How can you make out who’s a good trustworthy builder? Before making this important life altering decision take a minute to learn these few simple tips to ensure you are choosing the right builder for the job.

The first and most important step is to look in your circle of loved ones for any references. This way you can see the type of work they’ve done and know they can be trusted. If you can not find one through a personal reference canvas your local community and find a builder with a good reputation. People who have found a good builder are excited to share the news with you. This is not the time to pull out the phone book and choose someone at random. This decision is way too important for that.

Now that you’ve found at least one possible builder you’ll need to come up with a list of questions you want to ask them. Write them down. (This comes in handy so you don’t forget anything you want to ask especially if you are calling more than builder.) Some of your questions can be answer by looking at their website. However, depending on the size of the company some don’t have websites.

Here are some things you are going to want to know: how long has the company been up and running, what type of industry experience it possesses, and whether the company is a full-time professional constructor or only a part-time builder. Then after that you are going to want to check to see if they meet all licensing and bonding requirements in your area. A good way to triple check on their reputation is to go to the Better Business Bureau. There you will find any formal complaints made by former clients.

Now it’s time to find out if this builder is capable and willing to build the home you really want. Ask what the builder specializes in, how much time they spend on residentail building, and the types of custom homes they build. You don’t want a builder who doesn’t know how to build the house your are invisioning.

The final step in this process is to research what type of warranty they will be including to back up their work. Ask what type of post-sale services they will include. Many times nothing will go wrong with a new home. However, this is not always the case. You want to make sure your covered in these instances, but if you do the right research and choose a good builder you’ll minimize any problems that may arise. The longer and more appealing the warranty is that the builder offers is only a clue of how confident they are about their work.

A little time researching for a great builder will save you money and save you from long term stress. Plus, you will have a comfortable, quality home you are proud of.

But it’s just your luck that there are many home builders to choose from. While
there are many builders out there to choose from you still have to know how to
weed out the good from the bad. You need to know what it takes for a home
builder to meet your qualifications. Randomly choosing a builder won’t help you at
all. There are different types of builders that do very different jobs. Plus, there are
builders who earn every penny you might pay them. Then there are some builders
that will do bare minimum just to get paid.

So how do you weed out the bad ones so you can have your pick from the good
ones?

Are you ready to choose the best home builder for your situation? Then next are
some questions you will want to remember to ask your list of home builders as sort
of an interview process. These next questions will help you weed through the home
builders leaving you with only the ones that do good quality work. Those questions
are:

How much time do they spend building residential homes? This is going to be
important when setting deadlines. You don’t want to have a home builder that
doesn’t build residential homes full time. Building your new home shouldn’t be a part
time job especially when you have specific time restrictions your new home needs
to be built in.

Plus, they need to have the experience to build your new home, and doing
residential building part time isn’t the experience you want in a home builder.

How much time have they spent as a company? The longer the company has been
in business the more experience they have and the more established the company
is. A well established company also makes it easier to find previous clients to use
as referrences. Most reputable companies will gladly refer a few clients that were
satified with their work so you can hear their testimonials.

Also, be sure to ask them what type of homes they specialize in. What type of
customization are their strengths? If you are still not sure about their track record
then you can go to the Better Business Bureau and search for any previous
customer complaints.

What types of services are they willing to offer after the home is built? While new
homes don’t usually have any problems with them you want to be ready. There are
some occassions where a new home will have a small and sometimes major
malfunctions. You want to know that your builder is confident in their work and will
stand behind it 100%.

Do they offer a strong home warranty? This is another way you will find out how
confident the company is with their work. A warranty that is strong will let you know
that the company knows they do good work and don’t expect anything to go
wrong. (Remember to get details of what the warranty will cover.)

Ask to view one of their work sites… These jobs sites are homes in progress. Here
you can see what type of work they really do. Check out the home and make sure
it meets your standards.

Remember to look at the job site carefully. Note the cleanliness of the jobsite.
Also, notice the site crew. Introduce yourself and get to know them. See if you can
get a feel of who they are and what kind of work ethic they may have. If you get
any gut feeling go with your gut. One important thing to notice also is where they
store their materials. They need to be out of the elements such as snow, and rain.

