Panoramic Photography
I stumbled across this website one day and have since visited it many times. It has an archive of panoramic photos from around the world with more being added all the time. An interesting place and a pleasant diversion to view some places we can only dream of seeing in person.
A link to one of my favourites - http://www.panoramas.dk/fullscreen2/full22.html
Astronomy Picture of the Day
Another favourite site - http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/astropix.html
Outdoor Book Reviews Page
A guide to outdoor literature. Lists, recommendations, winners, news and commentary - http://www.ronwatters.com/BkMain.htm
Solo Ocean Racing
Read a book 6 or 7 years ago about the 1996-97 Vendee Globe solo open ocean race from France down around Antarctica and back through the toughest seas on earth. A Canadian sailor in the race, Gerry Roufs, was lost while rounding Antarctica. The stories of men and women who undertake to sail and /or race singlehandedly has been a fascination since I read the book. There are 2 races that I follow: the Vendee Globe and the Velux 5 Oceans race, which was originally called the BOC Challenge the first time it was run and then the Around Alone Race. These races are run every 4 years with the 5 Oceans to start in September 2006 and the Vendee Globe has just completed it's latest race this past May 2005.
The Vendee Globe race is from France around Antarctica and return non-stop, while the 5 Oceans race is around the world but in 5 stages. Another Canadian, Derek Hatfield, raced the Around Alone in the Open 40 class in 2002, suffered a dramatic dismasting around Cape Horn and continued to finish the race, some weeks after the leaders. He is presently building an Open 60 class boat for the next race.
Derek Hatfield's Spirit of Canada website - http://www.spiritofcanada.net/index.html
5 Oceans Race website - http://www.velux5oceans.com/da/21393
Vendee Globe Race website - http://www.vendeeglobe.org/uk/home
Urban Legends
Have you ever received a photo purporting to be something or other or heard a story that was claimed to be 100% factual? Well, sometimes some things seem too good to be true or doesn't "smell" quite right, you can check out this link to see if it's an Urban Legend, been twisted somewhat or fact - http://www.snopes.com/