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Rock Hunting on The Bench in Powell, Wyoming

Monday, August 16th, 2010

For those of you going to the Yellowstone Park area, you might be interested in taking a small detour to the town of Powell, Wyoming during your trip. Follow the highway from Yellowstone’s East gate to Cody. You will travel about 22 miles East from Cody to Powell then turn North onto the small town’s main street. Go through the town and follow the road up to the “bench” area North of town.

The bench is strewn with colorful pieces of agatized wood and Indian artifacts. In areas
you will be able to walk amongst actual Indian TP rings left by our native ancestors, and
at one point on the Western edge you can look down upon an ancient arrow made of rock
pointing West. The purpose of the arrow has as of yet been undiscovered. In some of the
Northern areas of the bench, you can still view pictoglyphs also left by early natives.

The bench area is open field, so you will want to be sure to take clothing to protect you in
hot summer suns as temperatures can soar to over 100 degrees. While under snow at
some points of the winter months, usually December and January, the area is searchable
most of the year and especially enjoyable in early spring.

©2005 Sally Taylor: Sal is an avid gem and treasure hunter, explorer, writer, and is the owner of http://www.rockhoundstation1.com

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Rock Speakers and Planters

Friday, July 30th, 2010

I think today wherever there’s a human being, there’s a pair of speakers. Perhaps you can’t imagine your living without your home theater system. In the bedroom, you still want to listen to your favorite Cd’s. The shortest car ride is unbearable without a decent stereo and a pair of speakers. Newly, this goes for boat rides, too. The more recent wireless technology allows you to have speakers in the garden, in the garage or wherever you have things to do.

But loudspeaker manufacturers don’t settle for this, when it comes to outdoor use. They want speakers that black out and melt into the environment. They want 100% weatherproof. They want naturalistic design. And the answer to all their wishes has materialized itself into the planter and rock speakers.

The biggest rocks in this field are Stereostone, Rockustics and SpeakerCraft. When it comes to rocking and rolling stones they can make all your wishes come true. Just try them by sending over a piece of rock from your garden. They’ll send back the design of a prototype speaker that looks exactly like your rock.

How to recognize a rock speaker

If you are in a friend’s garden, music is all around but you don’t know where it comes from, be sure that the speakers are hiding in the form of some rocks or flower pots. These speakers are especially designed for outdoor use, which means that they are 100% weatherproof. They are completely sealed, using insulating materials that are made to hold up in extreme weather conditions.

In aspect, both Rockustics and Stereostone speakers got inspired from mother nature. They have that grainy look, irregular shape of natural rocks, heavy appearance heavy, but are entirely made of light, synthetic, materials. Most buying guides recommend looking for speakers that are made of good weatherproof materials like: coated aluminum, stainless steel, polypropylene.

Do rock speakers really rock?

They sure do! What we like most about these speakers is how you can use them to impress your kids. Flower pots that sing and rocks that tell stories, this is as close as technology can get to a fairy tale.

If you have doubts about their performance level, don’t. Of course, they can’t compete by far with the audio quality of a high performing audio system or to the home theater experience. But they sound pretty well. Rock speakers and planters are meant to please the ear while they don’t bug the eye. The major advantage is they come close to you, and you don’t have to play them that loud. This way you won’t keep the neighbors up at night just because you are giving a back yard party.

The major drawback? Though they are designed mostly for outdoor use, they’re all wired. But this inconvenient can be solved through a few placement tricks.

Placement tips

Unless you plan to use your rock speakers as wasp nests or rain gauges, you should use a few tricks when mounting them:

  • Choose a drier place to place them.
  • Don’t point the port upward.
  • Place the speaker near the place you are to sit more often; In open air, there’s less reflection and speakers may sound weaker.
  • Measure the area you want the speakers to cover, preferable before you buy them. A pair usually covers 200 to 400 sq. ft.
  • Usually, 16- or 18-gauge wire is good; for runs over 80 feet, choose 14-gauge wire.
  • No matter the brand, use direct-burial cable to connect the speakers, because it resists the underground moisture and oxidation.

