Posts Tagged ‘family’

Deer Valley Accommodations - Great For Your Next Summer Getaway

Wednesday, July 15th, 2009

Everyone loves a well planned holiday in luxury and comfort and Deer Valley Vacation Rentals makes vacationing in Utah just that - a fantastic experience. As one of the top skiing destinations in the United States, Deer valley has more to offer than just a holiday enjoying the slopes. You can enjoy Deer Valley Resort in the summer just as much as in the winter with all of the activities and dining offered by the year round resort.

Deer valley is a great spot to enjoy outdoor activities such as mountain biking, riding, hiking, picnicking, fishing, and outdoor concerts but also ideal as a wedding or other special event destination. It is also extremely gorgeous and has a wonderful setting that will fit the most discerning tastes. You could go on a romantic escape or do a family getaway filled with adventure and relaxation. This destination and accompanying mountain town is definitely great for outdoor enthusiasts.

Deer Valley Vacation rentals are a great option for someone looking for wonderful accommodations with a little more room to spread out than a typical hotel room. From lodges, to condos, homes and townhomes, you will certainly be able to find one that suits your group size and budget. The one thing that you can count on with a Deer Valley vacation rental is consistent quality, including luxurious interior appointments, comfort, and excellent mountain views.

Because rentals are affordable and great deals are certainly available, Deer Valley vacation rentals allow visitors to get a great value for their vacation dollar. Only the best amenities and facilities can be found in these rentals. It feels like you are at home, but maybe even a little better. Furnishings are rich with warm mountain contemporary styling that often express some of the individual style of the property owner.

You will be able to book a vacation rental for as long as you want and decide the degree of luxury you would like. Most condos include a hot tubs, full kitchens, fireplaces, spacious family areas, en-suite bathrooms and fabulous mountain views. The private homes available provide most of the facilities that the condos do but depending on the type of home, you may find ones that are slightly more luxurious.

Townhomes and houses are another great rental option. Some of the homes are best suited for large family getaways but smaller parties can also enjoy these residences, especially when plenty of space is important. These private residences may cost a bit more, but they are often well worth the price.

The kitchens are fully furnished with top quality appliances and stunning counter-tops as well as ample space for a family gathering. The bedrooms have fresh and soft linens and typically have their own bathrooms. Although the townhomes are smaller and less expensive than the houses, they can be just as beautiful.

When renting a Deer Valley vacation rental, you can be confident that your vacation will be a long lasting memory. You will definitely want to return to Utah year after year. You’ll either want to refresh those special memories or continue where you left off building them the last time you came around.

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Enhance Your Company Picnic With Bounce House Inflatables

Monday, June 29th, 2009

Now is the time of year when a lot of companies are planning their annual family picnic. You might be thinking, what can we do this year to make the picnic a little better than last year. Of course you will have the usual bar-b-que chicken, hot dogs and hamburgers. You will more than likely have the traditional potato sack race, but what if this year you came up with something a little more exciting, something like an inflatable bounce house?

People always enjoy the time they have at the company picnic. They get the opportunity to get to know each other on a more personal level. The bounce house is a great activity for the kids. It provides them a chance to really come together as well, in a joyous activity.[I:http://mdiexplorer.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/BrendaThomas2.jpg]

A bounce house is something that children just love. They love the size of them, and the fact that they are very colorful. They also love the activity that goes on once inside of the bounce house. They love it so much that it can be hard to get them out.

Imagine having a race with individual, clear plastic, inflatable spheres. These are large spheres that are propelled by the movement of the individual. Because they are round, they move a quite a rapid rate. You won’t have any need for the standard potato sack race, and they can also be used for individual picnic fun as well.

You can also erect an inflatable soccer field complete with soft walls, and bouncy goal posts. The soccer games will go on all day, and soccer moms will feel right at home.

It will probably be a warm day when your company picnic day arrives. Why not have a mega water slide? These inflatables will keep the kids cool while they play and are the perfect answer when your location does not have a pool.

If your location is large enough and your budget allows for several units, you can make the inflatables the theme for your picnic. Inflatables are things that get pumped up and your picnic can be a fun way to pump up the motivation of the staff.

