Science Horizons

A well designed and cleverly painted backdrop can make your model railroad layout stand out from the rest and look truly unique. This is mostly because it makes an optical illusion that produces an effect called forced perspective.

Forced perspective occurs when the layout in the foreground appears to be larger because it is placed in front of a space in the distance, which is made by adding a backdrop to the wall in the case of model railroads. It is an optical illusion that will make your entire model railroad layout appear to be larger than it really is.

The effect of forced perspective can be observed all around us. For instance, a barn several hundred feet away from you will look smaller than a Chihuahua sitting on the ground ahead of it. By analyzing natural landscapes you will notice techniques you can use to make an outstanding backdrop to use with you model railroad layout.

Projects of this sort always require lots of planning. Hopefully, you will be working on your backdrop at the same time that you are designing the rest of your model train layout. A mistake that many people make is working on the backdrop after they have finished everything else. If you design them together, you can make some interesting and unique set pieces.

To make your backdrop, you need to have in mind what season it will, what the weather will be like, the location you will be showing, and what kind of day it will be. Planning these details will save you lots of frustration in the long run.

Think about what the sky will look like. Remember that, even on a cloudless day, the sky is actually made up of several different hues of blue due to the position of the sun and other environmental factors. A good base color is Velvet Sky Vinyl, available in acrylic flat paint.

When considering what the clouds will look like, remember that no two clouds are quite the same. The grand majority of clouds are cumulus, stratus, and cirrus. The most common clouds are the white and puffy cumulus ones.

The color of clouds also varies quite a bit depending on where they are positioned in the sky. Decide where the sun is in your backdrop and then color the clouds near is lighter than those farther away.

Bill Murphy Collecting Collecting, model railroad, model railroad backdrops, model railroader, model railway, model train layout, model trains, toy trains, track layout, trains

Even though there is a global economic recession enveloping the whole world today, people will still have the urge to travel. The main worry they have is how they can indulge in their preferences without overspending. This can actually be easily done by choosing the type of travel method.

Even with the factor of cost, an individual has many choices in terms of travel method. The most convenient would be the use of planes that covers just about everywhere. Another popular choice involves going on cruises aboard different ships which are however limited but cheaper.

There are also many who choose to drive as a mode of travel transport although it is limited to certain countries. One can actually drive through Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore, for instance. Similar things can be done in European countries as they are well connected by roads and costs cheaper, although it can be tiring.

A more unconventional way to travel is to hop on a train and tour the country. Train tours can be as comprehensive as other popular travel packages but offer a unique view on the available scenery and landscapes that can be found within a country. Prices are also often affordable due to lower operational and maintenance costs.

That does not take away the benefits of taking train tours for any traveler. One would be able to save money while getting overnight stays in luxurious hotels. Packages also include meals either onboard or at designated stops.

Perhaps the most attractive thing a train tour provides is the beautiful scenery that the trains often pass by on most routes. As it is, these tours have been packaged with this in mind and it would be meaningless to send tourists across barren landscapes. Some of the best rides include those that go pass the Grand Canyon, Alaska and Kyoto.

Agencies are also keen to create tour packages using rail services available in certain countries. This is because of the extensive reach these networks have as well as a plethora of services and amenities provided on their trains. Japan’s bullet trains are the most comfortable in the world to travel on, and it is no wonder that many Japan travel packages use them as one of their highlights.

The many positives of train tours are therefore highlighted and will be strong encouragement for people to rely on them for their future travel plans. They can not only save on travel cost but also get to have different interesting perspectives of what each country has to offer. It can also be seen as a form of innovation for the tourist industry as they strive to survive in tougher economic climates.

Ken Chan Recreation and Leisure budget travel tips, cheap travel tips, japan train travel, leisure, Recreation and Leisure, train tours, train tours in US, train travel packages, train vacations, trains, Travel, vacations

POEMS I WROTE SOMETIME AFTER 1995

I have been asked recently if I have ever written any Poetry . I had said No at first. Then I remembered that some time back after 1995 after a break up with a Girl that I had lived with for a while. (Probably the only real relationship of my life, So Far) I wrote what I would call “two poems”!

