Corregidor Island is the American fortress during the World War II. Tagaytay has the Taal Volcano which is the smallest volcano in the world where you could hike for just forty five minutes. Bohol is home of the Tarsiers, the smallest primate in the world and you will find the gem of the visayas, the Chocolate Hills. Anilao in Batangas is where tourist can enjoy wind surfing, scuba diving, and snorkeling. Safarri Zoo is in Calatagan Batangas where tourist can mingle with tigers and lions and other wild animals.

You will find Mayon Volcano in Bicol, the most beautiful volcano with a perfect symmetrical cone. In Sorsogon, you will enjoy whale watching and where tourist can swim with whales and dolphins. Magellan's Cross is in Cebu where Ferdinan Magellan, first put the cross upon its landing.

Cagayan de Oro is the city of the golden friendship where you can enjoy white water rafting at Cagayan River which is the longest river in the Philippines. Camiguin has three volcanoes and a coastline that alternates between white and black beaches with volcanic rocks. Davao is the Durian Capital of the Philippines. You will also find Mt. Apo in Davao which is the highest peak in the Philippines where you can enjoy mountain climbing. Genuine pearls can be found at Dakak Pearl Farm in Samal Island. And the Eagle Sanctuary in Davao is the sanctuary for all the endangered species of eagles that are found.

Pagugpod beach is in Laoag City. The third oldest city in the Philippines where architectural remnants of the Spanish era still stand is in Vigan, Ilocos Sur. Paskuhan Village is in Pampanga where Christmas spirit is present all year round. Palawan is known as the last frontier, you will find the underground river here which is the St. Paul subterranean National Park. The Tubbataha Reef National Park is also in Palawan. This park has many sharks, barracudas, mackerels, garoupas and many more.

Calauit Island in Busuanga Island is where endangered species of animals can be found. Irawan Crocodile Farm is in Puerto Princesa in Palawan where crocodiles are being propagated. El Nido in palawan is the origin of the soup called bird's nest. Subic Free Port is in Olangapo City which is known as the Shining Jewel in Central Luzon.

The Magat Dam is in Ramon, Isabella. This is the biggest dam in the whole Philippines. Los Banos Laguna is home of many hot springs. The Pagsanjan Falls is where you can enjoy the shooting rapids of the falls. The Hidden Valley is a natural botanical garden in Laguna. Puerto Galera is in Mindoro the favorite diving spot in the Philippines. Mount Pinatubo has become famous in the world because of its catastrophic eruption.

Hundred Islands in Lingayen is where you can see hundred islands dotted along the Lingayen Gulf in Pangasinan. Siargao Island in Surigao del Norte is the surfing capital of the Philippines. Luneta Park in Manila is the biggest park in the Philippines where Dr. Jose Rizal was executed during the Spanish era. Fort Santiago in Intramuros, the walled city of Manila, where Dr. Jose Rizal wrote his farewell letter “Mi ultimo Adios”.

British Columbia: Arrow Lake Provincial Park

 

Arrow Lake Park is located about 150 kilometers south of Revelstoke, British Columbia. The park was established on May 8, 1981 to help maintain tourism and to boost outdoor activities in the area. This park offers camping, hiking, boat trips and much more. Definitely worth a visit if you ever in British Columbia.

Alberta: Jasper National Park

 

Jasper Park is a 10,800 kilometer protected park which was established around 1907 and is the largest National Park in in the Canadian Rockies. This is one of Canada's more popular tourist destinations with many activities to do within the park. There is also 1,200 kilometers of trails through the park, which offers horse back riding, biking and skiing with the right weather conditions.

Saskatchewan: Prince Albert National Park

 

Prince Albert National Park is 120 miles north of Saskatoon and was established in on March 24, 1927. The park is 3,874 km and is home to number of Canadian species and is mostly dominated by forest. There's even a heard of about 400 wild bison's that roam the park.

While visiting this park one can take a boat ride, picnic, biking, hiking, swimming, canoeing and much more. Truly this park is one of Saskatchewan's most beautiful places to see in my opinion.

Manitoba: Wapusk National Park

 

Wapusk National Park is Canada's 37 th park established in 1996 and is one of Manitoba's pride and joys. Its name “Wapusk” means “White Bear” and is home to the world's largest known polar bear mating grounds. This park is unique in a way because it has lush forests like other parks but then the northern part is like Artic tundra which is home to polar bears, woodland caribou, Artic and red fox, lesser snow goose, swans and many other species. Also if you visit the park between March and October you might get lucky enough to see the Northern Lights like the picture above.

Ontario: Algonquin Park

 

Algonquin Park is a great place for a day visit with the family. There are many trials through out this 7,630 km park with a large variety of animals to see. This is Canada's first provincial park which was established in 1893 and is considered the countries most popular park. Algonquin Park has over 2400 lakes and 1200 kilometers of rivers and streams within its boundaries which were formed by the retreat of glaciers during the last ice age. This park is a must see if you ever decide to visit Ontario.

Quebec: Saguenay - St. Lawrence Marine Park

 

St. Lawrence Marine Park is the first national park in Quebec created to protect a purely marine environment. The park is at the base where Saguenay River and the St. Lawrence River meet. There is a rich food supply within the Marine because of the currents from the meeting rivers which attracts whales and the endangered beluga whales.

The park has many other attractions as well as mammal life. It's open almost yearly and from what I read cost about $5-10 per person for an 8 hour day which isn't all that bad considering the sites and memories you'll have when you leave.

New Brunswick: Fundy National Park

 

Fundy National Park was established in 1948 and is New Brunswick's first national park. It was established after nearby forests had been cut down and people began to leave. The park is smaller then most national parks but still has 3 camp grounds, 100 kilometers of hiking and biking trails and over 20 waterfalls. This national park is known for having some of the last remaining wilderness in southern New Brunswick.

Nova Scotia: Cape Breton Highlands National Park

 

Cape Breton Highlands National Park was established in 1936 and was the first national park in the Atlantic Provinces. The park contains 27 trails to hike or walk and ocean and freshwater swimming spots, canoeing and kayaking, rafting and much more. This park is open all year round.

Newfoundland: Gros Morne National Park

 

Gros Morne National Park is a world heritage site located on the coast of Newfoundland. It official became “Gros Morne National Park” on October 1, 2005 and is considered to have some of the most exceptional scenery in Canada. The park also contains Newfoundland's second highest mountain which is 2,644 ft. There are also over 293 different species of birds and a number of lakes and ponds which are all beautiful sites. In my opinion this is one of Canada's most beautiful areas.

Prince Edward Island: P.E.I National Park

 

P.E.I is just a tiny place compared to the rest of Canada but it still has its own beauty to share with people. P.E.I National Park was established in 1937 and is about 18.2 km in total size. This parks terrain is nothing like the parks I have previously written about. Attractions within the park are red sandstone cliffs, offshore bars, submerged estuaries and some of the nation's most popular beaches and more. The parks size is slow getting smaller from erosion which is sad. People I know that have visited P.E.I highly recommend in visiting this national park.

