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Summer-Vacations-With-An-Edge / Hawaii Travel / Kauai / → All Tags

Summer Vacations With an Edge: Kalalau Trail on Kauai

This 11-mile trail runs along the base of vertiginous sea-cliffs fronting the completely undeveloped, completely uninhabited and completely breathtaking North Shore of Kauai. Formerly a mule trail used to supply isolated and now abandoned villages tucked into the pocket valleys -- invariably backed by crashing waterfalls and sandy crescents -- the Kalalau has long been considered among the world's most primo hiking adventures. The region has even been designated as a World Heritage site by the United Nations.

Alas, the trail has apparently deteriorated to the point where even the billygoats in the Kauai Chapter of the Sierra Club get the heebie-jeebies hiking the dirt and rock path that, in places, is now no longer than a foot wide. Meaning, you slip, you die, in all probability. No deaths reported yet but who would want to be first? Sadly, the summer is peak hiking season for the Kalalau. The dry weather means the trail is less muddy and the calm oceans make for more pleasant bathing at the beaches along this coast. Our advice? Hike at your own risk -- or take the kayak tour of the coast, camping along the way.

Alex Salkever is the editor/founder of Hawaii travel blog Hawaiirama.com.

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[Photo: eNil]

Adventure Travel / Rafting / Maine Travel / Summer-Vacations-With-An-Edge / → All Tags

Summer Vacations With an Edge :: Rafting Maine's Whitewater

You know, we like adventure travel as much as anyone. But there's a definite edge on your summer vacation if you're heading to a place called Dead River to jump in icy water and tackle class IV rapids.

Do us a favor and entrust your safety to the guides at Northern Outdoors, where 30 years of experience will keep you in one piece--if not exactly dry. NO's 15-mile trips are timed to coincide with dam openings to ensure maximum whitewater.

The Kennebec River--into which the Dead River flows--has smaller rapids if you're looking for something a bit tamer. Just watch out for the next dam release day, when the Kennebec swells to double its normal size. (That'd be July 9, kids.)

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· Adventure Travel coverage [Jaunted]
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Summer-Vacations-With-An-Edge / Trapeze School / → All Tags

Summer Vacations With an Edge: It Feels Good When You're High

Ok, ok, So we know Sex and the City's Carrie Bradshaw popularized this sport, but even though some of us happen to live in Manhattan, and happen to be of the fairer sex, we really can't identify with a grown woman who pairs knee socks with heels.

Nonetheless, we still think a day trip to Trapeze School would be an awesome way to blow a few hours and $65.

TSNY is located in the Hudson River Park in the lower west side of Manhattan on top of Pier 40. And the franchise is growing. New locations include TSNY Baltimore, and TSNY Beantown (really, that's what it's called).

Their slogan is: "Forget fear. Worry about the addiction." We bet. At $65 a pop, it's as pricey as some of our other habits. Also, prices go down as you buy more classes. Funny, our dealer offers us a similar bargain.

So fly trapeze. But don't come crying when you find yourself face down in a net, having cashed in all your bonds for a three-day swing binge. They warned you.

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Related Stories:
· Hotels in New York City [HotelChatter]
· Summer Vacations With An Edge [Jaunted]
· TSNY [Official Site]

[Photo Credit: jennifer lee ]

Beaches / Surfing / Summer-Vacations-With-An-Edge / Ditch Plains / → All Tags

Summer Vacations With an Edge: Surfing Strong Island

It's no mystery that a chunk of the Jaunted team lives in NYC, but you might be surprised to learn that we don't spend the majority of our summer lounging on the east end of Long Island. And even though we have a soft spot for declasse spots near the water, we wouldn't mind heading out to the Hamptons to glam up a long summer weekend.

But since we don't want to go too, too glam, Montauk would be the place. At the easternmost tip of Long Island, you can definitely find beaches and some surfing--the bulk of what a summer weekend should be about--even if you have to stay on the east coast. Air and Speed Board Shop can set you up with a stick, and they have lessons for newbies. If you're already a shredder, just head down to the local surf haven, Ditch Plains, and get ripping.

There are plenty of lodging options in town, but for our money the Sands Motel looks good enough. After all, if we're just gonna lie on the beach all day, we don't need a mint on the pillow. But being next to a grocery store and having private balconies push the Sands into the good-enough-for-beach-bums category--a group we're certainly in.

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· Hotels in Montauk [HotelChatter]
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[Photo: diametrik]

Zorbing / Summer-Vacations-With-An-Edge / → All Tags

Summer Vacations With an Edge: Zorbing in Tennessee

Zorbing involves hurling oneself down a hill in a plastic bubble. The extreme sport invented by those death-mocking New Zealanders makes its way to the United States with the newly opened Zorb Smokey Mountains. The site is about 30 miles southeast of Knoxville, Tennessee.

The resort has curvy and straight alleys carved into the hillside for visitors to bounce down, safely encased in a sphere of air (or water). It sort of reminds us of the times we dreamt about getting trapped inside a pinball machine. And loving it.

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· Hotels in Tennessee [HotelChatter]
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Surfing / Summer-Vacations-With-An-Edge / Water Parks / Surfing Lessons / → All Tags

Summer Vacations With An Edge: Wave House @ MallSport

Built within MallSport, a mall designed for sporting enthusiasts, Wave House is the first artificial wave in South America--a place where surfers and surf wannabes can try their hand at riding 10 foot swell.

The pool pumps water and forces it into the pool, via high powered nozzles, to simulate large waves. There is only one ride per session, which means expect the queue to be massive, but the pool should have a low grommet count.

Looking for a non-boring summer vacation spot? We aim to please:

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Related Stories:
· Surf Travel [Jaunted]
· Summer Vacations With An Edge [Jaunted]