Hiking The Catskill Mountains

When a vacation or getaway is planned for the Catskill Mountains, it is important to consider that hiking is one of the biggest tourist draws for the area. There is no greater feeling than hiking to the top of a mountain and enjoying the view from way up high. Among the most important things to consider are hiking skill levels, which will be discussed in this article. Thankfully, the Catskill Mountains have hiking trails suited for all levels of hiking abilities. This makes it the perfect place for just about anyone looking for a hiking getaway or hiking vacation.

Lake Region

Let’s start with the trails located in the North/South Lake Region. The most visited, and one of the easiest trail is the Kaaterskill Falls trail. It is about a mile and takes one to two hours. For the most spectacular view of the falls, try hiking after a large rain storm. More water equals more volume in that waterfall! Katerskill Falls is a 260 foot two tier waterfall that is the biggest waterfall in New York State. Another hike in this area include Escarpment trail which has many spectacular ledges and is also an easy hike. This area includes many other historical and easy hikes.

Indian Head Mountain Range

For those looking for one of the most difficult hiking areas in the world, there is the Indian Head Mountain Range. This range includes several large peaks, and the Devil’s Path, which is one of the most difficult hiking paths in the world. Indian Head Mountain, Twin Mountain, and Sugarloaf Mountain all boast hiking ratings of difficult to very difficult and are all a part of Devil’s Path. Overlook Mountain, Plattekill Mountain, and Echo Lake are all in this area as well and have easy hiking paths for those with a mixed group or looking to access all skill levels.

Slide Mountain Wilderness Area

The Slide Mountain Wilderness area is another popular area because it boasts the highest peak in the region, the Slide Mountain (4180 feet). It is a moderately difficult hike that usually takes about 4 hours. In this area there is also the Lone Mountain, Rocky Mountain, Table Mountain, and Peekamoose Mountain. These are moderate to difficult hikes with the best views being from the Peekamoose and Table Mountains.

Hunter West Kill Wilderness

For an area with mostly moderate climbs, the Hunter West Kill Wilderness area is a wise choice. This was the first area of New York State to be acquired for a Forest Park in 1874. It has several mountain hiking paths for the middle of the road type hiker. The West Kill Mountain is the only difficult hike in this area, but it also boasts one of the best scenic views as well. It has two vantage points from which to view the vistas.

The Catskills has bragging rights for fifty mountain peaks that are over 3400 feet in elevation. These peaks are called the “Catskill High Peaks.”If you are lucky enough to be able to climb all the mountains peaks that are over 3500 ft, you get to be a part of the Catskill 3500 club. Many hikers will not be able to join this club, but it is something to consider for those looking to achieve certain hiking goals.

Proven DIY Back Pain Tips

Oftentimes when a person who is suffering from back pain consults with an orthpedic doctor, they only receive simple advice such as get more rest and perhaps take some medication. If back pain is an issue for you, you may find some solace in the DIY tips provided below.

Drink a half gallon of water a day. A proper diet does a lot of things for you, and prevention of back pain is on that list. Not only can you get a healthier body, but you can take some pressure off of your back and help it significantly.

Avoid lifting items that are out of your reach. People tend to take shortcuts daily that can have negative effects on their backs. When you are far away from an object that you are reaching for, get as close as you can. You will also want to take some time to execute things in the right way.

Wear comfortable low-heeled shoes. The stress that high-heeled shoes put on your ankles and legs is transmitted up your body all the way to your hips and spine. Comfortable shoes will allow you to stand and walk more naturally, which can greatly reduce your incidence of back pain the next morning.

Back pain got you down get up and move. Sitting still or lying down will cause your muscles to stiffen and tighten up. Although you shouldn’t twist or turn try doing some safe exercises at least 15 minutes a day; consult your doctor to see what exercisers are safe for you and your back.

In order to reduce back pain, learn how to relax. This is much different from resting. Resting is simply taking pressure away physically, relaxing is relieving the tension and stress mentally. Try closing your eyes and thinking of happy and non-stressful things to help relieve the overall tension in your body.

Try sleeping on your side and place a pillow between your knees to help relieve and prevent back pain. The pillow between your knees will help keep you spine straight while you are sleeping so you can wake up feeling refreshed instead of sore. Consider buying a body-sized pillow for this purpose.

In some cases, back pain sufferers find that acupuncture is a good treatment for their ailment. The jury is still out on acupuncture, and it might be a little too pricy depending on how available it is in your area, but thousands of back pain sufferers swear by the results of the needles.

If you have chronic back pain and cannot figure out how to get rid of it, perhaps a new chair is in order, like a recliner or something softer than what you’re sitting on now. A lot of people think that firm support is a must, but that’s more to prevent pain. If you need to relieve it, go with something soft.

The type of shoes you wear can help to alleviate back pain, so try to get some of those comfort cushioned shoe soles to help out. Those types of soles with the gel inside of them are a great pick. If those are a little too pricy for you, just try a pair of shoes that are more comfortable for you to wear.

As a back pain sufferer, a little bit of pain may actually make you feel better, so do not be afraid to exercise. The reason you feel pain is because the muscles are sore and stiff. If you can work through this and loosen the muscles up, you can do light exercise and help to get rid of the pain.

Back pain is a factor that can affect everything you do in a day. These tips can help you deal with the reality of back pain so you can keep going and be able to live life.

Goa Holiday Ideas for Weekenders

Tourists from Mumbai often visit Goa for the weekend. With the sheer volume of visits, it is hard for such travellers not to have a been-there-done-that attitude towards the major local attractions when holidaying in Goa. Many visitors forget, though, that Goa is a gorgeous destination with several secrets to share. It is also understandable that every domestic holiday package cannot include these hidden treasures. But weekenders can explore them and enjoy their trip as well. The list includes:

Carnivals: Each beach has its own unique brand. Some are known for their fairs, circuses and carnival celebrations. The splash of colour, ambiance of joy and spirit of life makes each carnival unique and quite memorable. You can also time your trip to check out the Goa Carnival if you haven’t done so before. The celebrations include music, dance, food, drinks and so much more

Flea markets: Goan shopping is famous for its haggling. With flea markets scattered across different destinations with a variety of exciting goods, you are sure to have a lot of fun. There are different markets across Goa. If you haven’t visited these markets before, the experience can prove to be fun, quick and delightful. So whether you visit the Anjuna flea market or Arpora Saturday market, you are sure to be surprised and entertained. Arpora Saturday market starts at6 PM and lasts till midnight. Another market that you can visit is the Mackies. The only catch here is that it is only open from November to April. If you like memorabilia, then these can be very exciting places to shop in Goa during your domestic holiday package. Be warned, though, that if you don’t bargain well, you may leave with a hole in your pocket.

Party life: Goa is the ultimate party hub, barring the few hours in the afternoon kept aside for that afternoon siesta. In the night, though, this lazy town wakes up and gets ready for a really exciting evening. During your trip, you can visit one of the many parties held through the Goan night to find your groove and rhythm. These multitudes of parties have different people, themes and ambiance. So, relax and chill out with a drink in hand and fun on your mind. Meet new people and gain new experiences in this amazing out-of-this-world party town. Goa is the most preferred alternative for the weekenders as it never gets too old!

Apart from these experiences, though, there are several other places that tourists can explore. When you holiday in Goa, for example, you can visit some of the olden structures to experience Portuguese architecture first hand. You can also visit some of the temples and churches in Goa to marvel at their beauty and religious values. You can also visit Goa for the local fish and cuisine. The local Malvani cuisine is simply mouth-watering. You could also visit the different restaurants across beaches for different fish dishes and be a proud foodie.