Country Vacations & Resorts

Nothing can be more headache-inducing than heat and glare. Spending a day at a sunny beach or checking out the scenery of a snowy mountain, these glasses help cut glare while enhancing clarity of whatever you are viewing…Summer hasn’t even officially begun – more glare on the way…

The Complete Protection Clarity Enhancing Sunglasses are the multi-coated sunglasses that provide a dozen protective and vision enhancing benefits. Triple filter polarization–developed from NASA optic technology–blocks 99.9% of harmful UVA and UVB rays, as well as damaging blue and violet wavelengths and enhances contrast for hawk-like clarity. An optical-grade anti-reflective coating cuts distracting glare. Scratch- and crack-resistant coatings protect each side.

Over 40 eyes? Not to worry…

Unlike traditional sunglasses that darken your vision, these Clarity Enhancing Bifocal Sunglasses use optics technology developed by NASA to make objects appear more vivid while blocking 100% of UV rays and shading eyes from sunlight. Based on the glasses designed by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory to protect astronauts’ eyes from solar radiation, the polarized lenses filter blue and violet light rays that can impair vision, yet allow sight-enhancing green, yellow, orange, and red light rays to reach your retina.

Have a Dad who plays a lot of tennis? These might also make a great gift!

The Tennis Ball Sunglasses make tennis balls easier to see-and thus easier to return–even when served at professional speeds. The dark teal lenses mute all colors but “optic yellow,” ensuring that the most vivid thing its wearer sees is the hurtling tennis ball.

Designed by Bolle, a 112-year-old French company that is official supplier of sunglasses to the U.S. Professional Tennis Association, the lenses on this pair meet ANSI standards for UV protection and employ a metallic silver mirror to cut glare.

Don’t miss this Private Sale…

It’s amazing how fast one can go from the first glorious step onto a nice white-sand beach to “OMG – Where did all this sand come from?”

Once your beach blanket or towel is infiltrated with sand – and this can happen fast if you have kids or dogs with you on the beach, the stuff is EVERYWHERE – and not particularly pleasant. Throw in a little sun tan oil or other lotion product and you will feel and look like a walking emery board in no time flat.

Here’s a little beach mat, developed for military use in their God-awful desert conditions, that just might provide some relief…

The Sandless Beach Mat is impossible to cover with sand. Used in military applications to contain sand and dust when helicopters land and take off, the mat is made from two layers of patented woven polyurethane that instantly filter sand to the beach as soon as it falls on its surface. The specially woven polyurethane acts as a one-way filter to prevent sand from reemerging through the bottom of the mat. The 36′ sq. mat also eliminates dirt, dust, and water from its surface, ensuring a perpetually clean outdoor expanse for camping or watching a concert. The rip-stop polyurethane construction resists abrasions from outdoor furniture or pets, the bound edges remain flat, and the mat won’t absorb moisture, preventing mold and mildew.

Also available in a 64′ square size, in colors: blue or orange. Another great product from Hammacher Schlemmer. You just can’t beat them for offering problem-solving solutions.

Welcome to the start of Memorial Day Weekend in the United States and the beginning of “Water Holiday Season” – a time to get out and play and just have some F-U-N near, in, or around the water.

Toys are good for the soul – but most of us lose the enjoyment of a simple bucket and shovel and a beach full of sand as we get older. Here are a few items that might be fun for “older” children who could really use a mental break from the world of being an adult.

Let’s not forget that Memorial Day Weekend is to honor those who have fought and died for our country’s freedoms. Spend a minute or two remembering that this weekend is thanks to them…

The Hydrofoil Water Scooter looks like WAY too much fun!

Unlike other watercraft, this unique hydrofoil frame allows you to skim across water simply by hopping gently up and down, propelling you as fast as 17 mph (more than four times faster than some world champion freestyle swimming speeds). At only 26 lbs., the lightweight aircraft aluminum and fiberglass frame is easy to transport to a dock or boat for each launching!

A great use of technology!

The Digital Camera Swim Mask with an integrated waterproof digital camera, eliminating the need to carry an underwater camera, keeping hands free while swimming. The 8MP camera can operate to a depth of 15′, making it ideal for use when snorkeling or swimming in pools. The camera’s lens provides a wide 74º field of view. The mask’s eye pieces are made of tempered glass and have integrated crosshairs that line up shots easily; simply press the shutter button to take pictures or videos.

This Stand Up Fisherman’s Kayak is the only kayak available that uses a patented extendable outrigger system to stabilize the craft, enabling outdoor enthusiasts to fish from a standing position. Made of durable polyethylene with stainless steel and aluminum hardware, the kayak has two independent outriggers that pivot outward 45\u00B0 to its centerline, yet both swing back into position to form the aft section of the craft to allow for smooth paddling. Both outriggers can be removed for easy transport and each has a watertight storage compartment. The kayak has an adjustable nylon-covered padded foam seat and adjustable footpads, allowing you to achieve an optimal paddling position.

I have 5 siblings – we could have really used one of these!