Once you have gone through these six questions you will have a much better idea
of what type of home builders you are dealing with. Choose wisely and be sure to
take the necessary time to research them a little bit before making a decision of
this magnitude. You’ll thank yourself later.

Easter Island

The first place that is a must see is Easter Island (Moai) The Chilean People refer to the island heads as Moai (meaning a stone figure). These figures stretch across the island some estimate the number of stone figures that are there are in the hundreds. Some of the stone faces have deteriorated over time but some have been lifted up and restored to their original splendor. Most are lying on the ground having falling over after many years of being neglected and torn apart.

Most historians recognize that the stone that was used to carve these great figures was a local quarry not to far away. The figures according to historians were most likely carved at the quarry site and then by using a system of rollers or logs and a system of pulleys were brought to where they currently reside on the island. Most of these figures are thought to represent a chief in the local village but no one is for sure since the original people who built them have never been found.

Santiago                                      

Santiago is the next destination that is a must see in Chile. This bustling capitol city has over five million people in it and has many attractions and places to see. Santiago is surrounded by many landscapes to the east you will see the vast snow peaked caps of the Andes mountains and to the west you will see the coastal range to the west. In this city in the heart of Chile you can explore political and social changes right from the history books. Explore the great architecture of a once great civilization and breathe in the aromas of the traditional food that is still made as their ancestors made it hundreds of years ago. There is also continuous entertainment in the downtown sections so you are never at a loss where to go for life day or night.

 Reserva Nacional Los Flamencos

If you are looking into some of the natural wonders instead Chile also offers some of the best natural wonders you will see in South America. One of the best places to look into would be surrounding the National Reserve of Los Flamencos near San Pedro. N the reserve you can experience extremely surreal landscapes full of natural Ecological wonders, exotic animal species, as well as Striking natural formations. You can visit the valley of the moon called (valle de la Luna) or take a swim into any number of lakes and rivers formed by the natural formation of the area. The salt lakes also offer some of the most dramtic views of the volcanos in the andes mountain chain you will ever see.

 Castro

This is one of the many towns in Chile but this one has some very unique aspects that you may find enjoyable on your travels. This town is specifically famous for its distinctive rows of stilted houses that line the main roads to the estuaries. The locals use this to their advantage and you will find many wonderful homemade crafts and traditional handicrafts for sale here outside the main city at very low prices. You can also take in some of the many restaurants in the area and taste some of the original and traditional seafood plates that are available. The town became famous for one landmark called the Iglesias San Francisco it is painted in remarkable colors and it projects wonderful colors and art that is pleasing to the eye.

El Tatio Geysers

Again those that are enamored with the natural wonders of the world there is one more location that is a must see for expats and tourist in Chile. This is the El Tatio Geysers it is the worlds highest geyser field at over 13000 ft above sea level. The streams of hot stream and water can shoot out of these geysers at over 40 ft. With the explosions of these geysers they leave unusual and fascinating formations all-around the area that will have any geologist jump for joy at the aspect of seeing some of the wonders of the inner crust of these mountains. So a trip here will be worth your times.

This is what happens when you go on those glorious and relaxing country drives whether it is with a picnic or just stopping in route there is nothing better than soaking up all that the country side has to offer.

When country side is mentioned, the image that comes to mind is of beautiful emerald green hills and soft cloudy days. This is a fantasy the country side is alive and vibrant with textures and hews that dazzle the eyes, diversity that’s as unique as an abstract oil painting and beauty that takes your breath away.

In this article I’ll include some of the more interesting drives in each of the provinces in South Africa with a slight overview of what each drive entails.

Gauteng:

The Magaliesberg Circular is a 200km circular route which encompasses the Witwatersrand botanical garden, Krugersdorp, Krugersdorp Game Reserve, The Sterkfontein caves, Rhino Park, hekpoort valley and the Magaliesberg and Hartebeespoort Dam.

The Crocodile ramble route which includes Croc City crocodile farm.

Limpopo:

Soutpansberg birding route, for all those birding enthusiast and nature lovers. The route includes Eastern Limpopo River valley, Eastern Soutpansberg, Kruger national park, North Western Flats, North Eastern Venda and the South Western Flats.

