Top Ten

10 Bizarre Ways to Die

2010-02-20T20:57:00.000-08:00

With respect to sages and crystal ball advocates around the world, you never know how or when you're going to go. There are a lot of ways to die, and some are certainly more bizarre than others. Even natural causes like heart failure can be brought on by some pretty strange circumstances. So while a death certificate may read, "died while sleeping," the fine print might say, "after a satellite fell through the roof."

Throughout history there have been some pretty unusual deaths. Attila the Hun is said to have died from a nosebleed. Isadora Duncan, a popular American dancer in the 1920s, was strangled to death after her scarf got caught up in the axle of the car she was riding in. Stanford White, architect of New York's Madison Square Garden, was shot and killed on the roof of the building he designed. And writer Tennessee Williams famously choked on a bottle cap.

Those are odd and ironic ways to go, but they don't hold a candle to the 10 bizarre deaths on the following pages.
10. Death by Storm Drain

This bizarre and sad death is a good example of tragic bad luck. In 2008, a Canadian man died after attempting to retrieve his stolen wallet from a storm sewer drain. The wallet and some other personal items were stolen after the 57-year-old man left them at a gas station. He called police before finding the wallet in a nearby sewer drain. He tried unsuccessfully to reach it once before the police arrived and cautioned him not to try again. But the man came back later, removed the grate and gave it another shot. When an officer investigating the crime noticed the man's truck had returned, he went to check out the drain and found the man wedged headfirst several feet below the street. The victim was still alive at this point and remained so as firefighters used a tow truck to pull him from the drain. Sadly, he was pronounced dead at the hospital a short time later.

9. Death by Deodorant

In 1998, a 16-year-old boy in England passed away from a heart attack after being exposed to too many deodorant fumes. At the time of his death, the BBC claimed that more than 130 people had died after purposely inhaling aerosol deodorant products since 1971, but the boy's death was the only accidental case on record [source: BBC]. It seems that he was obsessed with personal hygiene and smelling fresh, so he'd spray his entire body with deodorant at least two times per day. It got so bad at times that the family of the boy could taste the fumes downstairs. In spite of this, they never thought he was in any danger. An autopsy revealed that he had 10 times the lethal amount of butane and propane in his bloodstream. It turns out that the boy used the deodorant in a relatively confined space even though warning labels recommend using it in a well-ventilated area.

It should be noted that in studies performed by the British Aerosol Manufacturers' Association and the toxicology unit at St. George's Hospital in London, researchers were not able to reproduce conditions that could lead to harmful or fatal effects from excessive spraying of aerosol products in a confined space.

8. Death by Beard

As of November 2008, a Canadian school teacher named Sarwan Singh holds the Guinness World Record for having the longest beard of any man alive. It hangs an astonishing seven feet, seven-and-three-quarter inches (2.36 meters) from his chin [source: ctv.ca]. But the all-time record for a beard goes to a Norwegian man who grew his beard out to a length of 17.5 feet (5.3 meters) [source: Spies]. His name was Hans Langseth and he died in 1927. At one point his beard was even on display in the Smithsonian Institute.

Neither one of these men have had much trouble with their beards. The same can't be said for an Austrian man from the mid-1500s. Hans Steininger's beard was a mere 4.5 feet (1.4 meters) long, but that was enough to lead to his untimely death [source: TIME]. Hans would keep his beard rolled up in a leather pouch, but failed to do so one day in 1567. A fire broke out in his town that day and he reportedly tripped on his beard while trying to evacuate. There are conflicting reports as to whether Steininger broke his neck or perished in the fire, but either way it was a very bizarre way to go.

7. Death by Hungry Sheep

Sheep are pretty docile creatures. If you visit a sheep farm, you'll likely find the wooly creatures just milling about and munching on some grass. Sadly, in 1999, a woman in England found out that sheep can have an aggressive side as well if they're hungry enough. Betty Stobbs was a farmer's wife and 67 years old at the time of her tragic encounter. She was taking a nice dinner of hay to the family's flock of sheep using a four wheeled all-terrain vehicle (ATV) with a small trailer attached. The sheep were in a field overlooking a quarry. When Stobbs arrived with dinner, the hungry herd charged her and jumped onto the ATV, knocking her off and into the quarry. The sad irony of this tragedy is that she didn't die from the fall itself. She may have even lived through the tumble, but the ATV was knocked off as well and crushed her.