Consider the possibility of creating a themed atmosphere with the whimsical inflatables. There are many inflatable models that come in the shape of animals, castles, race tracks, and so much more. You can really get creative here. Imagine a Nascar theme or a jungle theme. You could even turn your picnic into a luau with bar-b-qued Hawaiian chicken and a Big Wave water slide.

What ever you choose, a bounce house, a water slide, a soccer field or personal spheres, inflatables will make your company picnic a big hit, and the staff will talk about it and will anxiously look forward the next one.

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Ballet - A Dance, An Art, A Culture!

Sunday, June 21st, 2009

Pronounced ball-ay without sounding the “t”, ballet isn’t just about movement although the word itself means “dance”. It’s about moving in a way that highlights elegance, grace and beauty. It’s about long extended lines and precise arm and leg placement. Taught across the world in formal ballet schools, and informal school gyms, ballet is a highly technical art form that even has its own vocabulary.

In one respect ballet does conform to other dance styles, and that is that all ballets need choreography. However, in order to be a ballet, the choreography doesn’t just include dance, but also drama acting and mime. Classical music also plays a role in most ballets but vocal music can also be used.

Renaissance Italy was where ballet dancing first began but it would be France who would take the original dance style and create an entire culture from it. King Louis XIV was instrumental in this, and the world’s first ballet school opened in France in 1661. It’s the French roots that are the reason for most of the ballet vocabulary that’s still used today being. Originally only men were ballet dancers but in 1681 women were also allowed to join in.

Until the 1790s ballet dancers were all-round performers who would sing, dance and even recite poetry. Many of the ballet steps still used today can trace their history back to that period in France, and most of them have retained their French names.

Pierre Beauchamp was responsible for the 5 basic ballet positions. Created in 1661 these remain the main ballet positions that anyone who takes ballet class today will need to master so that they can carry out the ballet movements with balance, poise and grace.

Ballet has become mainstream in countries like Russia, Denmark, France and the United States. Ballet is a worldwide phenomenon. Professional ballet schools are taught in every continent in the world. New York has become the mecca of ballet dancing and it is considered the best on the globe.

Female ballet dancers are known as “ballerinas”. Ballerinas perform dance movements that have to be executed with the use of their toes. This form of dancing is called “en pointe”. A ballerina has to be 12 years of age before she can begin dancing en pointe. Ballerinas wear pointe shoes. Pointe shoes are cushioned with lambs wool or a foam pad. These shoes look like slippers. Ribbons are tied around the ankles and feet, so the shoes can be usable. The shoes are stiff and they have to be cushioned with soft fabric so the dancers do not injure themselves while performing.

In the beginning of ballet dancing, dancers wore dresses that were draped down to their ankles. Ballet attire has evolved and modern attire is elegant. For ballet performances, ballerinas wear skirts made of nylon which are called “tutus”. Tutus add a floating effect while the ballerina dances gracefully on stage.

Danseurs are male ballet dancers and they never dance ‘En Pointe’. As they are usually required to lift a ballerina during the ballets, danseurs have to have a great level of physical fitness.

Modern ballet is as popular as it once was back in Seventeenth century France. If you’ve never seen a professional ballet performed on stage - try and get tickets to a live performance. You might be surprised!

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How Do You Get Scholarship Grants or Financial Aid?

Friday, June 19th, 2009

Just what is the real cost of a college education and is there a financing scheme available? Well, lets be honest about it - a college education is mind-numbingly costly, causing a lot of parents alarm when their children are looking at going to a community college or a state university.

There are a lot of things that go to make up the total cost of a college education and the tuition fees are only a rather small part of the big picture of getting into college. Some common expenditures include meals, transport, accommodation, spending money and other sundry costs, which, when added up can be a large portion when financing a college education.

Nowadays, many families, even those who belong to the upper class, think about applying for financial assistance. College grants and scholarships are a very good kind of financial help. Grant and scholarship programs do not require the students or even their families to repay the amount given.

These scholarships are of two kinds: (1) these scholarships are given according to financial need, and are given depending on the financial inability of the student and their families as a whole to pay for the education, and (2) scholarships based on merit, for example the talent of the student in sports is the main consideration. A students academic ability falls under the merit-based college grant and scholarship system too.

