Now that you’re stuffed with stuffing, turkey, and pumpkin pie, it’s time to waddle over to the couch and give your tummy a rest and your mind an exercise with your brand new iPad! What—you don’t have an iPad? With this amazing opportunity from Filters-NOW.com, you could have the chance to win your own FREE iPad today!

As part of Filters-NOW’s super Cyber Monday savings, we are offering a chance to win your own iPad*. It’s as easy as a click of the mouse! All you have to do is place your order on Filters-now.com and enter Promotional Code iPad for a chance to score the Apple® 16GB iPad® 2!

The code is only valid TODAY (11/26/12) between 6am CST and 5pm CST.

Get a Dupont Filter at an Incredible LOW PRICE!

Don’t let your holiday shopping spree take away from your breathing needs. Take advantage of our Cyber Monday savings and get this Dupont filter at the incredible LOW PRICE of $2.99! Utilizing electrostatic filtration, this High Allergen Microparticle Reduction filter is designed to reduce allergens, odors, and other offensive pollutants. It comes with special Microban protection and lasts up to 3 months!

Originally $13.99, this high quality furnace filter is selling at this price for TODAY ONLY! Take advantage of this sale, and order your size Dupont filter; this is a deal you can’t pass up! (And don’t forget to enter for a chance to win an iPad!)

*NO PURCHASE REQUIRED TO ENTER, PARTICIPATE OR WIN.  A PURCHASE WILL NOT INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING.  Open to legal residents of the 50 United States and the District of Columbia who are 18 years of age or older (19 in AL and NE).  Void where prohibited or restricted by law.   To enter, place an order at www.Filters-NOW.com and enter Promotion Code “ipad” at checkout, or send an e-mail with the requested information as instructed in the Official Rules.  See official rules at Official Rules & Regulations for complete details, including winner selection and prize details.  Sponsored by: Filters Now LLC 9800 I-65 Service Rd N. Creola, AL 36525.  Apple® is not a participant in or sponsor of this promotion.

Being a stay-at-home mom or dad may sometimes give you the extra time to become creative and to have time to decorate your home, especially now that your kids are going back to school. One thing that I have come to realize is that almost everyone’s AC return air grilles are bold, boring, and just plain ugly! It’s natural if you do not realize how ugly the metal air grilles are until a friend mentions it or points it out, but air grilles just stick out like a sore thumb. Maybe you are building a new home or redecorating your home; you do not have to worry about ugly air grilles. You can add a touch of class to your home by updating to decorative wooden air grilles.

Premier

Filters-NOW offers Worth Home Premier decorative wooden air grilles, which are primed with 2 coats of oil-based primer and are ready to be painted to match your color or trim. Another neat thing about these AC return air grilles is that they run quieter, they are easy to clean, and they are easy to install!

The picture above is an example of how much better your home would look if you simply match the AC return air grille with everything else in your home. Now-a-days people try to use different wall colors or designs; therefore, being able to paint your AC return air grilles any color you need sounds like a great deal!

Architectural

The Architectural decorative wooden air grille is mainly used for paneled studies or rustic décor, and it has the same advantages that the Premier wooden air grilles have. It looks better, lets you sleep in longer because it runs quieter, and is easier to clean than the metal grilles.

These decorative wooden air grilles have many features that make them the best choice for better home design. For one, they are neatly made from New Zealand Pine and 9-ply Baltic Birch. The air grilles have a patented spring-assisted locking system without visible latches or screws, which makes the grille super easy to install!

At Filters-NOW, we offer a wide range of sizes of the Worth Home air grille products, so check them out here. However, these grilles do not come with filters, though you will want to be sure to get a good air filter to go with your grille. After all, there is no point of having a beautiful air grille with dust streaming from it. If you need a good air filter, check out our Accumulair filters here and choose the size you need. This is the best way to get high quality air with high quality home design!

Maybe you have been needing a little more from your bath, but you do not know what it is. This happens a lot. Perhaps your skin feels dry or your hair is limp. Maybe you are not getting the best results shaving. Even the thought of brushing your teeth is repulsing because your water has “that smell.” The problem could be your water. In fact, if you are experiencing any of the following problems, you can most likely blame your water:

• Dry/rough skin
• Dry/flat hair
• Bad odors, such as a strong chlorine smell
• Hard water buildup in showers or sinks
• Bad taste of water

These conditions are characteristic of hard water, or water that is high in chemicals, minerals, sediment, etc. Though hard water is not necessarily harmful for you, it can have bad tastes and odors, and showering in hard water can cause your skin and hair to look and feel unhealthy.