6. Death by Bra

This one wasn't exactly caused by a bra, but the woman's undergarment certainly didn't help the situation for two ladies in London, England, in 1999. These two friends were walking through Hyde Park one day when a bad thunderstorm came through. The pair was believed to have been seeking shelter under a large tree when a massive bolt of lightning struck them both. Apparently the metal wiring in the women's bras acted as conductors, although the coroner believed that they would have died even if they hadn't been wearing the underwire brassieres. Sadly, the women were both killed instantly and their bodies stayed there for 15 hours before anyone approached them. The official cause of death, as listed by coroner Dr. Paul Knapman, was "misadventure."

5. Death by Video Game

A representative of the market research firm The NPD Group made a startling announcement at the video gaming industry's 2009 DICE Summit in Las Vegas. Gaming industry insiders knew that their product was undergoing some serious growth, but the revelation that 6 million new potential customers began playing video games in 2008 came as a welcome surprise. The conference also revealed that online gaming, when gamers play against each other via the Internet, rose two percent in 2008 [source: dicesummit.org].

All this activity on the gaming front has led to concerns over video game addiction. These concerns were validated in 2005 when a young man from South Korea passed away after a long stint playing the online version of the game Starcraft. The game is popular in South Korea, and popular gamers are revered. The 28-year-old man in this tragic case had been playing the game for nearly 50 hours straight at an Internet café in Taegu, taking only short breaks to nap and use the restroom. He was rushed to a hospital after collapsing, but died shortly thereafter. Police believed that the cause of death was cardiac arrest brought on by severe exhaustion.

4. Death by Molasses

This wasn't one death, but 21 deaths -- all from the same bizarre cause. On a warm day in January 1919 in Boston, a large tank containing about 2.5 million gallons of molasses exploded in a neighborhood in the city's North End. The tank was 50 feet high (15.2 meters), had a diameter of 90 feet (27.4 meters) and was situated on the waterfront in an area populated at the time largely by Italian immigrants. Nobody is sure what caused the massive explosion that sent shrapnel flying as far as 200 feet (61 meters) [source: wired.com].

Some of the deaths are attributed to the force of the blast itself, and it's impossible to say now exactly how many perished in the aftermath. But we do know that the explosion caused a wall of molasses that was reportedly 25 feet (7.6 meters) high to flow into the neighborhood at an estimated 35 miles per hour (56.3 kph) [source: wired.com]. The sticky wave knocked people over and sucked them in, causing them to drown in the thick, brown liquid.

It took months to clean the mess up and more than 100 lawsuits were settled for almost $1 million six years after the accident occurred [source: wired.com]. That's more than $12 million in 2009. Residents of the unlucky neighborhood claim they can still smell the molasses on hot summer days.

3. Death by Hollywood Sign

Hollywood has left more than a few dreams of fame and fortune shattered over the years. The most famous of these sad stories is probably that of Peg Entwistle, a young actress from Wales. Enwistle had some success on the stage, even winning roles on Broadway in New York City, but like so many others, she was drawn to the bright lights of Hollywood in central Los Angeles.

Once in California, she found a small measure of success when she played a part in the film "Thirteen Women," but the fame she desired still eluded her. Test screenings of the film went poorly, and much of her work was edited out of the final product. On Sept. 16, 1932, she climbed up to the famous Hollywood sign for her final act. At the time, the sign still read "Hollywoodland" and was merely an advertisement for a new housing development. Entwistle left her belongings, including a suicide note, at the base of the sign and then climbed up and leapt from the top of the letter "H."

Her body lay there for two days before it was spotted and later identified by her uncle, who lived in the hills near the sign. Her suicide note simply said, "I am afraid, I am a coward. I am sorry for everything. If I had done this a long time ago, it would have saved a lot of pain. P.E." In an ironic twist, a letter arrived for Entwistle the day following her death offering her a part in a movie about a woman on the verge on suicide.

2. Death by Junk Pile

They say that one man's trash is another man's treasure, but it can get out of hand if you become a packrat. Most people have a little bit of this tendency in them, but not to the extent that it would kill you. Sadly, the same can't be said about New York City's Collyer Brothers.

Langley and Homer Collyer moved to the New York neighborhood of Harlem in 1909 when they were in their twenties. Sons of an upper class family, the brothers became increasingly hermitic over the years and began to hoard items. How much stuff did they accumulate? It's estimated that there were 180 tons (163 metric tons) of "junk" in the apartment in the end [source: New York Times]. Busted chandeliers, broken baby carriages, smashed pianos, cracked clocks and molding furniture was stacked in every corner of their home. Homer went blind in the 1930s and was bedridden because of rheumatism by 1940. His younger brother cared for his every need and even saved hundreds of thousands of newspapers in hopes that Homer would regain his sight.

