Diver down under
New Zealand conjures up thoughts of beautiful locations to don the scuba gear in crystal-clear waters. Try the Dive New Zealand Web site (www.divenewzealand.com) for a taste. But a sign of the world's troubled times is evident here. An article titled ``Terrorists and Rebreathers'' suggests even underwater danger lurks.
But there is plenty more pleasant news to check out here. One story, ``The Perfect Dive,'' lists the components that make an area an ideal spot to explore. They include the following: ``Warm tropical water,'' ``Vast schools of pelagic fish,'' ``Gray reef, whitetip and wobbegong sharks,'' ``Way cool `ugly' critters like frogfish, crocodile fish, angler and stonefish'' and ``No seasickness.''
The author only discovered one place that met most of his criteria: The Navy Pier at Exmouth in Western Australia.
--Go West, young fly: The Westfly magazine Web site (www.westfly.com) conveniently has links to every state in its coverage area. Clicking on California brings updated flow information on the state's major rivers. Another section provides current weather forecasts and occasional fishing reports.
Besides, you can't help but like a site with the slogan, ``All West, All Fly, No Bull.''
- Chris Cocoles
``Runner's World Complete Guide to Trail Running''
By Dagny Scott Barrios
(2003, Rodale Inc., $16.95)
As you undoubtedly know as a reader of these pages, the greater L.A. area offers a stunning array of outdoors opportunities for a metropolis. One of the gifts of this area is our mountains.
Look in pretty much any direction and you see them.
Ever give trail running some thought?
``The essence of trail running,'' writes the author of this helpful and intriguing guide, ``has as much to do with the outdoors as it does with running. And that means it's about something outside of us, a connection to nature.''
The basics of the sport are well-covered, and it's hardly as intimidating as it might seem. If you run on the road, or if you're seeking a new sport that extracts you from the daily grind, you can do this. This book will get you on your way, and we've got all the mountain you'll need.
- Michael A. Anastasi
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