Gene and I were just in NYC last month and had an amazing time. We were able to see and do some of the things that we hadn’t been able to on previous trips, including a tour of Yankee Stadium as well as a game at Citi Field. However, another thing that was high on our list to do was to check out Coney Island. It has always been fall or winter when we had been there, and it was just a little too cold to spend the day running around Coney Island. However, May was a perfect time to visit for a couple of reasons. First, it was scorching, which is extremely important for me as I am NOT a heat person. Secondly there usually aren’t a lot of people and tourists there yet. We also quickly learned that the rides and such weren’t open for the season yet (the park opened the following weekend 🙁 ) which also cut down on the would-be traffic.
Continue reading “Coney Island, New York – Playground of the World”
I have been sorting and going through pictures and was taken back to my days as a child. Every summer we’d pack up the truck with food, clothes, fishing poles, and camping gear to go spend three weeks to a month swimming, fishing, and hiking up at Mono Hot Springs in the High Sierras. It was always an adventure filled with lots of fun and surprises, but always the same too. 
It has been quite cold here in Colorado lately and I am missing the warmth we had while in Miami, Florida this time last year and did the exciting 
At one point in time, we had a timeshare in Saint Maarten (I know, I know) and have been there a few times. While we were there, we always had to spend some time in Philipsburg. Before heading there the first time we knew that Saint Maarten was a Caribbean island divided into two parts, the Dutch and French (Saint Martin) sides. However, the first time we visited, we did not know that Philipsburg is actually the capital of the Dutch Saint Martin side. We also quickly learned that bargain seekers flock to the duty-free and sales-tax-free stores of Philipsburg’s mile-long commercial district. This can be viewed as either good news (more shopping choices, better deals, and more beach activities) or bad news (more people) for this busy port of call. I am not a big crowd person, so we spent a lot of time in the water and near the beach. Here are some of our favorites: 
Doing some mountain biking or hiking this summer? Hitting the beach or a river? Maybe a short trip to your local pool? Wherever you like the 
Although no one, no matter which skin type, is immune to the effects of UV. However, those with pale skin, blond, red, or light brown hair, been treated for skin cancer, or a family member who’s had skin cancer need to be especially cautious. This post is a little late this year, but The National Council on Skin Cancer Prevention has designated the Friday before Memorial Day as “Don’t Fry Day.” The goal? To make sure people stay safe in the sun and protect their skin while enjoying the outdoors—on “Don’t Fry Day” and every day. Here are some suggestions to help you have a nice summer day outing while being safe.
I feel this is the truly most important thing to put on before heading out. I have really pale skin and fry in about ½ without sunscreen on. I just burn, then peel. Not much fun. L One important thing to mention about sunscreen is to FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS. A lot of people will put it on before they head out for the day and think they are good. They are not. Most sunscreen products need to be reapplied every 90 minutes to 2 hours. I’ve also seen people who don’t apply enough. It is suggested to use about 1 ounce of sunscreen (about a shot glass or palmful) should be used to cover the arms, legs, neck, and face of the average adult.
The other thing to consider about sunscreen is the sun protection factor (SPF). There are sunscreens products with a broad spectrum of protection, but it is suggested to choose a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30. Sunscreens labeled with SPFs as high as 100+ are available. Higher numbers do mean more protection, but many people don’t understand the SPF scale. SPF 15 sunscreens filter out about 93% of UVB rays, while SPF 30 sunscreens filter out about 97%, SPF 50 sunscreens about 98%, and SPF 100 about 99%. Thus the higher you go, the smaller the difference becomes. However, remember no sunscreen protects you completely.
It is very important to wear a hat outside, preferably one with a 2 to a 3-inch brim. The brim helps to protect the ears, eyes, forehead, nose, and scalp. If you don’t have one of those, wearing a large handkerchief or bandana under a baseball cap will work in a pinch.
Wearing sunglasses not only protects the delicate skin around your eyes, but it also protects the eyes as well. When picking out a pair of new shades, don’t assume the sunglasses provide any UV protection. Make sure the label says “UV absorption up to 400 nm” or “Meets ANSI UV Requirements”. I like the wraparound glasses myself as it also blocks light coming in From the side.
Our bodies are made up of about 60% water, and every system depends on water. Just one cute little water bottle isn’t going to be enough to keep you hydrated all day long. Studies show that you should be drinking 1 liter of water every hour. Avoid caffeinated beverages and alcohol. Fruits are an excellent source of water, such as watermelon which is 90% water. Oranges, tangerines, grapefruit, and melons are also strong contenders.
Reduce time in the sun, especially between 10-2 as that is when the sun is the strongest. Don’t be fooled by a cloudy day. They can be more dangerous because you don’t feel hot and thus stay out longer than you may have planned. Take a lawn chair and find a nice shady spot near a tree or structure. If you can’t find one of those, a large umbrella works great too. Have fun, but be safe out there. Spending your vacation in a hotel room with a sunburn is not a fun way to spend your valuable vacation time. Let me know if you have any other great tips and I will add them to this post. Thanks in advance.
