LP Asks You to Support National Passport Month

by Erik Olsen on

One of our favorite travel-dudes out there, Don George,
Lonely Planet’s global travel editor, sent out a note earlier asking people
to support a new initiative making September National Passport Month. Not a bad idea at all. The point of the would-be
law is to get more people – well, Americans – to shed their isolationist tendencies and start seeing more of the
world.

George writes: “We believe that the passport is a portal to discovery, education and connection, and our goal is to
focus national attention on the many benefits of having and using a passport.”

Folks, this is a fine idea. In my opinion, it ought to be accompanied by a “Get More Vacation” bill as well that
increases the amount of vacation Americans get to four from two weeks (which, by the way, is not even mandatory), but I
guess that’s another argument for another post.

Anyway, to show your support, send an email to
passport@lonelyplanet.com stating that you endorse National Passport
Month. Add your name and the name of your organization as you would like it listed. Be cool. Do it now. And while
you’re at it, listen to our recent
podcast with Don.

Rambln Ramblin…Ramblin (naked) Guy

by Erik Olsen on

One would think that taking a ramble in Britain sans clothing would be a bit uncomfortable. Serious shrinkage, no
doubt. But Stephen Gough, 45, who walked the
length of Britain in the nude says he’s contemplating doing it again, perhaps with a friend. The former Royal
Marine says we’re just too bashful about our bodies, and so this is his unique way of showing people in this part of
Britain, well, his parts.

 

Eruption In Yellowstone?

by Erik Olsen on

We are nearing the anniversary of the eruption of Mt. St. Helens which took place on May 18, 1980, and is widely
regarded as a major catastrophic event. But we have several other places of high volcanic activity here in the states,
one of which, is smack dab in the middle of one of our most treasured national parks, Yellowstone.

Take a look at this story on MSNBC sent to me by Carl. The story
explains that a new report by the National Geological Survey places Yellowstone 21st on a list of the most dangerous of
the 169 volcano centers in the United States. There is also
a mini-site dedicated to a potential “super volcano”
in Yellowstone that aired on the Discovery Channel…something to be aware of, esp. if you’ve got a Yellowstone trip
planned this summer ;-).

Roy Chapman Andrews – the Real Indiana Jones

by Erik Olsen on

I’ve been working on a TV story about the Explorers Club and great explorers and
have been writing about folks like Sir Edmund Hillary and Thor Heyerdahl. But one character who keeps coming up in my
research is Roy Chapman Andrews.

My guess is that most people have no idea who Roy Chapman Andrews is. But the fact is Andrews made several major
discoveries, including a nest of dinosaur eggs in the Gobi Desert, something no one at the time had ever found. But
Andrews was a dashing, natty-dressed fellow and actually was such an adventurer that he was the model for the character
of Indiana Jones…another factoid most people are probably unaware of.
Here is a nice little audio piece on Andrews from NPR.
Listen and learn.

Photo of the Day: (5/9/05)

by Erik Olsen on

Today’s POTD comes from Todd Skinner, a
photographer whose work from Mali, Africa could make up an entire coffee table book for National Geographic. Browse the
whole collection, there is some fine work here.