Crystal Mountain Ski Vacations

If you are in or near Washington State, you should 
definitely check out Crystal Mountain. With an 
elevation of 7004 feet and a vertical drop of 3102 feet, 
Crystal Mountain actually sits below Mount Rainier, 
which has a top elevation of 14,408 feet. Between 
the months of November and April, several feet of 
fresh powder falls on Crystal Mountain, due to the 
cold Cascade storms common to the area.

This is rough terrain, and there is little offered to 
beginners as far as the ease of the trails go. But 
lessons are available, as well as rentals for ski’s and 
other equipment. At Crystal Mountain, there are more
than 2300 acres and fifty trails, making this the largest 
ski area in the state of Washington. There are ten lifts 
available: 2 high speed six passenger lifts, 2 high 
speed quads, 2 triple chairs, 3 double chairs, and 1 
children’s surface lift.

The season runs from the middle of November to the 
middle of April, when the most snow fall is 
experienced. There are several places to choose for 
lodging, meals, and nightly entertainment, but the 
biggest attraction is the skiing, of course.

The Crystal Mountain Express Buss service runs on 
weekends from the middle of December to the middle 
of March. You will be picked up from your lodge and 
dropped off at the base plaza – where you can begin 
a full day of fun on the slopes. After a day of skiing, 
you should definitely head over to East Peak 
Massage & Fitness to take advantage of the hot tub, 
sauna, showers, and even the game room. Massages 
are also available, with a reservation.

If your kids aren’t quite ready for the black diamond 
trails – but you are – you can register them in the 
Kid’s Club. The Kid’s Club is open from 8am to 4pm 
each day for children aged four to eleven years old. 
The kid’s aged 4 – 11 will be supervised while they 
ski on a ‘kid appropriate’ slope, and snowboarding 
is also available for children aged 7 – 11 years old. 
Your child will have fun, while being supervised and 
taught. The cost of the care includes a four hour 
lesson, a lift ticket, lunch, and supervision. Rental 
equipment is available for the kids for an additional fee.

Everyone has fun at Crystal Mountain. It is a great 
place for a family vacation, but again, the slopes are 
more for intermediate skiers and expert skiers – 
although beginners will have fun as well. Just use 
good sense, and avoid trails that you don’t feel like 
your ready for.

Belmont Park In San Diego

Located in sunny San Diego, the Belmont Park is one
of the best amusement parks in San Diego.  With plenty
for the entire family, this Park has something for
everyone.  With rides for the entire family and basically
everything in between, Belmont Park makes for a very
exciting adventure.

The most distinctive attraction in the Park is the Giant 
Dipper Roller Coaster.  The coaster was built in 1925 and
has been restored over the years.  This coaster is truly
one of a kind, as it offers quick drops, steep hills, 
and insane speed!

Belmont Park in San Diego also offers the endless wave,
which is perfect for wave riders.  The Flowrider offers
hourly rides, even lessons for beginners.  If waves 
aren't your sort of thing, you may find the raceway bumper
cars or the Chaos enticing.  Chaos resembles a ferris 
wheel, although it creates a random three dimensional
rocking and rolling.  Anytime you get on it, no two rides
are every the same!

For arcade enthusiasts, there is a family fun arcade and
gamelords.  This creates the ultimate gaming experience,
keeping kids, teenagers, and even adults occupied for
hours on end.  

Other rides at the park include the Vertical plunge, krazy
kars, and the infamous "plunge".  The plunge is a great
attraction, and actually happens to be the largest indoor
heated pool in San Diego.  Perfect for swimming, diving,
and just enjoying yourself, the plunge is a blast.

To feel the sensation, the Crazy Submarine and the 
Trampoline can help you.  To truly test your limits, the
Rock Wall will offer a unique challenge.  Anyone wanting
to give it a try, can get to climbing the wall and see if 
they truly have what it takes to get to the top.