Oddly, the home was also booby-trapped in places to prevent intruders. This would turn out to be Langley's undoing when he tripped on one of the traps and was buried beneath an avalanche of junk. Unable to help, Homer could only slowly starve to death as his brother lay dead under the pile of refuse. Police reportedly searched Manhattan for weeks before realizing that Langley was buried in his own home.

1. Death by Unexplained Phenomenon

What exactly happened to cause the deaths of nine hikers in the Ural Mountains of Russia on Feb. 2, 1959, remains one of the country's most notorious unsolved mysteries. On Jan. 28, 10 students from the Ural Polytechnic Institute set off for some winter hiking. One member fell ill and was left behind to recuperate in a mountain settlement.

The other nine never made it out of the woods, and what investigators found was both frightening and confusing. Their abandoned tent was found ripped open from the inside, half buried in snow, with the shoes and belongings of the students still inside. The first two bodies were found at the edge of the forest, barefoot and dressed in their underwear. The next three bodies were found nearby in similar condition. Two months later, the last of the bodies were found buried in the snow about 250 feet (75 meters) from the first victims [source: sptimes.ru].

These four students had massive internal injuries, broken ribs and crushed skulls. One of them was missing her tongue. One thing that perplexed investigators was the fact that there was no sign of struggle and no external wounds. The final four victims were wearing some of the clothes of the others that were found to have high levels of radiation.

Theories have abounded over the years -- avalanche, alien interaction and military testing to name a few. Case records were sealed until 1990, when it was learned that bright orange spheres had been spotted in the sky that night by other hikers. This and the radiation on the clothes lead most people to believe that were some secret military shenanigans going on -- although the Russian government has never owned up to anything.

10 Popular Cell Phones

2010-02-19T11:58:00.000-08:00

If you were to look back at movies from the early 1990s, every once in a while you can catch a glimpse of one of the characters using a cell phone. The device is about the size of a home phone, maybe bigger, and is weighed down by a huge battery. The gargantuan size of the cell phone is usually meant to poke fun at the character in question, who's probably a pompous, wealthy executive sporting sunglasses and driving a convertible.

Now, of course, the cell phones you see in movies and in advertisements are painted in a much sleeker, hipper light -- they're several times smaller and slimmer, designed to slip into your pocket easily, and flip or glide open with the slightest gesture. Cell phones aren't just cell phones anymore. Now so-called smartphones combine extra features such as camera and video, MP3 players, Internet browsing and e-mail and GPS navigation, making them all the more useful and attractive to buyers.

The cell phone boom that started in the late '90s is still ongoing, and every new innovation creates more buzz and skyrockets a device into popularity. Which cell phones have made some of the biggest impacts on the industry?

10: Samsung Flipshot

Most cell phones these days come with the ability to snap digital photos, whether the owner wants it or not. Because a cell phone is only so large and is designed to perform many different tasks, the quality of pictures taken from cell phones varies, ranging from OK to grainy, pixilated and blurry. In other words, cell phones aren't generally known for taking great pictures.
The Samsung Flipshot, however, caught people's attention with its high-resolution pictures and unique design. The phone comes with a built-in 3.0-megapixel resolution camera, along with a flash for low-light photos, auto focus for sharper images and camcorder capability to capture video.

But taking a photo isn't a simple matter of flipping open your phone and pressing a button or two -- the Flipshot's design highlights what Samsung calls the "flip-and-twist" method. While it's open, the phone's screen has the ability to swivel 180 degrees. Once it's facing away from the user, the screen can flip backwards; it then closes, and turns horizontally to become a small digital camera.

Of course, it does all the things a typical cell phone does, too -- it makes phone calls and also supports Bluetooth technology. But the Flipshot's unique camera features attracted people who simply like to take pictures on the run, making it one of the most popular camera phones on the market.

9: Sony Ericsson s500i

The Sony Ericsson s500i phone offers what many phones come with these days: Bluetooth capability, a 2.0-megapixel camera and a music player that supports MP3 and AAC audio formats. An alarm clock, calculator, calendar, phonebook, timer and access to a Web browser and RSS feeds make the s500i seem like a useful but fairly regular cell phone. So what sets it apart?

