Once you arrive, you will need a good day backpack. To carry your spare clothes & bug spray, etc. & there may not be a place to get lunch so it's a good idea to pack one up ahead of time. Something that can get dirty and will hold up well, while carrying everything you'll need for the day.

$10 Off Backpacks & Messengers at Eddie Bauer

Climbing is lots of fun & can be done at a known climbing spot or just off the side when your eye catches a nice looking rock.

Climbing is all about balance, knowing your body and being able to reposition it in space. It's about creativity, learning to adapt to what the rock has to offer. It's a whole-body exercise and though your upper body gets a fair share of grunt work, your legs and feet are your most important instrument for upward motion. It's about concentration and overcoming your fears for the void.

You don't need to be young or extremely fit to pick up climbing. Start on an easy climb if your brand new or a little out of shape. It's way more fun just making it to the top of something than getting stuck and wearing out your arms on a climb that is too tough.

For me, it's all about connecting my body & mind in nature. Climbing will bring you to lots of lovely places and will definitely give you a unique perspective on the world below you. You'll learn a couple of things about yourself and face a few fears. Go out & have some fun!

EMS has a Back 2 School Sale going on right now through the end of the month, be sure to stop by & check things out!

One of the best ways to spend a day in an out of the way place is to find a lake, rent a boat from a local marina, and go out on the water.

Get a cooler, pack a lunch and put on some sunscreen. You can rent waterski's, wakeboards and bumper tubes from most sport shops in a town with a lake. Whatever your speed, this really is fun! Tubing for the kids (although it's pretty fun for adults too), skiing and boarding for the older guys & girls.

Don't forget to pack things up once again and do a little camping while you're there. You'll want to bring your hiking boots, a tent, sleeping bag and maybe a couple of matches (don't try rubbing two sticks together, you'll be there for hours trying).

It doesn't have to be a day's hike to your camping spot, we fixed our tent just outside our cottage and it was just as fun. Set up camp, start a campfire, cook your dinner & roast some marshmellows. Look at a really clear sky, it's clearer because there are so few lights around so the contrast of the truly dark sky and the shining stars really stands out.

Something fun about really "roughing it," try it out.

I had such a good time fishing with my son on this vacation. What a great sport to teach to kids; patience, strategy, getting your hands dirty for something fun...

Also pretty enjoyable alone, I found it easy to spend hours casting away from the dock or canoe. The time spent was well worth it when reeling in a big catfish or bass, just make sure and get a picture of your catch or it's just another fish story.

I did unfortunately spend way too much time both at the local hardware store trying to understand what I would need to put together a 'tackle box' & untangling the fishing line from my cheap fishing rod. I could have saved 1/2 a day of vacation if I would have gone prepared.

I did find some great books on fishing at Barnes & Noble, I recommend you read up a bit before you get out there. Try a search for lake fishing & / or fresh water fishing on www.barnesandnoble.com

Some fresh air, good laughs & exercise. What a way to spend a morning, afternoon, or even the better part of a day outside & having fun!

The best club in my bag is still my foot wedge, lol. I guess I just don't get out enough to shake that habit. If you're playing in a rural area surrounded by woods, remember to put on lot's of bug spray. I won't make that mistake again! Watch out for the sand traps, it can take a couple shots to get out of there. Water is bad too, 1 penalty stroke in addition to the one that got you in there. I go for short but straight shots as close to the middle of the fairway as I can. It seems a better strategy than going from side to side looking for my ball and adding all these penalty strokes.

Be sure you have everything you need before you get out there... Like a replacement for that sand wedge you left on the course 2 years ago? Or maybe you feel confident enough to go for the long ball from the tee with an over-sized driver?

Whatever you need, you can be sure you'll find it all here.

Some people love to glide down glassy waves, others enjoy the scenic beauty and knowledge that they can travel to places impossible to reach otherwise. Some choose lake paddling or ocean touring. Kayaking is a sport that you can do with family and can take you to destinations across the globe.

There are plenty of "guided tours" you can sign up for and go with a group. This is probably the best way to get started, they always have rentals and there will be someone to show you the basics, out on the water, not in the store.

I just watched my triathlete brother spend 7 early mornings running around Maine... If running is your thing, then running on roads with only an occasional car passing by is a treat!

On the road or off, there are so many new places to go, hills to climb, trails to blaze. Get out there and enjoy yourself!