Once you've had your fill on rides, there are plenty of
other entertainment and events to keep you occupied.  In
Belmont Park, there is always something going on.  With
San Diego being a tourist attraction, you can bet the
entertainment in Belmont Park is nothing short of 
spectacular.

For the kids, Belmont Park offers some truly unbeatable
deals on birthday parties or private parties.  If you 
decide to have a party here, you can pretty much rent a
chunk of the park for yourself.  For kids, this can truly
be an unforgettable memory.

Closed Monday - Thursday, Belmont Park is open Friday and 
Saturday 11 AM - 10 PM and Sunday 11 AM - 8 PM.  Although
the park is closed on major holidays, you can visit on
the weekends and enjoy the best in entertainment.

To round out your fun, make sure you do a little shopping 
and take in some of the food.  Belmont Park in San Diego 
has great food and shopping, giving you more than a few 
reasons to visit the park and be amazed - truly amazed.

Coronado Island In San Diego

Everyone in California knows that the best beaches
in San Diego are on Coronado Island.  Being linked to
downtown San Diego by the Island Bay Bridge, Coronado
is home to the SEALs training center and the Naval
Air Station Coronado.  A military powerhouse, the
island of Coronado always has something going on.

One of the best features to Coronado is the world 
famous Hotel Del Coronado.  This Victorian style 
seaside hotel was established in 1888, and was easily
one of the biggest and best hotels of that era.  The
hotel was hosted in the past by the infamous Marilyn
Monroe and the Duke and Duchess of Windsor.

The Hotel Del Coronado has some of the best service
in California, along with breathtaking views of the
San Diego area.  The restaurant here is one of the
best around, and even if you aren't staying here, you
can enjoy a great meal.  Each and every year, thousands
of people visit Coronado just to stay at this world
class hotel - yes, it's that good.

The Ferry Landing is also a great addition to what
Coronado Island has to offer.  The Ferry Landing 
Marketplace offers you 30+ shops, restaurants, and
art galleries.  You can walk around and check out
what the marketplace has to offer, or enjoy a 
visit to the Tidelands Park.

There are great places to walk and bicycle here,
with awesome views of skyline San Diego.  At sunset,
this is one of the best places to be.  On Tuesdays, you
can find a farmers market here as well.

The Coronado Beach is located here as well, along the
Travel Channel.  North of the beach there's the Best
Weekend Getaway Beach.  Even in the summer, the
Coronado Beach isn't crowded, giving your family plenty
of room to enjoy the splendors of one of California's
best beaches.

From the Glorietta Bay Inn in Coronado, you can take
a walking tour.  Tours leave several times a week, 
showing you everything the area has to offer.  This is
a great way to learn more about the area.  Or, if you
like, you can let someone else do the driving and
try a pedicab tour.

For the romantic, the Gondola Cruise helps to take the
pressure out of life.  A romantic spin through the
canals of Coronado Cays can be quite the break from
the ordinary.  

You can reach Coronado Island from San Diego by taking 
the Coronado Bay Bridge exit off I-5.  By water from
San Diego, you can take the Coronado Ferry that runs
hourly from 9 AM - 10 PM.  Walking from the Ferry 
Landing to Hotel Del Coronado is a little over a mile.

Panj-aab: My brethren please listen to us.

Where water (aab) is means name, language, land, arts and culture. There water makes merry go, that land is called Punjab. The land of five sisters
1. Beas (ancient name Vipasha)
2. Chenab(ancient name Askini,)
3. Jhelam (ancient name Vitasta)
4. Ravi (ancient name Irawati,)
5. satluj (ancient name Shatadru)

All these five sisters take birth in high and hygiene Himalayas, and then play in open fields of Punjab, making this land of warriors full of joys. This, these have been doing since theirs births from pre historical ages to today in space age. The Punjab has become food grain basket of nation due to selflessness services of these unspoken sisters of Punjab. This Panj-aab (in Persian Panj means Five and aab means water) has impact on every aspects of lives, in water land of Indian subcontinent (Punjab is a geographical name to that land which is called playground of five sisters cutting across the physical barriers).These daughters of Himalayas has never taken partisan consideration on physical barriers to theirs services. This is an effort of abcnewsnetwork team in this part of world to make Pollution in surface water (Rivers), a public debate in Punjabi’s society, in theirs heritage, these five rivers are the life line of this joyful society. After so many years of services to theirs brethren, now they are praying for survival because of following elimination threats by theirs own.


