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 )

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.

Planning a long back-packing trip, and intend to supplement the food you carry with food you find? You'd better be certain that you know what you can eat, and what to avoid if you want to make it home.

In the mountains, the desert, or the grasslands, you can find edible plants. Some basic rules are not to choose anything with fungus or mildew, or that looks spoiled. If you've got a sensitive stomach, you may want to avoid wild greens. Know the plants must be cooked before you eat them, like those containing oxalate crystals, which can damage your kidneys. Finally, avoid plants you don't recognize if their sap is milky or off-color; if they have beans, bulbs, or seeds inside pods; a bitter or soapy taste; thorns, hairs, or spikes; plants that look like foliage from dill, carrot, or parsley; if the woody parts and leaves have an almond scent; if they have pink, purple, or black spurs on grass heads; or if they have three-leaf clusters.

Many berries are edible, including blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, gooseberries and huckleberries; others, including daphne berries, jasmine berries, lantana camara berries, yew berries, moonseed berries and mistletoe berries, are fatal. Edible root plants include agave root, cammas bulbs, squaw root, wild carrots, Indian Cucumber root, wild onion, and wild garlic. Don't confuse them with flower bulbs, or candelabra cactus root. Greens are an excellent supplement to your wild diet. Dandelion greens, chickweed, clover, lamb's quarters, milkweed, and mustard greens are all good choices as well. Avoid anything that looks like dill or parsley, because it could be nightshade or hemlock.

Some plants are prepared to improve their taste; bitter greens can be soaked, acorns leached in water, and stems, leaves and buds of other plants boiled until they no longer taste bitter. Tubers, roots, and cattails should be boiled, baked, or roasted. That removes any oxalates some roots may have. Early grains can be eaten raw; once they're hard, you can grind them into flour or boil them for soup. The sap from birches and sycamores provides a sweetener like maple syrup.

Of course to do all this, you need some gear. Start with a multi-purpose tool to cut or dig up plants. You'll need cookware to cook things in, and a stove to cook on. And of course, a big backpack to carry it all.

Be careful, and bon appetit!

(Sources: http://plantanswers.tamu.edu/publications/poison/poison.html , http://www.wilderness-survival.net/plants-1.php, http://www.wildwoodsurvival.com/survival/food/edibleplants/ , http://www.essortment.com/all/ediblewildplan_repo.htm )

In many ways, "Gilligan's Island" was the prototype for the popular reality show "Survivor." During this now-classic 1960's sitcom, seven people from different backgrounds were stranded together on an island during a terrible storm and, like the reality show, they had to work together in order to survive.

After spending 14 years in almost total seclusion before finally making it back home, however, some things just didn't add up:

Practically every week, Gilligan messed up an opportunity for the castaways to leave the island for good. After about a dozen foul-ups, in real life, one of his shipmates would probably tied up Gilligan in his sleep so he couldn't cause more mischief.

Bob Denver, who played the title role in the series, made an appearance in the 1987 movie "Back to the Beach." In character as Gilligan, Denver lamented the fact that he spent years on an island with a guy who could make a nuclear reactor out of two coconut shells and a piece of string, but he couldn't fix a two-foot hole in a boat.

Though Skipper *Jonas Grumby*'s first love was his boat, the Minnow, Gilligan and Professor Roy Hinkley were young, single guys. How come, in 14 years, neither one of them married Ginger Grant or Mary Ann Summers?

Despite the fact that most of the Minnow's passengers overpacked for a "three-hour tour", after 14 years of salt-water washings, even the sturdiest fabrics are going to fade and fall apart. When they were finally rescued, though, Gilligan and the Skipper were wearing fresh-looking clothes.

What exactly did the castaways use for toilet paper, toothpaste and other hygiene products?

Despite the lack of logic, "Gilligan's Island" remains one of the funniest outdoor television shows ever made. Even 45 years after its debut, it still is fun to lace up a pair of deck shoes and watch one of the episodes on satellite.

Anyone living in New York or New Jersey will probably tell you that THE best beach is Cape May on the Jersey Cape. Visit, and you'll swear you're in beach heaven.

