City Escapes Photography Newsletter - May 2012

CITY ESCAPES

Nature Photography, LLC

 

 

Newsletter

May, 2012

 

 

 

 

The Galapagos Islands

 

The islands that Charles Darwin made famous are located 600 miles off the coast of Ecuador, and were our second major destination during our introduction to the beauty and mystique that is South America.

 

The extreme popularity of the islands requires that tourism be carefully managed by the Ecuadorian government.  In order to prevent the massive damage to the ecosystem that would occur if unlimited numbers of visitors were allowed to go wherever they wanted, whenever they wanted, the government has devised a tourism plan that manages to do the impossible: protect the ecosystems that are so prized while still giving the visitors an unforgettable experience.  Here’s how it works: all boats and ships giving tours in the islands must be registered with the Ecuadorian government (not the vessel’s legal, ownership registration, just a permission-to-give-tours-in-the-Galapagos registration).  Each vessel is then given a predetermined itinerary with specified times for it to be at a particular port.  This allows the number of visitors descending upon any particular place to be controlled, minimizing damage while simultaneously allowing the visitors to feel that they have the island to themselves.

 

I mention this because of how well it seems to work: many times during our eight days in the Galapagos, we felt as though our boat was the only one around.  We had literally thousands of animals to ourselves, and we could study their behavior or explore the surrounding area without feeling jostled or crowded by other people.  It was only when our guide would round us up to head back to the boat that we would come across other groups.  At one point, I was the only person around, surrounded by almost a hundred sea lions.  Now THAT is how to experience these magnificent islands!

 

Sea lions were plentiful on every island.  When taking a rest, sitting on a rock, it was easy to be startled by the sudden movements of a lion right behind you that you had previously not noticed.  Pups were numerous, and it only took watching the lions for a short time to notice various dramas playing out in the colony.  Sea lions are curious, playful animals.  Standing still to observe the larger colony, at three different points I felt the whiskers of inquisitive individuals that came up to me to check out this strange, finless creature.

 

The multitude of sea lions aside, the one thing that struck me as particularly missing from the Galapagos were mammals, particularly rodents.  There were no small, furry creatures racing to their burrows or darting up trees.  There is a species of rat native to the islands, but we did not see any.  I had never before realized how integral rodents are in my conception of a complete ecosystem until I was in a place where they did not exist, despite an abundance of other wildlife.  The islands do just fine without rodents, but in my mind, there was a gap in the chain of life that I had trouble reconciling.  Of course, the lack of rodents, in combination with the lack of small predators such as foxes and cats, certainly contributed to the vast number of bird’s nests we saw simply sprawled on the ground or on very easy to reach rocks.  The only predators the birds had to worry about, besides the small population of native rats, were other birds.

 

The Galapagos are renowned for their birds, especially finches (again, thanks to Darwin) and blue-footed boobies.  Other birds can be found in great numbers as well, including frigatebirds (the males’ vibrant red pouches were fully inflated during our visit), red-footed boobies (red feet and blue bills – a most colorful bird!), and Nazca boobies (beautiful, but murderous when young – the first hatchling will push the second, as yet unhatched egg out of the nest, causing the egg to die).  Though none were present during our visit, at certain times of year albatrosses make a stopover on the islands, as well. 

 

My favorites were the boobies.  All of the different varieties have webbed feet, and many make their nests in trees.  Seeing a web-footed bird wrap its feet around a branch struck me as odd, amusing, and somewhat incredible.  They were very accustomed to people, sometimes even making their nests in the middle of trails.  Boobies are also terrific divers, streaking down at high speeds from out of the sky to plunge head-first into the ocean after a fish.  A moment or two later they pop to the surface like a fishing bobber.  I never tired of watching this spectacle.

