Sport is often visualized in strictly competitive terms, competitors in the eternal lock for glorious victory creating the obvious division among winners and losers. Some sports, however, have no losers. Over the last 15 years or so, we’ve seen the fruition of a different breed of sport, one in which participation, not victory, was the ultimate goal.

Alternative sports. Many of these came from humble beginnings and had been around for decades, but had remained out of the spotlight until a common bond pushed them to the forefront. Tear-inducing speed, insane drops and monumental challenges against nature became the new yard stick by which sport was measured. These sports were all about being out there and challenging one’s inhibitions and self, as opposed to taking on other competitors.

We all know the score. That fresh douse of powder inducing momentary blindness, the shocking chill of river keeping you alert through the tightest line, crackling jagged rock adhering to your fingertips enough to propel that last glorious lunge—these are the small moments that carry vital consequence and translate into huge memories. These moments turned sport from a game played for a shiny trophy into a way of life. Here at VIR we plan to keep you in the thick of it, at the crux of conquest—so you can be out there, even when you’re stuck here. We’re aiming to provide an extension of that unspoken community that we all share.

We’ll get rolling with reviews of product and places to keep you up to date on where to go and what to bring, war stories from our own time in the field, takes on events that define our sport, pertinent news and info and anything else that we can think of to keep you involved in the world of alternative sports. We’re all about inclusion, so we’re going at it from a mortal standpoint, with coverage focused on things that actually affect your life, rather than all pro action and exotic locales reached only with a 7 figure bank account or variety of sponsorships. Like we said, that’s what this game is all about—getting out there and doing it, and a little extra knowledge can only help.

One quick item to clear our conscience—Extreme—from here on this overused moniker is gone. Back in the 90’s things were qualitatively measured according to what degree of “extreme” they reached. Even then, that got played out pretty quickly and became more ironic then cool. Fast forward 10-15 years, and extreme is worn like a pair of long johns used while tackling Everest. It doesn’t matter what other term we throw down—alternative, adventure, outdoor—extreme, and more importantly Xtreme, are not going to rear their head on these pages.

With the semantics out of the way, time to move forward. Since winter’s around the corner, we’ll be kicking off with a focus on snowboarding/skiing and a look at what to expect for the ’08 season and where find your greatest ride. We’ll be putting out a series of articles to give you the prime info you need to plan out that epic winter you’ve dreamt about all summer. So keep your eyes peeled for our latest and greatest, and continue to get outside and live it.

With every new decade comes a new style of music that everyone loves or loves to hate. In the 70s it was disco, in the 80s it was Journey (even though everyone secretly listened to them), in the early 90s it was hip hop and in the late 90s it was the resurgence of boy/girl bands. And like clockwork the ball dropped once again, but this time into the millennium. We found out that Miles Dicen didn’t fuck us over as once predicted, and our computers didn’t crash. While we were distracted with these thoughts, “emo” or “emotional” snuck onto the radio waves like a ninja, and finally since it’s inception circa 1984, it became a commercial success.

At first no one questioned it. Ever since Dave Matthew’s Band had captured the ears of every high school and college kid in America , a band like Dashboard Confessional seemed logical, almost predictable. I say that, because DMB influenced many kids to unplug their electric guitars and sit with their acoustics. We as listeners were merely seeing the results or effects that a band like DMB had created. Now I’m not saying that DMB created emo, because many will argue that Rites of Spring (1st generation emo) or Weezer (2nd generation emo) was responsible for that, but I will say that DMB was a catalyst for its modern success that many overlook or fail to recognize.

Without having to fully explain what emo’s all about, I will instead run you through a typical emo song (the way I see it). “The boy next door” has a crush on the girl, next door. This can be read all about in his diary…that’s right he keeps a diary. This girl though, is completely unattainable, for three key reasons. One, she’s already involved with someone, and that someone is probably the dreamy quarterback who also happens to be the dopest guy in B.N.Door’s shitty little suburban town. Two, she’s really popular and the only time she’s ever noticed B.N.Door was that time in gym class, where he was the only kid who couldn’t do a pull-up. Three, the B.N.Door spends way too much time inside, claiming to observe the stars at night, OR observe G.N.Door through her window while he compares her to the stars, that he conscientiously observed for approximately 2 seconds through his crappy telescope he won on Double-Dare. He’s sad, nothings new…the end. By the way if you want to start an emo band it is best to have a day of the week or name of a month with anything meaningless attached. I’ll provide two examples of this formula using my current paragraph, Double-Dare Tuesday’s or Quarterback Named October. If you want to write lyrics or come up with catchy song titles for your emo band, just watch every movie directed by John Hughes. Moving on…

It is not entirely unlikely that within the next few years we will start to see the repercussions of emo, I’m calling it the anti-emo. It would only be natural that an emo sounding band will murder the genre, or make it bigger than ever by drastically changing the content and principles of its songs. One band in particular that is poised to accomplish this is Brand New. In my opinion Brand New has more talent and potential after three full length albums than any of their predecessors ever had. Their songs range from arrogant and selfish to sexual and paranoid. For example, the track “Jude Law and a Semester Abroad” has front-man Jesse Lacey passionately expressing his disdain for his ex, for cheating on him. The line “even if her plane crashes tonight she’ll find some way to disappoint me, by not burning in the wreckage, or drowning at the bottom of the sea” pretty much sums it all up.