Ribbola Open Africa Route, for lovers of African curious such as arts and crafts.

Rixile Open Africa Route, a slow meandering route with mind blowing scenery and unbelievable cultural experiences.

Zoutpansberg skirmishes route, a definite must for those who adore history. Follow the last days of the Anglo-Boer war in the Zoutpansberg.

Mpumalanga:

Cosmos country route, although this area is one of the biggest mining areas in South Africa, it suddenly bursts with pink and white when the cosmos flowers open in late summer. Some points of interest are that it is home to the big five and is the only area in the world that makes petrol out of coal.

The wild frontier route boasting discoveries of some of the oldest life on earth. The area in which the route takes place is also known as the cradle of life and home to the historic towns of Barberton, Badplaas, Komatipoort and Kaapmuiden. The Mkonja Mountain range is considered of the oldest in the world with its immense and imposing beauty.

The Panorama is a route of what can only be said, eye candy. Its beautiful backdrops and natural scenery draws tourists by the hoards and is generally just one of the most amazing places to visit. It is home to places like Gods window and the world’s third biggest green canyon, Bourke’s luck potholes which are formed by the meandering river, and lastly of the 3 rondawels.

Lowveld Legogote is a route where you can find the oldest dolomite caves, Sudwala Caves, in the world, a botanical garden that boasts an African rain forest and what is considered as some of the oldest living plants species in the world, the cycads.

Highlands Meander boasts some of the sub continents rarest bird species, rock climbing, extravagant wild flowers and the fly fishing Mecca of South Africa. This route is definitely meant for those who have a great love of nature.

The cultural Heartland route is one of those routes where you can immerse yourself in the culture of the area, the Ndebele, and experience life in the Homesteads of the people. Within the route you can also learn more about the Boer war and enjoy some of the best that nature has to offer.

The grass and wetlands route, a bird watchers paradise, historian’s playground and nature lover’s escapade. This route boasts the largest freshwater lake in South Africa, with a frog watching festival in summer and a star gazing festival in winter. You can also witness a reenactment of the Boer war annually.

Kwazulu Natal:

Apart from beautiful coastlines and vibrant city life the Kwazulu Natal countryside is exquisitely beautiful.

The midlands meander is an arts and crafts route that was started in 1985. The main aim of the route is to bring people inland for a bit and to show the master craftsman at their best. Apart from arts and crafts you can also experience incredible lush scenery, beautiful towns and even a Botanical Garden in Pietermaritzburg.

The battlefields route boasts the largest concentration of battlefields in South Africa and goes out of its way to show visitors how South Africa was shaped and how South Africa also rocked Europe to its core. But apart from battlefields you can enjoy a wonderful sub tropical climate, beautiful scenery and wildlife galore.

The KZN Zululand route gives visitors a unique view of the life, culture and history of the Zulu People and shows how from a minor tribe of the Eastern Nguni people it became a powerhouse to be reckoned with. 

The Free State:

Although this area has no formal routes it has some incredible scenery and a lot to see. The scenery changes from open grass lands to exquisitely weathered Sandstone hills. It is abound with surprising picturesque valleys and has some definite highlights such as the Golden gate national park, Harrismith, Ficksburg (cherry capital of the country), Clocolan (the centre of SA’s asparagus production), and Fouriesberg (with stunning scenery and beautiful game and national parks).

Northwest:

Although with out formal routes this is a land of bountiful splendor with loads of entertainment. Here you can visit places like Lichtenberg, which was the scene of the last truly great diamond rush. The gold mining town of Klerksdorp. Pochefstroom with its incredible university and learning centers. If you want to take in a bit of fun and entertainment then why not visit Sun City and the Pielansberg national park where the most successful game stocking ventures, coined operation genesis, in South Africa took place. Sun City has everything from Casino’s, game rides, crocodile farm, golf course (where incidentally the Nedbank Million Dollar takes place) and hotels to beautiful scenery and exquisite luxury. The North West is also an agricultural hub with rolling maize and grain fields and much more produce to be found.