 

Then there are the reptiles.  There were snakes on a few islands, though we never saw any.  What we did see plenty of, however, were iguanas.  Dark, 2-3 foot long marine iguanas, found only in the Galapagos archipelago, covered the lava rocks, blending in so well that often we did not see them for a few seconds, though we were looking straight at them.  Some of the males sported brilliant breeding-season colors, doing everything they could to not blend in.  Yellow and orange land iguanas basked near their favorite food, prickly-pear cacti. The much smaller lava lizards, in a wide range of colors, clambered up walls and signposts, several missing their tails.  Sea turtles swan in lagoons and mangrove swamps.  By far the most majestic of all the reptiles, however, were the giant tortoises.

 

Upon first glance, one could be forgiven for mistaking these enormous, beautiful animals for boulders.  The largest of all living tortoise species, Galapagos giant tortoises can weigh almost 900 pounds and reach a length of six feet.  Despite their imposing build, they are gentle, slow-moving animals that simply want to be left alone.  When threatened, they pull their heads and forelimbs into their carapaces for protection, and may hiss (similar to a cat) as a warning to the intruder.  Seeing a number of these giant beasts in the wild was truly the highlight of our Galapagos tour.

The Islands’ Most Famous Resident

The Charles Darwin Research Station on Santa Cruz Island is home to the Galapagos’ most famous resident, a Pinta Island tortoise named Lonesome George.  One of the rarest animals in the world, Lonesome George lives up to his name -- he is the last Pinta Island tortoise known to exist.  When he passes away, so does his subspecies.  Well, maybe.

The scientists at The Darwin Research Station are trying a variety of methods to keep George’s lineage going.  Two females of a related subspecies share George’s enclosure, but for decades, he showed no interest in mating.  Estimated to be around 100 years old in 2012, George is still well within his reproductive years (the lifespan of a giant tortoise is estimated to be between 150 and 200 years), so his apathy puzzled his keepers.  Finally, in 2008, George mated for the first time.  Since then, three clutches of eggs have been laid by the females but so far, none have proved viable.

So is the Pinta Island tortoise doomed to extinction?  Not necessarily.  The most promising sign comes from another Galapagos island, Isabela, where a first-generation crossbreed tortoise was discovered in 2007.  His discovery suggests that among the approximately 2000 giant tortoises living on Isabela, there may yet be a purebred Pinta Island tortoise.  With luck, it will be a female, and she will be discovered in time to produce a successful clutch of eggs with George.  Additionally, another suspected purebred Pinta Island tortoise was discovered in the Prague Zoo in 2009, a male by the name of Tony.  Fifty years younger than George, Tony gives additional hope to scientists that at least a successful crossbreed may be made (once Tony’s DNA is confirmed as purebred).

There is also a $10,000 reward for a purebred mate for George.  This is not as ridiculous as it sounds.  Thought to be extinct once already (Pinta Island tortoises, along with four other species of giant tortoise, had been declared extinct prior to the opening of the Darwin Research Station in 1962), George was only discovered in 1971.  That, and especially the recent discovery of Tony, leave hope that a female Pinta Island tortoise may be as yet undiscovered.  If she can be found, there is room for cautious optimism that the Pinta Island tortoise will live on.

 

 

May’s Monthly Specials

 

Get 10% off of “False Fire Sky” and “Neighbors – Lilac-breasted Roller and Elephant” when you order from our specials page.  Find the page at http://www.cityescapesphotography.com/specials/index.html.

Offer good on unframed, 8x12 prints of “False Fire Sky,” and unframed, 8x9 prints of “Neighbors.”

 

 

May’s Fun Facts

On those Galapagos islands where giant tortoises are found, prickly pear cacti do not grow low to the ground, where the tortoises can easily get at the tasty flesh of the plant.  Instead, they grow tall on a thick, single trunk, like trees.  This trunk is covered by a tough bark, also similar to trees, making it difficult for the tortoises to feast.

