No-Rooz: Persian New Year

by Adrienne Wilson on

Today marks the celebration of yet another New Year in the distant lands of Iran and elsewhere I’m sure, but for
now we turn our attention to the No-Rooz or "New Day" in
the Middle Eastern country. Iran Chamber online has detailed information involving some of the rituals and traditions
associated with Zoroastrian (the religion of ancient Persia before the advent of Islam) along with info on how the
present days to come will be spent among family and friends. If you’ve a moment to spare I highly suggest using it to
view some of the rich, colorful photos on the site as well soaking in some of the literature provided to help us all
better understand the event as they head into the year 1385. There is way too much for me to even begin to summarize
here, but I’ll leave you with these No-Rooz greetings found at Iranchamber.com.

No-Rooz Mobarak (Happy New Year)
Eid-eh Shoma Mobarak (Happy New Year to you)
No-Rooz Pirooz (Wishing you a
propersous New Year)
Sad Saal be in Saal-ha (Wishing you 100 more Happy New Years)

Eagle Egg on Santa Cruz Island

by Erik Olsen on

Some folks here might remember the post I did last summer
about the Channel Islands. I was out there with a bunch of buddies doing some kayaking and camping, and we had a
glorious time. The islands really are one of the great hidden gems of California outdoors life, and I’d advise anyone
making plans to California to give a trip out there some thought.

The islands are rather dry and quiet, but
you can hike all over the place and some of the vistas from the high cliffs are amazing. The sea kayaking is also
supurb, especially on Santa Cruz island, where you paddle through a series of amazing sea caves.

So
speaking of Santa Cruz Island, I came across this
bit of interesting news. I just have to call this one out because I’m such a big fan of the islands. Turns out that
for the first time in more than 50 years, an eagle laid an egg in a nest on the island. Is ths earth-shattering news?
No, but the naturalist in me thought it was pretty cool.

St. Helens Trail to Crater Opening?

by Erik Olsen on

Some
good to great news for hikers who fancy a little bit of sulphur during their walks. Not to mention great views. Looks
like the epic trail to the crater of Mt. St. Helens in Washington State might reopen. it has been
a long long time since they cut off access to it…around 2004, since the lava dome started building and scaring
geologists that another big eruption was on the way. But the trail, so I’m told, I’ve never done it, is supposedly
gorgeous, offering  sweet views inside the crater itself. They say the trail may reopen as early as this year, so
strap on your hiking boots, put on your gas mask, and get yourself a virgin.

Oregonians get Glockenspiel

by Erik Olsen on

I’ll confess up front that I had no idea the town of
Mount Angel, Oregon is home to the state’s biggest Oktoberfest celebration. In
fact, If you asked me to put Oregon and Oktoberfest together in the same sentence I would have done so by saying
something like "Oregon and Oktoberfest both begin with O" and that would be about it. But it turns out that
the first sentence above is correct. And not only that, but for Oktoberfest connoisseurs, those who revel in Bavarian
bliss, the Mount Angel Oktoberfest is about to get even more rapturous. Why? How? You ask. Well, the town is investing
in what is said to be the nation’s tallest glockenspiel. (gasp!) No!

Yes, dear people. The 49-foot
glockenspiel (for the initiated…i.e. those who have never been to Munich…a glockenspiel is a clock tower with
animated figures that sing and tell stories…sort of like the Osmonds meets the It’s a Small World ride at Disneyland)
will be the tallest in the United States and a photogenic centerpiece for the town’s famous Oktoberfest.

Of
course, no town would undertake such an expenditure without hoping it will draw crowds…so it’s no surprise that the
city is also building up its Oktoberfest celebration, getting the word out big time and having their PR folks blanket
the media. That’s cool, though, right? I mean, it might be nice for you West Coast folks to have a glockenspiel of your
own. Those flights to Europe can take like, eight hours. Now you just have to go to Oregon, where the Helgas will bring
you beer in fleece and Birkenstocks.

Cowlady Travels

by Erik Olsen on

There is a book out there about a guy Tony Hawks who took
on a bet that he could carry
a fridge across Ireland and then wrote a book about it.

That is clever. A very nice, neat little device
to carry along a narrative. But I’m not so sure about this one. A British woman from Dorset has penned
a book about her
experience traveling around the world dressed as a cow.

Jane Silver-Corren has apparently been doing
this for the past 15 years, managing to really impress people from Asia to South America. Why do such a thing? She says
the point of the book is to inspire others to do something ridiculous for no apparent reason. Which is fine…but
please, what about the grandkids! I mean, poor Alfie is going to have to explain this to his friends, that his
grandmother dresses up as a cow to travel. BTW: I wonder how well this schtick went over in India.