The first I wrote right after the break up. I guess I was at the point I was just trying show I was a hardcore man and the break up did not effect me. So I was trying to be funny about the whole thing.

The second I wrote years later after my Dog “Mutely Junior” was killed. Juniors Mother had been the Girl I had lived withs Dog named “Riff Raff”, and his Father was named “Mutely” He had been my Fathers dog . When me and the girl broke up, Junior was still only a puppy about six months old and he was by my side the whole time. He was like my Son. The girl I had dated had kids that I helped take care of while I lived there and I do not think it could have been much harder leaving the kids had they been my own flesh and blood.

I do not fall in love easy and my life has always been about being a Biker and I have often said the last thing I want to do is anything like getting married and having kids. I have always said I want something more from life. So I found it very odd and disconcerting that I found myself so happy living with this Girl playing the roll of Father to her kids ! I guess what we tell ourselves we want and what you really want can be two totally different things! I was young then and as I look back now I can remember I did not keep it much of a secret that I wanted more from life and I can only assume that was a big part of why we broke up.

After the Break up I lived in a Cabin in the woods in upstate NY in a small town for about 4 years. Junior was almost always by my side and he and I enjoyed many adventures during that time. As much as I loved my life in the Cabin. I once again found myself wanting more from life. So I moved to Long Island NY. I was getting myself set up in yet another new life. During this time while I got my new life in order, I had left Junior with my Father to be take care of . One night my Father let him out and Junior ran off . A few days later Junior was found by the Train tracks. He had been hit by a Train and was dead. It was no ones fault. Junior had always loved fast to run threw the woods. It was part of who he was. When I heard about Juniors death I wrote the Second poem. Junior was the last part of what I often think of as a different life I once lived. With Junior gone it was at that point that I truly felt the break up.

These Poems are not of me now but of a Me I once was or maybe a Me I could have been. I believe I have now found my place in the world and I am almost positive I am happy. So I will post these poems for you all to read! Some may say these poems will make me look weak. To them I say always remember looks can be deceiving !!!

I hope you enjoy the poems. LJ James

Love?

I told you Id walk a Million Miles for you. You said Please do.

I told you I would clime the highest Mountain for you. You said I hope you fall off.

I told you I would swim the oceans for your Love . You said I hope you Drown.

I told you my heart was yours You said let me see it.

I told you I would die for you. You said prove it!!!

Sweet Heart I’m starting to get the feeling you don’t Love Me !!!! By L.J. James

———————————————————– Home or Lost

I stand here alone thinking of a place gone Past. Never thinking that I have been away so long.

Its a strange feeling to know your home is no longer yours but now some others.

I can’t go back, but I still wonder if I would.

I was always cold on that hill but my heart was warm.

My Dog was born there but now he too is gone Killed in the Night by a train going some where I have never been.

My heart got broke but I did not cry.

I though I was happy before I really was. Now I wonder can I be again.

My heart calls out for me to follow the sun. But I don’t remember where it is that I was going before I stopped here

Am I happy here, I think so but I’ve been wrong before! By L.J. James AmericanBikerX.com

LJ James Children Cabins, Children, dogs, Heart break, life, love, Poems, trains, wife, woods

POEMS I WROTE SOMETIME AFTER 1995

I have been asked recently if I have ever written any Poetry . I had said No at first. Then I remembered that some time back after 1995 after a break up with a Girl that I had lived with for a while. (Probably the only real relationship of my life, So Far) I wrote what I would call “two poems”!

The first I wrote right after the break up. I guess I was at the point I was just trying show I was a hardcore man and the break up did not effect me. So I was trying to be funny about the whole thing.

The second I wrote years later after my Dog “Mutely Junior” was killed. Juniors Mother had been the Girl I had lived withs Dog named “Riff Raff”, and his Father was named “Mutely” He had been my Fathers dog . When me and the girl broke up, Junior was still only a puppy about six months old and he was by my side the whole time. He was like my Son. The girl I had dated had kids that I helped take care of while I lived there and I do not think it could have been much harder leaving the kids had they been my own flesh and blood.

