I Think I Thought A Feeling

What is an Inflatable Boat? Fun, Affordable, Great for the Family

Starting up an Inflatable Boat -
by Marie C. Dimino

An inflatable boat is a great alternative if you live in the city. It's compact and ready to travel with you and your family at a moment's notice.

 

 

If you’ve ever dreamed about owning a boat but live in the city and think you can’t, an inflatable boat may be just for you. Once considered only for lifeguards and as add-ons to larger boats, these boats have come a long way.

An inflatable boat is not only easy to care for. It can be folded up to fit into a closet. This one feature alone makes owning a boat possible for those with small apartments or limited yard or driveway space. With rising gas prices, an inflatable may be a dream come true and can make boating possible for those who cannot afford larger boats.

There are many companies producing inflatables, and you should really do some research before making a decision. Make your purchase according to what your needs are. These boats can be used for fishing, sailing, camping, tubing, water-skiing, scuba diving or just to take to the lake or ocean on a nice sunny day. A family can pack a lunch and enjoy an inexpensive day together.

Types of Inflatable Boats

A 10-hp motor is all that is needed and can reach up to 30 mph. If speed is your thing, a larger motor can also be used. There is room enough to relax and the boat can easily hold fishing equipment or scuba gear. Some can accommodate a family of up to seven adults. The boats come with oars if you choose to quietly row and enjoy the scenery.

Many options are available and accessories can be purchased as your needs arise. There are inflatable kayaks, canoes and sailboats, as well as motor boats. They can easily be towed on a trailer or set right on top of your car's roof rack. Padded seats, canopies and other extras can be added later on depending on how far you want to go and how much you want to spend. A safety bag is often included, which holds the foot pump and emergency patches. The bag should be brought on the water with you.

Inflating Inflatables

The job of inflating a boat can vary depending on the size and what type of boat you choose. The boats come with more than one chamber and should be filled according to the owner’s manual.

A foot pump usually comes with the boat. It takes between five and ten minutes to inflate until firm.

Electric pumps come in several types. High pressure-low volume compressors are used for auto and truck tires. This will not inflate your boat quickly and will, in fact, take hours. Low pressure-high volume compressors that are used for air mattresses and inexpensive inflatables whose operating pressure is 1/2 lb. Psi will fill your boat 25%. High pressure-high volume is what you need and they usually have a built-in gage which shuts off at a pre-selected pressure.

Where to Inflate

The convenience of an inflatable boat makes it possible to travel with it deflated until you reach your destination. The boat deflates as easily as it inflates. Just open the valves, deflate, pack it up, and go home.

If you already have a trailer or a roof rack on your car, an inflatable boat can be filled at home. The only thing you have to do is unload it onto the water and start having fun.

Registration and Licensing

As with all motor boats, these must be registered and licensed before taken out on the water. Check with your area and make sure you have the proper permits. Some lakes require permits that can take up to two months to process. You will also have to check to make sure that the park, lake or ocean has a boat landing and what rules and regulations are, since this varies.

Whether you want to sail the high seas, or just enjoy a nice day out on the water, an inflatable boat may be just for you.  Maybe it's time treat yourself to a luxury you thought you could never afford.

Living the Rural Life Outside Manhattan in New York State

Mine Kill State Park, NYS -

by Marie C. Dimino 



Rural life in the Catskills area, Conesville-Gilboa, New York in Schoharie County.

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to give up urban life and a nine to five job in New York City? Less than three hours away from Manhattan is an entirely diverse universe you might want to explore.

Spending a little time in the Catskills area during each season will give you the perfect feel of rural living which can help you make your decision. Most of the small towns in upstate New York have motels and quaint Bed and Breakfasts to choose from, depending on your personal style and what you would like to experience. The Schoharie, NY Chamber of Commerce lists these for your convenience. No matter which you choose, the roads connect with easy access to many larger resorts, including Windham and Hunter Mountain.

One particular area, which is not well known, is considered very desirable by real estate companies. Crime is almost unheard of and property value never plummets.

Nestled in the scenic country of Schoharie County, NY is the beautiful hamlet of Conesville, a community settled around 1764 and town formed in 1836 in the Gilboa settlement. It is also home of one of New York State's nineteen reservoirs.

With a spectacular view and mountainous surface, it boasts many miles of untouched wilderness. Its running streams and waterfalls gently tumble and sometimes thunder across the rocks and ledges forming rows of white frothing foam. Here the wildlife is abundant and can be experienced the way nature intended. Even the sky is filled with many birds of prey proudly sailing high above the mountaintops. This natural beauty creates poetic visions that lure some fortunate city folk to abandon their way of life to set up home in these parts.