Chemicals

Water that is high in chemicals can be unhealthy for you in large amounts. Those long, relaxing showers may not be as comforting as you thought. Water that is high in chlorine, for example, can actually be harmful when brought to high temperatures and breathed through steam, and being exposed to this day after day can have a negative effect on your health. City water is treated with chemicals, usually chlorine, and though not necessarily bad for you, chlorinated water does leave your hair and skin looking and feeling dull.

Minerals

Minerals are generally good for you, but large amounts of minerals in water can have negative results, especially if water contains hard minerals. For example, large amounts of calcium or lime can cause build-ups in your pipes, which can mean frequent replacements (and replacement costs). Also, minerals cause those hard water spots and build-ups in showers and tubs, which means more frequent, as well as more strenuous, cleanings.

Sediment

Sediment is more frequently found in houses that use well water, especially after a heavy rain. Sediments like dirt, sand, and silt can find their way into your water, and nobody wants to use water filled with these contaminants.

Water Filters

What can be done about the water problem? Well, one of the best ways to get better water and to boost your bath is with water filters. Water filters trap chemicals, minerals, and sediments found in tap water, creating cleaner, softer water and a more luxurious bathing experience.

Here at Filters-NOW, we offer several good water filters designed to provide consumers with a healthier, more comfortable bath characterized by clean, pure water. Here are some of our suggestions:

Undersink Filters

Undersink filters are designed to attach directly to the water supply, filtering water before it goes through the faucet. This is perfect if you want cleaner, purer water free of bad tastes and odors. This makes face washing and teeth brushing healthier and more enjoyable tasks. Here are our best brands for undersink filters, so check them out!

• Aqua-Pure
• Culligan
• Crystal Quest
• GE/Smartwater
• Clearbrook

Shower Filters

Shower filters come as several different types. For example, they can be inline shower filters, adjustable shower filters, and some even come with massages. Also, depending on the types and different brands, the shower filters come with different settings, sprays, speeds, etc. So not only does the shower filter remove unwanted chemicals, odors, and other contaminants, but you also receive a higher level of health and comfort. Check out these brands to see which shower filter is right for you:

• Culligan
• DuPont
• Rainshow’r
• Sprite

If you are looking for better water quality for your bathroom, then Filters-NOW has the filter for you, so check out our water filters and get the best boost for your bath!

Command Strips

If you think about when you stop at the gas station and you get thirsty, you buy a bottle of water and spend $1.50. Now if you put all the money together in a year, you will be spending about $100.00, if not more. Instead of buying branded water at gas stations, convention centers, vending machines at work or school, football games, soccer games, etc., if you carry around your Brita bottle, you can just go to the water fountain and refill it with tap water. It will save you some money, and because it contains a filter, it’s also better for your health.

Brita Water Bottle

• It filters ordinary tap water as you drink and reduces chlorine taste and odor to make tap water taste clean and refreshing.
• It comes in a 20 ounce reusable bottle and is dishwasher safe (top shelf only).
• One filter can replace 150 plastic bottles.
• It features an easy-to-carry finger loop and is BPA free.*
• The filter needs replacing only every 2 months.

*BPA is an organic compound found in some plastics that produces hormone-like properties.

Health

Carrying this bottle of water around with you all the time keeps you from buying other products that may be unhealthy for you. These Brita Bottles are also good for:

• Health and hydration
• Healthier drinks on-the-go
• Athletes and others who work out frequently
• Kids during playtime
• Those who wish to keep plastic water bottles out of landfills
• People who love outdoors

Hydration

People say that every day we lose water through breath, perspiration, and urine and bowel movements. Because water is a principal chemical component in our bodies, we need to drink 8 to 9 glasses of water a day. For me, just to think about drinking 8 bottles of water a day makes me not want to drink it, especially since not all tap water tastes good. But with this bottle I don’t even know I’m drinking all that water, and it tastes better than regular tap water. In fact, sometimes I think I drink even more than what I really have to drink.

Environment

Did you know that plastic can be bad for the environment and also for our health in the long run? The chemicals used to make the plastic pollute streams, lakes, rivers and even the air, and the cost of making the bottles raises energy prices. Though it may seem like a far stretch, having a reusable water bottle like the Brita water bottles can actually help the environment, not only by cutting down on pollution but also by keeping more plastic out of the landfills.

So let’s help our environment and recycle with these water bottles; it helps with our health and money! With Brita water bottles, I can get the best of both worlds!

