The fall season is a wonderful time of year for nature-oriented activities. Outdoor fall activities are a great way to stay active and nature can lend a helping hand in many ways. Leaves are changing into wondrous colors and the weather can be just the perfect temperature. Regularly participating in activities such as hiking, rock climbing, nature walks, camping, and other outdoor adventures can be a workout. It's also fun and a great way to spend time with family and friends. One way to be sure you get these outdoor activities in regularly is to form a nature club.

Decide who you are interested in forming the club with. Will this be strictly for family? Are friends invited to participate in the activities? What are the age groups? There could be separate groups for adults and children or it could be all-inclusive. Some may prefer even to ask around the community and make it a more formal club. Decide also if there will be dues or if everyone will just pay their own way whenever there are any associated costs. Many nature venues, such as state parks are free or low-cost, but there may be equipment and supply costs or a number of other small fees.

Scheduling should be something to think about when making plans. The group can decide together on a schedule that best fits all participants. Think about how many times per week or month is ideal, as well as days and times. Also remember to consider holidays, as well as possible weather conditions. Some activities, such as kite flying, would be good on a windy day.

Some may choose to focus a club on one fall hobby or activity. Others may choose to be more versatile. Whatever option you go with, be sure the chosen activities fit the skill levels of your nature club members. A fun way to keep track of everyone while on nature excursions is to get custom-designed t-shirts and matching shoes. Just be sure the shoes are durable and comfy, as well as appropriate for certain activities. Nature activities can be hard on the feet without proper footwear.

Sources:

http://www.childrenandnature.org/news/detail/texas_parks_and_wildlife_promotes_family_nature_clubs

Fall is the perfect time to get out and collect a piece of nature. Leaves are turning colors and can be found just about anywhere in any shape or size. Leaves can be used in many crafts and fall decorations. It's a great way to decorate with nature without taking too much from it. Be sure to take only leaves that have already fallen from the trees.

Your own backyard is one great place to find leaves. But if you haven't any trees or just want some variety you can try local parks and nature reserves. Even a stroll around the block could net you some interesting leaves to add to your collection.

Be sure to collect leaves that are both big and small and in a variety of colors. Be diverse in your selection. To make the activity the most eco-friendly, be sure you are not wasting plastic bags to collect the leaves. Instead, use your reusable shopping bag. Don't have one? Why not? Go pick one up before heading out to collect your leaves. Nature will thank you when you reuse it again and again for many other things.

Now back to the leaf collecting. If you plan to use the leaves to make a fall garland or some other similar fall decor, be sure to collect a good amount of each desired shape and color. That way, the decoration can match throughout. On the other hand, if you just plan to spread them across a fall table, variety is key.

Benefits to leaf collecting are endless. For one thing, it gets you out into nature. When was the last time you did that? Looking up cool nature videos and pictures online does not count, by the way. It also is great for exercise. Once you get started, you may not want to stop. It also can save you money, as well as help save the Earth. Don't even think about buying another strand of those plastic and cloth things they call fall garlands in the craft store. Yours will look more authentic, it's free, and it's even naturally biodegradable.

South Beach is not the only hoppin' beach in town: Florida's Gulf Coast responds with its own up and coming party on Clearwater Beach.

After a beautiful Gulf Coast sunset, the lights turn on and the music turns up at Clearwater Beach bars and clubs. And as day turns to night, party-goers trade in their flip-flops for stilettos and bikinis for a short summer dress. But don't wear yourself out dancing, because you'll want to be ready to rise and shine the next day.

If you prefer a more low-key celebration, don't worry, you can keep your flip-flops and head to one of many small bars and family-run restaurants on Clearwater Beach to eat, drink, and wait for the sun to come back up.

And when the sun does come up, Clearwater Beach doesn't disappoint. Sure, Clearwater Beach doesn't have the glitz or glam of South Beach...at least not yet, but it does have sand. Miles of wide, white sandy beaches stretch into the soft warm, waves of the Gulf. Visitors to the beach can lie back and soak in the sun, take a swim in the sandy-bottom waters, or go shopping. Mandalay Avenue is filled with boutique shops, gift shops, and plenty of restaurants.