Planter and rock speaker manufacturers

Planter and rock speakers definitely can bring a dose of exoticism in your backyard. Here are some brands worth your consideration:

Rockustics

These are the guys that make your garden rock. Their garden series includes both rock and planter speakers. The Rocky III speaker looks like a stone on the back but like a Flintstones tool on the front. The sound quality and the bass response are good, even when compared with normal speakers. If you are willing to give away a larger sum, in order to enjoy a real bass experience, also buy one of the subwoofer models. Their base can be buried in the ground and a smaller part remains visible.

All Rockustics products have a lifetime warranty (their lifetime, not yours). All the speakers are designed for outdoor use. As previously mentioned, Rockustics can create custom colored-speakers, available by special request.

Stereostone

A Stereostone unit is a complete speaker on its own. Stereostone also offers models of aboveground subwoofers. The Gibraltar Rock is probably the most impressive rock speaker from Stereostone, both in size and performance. With an 8-inch woofer, its bass is quite pleasing. It can be of use in your personal garden, but also in theme parks or other public spaces.

SpeakerCraft

It’s probably even more difficult to tell which ones are rocks and which ones are speakers if you go for the Rox speakers from SpeakerCraft. The grille texture that hides the speaker is so fine that you almost don’t notice the difference. To build the speaker enclosure, the company developed a special blend of weatherproof resins. No matter how astonishing this stone similarity is, you may want to look for a little diversity in the garden patio. Webster the Frog is waiting for you. It is not a real frog, but a speaker in disguise from Bahama Sounds, a SpeakerCraft division located in Riverside, California.

For more information on wireless speakers and headphones visit http://www.wireless-speakers.org where you can find shopping tricks and product reviews.

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Ever Wonder About Those Slats Missing From Your Fence

Thursday, January 7th, 2010

“Waste not, want not” is an old saying that is still applicable today when it comes to burning wood in your wood furnace! In the United States each year, the amount of wood and paper that is thrown away could actually heat 5 million homes for 200 years. Isn’t that remarkable! People discard everything from plastic milk containers, magazines and newspapers, to numerous other household articles that are combustible and could be burned to create heat. This statistic was gathered over 10 years ago, so today there are even more articles thrown away. Depending on their income and lifestyle, there are some people that actually collect tree trimmings and broken pallets and waste wood near their home and carry them home each day to be burned in their wood furnaces as heat.

With the advent of modern stoves and outdoor wood furnaces, burning waste wood as a source of heat is an old technology that has been given new life. With the cost of energy rising, it simply makes sense to use these resources and save money. With their airtight designs and catalytic burners, these furnaces give more heat from the same amount of wood and emit less particulate mass or smoke.

Burning wood and waste material, even in its less efficient form, is more environmentally-friendly than heating with electricity or gas. With today’s technology, dramatic strides have been made in wood burning. Modern wood furnaces and combustion-controlled fireplaces are now achieving efficiencies comparable to most wood stoves. In many states, catalytic converters are required to allow materials to burn at lower temperatures. If you have a wood burning stove, you can purchase an add-on catalytic device that will actually improve its efficiency. When installed and operated properly, these devices will reduce wood-burning pollution and increase stove efficiencies. See how much money you can save today by burning as much would as possible!

By Terry Price

Remember to visit http://www.furnace-water-heaters.com/sitemap.html Outside wood furnaces are much easier to install than you think! http://www.furnace-water-heaters.com/124-outside-wood-furnaces.html

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A Stone Fire Pit – Give Your Backyard Some Class Today

Tuesday, September 29th, 2009

Fire pits are becoming more popular, and with good reason. They can be used to cook your family or guests a meal, keep you all warm on a chilly night, or just for the joy of watching flickering flames. But what about when it’s not in use? A fire pit can be something of an eyesore during the day. That’s where a stone fire pit can be a good option – it’s practical, but at the same time it’s attractive to look at any time of the day or night.

