The Sierra Nevada Mountain range can be treacherous for hikers hoping to cross in early summer, when freezing temperatures and deep snow still linger. In this video, we bundle up, grab our ice axes, and brave the steep slopes of the Sierras. We find that melting snow, buried trail, and rushing rivers add a thrilling dimension to the breathtaking beauty of this mountain wilderness.
49 of 50 U.S. states have snow
With ferocious blizzards pounding the East Coast, and a number of other storms blowing across the western U.S. and plains states, the country now has the presence of snow in 49 of the 50 states. An arctic blast rolled across the country earlier this week, sending temperatures falling in southern states that normally are spared winter’s wraith. Only Florida remains free of snow at the moment.
Despite the fact that snow was found in all 50 states last February, it is a rare occurrence to have so many places in the U.S. have snow on the ground at the same time. According to CNN, meteorologists estimate that approximately 69.4% of the lower U.S. states are currently buried under some amount of snow. Alaska of course has snow all year round and it is not uncommon for Hawaii’s Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea mountains to have snow throughout the winter either.
The news didn’t improve as the week has gone along. A Midwest storm combined with the one that hit Atlanta a few days back, and created the massive blizzard that dumped plenty of the white stuff on the New England states yesterday. Many residents in the Northeast are still digging out from 10+ inches of snow, and travelers have been left stranded throughout the country as well.
Here in Texas, where I live, we’re suppose to hit 60 degrees Fahrenheit by the weekend. But for those of you living in less warm conditions, keep your chin up. We still have several months of winter to go, and we’re probably not through the worst of it yet. Perhaps now would be a good time to take up snowshoeing or skiing?
Bank of China offers expanded yuan service
The Bank of China has begun offering its customers in New York City and Los Angeles services in yuan, Bloomberg reports. Services include deposit, exchange, remittance, and trade finance. Business customers may access these services in New York City and Los Angeles, while at the moment individual customers can only access these services at the New York City branch.
What does this mean for travelers? Not much, yet. If you’re one of the many English teachers in China you can send money home more easily, but that’s about it.
It’s the long-term view that’s interesting. China is obviously trying to expand the range of the yuan (also called the renminbi) beyond its borders. In fact, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao said as much last year when he expressed worry over how much China’s international assets are dominated by the dollar. This move allows international trading in yuan, which is sure to attract more investment and, if it’s successful, bolster the currency’s strength. It’s already at an all-time high against the dollar. The New York branch’s general manager says the move will eventually lead to the yuan being fully exchangeable with the dollar.
This will encourage further investment in China and could lead to more foreign businesses opening up shop there. It would also make it easier for international travel businesses to have offices in China. A yuan that’s strong against the dollar, however, will make trips to China more expensive for Americans.
Tourism is one of the fastest growing sectors in the Chinese economy. More and more Chinese are traveling abroad, and with greater access and use of their currency, those numbers will only increase. The World Trade Organization says if current trends continue, China will have the largest share of the world’s tourism industry by 2020, with 8.6 percent of global revenue.
Could yuan become another international currency like the dollar and the euro? Could we see money changers accepting them in more destinations? Only time will tell.
[Photo courtesy user Polylepsis via Wikimedia Commons]
Crisis averted as U.S. Customs seizes Kinder Surprise chocolate egg
To most people, the list of things you can’t carry through a border checkpoint is pretty well known – drugs, illegal immigrants, weapons, bomb making parts and any number of other terror related items. But a recent incident at Canadian checkpoint should help as a reminder to keep dangerous chocolate eggs out of the country as well.
The eggs in question are Kinder Surprise chocolate eggs – banned in the U.S. because they contain a small toy that poses a choking hazard. Never mind that I grew up on these things back in Europe, and that the rest of the world has no problem selling them – our almighty government considers the eggs enough of a threat that they confiscated 25,000 of them in 2,000 border incidents last year. Awesome way to use all those expensive border resources.
When Lind Bird tried to enter the U.S. from Canada, the Winnipeg woman came face to face with a customs official who discovered her illegal egg. The egg was seized, and Ms. Bird received a 7 page letter from the government asking for authorization to destroy it. Of course, she can also opt to pay $250 and contest the seizure.
Lets all be grateful that our government is hard at work protecting us from the dangers of these chocolate eggs. Oh, and if you happen to have a decent international grocery store in the area, ask them where they stash their Kinder Surprise eggs – that is where I get mine…
[Photo from: Flickr/brandoncripps]
Miami Dolphins look to Miami hotels for help with $225 million stadium revamp
The Miami Dolphins want some renovations done on their home, and they’re looking to Miami hotels to make it happen.
According to a report in USA Today’s Hotel Check-In column, the Miami Dolphins are pushing a proposal to raise Miami hotel taxes to fund a $225 million stadium renovation. The hotel-tax bill, which would up hotel bed taxes from 6 percent to 7 percent, says the extra tax revenue earned from hotels will be split between the football stadium and the Miami Beach Convention Center.
Apparently, this proposal by the beloved Dolphins and Florida Rep. Erik Fresen, R-Miami, is causing a mixed reaction in the Miami community. The business community opposes the idea, but tourism officials say hiking the tax and funding the Sun Life football stadium would help increase the stadium’s chances of hosting another Super Bowl in the future, according to the Sun-Sentinel.
As for the Dolphins? They want a partial roof, high-tech screens, lighting and 3,000 new premium seats. Dolphins CEO Mike Dee told the Miami Herald that investing in the stadium will add about $2.5 billion to the local economy through 2040.
We want to know what you think: Do you think hotels should increase their tax rate to pay for renovations of the Dolphins’ stadium? Would you pay the increase?