 

 

 

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509-396-5154

 

City Escapes Nature Photography Newsletter - April 2012

CITY ESCAPES

Nature Photography, LLC

 

 

Newsletter

April, 2012

 

 

 

 

The Peruvian Andes: Home of the Bygone Inca

 

Recently we had the opportunity to travel to South America to begin exploring our southern continental neighbor.  We began our journey in Peru.  Though we spent a day or two in the modern, coastal city of Lima, the majority of our time was spent in the Cusco region high in the cloud forests of the Andes.  Cusco was the center of the old Incan empire, and evidence of the early civilization is scattered throughout the region.  Many mountainsides are terraced, having been cut to enable farming along the steep slopes.  Ruins of stone walls, and indeed entire structures, are commonplace, many having been incorporated into the modern town.  An assortment of the 2000 varieties of potato cultivated since the time of the Inca are available throughout the city.  Cusco, though a modern, thriving town, is rightly proud of its heritage.

 

In the main square, the Plaza de Armas, tourists are swarmed by local tradesmen hawking everything from bracelets and dolls to musical instruments and alpaca scarves.  Many of these entrepreneurs are children, some as young as eight or nine years old.  They tend to be a persistent lot, and many, once they discover you are from America, will begin spouting facts about the US – in English.  They know that George Washington was our first president, and that Barack Obama is our current one.  They can tell you how many states there are, and that Washington, D.C. is the capital.  All of this and more they will pour out in a rapid monologue, trying to win your heart so that you will purchase something from them.  Each time this happened to us, I wondered if the children knew as much about their own country’s fascinating history as they did ours.

 

Other Cusqueñans have developed a different business model.  Women and their children dress in the colorful, traditional garb of the region and walk through town with a pair of llamas.  For a few Soles, they will let you take their photo.  Though this is strictly for the benefit of the tourists, I admit that I was nonetheless charmed the first time I saw the beautifully clad women and their quintessentially South American animals.  There is nothing quite like seeing a llama walk down the street to remind you that you are not in the States anymore.

 

The element that created the deepest impression on me was the stonework of the Inca walls.  Famous for its lack of mortar, the stonework varies greatly in its precision according to the importance of the structure.  Even at its worst, it is impressive: these walls are still standing centuries after they were built, despite earthquakes, severe storms, and invasion by the Spaniards.  At its best, Inca stonework is truly awe-inspiring.  Cuts are almost unbelievably precise, joints beveled and tight.  Few of the stones are square, either.  Most have individualized, multi-sided shapes that add to the overall stability of the structure (not to mention its visual interest).  Time and again, at site after site, I found myself mesmerized by the engineering marvels that are the Inca walls. 

 

Adding to the intellectual draw of the stonework and the civilization that created it is the fact that the quarries from which the Incas mined their rocks were often not near the sites where the structures were being built.  Huge slabs of rock, many twenty by eight by five feet, had to be transported several miles, sometimes down one mountain and up another.  Before each was transported, however, it was cut to the precise dimensions required for it to fit into its place in the wall.  Logs were laid parallel to one another to form a rolling platform of sorts.  The stones were laid upon the logs and pushed or pulled along.  As the logs rolled, the stones moved along their path.  Logs that had rolled completely free of the stones were carried to the front and laid down again.  Though the logs are long gone, the wide, cleared “roads” are still visible, and in some cases are still used.

 

Considered the pinnacle of Inca ruins, Machu Picchu boasts all of these elements: local people hawking their wares, children selling postcards, the incredible stonework, and even llamas.  Reintroduced to the ruins over a decade ago to act as natural lawnmowers, the llamas are completely accustomed to people and treat us as wildlife in a protected sanctuary often do: with complete indifference.  The Machu Picchu llamas could not care less that humans are nearby.  They continue to munch on leaves and grasses, muscle their way down trails, and seek shelter from the sun in the shade of the ruins.  They are completely at home there.  Indeed, upon our initial arrival at the ruins, we were treated to the sight of a llama standing at the edge of an outcropping, peering over the city as if surveying his domain. 

 

The ruins themselves are stunning, both because of their condition and because of their completeness.  Machu Picchu is quite large, housing an estimated thousand people in its day.  Large swaths of agricultural terraces lay outside the city walls, while an observatory, courtyard, and Sun Temple are among the many common areas housed inside.  Fortunately we had a wonderful guide.  He proved essential to our appreciation of the city itself, beyond its architecture, by greatly adding to our understanding of what life was like within its walls.