Cape May is on a peninsula at the southern tip of New Jersey, between the Delaware Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. It has more than just great beaches: it has an historic lighthouse, gorgeous Victorian Bed and Breakfasts (most of them on the National Register of Historic Places), an assortment of different museums, a free zoo, wildlife sanctuaries, whale-watching trips, and restaurants for every budget. So grab a tote, throw in your sunscreen, a towel, some glamorous sunglasses, water, magazines or books, and a snack, and head to the beach. Choose a swimsuit like this pineapple print one-piece halter from Tommy Bahama, and protect your toes from hot sand with flip-flops by Simple Green Toe. They look great, and with organic cotton and a piece of recycled tire for the outer edge, you're saving the environment too.

The city beaches of Cape May require a beach badge; the 2009 prices are $25 for the season, $13 for a week, $5 for a day, and $10 for a weekend, but the beach at Cape May State Park is absolutely free, so take your pick. The city beaches do have beach umbrellas and chairs to rent, if that's an issue, and both city and park beaches are wheelchair accessible.

One of the most famous landmarks of Cape May is the Cape May Point Lighthouse, inside the park. For a small fee, you can climb 199 steps to the top and see a phenomenal view of the entire peninsula and 30 miles of white beaches. If you decide to climb up, trade the flip-flops for a sturdier shoe like these darlings from Snipe, and throw on some comfy crop pants and a cool light top.

The park and the beaches close at night, so be ready to throw your gear in your bag and head for home or a B&B when the sun starts to set.

Women, despite allegedly having less upper body strength than men, are just as capable of learning to kayak and run rapids. Once you've learned, you'll be looking for runs that fit your level of experience and ability, and you'll want to have the right gear.

Two things you must know before you go are, first, the most current conditions and safety warnings for the run you've chosen. You can't rely on a guidebook to say what that river is like now, and whitewater paddling can be deadly. Second, no matter how experienced you are, you must wear a flotation device and a helmet. Nobody's head is rock-proof.

This week's river is the upper Baptism River in Minnesota, a Lake Country river that flows into Lake Superior. The upper part of the river is easier than the lower, although still rated moderately difficult, and if you put in at Finland and take out at Eckbeck, about 5.5 miles total, you'll have a pleasant day trip, with great scenery and lots of wildlife to watch. Since this is not quite Northern Minnesota, and has daytime highs normally in the 70s, you can probably wear shorts, but given the unreliable nature of Minnesota weather, you may want to bring long pants and a jacket too. A good pair of Tevas like these in a variety of colors will complete your clothing for a one-day trip. Consider taking a dry bag to keep your items dry.

The upper part of the Baptism consists mainly of class II to III rapids, with a few incidental holes big enough to hold your kayak, so go around them, generally river left. The only real exception to this is a large class IV-V falls in the middle of the run. Keep your eye out, as it's boat-scoutable, and if you're not class V material, take the kayak(s) out and go around it, and go back in below the falls. You'll have a pretty easy run the rest of the way, with a few class IIIs to keep you alert.

Next time, the lower Baptism!

If your vision of a perfect day relaxing at a pristine, beautiful beach listening to the sounds of the waves and seagulls has been marred by the reality of towering condos and the sounds of cars honking, don't give up hope yet. You need to check out Caladesi Island, recently voted America's Number 1 beach by Dr. Beach. The island is just off Florida's Gulf Coast near Dunedin, Florida. Fill a small, bag with a cooler with some water and grab a beach bag filled with a good read, plenty of sun block, and a beach towel. If you do forget something, there's a small café/gift shop, and yes, restrooms/shower facilities.

There's no chance of traffic noise on Caladesi Island. It's accessible only by water. But don't worry, you don't have to have your own boat to get there. You can hop on the ferry ($10 per person, call 727-734-1501 for the latest schedule) that leaves from Honeymoon Island State Park (located at the extreme west end of SR 586, north of Dunedin) every hour. Watch for dolphins, manatee, and a variety of wading birds during the short trip to the island.

Pack wisely because there are few man-made amenities at this state park.

As your cross the boardwalk, the wide, unspoiled beach will truly take your breath away. After settling in, beach lovers can take a dip in the warm Gulf waters, stroll along the quiet sand, or just soak up the Florida sun. Nature lovers can venture further into the island on the three-mile hiking trail to watch for an osprey, a gopher tortoise or other native Florida wildlife.

As your toes settle into the cool sand, don't forget to check the clock every now and again. You don't want to miss the boat back home.