To conclude my point, in order for emo to gain more listeners and a little self respect, more artists need to take more chances. It’s alright to write about the opposite sex but it’s also alright to let everyone know you don’t always have the best intentions. After all, isn’t genuine honesty when we can admit that every now and then we listen to the one side of our conscience without the halo?

Cougars are all the rage in the dating world now. A “cougar” is an older woman – most often in her late thirties and forties – who dates younger men. Demi Moore is the most famous cougar out there today. Men attracted to them are tired of all the drama that comes with dating women their own age. A cougar knows what she wants, and she gets it. She’s very direct, and she doesn’t play games.

Valerie Gibson’s book, “Cougar: A Guide For Older Women Dating Younger Men”, lays out the cougar in all her juicy splendor. You know what you are getting with this book because of the luscious tongue licking a pair of bright red female lips on the book’s cover. Cougars loathe commitment, and according to Gibson they view their men as “prey”.

When most people think of May-December romances, they think of a silver-haired older man with a young, lovely creature hanging on his arm. These men reject women their age for younger women. Older women today have fired back at men their age who overlook them in favor of dating nubile young women. Some older men feel threatened by cougars, since cougars make them feel slow and old. Cougars invade the “I will date younger people” territory that has been held by older men for aeons. Gibson wrote that separated and divorced older men “are a major source of hostility when it comes to older women dating younger men.” The cougar merely turns her head away from these older men, and gives them the brush-off that they have been giving to older women for years.

Cougars reject men their own age for many reasons: older men often won’t perform cunnilingus. They sometimes suffer from impotence or erectile dysfunction. Midlife crisis rears its whining head. The guy is miserable going through a divorce or separation, and the cougar doesn’t have desire to deal with soul-sucking misery.

Is a cougar merely a woman who searches for her prey in his natural habitat, snares him, has sex with him, and then lets him go? Not necessarily. While Gibson’s view of this alluring older woman is the most common view held of cougars, the cougar is in reality much more complex than that. Jerry’s wife S. is both a cougar and a MILF (Mother I’d Love To Fuck), although he says that she doesn’t like labels. MILF is a slang term used by young men and teenaged boys to describe a hot, sexy, older woman, often a female teacher or the mother of one of their friends. Jerry says that his wife “does appreciate it that older women are no longer tossed aside as yesterday’s papers. If you look back on “The Graduate” and other media treatments of the sexually-liberated older woman, she is always portrayed as some pathetic psycho.”

The negative depiction of older women/younger men in movies such as “The Graduate” and Jacqueline Bisset in “Class” have been shoved aside in favor of more positive depictions in movies like “How Stella Got Her Groove Back” and “Y Tu Mama Tambien”. While stereotypes of older, sexually-liberated women are still found in modern movies, women, especially older women, are now getting fair treatment in a growing number of movies.

This new trend of depicting older women in a positive fashion may be a result of decades of feminist influence. Thirty years of feminism has laid the groundwork for women to express their sexual selves and to be taken seriously as sexual beings. Jerry says that evolution was on a woman’s side if you think about it: “at just the moment when younger females should be occupying the attentions of the males, she comes into her greatest heat. If she can’t bear as many offspring, she can certainly fuck! So I think it’s wonderful for S. and other women who in the past would’ve seen men casting them off for younger ones are now in the driver’s seat socially. Though S. is also quick to point out that it’s a shallow, mostly sexual development, since young men don’t STAY with older women usually.”

While it is true that most young men don’t stay with their older women, some of them do. Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher are a prime example. Some older women who marry their younger men say that they were not looking for younger men when they met their future husbands. The age gap was just part of the package. Grace married her younger man. They dated for one year and have been happily married for eight years. She says, “I am 52 years old my husband is 32. That’s about it I wouldn’t call that a quality and I was definitely not looking to date and marry a man 19 years my junior.”

Jenny is another older woman who was not looking for a younger man when she met her future husband. Their relationship formed and grew as they got to know each other. The age difference was not a deciding factor for them. She said, “I’m married to a man who’s 8 years younger than me. We met when I was 34 and he was 26. Now, I’m 38 and he’s 30. I’m an engineer. He’s a scientist. We were good friends, and eventually got to be very attracted to each other.”

While Grace and Jenny were not looking for their younger men, how do cougars and their young men find each other? Steve is a happily married man in his twenties who has a craving for some cougar meat. He is not sure exactly what it is that makes cougars so attractive for him. He said, “I think it’s her “fuck it” attitude…. basically the fact that she knows what she wants, and that’s what she’s going to get… and she’s good at it.” He has no idea how to meet one, though. Hanging out in Internet chat rooms has so far lead to nothing. He saw my comments about cougars on my blog, and he wrote to me to learn how he can find one. It could be that he is looking in the wrong place, but he doesn’t know where else to look other than Internet chat rooms. Chat rooms may be safer for him, because he doesn’t have to meet his prized older woman face-to-face. There is also the pesky little problem that he is married, and his wife has no idea he is looking for a cougar. I told him that a potential cougar may turn him down flat when she finds out that he is looking for fresh meat without his wife’s knowledge. He’s aware that that will likely happen, but all it takes is for one older woman to say “yes”. He could luck out.

Jerry and S. like to share their bed with multiple partners. He said that he and S. find their “live sex toys” in swinger sites. Gibson describes in her book “Cougar” all of the exciting settings an older woman is likely to find her sexy, vibrant, younger man, and they don’t have to look in bars. She tells the older woman to find her prey in museums, bookstores, political rallies, and Tai Chi classes, depending on what kind of man she is looking for. She won’t find The Techie, for instance, at a health club. If a cougar wants a young, sexy geek, she’s more likely to find one in an Internet coffee shop.

