Chasing Clean Air

Osprey Tempest 20 Pack Review

On a mission to find the lightest, most versatile gear for day hiking, I found, and highly recommend, the Osprey Tempest 20 Pack made specifically for the curves of a woman.

And oh so versatile!

This pack, available in sizes ranging from 9-40 litres, is available for men under the Osprey Talon label. It's basically the same pack but the back panel accounts for basic differences in men's and women's torsos. Women tend to have an S curve.

This Osprey Tempest 20 pack made all the difference for my hiking enjoyment, enabling me to take everything I needed pain-free. I remained comfortable unlike on recent hikes where I was uncomfortable with my previous pack (and a residual injury) or left extras behind.

Therefore, finding the right gear is a big deal! The difference from carefree enjoyment versus potential pain.

Biking in the City

I'm all for getting people out of their cars, and onto their feet, using strength not motors to get around. Clean air! Smell the flowers not exhaust! Plus an ability to flex work and social schedules to fit public transportation is highly valued. (That said, I wish Big Blue Bus ran buses late so I never needed to get in a car at night!) My mom and her long time companion are in town, and we've been happily taking buses everywhere: Santa Monica, Venice, Getty Museum, Armand Hammer, Pacific Palisades...

But what of people who prefer biking in the city?

Earth Policy released a Bicycle Share Fact Sheet on May 14, 2014 that points to many cities worldwide embracing the shift to bike power. I question how safe riding bikes are in Los Angeles but for a round-up on bicycling and bike sharing cities, here's Earth Policy's report:

The prevalence of bicycles in a community is an indicator of our ability to provide affordable transportation, lower traffic congestion, reduce air pollution, increase mobility, and provide exercise to the world’s growing population.

Bike-sharing programs are one way to get cycles to the masses.

In early 2014, some 600 cities in 52 countries hosted advanced bike-sharing programs, with a combined fleet of more than 570,000 bicycles. Spain leads the world with 132 separate bike-share programs. Italy has 104, and Germany, 43.

The world’s largest bike-sharing program is in Wuhan, China’s sixth largest city, with 9 million people and 90,000 shared bikes. In 2013, China was home to 82 bike-sharing programs, with a whopping combined fleet of some 380,000 bicycles.

PBS Nature Debuts Leave it to Beavers

Beavers are vegetarians with sharp teeth to fell hundreds of trees to make a dam, and eat through bark to get lunch. In the 1990s, scientists noticed the positive effects beavers had on the Nevada Suzie Creek landscape turning a desert into a garden, which, in turn, supported wildlife such as sandhill cranes and mule deer.

Hmmm. Could beavers help California's drought condition?

I don't know but to learn everything beaver, tune in to PBS tonight at 8 p.m. (ET) and watch Nature's debut TV show, Leave it to Beavers. Check your local listings.

Photo of beavers at play during my 2007 Monterey Aquarium visit.

Until next time, breathe easy and make life an adventure!

To stay connected with my search for clean air & solutions to air pollution...

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Great Walks of the World: Slovenia

Walking Slovenia lakes and valleys guided tour is on my radar for future clean air hiking. Slovenia is situated two countries over from my family's equally beautiful native-Romania, so both countries are in my consideration because Slovenia, is, well, beautiful with its soft rolling hills and quaint B & Bs over the hills, and beyond the lake... Ahh!

Until next time, breathe easy and make life an adventure!

To stay connected with my search for clean air & solutions to air pollution...

FACEBOOK LIKE Chasing Clean Air

Subscribe to Chasing Clean Air Twitter

Chasing Clean Air RADIO previous episodes here. TV series coming.

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Great Walks of the World: Scotland

How in the world did the West Highland Way - a classic scenic walk allowing for overnight glamping (glamour meets camping) in B & Bs - in the Scottish Highlands become a focus?

Los Angeles cars, congestion, and let's face it, I had an injury, making being clean air more attractive than going to clean air destinations. Low carbon, or zero carbon, traveling to minimize climate change and air pollution, without adding to congestion is the right thing to do. I love hiking, and walking, and reading about long walks.

WALK!