Northern Cape Routes:

Augrabies route is a sub-Saharan route with all the splendor of a dessert. Witness how animals survive extreme temperature fluctuations from up to 45 degrees Celsius in summer to below zero temperatures at nigh in winter and sometimes in summer to.

Kalahari Red dunes routes, for nature lovers. Witness the game, bird life and other wildlife while traveling over the rust red dunes of the Kalahari.

Kamiesberg Route is where you can find some incredible rock formations, fascinating plant life and all the wildlife you’d ever want to see. Hire a vehicle with air conditioning as temperatures can get stifling.

Richtersfeld route, ever wanted to see the moon? Well this route come close to it with its desert and rocky mountainous landscape.

Western Cape:

Cape Karoo route, if you’re looking for great contrasts and incredible beauty then this is it. The route takes you through famous towns such as Stellenbosch and Franschhoek, mountainous scenery with contrasts of lush Winelands and semi arid desert.

There are also many routes in and around Cape Town. From the North, South, East, West and central routes to further ranging routes such as the Winelands route and whale route with each route offering its own special bit of scenery, history and beauty.

The Cape Garden Route is a beautiful route that is approximately 800km’s long. It boasts a landscape of forests, mountains, water and fynbos, hence its name. The best part of the trip is that the route is largely untouched by industry so the natural wonder is immense. The trip will normally take about 4 days but you can make it as long or as short as you want to. 

The Cape Town route 62 is characterized by open area and mountainous scenery. It is an inland route that stretches about 600km’s and is filled with diversity and beauty. It is also known as the world’s longest wine route going through most of the central wine growing areas such as Paarl, Tulbach, Wellington and many more.

The Cape West Coast route. Do you enjoy your fresh seafood, beautiful flowers and much more then the West coast route is perfect for you. Although these 2 items aren’t the only pleasures you’ll find most Cape Town Locals will name them as the biggest attraction of the West coast route. The route stretches for about 600km’s and usually takes about 5 days to complete.

The Cape Whale route is a route of dramatics where you will find or hear about things like the ghost ship the Flying Dutchman which is forever doomed to try and round the Cape bend. You will also see things like the wreck of the Birkenhead where the nautical tradition of woman and children first began. Considered to be South Africa’s most scenic and interesting drive, the route stretches for about 400km’s and will take you about 2 days to complete.

Eastern Cape:

Tsitsikama Falls Adventure Park, this is a route which leads you back into the garden route and is home to the highest commercial bungee jump in the world (standing at 216m), the highest narrow gauge bridge in the world, South Africa’s first natural marine park and South Africa’s first tree top canopy tour. Tractor rides and horse trails will astonish you with tours into the heart of the forest.

The Kouga Route, here you can drive along routes with pastoral scenery, beautiful seashell beaches and natural wilderness with national and game parks. The route goes past Jeffrey’s bay which holds the annual Gunston 500 (also known as the Mr Price surf classic), St Francis and nearby Cape St Francis where you will witness things such as whale watching surfing and angling. Along the route you can also see rock art or the place where Khoi San Sarah Baartman has been reburied. The story of Sarah Baartman is that in the 1800’s she was deported to Europe where she was put on as a living specimen of native Southern Africa. People were intrigued by the big bottoms and coloring of the people. After her death she was preserved and housed in France and eventually after years of negotiating she was bought back to South Africa and given a traditional burial.

Sundays River Valley route, from beautiful Citrus farms to an elephant park. This route will show you everything from white dunes, lakes and thorny bushveld. The biggest attraction being the Addo Elephant Park which incorporates a 120000ha marine reserve. It is the first park that introduces the big 7 which are lion, buffalo, rhino, elephant, leopard, Southern right whale and Great white sharks.

The Sunshine coast route is found within 45km’s of the city centre of Port Elizabeth. It has a lot to offer, nature reserves with forests and cape fynbos regions, exquisite beaches, picnic areas, place where you can safely swim, dolphin and whale sightings and rock pools. You can also visit the popular Sacramento Shipwreck which occurred in 1647 at Schoenies.

