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The Experience Blog

Archive for December, 2009

Twitter Weekly Updates for 2009-12-27

Dec 27

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Twitter Weekly Updates for 2009-12-20

Dec 20

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Team Kijubi Goes ATVing

Dec 17

Posted by MKelly in Uncategorized | 1 Comment

At Kijubi headquarters this year, we decided to forego a lame secret Santa gift exchange and take the whole team out for a holiday party they’d never forget…an ATV ride through the Palm Desert.

Video: Team Kijubi heading out to Palm Desert

Hopping on an ATV is an amazing way to get way off the beaten path and access terrain that you might not otherwise ever get to see.  We’re all for hiking and biking and horseback riding, but there is nothing quite like letting loose on the throttle and bombing down a sand dune at 50 mph.

Video: Team Kijubi Bombing Through the Desert

Kijubi.com currently offers ATV rentals in Anaheim and San Diego, making this a perfect weekend getaway to explore the amazing beauty of Southern California with friends and family.

Our partners at About.com have a very comprehensive list of the best places to go ATVing in Southern California, complete with driving trails, directions and GPS coordinates.

Before you head out, we recommend taking a look at the ATV Safety Institute’s website, where you’ll find a wealth of information and advise ranging from  safety tips to this common sense guide to responsible riding and use of public lands:

  • Learn about the area you will ride in. Contact the public land manager or private property owner to ensure that you understand area restrictions and have permission to ride there. Get maps of the area, and stay on trails if they are provided.
  • Keep your ATV quiet. ATVs are designed to be relatively quiet while still delivering maximum performance, smooth engine torque and spark suppression. Excessive noise stresses wildlife, and annoys property owners and other recreation users. It also contributes to your own riding fatigue. Less noise means you can ride farther more comfortably.
  • Obey trail markers and closure signs. There are many reasons why an area may be closed to ATVs including the existence of fire hazard, refuge to wildlife or plant life and safety hazards for ATV riders. The reasons may not be obvious. If it is posted as closed, stay out.
  • Always leave gates and fences the way you found them. This is especially important on private lands where livestock may be kept.
  • Leave the area as clean as you found it. If you see litter, pick it up and carry it out on your ATV. Carry a rolled up plastic trash bag and a couple of bungee cords on your ATV. Why not leave the area cleaner than you found it?
  • Be courteous to others you may meet on the trail. Always give right-of-way to hikers and horseback riders. Pull off the trail and stop your engine for horses. In most areas, horses are not permitted on trails unless they are accustomed to vehicles, but don’t take a chance. The rider will likely talk soothingly to the horse. It doesn’t hurt for you to do the same to assure the horse you are no threat. Horses respond very positively to a calm, human voice.
  • Approach livestock or wildlife on the trail slowly. In some parts of the country, range cattle pass the afternoon under shade trees along a trail. If you startle them, they may run directly into your path. Give them time to react and give them as wide a berth as possible.
  • Whenever you talk to a landowner, take your helmet off. The helmet can make you appear to be intimidating and unfriendly. Be friendly and honest in all your discussions with the landowner & you are there as their guest.
  • **We absolutely do not recommend trying this ;-)
**We absolutely do not recommend trying this ;-)

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Twitter Weekly Updates for 2009-12-13

Dec 13

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Taking a Holiday Bite of the Big Apple?

Dec 10

Posted by MKelly in Uncategorized | 2 Comments

Having just returned from a week in the Northeast, including a day in New York City, I could really appreciate this post from WorldHum Blogger Mike Barish citing tips for surviving a holiday trip to the Big Apple.

New York City during the holidays is truly magical place… I’ve been fortunate to spend three New Years Eve’s in Times Square and can tell you it’s certainly one amazing life experience everyone should have at least once.  But, as Mike points out in typical New Yorker fashion “Before you make your way to New York with visions of sugarplum fairies and miracles on 34th Street dancing in your head, heed the advice of someone who lives here. ”

I was fortunate enough to be led through the myriad of bustling train stations, subways and crowded streets by a seasoned New Yorker on my most recent trip (Thanks Sharon!), but if you aren’t as fortunate, following these tips from Mike could make your holiday trip to New York much smoother:

Pay attention: Most of New York’s tourist destinations are conveniently located where millions of people are trying to conduct their daily business. While you stand in the middle of the sidewalk taking a picture of Times Square, someone whose office is on Broadway and 41st Street is trying to make it to work on time. Step aside for the locals if you want to take a picture. No one will fault you for being a tourist. But you will annoy commuters if you cause them to miss the start of a meeting. Though taking pictures of the Walk/Don’t Walk sign is lame. I’m just sayin’.

Expect (and enjoy) crowds: New York during the holidays is an exercise in organized chaos. Millions of people visit Midtown to see the Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center. The Thanksgiving parade draws a huge crowd of locals and tourists. If you’re looking to engage in a tender moment of quiet reflection during the holidays, go into the country to chop down your own tree. Your trip to New York will be shared with hordes of people enjoying the exact same New York holiday. You’ll be gazing at Saks Fifth Avenue’s window displays, the giant tree and the glittery New Year’s Eve Ball with crowds unlike anything you’ve ever seen. Rather than complain about it, get caught up in the energy, pomp and circumstance of it all. New York can feel like a small town if you let yourself share a smile with a stranger.

Have a game plan: There are myriad activities that make New York a tourist mecca during the holidays. Since you’ll be one of millions of tourists, be sure to beat them to the punch so you don’t miss out on anything. Purchase tickets to the Rockefeller Center Christmas Spectacular in advance of your arrival. It will sell out. Plan on watching the ball drop in Times Square? Better stake out a spot early in the day (I’m talking right after breakfast), as it will be impossible to get anywhere close to the action by the afternoon. The city’s Christmas tree is spitting distance from both the Rockefeller Center and Bryant Park ice rinks. Go for a skate and see the tree in one efficient afternoon. Just don’t actually spit on our streets—it’s flu season.

Ask for help: New Yorkers have a reputation for being rude. Rather than buy into the stereotype, put us to the test. If you’re lost or need a recommendation for a restaurant, politely ask someone for assistance. New Yorkers aren’t animals … but we can tell you the quickest way to get to the Bronx Zoo. Seriously. It’s open all-year round and only closes on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day. Hop on the 2 or 5 train going uptown and exit at the East Tremont Avenue/West Farms Square stop. The signs at street level will help you navigate the two-block walk. See, you just got directions from a local!

Stand clear of the closing door please: You’re going to hear that announcement often when you ride the subway. You may want to hold the door while your friend snaps a picture of the mariachi band on the platform, but you’re holding up the train and keeping people from their day-to-day lives. Your vacation is someone else’s commute. Squeeze in, put your bags between your legs and hold on tight. Besides, there’s a good chance that another mariachi band will be on the train.

Keep your wallet handy: This isn’t a warning about pickpockets. New York is the safest big city in the United States. However, it is also the most expensive. So, be prepared to spend more than you’re used to for meals, souvenirs and event tickets. But, if you accept that beforehand (and budget accordingly), you won’t be upset when you arrive. And please, do not take out your displeasure with prices on service employees. Waiters, housekeepers and cab drivers rely on all of us to make a living and they have gifts to buy this time of year, too.

If you’ll be in the Big Apple for the holidays, these tips are sure to help keep you safe, sane and welcome amongst the locals.  Stay warm, stay safe and most importantly…have fun!