As a boater, you want the waterways to stay clean. To make sure that your beautiful scenery will be around for your next trip out, here are a few tips that you can use.

1. Lead by example.

Next time you are at the marina, be sure to bend over and pick up a piece of litter out of the water (or from the beach, docks, or ground). If people see you taking the time and energy to clean up, they will know that it is not acceptable for them to litter.

2. Start a movement.

If everyone on your water picked up one item of garbage each time they went out, the water would be clean in no time. Put up signs suggesting the ?pick up one piece? policy along the dock or at a relative area.

You can also organize to get a lot of people together to clean your lake or river. Like the ?adopt-a-highway? program, getting everyone together once a year to clean your waterway will help you get your shores looking clean in no time.

3. Use Common Sense When Fueling.

If you have a portable fuel tank, be sure to always fill it on solid ground where spills are less likely to occur. In many areas it is illegal to fill a portable fuel tank in a boat for fire regulations. If your fuel tank is on-board, be careful while you fuel. Keeping a cloth or towel with you to wipe away spills will save the environment and your paint job!

Always know the capacity of your fuel tanks. Be sure that you have an accurate gauge to tell how full your tank is. Never overfill your tank.

If you have a smaller engine, use a funnel to fill your tank. You can even take an engine ashore to fill. This will give you an opportunity to wipe down the area of your boat where the engine attaches, and can prevent you from getting rust and other problems. This particularly applies to emergency engines for sailboats.

4. Know your Vent Line.

When fuel gets warmer, it expands. This can cause it to escape from the vent line. Riding through particularly choppy or rough waters can also cause fuel to escape from the vent line. You can install an anti-surge valve to prevent fuel from leaking overboard while you are having a good time.

When you are filling your tank, you will be able to feel air flow from your vent line. This air flow will increase dramatically when you are close to filling your tank. When you feel the air flow increase, it means that it is time to stop filling your tank.

There is no excuse for littering, especially on the water. The litter that you throw into the water can contaminate fish, the water that goes to our cities, and surrounding farmlands. The smallest items, such as cigarette butts, often take the longest to decompose (cigarette butts are NOT decomposable and will stay in the water, keeping it ugly, until they wash ashore where children might play).

As a boater, I have an intense respect for nature. I like going out into nature, and I have a vested interest in keeping our environment clean. Together, we will be able to keep our waterways clean.

There are escapes to relax and rejuvenate and then there are luxury escapes. Here is a guide to a few private luxury escapes that are ideal for just about anybody.

When you’re looking to escape from it all, sometimes nothing will do but a relaxing vacation. Taking a trip with the one you love to a beautiful location can be just what the doctor ordered to cure your stress ? and it will leave you feeling relaxed and even more in love than before. There are many places in the world that offer relaxation and tropical paradise, but if you really want to enjoy your surroundings while sharing each other’s company, choosing one of the private luxury escapes available in the Caribbean is your best bet.

Some of the best private luxury escapes in the Caribbean are found on the island of Jamaica. This island, with its laid back atmosphere and lush tropical beauty, is a perfect place to sit back and relax in the sun. With many white sand beaches available along the coast of Jamaica, some of them private, you’ll be sure to find a secluded place on this island to melt your cares away.

Many of the private luxury escapes that vacationers can take here involve staying at the many private villas available to rent. These villas can be sized for just a couple of people, or a large family of twelve, and with many different amenities and settings to choose from, there’s a villa for anyone’s needs.

One of the largest and newest villas to grace the island of Jamaica is Amanoka, located on Discovery Bay. Amanoka means ?Peaceful Home?, and this beautiful 9,600 sq ft villa is definitely a place to relax in peace. Mentioning that this villa houses six bedrooms and seven and a half bathrooms, a ten person jacuzzi and a large infinity pool only scratches the surface of its amenities. Also included on the property are a private beach, a full household staff including two chefs, a tropical garden and a gazebo on the beach, along with a full home theater system and electronic security to make your luxury stress free. Available for rental year round, this villa is a great place to stay in Jamaica if you’re really looking for privacy, especially if you plan on bringing many people with you.

Of course, Amanoka is not the only villa available on Jamaica for your private luxury escapes. Montego Bay is home to many private villas with their own secluded beaches, and up to eight bedrooms sleeping 16 people. Some of the villas are also all-inclusive, so your food and liquor is included in the rental price. If you really need to spend some time alone and away from your stressful life, a villa on Jamaica can be a great choice.

Private luxury escapes are something every person should experience at least once in their life. If you have the money, you should give it a try more than once!

Escapes are great way to escape the stress of daily life. Lake Powell escapes give you the opportunity to get out in the fresh air and experience a huge lake with stunning canyon views.