1. Eat breakfast before you go into the park. We found having a good, hearty breakfast before going into the park gave us energy to last until the afternoon, so while most people were in having their lunch, we were enjoying the rides!
2. Take bottles of water in with you. It is so important for adults and kids to keep hydrated in the heat but it can be expensive buying water in the parks. We bought a small cool bag from Wal-Mart, popped in an ice pack and we had cool water all day long, and we did not have to pay park prices.
3. You are not going to see everything in one visit, so don't even try. The Disney parks are massive, usually busy and usually hot so you will not make it round the whole park, seeing everything you want to see in one day. Make a list of what you want to see and find it on the map. Then you won't waste time wondering where things are.
4. Hire a stroller for the kids. Not just for the babies or toddlers either. This year, we had a 9 year old and a six year old in the double stroller (just don't tell their friends!). It was blisteringly hot and they were tired and grumpy. So we hired the stroller, gave them an ice-cream and they got to cool down and watch the park go by for while. It saved a whole lot of tension and stress and we were all happier for it.
5. Get the kids involved before you visit the parks. There is lots of information about the parks and the kids can plan what rides they want to go on, what characters they want to meet and what shows they want to see. That way, they can see in advance what rides are not appropriate for their age/height and no tantrums in the line for the ride itself. It's also great for a long plane ride to get the older kids to sit with their Disney maps and plan it all out. Keeps them busy and passes the time.

image source

As a landscape architect, it is the public spaces of Barcelona that I consider the heart and soul of the city. While there are many things to love about Barcelona, things that you can find in any guidebook or travel blog, there are subtle, nuanced bits of magic crammed into the nooks and crannies of Barcelona that simply must be experienced in person to be fully appreciated. These things exist primarily in the city's many open spaces. Virtually the entire history of Barcelona can be experienced on foot.

Every chapter in Barcelona's history is somehow reflected in the landscape. Walking along Las Ramblas, it is possible to see the works of Gaudi and the breathtaking waterfront redesign created for the 1992 Olympics. Remnants of Roman walls carve out their niche of history alongside Gothic cathedrals and art nouveau details, all seamlessly contributing to a city that overwhelms the senses with design and beauty.

The largest metropolitan park in the world, Parc de Collserola, is 22 times the size of Central Park and is the only park on earth where it is possible to encounter medieval ruins, Romanesque churches, amusement parks, and works by famous modern architects while strolling. At Tibidabo, the park's highest point, a Parc d'Atracciones offers antique rides from the 1920s contrasted by modern roller coasters. Nearby, the 288 meter high Torre de Collserola -designed by British architect Norman Foster- provides Barcelona's most impressive view.

While Barcelona appears tailor-made for tourism, the social makeup of public spaces indicates the city actually caters to its own. Public art and performance by locals peppers every step, and Catalonians coexist with foreigners in every public venue. Sidewalk cafes lining the streets create a gentle cacophony of world languages, as guests from every corner of the world convene to enjoy the mild Mediterranean climate and cuisine. Public holidays in Barcelona are marked by the closure of most retail outlets and a migration of the city's population to parks and plazas. During holidays and festivals, the open spaces of the city bring her inhabitants together.

Anyone who has every been to Barcelona recalls their time there with their eyes starry and out-of-focus, their voices soft and dreamy. For me, this dreaminess stems from a city whose culture is preserved in public spaces, like insects in amber. Catalan culture is a vibrant and beating thing, best represented in the open air, beneath the sky. Old and young, ancient and modern, all coincide in Barcelona's landscape, its gift to the modern world.

It is specifically involved with traveling to natural destinations, building awareness on the conservation of the environment, providing perks for conservation practices as well as financial benefits for the local people.

Ecotourism is different from nature-based tourism. Nature tourism uses natural destinations to lure tourists and includes such activities as kayaking, mountain biking, fishing, camping, hiking and others. The biggest difference between ecotourism and nature tourism lies in the fact that the former contains educational elements and efforts are geared towards environment conservation.

There are four types of ecotourism: hard ecotourism, general or soft ecotourism, adventure ecotourism and educational ecotourism. Hard ecotourism focuses on activities that involve intense ecotourism such as non-hotel accommodations. Soft ecotourism is most common where tourists can observe nature and culture of the local people. Adventure ecotourism involves activities that are high risks such as bungee jumping. Educational tourism is one organized by educational organization complete with lectures and presentations.

There were two major factors that led to the creation of ecotourism. These are : the environmental movement in the 1970's and 1980's and a general dissatisfaction with mass tourism due to over development, pollution and insensitive foreigners (Honey, 1999; Orams, 1995). The combined effect of environmental awareness and great dissatisfaction of mass tourism led to ecotourism.

David Weaver noted that “interest in ecotourism, now widespread among tourism planners and marketers, is rationalized by a number of popular assumptions regarding the sector's potential economic, environment and socio-cultural benefits” (Weaver 1999, 795).

Proper planning and implementation of these ecotourism programs must go hand in hand in order to attain success. It is important to point out that a number of ecotourism projects have failed because of lack of planning and implementation guidelines. The consequences would be disastrous in such cases because economic gains cannot replace the social and environmental damages that ecotourism could contribute.

A number of experts are uncertain over the role of ecotourism in the context of international development. A number of literatures written on ecotourism express either skepticism or optimism.

The Need for Sustainable Development

In early 1987, the term “sustainable development” gained international recognition. The Bruntland Commission defined it as “development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs” ( Our Common Future, 1987, p. 43). In terms of international development, it is taken in the context of social, economic and environmental impacts of development.

For ecotourism to meet the world's stamp of approval, it has to be sustainable. The main goal of ecotourism therefore is sustainable development. In order for the ecotourism strategy to be effective, it must help preserve the environment for the future generations which is the primary concern of the local sectors in Costa Rica now.

Costa Rica's Ecotourism

Costa Rica was a pioneer in ecotourism. Its ecotourism industry has reached a much higher level of maturity compared to other countries. That is why interest in the impact of ecotourism in Costa Rica is also very high. Costa Rica serves as a concrete example of the possible advantages and disadvantages ecotourism will bring. Proper planning and implementation of ecotourism are derived on the lessons learned in Costa Rica's first-hand experience.

According to Honey (1999) estimates showed that the demand for ecotourism is growing at a 10 to 30 percent annual rate. Due to its potential huge impact to the environment, socio-cultural and economic aspect of Costa Rica, it is important to assess its effectiveness and sustainability.

Costa Rica has the makings of a good ecotourism spot. It offers a biologically diverse place in the regions of South America. Its ecosystem is comprised of 12 different life zones. An estimated 4% of all living species thrive in Costa Rica despite its very limited .01% of global territory. Its cloud forests, active volcanoes and huge species of flora and fauna made it ideal for ecotourism.

Costa Rica has all the necessary attractions for ecotourism. It has national parks, a democratic government, a temperate climate and hospitable people. It boasts of the highest standards of living, the largest middle class base and the best public health care system, the best public education and highest literacy rate in all of Latin America (Honey, 1999). Not only that infrastructures are also very good with its paved roads, telephone and electricity access. Its airport facility met international standards and only a few hours flight from the United States.

Tourists from the United States flock to Costa Rica with 39% of them saying nature as the main reason. The government of Costa Rica, fortunately, quickly recognized the importance of ecotourism in their industry and took steps to protect their natural resources. As a matter of fact, a fourth of the country forms part of the 29 parks and protected areas, considered as one of the world's highest protection rates of the natural resources. As ecotourism grew, Costa Rica's economy also grew as best reflected in the country's gross domestic product. In 1995, tourism became the highest money-making venture in the country followed by banana, coffee and beef industry.