Sometimes, college grants and scholarships combine the merit and need criteria to make the whole financial aid process easier. Many students and their families are on the look-out for this type of financial aid. However, college grants and scholarships are quite limited in number despite the fact that there is a growing number of students year after year.

Those students who qualify can get federal and a number of state scholarships, some of which are listed below:

Federal or National Pell Grants ” this is a program, available nationwide, which is meant to give financial aid to qualified undergraduate learner following post-secondary schooling. Grants and scholarships of this type are awarded to students who have not yet completed a baccalaureate degree.

The amount of the grant can vary year after year and will depend a lot on the financial needs of the student, the expenses that will be incurred while going to the chosen university or college, and the availability of funds from the national government. This kind of grant will open up an opportunity for students to succeed in securing financial aid from the national government.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) ” this is a program for continuing undergraduate students with exceptional monetary needs. However, not all students can get this type of grant. It will depend on the eligibility of the student and the availability of finances at the school concerned.

Another form of financial assistance that students and families can get is student loans. However, this kind of financial assistance must be paid back. The financial requirements of the family must be considered thoroughly to avoid paying very high interest rates.

It is a must to learn all the terms of the lending agency such as the schedule of repayment and the interest rates, before signing up.

Work study is yet another form of financial aid which calls for students to work to sustain themselves during their college education. Work study is most often carried out on college campus and is the most typical type of financial aid in all of the universities and colleges in the USA. Typically, students will render service to schools for 10-15 hours per week.

Scholarships, grants and other kinds of financial assistance to acquire a college education is really multi-faceted, confusing at times, and even down-right exasperating. However, the good thing is that a college education is a non-refundable and non-toxic type of investment in the student’s future!

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Back Pain Solutions

Saturday, May 9th, 2009

Back pain can be a daily fact of life for many people. There’s just no getting around the issue that at some point in time, most of us are going to go through it. This may be because we strained or sprained certain back muscles and now they hurt. It could also be something more serious, like a ruptured disc somewhere along the length of the spine. Regardless, if we want to overcome the issue, we need to look at where we can find back pain solutions for an improved life.

The spinal column allows us to have flexibility in doing daily activities that otherwise wouldn’t be possible were we not what biologists call “vertebrates.” But sometimes, the back can become injured. In many instances, it’s just a simple matter of a muscle or muscles in the back that spasm or cramp because of poor posture or an overload in the weight of an object a person may be handling. Other times, it could be something more serious, so it’s always a good idea see a physician for back pain solutions.

You should try to treat your back like you would any other prized possession. That means when it begins to hurt, do the things necessary to not only make the pain go away but also take action to treat or cure the underlying causes. Look for back pain solutions before it turns into a major problem. It might just be that switching to a pair of comfortable shoes with good ankle and heel support is the ticket to better posture and back support.

Stretch frequently. The Internet is loaded with dozens of resources that talk about back stretching exercises. Most times, when the pain is as a result of a simple series of spasms, a few simple and light stretches can help the muscles relax. When that happens, pain will lessen or abate completely.

If your spine isn’t in alignment, you’ll have back pain eventually. That’s a hard fact. So go see a doctor or a chiropractor when you start to feel it coming on. Chances are, it’s just a matter of realigning your spine into a vertical position, which will usually make the pain go away.

Treat the pain itself. Don’t think suffering is noble. Pain relievers exist for a reason, so use them when there’s a legitimate need. This will at least help you get through the initial treatment phase while you and your care giver are moving through a more permanent series of back pain solutions.

Most times, the minor back pain we feel can be cured just by standing up and moving a little more meaningfully and with purpose. When you do that, you force the back to stay straighter, which will help distribute the body’s weight load across a larger area. This has the effect of preventing too small an area from handling too large a load. When you do these things, you’ll usually see quick resolution to the problem of finding effective back pain solutions.

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Surfing For Radio Controlled Cars

Monday, April 27th, 2009

So I want to get a RC car and start looking at radio controlled cars online only to be blown away with the variety and options laid out in front of me. Is it me or is buying one of these confusing?

Finding what website to use was hard enough. There seemed to be so many authority sites all saying they knew more than the last one I visited. Eventually I found a clean and easy to navigate website in my country but this took time.

