Posts Tagged ‘Water’

Lake Morena old school water pump

We found a pumping well

Try The Island Hopper Water Trampoline By AquaSports ? More Fun Than You Thought Possible

Enjoy endless hours of family entertainment on the Island Hopper Water Trampoline. AquaSports, the company that makes these water trampolines, has several models to choose from and you can see all of them from this page through specific links. Your perfect choice depends on the size you desire, the amount of total fun you want and ages of the persons who will be using these incredible water trampolines. Island Hopper Trampolines are constructed with the highest quality materials and constructed to last using UV resistant components to protect your investment.

The incredible Island Hopper Turtle Jump Water Trampoline is the most recent addition to the Island Hopper water trampoline line. This totally fun new model boasts arms and legs that extend over 20 feet and give excellent stability along with the strength to handle tough play for several. The inflation tube is made of 28 ounce 1000 Denier PVC and precision engineered with electronically welded seams and color infused graphics. You can be confident that when you get the best in Island Hopper, it means tough and ready for a lot of fun. The Turtle Jump comes as a complete set including an oversized storage-carry bag and repair kit. Think of how much fun the kids will have with this turtle themed and huge water trampoline.

With the purchase of Aqua Sports Technology, like the 25 Foot Giant Jump Water Trampoline, you get the top materials and features available anywhere. This is to assure greater product longevity and user safety. You get the number one warranty in the industry with Aqua Sports, who get behind their trampolines with great customer service too. This monster level trampoline can be viewed on TrampolineBuyer dot com which shows the pure size and potential for good times with it. Put this model to the test for extreme excitement and an unbelievable thrill like no other. Island Hopper has attachable parts and options for this water trampoline to develop the ultimate in good times in splashing and bouncing for anyone who gets on it.

You may have seen the Island Hopper Classic Water Trampoline or called just the Island Hopper Classic as it has truly become the classic size ideal for the your lake home user and is the best seller. This model is large enough to hold several people and is built with the same heavy frame features that are available in the bigger sizes. It will handle years of hard use. The Island Hopper Classic is covered by a fabulous 5 Year frame and hardware limited warranty. The Island Hopper Trampoline line equals relaxing and having confidence for many years of family entertainment.
Another great seller is the Island Hopper Acrobat trampoline, especially within camps, lake homes and resorts. Acrobat is built to handle years of hard use. The acrobat arrived back in 1998 when Aqua Sports created this best seller. You will be happy with your Aqua Sports Water Trampoline. No matter the model you choose, expect the highest quality and abundant good times.

Here are some of the additional features of Island Hopper:
* HEAVY commercial construction using 30oz. 1000 Denier UV resistant PVC material.
* 1 YEAR seam “NO BLOW-OUT” limited WARRANTY
* UV resistant 1? foam perimeter spring cover
* 3 CHAMBER inflation tube guarantees structural strength and assures the tube is always floating
* Molded plastic 4 step ladder for easy swimmer access
* 6 anchor-tie D-rings (3 inside and 3 under tube) for secure anchoring and mooring.
* 8 swimmer assist handles for ladder and water assistance
* Galvanized – frame, 8.5? cross tapered springs, 20 frame secure tie straps.
* UV Resistant protective pads, heavy load bearing plastic ladder.

* Includes: Carry/storage bag and repair kit

* 700 PSI burst strength polypropylene surface

* 1 year jump surface replacement warranty

You and your family will relax with confidence, trusting in your Island Hopper Water Trampoline to give many seasons of quality and extreme water based good times.

California Delta is Water Recreation Paradise

If you’ve ever driven southbound through California’s Central Valley, you probably have been surprised to see an ocean-going freighter making its way into Stockton.

Yet ships do call on Stockton – and have for decades – as they make their way to the state’s interior through an intricate set of waterways sometimes called the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta or the Sacramento Delta, or just the California Delta. The point is it’s a delta not unlike what you see in the Deep South and, in fact, there are some surprising connections between Louisiana and the California Delta. Anyone who has visited Isleton for its famous Crawdad Festival can testify to that.