Lake Powell is a man-made water construction located on the Colorado River in between the states of Utah and Arizona. This reservoir, which was created by the flooding of the Glen Canyon by the erection of the Glen Canyon Dam, is a popular summer destination within the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. Surrounded by beautiful red rock formations along a total of 1900 miles of coastline, Lake Powell has become a great place to take vacations with families and friends. Lake Powell escapes are perfect for rediscovering a sense of family, fun and nature.

One of the more unique Lake Powell escapes comes in the form of staying on a houseboat on the lake. The Lake Powell Resort, which offers traditional lodging as well, rents houseboats to vacationers who want the experience of putting up and down the lake and finding their own spots to anchor each evening. Houseboats range from ?standard? to ?luxury? and cost between $1500 and $10,000 per seven day rental. Most of these boats can sleep between eight and 12 people, making them a great choice for those with big or extended families. Houseboats offer different amenities depending on the type, and also come in different sizes. The most luxurious boat, named the Odyssey, offers such amenities as six state rooms with queen size beds, three in-suite bathrooms, hot tub, fireplace, satellite TV (on the water! Truly a home away from home, this houseboat has it all.

For those families who would rather have more modest Lake Powell escapes, there are also houseboats that will meet your needs. The most inexpensive houseboat, the Explorer, offers families all of the basic needs to stay on board, while costing about a tenth of the luxury price. This boat still has the ability to sleep ten people, but also allows a family to ?rough? it a bit more with a feel more like an RV than a luxury home.

Of course, not all Lake Powell escapes involve staying on a houseboat, and for those land-lubbers who’d rather stay in a traditional room, the Lake Powell Resort has those too. Also available is the Defiance House Lodge on Bullfrog Marina across from the Lake Powell Resort. Be sure to rent one of the many types of watercraft available for day rental, and enjoy all the lake has to offer.

While lodging is available on the shore, you really want to go with a houseboat. The lake is incredibly large, but also offers little nooks and crannies in majestic red rock canyons where you can take in serene silence and do a bit of fishing!

When you really need a break from life and are looking for sun and fun, St. Maarten is perfect choice. Following is an overview of a St. Maarten escape that will recharge your batteries.

The island of St. Martin is located in the Caribbean Ocean, and has the distinction of owned by two countries: France and the Netherlands. Divided roughly in half, the French side is known as Saint-Martin while the Dutch half is known as Sint Maarten. Collectively, the island is known as St. Maarten/St. Martin, or St. Martins.

The island was divided all the way back in 1648, and has stayed that way ever since. When choosing to visit this island, you have to make a decision whether to stay on the French or Dutch side. Choosing the Dutch side means a fun nightlife with beaches and casinos, so planning a St. Maarten escape is natural for many visitors.

One of the classic spots to plan your St. Maarten escape at is the Caravanseri Beach Resort, located on Burgeaux Bay. This resort definitely shows all that St. Maarten has to offer with three separate freshwater pools, tennis courts, and many different water sports such as snorkeling, diving and fishing. Duty-free shopping and other excursions make this St. Maarten escape a great choice for people looking to experience more of the island, and the newly built Dolphin Casino offers gamblers a place to bet to their heart’s content. Three restaurants and bars are also located on the Caravanseri Beach Resort premises making this a full service resort that caters to all of your needs. 75 air conditioned private rooms, all with balcony or patio, make this resort complete.

Another place worth looking at for your St. Maarten escape is the Summit Resort Hotel located on the Simpson Bay Lagoon. This resort is the place if you want seclusion along with an easygoing atmosphere. All of the rooms at the Summit Resort are studio suites, and they are contained within cottages that are placed on footpaths bordered by tropical flowers and scenery. All rooms are air conditioned and include balconies or porches, perfect for those relaxing evenings. This resort is also just a short walk from two of the best beaches on St. Maarten, Cupecoy Beach and Mullet Bay Beach.

Choosing a St. Maarten escape means you will have the unusual combination of European charm and Caribbean hospitality, all in a lush tropical setting. While on the Dutch half of the island, be sure to enjoy some time at the many white sand beaches and bustling casinos, as well as do some affordable duty free shopping.

Every so often, we all need weekend escapes to escape the grind of the rat race. Here are some ideas on weekend escapes in Maine you might find interesting.

Maine has been the coastal destination of choice for people wanting a New England escape for many years. Known for its beautiful shoreline dotted with many lighthouses, the Pine Tree State also offers vacationers many areas to enjoy nature and its pristine atmosphere. Weekend escapes in Maine are special as well because the romantic nature of the state and its coast, along with the easy accessibility from states such as New York, means it’s a place that’s away from everything but not to far.

One of the best places for your weekend escapes in Maine is located just 80 minutes outside of Boston, Massachusetts, in Kennebunkport, Maine. The White Barn Inn offers travelers a romantic and luxurious retreat from the hectic bustle of city life. Lavished with awards and praise from such sites as the Zagat Hotel Survey, this AAA Five Diamond resort is a great place to get away from it all in style. Valets to assist you, a turndown service, and fresh flowers in every room make sure that the White Barn Inn lives up to its Five Diamond reputation. The restaurant in-house, which was also awarded Five Diamonds, is exquisite, and a full service spa is available to pamper you and help you relax. Specials such as Fall Romance escape packages, as well as other romance and honeymoon packages, make this spot one of the best weekend escapes in Maine for a couple who want to reconnect.