Then I am left with the decision to choose the actual radio controlled car I want.

I even have to decide on whether I want the car I am buying to be already built or assembled by me.

Next I am presented with the choice of nitro, electric or petrol to power my car. My head says petrol but what option is best for me as I am new to this?

Now the big one what type of radio control car do you want? One you can race, go off-roading with or even ones that climb over rocks. Seriously, as new buyer I was shocked at just how much I had to choose from and found some of it confusing.

So what’s the solution to understanding what car is best suited to me. Well its simple, you have to ask yourself what is your main reason, stumbling block or factor for wanting this RC car.

Cost is something that many of us hold in high regard when deciding whether to buy something. If this is also you chief decision maker then you need to eliminate all fuel based models from your mind and concentrate on just the battery operated models and these are much cheaper.

Saying that some people have cash and for them its all about high speed performance and drivability of the model over price any day. So if your one of these people then eliminate electric models from your mind and concentrate your efforts of nitro or fuel cars.

Seriously consider the ongoing costs associated to your chosen model as you may need to spend cash often just to use the vehicle and of course this can be expensive too.

Simply put buying radio controlled cars online or offline is no different to buying a top range TV. You get what you pay for and that is the same principal applied to many products in life.

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Improve Your Golf Swing The Easy Way

Wednesday, April 22nd, 2009

Golf being a prestigious game would really look grand only when it is played with confidence and perfection. If you should be interested in really improving your golf swing then this is the right place for you. Simply following the tips listed below is sure to lead you to success in improving your golf swing. You will be able to notice the difference yourself.

Positioning yourself is the most tricky part in golf and you should be certainly be able to do this as a measure to improving your golf swing. All that you have to do is to imagine a line between the flag you are targeting and the ball. You should now position yourself parallel to this imaginary line. This is the basics of golf and would greatly help in improving the golf swing.

Holding the golf club correctly is essential. Improving the golf swing would become very simple and easy if one of these three different methods is followed. The Vardon or Overlapping Grip, Interlocking Grip and the Baseball Grip are the three most commonly used methods.

Baseball grip method best suits young children and elders who have small hands. The next method for improving your golf swing is Vardon or Overlapping method in which the smallest finger in the right hand is kept between the index and middle finger in the left hand. In the next method, which is called as the Interlocking method in golf, the index finger of the left hand and the little finger on the right hand are locked together producing a grip.

The grip of the left hand would play a vital role in improving your golf swing. The left hand should take of holding the club and the shaft should lie across the fingers and the thumb should be placed over the fingers for more natural grip and support. The thumb of the right should point to the right shoulder.

Maintaining a decent distance between the two legs is the next important step used for improving your golf swing. This distance between the legs should be equal to the length of the shoulder. Essential parts of the body like the shoulder, knee, hip and the foot should all be parallel. It is also essential in golf that the upper portion of the body should lean slightly. But the knees can be relaxed.

Conscientiously focus on proper body positioning when practicing your swing. Keep your shoulders and upper body together while the only your hand is turned as your body is rotating through the swing. Do this and improvement will surely come.

The most essential point to be remembered in golf for improving your golf swing is that your shoulder and body?s upper part should never move. Movement in these areas would reduce the body?s balance and result in a bad shot. The uniqueness of golf is that just the arm has to be rotated and the rest of the body has just to rotate like a swing in the direction the arm moves. If keen attention is paid to these factors, no one can stop you from improving your golf swing.

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A Family Christmas in NY’s Catskill Mountains

Tuesday, April 14th, 2009

[I:http://mdiexplorer.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/LJJames2.jpg] Right now for most Americans money is getting a bit tight. We all still want to have those great family trips that we take every year, but we have to watch how much we spend. Well I just had a great time with my family in New York’s Catskill Mountains that didn’t put us all in the poor house.

I was in the Catskill area with Family for the Christmas Holidays. My younger Sister has three kids. Which makes me an Uncle and I always enjoy spending time with my two Nieces and Nephew, The Youngest is 6 years old and the oldest is 13 years old. Now when the age gap is that far apart it can make finding something they all want to do very difficult. Well We where also looking for something to do that not only the kids but us adults could enjoy as well.