 

A magnificent bonus to Machu Picchu is the deeply beautiful area in which it sits.  The Andes here are sharp and verdant, wrapped in an ever-changing blanket of twirling, twisting clouds.  For lovers of both mountains and forests, this area is close to paradise.  Except, perhaps, for the powerful lightning strikes.  Just ask the Incas.  It is believed that they abandoned Machu Picchu after a lightning strike, attracted to the concentrated gold within, struck their most sacred temple, the Sun Temple -- and destroyed it from the inside out.

 

Next month: Ecuador’s Galapagos Islands

 

 

April’s Monthly Specials

 

This month’s on-sale images are “Ice Prancing – Polar Bear“ and “Canoe Reflections“, both as unframed, 8x12 prints.  For more information and to see the images, come to our Specials Page: http://www.cityescapesphotography.com/specials/

 

 

April’s Fun Facts

 

The Peruvian Andes are home to a delicate-looking species of camelid: vicuñas.  Never heard of a vicuña?  Neither had I.  But then I went to Peru -- and fell in love.

 

Vicuñas are smaller than the more familiar llamas and alpacas, standing 2.5 to 3 feet tall at the shoulder and weighing only about 100 pounds.  Known to locals as “walking gold,” vicuñas are among the most valuable animals in Peru: their fleece sells for anywhere between $1800 and $3000 per yard. 

 

What makes vicuña wool so valuable?  First, it is extremely fine, having a diameter less than half that of the finest sheep’s wool.  This makes it warmer, softer, and lighter than any other wool.  Second, vicuña wool is not easy to come by.  Vicuñas do not take well to domestication: they are shy, skittish animals who have proven to be capable escape artists.  Though a few live in captivity, the overwhelming majority remain wild.  Thus, in order to get the wool wild vicuñas must be captured – a much more difficult endeavor than shearing domesticated alpaca.  As well, each vicuña produces only about a pound of fleece per year, which means that a large number of the animals are required to harvest a decent amount of wool.  And by Peruvian law, each animal may only be shorn once every three years.

 

Vicuñas almost did not survive for me to discover them: they were hunted almost to extinction for their wool.  By the mid-1960s, it is estimated that there were only about 6,000 left.  Fortunately conservation groups and various governments banded together to save the critically imperiled animal.  Trade in their wool was forbidden, and strict laws were implemented – and enforced – banning the killing of a vicuña.  By 2006 the vicuña population had robustly rebounded, reaching an estimated population of more than 125,000, with more in Peru than any other country.  Trade sanctions were lifted and strict labeling systems were implemented to ensure the protection of the vicuña population.  Legal vicuña wool is certified by the government to have been harvested in a way that both prevents harm to the animals and ensures their return to the wild.  Poaching remains a problem, however, with estimates of poached wool exports reaching as high as 50,000 pounds annually.  Poachers have to work for their bounty, though, as the villages near the vicuñas tend to be quite protective of them.  While monies paid for vicuña wool do not go to any individual villager, they do go to fund village-wide initiatives such as improving education or health care.  As with any municipality protecting a revenue source, that makes the villages vigilant.

So if you want to be spoiled completely rotten, mortgage your house: a vicuña scarf will set you back about $1500, while a man’s coat can run as high as $20,000.  But wrapped in absolute luxury you will most certainly be.

 

 

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509-396-5154

 

City Escapes Photography Newsletter - March 2012

CITY ESCAPES

Nature Photography, LLC

 

 

Newsletter

March, 2012

 

 

 

 

Lessons from Our Travels, Part 2: Clothing Choices Are Much More than a Fashion Statement

 

As important as hiking boots, good maps, and insect repellent, the right clothing can make the difference between a very enjoyable exploration of Mother Nature’s gifts and an “I-will-never-do-this-again” trudge through what seems the very definition of misery.  Fortunately, quality clothing well-suited to life in the outdoors is easier than ever to find, does not have to cost a bundle, and is becoming ever more stylish for the fashion-conscious among us.  The following are among those items we have learned to consider non-negotiable:

 

Good rain gear.  Getting sprinkled on is one thing; finding yourself in a downpour is something entirely different.  Given that small sprinkles often morph into drenching downpours at a moment’s notice, being prepared for them can make life in the outdoors much more enjoyable – and safer.  Wet clothes pull body heat away from you, cooling you.  While this may feel nice in hot weather (and is the concept behind evaporative cooling), it can be dangerous in windy conditions or cold temperatures.  Meanwhile in hot weather, while you are enjoying that evaporative cooling, remember that wet clothes are more likely to chafe if they stay wet (i.e., if you don’t get out of the rain!).