But as the day comes to an end, you really have to head to the Pier for the nightly Sunsets at the Pier 60 Festival celebration. This can't-miss family event features artisans, crafters, street performers and live musical entertainment. And after the sun goes down, it's back to party time at this beautiful beach.

A lot of people call The Naturist (Gavin McInnes) an outdoor expert. We completely agree...he is an expert at what not to do while outdoors. Fortunately, he has one thing going for him, we equipped him in the new Teva® Riva. Thanks to features like an aggressive lug design and a waterproof and breathable membrane, Gavin can be sure that even when everything goes wrong, his feet will still be comfortable and protected by the Riva. To find out more about The Naturist and the Riva, check out: www.zappos.com/teva.

"Spelunking" refers to the outdoor activity of exploring caves and caverns, either for fun or research. In the 2003 adventure called The Core, however, a team of specialists take spelunking to the ultimate level by drilling down to the very center of the Earth.

A secret government experiment has caused the planet's molten core to stop its natural rotation, which affects the Earth's electromagnetic field. Without this protective energy layer, people with pacemakers start dropping dead, birds fly off-course and the Sun's rays start burning people and buildings to a crisp.

The quickest way to get the core moving again is by sending a submersible ship through the layers of rock and molten lava and then detonating a series of nuclear warheads. In order to survive the heat, Dr. Ed "Brazz" Brazzleton (*Delroy Lindo*) creates a substance that he calls "unobtanium," which resists extreme temperatures and pressure. The good doctor also has a laser drill capable of drilling through the toughest rock.

In a ship outfitted with Dr. Brazzleton's inventions, the team, led by Commander Robert Iverson (*Bruce Greenwood*), drills through the bottom of the Pacific Ocean. As the first humans to go deep below the surface of the Earth, they see amazing things, such as huge diamonds formed from the tremendous heat and pressure. The deeper they drill, however, the greater the danger becomes.

An entertaining scientific fantasy, The Core takes cave exploration to new depths. It also shows what could theoretically happen if the Earth's electromagnetic field did start to erode. In one early scene, for instance, Major Rebecca Childs (*Hilary Swank*) has to find a safe place to land a space shuttle when magnetic interference wipes out her guidance system.

The Core does get a little grisly at times, showing in graphic detail what happens when unfiltered solar radiation hits the Earth. Even the best sunscreens can't help you when nothing stands between your face and the rays of the Sun.

A fun, but sometimes unbelievable adventure, The Core is one way to heat up a night of movie watching at home.

Kids love experiencing the outdoors and it often offers a great chance for them to learn. Another benefit is exercise. For fun, education, and exercise all rolled into one big adventure, parents may consider taking kids to outdoor museums. Many cities now have these wonderful places for kids to explore. The fun of outdoor museums is not limited to parents. Grandparents and teachers also might consider this fun outdoor activity.

Some outdoor museums may be as simple as a natural butterfly garden. In such outdoor museums, children can observe the butterflies all around them. At some outdoor museums, there also might be information in pamphlets or plaques on the creatures, as well as the flowers and plants in the garden. Some also hold educational classes and group tours.

Another type of outdoor museum could be an archaeological site, where visitors can discover fossils and dinosaur bones. Dinosaur Ridge in Golden, Colorado is an example of this type of outdoor museum. Small groups can sign up for archaeological expeditions that last hours or even days. Depending on the choice of adventures, kids may be watching archaeologists dig up artifacts, examining dinosaur bones, and even participating at an actual dig site to uncover fossils and dinosaur bones.

Yet, there is another type of outdoor museum - one that leaves history where it is discovered. Some Pueblo villages are left as they were, with pottery and other memorable items strewn as they were found. This type of outdoor museum can help teach kids how ancient civilizations lived. While many of the Pueblo villages are not maintained, it is recommended to leave the artifacts where they are. Yes, some of the pottery and artifacts may be beautiful and interesting, but parents and teachers should instruct kids on the importance of preserving history.