The frontier Country route. A distinct feature of this trail is that it has arid farms that have been saved and turned into big 5 game reserves. The history of the area is incredible as it is the place where the British fought their longest and most expensive frontier wars.  You can visit many towns along the route such as Grahamstown which is known as the city of saints because of the occurrence of its numerous churches.

Karoo heartland route. Sometimes referred to as God’s own Cathedral the heart of Karoo boasts open arid plains with vast dolomite spires that’s shadow barely touches sides. A place where 9000 different plant species have adapted to living in the harshest conditions and the only other distiller of tequila outside of Mexico can be found here. Here the spirit is called Algave spirit.

The Friendly N6 route which is set of the beaten track is ideal for outdoor activities. Activities on offer are fly fishing in cold trout streams, hiking on beautiful mountain trails, skiing at the only ski resort in Southern Africa, viewing San rock art and reviving in natural hot springs. Guest farms also boast beautiful conical hills, white rhino, horse riding, hiking and much more.

Amathole Mountain escape. For the adventurous souls or for those just seeking peace and solitude then this is perfect for you. You have abseiling, mountain bike riding, hiking, fly fishing and much more. The setting will take your breath away with majestic, forested mountain slopes and that fresh air that tucks you in at night.

The Wild Coast route is one for the ancestors. Here you can really get back to your routes with untouched and undeveloped lands and a host of activities. Activities include but are not restricted to hiking, horse trails, cliff jumping, salt water fly fishing, canoeing, water sports such as surfing, scuba diving and all the good things in life. For those interested in history then come and see where Nelson Mandela lived most of his free life and find out more about this great visionary leader at the Nelson Mandela museum.

For all these routes you will need different car type requirements please don’t hesitate to contact us at www.southafrica-carhire.com for a no obligation quote on a car to suite your needs for the time you’re here.   

From the rugged Kittatinny Mountains along the Delaware River in the northwest Skylands, to the rolling farmland and historic sites of Hunterdon County, and across the state to the Jersey Shore with it’s fantastic beaches, amusements piers, boardwalks, and charming Gingerbread Victorian homes, New Jersey offers a wide choice of scenic destinations for travelers of all interests from active adventure to a slower paced relaxed destination.

The Best Scenic Weekend Getaways In New Jersey

Cape May

Cape May is an ideal place to visit for that special scenic seaside weekend getaway. This beach resort town offers beautiful, powdery sand beaches, a charming village with Gingerbread Victorian homes, gas-lit street lamps, horse drawn carriages, tree lined streets, and an historic light house. To complete the weekend getaway experience, there are a variety of Victorian bed and breakfasts, quaint shops, and fine dining restaurants that appeal to all tastes. While the summer season is the most popular time to visit, Cape May has become a year round attraction offering seasonal programs, candlelit house tours, and a variety of other cooler weather activities.

Cape May is also the home of one of the largest commercial fishing ports in the United States, and as a result you will find a good variety of seafood restaurants that serve up locally caught fresh sea food.

Things to do

If relaxing on the beach is not your thing, there are plenty of other activities that can occupy your day time leisure hours. They include; bike riding, with many bike rentals available locally by the hour or day. Cycle down to Sunset Beach or the Cape May Light House built 1859 and listed on the State and National Registers of historic places, or the nearby Bird Observatory operated by the New Jersey Audubon society. There is picnicking, beach walking at sunrise or sunset, where you might see schools of dolphins swimming by, whale and dolphin watching boat trips, kayaking in the salt water marshlands, a salt marsh safari, deep sea fishing, a nautical museum, and an historic W.W. II coastal defense gun emplacement.

Places to Stay

The Albert Stevens Inn – Located within walking distance of the Cape May Point Lighthouse and the Cape May Bird Observatory.

The Bedford Inn – A Victorian home with gingerbread trim, a block from the beach, has a large old-fashioned veranda with rocking chairs, and a Victorian parlor with a fireplace.

Victoria B & B – A Victorian home with home made quilts adorning the beds. Located in the center of the historic district and a block from the beach, it has four Victorian buildings with front porches and sitting parlors.

Hunterdon County – Clinton/Frenchtown/Lambertville/Sergeantsville

Hunterdon County is a special scenic destination with rolling farmlands, historic sites, and charming towns. Featured here are the towns of Clinton, Frenchtown, Lambertville, and Sergeantsville. All are small charming towns with surrounding rural scenic beauty that can easily be seen during a weekend getaway.