 

While it should keep you dry, raingear need not be heavy nor swelteringly unbreathable.  If you sweat like you are in a sauna while wearing it, the gear isn’t really doing you much good: you’re still getting wet, but now you’re getting stinky, too.  Note that windproof items are not necessarily rain-proof.  Each has its place, but something that will keep you dry is a must.

 

Quick-Dry Clothing.  If you have good rain gear, why do you need quick-dry clothing?  First of all, you will eventually get caught in the rain without your rain gear, and wearing clothing that dries quickly can be the next best thing.  Secondly, quick-dry clothing stands a better chance of actually drying in humid conditions, and can help with that evaporative cooling.  And lastly, if on a longer trip you choose to only pack a few articles of clothing and wash them rather than overloading your luggage with lots of clothes, the quick-dry variety will be ready to wear or pack much sooner than their heavier counterparts. 

 

Do you have to buy specially-marked “quick-dry” clothing?  Absolutely not.  Just pack clothes that, well, dry quickly.  It may sound too obvious, but it really is that simple.

 

Layers.  Wearing layers is a much better solution to variable weather conditions than a single, bulkier article of clothing.  Most of the time, our outdoor adventures will involve multiple variations in temperature: the sun’s warmth increases as the morning fades; rain cools; we get hot while hiking and chilly while resting on a log in the shadows of the forest.  The ability to shed and don layers is the secret to staying comfortable throughout whatever Mother Nature decides to throw our way.

 

Good hiking socks.  We mentioned them last month, but they are so important that we will mention them again: wear good hiking socks that wick moisture away from your feet, and change them half-way through your hike.  Wool socks tend to be good at this and have the added benefit of resisting odors longer than many other fabrics - a definite advantage, at least to your fellow travelers.  The newer wools are also much softer than their traditional counterparts, work well in hot weather as well as cold, and are not at all scratchy.  If you aren’t familiar with the new wools, try them.  You’ll discover a delightful surprise.

 

Permethrin.  I can hear you now: “Wait, what?  I thought this section was about clothing.”  It is.  Permethrin is a chemical that helps to make the most of your clothes’ potential by turning them into insect-repelling powerhouses.  You simply spray your clothes with the Permethrin prior to embarking on your trip.  The repellant lasts through six weeks or six washes, whichever comes first.  The days of getting a full-body spray of “OFF!” are gone (thank goodness).  Now we need only get dressed to have a good start on hiding from the pesky rascals.  A bit of traditional bug spray on any exposed skin and we are set for an enjoyable day.  (As always, follow the manufacturer’s instructions for use.  As if I really had to tell you that.)

 

An aside: we have used Permethrin to good effect multiple times, and it has successfully minimized the number of issues we have experienced with a wide range of insects.  A notable exception: tse-tse flies.  However, deet didn’t appear to work on them, either, and in fact seemed to attract  them.  Diesel fuel most definitely attracted them, and they appeared to prefer men to women …

 

And of course, a hat and sunglasses.  Or in Jodi’s case, multiple pairs of sunglasses, as at least one always manages to go belly-up on our trips.  Always.

 

 

 

Introducing Monthly Specials

 

This month marks the inauguration of a new promotion at City Escapes Nature Photography: monthly specials.  Each month, we will choose two images, one landscape and one critter, that we will offer at 10% off in a given presentation.  This is not an either/or offer, so buy one for yourself and the other for a friend.  Or both for yourself, and a third for a friend.  Or both for a friend, and …

 

To kick things off in style, we present two customer favorites during the month of March: “Descending Storm” and “Cat Nap – Leopard”. This month’s presentation: unframed, 8x12 prints.