No matter the type of outdoor museums visited, there is a great deal of walking involved. Some may be on rough terrain, as in the case of the Pueblo villages, which are generally located in canyons and ridges. The terrain may not be as rough on the feet at a butterfly garden, but children may be on their feet for hours. Be sure they are wearing comfortable footwear, and if necessary, hiking shoes.

Sources:
http://www.dinoridge.org/
http://www.insideoutsidemag.com/issues/2009/March/The_Outdoor_Museum/

If you think earthquakes only happen in California, think again. It's true that most earthquakes happen west of the Rockies, and California has had plenty, but Alaska has had the most in recent history. But looking farther back, the most earthquakes have occurred in the central U.S., and the worst earthquake in U.S. history was along the New Madrid fault in Missouri over three months in 1811-1812. The effects were felt over 2 million square miles, and three quakes registered over an 8 on the Richter scale.

While geologists are working towards it, they still can't predict when or where an earthquake will strike. They do know that if a quake has hit an area in the past, it will happen again. So, it's possible that you'll encounter an earthquake when you're out hiking, camping, boating, or even skiing.

The first warning you'll have is a feeling of rolling ground, then the real shaking starts. Find the nearest open space, something treeless and not downhill from a rocky slope, and stay there. Most injuries outdoors, just like indoors, come from falling debris and in your case, that means trees, rocks, and even snow. Earthquakes can trigger some phenomenal avalanches. Curl up into a fetal position to make yourself a smaller target.

There will be aftershocks, so stay put. If you're hiking along the coast, though, know earthquakes often trigger tsunamis, so move inland and up, then find open space. When the movement stops, check yourself and the rest of your party for injuries, and treat what you can with your first aid kit.

Wear sturdy but comfortable boots like these new Ledge boots from Timberland. Sick of your old pack? This Ultimatum Gear backpack from Nike is brand new, and along with pockets for everything, it has Max Air straps to take the weight off your shoulders. This waterproof watch from Freestyle has an altimeter, a barometer, and a compass.

Know the history of the area you're hiking, travel prepared, and you can survive even an earthquake in the backcountry.

Modern technology has changed the way that judges determine the winners at the Olympic Games. Look, for instance, at how close Michael Phelps came to losing his 7th Gold Medal last summer in Beijing. After officials reviewed the video of the 100m Butterfly, Phelps was declared the winner over Milorad Cavic by a mere 1/100th of a second.

"Chariots of Fire," which won the Oscar for Best Picture in 1981, looks back almost 90 years to a time when Olympic victories were not determined by computerized timers and video replays. Ben Cross plays Harold Abrahams, a wealthy Jewish student at England's Cambridge University. Determined to prove himself in the eyes of the school and his classmates, Abrahams distinguishes himself as a track star, even tackling a foot race called "The College Dash."

At the same time in Scotland, Eric Liddell (played by *Ian Charleson*), the son of Christian missionaries, is preparing for a trip to China. Liddell can't, however, escape the fact that he is one of the fastest runners in the country. Nicknamed "The Flying Scotsman," Liddell joined Abrahams on the track, first as competitors and then as teammates, at the 1924 Paris Olympiad.

Based on the experiences of two real-life athletes, "Chariots of Fire" is a fascinating look back at what Olympic runners had to deal with in the early 20th century. Hi-tech athletic shoes weren't even a glint in an inventor's eyes at the time, so Liddell and Abrahams had to wear spiked running shoes made out of leather.

"Chariots of Fire" is a sports film that shows running in its purest form. Instead of training at a government sponsored athletic center, Liddell runs through the hills. At one point in the film, he even says "I believe that God made me for a purpose, but He also made me fast. When I run, I can feel his pleasure."

Combined with some beautiful background music from Vangelis, "Chariots of Fire" is a sometimes overlooked gem that celebrates the simple elegance and beauty of the runner.