A stone fire pit can be designed in whatever way you like. You can choose to have an old style design, or you can use modern colors to make it blend in with your house. It can be small or large, incorporate cooking facilities, and give your garden an attractive focal point. So spend some time looking at where you plan to build your fire pit, and see what else is close by. Do you have a brick house? You will need to think about what type and color of stone will complement the bricks. Or perhaps your fire pit location leaves you free to choose whatever stone you like. Maybe you have a stone path that you would like to match. It’s your decision.

Once you have a basic idea of what you want, you will need to find someone who has experience designing and building stone fire pits. This is important, because if it’s poorly designed the air won’t flow properly, which means your fire will struggle to burn well. Make sure the design incorporates some safety features, so that people who wish to approach the fire pit for warmth or to toast marshmallow can do so with ease.

If you’re an experienced handyman, you will probably be able to take the fire pit designs and build the structure yourself. However it might still be wise to have an expert do the work, simply because fires can be tricky things to get right. Building the fire pit correctly will make a big difference to how well it works. Plus, you want your fire pit to be something that can be admired, rather than an eyesore. A well-built stone fire pit will be something that all your friends and family will admire.

If you want to read more about fire pits, click over to Josh’s site at http://www.infoaboutfirepits.com

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Who Wins the Barbeque Showdown Gas vs. Charcoal Grills

Friday, August 21st, 2009

The debate over which grill is better–gas or charcoal–may not induce as many passionate and polarized opinions as a political campaign, but for outdoor cooking enthusiasts it comes pretty close. Die-hard grilling aficionados swear by the flavor and process of cooking with charcoal grills. But with the majority of new grill purchases being gas models, there are obviously fans in that camp, too.

So which grill wins the debate? Let’s look at the arguments for both. The case for gas or charcoal seems to be divided along three main points:

  • Convenience
  • Cost
  • Taste

The Convenience Argument

The clear winner in this category is the gas grill. Most models feature push-button ignitions, a consistent, steady heat source that’s ready to go within minutes, excellent temperature control, and easy cleanup.

But convenience isn’t necessarily a deciding factor for all grill shoppers. Charcoal enthusiasts say it’s the ritual–piling up the charcoal, lighting it, tending the fire, and manually adjusting cooking temperatures by moving food from hotter spots to cooler ones–that makes outdoor cooking worth the effort. They feel that trading the process of the backyard barbeque for the push-button convenience of a gas grill is missing the point.

The Cost Argument

If cost is the most important deciding factor for you, you’ll likely want to look at charcoal grills. They cost considerably less than gas, with basic models ranging from about $30 to $100. If you add features like additional burners and side tables, you can count on something like a $300 to $400 range.

Most gas grills–excluding portable and table-top models–are on the expensive side, ranging anywhere from $300 to $1500, and more for higher end models such as built-ins and smoker/grill combinations.

The Taste Argument

Though some barbeque fans swear they can’t tell the difference between food cooked on gas grills and food cooked on charcoal, the charcoal purists insist otherwise. According to them, the flavor that is infused from the smoke of charcoal briquettes or wood coals is what distinguishes an outdoor feast from a standard kitchen meal.

In an effort to address the taste issue, some gas grill manufacturers have built models that add ceramic flavor bars. These bars catch grease drippings and vaporize them into smoke that infuses more flavor into what’s being cooked.

So who’s the winner in this category? The jury is still out on this argument, and it probably always will be. Taste is such an individual decision; you may just have to try both grills and see for yourself.

For Those Who Still Can’t Decide . . .

As you can see, there are pros and cons to owning a gas grill, just as there are advantages and disadvantages to owning a charcoal model.

Still aren’t sure which one is right for you? Do what many families have done in recent years–buy both! If you truly enjoy outdoor cooking, it makes sense to own two models that you use for different purposes. For example, you can use the gas grill for cooking quick barbeque meals during the week, and break out the charcoal grill for when you want to take your time on the weekend.