Once the cougar has found her younger man, and they get along fine, then comes dealing with the reactions of other people. Grace said that reactions to her marriage “runs the gamut from “you go girl” to “cradle robber”!” Cougars tend to praise other cougars. While her mother (or his mother) may need smelling salts when confronted the reality of the unconventional relationship, once Mom gets to know the new person, she may surprise everyone and be fully accepting.

Children can be a very sticky matter. Grace has two adult children, a teenager, and a pre-teen, and all four have accepted their young stepfather as a family member. Not everyone is so fortunate. Gibson describes children’s varied reactions to their mothers dating younger men. Younger children may get needy and clingy – wanting more attention than ever. Wherever the cougar and her man go, the kids will want to follow. They will pull the time-honored stunt of suddenly developing a stomach-ache, head-ache, fever, diarrhea (maybe even all at one) as you are halfway out the door to a hot party. Older children will introduce the cougar’s man to their attractive girlfriends. They will suddenly demand more “family time”. They may make up sordid stories about the guy’s past. They may tell the rest of the family that their mother is making a fool of herself, and that he is interested in only her money.

How should the cougar handle insecure children? One thing she could do if dealing with children is too difficult for her is to not date younger men with children, although today that may prove difficult. If the children are her own, she can’t exactly return them from whence they came. Meet him away from home at first, until the children get to know him better and feel comfortable in his presence. Hold off on overnight visits until the children are very comfortable. If you are that horny, rent a hotel room or crash at his place. Gibson says that the cougar “needs to be sensitive to [the children’s] needs” and “ease them into your new relationship.” When the children realize that their mother isn’t replacing their affection and love with a BoyToy, they may calm down.

Women today don’t see their lives end when they turn forty. Forty is often an age where they see new opportunities open for them, and dating a younger man is only one of those opportunities. The cougar embodies all that is alluring and exciting about today’s modern older woman. She is sexy, financially successful, intelligent, opinionated, and sure of herself. Since she knows what she wants and she knows how to get it, she becomes attractive to a wide variety of people, including younger men. Her life can be more exciting and varied than even she has imagined.

Maui, Hawaii is an island of diverse environments excellent for hiking exploration. Maui offers hikes for all ages and ability levels. Each hike, no matter the ability level, is rich with history of the islands and their creation. The island is crawling with life waiting to be discovered. No time to waste, off to the ‘Iao Valley.

‘Iao Valley is a beautiful lush green valley. The valley is the home of one of the most famous battles in Hawaiian history. In 1970 King Kamehameha I defeated the Maui army in hopes of uniting the Hawaiian Islands. Today, ‘Iao Valley is an extremely easy yet educational hike on Maui. Follow Highway 32 (‘Iao Valley Road) to the end for easy access to the ‘Iao Valley State Park parking lot. Lined with paved pathways, this state park is designed for the young and old. This is the hike grandma can take her jazzy scooter on with no problems. Rolling around the park you will see the ‘Iao Needle standing tall at 2,250 feet tall. The ‘Iao Needle rock formation gives the ‘Iao Valley its own unique landmark.

Although the valley is safe and beautiful, its time to take the road less travelled. Leaving the state park we head northwest hugging the rugged coastline. Highway 340 is a stretch of tight single lane road filled with hairpins and switchbacks barely hanging above the vicious Pacific looming below. Not a trip for the faint of heart. If you can make it you will be rewarded with “The Best Banana Bread on the Planet” at Julia’s Best Banana Bread, a roadside stand in Old Kahakuloa Village. Your rental car company will actually forbid you to go on this stretch of sketchy highway. This hardly stops the majority of renters, as well as us, as we approach our first destination.

Pulling off onto a dirt strip on the side of the road we grab our gear for the hike down to the Olivine Pools. Go past the sign that reads, “Do not pass this point” and hike down the moderately steep cliff side to the beautiful naturally formed ocean water pools. Found stretching along the coast on a shelf of lava, the Olivine Pools are a great place to relax on a sunny afternoon. Swimming, wading and jumping off lava rocks while the Pacific slams into the coastline spraying water everywhere constantly filling and draining the pools above. The Olivine Pools are not to be missed when visiting Maui.

Hiking back up from the pools we get the car and continue west on Highway 30 (Hwy. 340 becomes Hwy. 30) for the Nakalele Blowhole. This feat of nature is also worth the moderately sketchy 200 foot decent down. During the hike down all attention is drawn to the lowest lava shelf where a salt-water geyser blows. The force of the ocean slamming the coast propels the water up and out of a man sized hole in the lava shelf. With the right tide and a strong swell the Nakalele Blowhole can hit close to a hundred feet. Standing next to the blowhole and getting hammered with water can be dangerous, but who can resist. Just don’t get too close and fall down the hole. The consequences for a wrong move are fatal; common sense goes a long way. Fun can still be had standing back and letting the water come to you.

No more kids stuff. Time to take the long road to the east coast of Maui. To explore our next destination we travel along the famous Road To Hana (Highway 36). This scenic drive has roadside waterfalls and unbelievable ocean views. The drive is a spiritual experience that can take your breath away with each hairpin turn. Passing through the historic town of Hana we continue on through the cow pastures and decided to stop for some cliff jumping at the Venus Pool.

