water

White water rafting on the Kern River in Southern California

 in Boats / California / Deb in California / Deb's Travels / North America / USA

White water rafting in Southern California! About 21/2 hours north of Los Angeles, 60 miles NE of Bakersfield… by Deborah S. Shadovitz (A version of this was first written for ValleyLife Magazine, June 2009, when I was its Editor. On the web, I am able to elaborate and on my own site I can add some more of my own feelings.) As my friends and I meandered down a slower part of the River Kern on a warm summer day, I found myself thinking it’s a pity that every American doesn’t get to raft this beautiful river through this magnificent canyon. Rafting is a perfect shared experience: relaxation, flowing water, sun, great food, and the rewarding feeling of getting past hurdles because of teamwork. Since the mid-1970s, the Kern River has been a prime spot for rafting. One reason is Lake Isabella, which sits below the Upper Kern holding water […]

Meandering down the Kern River on a warm summer day.

My travel SteriPen will now help a child have safe water

 in Central America / Food / Medical / Packing / Panama / Traveling with Technology

The morning before I left the good people of the tiny village of Pueblo Nuevo, I used my SteriPEN UV light water purifier one last time as I purified one more bottle of water for my trip back to Panama City.

I got good use out of this SteriPEN but as I go back to Los Angeles, where I am lucky enough to have healthy, safe water, emergencies aside, I know my trusty SteriPEN can be put to much better use here. It will now be used to purify water for the newest baby in the village.

Rainy season phone protection

 in Traveling with Technology

While I was in NYC attending PhotoPlus, I took interest in and picked up these SmartSleeves — various-sized sleeves to protect iPhones and other cell phones from the rain. Rain protection is not an issue in Los Angeles but it was in New York and particularly in NYC where everyone walks a lot. AND protecting a smart phone from the rain is also an issue in Central America when you are here in the rainy season! I like these bags because they allow you to use your touch screen perfectly well, I can easily slip my phone in and out — and they don’t take up room in my hand bag or travel bag.