triumphantly. Bauserman did not know if that hunter had seen him, but regardless, he learned that taking the time to find an isolated, yet turkey-dense location truly paid off. This article affected me in several ways, since I am starting to take archery myself (I won't be killing animals or anything). This article made me think about the risks that come with hunting or shooting on public land, such as other hunters. Although I'm not a hunter, I realize that these risks are present even walking through trails.

Bauserman, Jace. "Longbeards: A Different Approach." Bow Hunting World. Sunday April 7th: Pg 27-28

 5 Mistakes Novice Hikers Make 

The article I read was about 5 mistakes that novice hikers often make. This article extremely well written and had enough pictures to prolong interest. The article explained how the writer them self had made these same mistakes by being over confident on a hiking trip. I found these tips to be extremely useful as i myself am a novice hiker and would not like to make similar mistakes. I found that i had as well often made the mistake of over packing and improper clothing and supplies. This showed me just how much it can effect your hike and really made me reconsider what i should bring. This along with other mistakes such as poor choice of trail, failure to prepare, setting the wrong pace and refusing to turn back are outlined in a clear manor.

 

With the trips and tips outlined in this article i believe that anyone could go from a novice hiker to a pro in a matter of weeks. As long as everyone keeps these simple things in mind I believe that hiking accidents will soon become far and few between.