It’s also eerily similar to the rural roads and towns near New Orleans where levees keep the river from flooding the countryside. In this case it’s not the Mississippi that you worry about but the confluence of the Sacramento and San Joaquin rivers that creates a water system carrying 47 percent of California’s water runoff. Most of the land of the inner Delta is under sea level, generally between 21 and three feet below.

Lots of water means lots of water recreation for parched residents of the San Joauin Valley, who enjoy boating in this area and visiting the interesting small towns throughout the Delta.

The Delta region is comprised of 738,000 acres in six counties, so you could seemingly wander around in there for years without finding a way out. We recall one time navigating the Delta on houseboat where our navigation charts were the only way to ensure we would ever be heard from again.

But that, of course, is the appeal of the California Delta. Traveling to the Delta is a fast trip from the San Francisco Bay area. After all, one of the Delta’s largest cities, Antioch, is comprised largely of people who live in the Delta region and commute daily to San Francisco. From there you just cross a bridge and all of a sudden you’re driving on lonely two-lane roads skirting the canals and levees, turning every which way until, voila, there’s another little town to explore and check off your list.

On our most recent trip to the Delta we decided we’d spend the night in some rather unusual “waterfront” accommodations: a 40-foot Bluewater yacht with its own dock, located at the confluence of Georgiana Slough and the Mokelumne River. The Dockside Boatel has an Isleton address, but this is one of the places you’ll want to call for directions. The owner will be happy to give them to you and will be there to greet you because she lives in a house just a few yards onshore from the dock.

This was a great base of operations for forays into the Delta region and an excellent choice if you love being dockside and enjoy the sounds and slight wave action of the water. We had the dock to ourselves and there are two chairs on the dock perfect for fishing, reading the paper, watching the sunset or just overall taking in the sights and sounds of the Delta tributaries.

A 40-foot boat is a good-sized boat and a chance for non-boaters to sample what it would be like to have a large boat for regular getaways. You’re not going to drive this boat anywhere because it’s being rented as a floating bed-and-breakfast inn, but it’s no more costly than staying in a room at someone’s home. The boat has a parlor area, a galley (kitchen), a stateroom with two beds down below, a head (bathroom), and plenty of space out on the aft deck for sitting. (Special note to landlubbers: as boaters know, heads can be a little temperamental and this one is no exception).

Breakfast is delivered to your door at whatever time you prefer, and ours was a well-prepared hearty combination of French toast, sausage, eggs and two kinds of juices. We were impressed with the quantity of food for what we considered a nominal nightly rental rate. Lower priced B and B’s are more apt to give you a cinnamon roll and send you on your way.

While there are several small towns within easy driving distance, we especially enjoyed Isleton, where you do start to get the connection with Louisiana. We’re told that Louisiana residents actually do come here to live and they seem to bring some of that Cajun spice right along with them. Check out the crawdads served at Isleton Joe’s or Ernie’s or, better yet, plan your trip for the Crawdad Festival each June. While you can catch crawdads in the Delta, thousands of crawdads are shipped in from Louisiana — pre-spiced — for the festival.

We drove many backroads in the Delta where we found numerous marinas, each with a restaurant and some variation of waterfront dining. There were state parks where it was easy to pull off and find a canal-front location to have a picnic. There were draw bridges that were great for photos. And t was fun to see the many variations of boats plying the inland waterways during our visit, including a 19th Century sailing ship that was offering rides from the Antioch Marina.

If you drive along Highway 60, you’ll encounter several different towns – Isleton, Rio Vista, Locke, Walnut Grove and Ryde – which will each give you a taste of life in the Delta region and of the history that created this unusual destination. Check out the restored Ryde Hotel, just south of Walnut Grove where you can almost hear the voices of the party-goers who once traveled here by sternwheeler. Or stop by Rio Vista, considered the biggest town in these parts with 5,000 people. This is Bass-fishing Central where the annual Bass Festival attracts 35,000.