1. San Francisco, California
2. Boston, Massachusetts
3. Chicago, Illinois
4. Denver, Colorado
5. Portland, Oregon

San Francisco, California

San Francisco, California, is rated highest for using solar energy, having the highest recycling programs, and for exhibiting a very large scale of composting. Today, San Francisco still leads the country with eco activism, green cars, and green initiatives. San Francisco has become more serious throughout the years about how things that its residents no longer use should be recycled. Residents of San Francisco are threatened to get fined up to $1,000 if they refuse to separate food from newspapers. Seventy-two percent of the 2.1 millions of waste that its residents produce every year are diverted away from landfills and into recycling and composting programs. Director of the city’s Department of the Environment, Jared Blumenfeld, said that the new ordinance will help the city toward its goal of sending zero waste to landfills by 2020. Residents were issued three mandatory garbage bins: a blue one for recyclables, a green one for compost, and a black one for trash.

Boston, Massachusetts

When it comes to using renewable compost, Boston is one of America’s leading cities. Using plants and wildlife to promote living green is the main focus for Boston. They are trying to utilize a plant that will turn 50,000 tons of leaves into reusable fertilizer or energy. This plant will use anaerobic bacteria to feed on the grass and to gather yard clippings that will help make plenty of methane to compose 1.5 megawatt hours of power.

According to SustainLane’s rankings, Boston takes the top spot in terms of land use planning and public transit. Boston has always been referred to as “America’s Walking City” by many. The city has the highest percentage of on-foot commuters of any city in the US, According to a 2003 Prevention magazine report. Almost 14% of commuters in Boston prefer to walk to work, which helps Boston be ranked higher for being eco-friendly than any other city.

The mission at Earthworm, located in Massachusetts, is to promote recycling in all work places and is accomplished by having a collection service available that is accessible for first time recyclers. They offer friendly assistance, flexible programs, and guaranteed affordability.

At Earthworm, they mainly focus on recycling paper, computers, bottles and cans, and other materials/cleanouts.

Chicago, Illinois

Chicago’s most notable and innovative initiative to date is the Green Roof program. They have constructed, or are underway, more than 300 gardens and green roofs, covering more than 4 million square feet on public and private buildings to help conserve the water, filter rainwater, and improve energy efficiency. Chicago boasts 7,300 acres of parkland by approximately half a million trees that have been planted in the recent years. Four of Chicago’s projects have received a Platinum rating which is the highest LEED rating by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC).

The organization in Chicago of people who also agree that recycling is effective and also want to live in a healthy environment is known as The Chicago Recycling Coalition. The Chicago Recycling Coalition mainly focuses on the following:

• Economic Revitalization Strategy
• Economic Incentives
• Blue Cart Program
• Compost Pick-Up/Organics Recycling
• High-Density Residential & Commercial

Denver, Colorado

Denver, Colorado, is one of the top five recycle friendly cities in the US because of their Altogether Recycling Plant, which opened for business in 2007. The facility is capable of sorting and processing up to 10,000 a month of recycling volume. The Colorado-managed entity is mainly focused on recycling glass, plastic, aluminum, tin, and steel, and paper. At Altogether Recycling there is no need for you to have to waste your time sorting the recyclable materials into separate bins. Altogether Recycling would simply like for you to put forth effort in making sure everything that you put in your bin is recyclable. The facility will be in charge of separating what you recycle to make recycling easier for you.

Altogether Program Sustainability Statistics

Portland, Oregon

What makes Portland, Oregon so recycle friendly is that they focus on being a part of the Total Reclaim Environmental Services which was founded in 1990. Total Reclaim is very important to have because it is made to recycle computers and electronics especially because the uses of electronics grow more and more each day. Total Reclaim also focuses on recycling fluorescent lamps, refrigerant gases and appliances.

Did you know…?

Electronics are more than likely responsible for up to 40% of the lead found in most landfills because lead, mercury, cadmium and brominated flame retardants are found in E-waste. Mercury is found in Fluorescent lamps which can result to being harmful to wildlife and humans which is why they are regulated as hazardous waste at the Federal and state levels. Most of these materials are bio-accumulative because they have fatty tissues which could result in severe, negative issues on fetal development and nursing infants.

Total Reclaim decided to take a stand by preventing anything that can harm the environment. That is the reason why it is now illegal in Oregon to dispose of fluorescent lamps, computers, and electronics in a garbage bin or landfill. The following picture shows how a fluorescent lamp should be disposed of correctly in order to help improve our environment.