Water quality of rivers in East Punjab (Indian) 
S.No. Parameter 1.Satluj 2.Beas 3.Ravi Ghaggar BIS (ISI)/ USEPA 
1 Temperature 0C 16 16 14 16 
2 pH 7.7, 7.8, 7.8, 7.6, 6.5-8.5 
3 Conductivity (mmho) 378 342 202 424 Max.2250 for only irrigation, Industrial Cooling, Controlled Waste disposal
4 Nitrogen (No2 + No3) 1.0 1.4 .04 2.34 1 mg/L.( drinking water)
(10 mg/L.for other)
5 DO (mg/l) 7.7 7.8 9.0 5.8 4-6
6 BOD (mg/l) 1.8 4.2 0.4 28.0 2-3
7 COD (mg/l) 6.4 14.4 1.6 57.6 6 mg/l.(WHO)
8 Cl- (mg/l) 20 23.0 10 54.0 250 mg/l
9 So4 14 16 8.0 30 250 mg/l
10 Na 4.2 14.6 1.8 21.2 26 for industrial only
11 Fecal Coliform 170 500 0.0 500 drinking water 0col./100 mL
water bathing
<2,000 col./100mL
12 Turbidity (NTU) 22 24 7.0 62 0.5-1.0 NTU
13 Total Coliform 500 5000 7.0 9000 <50(DW)500(OB)-5000 (dwt)
14 TDS 340 302 194 396 500
Source: Punjab Pollution Control Board Report 

List of major industries discharging their effluents into Rivers in Punjab 
Source: Status of Water Quality of Rivers of Punjab, 1989, 
1. Sutlej 2. Beas Ghaggar 
• NFL Naya Nangal 
• PNFC Naya Nangal 
• Punjab Alkalies, Naya Nangal 
• Ropar Thermal Plant, Ropar 
• M/s. Swaraj Mazda, Asron (Distt. HSR) 
• M/s. United Pulp and Paper Mills, Asron (Distt. HSR) 
• M/s. Mukerian Paper Mills, Mukerian 
• Goindwal Industrial Complex, Goindwal • M/s. ABC Ltd., Rajpura 
• M/s. Stepan Chemicals, Rajpura 
• Focal Point, Rajpura 
• M/s. RMI (P) Ltd., Rajpura 
• M/s. Bharat Commerce India Ltd., Rajpura 
• M/s. Patiala Distillers (P) Ltd. V.Main, Distt. PTA 
• M/s. Escorts (P) Ltd., Bahadurgarh 
• M/s. Goetze India Ltd., Bahadurgarh 
• M/s. Hindustan Wire Products, Patiala 






List of Municipal Corporation/Committees discharging their effluents into rivers (East Punjab)
1.Sutlej 2.Beas 3.Ravi Ghaggar 
• Nangal 
• Anandpur Sahib 
• Ropar 
• Phillaur 
• Ludhiana 
• Jalandhar 
• Nawanshahr 
• Phagwara 
• Hoshiarpur 
• Kapurthala 
• Sultanpur • Pathankot 
• Mukerian • Dinanagar 
• Gurdaspur 
• Dhariwal 
• Dera Baba Nanak 
• Fatehgarh Churian 
• Ram Das 
• Amritsar 
• Ajnala 
• Majitha • Rajpura 
• Mohali 
• Patiala 
• Zirakhpur 
• Samana 
• Patran 
• Nabha 
• Gobindgarh 
• Sirhind 
• Budhlada 
• Bucho Mandi 
• Rampura 
• Sunam 
• Bathinda 
• Sangrur 
• Khanna 
• Mansa 
• Barnala 
• Kharar 
• Dera Bassi 
• Banur 
• Tappa 
• Baretta 
• Maur Mandi 
• Longowal 
• Moonak 
• Dhanaula 
• Khanausi 
• Lehragaga 
• Ghanaur 
• Amloh 
• Bhawanigarh 
• Ghagga 
• Bassi Pathana 