I do not fall in love easy and my life has always been about being a Biker and I have often said the last thing I want to do is anything like getting married and having kids. I have always said I want something more from life. So I found it very odd and disconcerting that I found myself so happy living with this Girl playing the roll of Father to her kids ! I guess what we tell ourselves we want and what you really want can be two totally different things! I was young then and as I look back now I can remember I did not keep it much of a secret that I wanted more from life and I can only assume that was a big part of why we broke up.

After the Break up I lived in a Cabin in the woods in upstate NY in a small town for about 4 years. Junior was almost always by my side and he and I enjoyed many adventures during that time. As much as I loved my life in the Cabin. I once again found myself wanting more from life. So I moved to Long Island NY. I was getting myself set up in yet another new life. During this time while I got my new life in order, I had left Junior with my Father to be take care of . One night my Father let him out and Junior ran off . A few days later Junior was found by the Train tracks. He had been hit by a Train and was dead. It was no ones fault. Junior had always loved fast to run threw the woods. It was part of who he was. When I heard about Juniors death I wrote the Second poem. Junior was the last part of what I often think of as a different life I once lived. With Junior gone it was at that point that I truly felt the break up.

These Poems are not of me now but of a Me I once was or maybe a Me I could have been. I believe I have now found my place in the world and I am almost positive I am happy. So I will post these poems for you all to read! Some may say these poems will make me look weak. To them I say always remember looks can be deceiving !!!

I hope you enjoy the poems. LJ James

Love?

I told you Id walk a Million Miles for you. You said Please do.

I told you I would clime the highest Mountain for you. You said I hope you fall off.

I told you I would swim the oceans for your Love . You said I hope you Drown.

I told you my heart was yours You said let me see it.

I told you I would die for you. You said prove it!!!

Sweet Heart I’m starting to get the feeling you don’t Love Me !!!! By L.J. James

———————————————————– Home or Lost

I stand here alone thinking of a place gone Past. Never thinking that I have been away so long.

Its a strange feeling to know your home is no longer yours but now some others.

I can’t go back, but I still wonder if I would.

I was always cold on that hill but my heart was warm.

My Dog was born there but now he too is gone Killed in the Night by a train going some where I have never been.

My heart got broke but I did not cry.

I though I was happy before I really was. Now I wonder can I be again.

My heart calls out for me to follow the sun. But I don’t remember where it is that I was going before I stopped here

Am I happy here, I think so but I’ve been wrong before! By L.J. James AmericanBikerX.com

JR Rooney Children Cabins, Children, dogs, Heart break, life, love, Poems, trains, wife, woods

If you Ride a Motorcycle on Long Island then you have probably been to “The Maples” 10 Ryerson Ave in Manorville, If not with all the great routes you can ride to get there, sooner or later I’m sure you will find yourself parking your bike in front!

The Maples draws in every type of Rider, It does not matter what you Ride, how long you have been Riding or how often you chose to Ride! When you are at the Maples you are home! At the Maples it feels as if time is not only standing still ,but you may feel as if you have traveled back in time a few years! Even though the Maples is only about a mile North of exit 70 off the LIE you will feel like all the rush of the Long Island life is a Million miles away! Relaxing at the Maples is an easy thing to do.

Inside you can hang out at the main Bar, shoot a game of Pool or enjoy some of their great food in the large dinning area. Maybe you are more like me and after a nice Ride you enjoy relaxing out side.Well at the Maples you can relax on the huge side deck,Where if you are a fan of Trains you can enjoy the view of the Trains slowly rolling by as if out of a scene from a Norman Rockwell Painting!

Then there is the Huge back deck where there is a full service Bar, Jukebox, Pool table and more often then not a live band! Many Couples like to unwind over by the Perfectly landscaped Pond or walk around the huge backyard! As Maples is a Biker friendly bar you will find that many bike events are held there! After a trip to “the Maples” You will understand why many call it the Best Biker Bar in the Northeast and say that a day at the maples is more relaxing then a weekend trip upstate! The Maples offers Long Islanders everything the Upstate Country Bars do, Well except maybe that Ride threw the City! Check out the Maples online at http://www.geocitiescom/themaplesbar/

Your Bro LJ James AmericanBikerX.com Radio Show at BikerLowdown.com

JR Rooney Travel bars, beer, Biker Bars, food, food;drink, friends, hamburgers, hamptons, harley davidson, long island, motorcycle, Motorcycles, new york, ride, trains, Travel

POEMS I WROTE SOMETIME AFTER 1995

I have been asked recently if I have ever written any Poetry . I had said No at first. Then I remembered that some time back after 1995 after a break up with a Girl that I had lived with for a while. (Probably the only real relationship of my life, So Far) I wrote what I would call “two poems”!

