External Links
External Links
Useful free stuff
Jalbum.
Jalbum is software that will help you quickly build web page
media galleries. Well it is quick after the learning
curve. The program is so customizable it can take some
time figure out what you want to do with all the settings.
They also provide skins built by other users. I have found
the classic Chameleon Skin to be the best fit for me. If
there is something you don't like about the layout and want to
dig a little, you can change the code for any of the skins and
totally customize it! If you need help with any of the
setting, how to use it or help with modifying the code for a
skin, check out their forums. There are a lot of
knowledgeable people there that usually answer any question fast
and friendly. What is so amazing about a piece of software
that is this good is, IT's FREE.
Irfan View.
Irfan View is a free photo viewing tool. Once you get used
to it, you may find there is nothing better. It is updated
from time to time so check back and see what new features have
been added. Not only can you view pictures but you can
also do basic cropping, resizing etc. A feature I
frequently use is the batch functions for renaming and or
resizing. You have control over a lot with this program
when doing batch conversions.
Convert.
Convert is an extremely simple to use convert program. It
has virtually everything in it and works smooth and simple.
I have a permanent shortcut to it on my task bar. When you
want to convert something it is much easier to run Convert than
to go looking on teh internet for a converter that does what you
need.
AddThis.
AddThis.com offers a button you can place on your web page, blog
or social sites. Clicking the button gives options for
bookmarking the page in your favorites or sharing the page with
others in a variety of was. Some options are to email a
link to someone, or add a link to any social site the user may
have membership on such as MySpace or FaceBook. Here is an
example of the button.
This is a great way to help generate traffic back to your site by
others sharing what they have found there.
General Outdoor
Leave No Trace
web site.
If you would like more information on the Leave No Trace concept
visit the web site devoted to it.
General Ecology
After looking over the issue of water treatment in the outdoors
I decided on the First Need water filter by General Ecology.
I feel it is one the best options out there. If you would
like to know more about the issue of water treatment in the out
doors, feel free to check out my paper on
Water Treatment
Thoughts.
Canyoneering
Canyoneering Yahoo Group
This group is very active. There are many members with a lot
of canyon experience. This group is a good place to learn,
hear current beta, ask questions of experienced canyoneers and
network to find potential canyon partners. If you find you
like the sport of canyoneering I suggest joining this group.
Canyoneering USA
Canyoneering USA is run by Tom Jones and offers the
CUSA
Store, various links to other canyoneering sites and communities
and his online
Canyoneering Guide.
Tom has written a canyoneering book for the Zion area called Zion:
Canyoneering.
The
ACA American Canyoneering Association
This site is run by Rich Carlson. The ACA offers courses
ranging from beginner to expert and certified guide status.
There are forums and a calendar. On the calendar are dates for
the courses and other events like canyoneering rendezvous.
Bonnie Kelso -
Artist
Bonnie is a friend of mine. She does some very cool
abstract art, some of which is inspired from canyon routes she has
done. She also maintains a blog which includes some of her art
and descriptions / accounts of some canyons.
If you decide to purchase any art from her a portion of the sales go
towards organizations that promote environmental conservation.
So not only do you get some cool art you get to help out
organizations that work toward keeping areas of land wild so we can
enjoy them.
Canyon Name Database
Some canyons are known by more than one name. This database
lists the canyons and the respective aka's. The database also
explains how and when the canyon got its name. This database
only lists names on the Colorado plateau. It would be nice to
see the data base extended one day to other areas.
Canyon
Chronicles
Eric maintains a site with lots of cool pictures from canyons.
Well worth looking through if you like seeing canyon photography.
The site and it's pictures are very easy on the eyes.
I met Eric Leifer in Keyhole Canyon in Zion. I was taking a
few friends through for an intro to canyoneering. After a few
emails back and forth Eric took me through Flintstone Canyon.
This was my first introduction to the Mogollon Rim.
Adventure Hikes and Canyoneering in the Southwest
This site is maintained by Christopher Brennen. On the
contents page is a large list of hikes and canyon routes. His
beta contains maps and GPS coordinates. He is also the author
of other books which can be found on the DANKAT Publishing
page.
Zion
National Park
This site offers a lot of information about Zion and surrounding
areas. Great place for some beta of canyoneering, climbing and
hiking routes in and around Zion. Lots of info here.
Average Joe Road Trips
This site offers information about a lot of canyoneering routes as
well as various other fun adventures. There are maps, route
descriptions, GPS coordinates and other information for the routes.
Lots of fun stuff here.
Friends
Bonnie Kelso -
Artist
Bonnie is a friend of mine. She does some very cool
abstract art, some of which is inspired from canyon routes she has
done. She also maintains a blog which includes some of her art
and descriptions / accounts of some canyons.
If you decide to purchase any art from her a portion of the sales go
towards organizations that promote environmental conservation.
So not only do you get some cool art you get to help out
organizations that work toward keeping areas of land wild so we can
enjoy them.
Sherriff
Stone -
Ghost Town Owner
Sherriff Stone (Herb Robbins) is a friend of mine who bought the
Gold Point Ghost Town a few years back. He has spent the last
several years restoring the town. There are also plenty of
mines in the area if you enjoy that sort of thing.
Every Memorial Day he throws a weekend long party complete with a
chili cook off. He has restored several of the houses and
rents them out bed and breakfast style. He is continually
working on restoring other portions of the town.
If you like Ghost Towns, mines or just like hearing about the
history of these you should go check the place out. Herb knows
a lot about the area and the history of it. For contact info
etc go to his web site.