After jumping a fence and hiking along a cow pasture we duck into the trees and arrive on top a cliff overlooking a giant crystal clear blue pool too deep to see the bottom. Our tour guide Ron, who we acquired as our expert for this part of the trip, decided it was deep enough for him and jumped from the 30-foot cliff where we stood. He survived the jump so we all followed our leader. Venus pool has cliffs lining the sides with a variety of jumps ranging in all heights.

We decided to keep moving to our final destination, Haleakala National Park. Ron knows his way around the park and is taking us on the upgraded, hands-on tour of the famous Seven Sacred Pools of O’heo Gulch. Contrary to the name, there are actually more then seven pools, and some are more accessible than others. As we hike through the jungle and slightly off the advised trail we can already hear the intensity of the nearby waterfall. Reaching a break in the brush we step out to a cliff to see a raging waterfall dropping 200 feet straight down. The recent frequent rain lately has caused a surge in the strength of the water flow. Not only does this make areas of the gulch inaccessible, it also ups the ante of danger involved in reaching our final location.

Traveling upstream we reach the top of the waterfall we had just watched from the cliff. Ron leads us on all fours across the river. As the river flows against you each step is important. Crossing the river we are presented our next task of climbing the slippery gulch walls using exposed roots as our footings. Climbing up, over, and around we reach a dead end and are forced to drop into the water below. We swim upstream to a large boulder and climb up to escape the current. As we look up stream we see another unbelievable waterfall and our destination. Jumping off the boulder and swimming upstream again we arrive at the last climb up to the pool.

The waterfall is raging just like the others before it but Ron doesn’t mind. He climbs the gulch walls to swing out on one of the many long tree roots hanging. The force of the waterfall kept us from swimming too close but not from having fun getting pulled back downstream by the current.

Taking the easy way back, we let the force of the water push us back to the trail. With everyone making it out of the water safely we get back on the trail. Passing through the bamboo forest cannot be missed when hiking Haleakala National Park. The trail becomes surrounded by millions of bamboo stalks so tall they block the sun. It is truly an amazing sight and a great way to end our Maui exploration. We approach the cliffs overlooking the ocean as the sun sets on another unique trip.

The sun is shining and the weather is sweet, a perfect day to visit our southern neighbor Mexico. No mainland for us. Instead we explore the Baja Peninsula with the help of Mexican public transportation. We arrive early in San Diego, California for a whirlwind trip for cheap beer and lobster.

9:00am
We leave San Diego International and jump the blue line trolley for Mexico. Five travelers strong we sit back and relax on our ride south. The San Diego Trolley takes our crew to the final stop, San Ysidro Transit Center.

10:00am
Home of the world’s busiest port of entry, San Ysidro, CA and Tijuana, Mexico see thousands pass through daily. Crossing the border on foot was extremely easy. A revolving steel door similar to one found at a baseball stadium was the only screening process. Since our trip was taken, newly formed laws require a passport to cross into Mexico. Not having to worry about showing any identification, we stroll right across and to the taxi stand.

10:15am
The Tijuana taxi stand is like Wall Street, only in Spanish. Mexican cab drivers everywhere you look bidding for your fare. We got our driver and are heading to the cab when we are pulled away by another driver and placed in his car, sketchy situation already. We decided to go with it and we’re on our way to Rosarito.
Mexican highways are mayhem. We are all a little on edge about the traffic jam so we stop at a bodega for some Tecate. Beers in hand we begin to relax and enjoy the ride. The two-lane highway has been converted to three as cars speed down the dirt shoulder. On our first Mexican road I’m already breaking the law. Oh well, the cab driver was cool about it, so we were too.

11:00am
Rosarito Beach is a fast town. Getting out of the cab into a crowd of Mexicans was not what we expected but we jump right into the madness. City streets filled with bars lining the Pacific, Rosarito is a great party town. Walking through the streets we get hounded by every bar to come in for some cervezas. We decide to find a bar to fit our needs, drinking and sitting on the beach. Papas and Beer it is.

11:20am
Walking into Papas and Beer is like entering a jungle filled with bars. We stop for a quick shot of tequila at the bar and find a table by the ocean. Dos Equis and tequila, the perfect lunch in Baja. How about another round?

2:00pm
Time flies when you’re getting drunk. With a nice lunchtime buzz in effect we hop another cab to head south for lobster and margaritas. Not knowing exactly where to go we tell the cab driver what we want. He knows a spot and starts driving the coastline south.
The barren land between cities is not somewhere you want to breakdown. It’s not hard to tell that just from looking around.

2:45pm
We arrive in a small Mexican town located on a mountainside overlooking the ocean. The taxi drops us at a white pueblo house with a small sign that read “The Lobster House”. This is the place we were looking for. We hook the driver up with a good tip for the ride and head into the joint.

3:00pm
The restaurant is perfect. We head up to the roof top deck for some true ocean view dining. Unbelievable views of the Baja coastline can be seen from our table as we drink margaritas and wait for our lobster feast.
A couple drinks later the table is filled with lobster. As we begin to dig in a mariachi band comes to set the mood with some local rhythm. We jam out to the band and enjoy the sights of our secret spot.

5:00pm
It’s getting late and we are stuffed. The sun is starting to fall and we want to get back to the homeland before dark. Grab a taxi and get on the road. Heading back up the coast we cruise along with no worries.