The first I wrote right after the break up. I guess I was at the point I was just trying show I was a hardcore man and the break up did not effect me. So I was trying to be funny about the whole thing.

The second I wrote years later after my Dog “Mutely Junior” was killed. Juniors Mother had been the Girl I had lived withs Dog named “Riff Raff”, and his Father was named “Mutely” He had been my Fathers dog . When me and the girl broke up, Junior was still only a puppy about six months old and he was by my side the whole time. He was like my Son. The girl I had dated had kids that I helped take care of while I lived there and I do not think it could have been much harder leaving the kids had they been my own flesh and blood.

I do not fall in love easy and my life has always been about being a Biker and I have often said the last thing I want to do is anything like getting married and having kids. I have always said I want something more from life. So I found it very odd and disconcerting that I found myself so happy living with this Girl playing the roll of Father to her kids ! I guess what we tell ourselves we want and what you really want can be two totally different things! I was young then and as I look back now I can remember I did not keep it much of a secret that I wanted more from life and I can only assume that was a big part of why we broke up.

After the Break up I lived in a Cabin in the woods in upstate NY in a small town for about 4 years. Junior was almost always by my side and he and I enjoyed many adventures during that time. As much as I loved my life in the Cabin. I once again found myself wanting more from life. So I moved to Long Island NY. I was getting myself set up in yet another new life. During this time while I got my new life in order, I had left Junior with my Father to be take care of . One night my Father let him out and Junior ran off . A few days later Junior was found by the Train tracks. He had been hit by a Train and was dead. It was no ones fault. Junior had always loved fast to run threw the woods. It was part of who he was. When I heard about Juniors death I wrote the Second poem. Junior was the last part of what I often think of as a different life I once lived. With Junior gone it was at that point that I truly felt the break up.

These Poems are not of me now but of a Me I once was or maybe a Me I could have been. I believe I have now found my place in the world and I am almost positive I am happy. So I will post these poems for you all to read! Some may say these poems will make me look weak. To them I say always remember looks can be deceiving !!!

I hope you enjoy the poems. LJ James

Love?

I told you Id walk a Million Miles for you. You said Please do.

I told you I would clime the highest Mountain for you. You said I hope you fall off.

I told you I would swim the oceans for your Love . You said I hope you Drown.

I told you my heart was yours You said let me see it.

I told you I would die for you. You said prove it!!!

Sweet Heart I’m starting to get the feeling you don’t Love Me !!!! By L.J. James

———————————————————– Home or Lost

I stand here alone thinking of a place gone Past. Never thinking that I have been away so long.

Its a strange feeling to know your home is no longer yours but now some others.

I can’t go back, but I still wonder if I would.

I was always cold on that hill but my heart was warm.

My Dog was born there but now he too is gone Killed in the Night by a train going some where I have never been.

My heart got broke but I did not cry.

I though I was happy before I really was. Now I wonder can I be again.

My heart calls out for me to follow the sun. But I don’t remember where it is that I was going before I stopped here

Am I happy here, I think so but I’ve been wrong before! By L.J. James AmericanBikerX.com

LJ James Children Cabins, Children, dogs, Heart break, life, love, Poems, trains, wife, woods

If you Ride a Motorcycle on Long Island then you have probably been to “The Maples” 10 Ryerson Ave in Manorville, If not with all the great routes you can ride to get there, sooner or later I’m sure you will find yourself parking your bike in front!