Rain showers, hail and strong winds in the forecast make it hard to dress with the lightweight mantra in mind, but all you really need is a versatile, waterproof jacket to round out your outdoor wardrobe. A jacket designed with waterproof lining and a generous fit will help you head off on that adventure without worry. If it's a hooded, long-sleeve jacket with extra-large zippers and deep pockets, even better.

The Marmot Women's PreCip Jacket is made with an ultra lightweight material and compact design, so it's easy to pack up and go when you're on the run. It's also designed with Marmot's PU coating technology that gives it extra durability and strength in even the most rugged conditions. The seam taping and moisture-resistant cover also make this one a wise investment for long-term use.

But wait, there's even more. This jacket is designed with double-flapped PitZips that provide extra ventilation when you need it most, along with Pack Pockets that will remain accessible even when you're lugging around an extra-heavy backpack. The Angel-Wing Movement system ensures you can move your arms easily and comfortably, and the generous cut gives you a comfortable fit no matter how many layers you're sporting for the day. Plus, the roll-up hood gives you a chance to stay cozy and dry when those rain showers strike at the last minute.

The Marmot PreCip is available in a trio of eye catching colors; take your pick of Virtual Pink, Sweetpea or the bold Lapis. Whether you're hitting the beachfront or trekking through the rainforest, you'll be easily spotted in these bold and bright hues.

Lightweight jackets like the Marmot PreCip are a great match for road warriors, bikers and hikers who are always trekking across unknown territory that's prone to inclement weather. The jackets can be worn with jeans, track pants and cargo pants for a casual and comfortable ensemble. The extra room also makes it easy to layer with your favorite tees, sweatshirts or polos. The waterproof jacket is a necessity for your active outdoor lifestyle and choosing one with a high-durability factor may just be a worthwhile investment.

A few months before his untimely death, John Belushi co-starred with Blair Brown in the romantic comedy Continental Divide. Starting in the urban sprawl of Chicago before shifting to the Rocky Mountains, this film provides excellent examples of both Belushi's acting abilities and the grandeur of the Rockies.

Belushi plays Ernie Souchak, a hardboiled political reporter who goes after corrupt politicians like a lion chasing his prey. Unfortunately, Souchak gets on the wrong side of a crooked city councilman, whose henchmen promptly put him in the hospital. To keep him safe, the editor makes his top reporter load up his backpack for an out-of-town interview.

Souchak, a dedicated city dweller, is appalled after learning the subject of his interview, the reclusive naturalist Dr. Nell Porter (Brown). A woman who prefers the company of bald eagles to people, especially nosy reporters, Porter doesn't want the journalist hanging around, or interfering with her work.

In this remote mountain wilderness, however, Souchak and Porter finally reach an understanding after he is injured. Ernie comes to appreciate Nell's work and her understated beauty, while she finds that there's a decent guy under all that bluster. The two fall madly in love, just as Souchak has to head back to the Chicago skyscrapers and subways.

A romance set against a stunning Colorado backdrop, Continental Divide is the kind of film that will make you want to leave the city and head to the mountains. John Belushi and Blair Brown make an oddly believable couple, especially since the former "Saturday Night Live" star toned down his manic energy for the film. It's a real fish-out-of-water story, but Belushi makes it work.

The real star of this film is, however, the great outdoors. Countless films have been set in and around Chicago, but Colorado doesn't get as much exposure in comparison. The Nell Porter character lives in relative isolation, with only another mountain dweller for company, but she makes the mountain life look very desirable.

If you've followed Survival of the Fittest, you know how to dress for cold weather and how to set up a camp that can protect you in a winter storm. But pay attention: hypothermia, a gradual cooling of your body, can kill. Know the symptoms, how to avoid it and what to do if someone in your group develops it.

The early symptoms of hypothermia include shivering, pale or blue-gray skin, and what the Mayo clinic staff call the "-umbles:" stumbles, mumbles, fumbles, and grumbles. The grumbling may appear as indifference to what's going on, and the mumbling can also appear as slurred speech. Difficulties with movement and balance are the stumbling part, and can also appear when numbed fingers fumble with tasks like pulling up a zipper. Later symptoms include confusion, slowing of breathing and pulse, muscle stiffness, extreme fatigue and loss of consciousness.

