Tag: Camping
Big Trees, Big Skies
For the second installment of “Where Did Maria Go?”, I take you to one of California’s most stunning national parks, Sequoia. Did you know the Sequoia redwood was named after Sequoya (a.k.a. George Guess, 1760–1843), a Cherokee man who invented a system of writing his people’s language? Some internet sources say the word sequoia means "sparrow," but I also saw "hog," so I’ll have to confirm with someone of the Cherokee Nation. Aside from my fascination with etymology, I love nature and the great outdoors. I am a proud National Parks passport holder and own a mug with the famous John Muir quote, “The mountains are calling and I must go.”
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Fill Your Heart with Ireland
Whether it's the people, the craic (fun) or the coasts, travelers always find something to love about the island of Ireland. What fills your heart?
Great Smoky Mountains
Henry David Thoreau once said, “I took a walk in the woods and came out taller than the trees.” There is no better ‘woods’ to walk in than the Great Smoky Mountains, a mountain range rising along the Tennessee and North Carolina border. The range is sometimes called the Smoky Mountains and/or commonly shortened to the Smokies. It is home to Great Smoky Mountain National Park, and with more than 11 million visitors per year, it is the most visited national park in the United States. The mountains are part of an International Biosphere Reserve. It consists of 187,000 acres of old-growth forest, constituting the largest such stand east of the Mississippi River. The Great Smokies have also been designated a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Paws Up in the Big Sky
Last week I took a much-needed vacation to somewhere I’ve never been before but have heard about for years: Montana. The Big Sky, roaming bison and utter quiet compared to the hustle of Los Angeles were such draws, and they surpassed all my expectations.
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Unearth Seoul’s Hidden Gems
Filled with hidden treasures waiting to be discovered, Seoul invites travelers to unearth its many gems, and Seoul Tourism Organization is here to help travelers do just that. Through thoughtfully created initiatives like the Theme Tourism County Competition, Seoul Tourism Organization works closely with local districts to identify and showcase what makes each district unique and charming in all seasons.
Prepping for the Eclipse
With just a month until the total solar eclipse sweeps across the continental United States from sea to shining sea, those living within the path of totality are making final preparations for an influx of visitors looking for the best viewing experience. One such community is the high-desert town of Madras in Central Oregon. The county seat, with a population of just over 6,700, has been identified by astronomers as perhaps the best place among the cities in the path of the moon's shadow to watch the event, with totality lasting just over two minutes there. Sited on a high plateau with pristine air and ideal weather conditions (barring smoke from wildfires --- I'll return to that issue later), it offers unobstructed views with a backdrop of snowcapped mountains.