Category Archives: Travel

Travel & Nature Videos: “Castleton Tower”, Utah (Conservation Alliance)

This The Conservation Alliance success story is a classic. In 2001, funding by The Conservation Alliance lead to the acquisition of 221 acres surrounding iconic Castleton Tower in Castle Valley, Utah—home to one of the “Fifty Classic Climbs of North America.”

Castleton Tower Utah The Conservation Alliance Uncage The Soul Video January 7 2020

In the clip, you’ll see Dave Erley, former two-term mayor of Castle Valley, and Wendy Fisher, Executive Director of Utah Open Lands, explain the history of the Castleton Tower Preservation Initiative. Once threatened by development, the climbing community and Utah Open Lands worked together to secure permanent access to Castleton Tower.

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Nature Videos: Steelhead Sanctuary, Oregon (Conservation Alliance)

The first video in our six-part success story series celebrates the new 99,000-acre Steamboat Creek Steelhead Sanctuary along Oregon’s Umpqua River.

The Conservation Alliance - Steamboat Creek Steelhead Sanctuary Oregon Uncage The Soul Productions Video January 2020

The backstory: Frank and Jeanne Moore are decades-long stewards and conservation champions for the Steamboat Creek watershed, located in the northeastern portion of the Umpqua River basin, and recognize it as a sanctuary for wildlife, plants, and people.

The Conservation Alliance - Steamboat Creek Steelhead Sanctuary Oregon Uncage The Soul Productions Frank and Jeanne Moore Video January 2020

While recent protections identify the wild steelhead as the preeminent beneficiary, Frank also discovered that spending time fly fishing along the river in this area acted as therapy for PTSD induced by his service in World War II.

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See the full video here and follow the grantees who helped protect this wild place: Pacific Rivers and Backcountry Hunters & Anglers.

Timelaspe Travel Videos: “Holika” In India At Holi Festival By Kevin Clerc

Filmed, Sound Design, Voiceover Script and Directed by: Kevin Clerc

Voiceover Artist | Arvind Mehra
Music: “What Happened to You” by The Cage

The Holi festival, also known as the Hindu Celebration of colors, is celebrated every year by millions of persons by throwing pigments of colors on people’s faces. Originally the Holi festival celebrated the fertility of the land, today the participants rejoice for the abundant crops and the defeat of evil.

Holika Cinematic Poems Timelapse Short Film by Kevin Clerc Face du Monde January 2020

Holika was a demoness in Hindu Vedic scriptures, who was burnt to death with the help of God Vishnu. The story of Holika Dahan (Holika’s death) signifies the triumph of good over evil. Holika is associated with the annual bonfire on the night before Holi.

Last March, I had the opportunity to go to India and participate at the Holi Festival in Varanasi. Taking part of this holy celebration and being able to film it was in my bucket list.

Holika Cinematic Poems Timelapse Short Film by Kevin Clerc Face du Monde January 2020

Located on the left bank of the Gange river, the city of Varanasi is considered one of the oldest inhabited city in the world and probably one of the holiest cities of India.

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Top New Timelapse Videos: “Observatories – La Palma” In The Canary Islands

Filmed, Edited and Directed by: Martin Heck

Part three of a series of journeys to the big astronomical observatories of this planet.
La Palma, a beautiful and remote island of the Canary Islands is home to one of the worlds biggest and most diverse observatories.

Observatories La Palma Canary Islands Timelaspe Video by Martin Heck January 6 2020

The “Roque de los Muchachos Observatory” contains jointly the telescopes and instruments of about 60 institutions from more than 20 countries.

But beside the modern, scientific research that is being done here, this place also as a rich history of the native population as place to observe the stars. Petroglyphs confirm that there have been astronomical observations thousands of years ago already.

Filmed for the documentary “Star Stuff” by Milad Tangshir (milad.tangshir@gmail.com). Check out the trailer: youtube.com/watch?v=F7Vp5waD4i8
Produced by Davide Ferrario: rossofuocofilm.it/produzioni.htm
Music: by Generdyn share.mscbd.fm/martinheck

New Books: “A Journey Through Wine And Food”

A Journey Through Wine and Food - A Collection of Wine and Food Pairings Jerilyn Zaveral and Carla Anderson January 2020A Journey Through Wine and Food is a total sensory experience with its lifelike photography, stunning presentation of each dish, glimpses into the wineries and their winemakers, histories of the Central Valley wine region, and most of all amazing recipes that will transform everyday meals into priceless celebrations for any occasion! Inspirational quotes can also be found throughout as a reminder that not only do we need food to nourish our bodies, but we need the company of those on our journey to nourish out souls.

From Shrimp Tacos and Rose, to Beef Bourguignon with Burgundy, to Chocolate Cake paired with Port, A Journey Through Wine and Food gives everyone an opportunity to enhance their experience in the kitchen, regardless of skill level, and takes the guess work out of which wines to pair with dinner. It will also take you on a journey through The Central Valley wine regions of California giving you a sneak peek at some of the best wineries in the world, which until now could be considered “hidden gems.”

