ROTORUA: ADVENTURE CAPITAL OF NEW ZEALAND'S NORTH ISLAND, by Vicki Andersen

I am not ashamed to admit that I screamed. And so did my two compadres. But by the time we reached the bottom of our first arc, our terror had turned to laughter...more

THE SECOND LONGEST DAY: SUMMER IN NEW ZEALAND, by Lee Juillerat

For the second time in a year I was enjoying the longest day of the year. But just like the June 21 longest day spent traipsing around in my home state of Oregon, the December 21 version in New Zealand zipped by way too quickly.....more

A NEW YEAR'S STORY ABOUT ONE OF THE WORLD'S GREATEST TRAVELERS, by Ted Blishak
Santa announces belt tightening for 2012. In a surprise move today, Santa Claus announced he is moving his workshop from the North Pole to an as yet unnamed city in southern China. In a press conference Mr. Claus claimed, "It's a logical move, as all of our toys are now made in China anyhow.”...more

SKIJORING, by Larry Turner

In skijoring, the horse and rider pull the skier as fast as they can up the jump and the horseman maneuvers the horse with a quick turn, flinging (really catapulting) the skier—who lets go of the rope while air born and achieves the greatest distance possible....more

MAMMOTH MOUNTAIN: NO SNOW? NO PROBLEM! by Lynn Rosen  

Don’t believe everything you read. Not all ski resort weather forecasts should influence your decision to visit/travel/ski a mountain resort. The weather, the service, the gear (brand new, fabulous rocker skis), the experience on plenty of machine snow—all were spectacular....more

NON SKI ADVENTURE - PARK CITY, UTAH, by Yvette Cardozo

So you need a break from skiing. Or something for the non-skier in the family. Sleep in late? Read a good book? Soak in the hot tub? In Park City, Utah? Never ... not with all the active off-slope stuff to do, and, honestly, an amazing number of people who go to ski resorts never even ski.....more

THE RICHARD PETTY DRIVING EXPERIENCE AT WALT DISNEY WORLD, by Janet Webb Farnsworth “We’ll get you in, don’t worry,” said an overly optimistic young man and he let out a loud whistle. Two more men and a stepstool appeared. I contracted, sucked-in, and squirmed. They pushed, pulled, and prodded and with a feet-first plop, I was in the passenger side of a 600-horse-power racing machine. NASCAR here I come!....more

A GREAT FRENCH MIX: TOULOUSE, ARMAGNAC, LA ROCHELLE, GUERANDE, AMBOISE, by Les Furnanz

Our guide, René, poled strongly as we explored channels of the great marsh, Grande Briere. We had embarked at his island homestead on Ile de Fedrun. "My family has lived here for over 400 years!" he said in his local French dialect.....more

BOOK REVIEW: SNOWMOBILE: BOMBARDIER'S DREAM MACHINE, reviewed by Vicki Andersen

“Joseph-Armand and Leopold [his brother] sped the roaring, weird-looking contraption through the snow-covered streets of Valcourt (Quebec). They were thrilled, thrilled! The innocent citizens of Valcourt were… a little less than thrilled. Okay, a lot less.”....more