Source: Punjab Water Supply & Sewerage Board

Above statistics are from eastern Punjab (Indian), the situation is also worst in western Punjab (Pakistan).Following are highlights. 
1. PAKISTAN: Focus on the slow death of the River Ravi

The wide variety of fish that once swam in the Ravi has vanished as have the tiny minnows and crabs children used to catch in the shallow waters along the banks. Even the reeds that used to line the river have gone. The river is virtually dead even when the normally dry bed carries water, such as after the recent winter rains.

The life that once thrived here has been killed off by the dumping of millions of tons of toxic industrial effluent in the water along with huge amounts of raw sewage. As the river has died, so has a facet of life in the city of Lahore has died too. The hordes of Sunday picnickers, rowing enthusiasts and the amateur fishermen have all gone. So have the boatmen who used to ferry people to the Mughul-age vantage point in the middle of the river known as 'Kamran's Baradari.' The extreme pollution of the River Ravi has destroyed most of the 42 species of fish that once lived in the river, as well as the bird life around it, which has migrated to other areas. The survival of small invertebrates, micro fauna and flora is also threatened Source: of IRIN report 
2. In Jhelum River the DO content remains well above 7 mg/l. The BOD downstream of Jhelum is around 2.2 mg/l. River Chenab receives pollution loads from many industries and cities. As a result the DO is totally depleted in various stretches. The BOD downstream of Faisalabad is 4.2 mg/l. The pollution in River Ravi is the highest of all the rivers in Pakistan. Most waste water discharges in the river reach between Lahore and Balloki, a length of 62 km. The river presently receives 47% of the total municipal and industrial pollution load discharged into all rivers of Pakistan. The BOD in the river after receiving Lahore municipal discharges is estimated to be 77 mg/l on the basis of mean annual flow. Between Lahore and Balloki under low flow conditions, the river is completely devoid of DO and simply acts as a sullage drain. Source: www.pcrwr. 
3. The BOD in Indus River downstream of Attock is 2.9 mg/l. In Indus River water quality was studied at Dadu Moro Bridge at Kotri Barrage with nitrate levels at 1.1 and 7.5 mg/l, phosphate at 0.02 and 0.3 mg/l, BOD at 2.4 and 4.1 mg/l, faecal coliform at 50 and 400 per ml. Due to industrial waste discharges from Punjab and Sindh, the content of heavy metals such as nickel, lead, zinc and cadmium have also been found in Indus water. Source: www.pcrwr
4. Water quality of rivers in west Punjab (Pakistan) 