5:30pm
In our race against time we are making our way to the border. All things going smooth until ahead in the road lays a checkpoint. Federales stop the cab and pull us out. Search the cab, the driver and us. Things all work well and they even pose for a couple pictures with us. They send us for the border with a big sigh of relief all around the taxi.

6:00pm
Pulling up to the border-crossing checkpoint we notice a line. A long line. An extremely long line of people for as far I can see. The driver tells us we have to wait in line to get through customs. We all decide that we have had too much to drink and need to get home before sundown. We decide to cut the line.
Once the decision was made there’s no going back. We cut the line as far as we could possible get without getting killed. Other’s waiting in line were not happy with us but somehow it worked.

6:30pm
After our line cut and a quick trip through customs we board the trolley. Sitting on the trolley watching the sunset on our Mexican adventure we have conquered Baja, Mexico. Time to go home and sleep this one off.

Often overlooked by the average tourist, The Big Island of Hawaii is not to be missed. Hawaii, or simply The Big Island, absolutely lives up to its name.

Kailua–Kona, HI
After five hours of looking at the tops of clouds we finally see the black, lava rock lined runway at Kona International. Completely outdoors, the Kona International Airport is a great first impression of Hawaii. The unique atmosphere is true island style.
With our feet back on the ground we head into downtown Kailua-Kona, known by locals as just Kona. This is one of the more developed areas on The Big Island. Alii Drive is a hot spot for both tourists and locals. This road runs along the coast in downtown Kona and is packed with food and shopping. Downtown is the spot to taste test all the local delicacies. The famous Kona coffee is a must.
Very tourist friendly, Kona is a good place to stay when visiting Hawaii. Whether you are looking for a local farmers market, a scuba diving excursion, or a booze cruise, Kona offers it all.

South Point
Driving South of Kona, we head for the “true” southern most point in the country, South Point, Hawaii. Don’t be fooled by what you hear in Key West, Florida – it is the Big Island that holds the title. South Point offers an amazing ocean view as well as a flat ledge that is perfect for cliff diving. Then again, the only way back up is a sketchy rope ladder. We decide to keep moving. Besides, just a few miles away a green sand beach is calling our name.
Near South Point is the home of Papakolea Green Sands beach. That’s right, the sand is actually green, but this rare sight is not easy to get to. Four-wheel drive is the only form of transport to get to Green Sands. Poorly maintained, unpaved roads winding in a labyrinth lead the way to the beach. There’s not exactly street signs to follow, so a local guide can be extremely helpful. A guide will also come in handy after reaching the bluff overlooking the hidden cove of Papakolea. At first glance, it looks impossible to scale down the sheer cliffs to the beach. But the locals can always easily find the small, barely visible trails cut into the side of the rock.
Reaching the green sand is such an adventure in itself that you almost forget that paradise is waiting for you at the bottom. The sight of the clear blue water crashing on the sparking emerald sand is truly breath taking. And the best part is that because it is in the middle of nowhere, it is never packed with people. Beautiful scenery and no crowds – a combination that is hard to find anywhere else in Hawaii.

Hawaii’s Volcano National Park
Hawaii’s South East section of land is home to Mt. Kilauea, a volcano that has been continuously erupting since 1983. Some have called it the most active volcano in the world. This non-stop lava flow adds to the landmass of Hawaii everyday. Visitors can get up close and personal with the lava. We even saw someone cook pizza on it! But like most of the other treasures of Hawaii, getting there is the hard part. Our hike to the lava flow feels more like a trek on the surface of the moon than a beautiful Hawaiian island. Climbing up and around the scorching black lava rock is even a little eerie, passing by half melted street signs and remembering that a town once stood beneath those rocks.
Although more dangerous, hiking the volcano at night is worth the risk. Even in the dark, Mt. Kilauea can be seen for miles. The lava lights the mountainside like a giant Christmas tree. The closer we get to the lava flow, the more the air begins to change. Comfortable breathing fades away as the sulfur becomes so thick you can almost taste it. Strong, incredibly hot wind blows off the lava trails and through fissures in the volcano. The intense environmental conditions grow stronger as we near the river of magma.
Standing next to flowing lava is a very humbling experience. It is amazing how such a destructive force is essential to yield new life. Kilauea is building the Hawaii of tomorrow on a daily basis for the whole world to see.
After a long hike we decide to shack up for the night in a cabin at Kilauea’s Volcano House. With a few bunk beds, a fire pit, and an indoor bathroom, the campground has everything we need. The historic Volcano House is located on the edge of Kilauea Crater.

Hilo, HI
Continuing counter-clockwise around The Big Island is Hilo, the largest town on the island. Eastern Hawaii looks nothing like its neighbors to the west. On the eastern, or windward, side of the island lush jungles replace the fields of black lava rock. This is no surprise because Hilo has the wettest climate in the U.S. Sorry Seattle, go stand next to Key West and share the second place crown.
Besides all the greenery, another bonus feature of the excessive rainfall in Hilo is its waterfalls. Under the right weather conditions, the Wailuku River waterfall displays a perfect rainbow from top to bottom, hence the name – Rainbow Falls. But the prize for highest falls on The Big Island goes to Akaka Falls towering in at 420 feet.
Driving into downtown Hilo, it is hard not to notice the differences from Kailua-Kona. Hilo is an older town lacking the luxuries found on the east coast. However, Hilo has its own unique atmosphere and a great island vibe. The native charm of this town is still alive and well.