Clinton nestled in the hills, is a classic American small town that has attracted photographers, movie makers, and visitors here for its scenic and historic beauty. It’s a charming historic village with shops and cherry tree lined streets, a river with a 200 foot wide waterfall winding through it, and lined with old grist mills.

Things to do

Hunterdon Museum of Art – A contemporary art museum located in an 1836 stone gristmill listed on the National and State Historic Registers. 908-735-8415

Red Mill Museum Village – The most photographed spot in New Jersey, is situated on 10 scenic acres next to Clinton’s waterfall. The museum is just steps across the antique iron bridge with over 40,000 artifacts and chronicles more than 180 years of Hunterdon County history. 908-735-4101

Clinton Canoe & Kayak Rental – 908-735-6767

Ken Lockwood Gorge, Califon – From Califon down to High Bridge, the Raritan River cuts through a beautiful scenic gorge straddled with huge boulders.

Places to Stay

Courtyard Lebanon – A new hotel with spacious rooms, a small heated pool and a complimentary breakfast.

Holiday Inn Select – Within walking distance to the downtown shops.

Frenchtown is an undiscovered secret that is attracting visitors with its many three story multi-colored Victorian homes, art galleries, antique shops, clothing boutiques, and restaurants, all surrounded by rural scenic rolling hills, a river and historic sites.

Things to Do

If you chose to make Frenchtown your overnight base for exploring Hunterdon County, rent a bike at Freeman’s bike shop and ride south along the D & R Canal towpath, stopping in at Stockton, then continue on to Lambertville. Return to Frenchtown by way of Route 29.

Check out Alexandria Balloon Flights – 908-479-4878.

View Frenchtown’s romantic sunsets from a hot air balloon. See fantastic views of the river, the riverbanks, and the rolling hills.

If its summer, rent an inner tube at Delaware Tubing, 908-996-5386, for a leisurely float along the Delaware River. Check out the Sand Castle Winery for tasting and tours

Places to Stay

National Hotel with dark wood beams, beds draped in mosquito netting.

The Widow McCrea House, a Victorian inn with antique guest rooms and a candlelit gourmet breakfast.

Lambertville is Hunterdon County’s only city and is popular with visitors attracted to its quaint town with tree lined streets, Victorian homes, antique shops, clothing boutiques, art galleries, and restaurants. Its five block downtown area along the Delaware River attracts window shoppers and browsers.

Things to do

If you chose to make Lambertville your overnight base for exploring Hunterdon County, and you have your own bike, head North to Frenchtown on Route 29, and return south along the D & R Canal towpath, stopping in at Stockton.

Lambertville Historical Society – The Marshall House with 1834 furnishings, a Shad history display, and quilts.

Magic Glass Studio – Create your very own one of a kind glass piece at their unique studio.

The Museum At Holcombe-Jimison Farmstead – where you can see old farming equipment, a country kitchen, a rural post office, Dr. Leaver’s doctor/dentist office, a blacksmith shop, a print shop, a carpentry shop, and a period herb garden.

The River Horse Brewery – is the area’s only microbrewery producing handcrafted lagers and ales. Take a walking tour of the kegging and bottling operation and sample products in the tasting room.

Places to Stay

Chimney Hill Farm Estate – This fieldstone country inn was built in 1820, and is surrounded by eight acres of fields and landscaped grounds.

Inn at Lambertville Station – The cities largest bed & breakfast is family friendly. Its three stories with most rooms

The In having a view of the river.

York Street House B & B – A Victorian home with a front porch and wooden rocking chairs and a candlelight breakfast.

Sergeantsville is a small village that resembles Pennsylvania’s Amish Country with its rolling hills, open farmland, and the State’s last pre-20th century covered bridge, and an old fashioned general store.

Things to Do

Drive through the last pre-20th century covered bridge in New Jersey, and stop by to visit an old fashioned general store.