The main draw to the s500i, it turns out, is purely visual. The phone's screen and external lights allow you to set ever-changing themes: Depending on the time of the day, week or even the season, the screen's color layout and the phone's button illumination will change to reflect your surroundings. The phone has a thin-film transistor (TFT) screen that can display 262,000 colors at a resolution of 240 x 320 pixels. The s500i's screen and its slim slider form make it one of the flashier models out there.

8: LG Vu

The name of this cell phone says it all: The LG Vu. The main focus for the Vu is, as it turns out, the viewing aspect. With most smartphones like the iPhone and the BlackBerry scrambling to offer everything in the way of downloadable television episodes, music videos and recordable video, LG decided to put visuals front and center with this model.

The Vu sports a 3-inch touch screen and supports AT&T Mobile TV, a live mobile broadcast service sent straight to the phone. By turning the Vu sideways, the phone turns into a mini widescreen television -- there's even an extendable antenna at the top for better reception. Watching live programs costs viewers, of course, just like subscribers to cable or satellite television. A basic package costs $15 per month; a bigger, Plus package doubles the price to $30 per month. In addition showing TV on the go, the Vu also plays MP3s, hosts a GPS navigator, supports Bluetooth, has a 2.0 megapixel camera and camcorder and, of course, makes phone calls.

7: Nokia 6555

Another flashy cell phone meant to be easy on the eyes is the Nokia 6555. While most smartphones with bright, impressive video displays host around 262,000 colors, the internal display of the Nokia 6555 ups the ante by offering an astonishing 16 million colors, well above the average. It's so far above the average, in fact, it's twice as many colors as the human eye can physically see [source: Mobiledia].

The viewing screen is also large, featuring 240 x 340 pixels, and the built-in 1.3-megapixel camera has 6x zoom capability, despite its small size. Indeed, the Nokia 6555, a flip phone, measures 3.93 x 1.72 x 0.78 inches; it's tall but very slim. And despite this small size, the phone houses 30 MB of memory -- the cell's phone book can hold nearly everything, including 1,000 contacts with room for five phone numbers each, an e-mail address, birthdays and more. Photos or videos of each contact can also be assigned to pop up during calls. For video and music selections, the 6555 is compatible with AT&T Music and AT&T Video, offering tunes from Napster and Yahoo and video segments from NBC, Comedy Central, ESPN and CNN.

6: Apple iPhone

Leading up to the release of the original Apple iPhone in June 2007, the buzz surrounding the new smartphone was deafening among the news media and the blogosphere. When asked if the iPhone was an example of the convergence of computers and communication, Steve Jobs made sure to downplay the computer angle, calling it "the reinvention of the phone."

Even though there were other smartphones coming out around this time, the iPhone certainly seemed like an entirely new type of cell phone. It's a sleek combination of a mobile phone, the Internet (complete with e-mail, browsing and map search) and the iPod MP3 player. On top of this, the iPhone interface features a multi-touch screen that allows users to make calls simply by pointing at a person's name and number, a trend many other smartphones would follow.

The iPhone also uses an accelerometer, which detects the movement of the device. This allows the user to rotate the phone from a vertical position to a horizontal one, changing the video display into a widescreen landscape -- perfect for watching TV shows and music videos downloaded from the Apple iTunes store.

5: Samsung Glyde (U940)

Many smartphones that attempt to feature a QWERTY keyboard (the same type of keyboard you use with your desktop or laptop computer) end up with problems -- buttons can be too small and difficult to press, usually because developers are trying to keep the phone small. Composing text messages and dialing on a smartphone, therefore, can be frustrating to some users; instead of making things smooth, streamlined and quick, too many mistakes slow things down.

The Samsung Glyde attempts to address the QWERTY problem by including a slide-out keyboard that's nearly the size of the entire phone, making typing messages much easier. The keyboard also makes surfing the Web a smoother experience, since the phone has a full HTML browser, and users can download entertainment with Verison Wireless' VCAST music and video. On top of this, the Glyde takes pictures and video with a 2.0 megapixel camera, supports Bluetooth technology and comes with an eternal memory port, called a microSD card slot, to store up to 8 GB of pictures, video and music.

4: Motorola RAZR

When you look at it from the front, the Motorola RAZR looks like any other flip phone. There's a small external display about the size of a stamp that shows the current time or incoming calls, and the entire phone is only a little bigger than a pack of gum. What made this cell phone such a big deal?