Kohala Coast, HI
Traveling northwest along the Mamalahoa Highway you reach the Kohala Coast. Quiet towns and empty roads are common to the Kohala region, which is surprising because it offers some of the islands best sand beaches. It’s no wonder that upscale resorts, like the Hilton and the Four Seasons, set up shop in this area. We decide to live the good life for a few hours and wander around the Hilton. Right within the hotel, we find an area call Dolphin Quest, where you can get face to face with these amazing swimmers. The best part is that you don’t have to be a guest at the hotel to participate. The swimming pools are another great feature of the hotel. With three pools in all, we run from one to the next, ducking in and out of the waterfalls, even taking waterslides to get from one pool to the next. When we are asked to leave, we decide we’ve had enough of the good life anyhow. Time for more four-wheeling and lava hikes.

Kona Coast, HI
Driving south from Kohala we hug the west coast on a country road overlooking the ocean. Between mile markers 88 and 89 we pull off road and follow the well-traveled lava path that leads to a makeshift parking lot a mile from the highway. We load our backpacks with what we will need for the afternoon and set off for the 30-minute hike to the beach. A few mountain goats and dilapidated buildings are all that we pass before reaching the white sand beach. Considering what we just went through to get here, you’d think it would be empty. But this beach has been gaining popularity over the years and the word is out on this hidden gem. Great for surfing, sunning, and snorkeling, this beach has something for everyone in our group. A walk in the trees behind the dunes reveals a brackish fresh-water pool that is perfect for rinsing off the salt water and cooling off before the hike back to the car. Breaching whales just offshore play in the ocean while guiding us back to Kona bringing our trip to a close.

Travel is essential for a happy existence. I know this because I travel. I can remember every trip I’ve been on like it was yesterday. Trips have become my way to keep track of the time that is rapidly passing me by. Each journey marking a new milestone, new experience and new knowledge gained. The curiosity to see what’s out there will always keep me exploring. I highly recommend taking advantage of any opportunity to search our beautiful planet.

Where your exploration may take you should be based on your interests. I am a surfer. Therefore, I travel to beach destinations as often as possible. My passion for surfing has taken me around the globe to explore little-known beaches and surf breaks. Residing on the southern New Jersey shore island of Wildwood, I have always been drawn to the ocean and beaches. It’s not all beaches and waves in my travel log though. I have driven across the US several times, soaking up all of the beauty our country has to offer. I’ve been overseas both ways and have visited our neighbors to the north and south. I plan to see as much of this planet as possible.

As a veteran traveler, I am willing to share some of the trade secrets—just some travel tips that I have acquired over my years of exploration. Travel is a learning process. Learning from your mistakes the first time is the key. Problems, delays and acts of God will most definitely happen; it’s being able to deal with the worst that will prove you an expert traveler. Take my advice and you will enjoy the world, as everyone should. Remember, travel is essential for a happy existence.

Now that you know the secret for happiness, your first decision is where your adventure will take you. Some people live their entire lives never leaving home. Home becomes too comfortable and safe, making it difficult to leave. To be an explorer, you must throw caution to the wind and pick your destination. Pick a destination that interests you. Think big! Today’s travel has become more affordable with new areas of the world more accessible then ever before. Now is the time to go explore.

Timing is important for a successful trip. The further away from home you will be traveling, the more time required. Destinations far away will usually require full days of traveling, thus opening more opportunity for delays. The unexpected should always be most expected when traveling—especially when leaving the country. Being over prepared is a good thing when it comes to travel. Airline travel can be hit or miss. Weather is a major factor when traveling long distances. Longer air travel presents a greater risk of weather related delays. Unfortunately, planning ahead for weather can be rather tricky. Flexibility with travel dates makes vacations easier and less stressful. Delays and detours are inevitable. A veteran traveler can roll with the punches when times are tough. In many ways you are at the mercy of the airline. Flexibility can save you headaches and money. Airlines often offer upgraded tickets or flight vouchers for those travelers who can take a later flight. These offers are free travel for you and should be taken whenever possible. Usually these offers are limited to two or three passengers so traveling in large groups will eliminate your chances for freebies.

Group size is also important when planning a trip. Traveling is not only a great way to find yourself but it’s a better way to get to know your friends. Travel can make or break friendships. You truly do not know someone until you have traveled together. That being said, choose your travel companions wisely. Think quality, not quantity. Large groups make for great college spring break vacations but can be hard to manage outside of that setting. It can be a challenge to get everyone on the same page and still keep everyone happy. I prefer to keep my travel companions to four or less. Even four can sometimes be pushing it though. For a true backpacking global adventure, one trustworthy travel mate is all you need. Remember, wherever you may travel, you are a representative of your home. Keep company who value your same standards.

Respect is a universal characteristic required of a successful traveler. In many areas of the world where language barriers pose insecurity, simply showing respect can ease sketchy situations. Anytime you are a guest in someone’s home you should show the respect you expect in your home. Local knowledge is gold to the weathered traveler. Who knows an area better then the natives? Getting in good with the local crowd will open new adventures that cannot be found in any guidebooks. World travelers are representatives of their home country, whether they like it or not. As an American, I do my part to give all Americans a good name.

Travel is not for everyone, however. Although some of my travels are short, others keep me away from home for long periods. Some of us are creatures of habit. Some of us find an irreplaceable comfort in what we’re used to. Unfortunately, you can’t bring your comfort zone with you every time you decide to leave town.

I have based my life around where my next trip will be. If you are not a traveler you may not want to expose yourself to the adventure drug. However, once you’ve had a taste of the treasures hidden around the world, I promise you will forever be on the lookout for you next trip. As for me, I will always be willing to do the traveling for you.

