June 28, 2007, 11:45 PM CT

Most Dangerous Place To Travel Over The Holiday?

Just in time for the most dangerous days of the year to drive July 3 and 4 the national Center for Excellence in Rural Safety (CERS) at the University of Minnesota today released a list of the states where Americans are more likely to die in a traffic crash on a rural road.

For most people, riding in a motor vehicle is one of the most dangerous things they ever do, and this is especially true when traveling on rural roads. While U.S. Census figures show that about two out of ten (21 percent) Americans live in rural areas, the U.S. Department of Transportation has observed that about six out of ten (57 percent) highway deaths happen on roads that it considers rural.

Millions of Americans will be driving this holiday weekend, and they would be wise to carefully consider these findings before they do, said CERS Director Lee Munnich, Jr., of the University of Minnesotas Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs. Americas rural byways seem so tranquil and safe, but the reality is that they can be as lethal as they are lovely.

The states with the highest proportion of their total traffic fatalities occurring on rural roads are:

1) Maine (92%) 13) New Hampshire (75%).

2) North Dakota (90%) 13) Idaho (75%).

3) South Dakota (89%) 13) Kentucky (75%)......... Posted by: JoAnn      Read more         Source

Thu, 21 Jun 2007 15:45:35 GMT

Last Day in Oregon

We spent much of our last full day in OreKing Estate winery, south of Eugene in some rolling hills. We’re not drinkers by any definition though we sometimes will enjoy a bit of wine. (And beer — see below.) Our goal, however, was merely to have a nice lunch in a nice setting, and we achieved that.

This winery is supposed to be the jewel of Oregon’s wine industry, and not having any experience of the other wineries in the state, we took that on faith. (Actually, our innkeeper couldn’t recommend it enuf, and she keeps an excellent inn.)

So thence we proceeded, and we had a wonderful time. The food was good, though the portions were “dainty” and the $12 cheese plate included only three pieces of cheese. Aside from that, though, all seemed right with lunch.

We also gave a try at a “flight” of wine, which was a small sampling of six wines. The hope of the restaurant, of course, was to entice us to buy a bottle of whichever wine we especially liked. That didn’t work out for them — they kept filling my iced tea (unsweetened, of course) so who needed wine? But we did buy a bottle to give as a gift to some friends who are wine aficionados.

We could have taken a tour of the winery, which was highly recommended, but we had plans we had to return to Eugene for (our son-in-law needed the car), so we didn’t linger. But we did take the long way back and wound through the hills (that you can see in the photo atop).

On Wednesday (which has already passed as you read this), we have a day of traveling including a four-hour layover in Salt Lake City. Getting through security is such a time-consuming process that we aren’t going to try to get out of the airport to see the sights. (I faced the same dilemma when I had a five-hour layover in London, but that began at 5:00 a.m., so it was even less likely that I could have seen any sights.) We’ll get home close to midnight. And then work again the next day.

Solstice story - Some years ago a friend of mine had invited a bunch of his buddies to his house to help him build an extension on his garage. I was invited as well, but my skills were more in the beer drinking area. Anyway, it happened to be Solstice, and I made a comment that it was the longest day of the year. His other friends thought about that a moment and then commented that of course he would invite his buddies to provide free labor on the longest day of the year. True story.

Missouri calendar:

• First day of Summer/Solstice: longest day of the year.

Posted by: Roundrockjournal      Read more     Source

Thu, 21 Jun 2007 06:45:01 GMT

On Deciding Not to Travel

From the window of the fourth-
floor walk-up, the umbrellas
slid past each other with
assembly-line perfection,
black & blue mingling with
the occasional red, yellow,
lime-green. The street shone
like a mirror that gives
nothing back. The hiss of tires.
This short loop keeps playing
in my head as I watch
the cloud lift & a white moth,
caught out after daybreak,
yawing & veering against
a backdrop of dripping trees.
This summer won’t come again.
Why spend it en route
to somewhere else? I pluck
a snail from the deep grass
& place it on my palm.
It makes a slow circuit
on its single foo