Once you turn the Motorola RAZR sideways, its design appeal becomes instantly recognizable. While the phone measures 3.8 inches tall and 2.0 inches wide, its thickness measures a mere 0.5 inches, making it appear paper-thin compared to other cell phones. Most recent upgrades to the RAZR family include even thinner models, larger external displays that offer external texting with pre-programmed messages for when the phone is closed, full HTML browsing and e-mail and sturdier cases -- users initially worried that early models were too thin and could easily snap if handled improperly.

3: LG Chocolate

The LG VX8500, more commonly known as the LG Chocolate, was one of the more hyped cell phones on the market. When it debuted at the CTIA (Cellular Telecommunications and Internet Association) show in 2005, rumors flew back and forth as to where it would end up in the United States. Verizon Wireless finally provided service for the Chocolate, and the phone, thanks to flashy advertising campaigns and a low original price for a debut phone ($149), became a hit.

The name "Chocolate" apparently comes from the phone's basic shape -- a somewhat boxy, rectangular form that resemble a chocolate candy bar -- and not because it tastes good or comes with a box of assorted chocolates (although that probably would make the phone even more popular). The original Chocolate slid up to reveal a number keypad, adding to its sleek appeal, while newer versions have switched to the slimmer flip phone design and added speakerphone, music players and VZ navigators.

2: RIM BlackBerry Pearl

The BlackBerry smartphone, developed by Research in Motion (RIM), has become so popular in the cell phone world that talk of addiction is a recurring topic. Some users have become so attached to their BlackBerries, they claim to suffer from "ringxiety" -- the constant feeling that your BlackBerry is ringing or about to ring, whether or not it actually does. The technology has even earned the nickname of "CrackBerry," again alluding to its extreme addictive nature. Some owners reportedly wake up in the middle of the night just to check their e-mail.

The extensive connectivity of the BlackBerry no doubt lends itself to a potentially negative, obsessive-compulsive habit, but it also accounts for its huge popularity -- especially with businesses relying on easy communication. The BlackBerry Pearl, for instance, RIM's smallest model, combines phone, e-mail, text messaging, Internet and organizational applications into one tiny smartphone. It also offers an enhanced version of the QWERTY keyboard for easy typing, and it's the first BlackBerry to have still camera (1.3 megapixel), video capabilities and a music player.

BlackBerry's main rival edges RIM out in name recognition and popularity. To read about it, see the next page.

1: Apple iPhone 3G

The original iPhone sold for as high as $599. So with a significantly reduced price, ranging from $199 to $399, and a name that flaunted the faster, more-connected third generation cell phone technology, the iPhone 3G was arguably the most anticipated smartphone to reach consumers' hands. Excitement was so high for the sequel to the iPhone, in fact, RBC analyst Mike Abramsky described the feeling among buyers as an "unprecedented pent-up demand" [Lane]. Indeed, bloggers and the media alike were covering Apple's Worldwide Developer's Conference 2008 seemingly by the second. Rumors bounced back and forth, cementing the iPhone 3G as "The Second Coming" [Cheng et al.].

The sales followed, as customers lined up days in advance and 3Gs sold out in 21 states over the course of five days [source: Foresman]. Despite activation problems on the first few days of sale, things smoothed out more or less and some analysts predicted Apple would sell nearly 5 million iPhones in its fourth quarter [source: CNN Money].

In terms of appearance, the iPhone 3G didn't differ too much from the original iPhone. The only noticeable change was in material -- the back of the new 3G is made out of plastic instead of metal, making it a little lighter. As far as features, the 3G offers, of course, faster 3G wireless performance, GPS mapping and support for the new App Store for unique applications.

10 Best Places for Outdoorsy Types to Live

2010-02-19T06:48:00.001-08:00

For many people, hiking, canoeing, mountain biking and kayaking are activities they're only lucky enough to enjoy on vacation, maybe a few weekends a year. But for the lucky dwellers of outdoor meccas, adventure sports are right in their backyards. These people, who range from weekend warriors to career outdoor experts, live in communities that cater to the outdoorsy type.

What's it like to live in an outdoorsman's paradise? Well, it depends on your version of paradise. Which would you prefer -- the hustle and bustle of the city with a nearby river for canoeing, or a sleepy town where you can fly-fish in the summer and ski in the winter?

These spots appeal to locals and tourists alike. Their adventure sports attract those getting away from the daily grind and those looking for new home. Residents of outdoorsy hotspots have careers in just about anything -- they may be doctors, lawyers, politicians or executives in nearby metropolitan areas, or they may work at the local ski shop.