Most people assume that hypothermia occurs only when the temperatures are below freezing. That's a myth. If the weather is cool and cloudy, and you get soaked with rain and don't get into dry clothes and a warm place, you can get hypothermia. Cold water is another common cause of hypothermia. Depending on the temperature of the water, it can take several hours or just minutes of exposure to develop hypothermia.

Preventive measures include layering your clothing; wear a thin pair of gloves inside your regular gloves and double up your socks. Keep your head and ears covered with a hat or headband. Avoid too much exertion; evaporating sweat can make you much colder. If you swim in a mountain lake, make sure it's not too cold and don't stay in too long.

If someone is wet or cold and showing signs of hypothermia, get them back to camp immediately. Strip all the wet clothing and leave it outside the tent. Dress them in warm, dry clothing or wrap them in a sleeping bag, and warm their feet with dry wool socks or primaloft or down booties. Heat stones in a campfire, wrap them in fabric, and bring them inside to help warm the cold person. Provide plenty of hot liquids to warm the victim from the inside. Get the victim of hypothermia out of the cold and back to a better shelter, and apply medical care if needed, as quickly as possible.

Enjoy winter sports and mountain lakes, but make sure you can survive hypothermia.

(Sources: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/hypothermia/DS00333 , http://firstaid.webmd.com/tc/hypothermia-and-cold-temperature-exposure-topic-overview, http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/fitness/HQ01681 )

When the day's activities call for layering and lightweight, versatile pieces of clothing, a pair of convertible pants can help you get through the day's itinerary comfortably. These pants reduce the need to pack extra clothing for your trip because they can keep you warm and dry as a pair of trousers, and cool and comfortable as a pair of capris. Convertible capris are great for Spring and summer excursions in the backwoods, or even when you're hitting the beach for the day. They're a lightweight basic for any outdoor wardrobe, and the conversion process takes only a few seconds; just unzip and store the extra material in your backpack and you're ready to go.

Try on a pair of Kuhl Forester Convertible Capris to put these versatile pants to the test. The fitted waistband and adjustable fit side cinches make for a perfect fit for almost any body type, and the roomy pockets and extra wide belt loops give you plenty of options for carrying extra accessories. These straight-leg pants have a zipper embedded right below the knee, so you can just unzip in seconds to convert them into a pair of comfortable capris.

The pants are also designed for maximum range of motion; whether you're heading out on a climbing adventure, relaxing under the sun or trekking across a trail, you can move fluidly and easily. The two front curve hand pockets around the hips add a flattering touch to the design, and the curved back yoke provides some extra 'give' for those extra challenging trails.

Convertible pants made with lightweight materials will also keep you cool and comfortable when temperatures rise. You'll need the extra coverage of a pant when you're trekking through a rainforest or exploring rough territory, but you won't be weighed down when the pants are made with a light nylon and cotton blend. They can be worn with your favorite tee, a lightweight sweatshirt and any windbreaker or jacket. Convertible pants and capris are best paired up with a mules, clogs or sandals to make a complete outdoor ensemble that's high on comfort and versatility.

For many of us, the word "Niagara" is synonymous with "big". You've got Niagara Falls, of course, but the mountain climbers among us will be more impressed with Niagara Peak. It might not be the highest point in the country, but it's nothing to sneeze at.

This 13er (13,786 feet, to be exact) is located in the San Juan Mountains of Colorado, not far from several other ambitious summits. The triangular shape of Niagara Peak combined with the beautiful view climbers enjoy at the top make it a pleasurable climb as well as technical.

Both the approach and the face of Niagara Peak are rocky and pitted, making for slow climbing if you aren't used to the terrain. A pair of sturdy hiking boots with high ankles for extra support and a set of thick gloves are absolutely essential for this climb.

Additionally, make sure you check the weather before you attempt to climb Niagara Peak. The weather here is unpredictable, offering snowfall and rain on the unlikeliest of days. The last thing you want is to get stuck on the side of a treacherous mountain with thunder ringing in your ears.

The great thing about climbing Niagara Peak, however, is that you're within close proximity of several other summits. For example, many expert climbers traverse both Niagara Peak and Jones Mountain on the same hike. There are also a few unnamed peaks in the vicinity that you might want to try if you're feeling adventurous.

There are two basic approaches to Niagara Peak. The most difficult is to approach via the saddle between Niagara and Jones, which is marked by heavy tundra and often difficult to cross in the early winter. However, you can also approach on the northeast side directly opposite Jones, which offers a sheer face but less brush on the ground to deal with.

