Spend quality outdoors time in your backyard

   Come on along and hang out in your backyard. It's a great place to watch and listen to all that goes on there.
   You probably are used to hearing the lawnmower, weed whacker, tiller and other yard sounds. But mixed in there are plenty of others.
   Some come from the feathered kind or birds while others come from some of the furry animals including dogs, cats, even raccoons and deer.
   Your job is simply to be quiet. Sit and listen while reading a good book. A good read will calm your nerves and force you to sit still and quietly.
   Get in the habit of carefully looking up and around every so often. You'll be amazed at what flies in or walks across your lawn.
   Better still, install a bird feeder, add some "oiler" sunflower seeds and you'll begin attracting all sorts of birds.
   This Sunday's column has to do with "staycations," or vacations that are spent at home for a variety of reasons.
   In between knocking out that work list, sit for a moment or two and observe all that you have right around you at home.

Tour excites cycling in many

   Every year I look forward to watching the Tour de France. Even though I'm not sure with what it means when there is 2.5 minutes difference between the leaders and the peloton, the main group of riders, I'm still a follower.
   Heck, I would be in trouble just trying to pronounce some of the names, not to mention understanding just how this thing all works.
   For instance, apparently one rider per team seems to designated the winner whether he wins during the various stages or not.
   Other riders might win, but when it's all said and done, they won't make the podium in Paris. It will be the winner designee.
   A group of riders in a team always "come back" to help the favorite in the event he has a fall or mechanical trouble.
   What do they do when they come back? Offer moral support or what? Why can't riders continue to ride at breakneck speed without upsetting the peloton? (Announcers say they peloton keeps them in check or the peloton is slow to respond. So what!)
   Is it bad to be riding in the peloton? How do riders in the peloton get away just at the last minute to cross the finish line ahead of the rest of the pack? Why are riders allowed to draft behind team cars?
  Ah, the questions. By the way, what are those bars of food riders eat while racing. Whether you completely understand what is going on or not, it's still fun to watch and marvel at the tremendous physical conditioning of the athletes involved.

Camping and evening programs entertaining and informative

   If you decide to give camping a try be sure and find out if the park you plan to stay at offers evening programs.
   Some park rangers will speak and present a slide show or video of the park, surrounding  area, wildlife, plants, trees, trails, and a number of other topics.
  These are equally entertaining as well as informative. Besides learning about animals in the area you may be shown what tracks they make, where they make their homes, and when and where you might expect to see them during your visit.
   Programs such as these are usually free and often provide the ending to a perfect day in the outdoors. They also provide great topics for conversations and wonderful activities for the family to pursue.
   For instance, on your next hike you might look for a certain animal, tree or bird that was talked about during the previous evenings program.
   Be sure and take advantage of any or all of these programs when they are offered. There is always something new to learn.

Camping can mean outdoors on the cheap

   Think about it. No motel or hotel or meal costs. You bring your own accommodations and food. If you figure you have to eat wherever you're at, then bringing food from home to prepare over a gas stove or campfire.
   If this is all new to you, that is the idea of sleeping outdoors, instead of buying equipment only to find this activity isn't for you or the family, you can rent almost everything you'll need from the state park at Holly Recreation Area.
  In fact, they put first time campers next to campground hosts who are available to help set camp up and answer any questions.
      Known as the First Time Campers program, this event is available in 18 parks around the state. For information go to www.michigan.gov/dnr.
   For $20, first timers will be provided a four-person tent, tarp, camp chairs, camp stove and propane, hotdog sticks, flashlight and fishing poles. The equipment is supplied by Gander Mountain.
 You'll need food, cooler, personal items and sleeping bags. For information or to register at Holly Recreation Area call (248) 634-8811.

Mosquitoe population predictions way off base

   It's doubtful anyone would support any sort of increase in the mosquito population. Several years ago regarding a story about repellents a so-called authority said that annual infestations were due largely to the previous winters weather.
   Just like weather forecasts being iffy, so are speculations about how large Michigan's Air Force, as some refer to mosquito arrivals, don't seem to hold a lot of accuracy.
   Take last winter for example. It was cold and remained so for a lengthy period of time. Experts claim that the cold kills any eggs or larvae left over.
   They probably would argue that all the snow we had provided an insulating barrier thereby allowing bugs to remain dormant only to come to life once weather arrived.
   If winter's are unseasonably warm with little snow, then it's been too warm to harm dormant bugs. See, you can't win.
   It's either too warm or too cold, too wet or not wet enough, too much snow or too little. And so it goes. For once it would be nice to hear scientists admit they don't know what causes large populations of mosquitoes and that they have no idea as to how to predict what will happen for the upcoming year.
  

July 4th here already

   It seems not too long ago we were shivering in the cold weather. Now July 4th is here. The year seems to really have gone by quickly.
   Many people figure summer is about half over. Fall is right around the corner with winter close behind. I think that comes from the weather we had earlier when spring should have been on everyones mind.
   What spring?We didn't have much of one. Perhaps a couple nice days then the rest were cold and rainy. And that was just after coming off a long, cold winter.
   But time is a flying. Better make hay while the sun shines as the saying goes. For me, that means trying to get as much time on the water either fishing or paddling my kayak.
   That's in between the baseball games I go to when my grandson Josh's teams are playing. Lately, they seem to be scheduled every other day.
   Once baseball is done comes basketball, wrestling and track. Throughout the winter several baseball camps are scheduled along with travel baseball practice.
   Somewhere in the mix I need to do some deer scouting along with planning where I'll hunt. A large family reunion is set for early this fall which won't interfere with any of the hunting seasons for a change.
   Don't let the nice weather pass you by. Get out and experience that favorite activity you dream about when the snow flies.

July 4th plans, try these

   Camping and cookouts in the backyard seem to be a ritual for many families for the July 4th weekend. Both can be done right in your own backyard. That's right, set up your camp, plan on having your meals outside either on the grill or over a small campfire-check local regulations first-have a night campfire complet3e wtih Smores, then hit the sack in your tent.
   Otherwise, try to find a campground with space on this weekend that usually finds state parks filled to capacity. For more information on Michigan's campgrounds visit http://www.michcampgrounds.com/ or http://www.gocampingamerica.com/.
   Proud Lake Recreation Area Red White and Blue Weekend in Commerce Township will be held this weekend, July 1-3 in honor of Independence Day.
  The event will include campsite decorating, yard games and a bike parade for kids of registered campers. For details, call the park, 248-685-2433.
   Have a safe and happy 4th!