The best outdoorsy towns offer a range of activities for all seasons. Hotspots for winter snow-skiing may also be close to the best rivers and lakes for summer canoeing, kayaking, wakeboarding, fishing and sailing. The best spots also must be affordable for a wide range of people -- from service industry employees to business executives who retreat to their outdoorsy abodes after long days at the office.

These 10 outdoor spots range from towns with populations under 3,000 to major metropolitan areas, from remote lake villages in North America to mountainous landscapes in Central Europe. Which spots suit your taste?

10. Ely, Minn.

Ely, Minnesota combines the perks of small-town living with some of the finest outdoorsy adventure experiences the U.S. has to offer. Ely's landscape is largely unspoiled, which attracts outdoors enthusiasts. With a population of only about 4,000, Ely is a popular spot for canoeing, biking, fishing, hiking and snowshoeing.

One of the best things about Ely's outdoor adventure experiences is that they're available year-round. Temperatures dip into the teens in the winter, but in July it's a warm 78 degrees Fahrenheit (25 degrees Celsius). Spring temperatures are in the 60s (10 degrees C), and fall weather in the 50s (15 degrees C) is perfect to check out Ely's beautiful foliage. In the winter, you can ice fish on a frozen lake; in the summer you can paddle through the same lake. Home to more than 5,000 lakes, rivers, and streams, Ely is a waterman's paradise. Miner Lake and Shagwa Lake offer great sites for canoeing and fishing.

Although most famous for its lakes, Ely is also home to bike and hiking trails in the Superior National Forest, and the view from the Secret-Black Stone Overlook is breathtaking -- you'll spy glacier-carved ridges, small lakes and remnants of glaciers.

In the midst of all of this outdoor adventure, the town is small enough that when you and your family head to the local store, the clerks will know you by name.

Additionally, Ely boasts a number of fine dining restaurants and shopping experiences. And, the median house price is $145,000, so living in Ely definitely won't break the bank.

9. Southern Bohemia, Czech Republic

If you're looking for a spot in the great outdoors that has been relatively unexplored by most hikers, you should head to the southern Bohemia in the Czech Republic. What was once closed off by the Iron Curtain is now a prime location for hiking.

Because the Czechoslovakian government had closed off this stretch of land between Austria and the Czech border, much of the land in this area has been left untouched by urban expansion. The hills full of trees that stretch across Southern Bohemia remain undisturbed, and the hiking and biking trails in the area present some of the most beautiful, undisturbed scenery in Europe. The topography of the area is truly storybook. You can hike through densely wooded forests that open into beautiful farmland and charming hillside villages. The Vltava River and its tributaries wind through these picturesque meadows and hills. But don't think you'll be completely isolated in the middle of nowhere. If you want to experience some of the best of European culture, Prague and Vienna are short train rides away.

Since tourists haven't quite discovered this beautiful area South of Prague, the cost of living is minimal compared to other areas in Europe. There are a number of small towns in this area of the Czech Republic that are ideal for hikers. Accessible by train, Slovenice is a quiet, small town near the castle of Landsteijn, where you can take a 15-mile (24-km) hike that ends in Nova Bystriice. Other beautiful, historic towns in the area include Jindrichuv Hradec, Trebo and Ceský Krumlov. Ceske Budejovice, along the Vltava River, is home to several trail-side restaurants where you can sample a variety of Czech fair, such as goulash, dumplings, pork and Czech beer. All of these towns are within a day's hike of each other.

If you're an avid hiker, you might want to consider making this area home. Hiking is one of the most popular activities for Czechs, and they have the trails to prove it. The Czech Republic boasts over 24,000 miles (38,624 km) of marked trails [source: Farley]. The Czech Hiking Club, founded in 1889, maintains many of these trails, installing color coded trail markers to guide hikers through this gorgeous landscape.

8. Washington, D.C.

When you think of Washington, D.C., outdoor adventure might not be the first thing that comes to mind. But many Washington insiders head outside to areas around the nation's capital to blow off steam and take a break from politicking.

Washington, with population of about a half a million people and a median home price in the half-million dollar range, has lots of opportunities for residents looking to experience some of the most popular outdoor adventure activities. Washington is known for its wet, hot summers and moderately cold winters, so a number of seasonal outdoor activities are available. The Potomac River provides the perfect setting for sailing, canoeing, kayaking and rowing. Also, nearby Great Falls, Virginia and George Washington State Forest to the west provide excellent terrain for mountain biking and hiking. The Shenandoah National Park is a great place for camping and backpacking.