Costa Rica was able to meet to the expectations of the tourists by supplying an environmentally conscious tourism. The huge tract of land under the protected area preserved the natural beauty of the environment in Costa Rica. This, in turn, sustains the tourist influx into the country. A number of local and governmental programs have been established to further promote education and conservation of ecotourism. For instance, Monteverde region of Costa Rica which housed a number of notable and popular ecotourism spots such as Monteverde Cloud Forest Private Reserve, the Community Reserve of Santa Elena, the Butterfly Garden, the Orchid Farm, the Community Art Center, CASEM, the Cheese Factory, the Frog Farm and the famous Sky Walk-Sky Trek.

To preserve natural beauty, ecotourism sectors provide guides to accompany the tourists to educate the tourists or impart knowledge about the sites. The Sky Walk project was started by a local family and required the involvement of the entire community. This provides jobs to the locals which they could use to purchase things they need in turn helping the economy move forward. The local schools, churches and road projects also get much needed support from projects such as these.

Costa Rica has not always been a major tourist destination. As a matter of fact, its transformation to become a famous tourist hub was short of miraculous. Ecotourism has started in Costa Rica as early as the 1970's. It took off in 1980's when the government worked hand in hand with USAID, World Bank and IMF to further develop it.

Economic Impacts

The role of economics in ecotourism could not be understated. It was first and foremost the reason behind the creation of ecotourism. It is said that “years ago, the travel agents first dreamed up the idea of "ecotourism" were clearly looking for new markets, not ways to save the world” (Miller and Tangley, 1991, p. 153).

The greatest promise ecotourism holds is its ability to marry economic gains with environment conservation. The movement of travelers from developed to developing countries is essential to earn the much needed dollars to spur the economy. However, this is not the case observed by many in Costa Rica.

Revenue leakage seems to be the order of the day. Revenue leakage is defined as the money which escapes the local economy and went back to developed countries. “In Costa Rica, which by the early 1990's was the number one overseas ecotourism destination for the United States travelers, half of every tourist dollar never left the United States, and only 20 cents actually went into the local economy according to a USAID study” (Honey, 1999, p. 89).

In this scenario, it will be hard for Costa Rica to benefit from ecotourism. Money leaks are observed in the different aspects of the ecotourism business. For instance, paying money to tour operators made up mostly of foreigners, importing of products that attracts foreign tourists and the payment of plane fares to foreign owned airlines.

The economic boost derived from ecotourism is unquestionable. But in order for ecotourism to remain sustainable, the large amount of the profit must go the local communities. According to estimates, 90% of revenue leakage occurs in communities adjacent to natural attractions. In the Tortuguero National Park of Costa Rica, a mere 6% of the total income will go to the local communities.

In order to maximize the economic gains of ecotourism in Costa Rica, revenue leakages must be addressed effectively. Legislation properly in place would make enable the locals to generate a huge percentage of the profits. Also, the need to put up local businesses using indigenous materials and using local labor has to be emphasized to prevent revenue leakage.

Another negative result of ecotourism is it can cause an increase in the cost of living for the locals. A study conducted in the Osa peninsula showed that ecotourism made the inhabitants poorer not richer as thought. Converting the area to a tourist attraction would mean higher cost of living for the locals but the income remains the same because the profits generated often go to outsiders with more experience leaving the community to share the crumbs.

Also, local entrepreneurs do not receive the much-needed financial aid from the government in order to make them competitive. It would be hard for local entrepreneurs to continue without financial backing especially if foreign investments start pouring in. It is important therefore to encourage local initiatives to develop the ecotourism sector before turning to foreign investors.

Exploitation in the marketing of ecotourism poses another economic problem to Costa Rica. This is referred to as “green washing”. Some members of the travel industry want to capitalize with the growing ecotourism market by marketing products as ecotourism even though they have nothing to do with environmental responsibility, whatsoever. “These environmental opportunists package the same travel that was once considered exploitative in a green ribbon, and travelers return home with the illusion that their luxurious vacation was actually good for the environment” (Roberts and Thanos, 2003, p.84).

Another economic dilemma Costa Rica needs to face is the growing dependence on tourism to generate income. Tourism is the number one money-making ventures in Costa Rica totally eclipsing the performance of its former exports like bananas and coffee. What makes this total dependence risky is the fact that tourism is seasonal and is subject to change. One may experience tourism boom in one year and suffer tourism bust in another. In other words, it is not a stable source of income. Too much reliance on it could put a lot of people's jobs at risk.

Complete takeover of foreign investment could also lead to economic problems since it affects the sense of ownership of the locals. For instance, the prices of real estate have sky-rocketed to immense heights that even the locals cannot afford to buy their own lands. Inflation can cause increase of cost of living which could displace a lot of people.

Roberts and Thanos (2003) believe that “as long as ecotourism remains dependent on the international economy it appears it will be influenced and ultimately overpowered by the corporations that dominate the industry”.

A number of critics of ecotourism projects not just in Costa Rica but also in other developing countries have been very vocal about its supposed lack of economic benefits. Critics believed that developing countries the likes of Costa Rica would not likely benefit from international tourism because most major tourist expenditures such as plane fare are taken care of by businesses outside the country.

The reality though paints a different picture. Costa Rica enjoys a high 40% rent capture which is used by owners, managers, guides, meals and accommodation providers for operating expenses. The percentage is actually higher than what most people expect considering Costa Rica does not have local airlines that could compete with international carriers. In ecotourism industry, having privately-owned accommodations are preferable compared to large hotels and restaurants since they can provide better service to tourists. These privately-operated and smaller hotels in turn employ a number of locals and help the economy.

Environmental Impacts

The national park system in Costa Rica is the main attraction in ecotourism. The first strictly protected area came about in 1963. There are now 30 parks and more than 2230 different protected areas in Costa Rica.

One of the environmental effects of ecotourism is overcrowding and impacts of using it. It can give undue pressure to environmentally sensitive areas. Overcrowding natural areas with visitors could result in environmental degradation. “A major environmental cost is the possibility that local carrying capacities, difficult to gauge as they are because of their complexity, will be inadvertently exceeded in the long term by activity associated with ecotourism, especially in those cases where the sector is growing at a rapid rate” (Weaver, 1999, p. 796).

Overcrowding or sudden influx of tourists could lead to excess in the local carrying capacities which will have negative impacts on the environment since the locals are left with the responsibilities of coping with solid waste generation, pollution, habitat destruction, forest degradation and trail erosion. It could also degrade the delicate balance of the ecosystems and threatens the environment from which it depends.

Since ecotourism is getting less seasonal which means Costa Rica can expect tourists all year-round, concerns for its environmental impact particularly from cause-oriented groups also abound. A year-round tourism could mean increasing the conservation efforts to further protect the environment. Take for instance, the local fauna. There is an open and close season for the fauna. During the close season, local fauna are given time to mate. A year-round travel could affect the mating routine. Also, ecotourism thrives on image. As ecotourism grows they might be some problems in the image the ecotourism conjures. A tourist might expect quiet, isolated and untouched beaches but when he comes to Costa Rica he might be disappointed to see the beach flooded with other ecotourists like him. This could pose a potential problem in marketing the place.