Be sure to check each month’s newsletter to find out what’s on offer, and to find a link to our website’s Specials Page: http://www.cityescapesphotography.com/specials/

 

The fine print:

 

-      A “given presentation” refers to a specific size, media (paper or canvas), and framing option (or lack thereof).

-      Paper prints will be referred to as “prints,” while canvas will be referred to as “canvas prints.”

-      The number of images available at the discounted rate will vary based upon the number of images remaining in the run size, but will never be less than ten at the outset of the special.

-      Normal shipping rates will apply.

-      The free return policy remains unaffected.  However, if the eligible returned image is exchanged for a different image that is not part of that month’s discounted specials, the difference in price will be due prior to the new image shipping.

 

 

 

March’s Fun Facts

 

The third week of March is National Poison Prevention Week.  Be sure to avoid these critters during that week (and generally); they are some of the most poisonous in the world!

1.    Box jellyfish                                     6. Stonefish

2.    King Cobra                                       7. Brazilian Wandering Spider (aka Banana Spider)

3.    Marbled Cone Snail  (Really!)              8. Inland Taipan

4.     Blue-Ringed Octopus                         9. Golden Poison Dart Frog

5.    Death Stalker Scorpion                       10. Puffer Fish

 

 

 

If you have any questions, or suggestions for future newsletters, please email us at: relationships@cityescapesphotography.com

 

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509-396-5154

 

City Escapes Photography Newsletter - Feb. 2012

CITY ESCAPES

Nature Photography, LLC

 

 

Newsletter

February, 2012

 

 

 

 

Lessons from Our Travels, Part 1: Take Care of Your Feet

 

We have been fortunate enough to be able to journey to some truly amazing places.  We have felt the chill in the air north of the Arctic Circle, and dodged the determined tse-tse flies on the African savanna.  We have swum with the sting rays in the South Pacific and shared the trail with grizzly bears in Glacier National Park.  As we have become more seasoned travelers, we have learned that there are certain bits of wisdom which, regardless of our destination, help ensure a more comfortable and successful outing.  In sharing them with you, we hope that you can benefit from our sometimes hard-won insights.

 

The first installment of this series deals with a somewhat underappreciated but extremely important part of our anatomy: feet.  We will avoid the overly obvious tidbits such as “wear sturdy shoes that fit properly.”  (Well, yeah.  Of course.)  While these pieces of advice may or may not be applicable to a tour through Rome, they are definitely advantageous to any hike involving trails or use of the word “backcountry.”

 

Wear waterproof hiking boots

Note the term “waterproof” – it is an important feature.  We learned this the hard way while in Africa.  One of us had waterproof boots, the other did not.  Both pairs were very comfortable.  It shouldn’t have mattered that one pair was not waterproof; after all, we were visiting in the dry season.  Surely we wouldn’t need waterproof boots, would we?  An unusual, day-long downpour jarred that notion right out of us.  Rivers flooded; tents collapsed from the fierce wind.  Small divots in the ground morphed into expansive lakes.  There was no avoiding it: our boots were going to get very wet.  Big deal, you say?  Indeed it is.

 

Wet feet are more likely to develop blisters, which can have effects far beyond the day your feet were wet.  Severe blisters can keep you from being able to don shoes at all.  Wet feet also lose heat faster than dry feet (25 times faster, according to the United States Search and Rescue Task Force), which chills your body and makes your feet more susceptible to cold injuries.  Wet boots can take days to dry, leaving you dealing with damp feet long after the rest of you is dry.  And honestly, who likes walking around in wet footwear?

 

Though our non-waterproof pair of boots had been coated with a waterproofing spray, water still got into the boots, and the wearer had to deal with this uncomfortable situation for several days.  The waterproof boots, on the other hand, had several built-in features that kept their wearer quite comfy.  The waterproofing was vastly superior to the spray-on version.  Seams were sealed.  The tongue was attached to the uppers, forming a solid barrier through which the water could not seep.  The uppers were constructed from a material that allowed moisture to escape out of the boot (despite not allowing it in), reducing the amount of sweat dampness within the boot.  The feet within those boots stayed quite dry and comfortable, and the wearer had to bite their tongue to keep from gloating.