Northern Skylands

Here you can experience New England scenic beauty without leaving New Jersey. The Northern Skylands Region is rich with mountainous terrain, riverfront towns, state parks, farmlands, wildlife, bed and breakfasts, and plenty of recreational opportunities. This is an area that has some of New Jersey’s best cycling, fishing, tubing, canoeing, and camping.

The Upper Highlands Region of the Skylands, from the east at Ringwood State Park, west to Vernon Valley, and south to the glacial lakes remnants of the former Morris canal, and North to the New York State border, it attracts more annual visitors than Yellowstone National Park. It is a beautiful scenic panorama of forests, sheer cliffs, and a scattering of open areas of lakes and streams. This area is popular for down hill skiing, snowboarding, camping, trout fishing, hiking, and golf.

The Ridge and Valley region of the Skylands covers the extreme Northwest corner of the State and the Kittatinny Mountains. The region is very popular with outdoor enthusiasts. It has the highest point in New Jersey at 1,803 feet and attracts active visitors seeking camping, hiking, skydiving, cross country skiing, snowshoeing, and fly fishing.

Things to do

High Point State Park

The view from High Point Monument, at 1,803 feet above sea level, is a spectacular panorama covering three states of rolling farmlands, mountains, forests, rivers and streams. The park also contains an 18 mile section of the Appalachian Trail. It’s an all season park for attracting visitors for mountain biking, horseback riding, hiking, swimming, fishing, cross country skiing, ice fishing, dog sledding, and snowshoeing.

Stokes State Forest is 15,996 acres of scenic mountain views and a beautiful section of the Appalachian Trail. The rugged terrain makes the forest a popular area for mountain biking, hiking, fishing, cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, horse back riding, swimming, and camping.

Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area borders over 40 miles of the Delaware River and almost 70,000 acres expanse of scenic beauty, breath taking cliffs, and a 1,400 foot deep, 900 foot wide gap that separates New Jersey’s 1,528 foot Mt. Tammany and Pennsylvania’s 1,462 foot Mt. Minsky. It’s a popular place for back packing, hiking, biking, canoeing, camping, cross country skiing, picnicking, horseback riding, and fishing. For the less active, take a one-day auto tour of the park and experience waterfalls, rural scenery, and historic Millbrook Village.

Skylands Manor and New Jersey Botanical Garden at Ringwood. Spend a couple of hours wandering through the 96 acre gardens with over 400 varieties of lilac. Take a stroll though the woodland paths of magnolia walk, and crab apple vista, with a visit to the elegant Tudor-style manor house.

Franklin Mineral Museum at The Franklin mine is a zinc mine known for its unique display of mineral fluorescence, (glowing rocks) and variety of rare species. They have thousands of mineral specimens on display with a huge fluorescent presentation of brilliant and glowing colorful minerals.

Places to Stay

The Inn at Panther Valley – Is a beautiful large full service Inn, ideal for some one looking for a weekend getaway inn with plenty of amenities. Located 20 minutes from the Delaware Water Gap, in the heart of the Northwest NJ Skylands, it has a modern fitness center, shops, restaurants, and nightly entertainment. They also support corporate retreats and weddings.

Alpine Haus Bed and Breakfast Inn – Located next to Mountain Creek Resort in Vernon, this 19th Century Victorian Inn has eight well-appointed, cozy rooms all with private baths. There are two Carriage House suites with fireplace and Jacuzzi

Crystal Springs Resort – The new Minerals Hotel features 175 rooms from luxury to the Presidential suite, all with attractive mountain, pool or golf course views. Many of the rooms have cozy fireplaces. It also offers the regions best fine dining restaurant.

Ten of the fastest-growing occupations
Do any of the fields interest you? If yes, your future is looking bright. Even though pay is important, make sure you find a profession that you are passionate about. After all, a career and profession is a large part of your life. You want to pick an area that is of some interest to you and that you are excited about.