Of course, keeping the environment at a minimum is almost impossible with increased number of tourists flocking to the place. Increasing number of hotels constructed, more lights on the streets and on the houses and increased visitors coming in and out of the country are observed to affect the sea-turtle nesting and the sea-turtle itself by changing its pattern of nesting.

It is therefore imperative that ecotourism minimizes these adverse effects by focusing on low-impact construction, controlling the number of visitors in a certain area and using great care when interacting with the fauna and flora.

A concrete example of the problems from the environmental impacts of ecotourism is best exemplified by the Manuel Antonio National Park. The park often experienced overcrowding, lack of planning and over-development of the affected community. This resulted in improper waste disposal which caused a number of the resident monkeys in the area to feed on garbage. In this instance, it is important to point out that conservation measures should be put in place ahead of generating profit in order to protect the environment and to make it sustainable.

The deterioration of the environment will affect tourist visits in the long term. Therefore, to make the area not only sustainable but also income-generating for a long time, conservation measures must be firmly in place.

Social Impacts

To make ecotourism beneficial to the locals, the people should actively contribute to the planning and implementation phase of the project. This area leaves a lot to be desired of since communities did not form part of the decision-making process and private operators particularly foreigners did not consult the community about their plans for the place. Since the local communities have the biggest stake in the consequence of the ecotourism program, their voice should be heard or ideas should be solicited in establishing sustainable ecotourism.

The involvement of the local community to the project could spell its success or failure. The support of the local community is very important because they create the kind of environment that tourists want. Their participation is also essential in identifying the impacts, whether positive or negative, of ecotourism to the affected area. The involvement of the community could also lessen future conflicts.

Ecotourism could possibly lead to the collapse of social and cultural structures. Therefore, it is important that tourists be aware of the cultural dynamics at work in a particular community to make ecotourism work. By using the skills and knowledge of the local people, ecotourism could encourage the native culture. The good news is ecotourists are found to appreciate the local tradition, customs and cuisine compared to other offerings.

The dangers of associating isolated communities with rich foreigners could also be high. A situation called “commofication” could occur which is the erosion of the culture and community structure. Locals may change their practices to accommodate the foreigners.

Conclusion

The overall impact of ecotourism industry to Costa Rica has been very positive. It also helped that the local government and organizations worked hand in hand to promote the environment. Guidelines have been established and followed to be able to facilitate the growing need for ecotourism.

As ecotourism will grow - so will the need for accommodations. This, of course, will have a direct impact on the environment. They may need more places to develop, more space for the tourists. That is why strict implementation of environmental guidelines is essential to minimize the social impact on Costa Rica environment.

The local people should be at the center of the ecotourism development. This is to encourage them to devote their time and full support to ecotourism undertakings thus minimizing the likelihood of negative impacts of ecotourism.

I have searched and surveyed about moving to Sweden so far.I've asked Swedish people about Sweden,life in Sweden and life conditions in Sweden.These are the results of my quick survey:

1. There is no war or possibility of war in Sweden.All Swedish people live in peace in their land.
2. There is a big opportunity for taking good education especially in engineering and natural sciences. Uppsala University,Lund University and Chalmers University of Technology are popular universities in Sweden and Europe.They all give good education.
   
   
   
   
3. There is a big opportunity for finding good job.Technology and Science is developed in Sweden.Sweden needs youth population.Rate of youth population in Sweden is very low.
   
   
   
4. There are very beautiful places to see in Sweden like Stan Island,famous war ship Vasa,Royal Palace,Theatre Building,Kunqsrad Park,Fjallgatan Hill,Residance Museum,Masthugget Church,Amelienborg Palace,Statue of Little Mermaid,Statue of Poseidon,Karl Johans Street and National Theatre Building.
   
   
   
5. Beautiful blonde girls of Sweden with blue eyes.
   
   
   

How can all of this be accomplished in a few pages? Please, read on, and find out for yourself. The short time in which you journey through, "Now This is God's Country: A Closer Look at National Parks", will be the best moments of your life.

The idea of a national park was considered over a century ago. In the late 1800's, a conservationist by the name of John Muir led a fight to conserve beautiful areas like Yosemite Valley and Yellowstone. He presented the land to Congress in various ways. As a result of his avid persuasions, displays of photographs, descriptions, and paintings, Congress and President Ulysses S. Grant accepted Muir's proposal to make Yellowstone the first national park, in 1872.Thanks to the continued, conservational efforts of John Muir, the citizens of the world are currently enjoying the beauty that this Country has to offer.

Many people have the belief that Yellowstone was the first national park. They are right on this fact, but Yellowstone wasn't the first area of land that was reserved for conservation. In 1864, President Abe Lincoln signed a grant which gave the sequoias of Marisopa Grove to California. Marisopa Grove is located on the southern end of the Yosemite Valley. This acreage of land was established as a park, but it wasn't designated as a national park until 1890; this was merely eighteen years after Yellowstone was established in 1872.

As is obvious by the efforts of political leaders whose hearts were in the outdoors, national parks were started in order to protect the wonders of the land. These leaders gave people the chance to experience the beauty of God's, glorious earth. Today the United States is a proud conserver of over 130 parks, reserves, and monuments. National parks account for fifty-one, of the 130, conserved regions of land. Thanks to the continued efforts of today's political leaders, the national parks of the United States should live on for generations to come.
Like all topics, the topic of national parks has its unknowns. One of them is Theodore Roosevelt National Park. This national park was named after the most environmentally oriented President, in recent, Presidential history. In 1883, Teddy Roosevelt traveled to the North Dakota Badlands, which is where the park is located. Because of his love for the outdoors, Roosevelt spent much of his time in the North Dakota wilderness; he even had his own ranch. The park wasn't established until 1978-many years after Roosevelt's death.

Landscape attractions in the park consist of desert badlands, rolling meadows of prairie grass, and the amazing, natural phenomenon: smoldering coal seams. Once these seams of coal ignite, they can burn for years. This burning of the coal results in smoke seeping out of the ground, which results in an excellent tourist attraction. This North Dakotan national park is home to numerous species of wildlife. Bison, deer, elk, pronghorn, and even wild horses are some of the larger species that dwell in this park. Teddy Roosevelt National Park supplies over 160 miles of backland trails which can be explored by hiking and biking, as well as by horse-back.

The longest of these trails is Maah Daah Hey Trail. It is 120 miles of pure enjoyment; however, some areas of the trail can be a little difficult to traverse. Even the shortest visit to this park would explain why Teddy Roosevelt loved this land so much. The land is rugged, wild, and seemingly untouched by the effects of human intervention. Teddy Roosevelt NP is a relic to North Dakota, not only because it is named after a former President, but also because of the exquisiteness that it preserves.
Yet another of those unknown facts is the Teddy Roosevelt Elk. It so happens that Olympic National Park was almost entitled Elk National Park because it is home to the largest, unmanaged elk herd in the lower forty-eight states.