San Francisco, Boston, Chicago, Denver, and Portland are all amazing cities to follow in their recycling footsteps. A lot of people don’t realize how important it is to recycle, and it doesn’t take much effort to do. The littlest things could help our environment. Even if your city didn’t make the top five, don’t worry; just remember that it is never too late! Begin now and REDUCE, REUSE, and RECYCLE.

Don’t crowd seedlings.

Seedlings need room to branch out, so if you are starting tomatoes from seed, you need to give them plenty of room to grow and to be sure not to crowd them. Tomato plants should be transplanted as soon as they receive their first leaves; after about two weeks, they should be moved into 4” pots. Doing so will make for a happy, healthy plant.

Provide lots of light.

Tomatoes thrive in sunlight. Tomato seedlings need strong, direct sunlight for proper growth, or they need 14-18 hours under grow lights. If you are growing your plants inside, you will need a window with access to bright light, but if you don’t have a bright window, you will need a high density plant light or some kind of florescent light. Be careful to place the pots only a couple of inches from florescent lights, as it may burn them. If you are planting outside, plant your tomatoes in the sunniest part of your garden.

Put a fan on your seedlings.

It seems tomato plants need to move and sway with the wind, as this helps develop strong stems. After all the hard work that goes into these plants, you wouldn’t want a strong wind to destroy them. A simple way to help the stem become strong is to provide a breeze by turning a fan on them for 5-10 minutes twice a day. Can’t you just see your plants smiling now?

Preheat the soil in your garden.

Tomatoes love warmth, so by adding warmth to your soil before planting, you can have earlier tomatoes. You can do this by covering your soil with a black or red plastic a couple of weeks before you intend to plant. The plastic, which absorbs sunlight, will add extra degrees to the soil, which means earlier tomatoes for you and your family to enjoy.

Bury them.

Tomato plants should be buried deeper than they are in the pot. Tomatoes are able to develop roots all along their stems, so they can even be buried as deeply as covering a few of the bottom leaves. You can either dig a deeper hole or simply dig a shallow tunnel and lay the plant sideways. It will straighten up and grow toward the sun. I personally think that’s a pretty neat way. That’s why it is important to plant them in a very sunny spot. Be careful not to drive your shovel into the stem, as this may cause damage or death to the plant.

Use mulching.

A good way to conserve water for your tomato plants is by mulching. Mulching reduces the amount of water you have to use and prevents soil, as well as soil diseases, from splashing up on the plants. However, if you put down mulch too early, it will also shade and therefore cool the soil. Try using plastic mulch; it is also good at keeping in heat. And by this point we all know, they love the sunshine.

Pinch and prune for more tomatoes.

Pinch and remove suckers or brown spots that may develop in the joint of two branches. If this happens, your plant won’t bear fruit and will take energy away from the rest of the plant. But go easy on pruning the rest of the plant as it will be weak or brittle. Thinning leaves allows the sun to reach the ripening fruit, but leaves also photosynthesize, which creates sugars that give your tomatoes flavor. And what a sweet taste we end up with!

Water the tomato plants regularly.

Water your plants deeply and regularly while they are developing. Irregular watering can have negative results; for example, missing a week and trying to make up for it can lead to root rot, and not watering regularly can cause cracking. Once the fruit begins to ripen, you can lessen the amount of water, which encourages the plant to concentrate its sugars—for the ending flavor we love so. Don’t withhold water so much that the plants wilt and become stressed or they will drop their blossoms and possibly their fruit. From experience I can say that is very true, and the plant did not bare any tomatoes.

So sit back and enjoy the fruits of your labor! I think a tomato sandwich sounds very good for lunch today.

This is just an idea of how back in the day our ancestors were able to predict the weather that was coming. I just love sitting around with an elderly person and listening to how things were back then and how they still believe in the old family ways over new modern technology. Hundreds of years ago, people really had to depend on their surrounds to help predict the weather. They watched everything around them, from the sky to the earth, and how the animals were acting.

Red Sky at Morning

The oldest known wives tale is: “Red sky at morning, sailors take warning; red sky at night, sailor’s delight.” This was used by men at sea to predict the weather that would help them know how rough they could expect the water, along with the weather.

Groundhog Day

Every February 2, we still practice a world known wives tale that is Groundhog Day. All over the United States we sit by our TVs and watch the festivities for which the town of Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, is so famous. They coax Punxsutawney Phil out of his home and hold him up for the entire world to see.

