The marketing efforts for the Sequatchie Valley National Scenic Byway caught the attention of an organization dedicated to preserving America's beauty The Southeast Tennessee attraction was selected by the National Scenic Byway Association for its Communications Award The honor recognizes the Sequatchie Valley highway's "dynamic and visually engaging social media campaign," highlighting the beauty and stories of the Valley for a wider audience The Sequatchie Valley — about 70 miles long and an average of 4 miles wide — is between the eastern escarpment of the Cumberland Plateau and the western incline of Walden's Ridge and stretches south from Cumberland County through Bledsoe and Sequatchie counties to the state line in Marion County The Sequatchie Valley byway is one of three in Tennessee to receive an award from the association this year Tennessee has nine national scenic byways The other award recipients were the East Tennessee Crossing National Scenic Byway which received the 2025 Visitor Experience Award and the Great River Road along the Mississippi River on Tennessee's western border Great River received the 2025 Byway Partnership Award The mission of the National Scenic Byway Association is "to preserve and enhance the scenic beauty of America," according to the organization's website. Janis Kyser said the award for the Southeast Tennessee byway's marketing efforts was really about the Sequatchie Valley and its people Kyser is executive director at the Sequatchie County-Dunlap Chamber of Commerce "We were recognized because of our outdoor beauty and our natural resources — those are the qualifiers for the scenic byway — and we can't take credit for that," Kyser said in a phone call "That's something the good Lord provided to us But we can take credit for maintaining and preserving it and that's what our duty is as citizens of the Valley." (READ MORE: Sequatchie Valley called a 'magnet' for visitors) Kyser and her team developed a campaign across a multi-platform strategy on social media to showcase the natural beauty the charm of the Sequatchie Valley's small towns and unique attractions of the byway short-form videos and user-generated content to build an online presence that drove traffic to the byway's website and boosted local tourism "We wanted to create content that truly reflects the heart of the Valley," Kyser said places and experiences that make this region special." Staff Photo by Ben Benton / A hang glider launched from Tennessee Tree Topper atop Walden's Ridge on April 16 sails over the Sequatchie County countryside The National Scenic Byway Association has recognized the Sequatchie Valley National Scenic Byway with the association's 2025 Byway Communications Award Staff Photo by Ben Benton / A pastoral view from the Sequatchie Valley National Scenic Byway is pictured April 16 Staff Photo by Ben Benton / A pastoral view of the Sequatchie Valley from state Highway 111 in Sequatchie County is seen April 16 Staff Photo by Ben Benton / Padlocks left behind by visitors to the overlook on state Highway 111 in Sequatchie County are pictured April 16 The National Scenic Byway Association has recognized the Sequatchie Valley National Scenic Byway with the association's 2025 Byway Communications Award. Staff Photo by Ben Benton / A Sequatchie Valley National Scenic Byway plaque stands at the overlook on U.S 127 in Sequatchie County on Walden's Ridge on April 16 Kyser urged anyone planning to visit the byway to first visit its website to learn about the features and sites to watch for along the way The site offers information about 10 of the Sequatchie Valley's towns activities like weekend classic car cruise-ins that make stops in a different Valley town each Saturday farm tours to see where some of the region's best food comes from and where to stay (SIGN UP: Get today's Chattanooga area news, sports and entertainment directly to your inbox. Sign up for our free newsletters at timesfreepress.com/newsletters.) The Sequatchie Valley is defined by its stunning landscapes deep cultural roots and recreational offerings like hiking The byway connects visitors with nature and heritage and the campaign made it easier to explore The byway's path for motorists lies between Interstate 40 in Cumberland County to Interstate 24 in Marion County "This campaign exemplifies how great storytelling can bring a byway to life," National Scenic Byway Association Executive Director Sharon Strouse said in the release "The Sequatchie Valley team used social media not just to promote but to invite people into a deeper experience — and they did it with heart The team visited the Valley throughout the year capturing fresh seasonal visuals and stories The team shared two to three posts or short videos each week Themed series like "Hidden Gems" and "Seasonal Snapshots" helped spotlight lesser-known businesses and scenic moments that define the region's charm (READ MORE: Sequatchie Valley Scenic Byway among five in Tennessee added to 'America's Byways' list) The campaign also introduced travel itineraries to guide visitors on weekend getaways and themed trips "We consider the Valley floor to be part of the scenic byway," Kyser said "because we want them to see the heritage farms that are a part of the Valley We're starting to do some signage on East Valley Road." Cycle Sequatchie draws 500 cyclists to an event in October The chamber in Dunlap is leading the campaign and guides visitors to sites from Nickajack Lake in Marion County to the headwaters of the Sequatchie River in Cumberland County The river is popular with paddlers and backwater anglers the head of the Sequatchie is there," she said of the source of the Sequatchie where it emerges from the ground at the Valley's northernmost reaches Itineraries include outdoor excursions, cultural stops and local dining favorites, Kyser said. There are also bluegrass festivals, the Sequatchie County Small Town America: Dunlap Heritage Festival in September, South Pittsburg's National Cornbread Festival in April Saturday farmers markets in downtown Pikeville and seasonal events throughout the year Meetings leading to the development of the byway were being held in 2012 as the Valley's communities began formulating ideas State and local officials recognized that major attractions such as Fall Creek Falls State Park on the Bledsoe-Van Buren county line could draw more people to the Valley for its events and pastoral beauty The byway will be "one of the best things to happen to the Sequatchie Valley," Kyser predicted an interview in 2021 when the highway was first added to the byways list by the Federal Highway Administration "It gives national attention to what we've known is the most beautiful valley in the United States." Contact Ben Benton at bbenton@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6569 Ben Benton is a news reporter at the Chattanooga Times Free Press Ben has worked at the Times Free Press since November 2005 He has a bachelor's degree in communications from the University of Tennessee This document may not be reprinted without the express written permission of Chattanooga Times Free Press Material from the Associated Press is Copyright © 2025 audio and/or video material shall not be published rewritten for broadcast or publication or redistributed directly or indirectly in any medium Neither these AP materials nor any portion thereof may be stored in a computer except for personal and noncommercial use The AP will not be held liable for any delays errors or omissions therefrom or in the transmission or delivery of all or any part thereof or for any damages arising from any of the foregoing we’ve been hearing and reading about the development of warehouses and our poor air quality in our beautiful valley We live in one of the most biological diverse deserts in the world making us very unique and special for our citizens and tourists to enjoy The reason we have such diversity is because we go from 242 feet below sea level at the Salton Sea to 10,834 above sea level at the top of Mount San Jacinto Taking the tram is like going from Mexico to Canada in just under 14 minutes mule deer and plants had to adapt to a pretty extreme environment The Cahuilla Indians have been here for 8,000 years and their history tells us a lot about adaptation and how to survive in a desert environment We need to take their lead when it comes to stewarding our land we have not followed their lead and consequently our desert is being destroyed (air quality We need to protect this valley for our future generations to enjoy and thrive If city council members and planning commissions throughout our valley put money ahead of our quality of life we will destroy this beautiful environment that people all over the world come here for We now have millions of square feet of warehouses throughout Riverside County and it has entered into the Sonoran Desert (1 million plus square feet in Desert Hot Springs It is past time to focus on our quality of life and not destroy our enchanted valley by overlooking the obvious and putting money (taxes) above the environment There are many other businesses that don’t negatively impact our health and environment Let’s follow the lead of our ancestors and preserve the biodiversity that we are known for worldwide We must stop warehouse expansion in Coachella Valley Kerry Berman lives in Palm Desert and is a certified interpretive guide, an I-naturalist, author of the new book “Enchanted Valley Palm Springs and Beyond” and a USMC disabled combat veteran. He can be reached at kerry@kerryberman.com Snowfall overnight creates a picturesque view seen this morning from a small farm in the beautiful Española Valley. Photo by Liddie Martinez Illustration by Ben Kothe / The Atlantic. Source: Getty.January 30, 2025 ShareSave Listen-1.0x+0:007:10Produced by ElevenLabs and News Over Audio (Noa) using AI narration I have a joke I like to make—though it’s not funny Whenever I know I won’t be able to join my friends the next time they hang out I make everyone promise to not have fun without me Sometimes I have us go around in a circle so that each person can individually pledge to have a bad time If I check in after my absence and ask how the night was If someone says the time without me was great I don’t think I’m the center of the universe nor do I want to get in the way of my friends’ happiness No—I just have chronic FOMO: “fear of missing out.” I feel deeply haunted by the thought that if I don’t go to the party or the dinner or the coffee stroll my one wild and precious life will be devoid of a joyful transformative event—one I’d surely still be thinking about on my deathbed a friend at my side tenderly holding my hand and whispering That time we went bowling and the guy in the next lane over said that funny thing my New Year’s resolution is to keep one night of the week free from social plans But I suspect my FOMO may have served me well Sometimes you need a little anxiety to push you into doing something positive And if you don’t go on the hike or the beach trip or the roller coaster Why are we all so set on pretending that’s not the case Read: Americans need to party more Anxiety and Depression Are Related to Problematic Smartphone Use”) or the “joy of missing out.” The idea is that you should savor your solitude fully embrace the choice to do what you want to do rather than what others are doing I know that socializing often sounds unappealing before I actually start doing it What I’m in the mood for isn’t a very good gauge of what I should do (Let’s face it—she’s a stranger!) What is a helpful indicator is FOMO: whether I have the uneasy suspicion that if I do what’s comfortable I might not undergo something that would have stretched me or brought me closer to people I never would have jumped into the frigid ocean last February for a polar plunge or gone camping in September with a group of more than 30 people complete with a rushing heartbeat and sweaty palms “Part of the brain goes berserk,” McGinnis told me He thinks that people should lean into the first type the kind that’s about embracing possibility Read: The easiest way to keep your friends FOMO-driven action might lead you to feel less FOMO overall fear missing out when they first arrive on campus—but this is what can lead them to meet people and ultimately have a better sense of what they don’t mind skipping “When you’re 30 and somebody invites you to a bar and you’ve been to 4,000 bars,” he told me “you have such perfect information about this thing that you can make a decision without even fretting.” a FOMO extremist; on the precipice of turning 30 I still feel the need to go to the bar for the 4,001st time But I also think that I will never have enough data to know what any given night will be like the conversation is a little different; every time my knowledge of a friend is deepened or complicated Every so often it turns out that someone really needed me there after all; I’m not looking to stack my social résumé with pastimes that make it sound like I had fun I’m trying to spend the time I have with people I love I'm the Idaho News 6 neighborhood reporter dedicated to bringing you the latest stories from Southeast Boise and the Boise Bench Idaho — Saturday made for a beautiful day in the Treasure Valley and we should expect similar temperatures on Sunday expect temperatures to remain in the high 50s to low 60s which in turn will bring cooler temperatures toward the end of the week We'll feel the drop in temperatures on Thursday with no rain and a further drop in temperature If you want to enjoy the warmer weather and sunshine take advantage of Sunday and the beginning of the week One Hudson Valley resident was able to capture a beautiful image of wildlife in the area The Hudson Valley is a beautiful area and there's a ton of wildlife that can be found around here at anytime We live in such a camera driven world and most people today have a Ring camera or some kind of security camera at their house This means that they are able to get some awesome images of the wildlife around here and share them with everyone else I was looking on Facebook the other night and I noticed that one Hudson Valley resident was able to get a pretty breathtaking picture of some wildlife This picture of a coyote (pictured above) was recently taken in Milton area of the Hudson Valley It's a great picture and I don't think a lot of people really know a lot about coyotes think it's time to talk about all of the important and good reasons why coyotes are valuable around here Coyotes get a bum rap a lot of people seem to be afraid of them and yes...I would not want to run into an aggressive one but I can respect that they have a place and purpose on this earth just like the rest of us They do offer a lot of good things to the world and have a purpose Like all wildlife...yes (i wouldn't go inviting them into my yard for fun) It never hurts to go over things again...there are some important safety tips with coyotes and some things that you should be very mindful of So coyotes are beneficial but you do want to be extra careful around them Here's to hoping we get more awesome pictures of Hudson Valley wildlife in the future this should really go without saying...please don't harm any animals in the area and just let everyone live in peace One Hudson Valley resident was able to capture a beautiful image of wildlife in the area.