We Nomadik Fanatiks like to spread the joy around, especially at this time of year. And to start the season off right, we'd like to introduce our bloggers.

• James W. Coates, our national park expert, has hiked, climbed and camped his way through North America, Asia, Africa and Europe. He's suffered through leaky tents, over-stuffed back packs and a few food mishaps that even the raccoons couldn't be persuaded to try.
• Charmian Christie, our adventure travel expert, freely admits that at least one of her adventures launched a search party. And we love her for that.
• Julia Rosien, editor of Nomadik, lives by the motto that any day outside is a good day. Whether it's slogging through the wilderness of northern Ontario or skiing Yosemite, she's ready for adventure.

Rants, raves and reviews - we have them all. After all, there's more than one way to pitch a tent.

Want to keep your finger on the pulse of the outdoor adventure community? The old "Nomadik Fantik" RSS feed is no longer active, so sign up below any for all of our three new RSS feeds.

We don't want you to miss a single post.

Julia Rosien,
Nomadik Editor

The new feeds:

• James W. Coates:
http://www.nomadik.com/blogs/james_w_coates/rss.aspx
• Charmian Christie:
http://www.nomadik.com/blogs/charmian_christie/rss.aspx
• Julia Rosien:
http://www.nomadik.com/blogs/julia_rosien/rss.aspx

Your outdoor adventures are as individual as your fingerprint, but Donna Sheehan and her partner, Paul Reffel, encourage you to follow your heart on December 22. On Winter Solstice Day, they're advocating a peaceful global consciousness through orgasm.

No, we're not kidding.

Anti-war activists, Sheehan and Reffel believe that if the world comes together on December 22, we'll generate enough peaceful vibes to stop the war in the Middle East. Their website isn't all about granola dudes strapping their naked bodies to tanks though. Let's face facts - that kind of activity creates media darlings but does little to reduce tension. We're not entirely sure a collective ahhh has the power to divert battleships heading towards the Middle East, but the concept is based on science we Nomads are eager to get behind.

Surprisingly they're not the first group to hook into the pleasure/peace principle. A Jersey-based Global Consciousness Project compares seismic data blips to world events like 9/11 or the Indian Ocean tsunami. Several other organizations (many based in San Francisco) believe that if we're focusing on erogenous zones rather than desert zones we're more likely to engage in a post-coital smoke than dream up new ways to blow up the world.

Since Nomadik Fanatiks do just about everything outside, we're taking a slightly different approach to the project. Whether you're camping in the Smokies, hiking the Sonora Desert or holed up in houseboat for two, December 22 is your chance to make all your outdoor dreams come true. Think of it as a self-indulgent sacrifice in the name of peace. "Happy people don't go to war," said James W.Coates, Nomadik Fanatik national park expert. "And since it costs nothing, I'm all for giving my best shot."

In the weeks ramping up to the big event, we'll be offering information on synchronizing your efforts, gear and tips for staying safe outdoors. Stay tuned for weekly updates as we get ready for the climax of the year.

"Answering the call of the wild..." said Charmian Christie, our travel adventure expert. "Anything for world peace."

Join the Nomadik Fanatik team as we come together for the cause.

Julia Rosien
Nomadik Editor

Taos may be a Mecca for artists, but it's also a great place to discover just how long your rope is and what you do when you reach the end. During a recent trip, my traveling companions thought a morning spent horseback riding would be fun. Now I've been on similar treks elsewhere and they've been uninspiring; horses lumbering along in single file, not even a partner to chat with to pass the time. Pedestrian. Boring. But I gave in, partly because I'm sucker for anything that involves horses (there's always hope this one will be different) and partly because there would have been no living with my friends if I refused.

Our guide, Storm, a Taos Indian, saddled us up and guided our horses through Pueblo lands knotted with sage bushes, cedars and coyote lairs. He painted a history of the land, of his life, all the while warning us to be mindful of not falling on the cacti. We snorted but held on a little tighter. My horse groaned incessantly and Storm suggested I consider losing a few pounds. I laughed and said my horse was in a Zen moment and this was his way of meditating. The ride continued with cheesy jokes, sarcastic banter and breathtaking scenery.