Oh my, as we sit biting our nails and chewing on our bottom lips…. Will he or will he not see his shadow??? If Phil sees his shadow, it is believed that we will have an early spring; if he does not, then we will have six more weeks of winter.

Now how would you like to depend on this beauty of a creature to predict all your weather?

Animals

The Weather is an important part of our lives. It determines if we are going to the beach today or if we are going shopping for hurricane supplies. Yes, just the mention of a hurricane and I get the heebie-jeebies up my spine. There is not a thing that we can do to change Mother Nature; she has a mind of her own, and no aching joint or lying down cow can change it.

Another old wives tale of predicting the weather is by watching your animals, and I will have to say that this is true. Before bad weather, my cat (Tootie) starts getting really nervous; then when the storm gets close, she is under the bed, and you will not see her again until the storm is over.

To Sum It All Up

I found this picture on the Internet and it just cracked me up, and I had to share it with you. It sums the weather up so nicely:

I am so thankful that I live today in a world where we have all the instruments and knowledge and can be forewarned of approaching weather like tornados, hurricanes, earthquakes, twisters, tsunamis, and even afternoon showers.

Some Funny Weather Folklore

• New and weather; they travel together.
• Rain, rain go away; come back another day.
• The chill is on, near and far, in all the months that have an “R.”
• A sunshiny shower won’t last half an hour.

And my favorite one of them all is… “Whether it’s cold or whether it’s hot; we shall have weather, whether or not!”

Well, good golly, my toe has stopped twitching, and it looks like the sun is coming out. I think my hunny bunny and I will do a little backyard grilling.

Insights from,

Agitha

“Go West, young man!” The cry was a popular slogan during the expansion of the American West. Thousands of people migrated from the eastern United States in search of a new start in the unknown wilderness, but first they had to cross the vast plains, following the Oregon Trail from the Missouri River all the way to the western coast. This journey was anything but easy, with threats along the way—wagon accidents, river crossings, treacherous trails, diseases, Indian attacks, wild animals, etc.

When the first European settlers came to America, the American West was as foreign to them as outer space is foreign to us. They knew it existed, but that was all they knew. Beginning with the expedition of Lewis and Clark, the early 1800s saw several brave adventurers who began to set foot into the wilderness that had never been seen by white men. Explorers, mountain men, and traders found their way across the western United States, until finally the infamous Oregon Trail was blazed and the pathway was made open for settlers.

We all remember the popular computer game where one must gather his supplies, wagon, and family and take off on the great adventure, facing death, mishap, foot shortages, and other perils. The game is not far from portraying the truth. In fact, the most common source of death along the trail was cholera, a disease caused by eating or drinking contaminated food or water.

Common Diseases Caused by Contaminated Water Along the Oregon Trail

Today we do not think about the water we drink or the food we eat because of sanitation and treatment requirements. Unfortunately, this is not the case in many countries around the world, where contaminated water is a problem. Drinking contaminated water is a major cause of death in developing countries today, and it was also a major cause of death along the Oregon Trail. In fact, if you have ever played the game, you may remember dying or having a family member die of one of these diseases:

Cholera

Cholera is a disease caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae. It is spread by drinking water or eating food that has been contaminated by the feces of an infected person. It was a common disease along the Oregon Trail, as water was untreated, and it spread quickly. An unsuspecting pioneer could sometimes be dead within hours if contaminated with the disease. The illness is characterized by common symptoms of severe watery diarrhea, sometimes accompanied with vomiting, which quickly leads to dehydration. If not treated promptly, the person may go into shock and die. Unfortunately, pioneers did not have a cure, and the disease could quickly spread throughout an entire wagon train, some losing over half of their people.

Typhoid Fever

Typhoid fever is caused by the bacterium Salmonella typhi, which is transferred by contaminated water or food. Like cholera, typhoid was easily spread, especially since the bacteria could spread to the surrounding water supply by infected feces, which contains a large concentration of the bacteria. The illness causes common symptoms of high fever, aches and pains, diarrhea, and lethargy. The condition usually lasts at least three to four weeks, and before modern treatment was available, the mortality rate was about 20%. Above is a photo of the grave of Martha Leland Crowley, a young woman who died of typhoid fever while on her way to Oregon.

Dysentery

Much similar to cholera, dysentery is a diarrheal illness that is spread by drinking water or eating food that has been contaminated by infected feces. It encompasses a wider range of bacterial illnesses and can be caused by different bacteria. However, the symptoms are usually characterized by watery stools (often with blood or mucus), fever, pain, and dehydration.