There are a couple of options available to you if you want to own both a gas and a charcoal grill. There’s the obvious one: buy both grills. But if your budget is tight, or you’re limited on patio space, check out a combination gas/charcoal model. These grills convert from gas to charcoal and back again with just a little preparation and effort.

So what will it be–gas, charcoal, or both? In the end, the decision comes down to your lifestyle and what features work best for you and your family.

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About the Author

Vanessa Kirkland is a freelance writer and outdoor cooking enthusiast whose articles offer consumer tips and advice for online purchasers of gas grills, charcoal grills, and other barbeque accessories.

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Measuring Your Shadow

Saturday, August 8th, 2009

Have you ever shined a flashlight against a surface in the dark. If you point the flashlight straight toward a wall, for instance, you’d see a small circle of light. But if you slant the flashlight upward, the circle gets larger.

In the same way, sunlight is more concentrated in one area when it hits the earth directly, and when the sunlight hits the earth at a slant, the sunlight spreads out, making it less intense.

In the following activity, ultraviolet will be referred to as sunlight.

Purpose of this activity

To learn about the angle of the sun to the earth and how it affects you.

What you will do

Observe and measure your own shadow. Choose a weekend to perform this activity when you’ll be able to return to the same location throughout the day. If you’re a child wishing to complete this activity and you need help, ask a parent or older brother or sister to assist you.

What you’ll need

Measuring tape, notebook, pencil or pen, and chalk.

Procedure:

  1. Begin this experiment around 8 or 9 a.m. on a sunny day.

  2. Stand in the same place, your back to the sun.

  3. Draw a circle around your shoes with the chalk.

  4. Observe your shadow. Is it long or short?

  5. Draw another circle around the head of the shadow.

  6. Measure the distance from one circle to the next.

  7. Write the time of day and the distance in your notebook.

  8. Continue to do this every one or two hours until around 4 or 5 in the afternoon.

  9. Record in your notebook what you observed about your shadow. For instance, did it get longer or shorter throughout the day or did it increase and then decrease in size? When was your shadow the longest? Shortest? Did it change direction?

What’s happening

You observed the sun’s movement as you were watching your shadow. When your shadow is long earlier and later in the day, the sunlight is less intense and at a lower angle. When sunlight is more intense between 10 in the morning and 4 in the afternoon, but particularly an hour before and after noon, try to stay in the shade and wear sunglasses, sunscreen, a hat with a wide brim and clothing that covers you.

Source

Ahrens, Donald C. (1991). Meteorology Today, 4th Ed. St Paul: West Publishing Company, 79-93.

About The Author

Diana Clarke was a teacher in Silicon Valley and wrote articles for the San Jose Mercury News, Bay Area Parent Magazine and other Silicon Valley newspapers.

http://www.yourskinandsun.com; dianaclarke2001@yahoo.com

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Innovative Homework Activities

Tuesday, July 21st, 2009

Think about incorporating a variety of homework activities into your lesson plans. To come up with some great homework activities, think of things that will extend their comprehension of things you are studying in class. Also, be sure to think of activities that will incorporate your students’ home environment.

Here are some innovative homework activity ideas:

Homework activities using the World Wide Web:

The internet is an important part of daily life these days. Think about incorporating it into your students’ homework. Here are some homework activities that use the World Wide Web:

· Create a classroom page or group and have your students post their homework assignments on it. Also, have your students post a comment or question once a week or answer or respond to another student’s comment or question.
· Have your students check online newspapers for stories that relate to whatever lesson you are teaching.
· Have your students make and update their own web pages

Outdoor homework activities:

· Have your students help the environment by picking up litter in their neighborhoods.
· Have your students gather different types of leaves, rocks, insects, etc. and bring them to class. Have them guess what they are, and then have guides in your classroom to figure out what they actually are.
· Make a flower press to add plants to every week. You can then take the pressed plants and add them to a craft project.
· Have your students take binoculars out and look at the stars and observe them every night for 15 minutes. What do they notice changing?
· Give your students a magnifying glass to study the world of their backyard or a park up close. Have them write about what they see.