pH Cl N So4 Coliform
Chenab 28 0.4 0.4 240
U 7.9 
C 7.9 
D 8.0 
Jhelum 23 0.0 0.5 240
U 8.0 
C 7.7 
D 7.9 
Ravi 8.0 7.0 0.1 27.0 00
Source: pcrwr 
It is sad that water in these rivers has not remained fit for drinking and even not suitable for open bathing. Which is being common feather of rural Punjabis’ culture, without it one can not taste the original flavor of this rich and joyful society. Once considered God equal status in Punjabi society the poor five sisters of Punjab has become place for every possible pollutants wastes of society ranging from domestic, agriculture’s, chemicals, Industrial wastes etc. Most of the big industrial units are located on the banks of rivers, it is done only to release theirs pollutants wastes into these Rivers because in this society it is common perception that “water wash every body” and Holly Ganga can wash all sins by one dip in it. In Pakistan side of Punjab in Lahore people on the banks of Ravi give meat to birds because the meat given to the birds is regarded as a religious ritual by many, just as feeding sparrows or ants are seen as deeds smiled upon by Allah (God). There is also a superstition that anyone feeding the kites and crows at the Ravi will receive good fortune. Thus this type of public opinion about purity of water benefits to all pollutants producers. So it is the responsibility of leading Punjabis intellectuals across the all physical barriers to draw attention of common Punjabis on these old perceptions about purity of running river water. Otherwise these five sisters of Punjab will die in the hands of theirs rich, joyful, and brave brethrens, who are well famous for theirs openness and helping nature in all around the globe. If there were no Chenab, no Jhelum, no Ravi, no satluj and no Beas; where Punjabis will celebrate baishikhi (take bath in rivers on first harvesting day), Bansant, And Lohri without this Punjabi brethrens can not remain as joyful for which they are famous. The Punjabi culture is live because of its openness and joyfulness. If there will no joys in it then, it will not remain Ideal for other to enjoy the life. Last not least Punjabis has a history to fight against odds in past. Every time they come out with more joy and experiences, so when their own sisters are calling them for survival then this community which has history of many wars and fights fought for other sake will not let down it owns.

BMW Sports Cars

BMW or Bayerische Motoren Werke has long been conceived all over the world as "The Ultimate Driving Machine." The company has proven this statement true in the past years.

The current models of BMW sports car will attest to that statement.

Here are some of the current models of BMW, with their corresponding characteristics. 

-BMW M3 2006

Engine specifications:

BMW M3 has an in-line, 3.2 liter capacity engine with a compression ratio of 11.5. It has four valves per cylinder. It promises to deliver 248 KW power and 333 HP at 7900 rpm (SAE).

Brake Features:

The car has electronic brake distribution, brake assist system, four disk brakes with ventilated disks, cornering brake control, and four-wheel ABS. 

Handling Features:

BMW M3 is equipped with stability control, immobilizer and limited slip differentia at the rear. The ABS and engine management control the electronic traction. 

Aerodynamics Exterior features:

The car has 0.35 drag coefficient, body side moldings, and 3771 lbs. curb weight. 

-BMW M5 2006

Engine specifications:

The BMW M5 2006 car has a V10, and 3.2 liter capacity engine with a compression ratio of 12.  It has four valves per cylinder. It promises to deliver 373 KW power and 500 HP at 7750 rpm (SAE).

Brake Features:

The car has brake assist system, four disk brakes with ventilated disks, electronic brake distribution, cornering brake control, and four-wheel ABS. 

Handling Features:

The BMW M5 is equipped with stability control, immobilizer and limited slip differentia at the rear. The ABS and engine management control the electronic traction. It is also equipped with a responsive suspension.

Aerodynamics Exterior features:

The car has 0.31 drag coefficient and 4012 lbs. curb weight.

-BMW 6-Series

Engine specifications:

The BMW M5 2006 has a V8, 4.8 liter capacity engine with a compression ratio of 10.5. It has four valves per cylinder. It promises to deliver 268 KW power and 360 HP at 6300 rpm (SAE).

Brake Features

The car has electronic brake distribution, brake assist system, four disk brakes with ventilated disks, cornering brake control, and four-wheel ABS. 

Handling Features:

BMW M3 car is equipped with stability control, immobilizer and limited slip differentia at the rear. The ABS and engine management control the electronic traction. It is also equipped with an adjustable responsive suspension. 

Aerodynamics Exterior features:

The car has 0.3 drag coefficient, and 3814 lbs. curb weight.

With all the features these cars have, BMW truly is the "Ultimate Driving Machine."

It’s Not a Ferrari for Nothing

The classic look of the Ferrari is its blazing race red color (Rosso Corsa) alongside the prominent black steed on canary yellow background topped by the Italian flag. Colors have been the essence of luxury when it comes to luxury cars. But what is the Ferrari, and how did its popularity come to be?