We couldn’t leave the Delta without getting on a boat – a boat that actually moves, that is – so we dropped by H2O to Go Boat Rentals, located between the cities of Rio Vista and Lodi and rented our own 17-foot runabout for a couple of hours. This was a late-model (almost new, in fact) bowrider that sped us to several locations along the Delta waterways giving us an entirely new perspective of the Delta. Sure enough, we came upon one of those ocean freighters that was headed into Stockton. It was time again to freak out a few more of those travelers headed down the interstate.

AT A GLANCE

WHERE: The California Delta is generally located between Sacramento and Stockton and then southwest to Antioch or northwest to Suisun Bay. It’s easily accessed from all of those areas.

WHAT: The California Delta is where the Sacramento and San Joaquin rivers converge to take runoff waters from the Central Valley through a channel to San Francisco Bay and then out to the Pacific Ocean. There are actually a number of islands in this area, all created by natural and man-made channels. The earthen levees in the area have allowed extensive farming throughout the Delta and boating in the Delta area feels like you are driving your boat through farmlands.

WHEN: Boating is best in the summer months, but a temperate climate allows recreation and travel in this area any time of the year.

WHY: The Delta’s waterways are fun to explore and the variety of towns, marinas, parks, lodgings and unique down-home restaurants adds to the overall appeal.

HOW: For more information on the Delta, contact the California Delta Chambers and Visitors Bureau at www.californiadelta.org or phone (916) 777-4041. For more information on the Delta’s Dockside Boatel, go to www.deltadocksideboatel.com or phone 510-919-2197. To learn more about boat rentals on the Delta, go to www.h20rents.com or phone 209-810-6755.

The Very Ancient Water Mill —- The Chronicle Of The Modernization Of A Self Catering Holiday Cottage Lost In Limousin, France

Now we can tell a tale of 700 year old mill which now is a holiday cottage hidden in the French countryside. Here we have one of a number of articles giving an account and detailing the area of Le Moulin Chez Lord, France 23430.

When the water mill was constructed the Limousin region of central France was ruled by British soldiery. The mill was built in around the year 1273 and the local commander of the garrison lived in a dwelling alongside the bridge over the river Beraude. Since he was a member of the British nobility the area became known as Le Pont de Chez Lord which means literally —- The Bridge of the House of the Lord.

Le Moulin de Chez Lord (which means The Mill by the House of the Lord) was built close by the house of the English milord. It was necessary to grind the flour to prepare bread to feed the troops and also to mill the oats for the horses. It is easy to forget that the humble spud did not arrive in France until very roughly 1450. Thus the building of the water mill was very much earlier than the introduction into Europe of the potato and bread was was on every table. The mill had been in use for three centuries before the potato first arrived from South America and slowly became a staple part of the English diet. This is why for even a small semi-permanent occupying force it was obligatory to have a trustworthy supply of flour.

To get the period when the water mill was first operated into some time scale we may explain that we are talking about the thirteenth century, the time of Richard the Lionheart, who became King of England and Aquitaine south of Bordeaux in 1189. So the water mill was constructed in the era of the crusades and Maid Marion in England. The importance of King Richard and his influence on the area around here will be discussed in another article.

In western Europe this was the time of the beginnings of The Little Ice Age. The Thames in London froze over in some winters and the northern Europeans withdraw from the outposts in Iceland as the polar ice came south. The sun was less active and the planet was submitted to a Little Ice Age which lasted about five centuries finishing in the mid 1850s. Crops failed regularly throughout this period … so much for NOW being a time of unique climatic changes. Here in France the temperature was some 2 degrees below the current average so here at the water mill in winter it was worse and no doubt damper than now which makes me feel sorry for our predecessors.

The water mill was still operational until the 1980s when it ground cattle feed. The cottage has now been changed into a holiday cottage in this area of France known as the Limousin.

Now going towards the East there is the Massive Central which is a mountainous region well known for skiing. If we now look towards the west a brief journey takes you to Limoges, well known for its porcelain factories and going further still the beautiful town of La Rochelle the largest seaside resort in the Bay of Biscay. This very interesting place is now also a holiday resort and a major center for sightseeing.

