Travel Innovators at T&L

by Erik Olsen on

Here’s one for travel buffs who are eager to know more about the folks behind the world of travel and tourism. I
didn’t think I’d find this very interesting when I first stumbled upon it over at Travel and Leisure, but I spent some time with it and
think it’s rather cool. The list here of those who are "changing the way you travel in the 21st century"
lists 35 innovators, a wide range of people who’s ideas are having amajor impact on the world of travel.

It’s an impressive group, from the guy who had the brilliant idea that it would be good to provide people with more legroom on airplane flights, to how
we’re going to all be checking email
at 35,00 feet, to a scientist who
developed a non-addictive sleeping pill, and the guys who pioneered building luxury
hotels in unorthodox destinations (about which we’ve blogged several times), it
really is a fascinating look at folks who, in some small (or large) way, affect each of us as we travel.

Goodbye Elephants in Zoos

by Erik Olsen on

A sad, sad story right out of my backyard.
Looks like keeping elephants around isn’t as easy as it might seem. Turns out they eat a lot and need lots of room to
roam. Who knew? And so it goes at the Bronx zoo where officials there have decided that they will shut down
their elephant exhibits when the animals they currently have die. The zoo has an their playful pachyderms on display
for almost a century. And Maxine, Patty, and Happy, who are all in their mid-30s and have lived at the zoo for most of
their lives, still have some years in them. The effort here ,as the article states ,is part of a trend across the
nation where zoos are dumping their elephants. I don’t see the problem, really? I mean, how much can an elephant really
eat? Oh, that much? Well, I guess it makes sense then.

Queen's Day Festival

by Adrienne Wilson on

I’m all over world festivals now since going to
Carnival. Nothing surpasses the energy (or intoxication) people seem to have during these day-long celebrations. Next
up in the festival circuit worth joining in comes right out of Amsterdam. On April 28-29, 2006 the Dutch and a tourist
or two will take to the streets of Amsterdam dressed in orange
colored clothing or paint to observe the former Queen Juliana’s birthday. (Queen’s Day is normally held on April 30 unless it falls on a Sunday
like this year.) Like most large festivals the area will be lined with street vendors, tons of local food and Oranje  Bitter, folklore performers, features outdoor concerts, and
fireworks to eventually explode in the night sky. Awesome event to check out will hanging around Holland.

On Galen Rowell

by Erik Olsen on

If you love outdoors photography, then you probably know
the work of the late Galen Rowell. Rowell is pretty much one of the
all-time greatest outdoor photographers, and you would find him up in heaven cavorting with  the likes of Ansel
Adams, probably shooting right now some of those uber-lovely heavenly sunsets.

The fact is Rowell was an
accomplished technician with a superb eye for the ideal shot. He had immense patience and would wait and wait for just
the right moment for the light to strike a mountain or a body of water or a rock face.  I own several of Rowell’s books, which are filled not just with great
images, but also with technical details on how he shot certain photos as well as his philosophy on life and shooting.

Rowell and his wife Barbara died in a tragic plane crash in
2002, but their spirit and work is on display at the Mountain Light Gallery in
Bishop, CA where many of Galen’s photos are on display. Seeing the gallery first hand is highly recommended. it is in a
very attractive building and the photos are all tastefully arranged and organized. Bishop is on the way to Mammoth and
June Lake, so if you are taking a trip up there at any point, I urge you to check out the gallery.

Looking for 2-Story Outhouses?

by Adrienne Wilson on

Here’s a roadside attraction that
could prove quite useful for you and your cohorts on long cross-country drives. I mean, I couldn’t really imagine
looking for a two-story crapper otherwise, but I suppose
outhouse hunting could make a pleasant day activity. Sure. Roadside America directs our attention to towns across the U.S.
duking it out for the World’s Only 2-Story Outhouse. Their insightful look at the various outhouses located in Dover,
Arkansas; Bell Plaine, Minnesota and Gays, Illinois (to name only a few) helps to narrow the claims down into smaller
categories of outhouse fame.

For instance Phelps, NY holds the title for America’s only 2-story brick
outhouse while a historic home in Minnesota has a skyway connecting the upstairs of the outhouse to the house proper,
making it home of the 2-story outhouse. You gotta admit a skyway sounds pretty swanky, eh? If you want to bypass all
the others and go straight for the one with the World’s title go to the Booger Hollow Trading Post in Arkansas, where
upper level seems to be closed off until they figure out plummin’.  Feel free to number one or two in the
"Maw" and "Paw" stations on the ground floor. They’re ah workin’ fine, I reckon.

To
vist these outhouse landmarks make sure and see Roadside
America for directions.