\nRead More Coyotes get a bum rap So coyotes are beneficial Even if it's not grape-stomping season there are plenty of reasons to plan a trip to California Wine Country Petra a barn cat relaxes peacefully with a chicken recently at a farm in the beautiful Española Valley Barn cat Petra rests in the nest of a chicken coop recently at a farm in the beautiful Española Valley Barn cat Petra lounges next to a chicken recently at a farm in the beautiful Española Valley Part of a flock of 30 chickens that have adopted a barn cat as one of their own recently at a farm in the beautiful Española Valley Copyright © 2012-2025 The Los Alamos Daily Post is the Official Newspaper of Record in Los Alamos County This Site and all information contained here including graphs and graphics is the property of the Los Alamos Daily Post Permission to reprint in whole or in part is hereby granted provided that the Los Alamos Daily Post and author/photographer are properly cited columnists and other contributors do not necessarily reflect the views of the Los Alamos Daily Post The Los Alamos Daily Post newspaper was founded Feb Whether you're a visitor to our beautiful valley this week or a local looking to enjoy the last few weeks of beautiful weather before the summer heat arrives we've rounded up our picks for events to get you out and about From concerts and plays to a free multi-disciplinary art festival there's no shortage of things to do in the Coachella Valley and high desert this week (And if you'd like to submit an upcoming event of your own for a future roundup Here's our top picks for things to do in the Coachella Valley and surrounding communities from Monday CVRep is giving a familiar story a contemporary feel by staging this Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice musical this month in "Jesus Christ Superstar," "Judas is concerned that the followers of Jesus are getting out of control and may be viewed as a threat by religious and government leaders He also warns Jesus about the impression his relationship with Mary Magdalene may be giving Rice and Webber explore the personal relationships and struggles between Jesus and the uncompromising political powers of Jerusalem and the Roman Empire." today (if you're reading this on our day of publication More info: cvrep.org/productions Revolution Stage Company is staging the Tony and Pulitzer Prize-winning musical "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying" this month "this razor-sharp satire of corporate America follows the ambitious J Pierrepont Finch as he schemes his way from window washer to the top of the World Wide Wicket Company — without ever really working too hard With music and lyrics by Frank Loesser (Guys and Dolls) and a book by Abe Burrows and timeless social commentary." Prepare to hear beloved musical classics like “I Believe in You,” “Brotherhood of Man,” and “The Company Way,” performed by valley locals under the direction of Broadway veteran Robert Johanson More info: revolutionstagecompany.com/how-to-succed-in-business is currently staging a production of "Black Butterfly Like Me" that will be performed in both Indio and Palm Desert The production is a "story of resilience and identity," as the press release states that's "told through a bilingual assemblage of short scenes and poetry," shining a "light on the lives of four teen girls of various ages growing up in the poor urban suburbs of East Los Angeles." This sad painful depiction of life as a modern adolescent covers the topics of language When: March 21-April 6 (next shows are at 6 p.m Where: Various locations (this week's shows are at St and free tickets available to those who cannot pay More info: grtccv.org/box-office/ All of the Desert X 2025 exhibit's installations are now open to the public it's entirely free to experience the artwork The latest exhibition includes pieces scattered around the valley and reflects on — as the website says — "the desert’s deep time evolutions reframing ideas and wilderness and exploring themes of Indigenous futurism the impress of humanity on the land and the role of emerging technologies in our contemporary society." When: Now through May 11 (during daylight hours) Where: The works of art are scattered between Desert Hot Springs and Palm Desert (check website below for exact locations of installations) More info: desertx.org/visit/map More: Desert X 2025: Here's your first look at the public artworks featured in the new exhibit Consider going to dinner downtown and then heading to this show at Palm Canyon Theatre "Victor/Victoria," as the press release states is a musical based on the film of the same name that "tells the story of Victoria Grant a down-on-her-luck singer who finds fame and fortune by adopting the identity of 'Count Victor Grazinski,' a man performing as a female impersonator The plot thickens when tough Chicago businessman King Marchan falls for 'Victor,' igniting a hilarious and heartfelt journey of mistaken identities $37 for seniors and $20 for students (and group discounts are available) More info: palmcanyontheatre.net features a strong field for the 50-and-over circuit this year Almost all of the top players on the PGA Tour Champions are in the 78-player field at Mission Hills That includes defending champion Retief Goosen who won the event by one shot over Steven Alker who is also back in the field after finishing second each of the first two years and who is the reigning tour player of the year When: The 54-hole tournament begins Friday Two one-day pro-ams will be played Wednesday and Thursday (March 26-27) Cost: $30 for a daily grounds ticket; $65 for a weekly grounds ticket; $75 per day for a clubhouse ticket; $150 for a weekly clubhouse ticket; free daily grounds tickets to youths 15 and under and U.S More info: thegallericlassic.com/ called “The Roundup to End Hunger,” is a family friendly event that will feature all-you-can-eat hot dogs pulled pork and chili tasting as well as line and square dancing Veteran docents will also be on hand to provide tours Proceeds from all ticket sales benefit Food Now an organization that provides free food for 350 food-insecure people in the western Coachella Valley Cost: Tickets are $45 and include admission to the museum More info: thefamilyservicesofthedesert.org More: Don't miss Food Now's annual Chili Cook-Off Roundup to End Hunger, March 28 author of the upcoming book "The Life Guide for Teens: Harnessing Your Inner Power to be Healthy and Confident" will be in Palm Desert this week to facilitate a meeting of people who are experts in accessing their inner self a community that (according to its website) has a mission to "help to preserve nature and to help people to protect the nature of themselves," which aligns with Anbar's mental health work Anbar will also stop by Barnes & Noble to discuss his book and the topics it covers: anxiety Where: Barnes & Noble at The Shops at Palm Desert More info: centerpointhypnosis.com/books/ Whether you know Kim Deal as the original bassist and co-vocalist in the alternative rock band the Pixies or as the current frontwoman of the band Breeders "Nobody Loves You More," came out in November and now she's on tour sharing this new music with fans across the U.S Come see Deal live at Pappy & Harriett's to better understand this new inspired by everything from winter vacations with her parents in the Florida Keys to her mother’s dementia More info: kimdealmusic.com Looking to escape to the high desert for the day Consider heading to this free music and arts festival in Joshua Tree Hosted at the 9-acre Simi Dabah Sculpture Foundation this third annual event will showcase steel sculptures "from tabletop to monumental," by local artists Simi Dabah and there will be a wide range of unique site-specific performances Performers include cellist Joyce Rooks on her “cellotronica,” flutists Michael Shamhart and Dance Mojave with a paint/dance hybrid performance There will also be live painting by artist Anna Stump a large-scale collaborative art project created by all festival-goers More info: simidabahsculptures.com The topic of DEI has perhaps never been more in the news and it just happens to be what the book "Daily Practices of Inclusive Leaders: A Guide to Building a Culture of Belonging" is all about This collaboration between Eddie Pate and Jonathan Stutz two leadership entrepreneurs specializing in inclusion intentional daily leadership practices that are key to creating truly inclusive organizations and foster a strong sense of belonging," as their press release says join a 30-40-min discussion of the book followed by a Q&A moderated by Aaron Day More info: inclusivepebbles.com/order/ Desert Hot Springs Classical Concerts concludes its 11th season with events on two consecutive Sunday afternoons March 30 and April 6 the first of which will feature string trio ensemble132 this Sunday The Los Angeles-based string trio's versatile artistry "enables limitless programming possibilities," as the press release says transcriptions of symphonies and jazz standards and beloved chamber masterworks." The artists of ensemble132 have performed at esteemed festivals such as Marlboro They appear regularly with lauded ensembles such as the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center Cost: No tickets or reservations are required More info: dhsclassicalconcerts.org/2025 This story includes previous reporting by golf reporter Larry Bohannan (This story was updated to add information.) To submit an event for The Desert Sun's consideration in future 10 things to do stories send an email to niki.kottmann@desertsun.com with the time location and price of admission for your event but are highly encouraged as part of the submission Tip: Send your submission as early as possible to make sure we have it in time and to make sure your event jumps out in our inbox put "10 things to do submission" in the email subject line We're looking at a fantastic Sunday here in the Coachella Valley Highs today will hover around the seasonal average in the upper 70s There are a number of fun events today ranging from LGBT+ days in Cathedral City to farmers markets in La Quinta and Palm Desert We are still waiting to see the extent to which last week's rain may help improve the ongoing drought situation With more precipitation in the forecast this week there's hope that Southern California will see some improvements we remain under severe to extreme drought here in the Coachella Valley We will see quite the range in temperatures this week Tuesday will be the warmest day and Thursday will likely be the coolest We are tracking a few rounds of precipitation this week The less impactful of the two will move in on Tuesday with the more impactful of the two moving in on Thursday Spencer Blum joined KESQ News Channel 3 in 2023 as a member of the First Alert Weather Team News Channel 3 is committed to providing a forum for civil and constructive conversation Please keep your comments respectful and relevant. You can review our Community Guidelines by clicking here If you would like to share a story idea, please submit it here Terms of Service | Privacy Policy | Community Guidelines KESQ-TV FCC Public File | KPSP-TV FCC Public File | KDFX-TV FCC Public File | EEO Report | FCC Applications | Do Not Sell My Personal Information The plan is all laid out for you and you can't really deviate from it and save your sense of wonder for all the visual tricks the developers are playing on you which has offered two main kinds of puzzles in the past There was one in which you would use trick perspectives to create impossible paths - if two planes looked like they lined up in this world you could treat them as if they actually did Then there was another in which you'd interact with a switch or a sliding doodad or a twisty thing and the world would transform around you The little minarets and towertops the game played out on would curl up invert themselves and you'd be left with new doodads to mess around with This stuff was unfailingly elegant and beautiful to watch but in a game about getting from A to B on each screen it meant you were at the mercy of how energetic the designers were feeling You couldn't really read the landscape and plot a path across it because you didn't know what the landscape was capable of doing at any single point and that feels sub-optimal in a game like this That's why I found the first two Monument Valleys frustrating The third one strikes me as being frustrating because it has all the problems of the first two You get a couple of levels where new ideas come in and they're as playful and expressive and fun to tinker with as you could hope It concludes just as it feels like it's getting started We'll get to that last point in a bit. But for the majority of the campaign, Monument Valley 3 continues with the series' love of lightly