Equipment, Education, and Inspiration for Backpacking, Paddlesports, and Travel

The Naturally Outdoors Blog

Everyday Hydration

Category: Education

Everyday Hydration

 

Staying Hydrated enables the body to:

  • Digest and absorb vitamins and minerals
  • Eliminate Toxins
  • Improve Circulation
  • Stimulate Brain Activity

 

Drink Early & Often                                                                                                       The best defense against dehydration is a good offense -- drink often - at least 1 litre per hr. for moderate activity in moderate conditions. It's also better to drink continuously - 6-8 oz. every 15-20 minutes is recommended by the American College of Sports Medicine. Remember that thirst is a delayed response, and by the time you're thirsty, your body is already dehydrated. So pre-hydrating is vital before taking part in any summer exercise. The ACSM also recommends drinking between 14-20 oz. of fluids two hours before exercising. 

 
Replace Your Electrolytes
You don't have to be in a marathon or on a century ride for your body to thirst for electrolytes. In the summer heat, think of how often you bring a sports drink to a ballgame, BBQ, or to the lake. CamelBak's Elixir is sugar-free, highly portable and can easily be split in half and added to a small bottle of water or used with the CamelBak Better Bottle. It contains a healthy amount of sodium, which allows your body to absorb water and rehydrate faster, and can help prevent the onset of hyponatremia (when sodium levels in the body reach a dangerously low level). 
 
Water Sports Are Still Sports
Don't forget that swimming, wakeboarding, and rafting are all water sports that dehydrate you just as much as exercises on land. Plus, your're probably going to be in the sun's glare for the duration of the activity. The CamelBak Better Bottle is a great rafting companion - just use a carabiner to clip it to your life jacket. Or clip it inside your raft and let it sit in some cool river water to stay cold. Make sure you keep plenty of water in the boat during a wakeboarding session. 
 
Recognize the Symptoms of Heat Illness and get out of the Sun
Dehydration can set in sooner than you think. You can easily lose 2 liters/hour on a hard ride or a run on a hot day. In a recent position statement of the National Athletic Trainers Association, as little as a 1 to 2 percent loss of fluids could negatively affect function and performance. A 1 to 2 percent loss of fluids can occur after a little more than one hour of moderate activity in cool weather. At 3 percent, the risk of potential heat illness increases exponentially. 
 
Bring Water to All-Day Events
Water is usually expensive and often neglected at concerts, amusement parks, baseball games and other events. Bring a recyclable plastic bottle of water or even a hydration pack into the venue. 

My new favorite water bottle!

Category: Product

   We love drinking fresh tasting water in my house! We distill and filter our tap water in order to enjoy fresh tasting water. Unfortunately, there are times outside of our home that we have run out of our great tasting water while on the go.

   Recently we purchased a CamelBak Groove portable filtration system at Naturally Outdoors at a cost of . Why the Groove over other water bottles you might ask? We are finding it enjoyable and convenient to use at any water fountain or water tap bringing forth instantaneous  chlorine free refreshing tasting water.  My wife uses it at the park, mall, and can see it being used at amusement parks or while traveling.  

   The benefits of hydration are numerous and staying hydrated during the summer is very important. We are excited about this new product and also enjoy saving 0 and 375 plastic bottles from being disposed by using this product over a three month period! Come see me at Naturally Outdoors to get a Groove by CamelBak!

Jon David Lovell

Guided Paddling Trip on Little Pee Dee from Locust Tree to White Oak on May 7, 2011

Category: Guided Paddling Trips

"Locust Tree to White Oak" on Little Pee DeeWhite Oak Landing

   On May 7, 2011, we enjoyed the Little Pee Dee on the 6 mile section of Locust Tree to White Oak in Britton's Neck. Water gage height was 5.75 feet. It was a beautiful day of sunshine and spider lilies! We are looking forward to the next adventure! Please enjoy the videos and photos.

A common Thread, Part 1

Category: Trail Development

This post will be part of a six-part-post which will share in full the text which is found on the back of a trail map that is published by the City of Florence. It gives a little history as well vision for the cities trail system.

rail trail resized3

"A common thread to the human experience is the search for beauty and opportunities to find tranquility and respite from the complications of life. Aldo Leopold, a leading conservationist from 1920 - 1950, looked to these basic needs and defined conservation as 'a way of life in which land does well for its inhabitants, citizens do well by their land, and both end up better by reason of partnership. Recognizing the importance of partnerships and greenway developmnet, the Florence City Council in 2004, with support of the Parks, Beautification and Leisure Services Commission, established a 'vision' that provides for the protection of natural corridors and open space within the urbanized area of the City of Florence. This 'greenspace' was to follow natural land or water features and link natural areas, parks, cultural features and historic sites with each other for the purposes of conservation, recreation and alternative transportation.

The trail system further provides citizens the opportunity to access environmentally sensitive land; to better understand water quality issues relative to stormwater; to sense the importance and joy of a healthy urban forest; and to connect to a revitalizing downtown, our culture, our history and our neighbors."

Next up, Part 2: Connectivity.

Rail Trail Connections, Part 3

Category: Trail Development

This post will be part three of a six-part-post which will share in full the text which is found on the back of a trail map that is published by the City of Florence. It gives a little history as well vision for the cities trail system.

Rail Trail Connections

"This grouping consists of approximately 10 miles of trails, and provides for individual health and fitness, recognition of environmentally significant areas, opportunities for social interaction in an outdoor environment and introspective experiences. Health and fitness was the primary focus of the original 'Rails-to-Trails' facility. Here a hard-surfaced trail provides a venue for personal or group exercise in a pleasing outdoor setting.

An important component of the original Rails-to-Trails was the development of urban transportation modes to supplement the traditional use of vehicular traffic on highways. The first phase of this group of trails, commonly called Rail Trail, was completed in 2002 and provided the basis for future alternative routes. Alternative transportation opportunities are now provided to the Civic Center, area hotels, restaurants and retail establishments, Lowe's and Hobby Lobby, as well as West Florence High School and residential neighborhoods.

The Veterans Park Trail, in conjunction with the park, provides unique opportunities for personal reflection or meditation. Partnerships with Byrd Properties, Inc. have enabled the City to preserve a significant block of Jeffries Creek wetlands between the creek and Woody Jones Boulevard. The trail traverses this natural area and terminates at the Veterans Park. At the trail's terminus, the Veterans Park invites the public to consider the lives and sacrifices of military personnel who served in uniform during the 20th century."

Next up, Part 4: Urban Connections

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