Network Systems and Data Communications Analyst

1. Salary: $46,000 range
2. Bachelor’s degree needed

Personal and Home Care Aide

1. Salary: Under $20,000
2. No college education required

Home Health Aide

1. Salary: Under $20,000
2. No college education required

Computer Software Engineer

1. Salary: $46, 000 range
2. Bachelor’s degree needed

Veterinary Technologist or Technician

1. Salary: $20,000 – $30,000 range
2. Associate degree needed

Personal Finance Advisor

1. Salary: $46,000 or more
2. Bachelor’s degree needed

Makeup Artists for Theater

1. Salary: $30,000 – $45,000 range
2. Postsecondary vocational needed

Medical Assistant

1. Salary: $20,000 – $30,000 range
2. No secondary education needed

Veterinarian

1. Salary: $46,000 range
2. Professional degree needed

Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselor

1. Salary: $30,000 – $45,000 range
2. Bachelor’s degree needed

Best U. S. cites to find jobs currently

Do any of the cities interest you? In general it is advisable to pick a geographic location that you can see yourself living in for the long run. If you love to ski for example, and are interested in technology, then you are in luck. Salt Lake City would just be perfect for you.

1. Salt Lake City, Utah (for technology related jobs)
2. Atlanta, Georgia (for transportation, distribution and financial service jobs)
3. Indianapolis, Indiana (agricultural related jobs)
4. Omaha, Nebraska (financial services and agricultural related jobs)
5. Seattle, Washington (aerospace and global trade related jobs)

Cities with lowest unemployment rate:

Low unemployment rate is usually a good indicator of a regions economic prosperity. A low unemployment rate is a good sign that the demand for skilled workers is larger than the supply. Any of the cities below would offer good opportunities for job seekers.

1. Sioux Falls, South Dakota (2.4% unemployment rate)
2. Rapid City, South Dakota (2.5% unemployment rate)
3. Idaho Falls, Idaho (2.5% unemployment rate)
4. Bismarck, North Dakota (2.6% unemployment rate)
5. Houma, Louisiana (2.7% unemployment rate)
6. Morgantown, West Virginia (2.8% unemployment rate)
7. Logan, Utah (2.8% unemployment rate)
8. Fargo, North Dakota (2.9% unemployment rate)
9. Casper, Wyoming (2.9% unemployment rate)
10. Billings, Montana (3% unemployment rate)

Knowing what you want to do and what geographic locations are most prosperous for you is half the battle. The second part is to be proactive in your job search. Don’t expect people to come looking for you. Instead go out and prospect for your dream job just like you would going shopping for some new clothes. Gather information about different companies in your field of interest, find out who is in charge of hiring, and send out your resume. The more resumes you send out the higher the probability that you will get a call back for an initial interview. It is simply a numbers game! Last but not least: Keep a positive attitude and never take a rejection personal.

Contractors Shouldn’t Cost a Fortune

Contractors are a special breed of workmen that aren’t afraid to get their hands dirty, know a lot about building and dismantling, and can sometimes cost more than you anticipated. Contractors shouldn’t cost more than you are willing to pay. A good contractor will sit down with you and map out a budget that will make both of you happy.

Contractors Should Know Their Specialty

When contractor shopping you need to find a contractor that is efficient in the services they offer. Who wants to pay for a bathroom remodeling contractor that knows next to nothing about bathroom remodeling? Salt Lake City Bathroom remodeling isn’t something that anyone can do- so don’t believe the hype, interview around for the right one. There has to be a contractor in Utah that is worth hiring for work in Wasatch.

Contractors Should Be Open for Suggestions

No one likes to work with someone who doesn’t listen to their design ideas. You don’t want to get stuck with custom cabinet re-facing, countertops and tile floors that aren’t what you would have customized. You don’t want to waste your time and money on know-it-all contractors that put their interests above your project. Salt Lake City bathroom remodeling is a renovation and repair project that shouldn’t be one sided- especially when you’re the one footing the bill.

Now that you know some of the basic info regarding the type of contractors you do and do not want, take your time finding the one that will best fit your Salt Lake City bathroom remodeling job. Based on the amount of time you have, the amount of money you want to spend, and the amount of frustration you are willing to endure your choices in contractors for your bathroom renovation could be endless- but don’t just pick anyone. You’ll want the best!

Salt Lake City bathroom remodeling is Homeshow Daily’s specialty. Visit www.homeshowdaily.com to get bids from our pre-screened Salt Lake City bathroom remodeling contractors.