The "adventure" ends for the eight-issues-a-year print edition of the National Geographic Adventure magazine.   Plans to sell the magazine fell through, so yesterday the National Geographic Society, which owns the magazine, said the print edition is being shut down but the Web site  remains.  As with other magazines, print advertising fell dramatically during the past year.  Reportedly, there will two annual newsstand-only  issues in the future, as well as books under the brand name.  The terrific writing that made the outdoors and travel adventure stories in this magazine come alive to the readers will be missed.

I bought my husband a pair of Zanier Heat-GX heated gloves and now he smiles after hours on the ski slope instead of grimacing because he can't feel his fingertips. These top-grade heated gloves have an adjustable, integrated heating system that keeps his fingers warm for a full ski day. He even wears them when walking the dog when it's very cold, or spending hours in the outdoors during other activities. Read his review of the Zanier Heat-GX gloves, which have lightweight lithium-ion batteries and tiny microprocessors that move heat up to the thumb and fingers, rather than just heating your palms.

Are you a traveler who doesn't want to fight the crowds on Black Friday but you still want the great deals? From Thanksgiving Day through Cyber Monday, retailers catering to adventure traveler are offering excellent online discounts on high-tech gear and toys, outdoor gear, clothing designed to keep adventurous men, women and kids comfortable, and much more. For links to special discounts and free shipping offered by Magellan's, eBags, Lonely Planet, Eastern Mountain Sports and the Discovery Channel, visit Black Friday -Cyber Monday Big Deals on Adventure Travel Gear, Trips & Clothing.

My husband, a gadget geek, tested the DiCAPac Alpha waterproof camera case using his Casio Exlim underwater in the Pacific Ocean, on the beach around sea lions kicking up sand, and river rafting near Telluride, Colorado. He got some excellent pictures underwater and on land that he would otherwise have missed. Here's his review of the DiCAPac waterproof camera case.

Photo © Dick Friedland

Coca-Cola has named a team of three adventurous young adults as "Happiness Ambassadors" to travel around the world to find out what makes people happy. The team, chosen partly by a world-wide vote during which fans registered their preferences on the Coca-Cola site, will travel 275,000 miles and visit 206 countries in 365 days. They are already being prepped on fitness, fast packing, eating exotic foods and more, so they'll be primed for the journey which starts in January, 2010. You can influence who they meet and where they go by following Coca-Cola's Expedition 206.

There may be some snow outside my window this morning  and the rivers are low in Colorado,  but elsewhere it's not too late to go rafting on many rivers. Rafting America says you can watch the bald eagles alongside the banks while rafting down the Skagit River in Washington December through February, when the water is calm. If you want lots of action, consider heading to Chile, where it's summer in December.

Photo by D Friedland

eBags, an online retailer that offers all types of luggage, handbags, laptop bags, backpacks, travel accessories and more, is having an early - 20 percent off  site-wide  - holiday sale. The sale clock stops at 11:59 MST, this Thursday, Nov. 12.

eBags has its own brand, and offers a wide range of designer handbags (think Kate Spade and Michael Kors). eBags also sells carry-on bags to bigger luggage pieces from Samsonite, Vitorinox and the special Britto collection. (Britto is pop artist whose colorful paintings sell for big bucks.) Travel accessories range from camera bags and jewelry bags to packing cubes and hand-held totes and coolers. (Certain brand exclusions apply to the sale.)

To learn more about eBags (and the 10 percent of all 'pick pink' retail sales it donates to breast cancer research), visit eBags.

The Aussies are still seeking three teams of two each, from anywhere in the world, for the last three legs of a Van-Tastic Adventure, all-expenses-paid journey through Oz.  Two Florida women won the right to take on the Tasmania leg of the journey by turning in a winning video.

Adventurers chosen for the next legs will spend six weeks in a van driving across the country and video recording their experiences,which might include anything from swimming with sharks to hiking around Kangaroo Island and trading tales with locals in bars at the end of the day.

If you're interested, turn in an online two-minute video, which shows why you should be selected as a Van-tastic Adventurer.  The videos are being viewed by sponsor judges from WorldNomands who will assess for desire and creativity.   To see some of the videos and read the blogs from adventurers on the current legs of the trip, or to enter, visit Vantastic.worldnomands.com

I found an excellent source for hikers and mountain bikers who are looking for free descriptions of hiking, walking and mountain biking trails throughout North America. The site, run by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, has detailed information on more than 30,000 miles of bike trails, walking trails, equestrian trails, and hiking and running trails.

This info is free and easy to locate, once you're on the site. If you register, you can also get info on parking lots near certain trails, customize directions to points along a trail, and share photos, reviews and GPS data.   For the details visit TrailLink.com.

Photo by L Friedland