As we reached the base of the mountains, Storm whooped and tossed his hat in the air. Our horses knew what to do. So did I - I yanked the reins, closed my eyes and tried not to panic as the horses thundered through the woods and up, up, up. As we charged through a blur of autumn colors, the only thing I heard was the rider ahead of me screaming, “Oh God.” I took that as a signal to duck.

Nearing the first of three clearings, I struggled to catch my breath and began laughing - hysterically. Perched on the side of a mountain, we were hemmed in by a multitude of other mountains vying for space against the intrepid blue sky. To say I've never seen anything more quietly beautiful would be trite - but it would be true. Storm's weather-worn face broke into a smile as we pivoted in our saddles, craning our necks to see it from every angle. Now we were seeing his land, and its quiet beauty settled over me.

I've been to New Mexico a few times, but I've never experienced the land the same as I did that day. And know that I know that the end of my rope is punctuated with maniacal laughter, I'm more than ready to take on Storm and his horses - even if some of them think I'm a little too thick in the saddle.

Taos isn't particularly easy to reach, but it's worth it. Be sure to visit the Chamber of Commerce for a complete listing of B&B's - there are more than 40 in a town of less than 6000 people. And for a spectacular horseback ride, give Storm a call at the Taos Indian Horse Ranch: 1-800-659-3210

Summer is officially over in the Great Smoky Mountains, and I wish I were there right now.

Last October I spent two days hiking the Smokies; who can turn down a forest full of shimmering reds, oranges and golds? While redwood forests are showstoppers pretty much anywhere right now, a hike deep in the Smokies is a guaranteed smorgasbord.

What's sad is how many people simply drive through the area to satisfy their color-lust. Park Ranger, Mike Meldrum, told me that when you don't get out of the car, you miss that communion with nature. "When you're in the car, everything is framed by the windows," he said. "You need to become part of the landscape."

I took his advice and hiked a few trails during my visit. On one trail, the gentle rippling of Mill Creek punctuated our stroll. It was an easy hike, but it gave my partner and myself time to chat about all the little things we forget during our busy lives back home.

"Hiking in the mountains - even if you only do one mile of a five mile hike - is a good time to get to know the person you came with and remember why they're special to you," Meldrum said. I couldn't agree more.

Eric Plakanis, co-owner and operator of "A Walk in the Woods," taught me a few skills I'm pretty sure are unique to the Smokies. Apparently leaves from the sourwood tree cure thirst until you can get to water - and I love the minty taste. I'd always thought of hemlock as poison, but its roots - not leaves - are dangerous. The leaves are actually an excellent source of vitamin C - who knew? "Whenever we start feeling a little punky in the winter months, we brew a pot of hemlock and sidestep the flu," Eric said.

I left the Great Smokies with a hankering to come back and visit again, real soon. And since I have nothing planned for next weekend, I might just book myself a trip to the Smokies.

Where are you going for your color-fix?

• GETTING THERE: The Great Smokies straddle the ridgeline of the Appalation Mountains between Tennessee and North Carolina. Gatlinburg is 43 miles north of Knoxville and five miles south of Pigeon Forge and Sevierville (Dollywood Adventure Park and many factory outlet stores).
• ACTIVITIES AND ADMISSIONS: A Walk in the Woods (www.awalkinthewoods.com) is priced according to the length and difficulty of the hike. Choose from a 1-2 hour to an overnight adventure. Prices start at $20 per person. If you prefer to hike on your own, pick up a copy of  Scavenger Hike Adventures (http://www.smokymountainscavengerhike.com/description.html). Enjoy the Big River that flows through town while shopping or take the 11-mile driving loop at Cades Cove and enjoy looking at what life was like on the mountains one hundred years ago.
• CONSIDERATIONS: Most outdoor recreation is available from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. If you're into soft adventure, visit the Smokies during the day and head to Gatlinburg for the evening. Bears roam the hills freely, especially in the spring and fall.
• WEATHER: Temperatures are moderate to warm during the day, and cool at night. Sporadic showers are common, so bring along a poncho just in case.
• LODGING: Park Vista Resort offers a panoramic view of the city - www.parkvista.com. Other lodging options can be viewed at: www.gatlinburg.com.
• FOR MORE INFORMATION: Gatlinburg Chamber of Commerce: www.gatlinburg.com or (800) 588-1817