These wondrous animals were named after Teddy Roosevelt because of his love for nature and desire of conservation. In 1909, Mr. Roosevelt set aside the Olympic area, which is in Washington State, for the protection of these animals. There are currently several thousand of these elk and as was said before, Roosevelt Elk are mainly located in Olympic National Park, but they can be seen as far south as Redwood National Park, which is in the middle California. Ranging in herds of 15-100, these animals are thriving in number. They are larger in size as compared to the Rocky Mountain Elk; however, Roosevelt Elk are more skittish around humans than other types of elk that roam the Country. Despite their being skittish, they can easily be spotted by taking a scenic drive through the park.

On the other hand, those who desire a closer look will face a more difficult challenge. Although their appearance varies little from other elk, one feels as though they are looking at a different breed of animal simply because of the name which these animals have.
The state of Montana wouldn't be what it is today if Glacier National Park wasn't established. Thanks to the efforts of George Bird Grinnell, a 19th century magazine publisher and cofounder of the Audubon Society, Glacier National Park was established in 1910. Located in the St. Mary region of northern Montana, part of Glacier National Park extends into Canada.

This extension was named Waterton Lakes National Park. In the early 1930's, these two parks joined together and gained the title of Glacier-Waterton International Peace Park. Shortly following the parks opening, Glacier Park Lodge was built. The Lodge opened in 1913, and it soon proved to be an excellent tourist attraction. In the lobby area, there were huge columns which reached to the high ceilings. These columns were hewn out of Douglas firs, giving the Lodge a rugged, woodsy look. Glacier National Park was advertised as the "Switzerland of America", because of the beautiful scenery.

For a short time after the parks establishment, the Great Northern Railway was a mode of transport for tourists who visited Glacier. The railway took the people to all luxury hotels, chalets, and campsites. However, due to the extreme winter climate of northern Montana, Glacier has a rather short tourist season. These small numbers of winter tourists caused the park managers to soon realize that the Great Northern Railway was unable to continue operating year-round. Eventually the Great Northern Railway became a seasonal tourist transport for Glacier National Park. This is the summary of Glaciers history. Once one knows what transpired in the past, it helps one to better appreciate what they see today.
As can be inferred by the name, Glacier National Park was named for the fifty-plus glaciers that dwell in its mountains.

The argument is made that the mountains of the park are a result of the supposed Ice Age. It is also said that the current glaciers are remnant proof that the Ice Age was a true occurrence. This story has some questionable areas; regardless or its truth, the wonder of glacier formation still exists. Glacier is also home to more than sixty mammal species. These animals consist of deer, elk, moose, wolves, bighorn sheep, mountain goats, cougars, wolverines, and grizzlies. It is highly possible for one to see many of these species, if they are willing to spend time in the wild. On the other hand, if a person were to take a hike through the park, it would be wise for them to bring a companion, for Glacier is the proud possessor of the highest concentration of grizzlies (about 200 in the 1,013,572 acres of the park) in the lower forty-eight states.

An unexpected, grizzly encounter could have the potential to be dangerous if the right measures aren't taken. Nonetheless, seeing all of these animals in the shadows of the glorious mountains is an encounter of a lifetime. The climate of Glacier is definitely something to reckon with. Summer temperatures range from 30F-90F; these temps allow for some comfortable times while traveling the park. These temperatures also permit the blooming of beauty to arise in the park. With its 1,250+ plant species, Glacier can explicitly show the many hews of creation's colors.

The park is a breathtaking sight during the months from late spring to early fall, but once winter sets in a different look forms. Although the glistening of the snow-covered mountainsides during a peaceful sunset can offer a lovely view, the temperatures and depths of snow would discourage all hopes of enjoyment. With temperatures in the -40'sF, and snow accumulations in the vicinity of 45 feet, this national park's winter season is not for the weak or cold-blooded. For some, the crisp, crackling air can give a feeling of rejuvenation, but for others, spending time in these kinds of temperatures would be nothing short of insanity. Despite its varying weather, the grandeur of its peaks represents the true majesty of God's beautiful Creation. Glacier National Park definitely deserves the title it has been given as, "The Crown of America".

Yellowstone National Park is where it all began; however, with it being the first national park, it was difficult to know what to do with it. Frederick L. Olmstead, the designer of Central Park, believed that the land should be left as it was. For five years Nathaniel Langford served as the parks superintendent, but he didn't receive any pay for his job. Since no one had any previous knowledge on how to maintain a national park, there were no designated park rangers. This allowed for tourists to do as they pleased while visiting. Without any regulations, tourists began to vandalize and destroy the land for their own benefit.

Langford's successor, Philetus Norris, was able to get an appropriation of ten-thousand dollars for the development of the land. He spent a majority of the money on poorly made roadways, leaving a feeble amount for the money's original purpose. Over the years the park saw many superintendents, but none of them contributed any sort of conservational improvement to Yellowstone. Dramatic improvements weren't made until Teddy Roosevelt's first Presidential term; this was thirty-plus years since Yellowstone was established. It wasn't long after these improvements when Yellowstone became what people see today. Today, Yellowstone is one of the most popular national parks, and rightly so.

Yellowstone National Park is home to countless, natural wonders. At Mammoth Hot Springs deposits of calcium carbonate rise to the surface and forms travertine terraces. The calcium carbonate comes from the limestone that gets dissolved by the hot springs. The most well-known of Yellowstone's attractions are the geysers and mud-pots. Old Faithful geyser is the trademark geyser of Yellowstone. It erupts every 75 to 80 minutes. Geysers are steam vents for water that is boiling below the surface. These boiling pockets of water are heated by molten lava.

The lava is much closer to the earth's surface than usual. Yellowstone's lava is just two miles below the ground; whereas in other areas, it is fifteen miles below the ground. Steamboat Geyser is the world's tallest geyser. Spewing steam to a height of 400ft., it is three times the size of Old Faithful, but it only erupts every few years. The mud-pots are also heated by the boiling water, but they are made of acidic gases that have dissolved the rocks and clay. These are solely the geological wonders of the park; Yellowstone is also the proud owner of beautiful scenery. The grand mountains and forests of Yellowstone help demonstrate why the park was first established so many years ago.

Just a few miles west of Yellowstone are the Grand Tetons. Grand Teton National Park is a spectacle of true beauty and majesty. This forty mile strip of land consists entirely of jagged, rocky mountains which reach their pinnacles to the sky; these mountains are called Teton Range. The three major peaks are in a four mile span called the Cathedral Group. All three summits reach heights in excess of 12,000 feet. These peaks are entitled: Grand Teton, Mount Owen, and Teewinot Mountain.

Grand Teton stands the highest at a towering elevation of 13,770 feet. Although the summits of these mountains all reach above 12,000 feet, the rest of Teton Range averages around 8,000 feet. While this is still a grand height, it seems even higher because of the geography of the land. Teton Range doesn't possess any foothills; therefore, the rolling meadows lead right into a sudden increase in gradient. This stark change from flatland to mountainous terrain makes the grandeur of Teton Range ever so evident.

Grand Teton National Park is also part of the National Elk Refuge. The National Elk Refuge is a home for more than 7,000 elk. This is approximately half of the Jackson Hole elk herd; which ranges throughout Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks. Migratory herds of 200+ elk filter down from the mountains in order to spend the cold, hard winters in the protection of the lower elevations. The National Elk Refuge serves an excellent purpose by giving the elk a means of year-round survival. With its many, avid supporters, the Refuge should continue to provide a haven to all of the animals that live inside of its borders.