The Maples draws in every type of Rider, It does not matter what you Ride, how long you have been Riding or how often you chose to Ride! When you are at the Maples you are home! At the Maples it feels as if time is not only standing still ,but you may feel as if you have traveled back in time a few years! Even though the Maples is only about a mile North of exit 70 off the LIE you will feel like all the rush of the Long Island life is a Million miles away! Relaxing at the Maples is an easy thing to do.

Inside you can hang out at the main Bar, shoot a game of Pool or enjoy some of their great food in the large dinning area. Maybe you are more like me and after a nice Ride you enjoy relaxing out side.Well at the Maples you can relax on the huge side deck,Where if you are a fan of Trains you can enjoy the view of the Trains slowly rolling by as if out of a scene from a Norman Rockwell Painting!

Then there is the Huge back deck where there is a full service Bar, Jukebox, Pool table and more often then not a live band! Many Couples like to unwind over by the Perfectly landscaped Pond or walk around the huge backyard! As Maples is a Biker friendly bar you will find that many bike events are held there! After a trip to “the Maples” You will understand why many call it the Best Biker Bar in the Northeast and say that a day at the maples is more relaxing then a weekend trip upstate! The Maples offers Long Islanders everything the Upstate Country Bars do, Well except maybe that Ride threw the City! Check out the Maples online at http://www.geocitiescom/themaplesbar/

Your Bro LJ James AmericanBikerX.com Radio Show at BikerLowdown.com

LJ James Travel bars, beer, Biker Bars, food, hamburgers, hamptons, harley davidson, long island, motorcycle, new york, ride, trains, Travel

If you Ride a Motorcycle on Long Island then you have probably been to “The Maples” 10 Ryerson Ave in Manorville, If not with all the great routes you can ride to get there, sooner or later I’m sure you will find yourself parking your bike in front!

The Maples draws in every type of Rider, It does not matter what you Ride, how long you have been Riding or how often you chose to Ride! When you are at the Maples you are home! At the Maples it feels as if time is not only standing still ,but you may feel as if you have traveled back in time a few years! Even though the Maples is only about a mile North of exit 70 off the LIE you will feel like all the rush of the Long Island life is a Million miles away! Relaxing at the Maples is an easy thing to do.

Inside you can hang out at the main Bar, shoot a game of Pool or enjoy some of their great food in the large dinning area. Maybe you are more like me and after a nice Ride you enjoy relaxing out side.Well at the Maples you can relax on the huge side deck,Where if you are a fan of Trains you can enjoy the view of the Trains slowly rolling by as if out of a scene from a Norman Rockwell Painting!

Then there is the Huge back deck where there is a full service Bar, Jukebox, Pool table and more often then not a live band! Many Couples like to unwind over by the Perfectly landscaped Pond or walk around the huge backyard! As Maples is a Biker friendly bar you will find that many bike events are held there! After a trip to “the Maples” You will understand why many call it the Best Biker Bar in the Northeast and say that a day at the maples is more relaxing then a weekend trip upstate! The Maples offers Long Islanders everything the Upstate Country Bars do, Well except maybe that Ride threw the City! Check out the Maples online at http://www.geocitiescom/themaplesbar/

Your Bro LJ James AmericanBikerX.com Radio Show at BikerLowdown.com

LJ James Travel bars, beer, Biker Bars, food, hamburgers, hamptons, harley davidson, long island, motorcycle, new york, ride, trains, Travel

It makes no difference whether you are only going on a quick trip or are going across countries, going on train trips are usually the way that many tourists take. Besides helping people to cover more ground in less time, train trips also offer them a view of the cityscape and the countryside of the locations they are going to tour.

To be able to make get the best experience out of your vacation, it pays to take notice of some important things to remember when traveling via train.

First of all, if you are in a foreign country, be sure you orient yourself about basic landmarks as well as the names of key towns or cities.

It’s OK if you dont speak a word of the language of the locals, you can buy guides and maps written in English. Familiarize yourself with the different trains that travel to and from your location, as there are trains that have several stops, and others are non-stop express trains.

As soon as you purchase your ticket, take note of the time schedule, and keep it with you at all times, along with your important travel documents.