Most kids love constructing things and often the bigger the item they construct, the better. Why not let them construct their own miniature golf course right in the backyard? It's simpler than you may be thinking and they'll have tons of fun building it. Plus, after they build their own miniature golf course, kids can have even more fun by playing the game.

Before getting the kids started, be sure there is plenty of clear space for them to work with. You'll need golf balls and tees and enough golf clubs for each kid who will play. Since kids will likely want to do this with friends, I suggest having enough for about 8 people, even if there won't always be that many playing. Lower-priced golf clubs for kids can generally be found in the toy aisle during the summer. Set the balls, tees, and clubs aside for now.

To construct the miniature golf course, kids will need assorted items to make the obstacle course. Buckets, toy dumptrucks, small plastic cups, old tires, and other assorted toys and objects are great for this. Let the kids gather things from around the yard and house to use. The plastic cups are necessary, as these will be the holes for the balls.

Let the kids spread the objects around the yard, creating obstacles for the golf course. When they are done arranging everything as they want it, instruct them to dig holes near each of the obstacles. The plastic cups can then be placed in those holes. They can be creative as to where the cups go. For instance, if the obstacle is a tire, the cup can actually go in the center of it, creating a challenge.

Once the kids are done building their miniature golf course, the only thing left to do is play. You likely will not have to remind them of this when they finish. They should be eager to start. Don't forget to determine a start and finish. Those can be symbolized by placing flags or pinwheels into the ground. Allow the kids to wear golfing attire, complete with their own pair of golf shoes.

Enjoying the success that came along with the Rocky Balboa character, Sylvester Stallone soon appeared in other movies, one of them being the 1981 drama Victory. Set in a Prisoner-of-War camp during World War II, Stallone fought with his feet this time, instead of his hands

As the war raged across Europe, the German High Command came up with a brilliant propaganda stunt. To prove the superiority of the "Master Race," a group of Allied Prisoners would play in an exhibition soccer match against the German National Team.

Instead of propaganda, though, the prisoners, led by Captain John Colby (*Michael Caine*), decide to use the soccer match as a way to escape from camp. Captain Colby recruits a group of willing players, including Corporal Luis Fernandez, who is played by real-life soccer great Pele. As Captain Robert Hatch, Stallone plays a self-centered officer who reluctantly becomes a part of this scheme.

Surprisingly enough, when the Allied players are going up against the Germans, they get caught up in the game, so much so that it threatens their chances to escape the prison camp for good. For them, it comes down to just one crucial question: Escape or Victory?

About as believable as an episode of "Hogan's Heroes," Victory does deserve mention for a couple of specific reasons. Soccer, which is known as football in Europe, doesn't get as much play in the movies as sports like baseball and boxing. Director John Huston includes a lot of great, on-the-field action as the soldiers go toe-to-toe with their well-fed German counterparts.

"Victory" also benefits from the inclusion of Pele, the Brazilian athlete who rightfully earned the title of "King of Football" during the 1970's. It definitely is worth the price of renting this DVD to see Pele perform one of his spectacular "bicycle kicks" during the scenes on the athletic field. Pele's skills with a soccer ball almost seem superhuman at times.

When you have a chance, slip on a soccer training jersey, put a copy of Victory in the DVD player, and enjoy some of the high-kicking action, courtesy of Pele, Caine and Stallone.

North Carolina is famous for mountains, rivers, the Wright brothers, and beaches! The best beaches are on the Outer Banks, sandy islands with the Atlantic on one side and a river on the other. Cape Fear is renowned for the movie of the same name, and is an extremely popular destination, but if you'd rather relax it may be too popular. Drive across Snow's Cut Bridge to Pleasure Island, and down to its southern tip. There you'll find Kure (pronounced CUR-ee) Beach, this week's best beach.