 

Even if you don’t get caught in an unexpected deluge, hiking often involves crossing small creeks, jumping puddles, or tromping through mud.  In addition to keeping their contents dry, waterproof boots have the added advantage of being easy to clean: just spray them off or dip them into the lake.  As long as you are careful to protect the collar (the highest part of the uppers), you immediately have a clean, dry pair of boots to wear. 

 

 

Take an extra pair of socks

No, we don’t mean to pack an extra pair for your trip; we mean take an extra pair on each hike.  At your halfway point, change your socks.  This is especially easy when the halfway point is somewhere that you want to dawdle for a time, such as a lake or peak with a view.  If the weather and temperature allow, let your feet air dry thoroughly before donning the new socks.  If it is too wet or cold, dry your feet the best you can.  This not only helps to protect your feet from the deleterious effects of staying wet, fresh socks in the middle of a hike simply feel heavenly. 

 

 

Take your boots on a downhill “test drive”

This is best done well before you go on that long hike.  Find an area where you can simulate going downhill in your footwear of choice: a steep driveway, a nearby hill.  Some outdoor gear companies such as REI even have faux rocks you can clamber up and down to test your boots.  As you head downhill, pay attention to how your foot moves in the boot.  What you do not want is for your longest toe(s) to touch the front or top of the toe box of your boot.  Although the short amount of time spent testing the boots will leave you wondering why this is a concern, prolonged contact between the toes and the toe box can lead to very painful toe injuries, ranging from bruising and swelling to losing the toe nail.  To combat this issue: 1) ensure that your boots are long enough.  Many people are surprised to discover that they actually need to go up at least a half size to be properly fitted.  For those of you with narrow feet, resist the urge to buy the smaller pair to get a tighter fit across the forefoot.  You can lace the forefoot tighter, but you can’t extend the shoe length.  2) Keep your feet from sliding forward in your boots.  This may require tightening the laces or using arch supports.  3) Remember that as we age, our feet flatten out a bit, which may require adjustments to our shoe size.  Don’t cling to the past; your feet will love you for the extra room!  4) And finally, know that these toe injuries are not limited to hiking boots.  They can happen in any kind of footwear in which the toes touch the front of the shoe -- including the much beloved tennis shoe.

 

 

Happy hiking, and be good to your feet! 

 

 

 

February’s Fun Facts

 

In honor of the 2012 leap year, this month we look at the calendrical weirdness that is February.

February receives an extra day every four years to align the calendar with the solar cycle.  The solar year averages 365.24 days, putting the calendar almost a full day behind every four years.  Why, one might ask, is the extra day added to the seemingly arbitrary February, and not the end of the year?  And why does poor February have only 28 days, while the rest have 30 or 31?  The answers lie in the evolution of our calendar, known as the Gregorian calendar.  (Don’t worry; I’ll give you the short version.)

The ancient Romans designed the first ancestor of our modern calendar.  It had ten named months of widely varying durations, and was centered on agricultural cycles.  Thus, the year began at the spring equinox (March) and ended in December.  The time between December and March was not agriculturally important, so it was left off the calendar.  The calendar was eventually changed to include two new months at the end of the year: January and February.  Thus, the addition of the leap day did occur at the end of the year. 

The number of days in February bounced around quite a bit over the centuries.  At one point it had 24 days, at another it had 30…  There was even a point at which there was a 22-day long thirteenth month between February and March – but only every other year.  (The history of our calendar is nothing if not convoluted.)  Eventually February settled at 28 days, and January was designated as the beginning of the year.  By that time, there was a long history of making calendar adjustments in February, and the tradition stuck.  Thus, every four years, the elusive “February 29” makes an appearance.  (Actually, it’s not always every four years, but that is another discussion entirely!)

Happy Leap Year!

 

 

 

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