Try this 18 Foot Splashing Soaker Slide – the 18′ long inflatable water slide that splashes children and soaks them with a fusillade of water from a built-in water squirter. Hand- and foot-holds built into the side of the slide’s tower provide easy climbing. An inflated archway at the top has a handlebar squirter that allows children to shower sliders and wet the slide. The slide’s two bumps deposits riders into the 6′ wide x 10″ deep pool.

Grab a book and a cold drink and you’ll be set to relax for hours!

This Hand Pedal Float is the raft lounger that’s propelled by hand-powered propellers. Two four-blade propellers (one on each side of the seat) rotate with a simple turn, moving the float forward, backward, or turning it in either direction. The angled backrest enables reclined relaxation while drifting aimlessly or paddling to a destination.

There is still time to grab one of any of these great items in time for the 4th of July holiday. Look for these and hundreds of other “treats” from Hammacher Schlemmer.

I watched a movie last night called, “127 Hours.” I don’t want to give too much away, but for anyone planning hiking, mountain biking, or any other outside activities this year in remote areas, it might be good to watch. Things can be going very smoothly and then suddenly you can find yourself in a life or death situation.

Amazing movie – highly recommended and well-acted by James Franco, and below, a few little items that might have come in handy – along with more water!

This is the The Only Complete Swiss Army Knife. in the world, holder of the Guinness World Record for “The Most Multifunctional Penknife,” with 87 precision-engineered tools spanning 112 functions. Made by Wenger, crafters of genuine Swiss Army knives since 1893, it uses stainless steel for all parts and is hand-assembled by just two cutlery specialists in Delmont, Switzerland, ensuring that every knife meets exacting standards. It has seven blades, three types of pliers, three golf tools (club face cleaner, shoe spike wrench, and divot repair tool), 25 flat- and Phillips-head screwdrivers and bits, saws, wrenches, and more. It also has a bicycle chain rivet setter, signal whistle, 12/20-gauge shotgun choke tube tool, combination fish scaler, hook disgorger, and line guide tool, cigar-cutting scissors, laser pointer, tire-tread gauge, toothpick, tweezers, and key ring.

Here’s the CRKT KISS Knife 50/50 Blade – a lot less expensive but looks like it could prove very useful in an emergency situation.

A Red Swiss Army LED Flashlight, rugged and ultralightweight flashlight for backpack or glove compartment.

I have one of these at home, and in my car’s glove box.

This Satellite Personal Tracker can give you a vital line of communication.

Just remember that cell phones and GPS units may be totally useless when blocked by mountains and while you’re in canyons. Always make sure someone knows when you are leaving, where you are going, and when you are expected to return.

And don’t forget your maps:
Buy Maps for all 50 states only at Maps.com!

More on the movie…

No matter where you are going this year, this Director’s Chair that folds down to laptop size, will be a good choice for seating.

Rated “Best Overall” by The Wall Street Journal, this Messenger Bag Director’s Chair folds to about the size of a laptop and stores in an easy-to-carry messenger bag.

Telescoping legs and a folding backrest enable the chair to fold to less than 4″ thick in seconds. Easier to transport than the bulky sacks that accompany lesser models, the chair’s messenger bag straps over a shoulder and across the chest for simple, hands-free portability to an outdoor concert or campsite.

Weighs only 9 lbs. – supports up to 250lbs.

From: Sierra Trading Post (Extended)

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From: Luggage Online

From: Hammacher Schlemmer

Great gift items for all. Huge Discounts and Special Savings:

Here’s a great example…

Made of American bison leather–valued for its long-lasting durability since the early days of the Great Plains tribes–this weekender opens from the side to provide easy access to clothes throughout the entire bag.

The side panel allows you to quickly remove or insert several days worth of clothes and travel items without rummaging or disheveling neatly folded garments. The bison hide is meticulously vegetable-tanned by leather artisans, resulting in a glossy, smooth finish with a rich feel. Three large interior pockets accommodate toiletries or personal items, and three small pockets are ideal for holding a PDA, cell phone, and MP3 player. Two zippered end-pockets offer separate storage for two pairs of shoes.

The wheeled bag has a telescoping handle for ease of navigation. With a soft leather lining, antique brass fittings, and shoulder and hand straps.

The Side Opening Bison Leather Weekender.

And a great new travel accessory!

This is the only shirtpocket camcorder that records video in three dimensions to provide a true stereoscopic viewing experience.

The camcorder’s two lenses work in unison with its 3 MP image sensor to record slightly differing images which are interlaced to create a video anaglyph–a 3D video. Videos are recorded in 640 x 480 pixel resolution as AVI files. A 4 GB SD card (not included) stores up to four hours of video or 2,000 3D still images (JPEG). The camcorder’s 3 1/4″ TFT display shows content in 3D (no glasses required), and movies can be viewed on the included media player’s 7″ screen because it is overlaid with a parallax barrier that displays video in 3D without the need for 3D glasses (content is transferred to the media player with an SD card).

Media player includes speakers and a headphone jack. The camcorder can also shoot standard (2D) movies and pictures for display on the media player in 2D. Includes USB cable for copying content onto a computer. Its rechargeable battery provides two hours of operation from a six-hour charge; the media player uses an included AC adapter.

For more information:

The Only 3D Video Camcorder