Kure Beach is both a town and a beach, and if you decide you want to stay longer than a day (and you probably will) you'll have no problem finding a beach cottage or ocean-front condo to rent, or a motel for a shorter stay. There are plenty of shops and great restaurants that range from 5 star to inexpensive, but always tasty, in this town of about 1,800. If they're not enough for you, it's a short trip back to Wilmington. But if you're a beach-lover, you'll just want to spread out your towel and stay.

The sands of Kure Beach are open and unspoiled, and you can sunbathe, amble along looking for shells, or just admire the ocean without constantly tripping over people. There are hiking trails and some fascinating vegetation, including the Venus flytrap. Kure Beach is also a great place for surfing or sailboarding, and it's one of the best spots along the Outer Banks for fishing. The town has a 700+ foot pier, one of the best on the east coast, and you're guaranteed to catch something. If you'd rather look at fish than catch them, visit the North Carolina Aquarium, also on Kure.

Carry all your beach needs in this spacious and stylish tote from JanSport. Keep your feet happy on sand, trail or water in these Sun Chill Thongs from Columbia. Catch everybody's eyes while you're catching rays in the shirred tubini with matching twist front hipster in Holly Berry from Tommy Bahama's Sunkissed collection. Pack water, sunscreen, and shades and you're ready to hit Kure Beach.

Some of the best whitewater runs are in the Carolinas. Two great runs can go together for an overnight trip on the Little Tennessee River in North Carolina.

The Little Tennessee, or Little T, starts as a creek in Georgia, then flows north into North Carolina, becoming a full-grown river. It flows between the Cowee Range on the east and the Nantahala Mountains on the west, and north until it reaches the Fontana reservoir. You'll see farmland and forest the first day, and mostly forest the second. Part of the river flows through private land, so make sure to get permission before camping.

Put-in the first day at the NC 28 bridge by Iotla, and take-out at the Lost Bridge, also on NC 28. You'll have smooth paddling; this 10-mile stretch is rated Class l-ll. You can run it in about 4 ½ hours, or longer if you linger. Towards the Lost Bridge you'll encounter shallow ledges that most beginners can handle.

Start the second day at Lost Bridge. This 13-mile stretch is way more fun than the first; its 13 miles are rated class ll-lll. When the river is high, there are several ledges that you should scout and run carefully; all can be spotted from the boat. When the Fontana is low, there are about 250 yards of ledges. Before the dam, this stretch was called the Narrows, and you'll want to stop and scout out before proceeding; at the bottom of the Narrows, the standing wave can hit 5 feet. If the water is low, scout left; if high, scout right. Take-out just before the US 19 bridge.

For the trip, take a craft that can store your pack and a sleeping bag. This shirt from Columbia provides sun protection and is quick-drying; you can choose to roll up the sleeves or keep them down. These Mission Playground shorts will keep you cool and comfortable. Wear a good pair of kayaking shoes and don't forget your shades; that Carolina sun is bright. A good water-proof watch can come in handy, too. Enjoy yourself, and thank your driver.

(Sources: Benner, Bob and David Benner: Carolina Whitewater: A Paddler's Guide to the Western Carolinas. 2005 edition, Menasha Press, Birmingham, AL; http://www.riverfacts.com/rivers/12402.html )

Some movies deal with the concept of dropping out of the corporate "rat race" and heading off to search for the "real" America. Comedian Albert Brooks puts a truly funny spin on this theme in Lost in America, a 1985 film that also pays homage to the classic Peter Fonda film, Easy Rider.

Brooks plays David Howard, a young advertising executive who has grown weary of business suits and client meetings. With his wife Linda (*Julie Hagerty* from "Airplane"), David buys a Winnebago and heads out to find America, kind of like the characters did in Easy Rider.

On a stopover in Las Vegas, David intends to renew his wedding vows with his wife, but Linda has a gambling problem, one that David didn't know she had. In a matter of hours, she reduces their "nest egg" to pocket change by playing roulette. In one funny scene, David uses his advertising skills on the casino manager in an effort to get their money back, but with no success.

