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.

Galveston Island, Texas is known for its abundance of outdoor and water sports. There are many ways to fish in the waters of Galveston. One method is pier or rock fishing directly from the Galveston Island Seawall. Another is breakwater fishing. Aside from being quite fun, another benefit of fishing from the Galveston Seawall is that it happens to be free. Just don't forget to purchase a fishing license; it's required to fish in Texas for anyone between the ages of 17 and 65. Where applicable, be sure to get the three-day license.

A variety of fish can be caught along the Seawall. Some of those include Sheepshead, Sand Trout, Bull Reds, Gafftop Sail, Flounder, and more. Some may choose fishing off the rocks or pier, while others may instead go wade fishing in the breakwaters. The breakwaters of Galveston are calm much of the time. Galveston has plenty of different beaches and areas to fish from. Some are family-oriented, while others are better suited to the adult crowd. Galveston Island Sate Park boasts great breakwaters for fishing.

When some people think of Texas, they may automatically picture a place that is dry and hot. While that may be true for some parts of Texas, Galveston does not fit that bill completely. Dry it is definitely not. How well would that work for fishing?

For wade fishing and perhaps even rock fishing and pier fishing in Galveston, you may want a good pair of waterproof fishing boots. Not only can they protect the feet from getting too wet, but they can be good for walking on wet or muddy terrain. Another important thing to remember about fishing is to check the fishing schedules to be sure winds and other weather will be favorable. Remember that Galveston is an island, so it can be prone to hurricane weather.

Parts of Galveston are still recovering from a hurricane that occurred in 2008. Despite the devastating effects of Hurricane Ike, fishing in Galveston remains strong. Many travel to Galveston just for the fishing, and the 2008 storm that caused so much destruction has not seemed to destroy the love of fishing in Galveston.

Sources:
http://www.galveston.com/islandfishing/
http://outdoor.zappos.com/n/p/dp/45176513/c/128.html

The Adirondack Wilderness area of New York draws thousands of people each year for agri-tourism, fishing, hunting and - you guessed it! - mountain climbing. There are several mountains in this area, each of which poses unique challenges.

The highpoint of New York is a rugged and heavily forested peak called Mount Marcy, and although it doesn't rival the height of mountains in the west, it is still a main attraction. Mount Marcy is an excellent climb for beginner and advanced climbers alike. There are several routes to the peak, ranging from easy to technically difficult, so amateurs can try different routes in a progression until they get comfortable.

Unlike many of the other state highpoints in the U.S., Mount Marcy is extremely dense, with only the top few hundred feet relatively clear of trees. This makes for a beautiful and somewhat sheltered climb, allowing you to focus on your hands and feet rather than the surrounding vistas. The peak of Mount Marcy, by contrast, is very sandy with scattered rocky outcroppings, which means that footing can be shaky. If you're going to climb this mountain, make sure to wear a pair of boots with adequate ankle support.

Also popular on Mount Marcy is skiing and snowboarding, both of which are available from October through mid-March. If you'll be visiting New York during the winter, it might be safer to try snowboarding and leave your climbing activities for warmer months. All of Mount Marcy routes can be completed in a single day, so you don't have to worry about camping if you're going to make this climb. However, it is important to grab a map on your way out so you know where to find the trailhead; climbers have gotten lost on the mountain, and the forest makes it more difficult to get your bearings.

You'll also want to be careful of wildlife on Mount Marcy. Poisonous plants, black bears, coyotes and wolves are found in this area, and you might not hear them coming if they approach under the cover of trees.