interactive beauty with waves to gad over in a boat and one sequence in which you race through a corn field But the game doesn't really have many ideas for what to do with these open spaces so you're generally just moving from one chunk of puzzle territory to the next there's a new emphasis on working with other characters - using them to weight switches and trigger events and the like The fable-like story makes lunges at emotion as these characters are split up and reunited but as ever it's all too corporately fable-like so I suspect genuine emotion is a little bit of a reach here Moving characters about results in a mid-game sequence in which Monument Valley 3 strives for what feels like a real puzzle This is a game that's so poised in its presentation but when you have to move a few other people about and work within the parameters of what they're able to do in each situation The game isn't clear enough at explaining the way it works and what each part will and won't do so you have to end up just muddling through as ever At each stage it's astonishingly beautiful perfectly balanced images and landscapes that you yearn to explore if the game would let you But the rigours of how it unfolds are too tight It has all these great animations in store for you and it wants you to see them palace walls crack open and light spills down from the sky with an early level that explodes the game's approach to colour but is a little too fiddly and a later level sees you navigating two landscapes locked in an unusual relationship with one another Then we get the introduction of more organic elements and finally a brilliant idea that I won't spoil but which lets you change the plane you're on in an incredibly satisfying manner Monument Valley 3 offers a gorgeous world that you can genuinely tinker with until the solution tumbles into your brain and - oh yes These are levels where you can make mistakes and double back on yourself and like you could have worked a lot of it out from the start It's genuinely wonderful to see a beautiful thing finally blossoming into an interesting game Players can turn off camera shake and alter boat steering sensitivity The screen that tells you this is beautiful the way the illustrative frame comes together But it also gives me a bit of genuine hope There are moments here where at least the series itself seems to be going somewhere new I just wish it would get here a little sooner A copy of Monument Valley 3 was provided for review by publisher Netflix © 2025 Eurogamer.net a brand of IGN Entertainment No part of this website or its content may be reproduced without the copyright owner's permission Eurogamer is a registered trademark of Gamer Network Limited DepressiveMan_'s farm via Reddit lambocalrissian127's farm via Reddit Lonely_Red_Flower's farm via Reddit maybe_i_am_tired's farm via Reddit oOFerris_BuellerOo's greenhouse via Reddit scowlingwind's farm via Reddit actuallypepega's farm via Reddit orionrkive's quarry via Reddit Tete Ppani's Kingdom Farm via upload.farm Chyper's Salad farm via Reddit Ben's Sigma Farm via upload.farm Rorrik's Cattiakin Farm via upload.farm Desi's Harvest Moon Farm via upload.farm Canaria's Hayleen Farm via upload.farm Nico's Steel Reserve Farm via upload.farm Ball's Ball Farm via upload.farm This article was originally published in November 2018 We're republishing it today (for no particular reason at all!) and updating it with some more pictures of Stardew Valley farms that make us feel good Sometimes life's pretty stressful. In times like those, nervously tapping your foot for 10 hours doesn't quite shake the stress out. It's almost enough to make you want to drop everything and go buy a farm you can look at pictures of artfully composed and feel slightly at peace for the next three minutes of your life Let's just look at some really nice farms for a minute Keep up to date with the most important stories and the best deals but he'll always jump at the chance to cover emulation and Japanese games When he's not obsessively optimizing and re-optimizing a tangle of conveyor belts in Satisfactory (it's really becoming a problem) he's probably playing a 20-year-old Final Fantasy or some opaque ASCII roguelike With a focus on writing and editing features he seeks out personal stories and in-depth histories from the corners of PC gaming and its niche communities The Kashmir Valley is a large bowl-like ravine at the base of the Himalayas This 2014 satellite photo shows a cloud of haze sitting in the Kashmir Valley in the Himalayas The ethereal "lake" consists mainly of smog and other pollutants from nearby factories A massive cloud of haze sitting in the valley A giant cloud of haze frequently fills this ancient valley at the foot of the Himalayas which was once an enormous freshwater lake Although the stunning spectacle results from a natural phenomenon this particular example was caused by human activity bowl-like ravine that's around 84 miles (135 kilometers) long and 20 miles (32 km) wide It is surrounded by mountains on all sides including parts of the Himalayas to the north The floor of the valley is around 6,000 feet (1,800 meters) above sea level but some of the surrounding peaks tower up to 4,000 feet (1,200 m) above the valley's base Until around 4.5 million years ago, the Kashmir Valley was a massive freshwater lake, according to NASA's Earth Observatory the only evidence of the lake is the bowl-like shape of the valley and the sandy clay-like sediment across the valley's floor forms when warm air passes over cool ground the haze is contained within the valley by the tall surrounding peaks Temperature inversions frequently occur in the winter They are more likely to happen when snow is on the ground like the powder visible around the rim of the valley in this photo Related: See all the best images of Earth from space However, in this case, only a small percentage of the haze was mist or fog. Instead, most of the cloud consisted of pollution from nearby infrastructure. Multiple satellites detected high levels of air pollution on the day this photo was taken Most of this pollution likely came from charcoal production factories and biomass-burning power plants which provide the surrounding area with electricity Get the world’s most fascinating discoveries delivered straight to your inbox Although the Kashmir Valley is no longer a lake it is still home to several smaller lakes dotted around the floor of the rocky bowl these lakes are also feeling the effects of human-related stressors —Wall of haze gets trapped behind mountains near 'Throne of Solomon' in Pakistan —Trio of multicolor lakes look otherworldly in Africa's Great Rift Valley —Near-lifeless 'Land of Terror' looks like an alien landscape in the Sahara an overabundance of nutrients enters the local waterways as a result of urbanization triggering algal blooms and an explosion of plant life on the surfaces of these lakes that then starve the waters below of oxygen and make them toxic to most aquatic life has suffered eutrophication across more than half of its waters at various points over the past decade which has drastically reduced its biodiversity The extra nutrients are entering the lakes because the surrounding forests have been cleared for roads La Niña is dead — what that means for this year's hurricanes and weather El Cono: The mysterious sacred 'pyramid' hidden deep in the Amazon rainforest Science news this week: International blackouts and 'T has showcased a WIP of an incredibly realistic forest valley built with Nanite on static meshes and shared nodes setup for the water surface this beautiful valley is still a work in progress they started back in January deciding to experiment with terrain built with Nanite on static meshes the accuracy of the terrain "has improved but it takes more time to test and make" Currently, the artist is working on improving the water surface, referring to Dai Wei's solution for water disturbance and being satisfied with the results "I still use a relatively simple method to make the water surface I did not use Houdini to calculate the water cache Next is the WPO wind force of the vegetation" The artist kindly shared the water Blueprints setup including water disturbance effects suggested by Dai Wei: often experiments with Unreal Engine 5 features creating various detailed landscapes and biomes: 80 level 80LV logo are registered trademarks of 80LV LLC We use cookies on this website to make your browsing experience better. By using the site you agree to our use of cookies.Learn more During the weekend of 3 and 4 May, there’ll be a ‘takeover’ of all things small at the Severn Valley Railway (SVR) when The Engine House at Highley hosts around 25 model railway displays Entry to the event is included in the price of travel along the heritage line which is currently operating between Kidderminster and Hampton Loade The northernmost section between Hampton Loade and Bridgnorth remains closed pending repairs to the serious landslip that occurred earlier in the year Exhibitors will travel from across the country and layouts on display will include Illie Town The displays will be set out amongst the full-size locomotives and carriages on display in The Engine House including ‘Gordon’ the blue engine and 7819 ‘Hinton Manor’.  Entry to The Engine House will be from 10.45am to 4.30pm despite Bridgnorth station being cut off from the rest of the line visitors will be able to take part in short footplate rides on a steam locomotive throughout the weekend For more information on the Model Railway weekend, including timetables, please visit svr.co.uk.  Rail Business Daily’s market leading news and profile enhancement services enable your business to tell your story to the wider rail community. Engage with thousands of readers via our rail news platforms, including the hugely popular 7am newsletter, rail news website and Rail Director magazine. If you want to do more work in rail, Rail Business Daily is the place to be. Every morning at 7am, direct to your inbox. By submitting your contact details, you agree to us sending you emails on behalf of railbusinessdaily.com highly curated editorial content brings attention to hidden gems has written for OnlyInYourState for three years now She resides in Western Arkansas' Mountain Frontier but calls NWA home as well The graduate of University of Arkansas - Fort Smith in English and will soon be pursing her M.A Share LinkThis Lost Arkansas Trail Belongs On Your Bucket ListThe Lost Valley Trail in Arkansas offers a beautiful and accessible hiking experience featuring waterfalls the trail is more accessible and more beautiful than ever before Let’s lace up our hiking boots and trek through the gorgeous Lost Valley Trail in Arkansas the Lost Valley area of the Buffalo National River is bigger and better than before You'll see the improvements as soon as you pull into the parking lot Leslie Lee/AllTrailsLost Valley underwent a 1.1-million-dollar facelift that included an improved parking lot and more accessible trails The main goal of the renovations was to protect the area from flooding as well as protect the Buffalo River's water quality further downstream the remodeling efforts only enhanced the beauty of the Lost Valley Trail area Brent Robinson/AllTrailsThe trail is about 2.4 miles long and is much more accessible than it had been originally. The calm running waters, interesting rock formations, and aromatic wildflowers make this trail quite the sensation. If you're feeling adventurous, you can still explore the nearby cave for a treat. the cave is still interesting to explore around the entrance There's no better reward for visiting Lost Valley than seeing Eden Falls Go explore the Lost Valley Trail in Arkansas in this video from Zach Hollenbaugh as he shows us Eden Falls and Cobb Cave: As you plan your Lost Valley hike consider this delightful cabin getaway in Ponca We have loved seeing everyone's Lost Valley Trail photos in our Facebook Group, Arkansas Nature Lovers You should join for your chance to be featured and to discover why there’s nothing better than Arkansas’ stunning nature For another waterfall-filled hike around the Buffalo, head to this gorgeous trail. 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We’ll see you in your inbox! also known as the "Valley of Flowers of the East," is a mesmerising paradise in North Sikkim its slopes come alive with rhododendron blooms creating a vibrant landscape against the backdrop of snow-clad mountains The valley is also home to the Shingba Rhododendron Sanctuary and soothing hot springs Situated in the high-altitude region of Arunachal Pradesh Tawang Valley is a blend of spiritual serenity and natural grandeur making it the perfect time to explore its picturesque landscapes and historical sites Ziro Valley is a tranquil retreat known for its expansive paddy fields the valley enjoys clear skies and a soothing climate making it ideal for hiking and cultural exploration along with its unique sustainable farming practices Spiti Valley offers breathtaking views of barren mountains As April marks the beginning of accessibility after winter travellers can experience both snow-draped peaks and emerging green landscapes offering activities like trekking and exploring remote Himalayan villages Araku Valley is a hidden gem known for its rolling coffee plantations The valley enjoys a refreshing climate in April making it an excellent destination for nature walks and cave explorations with their fascinating stalactites and stalagmites formations the Kashmir Valley transforms into a vibrant paradise with the famous Tulip Garden in full bloom This is the best time to witness blossoming orchards and Sonmarg offer breathtaking views and adventure activities before the peak summer season arrives Kangra Valley is a delightful mix of Himalayan scenery April is the perfect month to experience its lush greenery The valley is also known for ancient temples and trekking trails making it a great destination for history and nature enthusiasts alike Trump offers $1,000 to illegal aliens if.. MHA asks states to conduct mock drills on May 7 EU announces €500M offer to woo US scientists Putin says Russia has strength to conclude Ukraine war Trump plans to open ‘The Rock’ for violent criminals BJP sharpens attack on Cong over Rafale remark Albanese delivers his first speech after election win 'US' best days yet to come...': Pence receives JFK Courage Award Instead of releasing an expedition like the last couple of Atlantic City updates diving into the south to uncover new quests did I have my work cut out for me during my hands-on as somehow I managed to encounter every single cult under the sun.  