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Blogs from across the Southeast focusing on outdoor sports, lifestyle, health, environment, and gear from Blue Ridge Outdoors contributors.

Mind Over Matter: Can Your Brain Fight Fatigue?

by Will Harlan August 13, 2009

Fatigue has long been considered a biochemical phenomenon: You get tired from running because of a buildup of lactic acid in your legs — or maybe because the muscles don’t have enough oxygen or fuel. But what explains the incredible sight of marathon runners who sprint the final hundred yards of a 26.2 mile race? [...]

Wild and Crazy Banjo Guy

by Jedd Ferris August 11, 2009

Steve Martin—side-splitting Saturday Night Live comedian, blockbuster film star, and prolific author—is now exposing the world to his musical talent on the banjo. That’s right, the Hollywood legend picks a mean tune, which can be heard on his recently released album The Crow. But this year Martin is also bringing his five-string on the road [...]

Rooftop gardens

by Beau Beasley August 10, 2009

Dear EarthTalk: I’m sure there are many good environmental reasons to build a rooftop garden. Can you enlighten? And also I’d like to know how to go about creating one and whether or not some municipalities might offer incentives to do so. – Linda, via e-mail Indeed there are many good reasons to build a [...]

How to Live Forever

by Will Harlan August 8, 2009

Only one animal has figured out how to cheat death: Turritopsis nutricula. This tiny hydrozoan resembles a jellyfish, and it is the only known animal that is virtually immortal. How does it escape death? T. nutricula is able to revert back to an immature stage after going through its reproductive stage.  Once it completes its [...]

Chief Benge Scout Trail, Virginia

by Leonard Adkins August 7, 2009

The Chief Benge Scout Trail in far Southwest Virginia is a great midsummer hike. It starts atop Stone Mountain, but the majority of miles are along one creek or another, each with small ripples and a profusion of wading holes. Even if you don’t take advantage of these to cool off, you will ford them [...]

Simple improvements for greening the home

by Beau Beasley August 4, 2009

Dear EarthTalk: What are some simple low cost improvements I can do to my home to make it greener? – Stefan Lonce, via email According to consumer advocate Remar Sutton, there are many ways to save energy and other resources around the home without spending a lot of money. And taking action sooner rather than [...]