Like all national parks, Grand Teton offers numerous ways to view the land. Instead of soaking up the beauty from roads and parking lots, why not take a little hike or climb? Grand Tetons offers over 230 miles of hiking trails, and by looking at the mountains, you can just imagine all of the climbing opportunities. Furthermore, it is said the only the most spectacular views can be witnessed by hikers. For those who are a little less adventurous, yet still like to be close to nature, there are numerous campgrounds and lodges that can provide and excellent getaway for those who simply seek some rest and relaxation. Despite all of these different ways to spend time in Grand Teton National Park, most of its visitors are people who are simply just passing through.

These passer-through tourists account for approximately two-thirds of the park's 3.5 million annual visitors. Nonetheless, the recreational and scenic opportunities of this park are unreal. The Grand Tetons may not contain as many hiking trails, camp sites, lodges, or climbing expeditions as other national parks, but the views and experiences gained in the time spent in its chattels will be far better than many other parks can boast.

Grand Canyon National Park possesses beauty and history beyond comprehension. In 1869 and 1871, the first systematic explorations of the Grand Canyon were conducted by Major John Wesley Powell. However, the first official expedition was conducted in 1880. Clarence Dutton was the leader of this outfit, which was the first geological survey. As a result of the explorations made by Powell, Dutton, and many other men, approximately 2,700 archeological sites have been located in the depths of the Grand Canyon. When President Theodore Roosevelt visited the Canyon in 1903, he immediately began a move for its conservation. Finally being established as a national park in 1919, the Grand Canyon became one of the most visited national parks in the Country. The Canyon now receives nearly five million annual visitors. This colossal number helps demonstrate the attraction to the Canyon's magnificence.

Countless people are aware of the grand waterway known as the Colorado River. The Colorado River is the main waterway of the Grand Canyon. The beginning of the Colorado is in Wyoming, and out of its 1,700 mile total length, only 277 of those miles flow through the Grand Canyon. From beginning to end of those 277 miles, the River drops a total of 1,900 feet. The amount of daily sediment which runs through this 277 mile segment is, approximately, 40,000 tons.

Besides being the main waterway of the Canyon, the Colorado River is also a choice favorite among white-water rafters. There are parts of the River that would deliver a peaceful boat-ride, but the sections of white-water are some of the roughest waters that can be navigated in a raft; they score a ten on the one to ten white-water rafting, difficulty scale. Although areas of its waters are powerful and swift, not a single person could deny the beauty possessed by the Colorado River as it flows through the gorges and canyons of Grand Canyon National Park.

None would argue the awesome wonder of Grand Canyon National Park, but there are varying beliefs on its formation. The two main beliefs are those of Creationists and Evolutionists. Those who put their faith in evolution would fervently argue that the Grand Canyon is 1.7 billion years old. They would also say that the Canyon was formed from the constant erosion caused by the Colorado River. This supposed 1.7 billion years of erosion, resulted in the Grand Canyon as we know it today. Another hypothesis that would be stated by evolutionists is that the sediment layers of the Canyon walls are between 570 million to 1.7 billion years old. These arguments are nothing more than faith based. Due to their disbelief and distrust in God, evolutionists put their faith in their hypotheses.

There is also the standpoint of the Creationists: they belief that the Grand Canyon was formed in a matter of days. One who puts his faith in Creation would tell you that the Canyon is a result of a world-wide flood. This flood took place just a few thousand years ago. In the Bible, Genesis chapter seven explains how the waters covered the earth. If 277 miles of the Colorado River can daily move 40,000 tons of sediment, then it wouldn't be too big of a stretch to believe that a world-wide, mountain covering flood, could remove enough sediment from the surface of the earth to form the Grand Canyon. Also, there is a man by the name of Dr. Kent Hovind who believes that the formation of the sediment layers in the Canyon walls can be scientifically proven.

He explains how different sediments have different densities. If a cup of gravelly dirt were to be poured into a glass of water, the different sediments in the dirt, if given a few hours, would separate into various layers. The heavier sediments would be at the bottom; whereas the lighter sediments would be at the top. This would explain the sediment layers of the Grand Canyon.

However, the beliefs of Creationists and Evolutionists are both based on faith. Creation may appear have more proof than evolution, but neither belief can be stated as fact.
Despite the varying theories and beliefs, the Grand Canyon will always be a spectacle of beauty. This park is a sincere relic of the American West. Whatever your personal convictions may be, they do not detract from the splendor, majesty, and superb glory, of Grand Canyon National Park.

With Yosemite Valley once referred to as the, "grandest of all the special temples of nature", Yosemite National Park is home to many, naturally wonderful spectacles of beauty that can't be found anywhere else on Earth. Some of these beauties manifest themselves in the form of mountains. Half-Dome is an exposed cliff which reaches a height of 2,000 feet-it looks just like its name. Cathedral Rocks are another of Yosemite's rocky gems. They raise above Yosemite Valley with the grandeur of a great cathedral, thence their title. Then there is the trademark of Yosemite: the sheer rock wall known as El Capitan. It rises a vertical 7,569 feet above the valley floor. With Cathedral Rocks and El Capitan standing tall on either side of Yosemite Valley, they form the "Gates of the Valley". When one stands at the entrance of this gate, they come to realize the true meaning of magnificence. Nothing more could add to this beauty than the huge waterfalls.

Out of the thirteen waterfalls in Yosemite National Park, three of them rank among the five highest in the world. These three are: Yosemite Falls, Setinel Falls, and Ribbon Fall. Yosemite is number one at a height of 2,425 feet, second place goes to Setinel, with a drop of 2,000 feet, and lastly is Ribbon, from top to bottom it measures 1,612 feet. To find a view on God's, glorious earth, which could compare to the view of these waterfalls, would be a futile task.

The southern tip of Yosemite National Park connects with Marisopa Grove. Marisopa Grove is a forest kingdom which houses the largest trees in the world. Giant Sequoias, Dogwoods, Redwoods, Sugar Pines, and other trees, stretch their limbs in this conserved forest. The relic of Marisopa Sequoias is Grizzly Giant. This 2,700 year-old tree stands 209 feet above the forest floor. In its old age it represents the durability and grandeur of the world's tallest trees. The towering trees, splendid waterfalls, and rugged mountains, form the most beautiful park of the American West: Yosemite National Park.

With many of its rolling peaks standing above 6,000 feet, and mist rising from its depths, Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the greatest spectacle of the Eastern States. It is the most extensive area of forest, in the United States, to be untouched by loggers. Its escape from loggers and its 1,630 species of flora, give this national park the true meaning of a wild, rugged land untouched by man. Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a sanctuary for a collage of wildlife. Red wolves, wild boars, black bears, bobcats, and other mammals, freely roam this lush haven. This park also holds 800 miles of woodland trails, many of which belong to the Appalachian Trail. The Great Smokies are a magnificent, heavenly piece of the Appalachian chain, resulting in them being unofficially, yet commonly referred to as, "The Rockies of the East".