Skyline Valley expands into the Appalachian Shenandoah Valley which will make up the new bottom of the map it didn't take long for me to figure out that something wasn't quite right Just look up at the sky—clouds aren't meant to look like that.  Amidst the 20 new places of interest to explore and 12 new quests to complete there's a story for you to journey through The epicenter of the strange storm that has engulfed the Shenandoah Valley leads to Vault 63 and his army of ghoulish employees called lost engineers all of whom aren't very happy to see you and wield electric batons and guns But to get to the bottom of this strange ecological disaster you'll either have to befriend or betray Hugo and solve the mystery for yourself.  "The expansion of the map is amazing," lead producer Bill LaCoste says and how the weather is changed in that area by the weather machine that causes all these issues within the vault We've all been playing in Appalachia for so long It certainly seems like a cool story to latch onto for this update but that's far from the only exciting aspect of Skyline Valley I opted to spend a lot of time in my hands-on session doing what I always do: exploring the map and digging deep into any small tidbits of information I could find whether that be from following strange trails or hacking terminals My travels took me to the spooky Dark Hollow Manor and a communist brainwashing site at Camp Liberty as well as pretty much every other point of interest on the map.  I expected to find a couple of old derelict huts and maybe some good loot everyone was acting as if they were in the heart of communist Russia I was only planning on passing through but then one of the recruits called me a capitalist pig and began shooting at me so I decided to take a quick detour.  After fighting every single communist soldier in the camp including a communist commander—even unleashing a legendary yao guai on them—all my work was done and I began rooting around for any clues as to why this camp existed After finding some loose documents and hacking into their terminal I found out that these people weren't actually Russian communists who got stranded in the US after the bombs dropped and managed to keep the collective flame alight It turns out that this camp was part of an experiment set up by the US government to see how easily citizens could be brainwashed to then try and figure out how it could be undone While this mission may just sound like therapy with extra steps it's these kinds of strange stories and quirky residents that make me love Fallout so much Wandering down the dimly lit cave system alongside eerie music was enough to make me a little cautious despite my high level After carrying on a bit further down the map and stopping by the Slumber Mill Motel to fight some angry lost engineers and read through the business' complaints log I ventured into the wilderness and eventually came across the Old Crimora Mines The cave system was full of intertwining pathways and small gaps to shimmy through and just to make things more interesting it was also brimming with Mothman cultists.  Fighting these worshipers wasn't too difficult as I'll admit I did have some incredibly overpowered weapons but it was still surprisingly creepy It wasn't big enough to get lost in but the various levels did get a bit confusing I'd follow the path down into the cave killing cultists as I went and suddenly I'd be standing above the area I'd just come from But my clueless exploring was rewarded at the end with a comfortable bone chair and a couple of cool shotguns.  but Bethesda is also adding escort missions so you can join members of the Blue Ridge Caravan party while they run routes through Shenandoah There's actually a great deal to look forward to and I'm excited to see what else the team has to offer.  Elie GouldNews WriterElie is a news writer with an unhealthy love of horror games—even though their greatest fear is being chased there's a good chance you'll find them testing their metal in metroidvanias or just admiring their Pokemon TCG collection Elie has previously worked at TechRadar Gaming as a staff writer and studied at JOMEC in International Journalism and Documentaries – spending their free time filming short docs about Smash Bros While I remain hopeful that my chance to hike The Wave will come I decided to check out the next best option: the Fire Wave located in Nevada's Valley of Fire State Park The park, known for its 40,000 acres featuring Aztec sandstone formations is open to the public between October and May When I read that it was considered a geologic marvel AND didn't require a permit Here's what my experience at Valley of Fire State Park was like Valley of Fire State Park is situated an hour northeast of Las Vegas fully paved roads throughout the entire route After following signs into Nevada's oldest and largest state park my husband and I stopped at the ranger station to pay the entrance fee —$10 for those who live in the state or $15 for non-Nevada residents The road led us from the ranger station into the park's interior, with stops along the way that included ancient petrified trees, 2,500-year-old petroglyphs Our hike was a quick and easy stroll that took us longer than it should have due to all the beautiful photo opportunities there was zero question as to why this spellbinding geologic formation is the most popular feature in the park We found ourselves surrounded by layers of waved sandstone carved by the elements to reveal stripes of pink We took our time wandering the area surrounding The Fire Wave to ensure we didn't miss a bit of the otherworldly scene surrounding us As I took pictures showcasing the dreamscape I couldn't help feeling like we were standing in the middle of the cover of Dr As we turned away to start our hike back to our car I was so glad we made the drive out to explore Valley of Fire State Park we came across more bighorn sheep than we did visitors to this underrated gem in Nevada's park system and I would gladly go back again and again I also knew it was only a temporary fix for my insatiable need to experience The Wave which still sits permanently at the very top of my adventure bucket list Epic skiing is synonymous with the Colorado Rockies Most of Colorado’s resort towns grew into their role after years as mining camps These are the best ski towns in the state. Each of them has an awesome ski resort located only minutes from town. They feature some of the best ski slopes and village combinations in the country, welcoming guests from around the world for winter festivities. You can view a complete list of ski resorts in Colorado to get a feel for what the Centennial State offers If you’re more into shopping than skiing, Aspen is your ski town. Famous brand-name stores line the streets, matched by some of the country’s premier boutiques. Kemo Sabe offers among the finest handmade cowboy boots and custom-fitted hats Along with the “Power of Four” resorts Aspen has lodging throughout its beautiful valley Snowmass Village is another fun outlet for apres ski entertainment It also boasts the most ski-in/ski-out lodging of any town in the state Sitting at the base of the stunning Ten Mile Range, Breckenridge is known for its high-elevation life. The former boomtown sits at 9,600 feet above sea level, making it the highest town on this list (Leadville, home to Ski Cooper takes the cake for ski towns at 10,152 feet) Breckenridge Ski Resort features five fun peaks to shred on: Peaks 6 to 10 Some folks will complain that Breck flattens out and is a beginner’s mountain if you can’t find the expert line you’re looking for Breck’s a party town that’s loaded with restaurants and nightlife You can’t walk down the street for more than a few minutes without passing dozens of happy hour specials And while Colorado’s recreational cannabis is easily purchased around the state Breck still makes itself known as the “Amsterdam of the Rockies.” Few towns can match the natural beauty of Telluride’s rugged box canyon. The Gondola rises directly out of its historic district offering unparalleled views and access to its internationally renowned slopes The ski trails begin at 8,750 feet and rise to 13,320 feet (with a little hiking) This happens in the San Juan Mountains too this Old West town is just waiting to be explored Low-key restaurants serve up fantastic fare A separate mountain village offers even more options This added to Telluride’s remote location Steamboat is home to the best tree skiing in the state Combine that with Champagne Powder and an awesome mountain town and you get tourists that turn into locals after the season’s over Those who come to the Yampa Valley to live will never be able to leave They have been outfitting Routt County for over 100 years Crested Butte is often referred to as Colorado’s “last great ski town” the town is sweet and the mountain scenery is spectacular The mountain makes the most of its 1,547 acres, with expert steeps and long, groomed cruisers. You can even ride its iconic butte if you hike a little. The Crested Butte Adventure Park will keep the kids busy while off the skis with tubing and mini golf Downtown CB is as picturesque as they come, lined with colorful Victorian storefronts and homes. Locals ride their bikes to the slopes, which are only five minutes away by car. A separate base village provides additional dining, lodging, and attractions. Families will enjoy frequent deals that combine lodging or airfare with free lift tickets Much like Snowmass Village was combined with Aspen earlier on this list, Beaver Creek is with Vail. It’s a Vail-owned resort nestled high behind a gate above its home in Avon They also share a daily lift ticket so you can ride both in one day but that’s unlikely given Vail and Beaver Creek’s combined 343 trails and 7,121 skiable acres Winter Park is perfect for those looking for a reliable ski area, with a variety of things to do, but no attitude. Its relaxed personality is reflected in every beautiful town in Grand County which all happily welcome visitors with their Western charm Combined with Mary Jane, Winter Park reps 3,081 skiable acres including a wide bowl and backcountry gates The tree skiing at Mary Jane is among the best in the state too There are known to be a few ski shacks built by locals in the woods so keep an eye out for them Winter Park is another resort with both a mountain village and a separate downtown that brings visitors to its car-free streets The downtown may be less walkable than some Below Keystone’s steep slopes, you’ll find a well-thought-out ski village waiting to be uncovered. It has probably the best outdoor ice rink in the state at Keystone Lake It’s one of the largest zambonied lakes in the US Like Vail, Keystone’s mountain village is also its downtown. It’s not as busy as Summit County neighborhood Breck, but there are still plenty of places to eat and stay, and you can always find a deal if you look The ski area is Summit’s largest at 3,148 acres, with three incredible peaks: Dercum Mountain, North Peak, and The Outback. There’s also night skiing on weekends and holidays. If you get bored somehow, you can ski at A Basin Many awesome mountain towns like Durango and Pagosa Springs didn’t make the cut simply because their ski resort is too far away from the town center Hope you enjoy your time at these amazing Colorado winter destinations There’s nothing quite like a hot cup of cocoa or a cold beer after a day on the ski slopes who loves to showcase his home state of Colorado His favorite place to be is right here in the Centennial State Copyright © 2025 · Free Colorado Travel Guide | Vacations, Travel and Tourism · All Rights Reserved Sign In Subscribe Now Dialogue and debate are integral to a free society and we welcome and encourage you to share your views on the issues of the day. We ask that you be respectful of others and their points of view, refrain from personal attacks and stay on topic. To learn about our commenting policies and how our community-based moderation works, please read our Community Guidelines Opinion | Oct 27 “Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all the darkness.” — Desmond Tutu As I clawed my way through the darkest days and nights of my life l know now I survived because of love and kindness everlasting love and kindness of my family and my fathers The kindness of my treasured friends and tribe — holding me the way only a tribe can The kindness of my colleagues when I returned to work — a shell of my former self The kindness from complete strangers … and of course those who had had their own terrible experience losing a loved one to suicide They became part of my community and I became part of a club of which no one wants to be a member.  Anyone who knows my lived experience understands my greatest fear is losing someone I love to suicide — or anyone they love I would move 1,000 mountains 1,000 times to prevent any person — especially a child — from feeling this is the path I cannot and I will not look the other way I take comfort in knowing I cannot be alone.  “Research indicates that persistent bullying can lead to or worsen feelings of isolation which can contribute to suicidal behavior.”  Here is a list of children under 9 years old that died by suicide because they were bullied.  