Up, Up, Down, Down, Left, Right, Left, Right, B, A, Select, Start. Man, those were the days. Life was simple. Button mashing blocky graphics with your closest childhood friends, it didn’t get any better. The original Nintendo Entertainment System (“NES”) had the magic Kool-Aid everyone was drinking, despite the other technically superior systems out at the time.

Game systems have killed the modern arcade. Remember the magical place you went to as a child to unload all of your quarters? The place your parents would drop you off while they went shopping in the mall, because they knew you’d never willingly leave. Sure you could find similar experiences today at places like Dave & Buster’s, but it’s just not the same.

I’m tired of having to buy a Power Card every time I forget to bring one of the many I’ve accumulated, and what irks me more is that I have no idea how much each game costs. I just swipe and play irresponsibly. The thrill of the destination has also been removed, as current game systems can easily match or beat the graphics of any fancy rig at Dave & Busters.

All they leave you with is sitting in a ridiculous contraption to play a game that can otherwise be easily rendered on a home console system.

The new crop of home consoles such as the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 have ridiculous specifications that provide ever realistic experiences, but after a while it can get old. Like going to a movie with crazy special effects only to find out the story sucked and Jar Jar Binks is really, really annoying. We have become so accustomed to high quality graphics in everyday media that the novelty has worn off and we now appreciate and demand better content. Drum roll … In comes the Wii. The Wii is Hot. It’s flying off store shelves before they’re even stocked while PlayStation 3’s and Xbox 360’s are still relatively easy to obtain. The latest stats out of market watcher NPD in February have about 335,000 Wii’s sold in the U.S. This is almost as much as Xbox’s 228,000 and Sony’s 127,000 put together. Why?

First, is the obvious price difference. You could buy 2 or 3 Wii’s for the price of one Xbox 360 or PS3. In a complex economy where housing costs, gas prices, and college tuition far exceed average wage increases, money really matters! In fact, real wages can barely keep up with inflation. Therefore, buying power is way down for everyday costs that seem to be increasing in every other direction. For the majority of Americans, this hurts and families have to budget accordingly. What usually get’s trimmed first? Entertainment. So how could popular game systems that rarely topped $200 in the past go for $400 to $600? All of the sudden a $250 Wii seems very reasonable. How could costs get so high for the Xbox and PS3? The quick answer is the pissing contest between Microsoft and Sony to see who could build the most powerful game console while they leave the paying consumer behind. Nintendo, in a stroke of accidental genius avoided that and did what they did best. They released out a simple game system with simple fun games.

Wii games are uncomplicated, easy to play and addictive. It can actually be fun to watch someone play a video game again. I think most people are tired of watching immersive first person shooters designed for mainly one individual. Also, the Wii has this nifty controller that allows a new level of interaction. It’s more natural than trying to learn 12 button combo kill moves while trying to hold on to a vibrating controller and talking smack to your Xbox live buddies. Wii games bring me back to friendly competitive days where my buddies and I would have impromptu Mario Kart competitions. However, do not mistake this controller for revolutionary. Remember the terrible $100 Power Glove? Not even Fred Savage from the Wonder Years could make this buyable when he displayed it as a magical plot turning device in The Wizard. It’s amazing what 20 years can do in technology improvements. The Wii controller is completely wireless while the glove was still attached to the NES; and the Wii sensor bar is much more sensitive than the Power Glove sensor. Just the accuracy of the accelerometers in the controller alone are amazing with precision once found only in military applications. Technology aside, the games are most important to the success of a system. The Wii has many games designed for use with the Wii-mote and I’m glad they were smart enough to include the controller and a compatible game in the box.

I must say I’m not surprised that the Wii is a success. After being displaced from their gaming dominance following the decline of the popular SNES, Nintendo has embraced playing second fiddle to the graphics power of the competition and has been able to carve a good niche. On the other hand, I am amazed at how well it is handily beating the incumbent competitors in the current round. I am also willing to put myself on the line and say it was more fortuitous circumstance than business acumen that made the Wii a winner. After all, Nintendo didn’t really change their model. They introduced a competent, well priced, but not ground breaking console and wrote games for their target younger audience while trying to introduce a new controller. This is the only formula Nintendo knows. Remember the stupid R.O.B. (Robotic Operating Buddy) that was a miserable failure? What about the Light Gun that can only be remembered for shooting Ducks, or the Power Pad that made gaming seem too much like exercise that it too failed? It’s funny that games like “Dance Dance Revolution” have brought back the pad and physical interaction into general popularity. Nintendo, albeit stubbornly, stuck to their figurative “light guns” and the stars have lined up for them. Well played, Nintendo.