Packing for the Trail

With all these diseases facing the Oregon Trail pioneers, it is a wonder that any of them actually began the journey and even more of a wonder that they made it to the end. They wanted a new life, however, so they were willing to face these threats in order to make a new beginning. But they would need several supplies to carry them on the way.

Meet Jacob

Meet Jacob. He, his wife Louisa, and their two children are on their way to Oregon to start a new life farming. Jacob’s family is ready for the journey. They have packed over 1,000 pounds of food, including flour, bacon, salt, sugar, and coffee. Loading all these supplies onto their sturdy farm wagon, they stick in a few farm supplies, throw a cover over the wagon, and they are ready.

Oh, yes…they heard reports of diseases spread through contaminated water, so they brought a little something extra…

Keeping Clean Water on the Trail

Wagon Water Supply

The trip to Oregon was a long, hard journey, stretching over 2,000 miles of rough terrain. A family would need a lot of water to survive on such a journey, but there was usually plenty of water along the way. Lack of water was not the problem faced on the Oregon Trail but, rather, the lack of clean water. Luckily for Jacob’s family, he has brought along the Katadyn Pocket Microfilter.

The Katadyn Pocket Microfilter is a water filtration system specially designed for the trail. It uses a silver impregnated ceramic media to remove bacteria and protozoa, and it comes with a pre filter as well. What makes this filter so great is that it is made of sturdy design to last in even the most extreme conditions, and it filters up to 13,000 gallons—plenty of drinking and cooking water for Jacob’s entire family for the four to six months’ journey to Oregon.

Water for Hunting/Hiking Expeditions

One of the most important aspects of the journey to Oregon was hunting. Hunting ensured a family fresh meat to eat…a pleasant relief after hard biscuits or bread that was mushy on the inside but burnt on the outside. Fresh meat also meant not only a piece of meat or a fresh stew but also protein and stamina for the months ahead.

The Katadyn Hiker Pro Microfilter System is the perfect water filtration system for anyone who enjoys hiking, hunting, or any other outdoor excursions where coming across an unknown water source is a strong possibility. This filtration system uses activated carbon to remove bacteria, protozoa, cysts, algae, spores, sediment, and bad tastes and odors.

Water for Walking

Again, the Oregon Trail stretched across 2,000 miles. Unlike today—when we travel in the comfort of our air-conditioned/heated vehicles with plush cushions and CD players—the pioneers along the trail walked the entire 2,000 miles. Usually the man of the family would guide the animals pulling the wagon (one wagon could use up to 18 oxen to pull the wagon!), and the women and children usually walked alongside. The trail was dusty, dirty, and when it rained, soggy, muddy, and downright miserable!

Imagine walking all day, from sunup to sundown, in the heat of the sun, changing climates, and unpredictable weather. Crossing the dry prairie, one would need plenty of water during the day to keep from becoming dehydrated. However, to protect against harmful bacteria, the Katadyn MyBottle Purifier Bottle is the perfect solution!

This product looks like an ordinary water bottle, but it is much more than just a water bottle. It contains a filter that removes bacteria, viruses, cysts, and protozoa. This filtration system is simple and easy to use and is perfect for any outdoor or indoor activity where you need fresh, pure water.

Emergency Water

One of the first trailblazers for the Oregon Trail, Jim Bridger, stumbled upon a body of saltwater and thought he had discovered the Pacific Ocean. Instead, he had discovered the Great Salt Lake in Utah. This was not the only amazing body of water found near the Oregon Trail. There were also soda springs—natural sparkling water—and poison water holes. We’ve all seen the cartoons where a weary wanderer struggles through the desert and finally finds a waterhole, only to discover that it is poison.

When it comes to severe emergencies, however, when water is crucial for survival, there is a solution: Katadyn desalinators. Katadyn desalinators use reverse osmosis, which removes nearly everything in water—bacteria, chemicals, cysts, minerals, radiation particles, salt, etc. They can be used in unsanitary water and are great for emergencies, especially when on saltwater. Why, Jacob and his family can even take a long drink from the Great Salt Lake with a Katadyn desalinator!

End of the Trail: Reaching Oregon

Thousands of miles across wild, unknown country, with treacherous threats the entire way—was the trail to Oregon worth it? The picture above should be answer enough. Hundreds of thousands of emigrants travelled the Oregon Trail in search of a new land, a promised land where they could begin new lives, build new homes, and fulfill their dreams. Even today, hundreds of years later, wagon ruts can still be seen along the Oregon Trail, the marks left by the lives of remarkable people of courage whose legacy still lives on today.