Tomorrow is the deadline to submit materiGreatest Blog Hits issue at qarrtsiluni. All genres are welcome and there’s no length limit, but the posts must have appeared at least one year ago &qarrtsiluni for additional details. Posted by: Vianegativa      Read more     Source

Fri, 08 Jun 2007 23:29:35 GMT

Nine Beaches Get International Blue Flag Certification

Nine beaches in Toronto got International Blue Flag Certification. Blue Flag Program is owned by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE). It has grown to 36 countries with more than 2,600 beaches. Environmental Defence makes sure that beaches in Canada are very clean and they get Blue Flag Certification. Beaches trying for Blue Flag must have good water, environmental management, environmental education and safety and services.

The Blue Flag Great Lakes Regional Jury and the International Blue Flag Jury are the two juries that give certification after judging the standards. The Blue Flag Certification is granted in the start of each swimming season. If beaches fail to meet the standards during the season then they lose the certification. Sarah Winterton, the Programme Director of Environmental Defence said,

We’re so pleased to present these world-class beaches with the Blue Flag. Flying a Blue Flag shows Canadians and tourists that these are exceptional beaches and are clean for swimming.

If you see a blue flag on the beach then you need not think twice. A blue flag attracts lots of tourists to enjoy the vacation at these special beaches by swimming or simply lying down having sunbath. Six beaches among nine that lies on Lake Ontario, Toronto are Cherry Beach, Hanlan’s Point Beach, Ward’s Island Beach, Centre Island Beach and Gibraltar Point Beach.

Other three beaches are Wasaga Beach, Station Beach and Sauble Beach. The beaches like Rotary Cove Beach, Canatara Park Beach, Northwinds Beach Park, Little River Beach Park and Main Beach are Candidate Blue Flag beaches that await Blue Flag, which could be distributed in the beginning of 2008Image Credit

Via: CNW TELBEC Posted by: Simple      Read more     Source

Thu, 24 May 2007 01:16:32 GMT

Buongiorno da Venezia! Artist Crafts Ferrari F50 Gondola

As magical a city as waterlogged Venice is, it must be troubling for Venetians not to be able to drive cars. Sure they've got powerboats and gondolas to get them to and fro, but there really isn't any substitute for the onroad, V12 power of, say, a Ferrari.

Well, maybe there is.

Italian sculptor Livio De Marchi has caused quite a stir by parading through the canals of Venice in a seaworthy wooden replica of the Ferrari F50 (the Enzo's more attractive predecessor). Crafted entirely from timber, this expertly done floating sculpture actually has an engine that powers it through marine traffic.

So, in Venice it is possible to have your cake and eat it, too.

More pictures after the jump.

Thanks for the tip Lefteris! Posted by: Gunnar Heinrich      Read more     Source

Thu, 24 May 2007 00:57:49 GMT

Congos Rare Mountain Gorilla Under Terror Threat

The political unrest in Congo has resulted in trouble for the wildlife themilitia has threatened to kill the rare mountain gorilla in the Virunga National Park.

The Mai Mai militia killed a wildlife officer and injured three others when they attacked the park this weekend in Congos trouble-torn North Kivu province.

The area they attacked is quite near to the isolated population of some 700 rare mountain gorillas, according to WildlifeDirect, the organization involved in conservation in Virunga.

Virunga’s Park Director Norbert Mushenzi admitted in a statement that the militia had indeed threatened to kill the gorillas.

He said

This was an unprovoked attack on our Rangers and other wildlife officers who protect Virunga’s wildlife. And the Mai Mai said that if we retaliate, they will kill all the gorillas in this area.

The militia initially took 13 workers hostage before releasing them.