Whether you're in the "Eastern Rockies", or on the western plains, the Country's national parks can be viewed in many ways; one popular way is by train. The two major railways that run through many of the national parks are Amtrak and the American Orient Express. Amtrak has numerous rails that run through the West. One of the more famous trains is the Empire Builder. The Empire Builder rides the rails of the once existent Great Northern Railway. It starts in Chicago and gradually works its way up through the northern states, ending in either Seattle or Portland. Amtrak has a partnership with the National Park Service called Trails & Rails.

The purpose of this partnership is for the benefit of Amtrak passengers. It is a program which provides educational opportunities on the natural and cultural history of America and promotes an appreciation of nature. One of the national parks that can be viewed from the comfort of the Empire's railcars is Glacier National Park. The best way to enjoy the scenery is by sitting in the Empire's Sightseer Lounge. Riding the rails in the Empire Builder is one of the best ways to enjoy a delightfully scenic train ride.

The American Orient Express has been around for decades. When national parks were first started, the American Orient Express was the main mode of getting to the parks. In the past twenty years this railway has undergone some major renovations. The cars have been structurally and internally redesigned and repainted. This rail-line is one of the best, possible ways to experience the American West. The American Orient Express travels through Rocky Mountain National Park, Zion National Park, Yellowstone National Park, and Grand Teton National Park, as well as many others. It also visits the historic site: Promontory Point. With its supreme service and elegant travel facilities, the American Orient Express is the first class of train travel.

Another way to view national parks is by foot. Hikers and climbers flock to America's national parks. But they don't visit just any park; they go to the best parks. Hikers who are looking for a good challenge should try visiting Theodore Roosevelt National Park. The Badlands of this park can be a beast to traverse. Some of the rockier, mountainous national parks can also provide a good challenge. Places such as Rocky Mountain National Park, Yosemite National Park, and Great Smoky Mountains National Park, offer some great views and tough trails. However, for the less adventurous hiker, each national park offers a series of shorter, easier trails.

Some of these trails only take a day to hike. For those who desire explicitly spectacular scenery and untouched wildness, Yosemite is one of the best. Two of climber's favorites, because of their rugged challenge: El Capitan and Half Dome. These vertical walls of rock take days to climb. Climbers must use cliff-side beds for their nights in the suspended air. Those who would like to test their skills before attacking these rocky monsters, should try their hand at climbing El Capitan's little, eastern brother, the sheer wall of Appalachian rock known as Seneca Rocks. Seneca Rocks is located in the Appalachians of West Virginia. It is also a vertical climb, but it isn't nearly as tall. Still, climbing up its 1,000+ foot face can be quite an experience. Whether you're hanging from El Capitan or trudging through woodland forests, nothing is better than viewing national parks in their raw form.

Despite the efforts of the U.S. Forest Service, national parks have been transformed into something other than places where one can view the raw, untouched land. The purpose of these parks is to serve as places where people can observe nature at it's finest. National parks now seem to have taken the title of real estate properties that people enjoy merely for recreation. This is all well and good, but their recreational endeavors are beginning to have an effect on the land. If people are allowed to continue in their delirious forms of entertainment, then the beauty and grandeur of the high peaks and flowing meadows will become the rural version of suburbia.

Enjoying the parks for recreation is far from unlawful, but measures need to be taken in order to restrict people from taking things to the excessive. For example; in 1980, a General Management Plan was adopted for Yosemite National Park. The purpose of this plan was to lower the amount of urban development in the park. In 1989, a report was given on the progress of this plan. The report revealed that after nine years, many of the plan's goals had not yet been met. During this same time, the government spent $76 million on water lines, sewer systems, and other such things that were being installed in Yosemite. This is far from conserving the land.

New steps need to be taken in order for the national parks of the world to be in existence for generations to come. People need to gather together and lend their services in restoring national parks to their original form. Recreation doesn't have to be eliminated, but it does need to be conservatively controlled. Allowing people to devastate the land by littering up campsites, building numerous sewer systems, erecting large resorts, and constructing new roads, should be brought to a halt. If the right steps aren't taken, the goal and purpose of national parks will be extinguished.
National parks represent the true majesty of the earth. The towering peaks and lush meadows show the wonders of nature. All of these parks are rejuvenating places. To stand in the presence of their natural wonders is genuinely inspiring. As the great Theodore Roosevelt once said:

"Defenders of the short-sighted men who in their greed and selfishness will, if permitted, rob our country of half its charm by their reckless extermination of all useful and beautiful wild things sometimes seek to champion themselves by saying 'the game belongs to the people.' So it does; and not merely to the people now alive, but to the unborn people. The 'greatest good for the greatest number' applies to the number within the womb of time, compared to which those now alive form but an insignificant fraction. Our duty to the whole, including the unborn generations, bids us restrain an unprincipled present-day minority from wasting the heritage of these unborn generations. The movement for the conservation of wild life and the larger movement for the conservation of all our natural resources are essentially democratic in spirit, purpose, and method."

Your journey has now come to an end. Were these previous moments the best moments of your life? Maybe you are someone who has previous knowledge of many of the things which were discussed in this report; however, there is always room to gain more knowledge. Nature's assets need to be treated with a humble respect for their origin. To live our lives destroying these natural wonders which God has placed on this earth, would be an act of poor stewardship. God has designated us human beings to be the caretakers of the earth. John Muir, Theodore Roosevelt, John Wesley Powell, and others, all lived up to this designation. Let us do the same, not only for our benefit, but for the sole purpose of glorifying God, and being faithful stewards. Whoever you may be, and whatever your beliefs, living life in the presence of such glorious splendor carries with it a feeling of sincere thankfulness to the One who has placed such grandeur in this Country.

Six Flags, San Antonio, Texas

Six Flags, Fiesta Texas offers a Fright Fest this Halloween and Holiday in the park. Check web site or call for time and day. The Tony Hawk's Big Spin roller coaster with whirling cars that drop, twist, and lift is a big hit for brave riders. The Superman Krypton Coaster spirals you through the air at 70 miles an hour. There are other entertainment events at the park if you are not into extreme rides.

General admission is $46.99 for adults, $31.99 for 48 inches and under.

Sea World, San Diego, California

This is the first marine park, featuring wild life encounters, and killer whales shows as well as rides. It opens year round. Sea World offers sleepovers where you bring sleeping bags, pillows, and camp out next to the manatees, sharks, dolphins or Beluga whales. There are currently seven sleepover locations. Call or check web site for information. You can also book parties which include dinner and breakfast, and the price is $120 person.

General admission is $57 for 10 years of age and over, $47 for 3 to 9 year-old.

Mount Olympus Water and Theme Park, Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin

The Olympus Water and Theme Park is open year round, since it offers both indoor and outdoor parks. There are 36 water slides, wave pool, kiddie area, 6 roller coasters, and 8 go-cart tracks. Disko offers speeding, spinning, and rotating for the thrill seekers. There are many other rides to meet all members of your family.

If you buy your tickets online, it is only $23. Unlimited admission is $27, and children under 2 years of age are free.

Hershey Park, Hershey, Pennsylvania

Hershey Park offers Hershey Park in the Dark for Halloween, and Christmas Candy Lane in Hershey. This candy theme park has 10 gravity-defying coasters, and a Hershey museum.

The Hershey Park will be a big hit for your children. The Christmas Candy Lane will be opened from mid-November through December. One million lights and holiday decorations will transform Hershey Park into a winter wonderland.

