Bad Economy Inspires Familes to Camp

Summer vacation is often a time for travel; however, the economic recession has caused many families to look for cheaper alternatives to Disneyland and urban locations. The solution, which is lighter on the wallet and better for the environment, is camping. CNN explains:

With the economy in a slump, camping seems to be grabbing a new foothold in the travel industry. Once considered by many to be an activity for nerdy families, nature geeks and Boy Scouts, sleeping outside in a tent has become chic -- likely because it is so much cheaper than paying for a hotel room.

The activity also strikes a new chord with Americans who want to get back to basics after an era of excess and overspending.

I still revere my early camping experiences as my fondest childhood memories. These trips into the woods helped build my appreciation for the environment and understand the need for conservation. I can't wait to take my kids camping this summer!

Image: University of Massachusetts Lowell

The Skinny on Hybrids: The Best Website for Hybrid Information and Comparisons

The Hybrid Center is the ultimate resource for anyone in the market for a hybrid or interested in the history and future development of this technology. You can select any hybrid model and read reviews, comparisons, and a buying guide. One of my favorite features of the website is the Hybrid Vehicle Timeline, as it includes information on "Hybrids on the Horizon". The Hybrid Center is a project of the Union of Concerned Scientists, so you know you can trust the information's accuracy.

Sierra Club Cycling Book Review: Into Thick Air

Playing on the title of Jon Krakauer's personal account of the disaster on Mt. Everest titled Into Thin Air, Jim Malusa has written Into Thick Air about cycling alone to the lowest points of six continents. Over six years, Malusa went on a series of "anti-expeditions" to the "anti-summits" with his bike and beer kept cold by swaddling it in his sleeping bag.

Malusa's writing style is easy to read and enjoyable, and he takes us to parts of the world we may never travel to. His botany background enables him to describe the landscape from Lake Eyre in Australia to Death Valley.  In Africa, Malusa learns there are only 12 lawyers in all of Djibouti, where disputes are brought to elders rather than lawyers. One of my favorite writers Barbara Kingsolver said about Malusa, "I've followed all of Jim's amazing and hilarious journeys, and I am happy to claim him as one of my favorite writers." With an endorsement like that, you are sure to enjoy Into Thick Air.

Organic, Solar Wifi Teepee Alaskan Retreat

Looking for the perfect eco-trip, but you need to stay connected? Try Perfect Earth Tours' Yukon teepee suites. Made from organic canvas, these Alaskan teepees have wifi to complement your all organic meals and solar off-the-grid electricity. This sounds like the perfect green vacation for this blogger!
Via: Dvice

Eco-Tourism: Best Eco-Tours Sites from Ideal Bite

Ideal Bite published a newsletter last week dedicated to eco-tourism sites. Among the sites recommended:

* EcoTour Directory - lists over 65 eco-holiday providers.
* G.A.P. Adventures - offers tours for groups of 12 or fewer and encourages carbon offsetting.
* Sierra Club Outings - tour the world with other eco-conscious travelers.
* Sustainable Travel International - a non-profit that helps you book all sorts of eco-adventures, from archaeological digs to yoga tours.
* Relief Riders International - guided horseback rides that let you help the Red Cross and distribute books to kids along the way.
* Responsible Travel - awesome trip packages geared toward folks in the UK.

(Via Ideal Bite)

Weekend Reading: National Geographic Magazine

We'd planned to spend the next seven days trekking the mountains and soaking up the sunshine on the sandy beaches of Kauai. But we're holed up at home with a broken foot. Our Really Natural reading material of choice? NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC magazine.

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC, the flagship magazine of the National Geographic Society, chronicles exploration and adventure, as well as changes that impact life on Earth.

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TerraPass: Make Your Airline Flight "Fuel Efficient"

Got folks traveling in from out of town for your wedding? Honeymoon taking you to faraway places? Planning a getaway to, well, get away from it all?

The NYTimes article on green weddings notes that many conflicted couples are "offsetting" the global warming impact of their travel plans by purchasing carbon credits from companies like TerraPass, which help finance projects that reduce the emissions of climate-changing gases like planting trees or financing windmills that replace coal-burning plants.

TerraPass's passes are available on the Expedia website; you can also check them out at TerraPass.

Continue reading: "TerraPass: Make Your Airline Flight "Fuel Efficient""