What worries the conservationists that the Mai Mai militia has a poor track record of killing animals and last year, they slaughtered hundreds of hippos on the southern shores of Lake EdwardImage Posted by: Irani      Read more     Source

Mon, 21 May 2007 16:09:46 GMT

Meridian Hill Park

Meridian Hill Park is located in northwest Washington, D.C. and is bordered by 16th, Euclid, 15th, and W Streets. It is a 12 acre site situated on an almost perfect north-south axis.

Construction of the park was begun in 1914, but it was not until 1936 that Meridian Hill reached the full status of a formal park. In 1933 the grounds were transferred to the National Park Service.

Meridian Hill Park was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1994, as "an outstanding accomplishment of early 20th-century Neoclassicist park design in the United States"

Today the park is administered by Rock Creek Park

 
Ranger led programs at Rock Creek Park
You can join Park Rangers for a variety of natural, historical or recreation programs at various sites throughout the park. Click here, to go to our list of Ranger led progams
    
Write to
3545 Williamsburg Ln., NW
Washington, DC 2E-mail

Phone
Visitor Information
(202) 895-6070

Headquarters
(202) 895-6000
Fax
(202) 895-6015

Climate
The climate in Washington D.C. is seasonal. Summers can be very hot and humid with an average temperature of 82. Winters are variable and can be very mild to very cold. The average winter temperature is 35. Clothing should be in accordance with the season. Did You Know?
Meridian Hill Park contains the only Presidential Memorial in Washington D.C. to the 15th President of the United States James Buchanan Posted by: Gracy      Read more     Source

Sun, 13 May 2007 19:59:20 GMT

Gold Star Destinations

Speaking of vacation planningyesterday, the January edition of Conde Nast Traveler has the GOLD List of World's Best 700 Hotels Resorts and Cruise Lines.

It is a wonderful resource for planning your next vacation as it gives you the opportunity to select a region of the world to find their recommended best hotels/resorts.

Each location is then rated for food, rooms, service, location, amenities and a variety of other categories. I recently attended a conference on Amelia Island, Florida at the resort Gold recommends and here's what they had to sayRitz Carleton.

Can't afford a trip this year?

Take one vicariously through the Conde Nasworld's best list.

As we get prepared for yet ANOTHER SNOW STORM, a short visit via the Internet of vacation spots is a great respite from the real world. Enjoy. Posted by: Deborah Brown      Read more     Source

Sun, 13 May 2007 08:17:12 GMT

Hands Free EMAIL

It's officially 2nd quarter and that must mean that hands free email is soon to be available for purchase.

LaIntelligent Mechnatronic Systems annoiLane would be providing the ability for users to use voice activation to check their email while traveling.

Imagine. Those of us that have mastered bluetooth technology and can walk and talk at the same time (wish I could say that was me - I have the ear piece but just can't seem to get it to work) will be thrilled to know that the next generation of hands free communication will soon be available.

iLane provides drivers with voice-based access to their inbox, alleviating the dangerous practice of reading or typing on a handheld device while driving. By using iLane you can instead keep your hands safely on the wheel, and your eyes on the road; which allows you to stay connected to critical information in a way that puts on-road safety first.

So you can check your email and still be able to touch up your makeup while driving! Don't you just love multi-taskingHere is the complete press release. Posted by: Deborah Brown      Read more     Source

Sun, 29 Apr 2007 14:57:17 GMT

A Room Service Tip for Inexperienced Travelers

In a former professional life, I traveled often. But I nevertheless was recently tripped up by some fine print when deciding to order room service at a hotel during a weekend getaway.

When I checked out of my hotel, I noticed that I had given a tremendously generous tip. Since I don't generally light my cigars with burning dollar bills, I asked the desk clerk how it might be that I tipped over seven dollars on a room service bill of about $18. And then it hit me---I had given a tip on an amount that had already had the tip automatically added. In other words, the food cost $18, then the hotel helpfully added an 18% tip, which it helpfully did not show anywhere on the charge slip that I signed, which then led me to give a 20% tip on top of the $21+ total that I was seeing on the charge slip.

It's getting so I don't want to leave the house anymore. Posted by: Justin McHenry      Read more     Source