Indoor homework activities:

· Have your students think of ways that they can conserve electricity or water at home.
· Give your students safe, at-home science experiments. For instance, have them put two ice cubes in separate cups and add salt to one of the ice cubes and see what happens. Or have them mix corn starch and water and see what they get.
· Have your students use household objects to create musical instruments.
· Have your students turn on TV for just 10 seconds, write down as much as they heard and saw, and then have them turn that information into a story.

Other homework activities ideas:

· Give each of your students a chance to come up with their own homework activities (within certain restrictions) to assign the other students.
· Create a scavenger hunt for your students to follow throughout the week.
· Divide your students into groups and have them work together as a team to come up with inventions.
· Have your students call or e-mail representatives of your states with ideas or questions, etc.
· Have your students write to a company to learn more or to express a problem, etc. – teach your kids how they can elicit change in their own environments.

Anne Clarke writes numerous articles for websites on gardening, parenting, fashion, and home decor. Her background includes teaching and gardening. For more of her articles on teaching ideas, please visit Teaching Supplies.

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Celebrating with Sand An Alternative to the Unity Candle

Tuesday, June 30th, 2009

On your special day, when you are celebrating the combining of your lives together, you may want a special ritual to symbolize your new unity. Many couples opt for the Unity Candle, which has become very common in recent years.

But here is another idea, which would be perfect for a garden, park, or beach wedding: Have a sand ceremony.

The ceremony is very simple, and very beautiful. Get three nicely shaped clear glass bowls or vases. Buy either black and white sand or two other complementary colors, perhaps those you are using in your wedding. (Colored sand is readily available at craft stores, garden shops, and stores which sell aquariums.) Set the bowls or vases side by side. The groom then pours one color of sand into one of the vessels, while the bride pours the other color into another one. Then, together, they pour sand into the center bowl, creating a beautiful design. The side bowls or vases can then be filled with flowers or topped with colored stones and become part of the reception decoration, while the center container becomes a wonderful keepsake for the bride and groom.

For ceremonies in which either the bride or groom or both have children, the children can also be given bowls of colored sand, which they may add to the center vessel along with that of the bride and groom.

I hope this lovely, inexpensive ceremony can add an extra touch of sweetness to your day.

Rhetta Akamatsu is a wedding planner, independent travel agent, and freelance writer in Marietta, GA. She is the owner of Rose and Star Wedding Planning. Please visit the Rose and Star website at http://www.roseandstar.com for more information, articles, and advice.

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Decorating Your Garden with Wrought Iron

Wednesday, June 17th, 2009

Home decorating outdoors has never been easier with the help of wrought iron. If you are looking for the perfect garden décor, consider wrought iron. An entire garden can be accessorized solely with wrought iron items including, garden gates and fences, arbors, plant stands and benches.

No garden has a better feel to it than one that is enclosed by a wrought iron fence. This type of fencing gives your garden a simple yet elegant look. What better way to enter your garden than with a complimentary wrought iron gate that has the beautiful curves and designs that are exclusive to wrought iron material. Or, give your garden an inviting look by leaving it without a gate and using a wrought iron arbor instead, providing a beautiful entrance with flowering vine plants.

Smaller accessories for a garden that compliment your wrought iron enclosure and entrance are a must. A wrought iron garden bench located in the midst of your garden provides a comfortable place for relaxing and watching nature around you. Wrought iron plant stands positioned at just the right places in your garden make it possible to raise the height of smaller potted plants to add visual interest.

So if you are looking for garden décor that is simple yet elegant, consider wrought iron. Using wrought iron throughout your garden is an easy way to unify the area and make it more visually interesting.

Get started home decorating with Wrought Iron today. Wrought Iron Depot can help you find the perfect wrought iron for your indoor or outdoor living area including information about wrought iron furniture, wrought iron railing, wrought iron chandelier, wrought iron home decor. Get the facts and info at http://www.wrought-iron-depot.com.

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