*Discuss this blog post in the Nomadik Forums

This year 27 people in Ontario died from West Nile Virus. While more cancer kills more people hands down, I'm not too keen that a few hours outside could turn my pedestrian afternoon with friends into a life threatening activity. For most people, West Nile Virus causes mild flu-like symptoms, but there's no guarantee that healthy people won't die. I recently talked with Joe Conlon, former Naval entomologist and advisor to the American Mosquito Control Association in Jacksonville , Florida and what he said made me rethink everything I know about insect repellent.

Everyone knows DEET (N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide) is the Kodak of insect repellents. But it comes with some pretty hefty side effects: it absorbs completely into the skin, smells like burnt rubber and shrink wraps to skin, clothes and jewelry. While studies show it can cause brain anomalies in kids, it's not exactly benign for the rest of us. Conlon says most people understand the dangers of West Nile Virus, but they don't know what to use for protection. "Some people will put bear fat on their arms or toad pee and swear by that," he says.

Many herbal repellents claim to be just as effective as DEET, but just because your cousin swears by it doesn't mean it really works. “The CDC is the only credible resource because their mission is to protect the health and safety of the U.S. population and their credibility is based on giving you the right information,” says Conlon. “They don't make recommendations lightly.”

In 2002, The New England Journal of Medicine compared chemical and natural repellants to help consumers sort through conflicting information. Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus, the only plant-derived ingredient approved by the CDC, performed as well as low-level DEET, and it has no known risks and lasts a full two hours. Picardin, a new chemical repellent endorsed by the CDC offered the same protection. Some products not endorsed by the CDC: Soybean oil - 94 minutes, Citronella - 20 minutes, Avon 's Skin So Soft - 3 minutes.

Confused yet? Start by lowering your expectations. If you're a kayaker who is sweating profusley, you'll wear it off much faster than Grandma who is sitting in the shade knitting booties. If you want a product that's safe, understand it's going to be less convenient and you'll need to reapply it every two hours.

One thing that's clear to me now is that few repellents deliver what they promise, and going au natural isn't an option either. Like having an extra drink before getting behind the wheel, trekking through the bush slathered in bear grease isn't a sign of clear thinking. “ When people aren't using repellants, they're forcing control agencies to use pesticides in order to knock down the mosquito population,” Conlon says. And more pesticides in the environment is bad news for everyone.

We took a few brands for a test drive. Not all deliver on their promises, while others surprised us with their effectiveness. Meet me over in the forums if you want to yak more about bugs!

• Very slight scent that disappeared quickly
• Made with: Picardin and unknown ingredients
• No sticky residue – Effective on some of our testers but not on others. Seemed to work well for those who couldn't detect an odor at all
• SRP – $7.95/4 oz (www.picardin.com)

• Lemon scented (fairly strong in the bottle, but less so when sprayed on skin)
• Made with: Neem, cedarwood, eucalyptus, lemongrass, bergamont and tea tree oils
• No sticky residue – Effective for an afternoon picnic but not as effective when camping in the woods
• SRP – $6.50/4 oz (www.organixsouth.com)

• Hardly any scent
• Made with: coconut oil, citronella, cedarwood, lavender, patchouli, and juniper oils
• No sticky residue – Pretty much useless every time we used it
• SRP – $8/4 oz (www.kissmyface.com)

• Smells like alcohol and lemon (not pleasant)
• Made with 40% oil of lemon eucalyptus and 60% other ingredients (not listed?)
• Greasy residue – Somewhat effective but the feeling it left behind was a turn-off
• SRP – $5/4 oz (www.rei.com)

*Discuss this blog post in the Nomadik Forums

Technorati Profile