The Ferrari in fact began Italian Enzo Ferrari’s establishment of the Scuderia Ferrari in 1929. He didn’t exactly build the company for the purpose of selling luxury sports cars built for the road, but to simply provide sponsorship for the Modena-based amateur car racers and enthusiasts. Its founder, for a time, successfully raced drivers in Alfa Romeos until he learned of Alfa Romeo’s intent to purchase Scuderia.

This forced Enzo to inevitably carry on with Scuderia Ferrari on his own. What made this great man begin the huge Ferrari sports car empire? It was a result of the need to finance the Scuderia that he actually reluctantly sold the very first Ferrari, dubbed the 125 S, in the year 1947.

However, the force that was Ferrari did not come to be as a result of just an image of luxury and prestige, since Enzo did not desire to even begin sales of his racecars. What gave the Ferrari its niche market was its beautiful design and breakneck driving speeds. 

Knowing this particularly interesting history; speed up to the present and we have the sports car giant Ferrari still holding true to its reputation of beauty and speed. 

The fastest Ferrari sports car to date is the 2002 Ferrari ENZO, designed by the Pininfarina design house. The new-found speed of the Ferrari ENZO comes from the fact that every bit of the design aspect of this model serves a particular speed or aerodynamic function.

The Ferrari ENZO is a testament to its Formula 1 participation, creating a statement both on the race track and on the exotic and fast sports car lists. For one, its sleek and pointed front were designed to facilitate the airflow, helping cool the brakes and the engine during the heat of a race. The entire body’s shape is to create effective aerodynamics and reduce drag.

Beginning with the Ferrari ENZO is the option for buyers to personalize the Ferrari’s cockpit in order to best suit their taste and needs.

Enzo Ferrari built an empire on the statement of beauty and speed. With its continued patronage for these two values through the years, expect Ferrari to continue being a force to be reckoned with.

How Fast Does Your Car Go?

Given money to spend and a world of options when selecting a car, every car enthusiast goes for one option—getting a sports car. In the world of sports cars, however, there stands the basic criteria of speed, speed, speed, and, well, speed. 

The fastest sports car according to various critics is the 1994 Dauer 962 LeMans, with acceleration speed of 2.6 seconds from 0 to 60 mph. The fastest Ferrari car is the 2002 Ferrari ENZO, and this one can accelerate from 0 to 62 mph at breakneck speed of 3.5 seconds. Other fast cars include a Chevrolet, a Dodge, a LeBlanc, a Renault, an Audi, and a Corvette, all of which have acceleration speeds of not more than 2.9 seconds from 0 to 60 mph.

Now, the question that begs answering is: what makes a fast sports car?

While stylistics make for a very good standard when getting a sports car, there’s more to the sleekness than just style. The very sleek and streamlined designs of these fast sports cars actually contribute to fantastic aerodynamics—making it much easier to drive the car fast without worrying about air resistance, air pressure, etc. In effect, the hot and sexy car design actually makes for more than aesthetics, but gives a boost to the speed and performance of the car.

Another feature that contributes to the speed of the car is its reduced weight. It’s evident in the reduced cargo capacity of a sports car. Luckily, this isn’t much of an issue with sports car enthusiasts.   Related to cargo capacity and reduced weight is the fact that some sports cars may have smaller seating capacities, and usually are characterized by firmer, tighter rides, compared to the more spacious and comfortable rides offered by sports utility vehicles or sedans.

A last consideration in speed, however, is its general dynamics which include handling and drag when driving. A sports car has very little value if it cannot sustain its straight-line speeds when driving in tight curbs and ends up crushed after it hit a dead end. It is for this precise reason that even the fastest sports cars are usually rear-wheel driven rather than front-wheel driven, because of the fact that the rear-wheel drive provides greater traction and allows for the weight to be distributed evenly as the car makes a turn.

While there’s more to a sports car than just speed, it also doesn’t hurt that your sports car is fast. After all, the 1994 Dauer 962 LeMans is prized precisely because it rises above the speeds of every other fast sports car.