Jerilyn Zaveral was born and raised in Central California where she continues to live with her husband Joe and their dog, Hogan. Other than a short stay in New York when she wrote her first cookbook and opened her first cafe, her heart and home have always been in the San Joaquin Valley where she enjoys cooking for family and friends and tasting fine wines. She has won several awards in cooking competitions and cook-offs. Most notably her cafe “Z Spice of Life” was recognized as a destination spot in the Hudson Valley Explorer’s Guide. Jerilyn’s love of creating recipes and meals began when she was a very young child in her grandmother’s kitchen. More specifically, it was one afternoon while baking a chocolate cake when her grandmother asked her to get out the mayonnaise…the realization instantly took hold that cooking isn’t always about the end product, but about the journey of discovering unique tastes, textures and combinations of flavors that others might not expect.

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Top Destination Travel: “Blackberry Mountain” Resort, TN – 5200 Acres In Great Smoky Mountains

Spanning 5,200 acres in the Great Smoky Mountains, Blackberry Mountain continues a legacy of world-renowned hospitality and unwavering dedication and appreciation for the land. Rising above Miller’s Cove in Walland, TN, Blackberry Mountain has dedicated 2,800 acres of land to conservation.

Every adventure needs a home base, and the luxury accommodations on the Mountain offer equal parts modern design, natural charm and refined comfort. Choose from a ridgetop cabin, a stone cottage nestled into the hillside near The Lodge, or a multi-bedroom home. You’ll find each to be well-appointed, thoughtfully furnished and, of course, tastefully stocked.

This effort to preserve the natural wonder of the mountains offers breathtaking views and a serene escape from the stresses of modern life in a private national park setting. A commitment to land conservation and a passion for sharing the wonders of life in the Smokies shapes the unprecedented experience that awaits on Blackberry Mountain. Outfitted for adventure and designed for comfort, this estate takes the Blackberry State of Mind to new heights.

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Air Travel: Electric Planes From “Eviation” Could Be Flying In UK In 2 Years

Electric planes could soon fly commuters from city to city, a transport minister has disclosed. George Freeman, minister for transport and innovation, told The Telegraph’s “Chopper’s Brexit Podcast” that there was “a whole opportunity for short-haul transport at low altitude” that the country was yet to grasp.

Eviation Electric Aircraft Alice

In an episode of 2020 predictions, Mr Freeman said: “This will be the year where we begin to see a whole new world of low level aviation, Velocopters, electric planes. We already run the world’s first commercial electric plane service and Boris and I have been looking at how we can develop UK leadership in electric plane technology.” Mr Freeman said the planes could take eight passengers and fly at 2,500ft and could be used for “short hops between cities that take you an hour or two in the car, pumping out carbon monoxide.”

“At the moment the electric plane seats eight. But you know what the aerospace industry is like – eight soon becomes 18, and that soon becomes 28. We are determined to lead in the revolution of clean transport.”

To listen to the podcast in full, head here: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/…

Top Travel Books: “The New York Times 36 Hours – USA & Canada” (Taschen)

The New York Times 36 Hours USA & Canada Barbara Ireland Taschen Book December 2019In this fully revised and updated third edition of the best-selling USA & Canada volume, TASCHEN presents the best itineraries from across the continent. You’ll find marquee metropolises like New York, Montreal, and Los Angeles; world-famous natural wonders at Niagara Falls and the Grand Canyon; the hidden charm of Rust Belt cities like Duluth and Detroit, as well as 33 new stories including Anchorage, the Berkshires, Boulder, and many more.

Taschen Publishing LogoTo travel in North America is to face a delicious quandary: over these vast spaces with so many riches, from glittering cities to eccentric small towns and heart-stoppingly beautiful mountains and plains, how to experience as much as possible in limited time? The New York Times has the answer, offering up dream weekends with practical itineraries in its popular weekly 36 Hours column for nearly two decades.

  • More than 5,400 hours worth of insightful itineraries to make the most of your stay
  • Practical recommendations for more than 600 restaurants and 450 hotels
  • Comprehensive revisions to all 130 itineraries
  • New destinations including Downtown Miami, Oakland, Chattanooga, and more
  • Color-coded tabs for each region
  • Nearly 1,000 photos
  • 33 new stories
  • Detailed city-by-city maps that pinpoint every stop on your itinerary

The editor

Barbara Ireland edits the 36 HoursExplorer, and forthcoming Cultured Traveler series of travel books in collaboration with The New York Times and TASCHEN. A writer and editor based in upstate New York, she is a former deputy Travel editor and deputy Op-Ed page editor at The New York Times. She is a graduate of Cornell University and was a John S. Knight journalism fellow at Stanford University.

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