In addition to the amazing climb offered at Niagara Peak, there is also some beautiful hiking to be done in this region. Abandoned mines, beautiful woods and a few scattered streams and ponds make for lots of wildlife, and you can easily spend an entire week exploring on foot or horseback.

For the outdoorsy type in need of some stylish gear, a pair of calf-length pants with a rugged design are a must. The Prana Nemesis Knicker is designed with super-strength seams and stretch fabric so any climber, hiker or sailor can roam freely and comfortably through their latest adventure. Theses pants are designed for ultimate comfort and extra protection during inclement weather; a convenient climbing brush holder, angled pockets and an adjustable waistband make it perfect for the outdoors - and you can look fashionable in the process.

One of the biggest benefits of these pants is their superb drying abilities. You can head out on a boat, trek through rain showers or just play in the mud without worrying about getting completely soaked. The pants dry within minutes, and when you work up a sweat on your trails, they will also soak up excess moisture in a flash. No need to fret about loose material from a poor fit, either; the adjustable waist band and generous cut in the hips and thighs provide a custom-fit look.

Making sure your outdoor wardrobe is made up of loose and comfortable clothing is essential for performance. You don't have time to tug on too-tight pants or fret about adjusting and pulling on pants and shorts to stay comfortable. Loose-fitting, versatile and lightweight clothing is the best match for dressing your adventurous side, and these pieces are easy to pack, wash, dry, and stay in good shape for the long-run. To put things into perspective, look at your outdoor gear as an investment; you need these basics to perform at your best, and when you're not playing the weekend warrior, you can even let some pieces do double duty as weekend wear or for working out.

The stretch nylon fabric makes the Prana Nemesis Knickers a comfortable pair for day-to-day wear, and a versatile addition to your wardrobe. You can wear them to the gym, when running errands, or just kick back and relax on the weekends with the cargo-inspired style. The Nemesis Knickers are available in four neutral colors to coordinate with almost any color top, jacket or vest.

The experienced wilderness survivor knows the joys of winter camping, like silence and solitude. You already know how to dress; next, is to prepare for a winter storm. A winter storm can come out of nowhere in the mountains. So, let's set up your base camp so it's storm-ready.

Make your camp in a sheltered spot, like the down-wind side of a group of trees. Check them for dead branches and pull down any you find. Trample the base for your tent wearing your snowshoes or skis; make it as level as possible.

Start with an insulating footprint for your tent. The best tents are shaped to shed snow, like a dome tent., and also provide plenty of space. A tent fly can keep your tent walls freezing. Erect the tent on the footprint with the entrance away from the prevailing wind. Build a packed snow wall three to four feet high and a foot away from your tent walls along the back and around the sides to the entrance as a windbreak and for extra insulation.

Place a tarp or space blanket, like the one inside your first aid kit, on the tent floor for more insulation. Keep a brush just outside your tent (or in the vestibule) to knock off any snow on your clothes and boots, and keep it outside your tent. Use warm sleeping pads under a good winter sleeping bag like this one from Sierra Designs that's good to 30 degrees. Sleep in your baselayer top and bottom, and bring your outer clothes inside your sleeping bag to warm up before you put them on. Wear a hat or balaclava for warmth while you sleep as well as when you're outside, and make sure you're breathing outside your sleeping bag to avoid humidity building up.

Use your stove to cook and to melt snow; keep waterbottles upside down. Cook outside your tent; fuel fumes can be deadly. Eat plenty of carbohydrates, and make warm drinks throughout the day to help keep your core warm and to avoid dehydration.

Now that you've set up a storm-sturdy camp, your next big danger is hypothermia.

( Sources: http://www.princeton.edu/~oa/winter/wintcamp.shtml#Winter%20Shelters, http://www.backpacking.net/wintertips.html, http://www.eHow.com/how_2136526_winter_tent_platform.html )

Last week our very own Bill J. from the merchandising department took us on an outdoor adventure. We knew there would be some off-roading involved so we delightfully accepted his invitation to enjoy some awesome four-wheeling fun, and we actually learned something at the same time. In this installment of "Enjoying the Outdoors", Bill J. shows us how to shoot a bearing with a map of the area, a compass and a plastic ice chest.