When seeing this town for the first time, many people are impressed with its school district and the friendliness of the locals who welcome all with a wave of the hand and their knowing smiles. Although you will not find many stores around here, the roads have easy access to neighboring towns where you can find anything you need. There are never traffic jams or long lights to contend with, making travel an unstressed event. Many people who have never driven in the city find they are easily capable of tolerating these roads, whether paved or unpaved, and enjoy their newfound freedom.

Creating a life in these rural areas is not without challenge. There are harsh winters and short summers. Most homes are heated with wood and require several cords a season. Some families spend an entire summer chopping and splitting the wood themselves while others choose to buy it from the local mills or farms. Before using the logs, they must be dried and then stacked in a convenient area outside the home where it can be assessable during the cold winter months.

Many types of units are now available to choose from. There are fireplaces, wood-burning stoves, corn-burning stoves, pellet stoves, inserts and outside heating plants. There are even gas-burning units which make for a cleaner environment. Some will argue which is most efficient, but in the long run, they all require some old-fashioned physical labor and a strong desire to experience the country effect of unsurpassed warmth. Most homes are equipped with a backup of electric, gas or oil heating system, which will automatically turn on when the wood supply is low, or the thermostat dips.

In Conesville, New York, the scenery changes with every season. Winter has its snow peaked mountains bringing skiers from everywhere. Many birds return in the spring bringing the promise of new crops growing and flowers blooming. Summer welcomes tourists with many fish filled lakes and boat rentals. Autumn foliage never ceases to amaze everyone no matter how many times they've seen it.  The locals are the lucky ones.  They get to experience first hand the beauty of God's Country and all it has to offer every single day.

Choosing a lifestyle in a rural community is a commitment from the heart. A strong desire to experience the great outdoors and the opportunity to exist in the beauty of untouched nature is the fundamental reason for all who come here.

Some will follow their artistic values with the hopes of creating a living from it. Others will set up a hobby farm or other small business. There are also those who come to retire and others who enjoy the relaxation of a summer home. The one thing you can be sure of is that once you experience all the community of Conesville has to offer, you will wish you never had to leave.

Though rural living may not be everyone's ideal, it will certainly leave an impression on your heart for many years to come.

HOW TO RAISE A BABY COW



Baby Calf
by Marie C. Dimino

Raising a newborn calf from bottle feeding to bucket feeding to grazing grass and hay is an enlightening experience.

 

What happens when a calf is born with a minor defect and its mother rejects it? Usually it is left to die or the farm owner rushes to put it out of its misery. If a newborn calf does not immediately drink from its mother, it will not survive. Colostrum in its mother’s milk has nutrients and natural antibodies that the calf needs in order to develop into a healthy cow.

If you’ve ever wanted to have the experience of raising a calf without the commitment of owning one, there is a way to do this. If you live in a rural area with dairy farms nearby, visit the farm and speak to its owner. Sometimes a farmer is willing to hand over a calf when there is a problem and he cannot take care of it. If a calf is born backwards, it might have a twisted leg. When the newborn calf cannot stand up, its mother will reject it.

Before attempting this on your own, it is wise to confer with a large animal livestock veterinarian. A vet will tape the calf’s leg straight and also check to make sure there is no disease. He will also advise of the best way for the calf to get colostrum and what kind of milk the calf should be fed. Usually a special milk powder mixed with water is all it needs.

A baby calf will not need too much space. A small barn will suffice until it is ready to walk around green pasture. The most important thing is to make sure it is bottle-fed at the proper times each day. If the calf will not take milk, you can try using some molasses, corn syrup or honey on the nipple. Anything sweet might work. Just keep trying.

Some calves will go to bucket feeding in as little as two weeks. A bucket filled with the milk formula has a nipple on the bottom. You can either hold the bucket for the calf or hang it on a fence.

It truly is a joy to watch a calf grow stronger every day. Once the tape is removed and the leg has straightened, you will have the pleasure of watching your baby calf run to you whenever it sees you. When you hear your calf mooing happily away, it will bring a big smile to your heart. Soon it will be grazing on your lawn and eating hay on its own.

Unfortunately, that will be the time you will have to bring it back to the dairy farm. It is not wise to keep a bottle-fed calf too long. They become very attached and loving when raised by a human and because they are very strong, a young cow is capable of knocking you down when it wants affection.  If choosing to keep your young calf as a pet when it becomes a full grown cow, you must use precaution and remember to keep its strength in mind. 

Raising a baby cow is an unforgettable experience. It puts you in touch with the beauty of one of God’s creatures. You will come away with new respect for this wonderful animal and first hand knowledge of their individual personalities and emotions. And yes, a cow has feelings, too.

The Mysterious, Magnificent Forest - Take a Walk on the Wild Side

NYS Hiking Trail -

by Marie C. Dimino

Discovering hiking as a vacation or sport will inspire you for many years to come. Learn what others have observed and why it's becoming a popular pastime.