The region known as the Limousin is a new one on the tourist itinerary as it was until recently a typically French holiday region however it is becoming well known. It is a district of pine trees, hills and dales with lots of beautiful small villages resting in the hillsides. The area contains thousands of streams in the many valleys which makes for spectacular scenery.

Most rural sports are readily accessible. Especially important among these are the stimulating walks of every degree of severity so appealing to degrees of skill and levels of eagerness.

The historic mill is 700 years old, and was built to prepare wheat flour for English military who were stationed in the area to guard the British wine interests centered around Bordeaux. The water mill is nestled in a valley and consists of 10 hectares of meadows and woods. The mill is found down a 300 meter road which provides privacy.

The river Beraude and the mill stream almost encircle the water mill and just paces from the house is a waterfall which was the overflow for the mill pool. The Beraude runs through the property and encloses a delightful island with several of large trees that is wonderful for sitting under on those hot times as it always has a wind coming off the water. We also regularly have parties and barbecues there on warm summer afternoons.

The old granary of the mill is now converted into two double bedrooms with integral bathrooms and the workings on the ground level into a living area. The cottage has a vine covered patio by the waterfall which is perfect for al fresco dining or for enjoying a bottle or two of wine on summer evenings.

As we are fortunate enough to live in the center of a very interesting area and in the beautiful countryside, we would like in the future to give you stories in which we will continue to explore the area and describe the various attractions of the area.

Why not Google Earth us at Le Moulin Chez Lord, 23430 France and zoom on down and see us!

SFWMD Protects Water for the North Fork of the St. Lucie River and Indian River Lagoon

SFWMD Protects Water for the North Fork of the St. Lucie River and Indian River Lagoon
The South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) Governing Board took action today to protect fish and wildlife within the North Fork of the St. Lucie River and support Indian River Lagoon restoration by adopting a rule that reserves water for the natural system.“The St. Lucie River and the Indian River Lagoon provide a foundation for our recreation and destination-based economy, and we must …

Read more on St. Lucie News Tribune

Try Extreme Water Sports in Paros Island

Its summer and you cannot stand anymore the daily routine of the city. You need vacations! You need something to take you out of the ordinary. Why donâ??t you visit Greece for this time? Its warm weather and beautiful islands are waiting for you! So, come on and enjoy!

From the thousands of islands of Greece, you decided to visit Paros, but not only for its beauty and uniqueness but also because there you will have the opportunity to try great water sports! Thatâ??s right; you have to try it so that your stay in this gorgeous Greek island will become even more enjoyable and unforgettable. But first of all, you should find a nice hotel to stay in. Most of Paros hotel are settled near the beaches so; it would be easier and more convenient to you if you want to experience yourself in extreme water sports.

Here are the some of the activities available in water sports activities:

 Water Skiing

At this water sport you are pulled behind a motor boat or the cable ski. Installation of the body is pulled behind the motor boat on cable ski installation on a body of water wearing one of more skis. This keeps the person skimming on the surface of the water allowing the skier to stand up straight, while holding a tow rope. The technique of this begins with deep water that starts the skier crouches.

Jet Skis

This type of water sport activity is the same when you are riding in motorcycle. You can be alone or you can have a back ride. Itâ??s up to you. All you need is to have a proper outfit in this activity.

Paragliding

It is a recreational and camp flying sport. But this activity only becomes water sport if you decided to land in water. Intelligence and determination are required in this activity because if you lose one of these two, you will probably have an accident.

Surfing

This water sport will face breaking waves. But are you brave enough to do that. It not only requires courage but also strength to fight against the big waves.  

Besides these activities, there are several other ways to spend your time. Go on fishing, in fact the local fishermen will be glad to show you how to do it. Or try to cruising even sailing. So what activity gets your interest? Everything that you may think you want to do is available.

When the sun goes down, you should get insideyour Paros hotel and take a rest, because the night has not been ended. Have a relaxing shower, order dinner in your room and start dressing up. The nightlife in this island is one of the best! Bars and clubs are full of young tourists and locals, dancing and having fun. Have your best time ever in Paros island! It is sure you will not regret it!