The most recent U.S. school shooting which happened in St. Louis involved bullying My sister’s son who is a sophomore in high school lost a classmate just days ago to suicide in part due to bullying According to the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development “Bullying can affect physical and emotional health Those who are bullied are at increased risk for mental health problems Bullying also can cause long-term damage to self-esteem Those who are both bullies and victims of bullying suffer the most serious effects of bullying and are at greater risk for mental and behavioral problems than those who are only bullied or who are only bullies.” bullying hurts everyone connected to it — and no one comes out unscathed.  I believe we want all children and people to feel safe and supported — in our neighborhoods I want to believe we all support ensuring our kids can play in our community parks and learn at school without the fear of being targeted harassed or bullied by anyone of any age.   Yet, I am hopeful because of organizations like SpeakUp ReachOut — whose mission of suicide prevention is so near and dear to my heart. Organizations like StopBullying.gov provide resources to our children and how blessed we are to have these resources in our schools in Eagle County throughout our valley as parents and as humans we can do small things that make a lasting impact We can teach our children that words matter and have a lasting impact — both positive and negative And we can ensure we leave no space for bullies or the behavior that comes with it —  anywhere in our community not in our neighborhood parks where I have witnessed its brutality firsthand Speak up on behalf of those who cannot do it for themselves Show our children we can all do better by being kind respectful and understanding that our words and actions have a deep and lasting impact on those around us.  You never know if you might save someone’s life.  Kentucky Derby Parties The 151st Kentucky Derby is set for Saturday at 4:57 p.m and here are a few places you can go for watch parties: Lookout Bar at Westin Riverfront in Avon Celebrate the Kentucky.. Easter events in the Vail Valley Church services An Easter tradition that’s been going on for over 30 years is the Vail Mountain Easter Sunrise Service bright and early on Sunday morning Après Madness Championship Party at Avanti F&B The NCAA College Basketball Tournament may have crowned a champion on Monday but Friday is when you can congratulate this year’s winner of Vail’s own form of competition:.. Après at The Amp For its third year in a row Ford Amphitheater has proven that it’s not just a summer venue the Swedish pop band that took the world by storm in the 1970s and early 1980s with its hits “Waterloo,” “Take a Chance on Me” and “Dancing Queen,” will virtually.. How often do we take everyday things for granted We get into our cars and drive to the store Let’s pause for a moment and visualize our beautiful streets in the valley Ramon Road in Cathedral City was a dismal place to drive The median separating the two directions of traffic was full of trash and dirt The city decided to do a massive landscaping job on that median Landscapers installed beautiful palm trees I love driving down Ramon now as the city made it so pleasing to the eye Another stunning road is Tahquitz Canyon Way in Palm Springs It runs west from Palm Springs International Airport to Palm Canyon Drive Palm Springs beautifully landscaped the medians like Cathedral City had done on Ramon They added beautiful horse sculptures on about every block New York-based artist Chris Myers created the six horses for his Desert X 2021 exhibit “The Art of Taming Horses.” It is a visually phenomenal drive from the airport to the heart of the city you see another beautiful sculpture followed by amazing landscaping forms all the way to Palm Canyon Drive Gerald Ford Drive and Frank Sinatra Drive in Rancho Mirage are both impressive examples of lush medians These two busy streets have abundant plantings that have been kept up and maintained by talented gardeners for many decades I have never seen them unkept or in need of work Rancho Mirage keeps these two medians in perfect shape all year long I often think of tourists driving on these streets They must be astounded by the gorgeous plantings on these two famous streets There are so many beautiful streets in the valley Our handsome streets and their medians separate us from many other areas of the country Many parts of the country suffer from poorly maintained streets along with a lack of vision to make their roadways more attractive We are lucky to live here where we not only have grand streets to drive on we see our magnificent mountains and breathtaking blue skies I hope that readers will appreciate the beauty of our roadways the next time they get into their cars I know there is still work being done on some roads but for the most part we truly live in a desert paradise Ray Matlock Smythe is an author/retired teacher. His two newest books are “Coping with Grief – My Personal Journey of Learning to Overcome Sorrow” and “Creating a More Positive Life, One Column at a Time.” He lives in Cathedral City and can be reached at Rayme49@aol.com Courtesy of Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas Mar 12, 2024 | Op/Ed TRI-VALLEY TRANSIT buses in MiddleburyIndependent photo/Steve James For those who observe the Christian liturgical calendar The Lenten season involves 40 days of preparation before Easter beginning on Ash Wednesday and ending on the sundown of Holy Thursday often characterized by a “giving up” of something this year my eldest daughter gave up Starbucks (motivated less by the condition of her soul than by the condition of her wallet after buying $7 drinks post-school.) I’m observing Lent by taking something on as opposed to giving something up The two practices are two sides of the same coin since taking something on usually involves sacrificing precious time What I’ve taken on is noticing one beautiful thing each day: anything that makes the world a little more beautiful and I’m compiling my daily reflections on beautiful things in a “Book of Beauty” for my family I’ve decided to do something similar in this column: a series in which I highlight the beautiful things in our little corner of Vermont After a season in which I delved into the difficult issues of middle age perhaps it’s time for something a bit more hopeful — especially as we approach mud season after a particularly grey winter as we approach the upheaval and unpleasantness of an election year as we continue to grapple with the bad news of the world You get the picture: We could all use a little beauty I’m going to begin with one of my favorite beautiful “secrets” of Addison County: Tri-Valley Transit (TVT.) Formerly known as ACTR TVT was formed in 2017 when the public transportation systems of Addison It exists as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization funded by an 80/20 mix of state and federal grants and private donations The mission of TVT is “to enhance the economic social and environmental health of the communities we serve by providing public transportation services for everyone that are safe I first encountered TVT when my two oldest children began attending a middle school in Ripton We were delighted to learn that TVT ran a weekday bus route between downtown Middlebury and the school I’d seen white TVT buses around town for years taking people around downtown Middlebury and between various Addison County towns but I had no idea that they would take students to school We have now sent three of our children to school on a TVT bus almost every weekday for three years I became the school’s volunteer bus coordinator acting as a go-between for TVT and the school families who use it Barely a day goes by when I’m not deeply grateful for this gift to our community Not only does the TVT bus take my children to and from school on time every day for free but they work around the school’s schedule When the entire school went for a hike on the Long Trail the TVT bus dropped the kids at the trailhead; when the entire school has play rehearsals at the Ripton Community House the bus will drop off and pick up accordingly One horrible day I missed the last-minute email about a delayed opening due to weather and learned about it only when another mom called to ask about bus service As I started to panic because my children had been dropped off at the bus stop already (and had forgotten their cell phone at home several things happened that made me so thankful for our community I got a phone call from Ilsley Youth Librarian Tricia Allen: My children had boarded the bus but partway up to school the TVT driver learned of the delay and turned around rather than drop them at a locked school building He let them use his phone to call me; when I didn’t pick up they had walked to the library and used Tricia’s phone to reach me I got on the phone to TVT and inquired about a delayed pickup “Let’s see what we can do,” said the dispatcher and promptly arranged a route that would get everyone to school on time On yet another day with a delayed school start TVT beat me to it: As my husband and I were scrambling to figure out how to get our kids to their schools when various roads were closed due to downed trees and power lines “We heard that schools are delayed,” she said “Would you like us to run a later bus up to the school?” My children love riding the TVT bus: It gives them the chance to spend an extra 30 minutes with friends before and after school and they have also developed relationships with the bus drivers They know the drivers by name: Scott is a favorite they’ll share facts about various drivers — their life history Can you imagine driving ten middle schoolers 30 minutes up and down a mountain twice a day Our children’s school is not the only local school that benefits from TVT’s services: The company runs a bus route up and down Route 7 every school day dropping students off at several schools between Middlebury and Burlington They run another route out to schools in Bristol When my eldest daughter was beginning high school in Burlington I contacted Mary-Claire at TVT and asked about the possibility of a bus route for her Mary-Claire had put together a route that would take my daughter an hour north to school I suspect that for most small towns in rural states services like those offered by TVT — for everyone Almost nowhere is the bend-over-backwards kindness of the TVT staff the norm If you’d like to donate to TVT and support their mission of free public transportation, you can do so here Faith Gong has worked as an elementary school teacher In her “free time,” she writes for her blog The headlines of the past week tell the story a group of people comes together at Gather our community living ro … (read more) While I was not writing this article that is due imminently I carried out some research o … (read more) The Ruby Mountains rose before me like a jagged Much like our southern border - I just had to throw that in A saw tooth ridgeline descends to relatively smooth sides surrounding the entire western edge of this massive Ruby Valley The 11,000-foot tall range stretches for approximately 80 miles in Elko County in northeastern Nevada and the west lies the Huntington and Lamoille Valleys The Ruby Mountain range is within the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest I was heading west to head north toward my destination - Elko Go north to go south and then west to go east but sometimes it can leave a person scratching their head wondering who designed the roads for the byways “Let’s do this instead of that and make drivers crazy.” I had never even heard of Elko - but it does have a ring to it I had phoned Laureen earlier in the morning before leaving my camp and told her where I was heading “I’m going to Elko to see some elk in Elko,” I replied The roll of her eyes was audible through my cell phone I had to drive through and around Ruby Valley As the beginning of the fall season was upon us and some trees were confused - half green and half turning color we usually don’t get to see many varieties of plants changing colors unless we watch the Hallmark channel - there “Aren’t the fall leaves wonderful this time of year,” asks an actress who appears in every other Hallmark feature they are,” returns her soon-to-be ex-boyfriend who becomes her betrothed in the last ten minutes of the production Besides being beautifully open and gorgeous Ruby Valley was also the site of the 1860 Pony Express Station The building was moved from Ruby Valley in 1960 and can be seen and oohed at in Elko It is one of only two out of forty-three stations still in Nevada and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places Rumor has it that the other 41 are in storage in Nevada’s state capital of Carson City “You never know when we might need another tourist attraction,” a member of the governor’s staff may have joked The road through the valley is quiet - I like quiet but this is genuinely deafeningly quiet.Passing a horse close to the roadway reminded me of how quiet it was in this remote section of Nevada - it raised its hoof to its mouth and neighed “sh.” Large swaths of farmland intermingled with cattle and horse ranches greeting me as I leisurely drove along the black asphalt highway A driver must be alert and cautious every quarter of a mile A large sign warning the driver that it is open-range territory means cows and horses can meander onto the highway anytime they want “I’m going to jump out and scare the senses out of that oncoming driver.” Who lived in Elko before it was a town?This is and was Native American lands The Western Shoshone tribe has called the valley home for many generations a treaty was signed between the Shoshone and the United States by then Governor James W Nye of the territory of Nevada and Governor James Duane Doty of the territory of Utah The government did not confiscate the land as it did in other sections of the country and the Shoshone allowed the government to traverse across their property unhindered and other means of travel and communication could exist there unmolested Twelve chiefs signed on behalf of the Shoshone and all lived happily ever after with no scrabbles The area became a nucleus for pioneers to venture to and start a new