When it comes to your baggage, be sure that you secure all your belongings before checking them in. Have easy to identify name tags so you can find them more conveniently once you arrive where you are going. In your carry-on bags have the important items like some toiletries, snacks, reading materials, and your valuables. Now, traveling on trains with kids may have some challenging moments to a few parents, but it doesnt have to be a crazy trip.

Because long trips may be quite boring for the kids, you may opt to take a night train. You can time your trip so your children can sleep most of the way. Other ways to keep children from beig bored may also be through games, books, magazines, or even portable music or video players.

Liz Lunn Travel Entertainment, europe, Family, train travel, train trips, trains, Travel, travel europe, trian europe

A luxury cruise voyage can truly enrich your life. Not only will you be traveling with like-minded people who love to cruise, you will develop great, lasting friendships among your many cruising companions.

When you cruise you can sail to intriguing ports of call anywhere that cruise ships travel. Not only are there the huge cruise liners which everyone is familiar with, there are a number of different types and sizes of ships. The medium, and particularly the smaller size cruise ships can negotiate further up the inland waterways to famous cities and historic landmarks where larger ships could never go.

The larger cruise ships generally have one or possibly two organized shore excursions at each port of call. If there are two sightseeing shore excursions scheduled the same day, one may happen early in the morning and the second one in the afternoon. Most shore excursions at take place in the morning normally get back to the ship in time for the people to dine on a fantastic lunch buffet.

Sometimes, on a second excursion, you could arrive back at the cruise ship late in the afternoon or early evening. This may make you a bit late for dinner if you have opted for the first sitting.

Its also your prerogative to explore the tourist attractions and landmarks of the city, town, or island, on your own. Remember that you are responsible to get back on time to your cruise ship or it could sail without you. However, if you book the shore excursion through your cruise ship, they will not depart the port until everyone is back on board.

Take full advantage of the time you have in port by using it wisely. Some vacationers decide to disembark and go it alone by hiring a car and driver to take them to see and explore the sights. Usually taxi drivers charge by the carload and not per person so if you want to save some money you can split the cost with a few other fellow passengers. If you leave early in the morning you may be able to get back in time to enjoy the lunch buffet.

When you cruise you should bring a detailed guide book that covers each of the destinations you know that you will be visiting. Even if the weather is inclement for your shore excursion, always take your camera as the weather can improve very quickly.

Don’t judge the port by the dock and its surrounding area. Its usually a freighter loading and unloading area and the major warehouse and industrial district of a town and city. You may have to travel out of the port and into the city or town to really experience the unique tourist attractions, historical sites and the local culture.

Is there a difference between a river cruise and a barge tour?

Although they have some similarities, there are differences between these two types of water sightseeing tours. Firstly, the ships that sail the rivers can handle approximately up to one hundred and eighty people, while barges usually can accommodate from five to twenty-five people. The second significant difference is that the river cruises can visit a number of countries and cities in a week, while barges traverse man-made canals from town to town and move at a much slower, leisurely pace, and can cover approximately only fifty miles in a week. Thirdly, river cruise ships have a restaurant, lounge, and entertainment, while the more intimate barges are essentially first-class, floating hotels, having a dining room and lounge as well as a sun deck. The most popular river cruises and barging tours are in Europe.

What is a luxury cruise tour package?

A cruise tour land package is similar to a cruise that stops for half-day or full day shore excursions but gives you the best of both a luxury cruise and a land holiday combined in one. The main differences between the two is the land part of your vacation includes transportation by train or motor coach travel to a quality hotel accommodation at your inland destination. You will be accompanied by an expert tour guide for the land segment of your itinerary. These combo packages are generally longer, lasting from approximately ten days to three weeks or even a month or more. On most cruise land tours you can decide to take the land part of your holiday either before or after your cruise.

Besides Europe, you can book a cruise land tour for South America, Asia, Australia, Asia and the United States. Alaska is one of the most popular cruise tour destinations.

If you’d like to enjoy the best of both worlds – a fabulous dream cruise holiday and a land tour adventure – a luxury cruise tour is the utmost vacation experience.

Dorothy Yamich Travel cruise ships, cruise tours, Cruises, Holidays, luxury cruises, river barges, river boats, river cruises, tourists, trains, Travel, travelers, vacationers, vacations