It took some time but my younger Brother came up with the idea of Snow Tubing. It sounded good to me. The Kids loved the idea and so did my Sister, Her Husband and even my Mother. OK so then came the part where the money comes in. I called up Windham Mountain to get their Snow tubing times and rates (http://www.windhammountain.com/mountain/tubing) . When they told me their snow tubing rates I was surprised as they where not too bad $20 a person for two hours $25 for four hours and they had a Friday night special of only $15 dollars from 4pm to 9pm ! Only $15 for Five hours, I was sold as it just happened to be Friday.

So the group of Nine of us piled into two vehicles and we where off to do some tubing on Windham’s 650 foot snow covered snow tubing slope. We where Lucky as the weather was warm for December in the Catskill Mountains. The Slope was perfect, there where about ten lanes to slide down and the Snow Tubing staff kept the line moving. [I:http://mdiexplorer.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/LJJames9.jpg]

Let me see if I can explain how everything went. When we got up to the Slope we grabbed a large canvased covered Snow Tube then picked a lane. We could go down the lane in groups or by ourselves. I have to say my first trip down caught me by Surprise. It has been a few years since I have been sleigh riding but I know I never went that fast down the old hill. Now hearing me say how fast the slope is, may make you think you or your kids might be scared. Don’t worry about that, I saw kids as young as three years old tubing down the Slope and they were loving it!

At the bottom of the hill there are mats placed at the end of every lane to slow you down safely, Along with attendants ready to help you if you needed it( I didn’t see anyone who needed any help). Now anyone who has gone Sleigh riding as a kid remembers the trip down the hill was always the fun part, It’s the walk back up that is work. Well not at Windham’s snow tube park. The canvases that cover the snow tubes have long straps that hook up to a conveyor so all you have to do is sit in your tube and then slowly slide back up the Slope! The Straps also make it perfect so the attendants can spin you (only if you ask nicely) as you are sliding down the slope.

After about three hours of snow tubing everyone but my brother and his girlfriend was getting tired. So we went into the large Ski lodge, which is only about ten feet from the snow tubing lanes. While inside the lodge we all enjoyed some nice hot Chocolate while sitting by the Fire place.

I am not a big fan of winter activities, But I have to say we all had a great time even if we didn’t make it the full five hours. Life can often get a little crazy and too fast paced, Every once in a while we all need some affordable old fashion family fun, (With a few modern convinces of course)

I am LJ James AmericanBikerX.com Radio Show BikerLowdown.com

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Queensboro Motorcycle Club Annual Motorcycle Rodeo

Tuesday, April 14th, 2009

Queensboro Motorcycle Club has been around for over 98 years! That’s right I said over 98 years, That’s not only a long time for a Motorcycle Club,that’s a long time for anything!

OK Lets stop and think about this for a minute, The first (gas-engined) Motorcycle was invented in 1885. (Of course some consider the first Motorcycle invented to be the two-cylinder, steam-engine motorcycle powered by coal invented in 1867 by American, Sylvester Howard Roper) Harley Davidson who started in 1903 only has 7 years on Queensboro MC!

This MC has been around since the infancy of the Motorcycle culture. Now I have only known Queensboro MC for about 8 of those 97 years but I can tell you over 97 years this group of Bikers have made many friends in and outside of the Motorcycle world! Their annual Motorcycle Rodeo Held each year at a local Park shows not only how many friends they have made but also how 98 years can teach you how to throw a great party.Just one look at the parking lot at the Rodeo shows you the wide diversity of their Friends,With Motorcycles from Harley to Honda, Ninja to Norton and so many others in between. Now you don’t need a Motorcycle to be part of the FOQ (Friends of Queensboro)Crew and some of their many friends showed up in cars to enjoy the perfect Summer day!

The Event starts with sign up at Rolling Thunder in Hempstead and a Scenic ride over to the Rodeo. Once at the Rodeo there are of course plenty of great Motorcycle Events to enter,None of them more memorable then the Port-a-Potty pull ! If you need to ask what a Port-a-Potty pull is, Well all I can say is your just going to have to show up at next years Rodeo! The Event also has many great Vendors,Food and Beverages, a D.J., Children’s events, a Bike Show and many games you don’t need a Motorcycle to play, Such as the Hilarious game “Shoot the Biker Freak”. The Final event of the day is always the Tug of War !

