Most of the U.S. has been cooped up in their homes for a week or more due to the extreme weather conditions that hit the U.S. prior to the Christmas and Hanukkah holiday. That stir-crazy feeling may need some extra help in order to go away. This time of year, it may be difficult to ride your bike or go on your regular power walks if streets and sidewalks are still being cleaned up. If this is the case, consider scheduling a guided walk in one of your local state parks to help get you out of the house, out of the city and into a better head-space for the coming year. Guided walking tours are great for any level of hiker. They can teach individuals about proper survival skills and basic camping and hiking courtesy. They also typically provide education about your state forests, giving your brain some needed exercise as well. Below are a couple of walking tours you may want to check out in the coming weeks to put you back on track.

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The Oregonian on Sunday had a great article by John D. Carr on Winter Hiking opportunities here in the Northwest. The recent snow storm may have deterred many from heading up the mountains for an afternoon of snow hiking for a little while but I suspect not for long. Oregon’s forests turn into winter wonderlands when the snow and ice blanket them during the winter. They are beautiful sites to behold so long as you take precautions when heading up to see them. Take head to the advice below, compiled from the Oregonian article and previous research in this blog, when taking a winter hike.

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Did you just get a new pair of hiking boots or a stainless steel survival knife for Christmas? Did your wife get you and your son hunting tags for 2009? If so, its time to start preparing for a spring or even winter outdoor adventure by polishing up your survival skills. You can pick up great tips by reading survival guides or reading online hiking and hunting blogs. But sometimes hands-on training is best. When in need of someone to bounce questions off of, look for a survival training course offered by a reputable outdoor equipment retailer, school or the department of fish and wildlife.

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The UK is worried about the slow adoption of sustainable lighting technology in the country so they are taking matters into their own hands. The government is funding a 12-month sustainable technology project to develop sound lighting practices, specifically in the construction sector, that can be used worldwide.

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On Monday, December 15, 2008, William Peduto, City Councilman in Pittsburgh, PA announced a plan to convert all 40,000 city street lights to LED light sources, saving taxpayers an estimated $2.5 million dollars annually in energy and maintenance costs. The effort is also an eco-friendly one; the change is expected to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by more than 984 pounds each year.

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