One of Florida's best beaches has got to be St. Pete. It has four miles of some of the most amazing white sand you're ever likely to see, and if you want more than just a suntan, there are plenty of things to do in and around St. Pete.

St. Pete is on the Gulf Coast side of a peninsula with Tampa Bay on the other. It's an easy drive to most of Florida's theme parks, but once you hit the beach, you won't want to leave. The most popular tourist times are summer and fall, so if you like a beach to yourself, plan accordingly. And if the crowds do get too intense, just head down the shore to Pass-a-Grille Beach, and enjoy the quiet end of St. Pete.

If you're beaching it, you may want to consider taking a boat trip for dolphin viewing; several are offered. Take the Shell Creek Shuttle to ride around the area instead of driving, and be green by reducing your carbon footprint along this pristine beach. You can go from the "glittering pink palace" (as described at www.floridasbeach.com ) of Don Cesar, along with hotels and inns both new and old, and down the peninsula to the Pass-A-Grille historic district and its restaurants, inns, and funky little shops.

Planning a day trip? Ladies, stay sexy in a two piece tankini top with a bikini bottom from Zoot Sports, and bring along the matching recovery dress so you can go straight from the beach to a restaurant. Guys, stay cool and stylish in these ultra-cool trunks from KR3W, with their Galaxy t-shirt if the sun gets too intense.

Really, St. Pete's is too good for just one day. Pack a jacket like this one by KR3W for men, or this by Patagoniafor women, because the beach can get cool in the evening. Watch the sunset with your favorite drink from the upper deck of Crabby Bill's, then take an evening stroll before you settle in for the night.

If you're anxious to get out onto the lake this winter to embrace ice fishing season, make sure you're braving the icy tundra with the right gear. One of the most important safety measures for any ice fishing adventure is to take along a companion fishing enthusiast; if one of you does slip under the ice, you'll have help nearby. You'll also need to wear special clothing and layer up with a down jacket (or two) so you can settle in for a full day on the ice and make the most of your ice fishing experience. Here's what you'll need to survive the brutal weather and slick surroundings:

Layer up with a Down Parka
Pack yourself into a Patagonia Down Parkato trap in as much heat as possible while you sit on the icy banks of your favorite lake. You'll want to layer up underneath with a flannel shirt, thermal underwear and a sweater for extra warmth and comfort. Any down jacket will help you trap in heat and keep you warm and toasty all day long.

Insulated Boots
Pick up a pair of rugged, industrial-strength boots so you don't have to worry about frostbite nipping at your toes. A pair of boots made with extra grip and down insulation will protect your feet during those long treks across the lake; the North Face Nuptse boots are designed with all of these features and are also ergonomically designed for optimal comfort.

Self-heating Thermos
If you're spending more than a few hours out on the ice, you'll need to make time for a hot meal. Soup and other canned goods are the best match for your outdoor adventure, and you can enjoy a hot meal with a heated thermos. Just light up the burner base and heat up your favorite soup or drink for a nourishing meal in the middle of your trip.

When you're hitting the ice for a day or weekend of ice fishing events, make sure you're well prepared to battle the snow and ice with the right gear. Down jackets and boots, along with insulated accessories will help you survive the tundra as you patiently wait for your next catch.

Typically, the most difficult aspect of taking on a dangerous mountain is the height. Lose your concentration or footing for just a moment, and you may find that it's a really long way down with a very sudden (and fatal) stop at the bottom.

Reaching a height of 10,278 feet, Cerro Torre in the Patagonia region of Argentina offers the double whammy of height and extreme weather conditions, which can include snow, rain and powerful winds. SummitPost.org reports that climbs on Cerro Torre may take as long as eight days to complete.

The unpredictable weather conditions mean that you need to dress properly before setting one foot on Cerro Torre. One recommended piece of clothing is the R1 Flash Pullover, which is made, appropriately enough, by a company called Patagonia. By itself, the R1 is good in moderate temperatures, but it also can be used as one of many layers when the temperatures start to tumble.

If the height and the weather don't discourage you from climbing Cerro Torre, some of the local conditions might prove hazardous to your health. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends talking to your primary care physician to make sure you are protected against such diseases as rabies, yellow fever and typhoid before heading to Argentina.

The U.S. State Department Web site also recommends making sure your medical insurance will cover a health emergency in a foreign land. Without adequate medical or travel insurance, your climb up Cerro Torre could turn out to be extremely expensive.

Because you will be leaving the United States, you will have to get your paperwork in order, including a current passport. You can obtain a free climbing permit, but members of your party have to pay a small fee to enter Parque Nacional Los Glaciares, the National Park which serves as the home of Cerro Torre.

With bad weather and the very real possibility of disease, Patagonia's Cerro Torre ranks quite high among the most dangerous mountains to climb. Plan carefully, dress warmly and make sure you have all your shots.

Sources:
http://www.summitpost.org/mountain/rock/152103/cerro-torre.html
http://www.travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1130.html

Sure, you love the great outdoors--but you also love your iPod! Check out these cool tips for hauling your tech gear up mountains and down rivers, regardless of your vacation destination.

Let's face it: we're all multi-layered human beings with a wide diversity of interests and passions. We're not just accountants or just mountain bikers, and sometimes our interests conflict with one another. This is the conundrum that active professionals face when they need a break from concrete sidewalks and high-rise office buildings. Sure, you want to go skiing or white-water rafting or hiking with the family, but you don't want to cut yourself off from the civilized world.

Taking an outdoor vacation means lightening the load of stress you carry on a daily basis and freeing yourself from worry. You shouldn't feel guilty about wanting to check your e-mail or answer your cell phone, but you'll need to be prepared if you want access to your gear on vacation.

Know the Itinerary

You'll need to plan differently for your vacation if you're going to be canoeing down a river than if you'll be climbing a mountain. Water, for example, is like kryptonite for your tech gear, so you'll want to pack sealable plastic bags to store your laptop, cell phone, PDA and other electronics.

Also, you'll want to think about comfort if you'll be on the move or cruising down a trail, so consider a roomy messenger bag with a shoulder strap for all your gear, such as the Patagonia Half-Mass Bag, which is padded to keep your gear extra safe.

Think Small

Big, bulky bags really don't cut it when you're trying to haul your tech gear around the wilderness-or even on a plane. The goal should be to find the smallest bag that will conceivably hold all of your equipment.

A compact backpack, for example, will allow you to safely store the majority of your gear without worrying about extra weight or volume. The Oakley Planet Pack 2.0 is the perfect solution-it even has a special compartment for your media player while you're on the go.

You'll also want to focus on security if you're going to bring expensive tech gear with you on vacation. Having a small, easy-to-access bag that holds all your stuff will allow you to keep a close eye on your belongings, and you won't be hunting through your luggage when you've got to get your Internet fix. So stay safe and allow yourself to enjoy the great outdoors and modern conveniences at the same time!