life: farming when traveling within designated tribal lands the driver must be aware of cattle crossing on the road A person who hits and kills a cow is in a lot of trouble My research indicates that a person guilty of hitting a cow can look at one to three years in prison and fines upward of five thousand dollars I truly cruise with three eyes on the road “What are you in for?” a hardened homicidal maniac may ask in the prison yard while eyeing you like a steak on a hibachi Ruby Valley is the location of the Himalayan Snowcock usually finds its natural habitat in the highlands of the Himalayan mountain ranges a person transported them over the protest of a Shaolin monk in the 1960s and relocated a few here in the valley They flourished and have become a wonder for those who can figure out which bird is which This is the only location they can be found in the United States Rumor has it that the birds like the legal gambling in nearby Elko and were tired of watching humans do the grasshopper routine all day History of the valley abounds around each twist and turn of the highway bright red barns stood erect next to nearly collapsed log-framed homes and outbuildings Stopping here and there to snap a photo or two of these centuries-old structures was awesome and sad Strong-willed folks came into this valley and made a life for themselves and their family Hard work and determination that can only be admired today No easy access to anything but brains and sinew “How do we dig a well for water for us and our stock?” little Willy,” the father may have replied nothing but learned knowledge dropped down by generation after generation to make a go of it in places like eastern Nevada Those days and those memories of strong people settling in some challenging remote sections of our country and making a go of it I stood outside my truck's comfort and looked around the beautiful valley The midmorning sun was caressing the lands like a welcoming friend and horses were doing whatever horses do in the midmorning I noticed about a half dozen cowboys wrangling up a bunch of cattle into an oval wood-fenced corral I wanted to take a photograph of this iconic scene would love the still shot and probably enter it into a national newspaper contest not wanting to give away my chances of winning a national contest for best photograph “Because you guys look great atop your horses.” Perhaps that came out wrong That comment even had the cows look toward me with disbelief my vision of standing at the podium with a trophy for best photographer ever gone Heading to Elko was a beautiful experience traversing Ruby Valley—a place I had not planned on visiting but was thrilled to have done so An adventure is not only a journey but a time to enjoy the unexpected and this lush green valley was worth the trip and perhaps another in the future John can be contacted at: beyersbyways@gmail.com The Federal Highway Administration has named five scenic byway routes in Tennessee including one in the nearby Sequatchie Valley "This has the potential to be one of the best things to happen to the Sequatchie Valley," Sequatchie County-Dunlap Chamber of Commerce executive director Janis Adams.. affordable option that still allows for social distancing Many scenic valley views can easily be enjoyed through car windows If you're planning to visit a national park make sure to check local information to ensure that it's open Here are 10 stunning valleys across the US Tunnel View is the perfect spot to see El Capitan and Bridalveil Fall Located on the Big Island, the Waipio Valley is difficult to reach, accessible only by a precarious mountain road that requires four-wheel drive Many choose to simply enjoy the view of the valley from above via a scenic point near Honoka'a A part of the larger Great Appalachian Valley, Shenandoah Valley is located mostly in Virginia There are over 400 wineries and tasting rooms in Napa Valley along with Michelin-star restaurants and spas The towers, formed over 50 million years of erosion Situated on the cobalt blue Lake Tahoe, the valley is still one of the most popular skiing hot spots in the US The colorful Zabriskie Point in Death Valley National Park was formed from sediments in prehistoric lakes around 3 to 5 million years ago The valley is also known for its wineries and ancient cliff dwellings The Mat-Su Valley gets its name from its two rivers, the Matanuska and the Susitna. The valley offers views of the surrounding mountain ranges, as well as the starting point for climbing Denali in the town of Talkeetna The Little San Bernardino Mountains are on the east and the San Jacinto and Santa Rosa mountains are on the west Before the pandemic, the valley was home to the famous Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival. The 2020 festival has been canceled we’re blessed to go to a school surrounded by beautiful nature This university is truly a special place to be during every season a celebration of the wonderful planet that we live on and a reminder to treat her with kindness because Earth is our only home we decided to compile some of our favorite photos of Penn State throughout the seasons There’s nothing quite like a snowy blanket over Happy Valley Winter might seem light the dullest season but there are moments of color found all over Spring is when the colors of Happy Valley really shine Fall might be the prettiest time of year in Happy Valley “What’s funny to me is that after spending so much time telling other people’s stories, I conclude my time here by writing about my own.” Jacob Francis and Jayson Archer are each accused of leading violent hazing rituals against new members. The rock band debuted its unreleased single “Easy Come, Easy Go,” along with crowd favorites like “Gives You Hell” and “Dirty Little Secret.” Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Students gained a birds-eye view of campus from the university’s most iconic building. In our guide to spending an ideal day eating, drinking, and adventuring through a new-to-you city, Emily Wilson shares her picks for the best restaurants in Ojai, California. Photography by Yasara GunawardenaFirst, a Bountiful Pastry Case (and Coffee)Mornings at The Dutchess and dogs pant underneath the sidewalk tables The only potential stressor comes with deciding what to order from the bakery’s overflowing pastry case You can’t go wrong with anything pastry chef Kelsey Brito makes but my recommendation is a sticky toffee date muffin and something with seasonal produce like a passion fruit danish or vegetable frittata Enjoy your treats in one of The Dutchess’s several rooms or on the back patio shaded with hand-painted Burmese umbrellas the restaurant transitions to an Indian-Burmese menu and chef Saw Naing serves puri with chicken liver mousse Photography by Yasara GunawardenaAn Outdoor Book Store Chock Full of GemsFounded in 1964, Bart’s Books is the world’s largest outdoor bookstore You’ll want to set aside at least an hour to explore its meandering sections Bart’s impressive collection is comprised of new and out-of-print books in categories like history I picked up a worn-in copy of the Da Silvano Cookbook (2001) and a basically unused edition of The Zuni Café Cookbook (2002) Photography by Yasara GunawardenaWith precious books in hand, walk a few blocks to Revel for a refreshment This local kombucha maker has won awards for its zingy and slightly sweet jun kombucha made with green tea and honey you can enjoy the drink on draft in flavors like Pink Moment (ginger and orange zest) and Om (blackberry and lavender) make it a float by adding a scoop of açaí or coconut ice cream If you happen to be in town on a Sunday, go to the Ojai Certified Farmers Market for fruit Photography by Yasara GunawardenaFor Lunch, Chef-y Hoagies or Veggie BurritosPinyon is a collectively run pizzeria and natural wine shop that opened late last year to serve sourdough bagels topped with shmear as well as pastries like seasonal-fruit-filled brioche and ham-and-cheese soft pretzels and the works; a Barbacoa with sauerkraut slaw and consommé dip; and a Grilled Yuba with broccolini there are wood-fired pizzas and vegetable-centric share plates Photography by Yasara GunawardenaIf you’re more in the mood for a wholesome meal in crunchy environs, head to Farmer and Cook for farm-fresh vegetarian Mexi-Cali fare and organic groceries Options range from Swiss chard enchiladas to a cauliflower burrito Stroll through the market—Farmer and the Cook is owned by Steve Sprinkel and Olivia Chase and you can buy the vegetables that they grow here—then place your order and check out at the counter Photography by Yasara GunawardenaA Peaceful Respite With Breathtaking ViewsMeditation Mount is a nonprofit meditation center and indigenous garden only five miles from town with panoramic views of the Ojai Valley Make a reservation for a self-guided tour at sunset to take in the peaceful grounds Whether you meditate regularly or have never before This self-described “sanctuary for the soul” is open to everyone Photography by Yasara GunawardenaDinner at Ojai’s “It” Restaurant, or a Lebanese Rotisserie FeastAt Rory’s Place sisters Meave and Rory McAuliffe are bringing the heat—literally The cuisine here is live-fire California cooking; think broiled oysters with fermented chili butter and grass-fed rib eye over lions mane and pea tendrils There are also seafood towers of local delights All of this takes place in a hip setting marked by handsome wood and patchwork pops of color An alternate and equally tasty route is Larry Nicola and Claud Mann’s French-Lebanese rotisserie, Ojai Rotie Here spice-laded roast chickens are the main event and should be paired with a variety of veggies but eating outside at one of the restaurant’s many picnic tables is part of the appeal Posted by | Dec 2, 2021 | Yonah from the Richard Russell Scenic Highway People enjoying the Toccoa River Swinging Bridge Linda Lee on the open section of Lake Winfield Scott Bill Vanderford has won numerous awards for his writing and has been inducted into the National Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame as a Legendary Guide He can be reached at jfish51@aol.com or GeorgiaFishing.com USRowing and Lake Lanier Rowing Club are sponsoring the 2025 USRowing Southeast Youth Championships This event is a qualifier for the 2025 USRowing Youth National Championships Time: see website for times and event schedule For more info visit website: Southeast – USRowing or ExploreGainesville 10may8:00 am2025 USRowing Southeast Youth Championship For more info visit website: Southeast – USRowing or ExploreGainesville Lake Lanier Olympic Park 3105 Clarks Bridge Rd, Gainesville, GA 30506 Food Truck Fridays are fun outdoor gatherings open to the public which include food and beer trucks gates open at 5 pm with live music 6 pm – 8:30 pm Location: Lake Lanier Olympic Park, 3105 Clarks Bridge Road, Gainesville, GA 30506. On-site parking is limited, shuttles are available, and a courtesy dock is available. Off-site parking 2025: New Horizons Lanier Park, 675 White Sulphur Rd. www.exploregainesville.org For more information visit Explore Gainesville or call 1-855-536-1996 16may5:00 pm9:00 pmFood Truck Fridays - 2025 Location: Lake Lanier Olympic Park, 3105 Clarks Bridge Road, Gainesville, GA 30506. On-site parking is limited, shuttles are available, and a courtesy dock is available. Off-site parking 2025: New Horizons Lanier Park, 675 White Sulphur Rd. www.exploregainesville.org For more information visit Explore Gainesville or call 1-855-536-1996 this regatta is held in memory of Joan Holcomb A woman must also make the strategic and tactical decisions for the race The remainder of the crew can be made up of women and men For all details:  https://www.barefootsailingclub.org/jhm-regatta 17may8:00 am2025 Joan Holcomb Memorial Women Skippers Regatta For all details:  https://www.barefootsailingclub.org/jhm-regatta Gainesville/Hall Dragon Boat Challenge is a community race event primarily benefiting the Hall County Special Olympics Teams of 11 paddlers ( 10-person + 1 drummer per dragon boat) compete The entry fee includes a 1.5 hour practice session the weekend before the event We also have the exciting distance race for Open and maybe some openings for a few adventurous other teams wanting to take part in racing for + – 2,000 meters For more info: Event Link 17may8:00 am2025 Gainesville/Hall Dragon Boat Challenge For more info: Event Link Enjoy your lunchtime with live music on Gainesville’s Historic Downtown Square Concerts:  May 7th: Rodney Appleby May 14th: Chad Bowmar May 21th: Caleb Davidson May 28th: Eduardo Cautino Location: Downtown Square – Gainesville For more information: ExploreGainesville.org Parking:  All Parking Decks are FREE in Gainesville 07may11:30 am1:30 pmBlue Sky Concerts - May 2025 For more information: ExploreGainesville.org Bicycling on rural roads averaging 17-18 mph at steady pace For more info email: velocraig@hotmail.com 11may12:00 pmBicycling-Sunday North Hall Rides For more info email: velocraig@hotmail.com CalendarGoogleCal 14may11:30 am1:30 pmBlue Sky Concerts - May 2025 18may12:00 pmBicycling-Sunday North Hall Rides CalendarGoogleCal 21may11:30 am1:30 pmBlue Sky Concerts - May 2025 25may12:00 pmBicycling-Sunday North Hall Rides CalendarGoogleCal 28may11:30 am1:30 pmBlue Sky Concerts - May 2025 0 CommentsComment on Facebook Designed by Elegant Themes | Powered by WordPress I stepped out of Tokushima Awaodori Airport into darkness The small airport had been almost deserted with only one of the three baggage claim areas in use The plane that brought me was not even half full but it also demonstrated the strangling effects of the pandemic The quiet street in front of Tokushima station under the cloud-covered full moon I bought a bus ticket from a machine and headed to Tokushima Station That means the local buses can be timed to meet arrivals A monitor at the front of the bus ran videos teaching proper hand-washing techniques and after that I had visited the main island of Honshū and the wish finally came true in October 2020 Shikoku’s primary claim to