With a much lighter nest egg in the Winnebago, David and Linda settle in Safford, Arizona. The former advertising executive becomes a school crossing guard while his wife finds a job at a hot dog stand. Linda impresses her teenage boss by showing him the proper way to deep fry French fries, instead of serving them frozen as he had been.

Filled with references to the 1980'sYuppie lifestyle, Lost in America highlights the appeal that the outdoors has for those who spend most of their workday behind a desk. Throughout the film, Albert Brooks' character meets other people who, like him, have based their whole lives on the Easy Rider movie. Instead of buying motorcycles, however, David and Linda do the true Yuppie thing and travel the country in a recreational vehicle.

A comic gem from 1985 that has since become a cult classic, Lost in America delivers both the glories of the great American outdoors and the sacrifices that come with chasing a lifelong dream.

The Green River in Utah is one of the most popular destinations for whitewater rafting. It's a long canyon, and not all stretches are the same. If you want to introduce your family to whitewater rafting, one of the best stretches is the Desolation and Gray Canyon stretch, with over sixty Class 1 to 111 rapids. It's a 5 to 6 day trip, depending on how far you push each day.

Drive or fly to the Sand Wash ranger station for the put-in. If you want to raft on your own, you'll need to get permits from the various jurisdictions the Green passes through (mostly BLM, but also the National Park Service and others). If you bring your kids, it's easier to go with one of the many services that provide the permits, along with the raft, a guide, meals, and camp set-ups. It's also a great way to convince your wife or girlfriend that she'll enjoy the trip!

Once you leave the put-in, the water starts out smooth. As you proceed, you'll start hitting rapids, and it gets more and more interesting. The best spot for whitewater fans is the Belknap rapids, the result of a 1987 flash flood that dumped rocks from a side canyon into the water. If you're hardcore, ask the guide to bring an inflatable kayak so you can run that stretch on your own.

Bring a pack with a section to keep your wet clothes away from your dry clothes. Keep your feet happy with these Teva open sandals so they can stay cool in the warm weather. You can get matching Teva kids sandals if you bring the kids (check first; some guides accept kids as young as five; others take kids age eight and up), or give their feet more coverage with these, also from Teva, so they don't have to switch footgear when you take out to look at sites like an abandoned canyon, some amazing petroglyphs that are about 1000 years old, or the stone ruins of the long-gone Fremont cultures that made this canyon their home.

During the 1960's, Irwin Allen was the undisputed king of science fiction television, with shows such as "The Time Tunnel" and "Land of the Giants" on the major networks. One of Allen's creations that had some basis in reality was "Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea," a series about a submarine crew assigned to keep the world safe.

Based on the movie of the same name, most of the action takes place in and around the Seaview, a nuclear sub designed by Admiral Harriman Nelson (*Richard Basehart*). In the first episode, Admiral Nelson has to stop a tidal wave with a nuclear bomb, but there are forces in the world who want to stop his efforts.

Like the characters on "Star Trek" who wore red shirts, careers on the Seaview were painfully short for some crew members. The original Captain doesn't make it through the entire first episode, so Lee Crane (*David Hedison*) takes command of the Seaview in time to save the world from mass destruction.

In addition to the nuclear vessel, Admiral Nelson also designed the "The Flying Sub," an ultra-cool ship that could leave the Seaview and travel through the air. Some of the best sequences show the Flying Sub breaking the surface of the water and speeding into the upper atmosphere.

With the Cold War still burning hot, many "Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea" episodes dealt with the tensions between the United States and various Communist nations. Mysterious villains typically would capture Captain Crane and his crew, subjecting them to beatings and torture.

Because this was an Irwin Allen production, the show did feature plenty of alien invaders and recycled footage from several of Allen's other movie and television projects. No one at the network could ever accuse him of spending too much on special effects.

Despite the ingenious designs of Admiral Nelson, the Seaview did suffer damage in some episodes, sometimes causing it to linger at the bottom of the sea. At those times, the crew probably wished they had some rubber boots to navigate through the sub. They may have been on a "Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea," but nobody likes wet socks and shoes.