 

 

If you’ve never been to a forest, it might be time for you to explore this amazing universe that thrives in perfect ecology. A forest has many facets and changes itself every day of the year. Vacationing near this chameleon-like perfection is the reason many people are opting for a hike in the woods instead of choosing the usual beachfront locations.

Be sure to research the essential things you will need to bring with you before heading out in the woods. Learn about safety and follow valid suggestions to make your hike a pleasant experience. Better to be safe than sorry.

You may also want to bring a few small informational books on descriptions of birds, insects, flowers, plants, trees, berries, animal scat and footprints. These can be found at your local bookstore, or on-line, and will help you identify the species of what you might see. Bring a notebook and pen to journal your new discoveries.

If you have never been in the woods before, you are in for a big surprise. At first glance, it seems there is absolutely no life sustained anywhere, but behind every tree and branch and beneath every bush and rock there are spying eyes! Your slightest whisper or footstep will silence the forest.

Forest animals and birds alert each other when something they suspect as danger is approaching. Some experienced hikers go so far as spraying themselves with a chemical to conceal their human scent. Animal senses are far more keener than ours and they can smell and detect an approaching human from many miles away.

Once you’ve entered the woods, find a comfortable spot, sit down, relax and observe. Try to stay as still as possible, and just wait. You don’t want to miss anything that might poke its head out from its hiding place.

Soon you will start to hear the sounds of the forest. If you are patient enough, and the animals think it's safe, they will peek at you and slowly start to appear. Some might even approach your shoes and sniff in curiosity. Do not make any sudden movement as that will make them scurry away and run back to the hiding place. If you want to take photos, keep your movements slow and quiet.

When you are ready to explore the many insects and plants, keep your magnifying glass handy. The use of a magnifying glass will help you inspect your subject and will reveal the almost invisible life that your eyes cannot normally detect.

Do not eat any berries or plants that might be tempting. Animals can eat them with no problem, but most can make you very sick or even kill you. Unless you are experienced with botanical studies, this is off limits. Stay away from them no matter how innocent or enticing they seem. Bring your own food!

A walk in the woods is a wonderful experience and adventure. This environment is teeming with incredible wildlife. There is so much to see and always new things to discover. It’s educational, peaceful, calming and spiritual. A sense of well-being fills you with wonder and awe when communing with nature. You will find yourself lost in thought and wanting to go back whenever you can to once again explore the ever-changing beauty of the mysterious, magnificent forest.

The Garter Snake - Have No Fear! It's Snakes Who Fear!



Snake eating a frog -
Marie C. Dimino

Garter snakes are the most common snake you will see in your garden. Very fearful for their lives, they hide and camouflage themselves under rocks and brush.

Quick: What kind of reptile can swallow something bigger than its own head in one gulp? If you guessed snakes, then you are right!

The garter snake (Thamnophis Sirtalis) is a nonpoisonous reptile that slithers on the ground. Although they are not deadly, they still produce a mild neurotoxic venom and a bite may result in swelling and an itching sensation. Some people may be highly allergic, but it is rare. Any bite from a reptile requires immediate medical attention.

Colors vary from green, grey, bluish and close to black and usually have side and back stripes. Unusual sightings of different patterns have also been found. There are many subspecies. They are highly adaptable and can survive extreme environmental conditions.

Garters live on land, in water and in trees. The average size is about 30 inches in length. Their diet consists of earthworms, fish, frogs and mice. They are also prey to larger snakes, reptiles, rodents, mammals, large birds and Raptors.

When hunting for food, the garter relies greatly on vision. They are deaf but can sense vibration. They use the tip of their tongue for taste and smell then transfer it to the roof of their mouth to a gland which is called Jacobson’s organ. The tongue can be seen constantly flickering in and out for this reason. It's also what's given the snake its frightening trademark and reputation.

The common garter snake can be found in the United States, Alaska, Canada and Central America. They hibernate in the winter and makes its home in crevices under rocks and brush. Their body temperature is regulated by basking in the sun. In order to find each other to mate, they leave pheromone scented trails. Sometimes they can be seen in the hundreds, all coiled around each other.

The young are born live and the litter can range between 10 and 80. Gestation is between two and three months. They mature within one or two years and grow and shed their skin throughout their lifespan. The baby garter snakes are independent and must find their own food.

The average lifespan is two to three years but most die within their first year. When kept in captivity the lifespan is longer between six and ten years. Most garter snakes live in fear because of their predators. Some people recoil in terror at the sight of a snake, but it is the snake who retreats at the sight of danger. They will only strike and attack when in fear of its life.

The next time you see a garter snake, try to be kind. Remember:  the snake is afraid of you - - so you should not be afraid of it.