If you want to stay closer to the Beltway, head to Georgetown for some leisurely biking or take a rafting class on parts of the Potomac at Great Falls Park. You can then climb the rocks that overlook the park. Rock Creek Park is an excellent setting for biking, hiking, roller-skating, and horseback riding, all within the city limits.

7. North Conway, N.H.

Though many Americans turn west for the best mountain climbing landscapes, North Conway, N.H. stands out as one of the best places to climb on the East Coast. Mount Washington, the highest peak in the Northeast at 6,288 feet (1,916 m), is located here, along with some infamously unpredictable weather. In fact, the highest wind gust ever recorded -- 231 mph (371 kph) -- breezed through Mount Washington on April 12, 1994 [source: MWO].

If you're a mountain climbing enthusiast, North Conway could be a nice home for you. The Appalachian Trail crosses Mount Washington's summit. Hiking, ice climbing, kayaking and rock climbing are popular activities in this area of North Conway. The Tuckerman Ravine Trail, a popular hiking spot, is about 4 miles (6.4 km) long with an elevation of over 4,000 feet (1,219 m). In the winter, the Tuckerman Ravine is a hotspot for skiing, featuring 45-degree slopes. When you're not hiking the trails or skiing the slopes, you can paddle your canoe down the Androscoggin River.

North Conway is located in the heart of the Mount Washington Valley and is home to more than 700,000 acres of protected land. With a population of about 2,000 people and a median home price at just under $200,000, it has a small-town feel with a big adventure quotient.

6. Durango, Colo.

Durango, Colo., 340 miles (547 km) southwest of Denver, offers pretty much everything an outdoors lover could ask for in a hometown. The Rockies provide an ideal setting for hiking, skiing, mountain biking and ice climbing. Due to the landscape and strong Native American influences in the area, the lowlands around Durango will remind you of the American Southwest. Surrounded by the San Juan Mountains, Durango is 35 miles (56 km) from Mesa Verde National Park, where you can check out the ruins of the Anasazai, an ancient Pueblo people who built apartment-like homes featuring kivas -- underground rooms used for religious ceremonies.

You're likely to become an outdoor expert if you live in Durango. With an elevation of about 6,500 feet (1,981 m), mountain sports and hiking are perfectly suited for Durango's terrain. You can canoe, raft or kayak through canyons, or climb on the sandstone at East Animas. With the Animas River running right through the downtown area, Durango is indeed an outdoor mecca; the inaugural Mountain Bike World Championship was held here in 1990. You can also hike or bike on the Colorado Trail, stretching 500 miles (804 km) from Denver to Durango. This trail features mountain ranges that rise to over 13,000 feet (3,962 m), and it's easy to access from the town, right in the backyard of beautiful Durango.

While many other western outdoorsy hotspots have grown tremendously in recent years, causing suburban sprawl, Durango's population of 15,000 hasn't changed much in the last 10 years. However, new condominium developments might bring about an increase in population. But this isn't necessarily a bad thing. Since the median home price is at about the half-million mark, this development will introduce more affordable housing, an important factor for those working in outdoor industries.

5. Boone, N.C.

One of the best things about Boone, N.C., is that while the rest of the American South is sweltering hot in the summer months, the Blue Ridge Mountains that surround this town keep things pretty cool, even in July and August. In Boone, temperatures top at around 80 degrees Fahrenheit (26 degrees Celsius) in the summer and fall to the 20s (minus 6 degrees Celsius) in the winter. At 3,332 feet (1,015 m), Boone has one of the highest elevations of any town of its population of 15,000, on the East Coast.

Named for Daniel Boone -- who you might say was one of America's first outdoorsy types -- Boone is host to parks, rivers and mountains that offer almost every outdoor activity imaginable. Boone, about 100 miles (161 km) north of Asheville, offers four seasons of adventure-packed activities.

At Pisgah National Forest, you can enjoy mountain biking, rock climbing and hiking. Additionally, the Nolichucky and French Broad Rivers provide the perfect setting for rafting and canoeing. Nearby Banner Elk and Blowing Rock are two of the South's skiing meccas in the winter months. You can take a drive down the beautiful Blue Ridge Parkway and mountain bike or hike at Grandfather Mountain. And, Boone is also home to Appalachian State University, so you won't miss out on cultural and enrichment activities for the whole family.