fame is its henro pilgrimage but a walking tour of 88 holy sites is a bit of a reach for a first-timer An Internet search offered up week-long guided tours covering all of Shikoku by train but that kind of rush did not appeal to me I thought I would start with a week touring the two easternmost of Shikoku’s four prefectures and is a time when people gather to gaze at the moon and eat mooncakes in Chinese-speaking areas The risk of infection can never be eliminated I avoided conversation and human contact to reduce the risk even just a little and even tried to stick to body language whenever possible I wanted to avoid sending out any droplets I nervously evaded people whenever they approached and of course I never approached anyone on my own The trip was completely solitary as I sat silently on trains looking at the scenery or reading signposts and taking pictures at my destinations I had no hope of the kind of serendipitous encounters that might add some conversational flavor to my eventual travel essay The past six months had seen me alone in my apartment going out only to the drugstore or grocery store and my body and mind thirsted for warm sunlight scents With the government pouring tax money into the Go To campaign to get people to travel I was finally able to satisfy the craving that filled me body and soul in the Iya area of Tokushima Prefecture considered one of Japan’s three most secluded regions These groups of three are always kind of dubious Secluded Iya formed the Tokushima Plain through sedimentation The plain is shaped like a “<” with the city of Tokushima at the mouth of the river in the most open part of the “<.” Taking a train for an hour and a half west toward the point from Tokushima Station will get you to Ōboke Station The view from the train windows starts out grand but becomes truly spectacular as the scenery changes to rolling mountains and then suddenly reveals a green mountain stream The signs of human settlement fall behind as you go deeper into the mountains the station platform is flanked on both sides by overlapping green mountains stretching out to the horizon under cloudy skies You can see solitary houses and shops dotting the mountainsides As I gazed around the scenery and breathed in a lungful of the cool and the darkness accumulated through months of staying at home began to fade The name Ōboke is used for the valley and the surrounding area on the river while the valley itself is called Ōboke Gorge The rushing river carved it in the landscape over millions of years lined with boulders carved into mysterious shapes by the water There is also a sightseeing cruise that has been sailing the river for over a century Ōboke Gorge The boat dock is about a 25-minute walk from Ōboke Station There is a pre-boarding form to fill out at the ticket office and under “nationality” I went ahead and wrote Taiwan the staff handed me a Chinese-language pamphlet and started speaking in incomprehensible Hokkien I imagine they were simply trying to offer some hospitality to a rare non-Japanese guest amid the huge fall in foreign tourists from the pandemic but I wish they had just used Japanese like with anyone else The stairs from the ticket office led directly down to the boat dock at the bottom of the gorge the cliffs lining Ōboke Gorge are a rare pebbly schist formed some 200 million years ago on the ocean floor and are highly valuable to geological science I did not really understand all the details I saw that the stone actually contained beautiful and a close look revealed fish swimming beneath the surface then made a U-turn to return upstream to the dock The schist stone lining both sides of Ōboke Gorge I left the boat dock and then took a bus to Iya no Kazura Bridge There are only eight buses a day on this route and it follows winding mountain roads lined with scenery that switches between rocky cliffs and coniferous forest I could not imagine ever making this trip without the bus It stopped at a few hot spring ryokan inns along the way I couldn’t help but idly imagine what it would be like to be stuck in one of these remote mountain ryokan writing a novel Iya no Kazura Bridge is a suspension bridge woven from kazura vines that stretches for 45 meters over the Iwa river valley connecting both sides with a span of wooden slats The wide gaps between the slats offer a direct view of the valley floor and the riverbed at the bottom is lined with massive boulders Everyone who crosses holds fast to the railing This is one of Japan’s Three Most Unusual Bridges It was presumably first put up to connect mountain villages separated by the gorge but no one knows just who built it or when including one that says it was Taira refugees who came to live in hiding after they lost the Genpei war to the Minamoto in 1185 and another that says the famous monk Kūkai (774–835) built it for local residents I hear the bridge is replaced every three years for safety Iya no Kazura Bridge The view when crossing Iya no Kazura Bridge There is a waterfall called Biwanotaki just a few minutes’ walk from the bridge but something in me finds solace in waterfalls so whenever I learn there is one near a travel destination silky torrent give off mist as it rushes over the falls with a roar in flat terms it is simply river water falling due to a difference in elevation I was not the only one staring into the water when I was there There were several other sightseers enjoying the sight and taking pictures the Chinese poet Li Bai (701-762) wrote a famous poem about gazing at a waterfall on Mount Lushan: “Water plunges down three thousand feet Could the Milky Way be spilling from the heavens?” Biwanotaki is not nearly so grand as to make you think of the Milky Way falling many fled to Iya to live in this wilderness They would come and play the biwa lute to comfort each other and think back on their luxurious life in the capitol but knowing it gives the scenery a sense of melancholy rice dumpling skewers covered in sweet soy sauce The Biwanotaki waterfall this region has been called secluded because of its isolation and inconvenient access Sightseers can come and drop in at souvenir shops and eateries along the way and now with the pandemic my foreign travel wishes are beyond reach perhaps the most truly secluded place within reach is right here The river bottom below Iya no Kazura Bridge I suddenly wanted to send myself a postcard and I bought a postcard at a souvenir shop I could have posted it once I got back to the city I had no choice but to scrawl my address crouched on the side of the road and drop it in the mailbox unstamped I had to pay \63 at the post office to get it When I stumbled on tired feet back to Tokushima Station I could see the silver moon hanging in the same cloudy sky It had waned somewhat since I arrived in Tokushima Banner Photo: A view of the city of Tokushima taken from Mount Bizan California gets a lot of press for its natural beauty The sheer granite walls of Yosemite and towering redwoods on the coastal slopes But what do you think of when you hear about California’s Central Valley Big dust clouds kicked up into the air alongside a concrete aqueduct that funnels water from far away 95% of the Central Valley’s wetlands have been lost to development landscaped out of existence to satisfy the hunger of an urbanizing California’s Central Valley extends far beyond what you can see from the freeways bisecting the belly of the state to connect the Redding to the Bay Area to Los Angeles The region once boasted one of the largest and most biologically diverse wetlands on earth nourished by the mighty Sacramento and San Joaquin Rivers and what is left remains true to its origins providing a lush home for native species and open space for visitors to enjoy It is springtime in the Central Valley right now and its rivers and floodplains are bursting with new life Chinook salmon push up the San Joaquin River to spawn in their ancestral home and Swainson’s hawks migrating from afar perch above the fields waiting patiently for their next meal Birdsong from cliff swallows fills the air; stay a while and you will see blue herons and perhaps a coyote or some frolicking river otters When you visit Great Valley Grasslands State Park in Merced County which straddles the banks of the San Joaquin The horizon extends so far you wonder how Montana got the nickname ‘big sky’ and not California A temperate breeze rustles the cottonwood leaves along the river and creates golden wavelets across the adjacent flower-studded vernal pools a reminder that there is more than one type of jewel in the ground That the Gold Rush can come with the seasons But these areas need to be protected so that future generations of Californians can enjoy them American Rivers is spearheading projects to conserve and restore this untapped natural beauty opening access to the public so more can enjoy what the Central Valley has to offer and taking critical measures to maintain the biodiversity and climate resilience of this unique region At Great Valley Grasslands State Park in Merced County, American Rivers is partnering with California State Parks to begin reconnecting the San Joaquin to its historic floodplain, with boots hitting the ground in Fall 2022. At Marsh Creek in Brentwood and Oakley with plans to restore hometown creeks in Richmond and other urban areas in the Central Valley and Bay Area.  From multi-benefit floodplain restorations that sustain and revitalize ecosystems to creek restorations that beautify urban space and reconnect residents to the natural serenity of the Central Valley we are building powerful partnerships that capitalize on the expertise and passion of environmental advocates and communities across the state and there is plenty of room to stretch your legs or dip your paddle if you know where to look It only exist because of those who care, as if were left up to the state and feds it would all be destroyed in the name of industrial farming and development interest. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife and US Fish and Wildlife Service have stood by for the last several decades and did nothing to stop the rape of our most precious rivers, wetlands and riparian forest. Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked * Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Every $1 donated to American Rivers helps us make rivers clean and healthy for people and wildlife. Don’t let the latest river news and actions pass you by. Sign up for our email updates. It’s the season for New Yorkers to get out of town. Here's where our editors can't wait to go. Paul Brady is the news director at Travel + Leisure and the brand's expert on cruise travel. He has been covering the travel industry for more than 15 years for outlets including Condé Nast Traveler, Skift, and The Huffington Post. Matt Kisiday/Courtesy of AutoCamp Catskills Lawrence Braun/Courtesy of Eastwind Oliverea Valley  United StatesChevron CaliforniaChevron Tanveer Badal/Sensei Porcupine CreekSave this storySaveSave this storySaveAll products and listings featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors we may receive compensation from retailers and/or from purchases of products through these links This gallery has been updated with new information since its original publish date but the moment you make the turn inland onto San Ysidro Road you realize that being here isn’t about visiting Santa Barbara; it’s about visiting the ranch At the resort’s center is a collection of gardens as well as a rectangular- pool that overlooks the canyon Some of the curated finds you’ll see throughout are museum-quality art antiques sourced from billionaire owner Ty Warner’s world travels and handmade wallpapers (even on the ceilings of the showers) But San Ysidro Ranch isn’t your typical hotel—as its history of having legendary guests like Jacqueline and John F who finished writing the screenplay for The African Queen on the property And the ranch continues its legacy as a celebrity refuge as modern-day A-listers use this tucked-away spot to truly hide out and escape—which is what you should do too big hotel openings that make the area feel like it’s headed in the same way as ritzy neighboring Napa Dawn Ranch is not one of those openings—in the best and glamping-style tents (87 keys all in) are spread out across the retreat’s 22 riverside acres punctuated by ancient giant redwoods there’s a clear invitation to slow down and take in the surrounding nature The check-in area is low-key and more outdoor than indoor with a chalkboard that highlights the week’s activities—morning yoga or meditation The front desk can kit you out with picnic blankets and there are acoustic Fender guitars available for campfire sing-alongs There are quiet places—a bench in the sweet kitchen garden a picnic table under the shade of a cedar—that beckon for guests to stop and stay put for a moment While the decor and design is very contemporary there’s this lovely throwback-to-simpler-times feel (and no phones or TVs in the room help keep this vibe going) Dawn Ranch is the rare property that makes it easy to relax 2024Old Hollywood meets the laid-back charm of the Central Coast at the alluring Hotel Californian a coveted haven tucked into the vital Funk Zone of Santa Barbara Within 121 generously apportioned rooms lies a treasure trove of tasty architectural flourishes Spanish Colonial Revival elements blend harmoniously with the influences of Beat-era Tangiers all masterfully envisioned by the renowned celebrity interior designer Martyn Lawrence Bullard Hotel Californian's allure is further heightened by its location in Santa Barbara—a coastal gem with sun-kissed shores and a vibrant culinary scene Sensei Porcupine Creek expertly caters to those luxurious expectations with its 230-acre desert retreat nestled amid the Santa Rosa Mountains The resort’s minimalist stone architecture blends seamlessly into the desert landscape setting a refined tone even before settling into one of 22 rooms Rooms doesn’t really describe the accommodations; it’s actually 10 luxury suites in the “Estate House,” four casitas The amenities