Queensboro MC’s Motorcycle Rodeo has a permanent mark on my calendar of events to attend every year and a big gold star on it for 2010!!! Check out QueensboroMC.com for info on their many other great Annual events!!!

Your Bro L.J. James AmericanBikerX.com Radio show at BikerLowdown.com

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Lake George New York, A Great Place to Ride

Monday, April 13th, 2009

[I:http://mdiexplorer.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/LJJames2.jpg] As a Biker I love to take long Rides on my 2007 Harley Davidson, Nightrain. Some times a trip to Connecticut where one has the freedom of choice to decided if they want to wear a Helmet or not is a great place to go. Often I head up to the NY Catskill Mountains, Where a Burger and a Beer at Nicks Waterfall House in West Conesville can be the perfect end to a day of Cruising threw the Mountains.

Then there is another of my Favorite places to ride to, The Lake George NY area. My Uncle has a small Cabin in the Mountains right outside of the town of Lake George where I often stay. The area has some great long and winding roads for riding, These roads will relax even the most stressed Motorcycle rider.

There is so much history to the Lake George NY area. While on a trip one year riding around with no real destination in mind, I found myself in front of Fort Ticonderoga (fort-ticonderoga.org). Being very interested in American History I had to stop in and take the tour. The Fort was built between 1755 and 1759 and has plenty of stories to tell. It had a big roll in the American Revolution. As I walked around the Fort the I could almost imagine I had traveled back to the 18Th Century, The things I learned reminded me of the sacrifices our fore Fathers made to secure the Freedoms we enjoy and let slip threw our fingers every day.

Another thing I like to do is ride on some of the less traveled roads. Riding on a road where you see nothing but Forests and small Waterfalls for miles is very relaxing. I like to search out small little Dinners and eatery’s, Stopping at them and trying some of the foods they have to offer.

I recently met up with my Mother, Sister, Brother, Nieces, Nephew and other members of my family at the Lake George Escape Evergreen Resort Campgrounds (LakeGeorgeEscape.com), I found it a great places for me to relax for a few days. There where plenty of activities for the kids and many activities I could enjoy with the kids. In the resorts game room I won my Nieces and Nephew many prizes and I played (or maybe Battled is a more accurate word) Air Hockey with my younger Brother in the game room for hours. The resort has a pond and two pools to Swim in. Each week at the resort during the Summer has a thyme and while we where there it was Halloween week. The Camp Grounds has Nightly Hay rides around the Camp Grounds and since it was Halloween week my Brother came up with the idea of throwing out candy to all the kids as we took a Hay ride around the grounds one night. The Cherry on the top of this great resort has to be the on Grounds full service Tiki style Bar where most Nights they had a DJ to help keep the party going!

Many other things I have stopped to enjoy while riding around and staying in the Lake George area is White Water rafting, Hiking and many Trips to Six Flags Great Escape & Splash Water Kingdom. The park was known as Storytown USA when it first opened in 1954. As a Kid I used to love to watch the gun fights in its old western area known as Ghost town. The park may be much larger now and have many modern day Rides and attractions, but all the old Story town, Jungleland and Ghost town areas from the 50’s and 60s are still there! Then of course there is the town of Lake George it self with many great stores for shopping including a new shop I found last year called DILLIGAF’s. Many Arcades, Museum’s, Para Sailing, Night Clubs and Many Places to eat including some Waterfront Restaurants. Now in my opinion no trip to Lake George can be Complete without a Paddle wheel Cruise on the historic and scenic Lake George itself. The lake is known as the Queen of American Lakes. There are Two maybe three Companies you can use, But I recommend you take your trip on the Lake George Steamboat Company’s (lakegeorgesteamboat.com) Minnie-Ha-Ha. I have Pictures of me getting on this Boat with my Family that go back many years. [I:http://mdiexplorer.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/LJJames8.jpg]

As Bikers We are always looking for Great places to ride to alone or with our friends and family that offer both great riding areas and many things to do. I have found Lake George to be a great area for both!

Maybe I will see you there! Your Bro L.J. James AmericanBikerX.com Listen to LJs Radio Show at BikerLowDown.com

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