4. Costa Brava, Spain

If you're a beach lover who enjoys a laid-back European lifestyle -- the obligatory siesta, taking an invigorating hike through the trails of a beautiful coastal town -- Costa Brava, Spain is the place for you. You can lunch in a quiet fishing village and then head to the nature preserve Cap de Creus to hike through coastal mountain ranges.

At the top of these mountains, you can see Cadaques, a village famous as Salvador Dali's home, and it's still home to many artists. The area is the perfect place for creative people who also enjoy the outdoors. You've got culture and landscape, mountains and tranquility. Many nature-loving, outdoor adventurers call the towns and villages around Cost Brava home.

Costa Brava not only has the perfect landscape for mountain adventures, but it's set right on the beautiful Mediterranean Sea. After hiking or mountain biking, you can take your canoe or kayak out to sea for a truly well-rounded outdoors experience. And, the French border is within driving distance, if you want to expand your European experience

3. Bend, Ore.

Although Bend, Ore., is experiencing rapid growth, the town is definitely not crowded. With a population of almost 80,000, Bend has pretty much everything that a lover of the great outdoors could ask for in a hometown.

Because of its water sports and skiing, outdoor adventurers are settling in Bend's paradise. After rafting, canoeing, or kayaking down the Deschutes River, you can climb Smith Rock.

With an elevation of 3,635 feet (1,108 m), Bend is great for mountain adventure sports. Black Butte offers a prime spot for mountain biking. Looking for great hiking? Check out the Deschutes National Forest. In the winter, Mount Bachelor and Tumalo Mountain are great places to hit the ski slopes.

Homes in Bend are in the $300,000 to $400,000 range. If you like fun in the sun, Bend's your place; Bend averages 300 days of sunshine each year [source: City of Bend]. Temperatures in Bend range from 30 to 50 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 1 to 10 degrees Celsius) in the winter and 80 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit (26 to 32 degrees Celsius) in the summer. The only thing missing from Bend is the ocean, but if you're craving some waves, the beach is only about a four hour drive away.

2. Las Vegas, Nev.

Bright lights, casinos, celebrities and over-the-top shows are probably the first things that come to mind when you think of Las Vegas, Nev. But this city of about a half a million people is also a central location for outdoor adventures.

With a median home price of about $300,000, Vegas is home to those who love the fast paced life of Sin City and the tranquil landscape that surrounds it. You can climb on Red Rock Canyon's famous pink sandstone at the Cloud Tower in the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area. Zion National Park, one of the best locations in the U.S. for climbing and hiking, is about a two hour drive away. You can bike on the ridges of Bootleg Canyon to observe the many types of wildlife that call this area home -- coyotes, owls, lizards and bighorn sheep.

If winter sports are more your style, head to Mount Charleston for skiing or snowboarding. If you're interesting in water sports, the Colorado River boasts some great rapids for rafting. And for some peaceful canoeing, paddle around Lake Mead in its bluest of blue waters.

1. Portland, Maine

With a population of just around 70,000 people, Portland residents balance urban hipness with a streak of rugged adventure. With homes in the $200,000 range, this middle-class town allows its residents to live the work-hard/play-hard lifestyle.

To escape the hustle and bustle of urban life, Portlanders head to the beach at Pophman for some rest and relaxation. If you like water sports like canoeing and kayaking, head to Casco Bay to paddle tranquil waters.

Water bodies such as Beaver Pond, Haskell Pond, Highland Lake and Presumpscot River Reservoir, all within a 10 minute drive of Portland, are great spots for canoeing and kayaking. Peak's Island is an ideal place to kick back and relax while enjoying the beautiful Maine landscape. There are numerous places nearby to go whitewater paddling, including the Royal River, Saco River and Crooked River, all about 20 miles (32 km) from downtown Portland. If skiing is your scene, head to Lost Valley, 24 miles (38.6 km) away with slopes dropping 240 feet (73 m), or Shawnee Park, 35 miles (56.3 km) away with 1300 feet (396 m) vertical drops.

Nearby Bradbury Mountain offers great spots for mountain biking, hiking, and climbing. For a laid-back afternoon, bike or walk along the trails to check out the lighthouses that dot the coast around Cape Elizabeth. You can take a variety of outdoor courses, ranging from fly-fishing to kayaking, at L.L. Bean Discovery School to beef up your skills.