Another of the great weekend escapes in Maine is available in Waterford, Maine, located on Bear Lake. The Bear Mountain Inn is a nature lover’s paradise with warm weather activities such as boating, kayaking, canoeing and swimming all available on Bear Lake. For those who prefer winter activities, Bear Mountain Inn offers romantic winter weekends, which include full breakfasts, accommodations at a reduced rate, and even the use of snowshoes on the resort’s cross country skiing trails. Open year round with nine rooms, one suite and one cottage to stay in, this secluded spot is perfect for your next trip to Maine.

Weekend escapes in Maine offer vacationers a great setting for romance, as well as a great place to enjoy nature and have a stress-free moment. With Maine’s proximity to large cities such as Boston, it’s a perfect place to get away from city life, and with different activities available in different seasons, it’s always the right time to visit Maine.

Preparing for the wedding alone is already a headache. But it does not mean that you disregard the preparation for your honeymoon trip. Since wedding does not end after the exchange of vows, preparing for the honeymoon trip is equally important with preparing the wedding. And since this trip is the best time for you to spend your first days together as husband and wife, it should be taken into great account.

To make your honeymoon preparation less worrisome, here are some tips you can follow:

Plan ahead of time
Preparation should begin early. If you want to go to a honeymoon trip after the wedding celebration, then you should have already prepared for it long before the wedding day. Meanwhile if you will go to a honeymoon trip weeks after your wedding day, it is not an excuse to plan late. Preparing for the wedding day is also not an excuse to plan after the wedding. Everything should be prepared. Make sure you have already determined or have booked and made reservation on the location of your trip.

Create a checklist of everything
If the schedule is hectic and there is so much to do, you surely would forget some important things. Do avoid this from happening; create a checklist of everything you need to prepare. This does not only go with the honeymoon trip; it should also apply to the whole wedding preparation itself.

Finalize your travel documents
Make sure that your travel documents are all set before your honeymoon trip. Doing this early would save you a lot of trouble when the day closes near. If you are traveling outside the country, if is advisable to complete all your travel documents and keep them in a safe place.

Confirm your booking and reservation
Booking your flight and accommodation is not enough. You should confirm them days before you go. Making sure that everything is set and prepared once you arrive should be your primary concern.

Relax
After you’re stressful wedding preparation, you surely would not want to add pressure on your head. Keep in mind that one reason why you are going for a honeymoon trip is to relax, so you should relax. There is no reason why you should make the preparation for your honeymoon trip troublesome. Wedding preparation is stressful enough. You should not add some more.

When you work nine to six all week and it takes you almost an hour to get to work then you tend to end up very tired and stressed by the time the weekend comes. Often the tendency is to do nothing all weekend to get over a very busy week. But doing nothing isn?t always the best way to relax and it can add to your stress levels because towards Wednesday or Thursday you begin to wonder whether all of the hard work that you do all week is really worth it.

Instead of doing nothing when it comes to the weekend it’s better to plan a weekend away every month or so. Whether it be with your partner, or a trip with your friends it’s a good idea to get away and enjoy some of the pleasures of life, and make those busy working weeks all worthwhile. If you’re living in the UK then you may ask: where is a good place to get away for a weekend and do the things that I want to do? The answer I would give without hesitation would always be “London”.

London is a beautiful city, and there are so many things to do, but many people are put off from going there for a weekend break because it might be too expensive. But London needn’t be that expensive. With the help of the internet there are plenty of places that you can get a good deal to go to London, visit the sites and take in some of the capital’s entertainment.

Depending on what age you are and what you want to do for fun/leisure there are many different activities for you to enjoy in London. For the more youthful traveller the London clubs are a great scene, to dance the night away, meet new people, and have loads of fun. If, like me, your clubbing days are gone and you’re looking for a more relaxed and cultured evening then you may prefer a night at the theatre. Whether you want to watch an opera, or take in a great play, London has the range of shows for your entertainment. There are many top shows to see in London, such as The Lion King, The Phantom of the Opera and Chicago – the choice is so big that you’re bound to find the show for you.

If you do want to take in a show during your stay there are websites such as Suprebreak’s theatre breaks that offer hotel and theatre ticket packages at discount prices, so that you can pre-book your holiday to combine the hotel and theatre ticket price to get a great deal.

As well as the nightlife there is plenty to see during the day. It’s quite fun to visit the streets and stations from the monopoly board to bring back childhood memories of playing the game with your siblings; or you can see the sites – Big Ben is quite an eye opener.

If you haven?t been to London I fully recommend you go, and if you’ve only been there on business then I recommend you take off your suit and see how beautiful London really is.