are stately as well: an 18-hole golf course and tennis facilities built to mimic nearby Indian Wells Tennis Garden one of the most famous courts in the world Guests can take advantage of customizable wellness packages Even the dining feels presidential: Sensei by Nobu—a health-conscious collaboration between Japanese chef Nobu Matsuhisa and renowned physician Dr with its dramatic bluffs set over crashing waves on isolated beaches and its towering redwood forests Alila Ventana Big Sur is a getaway in the truest sense with fish from Morro Bay and chicken and beef from nearby Central Coast farms and of course a selection of wines from their 10,000-bottle cellar to wash things down While traditional adventures like hiking and biking can be had Ventana's quirky array of experiences include axe throwing “Vinyasa and vinyl yoga,” beekeeping experiences and a drive through Big Sur’s iconic Highway 1 in one of Ventana’s 40 classic cars from vintage Porsche Spyders to classic Volkswagen vans and enlightenment programs in addition to the luxurious forested confines While sitting on the private balcony each room boasts enjoying a refreshing beverage and a moment of perspective it’s easy to forget Silicon Valley and San Francisco are a short drive away The rooms are spacious and modern rustic—think leather sofas and earthy tones with floor-to-ceiling windows looking out into the redwood forest There are a few different experiences you can book whether it’s the weeklong immersion program Or you can simply opt for the “Just Be Here” program where you can figure out what you want to do once you arrive set on 300 acres of sweeping bluffs and crystalline beaches The recently renovated hotel’s 258 rooms and bungalows overlook panoramic views of the Pacific—yes the horseshoe layout of the building is such that every room has an ocean view The rooms are swathed in muted tones that foster relaxing vibes and frame the horizon Relax in poolside cabanas separated by herb gardens or in one of the 20,000-square-foot Spa Montage’s 21 treatment rooms Make sure to sample the tasting menu at Studio one of Montage Laguna Beach’s three restaurants where you’ll dine on rare delicacies like local spiny lobster 2024Shutters is perfect for the traveler who wants to wake up and smell the salty air from the Pacific Ocean but still have easy access to all the action Perhaps that’s why it’s known as Hollywood’s Beach House for its A-list clientele (Angelina Jolie Located on the boardwalk near the Santa Monica Pier there’s plenty of people-watching to be done New England–style beach house hotel is still cozy and elegant boasting a blue chip art collection (works by John Baldessari The beachfront rooms come with the titular shutters that open directly to an ocean view and custom-made linens aid a restful sleep after a bustling LA day offer fresh seafood (among other options) and a formidable wine list Edomae-style sushi at AMA Sushi in a converted bungalow on property relaxing shack where barefooted surfers lounge by an open fire on the beach there’s something oh-so-Californian about this place named for the beach in front of it that is in fact a classic Malibu surf spot The former mid-century motel has been renovated into a 20-room luxury hotel some of the homeyness seeps through: the lobby is designed to resemble the living room of a beach house There’s lots of natural materials—limestone teak—and rooms are decorated with locally-made ceramics Splurge on the Surfrider Suite and you can lounge on the outdoor terrace’s hammock before suppering at the alfresco dining table facing the beach The roof deck is the perfect spot to escape to guests can opt for a tasting menu or the evolving chef’s table experience which is considered by many a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and the cottages and courtyard rooms are set up in little cul-de-sacs giving off a kind of mini-neighborhood feel The airy rooms continue the luxe countryside vibe each with its own fireplace and French doors leading out onto stone patios and manicured gardens You may not need to leave the resort at all as there’s a mock Town Square with a Market and the restaurant Farm books local bands and musicians to play while they serve up seasonally inspired menus utilizing the hotel's gardens and orchards The 49 hacienda-style casitas are secluded and spacious and private patios that overlook lush olive and citrus groves and culinary gardens Guests are encouraged to forage fallen fruit to garnish their drinks at the hotel's restaurant The 39-room hotel is built organically into the surrounding redwood forest making the line between nature and hotel almost imperceptible The rooms feature floor-to-ceiling windows that reveal panoramic ocean views and private decks with outdoor showers and hot tubs and you can even book a session with Shaman Jon Rasmussen who can help get to the root of issues weighing you down Don’t miss the cliff-top pools for a remarkable place to do some stargazing The 500-acre expanse resembles the shire from Lord of the Rings but the real magic is in the activities that the resort offers: top-tier tennis instructors and several hiking trails of various difficulty levels that originate from the resort We’re pleased to report a kid-friendly activity calendar that's actually fun with an awesome kids’ pool where the meals are locally sourced and they serve up goat cheese and wine made right on the premises 2024Farmhouse Inn has a bucolic vibe—some have even said Provençal—with its overgrown gardens and gracefully relaxed service We appreciate the getaway atmosphere as a hub to exploring Sonoma which doesn’t get as many tourists as nearby Napa Valley a vintner clan that has been in the Russian River Valley since the early 20th century Their arsenal includes the Michelin-starred Farmhouse Restaurant serving an ever-changing farm-to-table menu The rooms are quiet with vaulted ceilings and porches that suspend out onto a forested area up-to-the-minute voice in all things travel Condé Nast Traveler is the global citizen’s bible and muse We understand that time is the greatest luxury which is why Condé Nast Traveler mines its network of experts and influencers so that you never waste a meal or a hotel stay wherever you are in the world SEARCHJOIN CLUB Something unsettling is happening across BeautyTok. The monumental rise of AI-generated content has collided with the tail-end of this year’s spooky Halloween transformations for an unnerving TikTok beauty trend that’s leaving viewers feeling uncomfortable – and not always for the reason you’d think The #uncannyvalleymakeup hashtag has quickly risen to 146 million views, with beauty creators clunkily using make-up to appear robotic, doll-like and not-quite-human. Each video is soundtracked by the same eerie and off-kilter choral tune, taken from the intro of “Brutus” by rapper The Buttress which taps into the esoteric and offbeat #weirdcore and #dreamcore videos that are simultaneously trending in the app It’s not really something you want popping onto your explore page during a late-night scroll It’s not just make-up: there’s also an uncanny valley make-up-inspired filter so those who aren’t handy with a make-up brush can get involved, while some TikTokers have recreated the look entirely through exaggerated facial expressions [It is a way of] using make-up to create a plastic-like light reflective skin complexion or changing the contours of the face to emulate smooth doll-like features.” which identified the areas of the brain that reject and accept these human-like artificial entities With human-like robots and AI on the rise, it’s only natural that interest increases – but why exactly are people so interested in making themselves appear uncanny? “For TikTok, I think this is a very fun thing to do that lets you explore a very different role,” says Dr Dennis Küster a postdoctoral researcher at the Cognitive Systems Lab at the University of Bremen “It is certainly possible to produce an effect of unease and discomfort via make-up and costumes there are ways in which this differs from ‘the’ Uncanny Valley Effect once you consider the wider theory.” the Uncanny Valley effect on TikTok has been reversed “The Uncanny Valley Effect involves looking at an entity that may appear to be almost human at first glance but then you look a little closer and discover that it is actually not human,’” he says “If a human is using make-up to look less human then the later parts of this perceptual process differ because the result is the opposite” Abby Shaffer is a content creator with alopecia living in New York, who responded to the trend with her own video highlighting the similarities between the techniques used in the uncanny valley beauty look and her own everyday beauty routine “Many of the people attempting this make-up trend usually start by concealing all of their features which was interesting to me as someone who naturally has no brows due to alopecia,” Shaffer tells Dazed “Drawing on my brows is part of my daily make-up routine and I like to think I do a pretty good job of drawing them on realistically; but I was a little irked by the concept that someone not having brows She also notes how one example she saw had a girl using a bald cap it’s not always about being scientifically accurate – sometimes it’s just about watching budding make-up artists and amateur entertainers have fun. We love a good house flip for a reason: there’s little more satisfying than a transformative home renovation Perhaps it’s the beauty of a contained event—we get to see all parts of the process Or maybe it’s the realization of someone’s artistic dreams bringing drawings and renderings into the physical realm this love of the before-and-after is bred into our culture (there’s a reason the frantic house-cleaning montage is a mainstay in just about every rom-com) And though I’ve loved many a makeover the latest Hudson Valley project helmed by Upstate Down has to be my favorite Upstate Down is based in New York state’s picturesque Hudson Valley and a curated home goods store in the form of UD Studio where visitors can browse the brand’s thoughtful Co-founders Delyse and Jon Berry inform the business with complementing backgrounds—she in rental management and he as a financial advisor at Morgan Stanley With their dream of a holistic real estate and lifestyle brand calling When I say you won’t believe this before and after—believe it the challenge of renovating a home built hundreds of years ago is that there’s history and character to preserve But the best designers know: it’s those stories woven into the details that deserve the spotlight I sat down with Delyse and Jon to reflect on their most recent project: the complete renovation of a gorgeous 1770s home in Fall Kill, New York they speak to the home’s original architecture and how they bridged the beauty of the past and present Let’s dive in—I guarantee you’ll want to add these pictures to your ‘dream home’ Pinterest board Delyse is the CEO and Principal Broker while Jon supports the business as CFO and Real Estate Agent They began Upstate Down 10 years ago when Delyse began managing vacation rentals and saw an opportunity to deliver a holistic service for home care and sales Upstate Down the Brokerage launched in January of 2021 and by Memorial Day they had opened UD Studio a physical space for their real estate and lifestyle brand to grow from The original charm was covered over by layers from the 60s-90s but the energy was special Often homes of this era are built on roads which have become major thoroughfares over the years but this one was still in a peaceful setting.  The house was dying when we bought it and we felt honored to be stewards that would assist in giving it new life.  When we finally closed on the house (which took six months) the pipes burst which meant that the house needed to be restored even further than we thought We had no idea what was behind the walls but when we started pulling things apart we were overjoyed by finding the original floors and even the initials in the wall of the person who built it Every inch of these findings needed to be restored but it was so worth it I knew I wanted to honor it for what it is rather than make it something it wasn’t I looked at things we would define as challenges and made them assets the low ceilings meant intimacy and the small windows meant moody We painted the walls a rich color and made the space monochromatic so the architecture could stand for itself We also then balanced the experience of the original part of the house with the light and bright addition which features a second living and dining space.  but having two living spaces and two dining spaces allows for an easy transition into old and new as well as morning into night.  Everything original was restored and everything not original was replaced This allowed us to blend the old and new while not losing the house’s integrity we considered the original home and used the human hand in our material choices as much as possible all the tile and hardware are handmade and there are no white walls We opted for a prep table rather than a kitchen island and used materials that will patina over time (just like the house).    We wanted people to walk through the house and feel the history of the home but also wanted to make it liveable Bearing in mind how people live today really helped us accomplish a good flow and function in the house vintage stone walls… It feels as though they are all telling a story We wanted to make sure our design choices didn’t distract from the integrity of the home and therefore used the original treasures as our inspiration Furniture stayed neutral and organic in order for it to connect to the structure and we elevated our final finishes to create some modern comforts.  vintage stone walls… It feels as though they are all telling a story There is so much history in the area and while you feel that in the home there is no doubt that you equally feel that on the property too.  and website in this browser for the next time I comment Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value"