Thai’s Current Top Book Marks
Some will change some will stay, these are the bookmarks currently on my radar.
Great News Aggregator that looks like a dedicated News Site: http://www.newsvine.com/
PopCulture Aggregator: http://popurls.com/

Deals. Good deals on general stuff: http://www.bargainist.com/
Good Deals on Gadgets: http://www.gottadeal.com/
Gotta Love Free Stuff: http://www.absurdlycool.com/

General Reference. Still love WikiPedia: http://www.wikipedia.org

Gadgets. All About Cell Phones: http://www.phonescoop.com
Coolest Gadget Right Now:http://www.usbcell.com/

Music. Learn about your tastes in Music (Damn Impressive, Free with limited use, pay for premium access):http://www.pandora.com/

Housing. Awesome Mash-up Site that overlays Craig’s list listings on google maps: http://www.housingmaps.com/

I’ll let you in on a little secret; the standalone mp3 player is dying. Nowadays mp3 players are being crammed into everything. Home stereos, car stereo, USB flash drives, digital picture frames, televisions; the technology to add basic mp3 playback functionality to any device is roughly $5 to $10, but the most ubiquitous mp3 player is going to be the cell phone. Apple knows this and they are scared shitless. Their back from the grave success is completely attributable to the iPod and sales from the iTunes store, ironic that a music player resurrected a computer company. Therefore, Apple’s future will rely on the new iPhone in the face of the iPod decline. It’s inevitable, business science and history shows us that the a disruptive product such as the iPod will yield the parent company, Apple, a large initial advantage, but their profits will attract many competitors until the vacuum is filled. Apple has done a phenomenal job of staying ahead of this curve, but they can’t keep up the success. Think of the Spartans fighting off thousands upon thousands of Persians in 300. So you may say, Apple’s iPod is the best mp3 player, why couldn’t they make the best phone?

Apple has a history of being stubborn and almost elitist in its products. They have industrial designs that all the cool kids want and half the time, their technology is superior. They are a stubborn bunch though. For instance, the iPod has no easy user removable battery even though all current rechargeable batteries for consumer electronics will become useless within 2 to 3 years of use, yet Apple refuses to make a battery cover. There’s no FM radio even though many people enjoy tuning into the TVs at the gym (maybe this is so people buy more iTunes music). It doesn’t stop there; their mice only recently adopted multi-buttons while the rest of the world used multi-button mice with scroll wheels. Don’t get me wrong, they make solid products that demand a premium and many people buy their products despite some the stubborn design decisions; but their products are beautiful, aren’t they? It’s no surprise that Apple has manifested its stubbornness into the iPhone and is breaking into an industry that has been around for some 20 odd years. It now has to deal with all the redtape in the FCC, and cell phone providers who put cool products second to profitable decisions.

Let’s look at positives of the device. It’s sleek and works like an iPod with the same interface with a modern touch screen. The SIM card and Quad-Band will let this work with more providers than just AT&T (Formerly Cingular). Its interface has potential with a sensor that automatically orients the screen, a nice looking web browser, photo album, and a visual voicemail program that just can’t be beat right now. By the way, did I mention it was a fully functional iPod too? An iPod and a phone, what more can you want, you don’t have to carry and charge two devices.<

Now the bad news. Don’t get me wrong, I was as giddy as a little school girl when this was announced, then I read the details. Despite having the most advanced touch screen, I need buttons. My first foray into a touch screen phone, the Cingular 8125, left me unhappy with not having tactile feel. Especially when driving, and one handed use is a must in this situation (Please, no comments on driving and cell phone use; I use a headset, but you do have to pick the phone up every once in a while). The candybar form factor I like, but the rest of the US market prefers flip-phones for some reason. A limited memory capacity with only 4 and 8 gigabytes makes those of us with larger music collections wanting more. To be fair, this is better than any music playing cell phone on the market, but every new music cell phone player offers a user expandable memory slot, something the iPhone doesn't have. Then there's the internet support, it's last generation EDGE when all the new phones have 3G. For the phone of the future this is inexcusable. The difference in speed would feel a little like dial-up verses a cable modem (though not as extreme). Having OS X on the phone is phenomenal, but Apple's decision to a closed operating system limits third-party innovation. The non-removable battery may have been bearable on the iPod, but it is intolerable on any cell phone. And finally there's price. Some people will buy this at any price, but at $499 for the 4GB and $599 for the 8GB, that's out of reach for many people. Did I mention the 2 year contact as well?

Americans love their cell phones, and they love their music playing iPods. However, Americans expect free or cheap phones. Apple has thrived on their high margin products, but the cell phone market survives on low profits and quick turnover. Phones come and go every 6 months, and while Apple introduces new iPods very quickly, it can’t keep up with this pace. So how can they cram in sophisticated telecommunications into an iPhone and keep up with the market? In comparison, the iPod is a relatively much simpler device than an advanced phone. People will buy this phone, but not like they bought the iPod. Apple, you are so close to getting this right, and when you are I will get in line to buy an iPhone.

You maybe wondering what phones are on my Radar. Check these out.
Cingular SYNC - awesome phone for the price.
Nokia N75 - most advanced flip-phone in the states
Nokia N95 - The uberphone that makes the iPhone look average.

Thai’s Current Top Book Marks
Some will change some will stay, these are the bookmarks currently on my radar.
Great News Aggregator that looks like a dedicated News Site: http://www.newsvine.com/
PopCulture Aggregator: http://popurls.com/

Deals. Good deals on general stuff: http://www.bargainist.com/
Good Deals on Gadgets: http://www.gottadeal.com/
Gotta Love Free Stuff: http://www.absurdlycool.com/

General Reference. Still love WikiPedia: http://www.wikipedia.org

Gadgets. All About Cell Phones: http://www.phonescoop.com
Coolest Gadget Right Now:http://www.usbcell.com/

Music. Learn about your tastes in Music (Damn Impressive, Free with limited use, pay for premium access):http://www.pandora.com/

Housing. Awesome Mash-up Site that overlays Craig’s list listings on google maps: http://www.housingmaps.com/

Time Waster. Great Time Waster: http://www.sodaplay.com/