General admission is $9.95 per person for operational rides and events. Take advantage of the 3-mile Hershey Sweet Lights spectacular display for $20 per car.

Busch Gardens Europe, Williamsburg, Virginia

Busch Garden has over 50 rides, 10 main stage shows, and a magical children's area. “Curse of DarKastle” ride won the park its best theme park in the world attraction in 2005. Busch Garden also won four consecutive awards as the “Favorite Theme Park.”

From September 14 to October 28, the weekend nights turn spooky at Busch Garden Europe, which included in general admission. Haunted houses, ghouls, and rides through darkness, and chilling effects will give you a frightening atmosphere.

General admission is $54.95 for 10-year-old and up, $47.95 for children from 3 to 9, and less than 2 years of age is free.

Theme parks are not just for summer time any more. If you want to experience something different this year, these five destinations are worth to check out. Dress for the weather if you live in colder climax. It could be freezing when the sun goes down. Bring extra sweaters so you could enjoy the festivities in comfort.

Approximately fifty kilometers to the East of said cairn is the city of Prince George.

In the early 1800's, Simon Fraser, a partner in the North West Company, thinking he was on the Columbia River, followed the river, which now bears his name. In 1807, on the West bank of said river, just South of where it is joined by the Nechako River, he erected a trading post. Mr. Fraser, in honour of King George III, named the post, Fort George.

Now known as Prince George, this city is, literally, the heart of B.C. Located amongst millions of hectares of spruce trees it is known as the Spruce Capital of the World because of its economic base in the logging, and pulping, of spruce.

Small, in comparison to most cities, its population ranges from eighty thousand to one hundred twenty thousand, depending on the economy. It is the commercial hub for the Northern half of the province and people move out, when times are lean, as fast as they moved in, when work was plentiful.

Currently, the economy is on the rise as the new container port in Prince Rupert begins development. As level land is scarce between the steep mountains of the West Coast, containers, once they are unloaded from the ships, will move, from Prince Rupert, by train, to be sorted in Prince George.

The, current, ten hour, drive from Vancouver to Prince George will probably become a, twelve hour, commute with the increase in truck traffic.

Prince George is noted as a summer and winter playground: twenty minutes from downtown will see you; swimming in the summer, hunting in the fall, skiing in the winter, or fishing, any time of the year.

This summer while visiting friends in PG, we were discussing work. My friend had just started driving taxi and one of her first fares had time to kill before catching a flight, the next day. “What is there to do, what is there to see?”, they asked her. She was stumped. She has lived in PG for over thirty years. I had lived there for ten years and I was just as stumped, even though I had, also, driven taxi for a while.

What do Prince Georgians do? Like everyone else they work, they eat, they sleep. For those who live downtown they breath an atmosphere that is not all that pleasant. When visitors ask, they reply, “Ah, that! That is the smell of money!” The perfume from the pulp mills, a byproduct of the chlorine, acid, bleaching process tends to drift down the valley into the bowl.

Prince George is located in the bottom of a bowl. It is often referred to as a giant beach looking for an ocean. The entire area is sand. Consequently the Fraser river turns a dark colour and when it gets to Vancouver the environmentalists blame the logging industry for polluting the river. In truth it is only discolouration, courtesy of Mother Nature.

Gold can be found in the sand, in too small a quantity to be profitable to pan. The loose sand also makes it difficult to build, particularly near the edge of the bowl. The construction of the new university was an engineers' nightmare. Rumours continue to claim that, soon, students won't have to commute to the top of the hill, as the university is gong to slide down to the bottom of the bowl.

`Ones man's garbage is another man's gold', as the saying goes. While the sand may cause problems for some, it provides pleasure for others. The Sand Banks, along the North Nechako River provide skiers one last kick at the cat, come spring. When they have worn out their skis on the two local ski hills, Mt. Tabor, and Purden Mountain, they tune them up for the `Sand Blast'. A yearly event when mayhem overcomes common sense and the skiers fly down the steep sand banks and try to stop before they stumble across the road, into the river.

NIGHTLIFE:

Several neighbourhood pubs, some with live music, several nightclubs, a few with live bands. Live theatre, cinematic theatres, hockey, PG is the home of the Prince George Spruce Kings, the host team for the 2007 RBC Royal Bank Cup, a casino or two, bingo, and my all time favourite, roller skating. Although that will soon come to pass. The fad has worn off over the years and the building is now doomed.

Along with the neighbouring Golf and Curling club, the land has been sold to a developer. Over the next few years the PG Golf and Curling Club will move to a new location along the Nechako River. In its place will be a new hotel and residential subdivision. And lets not forget the newest addition to the PG nightlife, a drive in theatre, which is also home to; a mini golf, and a go cart track.

• Prince George Spruce Kings
• Prince George Golf and Curling
• Prince George Park Drive-In Theatre

DAYTIME:

4X4ing, art galleries, bicycling, bowling, curling, fishing, golfing, at least 5 golf courses, hang gliding, hunting, museums, parks, shopping, ski-dooing, skiing, swimming, tennis, touring the pulp mills, wildlife viewing. Wow! Prince George has all the attractions of a major city, without the commuter hassle, plus all the benefits of a small town.

Oh, did I mention the higher average wage, compared to the city, and the lower average cost of rent, or home purchase.

Excuse me, this narrative will now pause while the narrator packs his bags and moves out of the din of traffic in the big city to the peace and quiet of the Cariboo Valley.

• Prince George Pulp Tours
• Prince George Recreational
• Tabor Mt. Skiing
• Wildlife Viewing

SHOPPING:

Prince George is home to one major shopping plaza and two major malls, in the bowl. Other shopping centers can be found on the North, and the West rims of the bowl. Several super, destination, stores; Canadian Tire, Home Depot, London Drugs, Real Canadian Superstore, Staples, Wal-Mart, etc. can be found; downtown, at the foot of Peden Hill, and near the entrance to College Heights.

College heights, a residential district in the South West corner of the city has, over the past few years, expanded further to the West as the city enjoys an increase in property values as construction expands.

Prince George Shopping

EDUCATION:

Prince George hosts four colleges and a University. CNC, the College of New Caledonia, has branch colleges in many of the towns in Northern B. C. UNBC, the university of Northern B. C., is a satellite of UBC, the University of British Columbia, in Vancouver.

• Prince George Education
• CNC
• UNBC

MEALTIME:

Restaurants of most ethnicities, abound, as do smצrgוsbords (Buffets to Americans). Culinary delights for all tastes, and budgets.

Though I can no longer do justice to a smצrgוsbord, smצrgוsbords in Prince George used to close their doors when they saw me coming, I still enjoy the variety of choice that is offered. One of my favourites is The Caribou Steak and Seafood Restaurant. Always a great selection of; roast beef, ham, mashed potatoes, pirogies, etc. a great salad bar, desert bar, pleasant atmosphere, and great service. I invariably meet friends there whenever I visit Prince George.

One of my favourites was the Hart Wheel Inn truck stop on the Hart Highway. In the late 80's there were four, really good, Chinese, smorgs, daily. Each of them had a nice selection at noon, a larger selection in the evening, and, on weekends, would add a roast of beef, or ham, or a turkey; and some Canadian style potatoes, and salad.

I haven't been up to the Hart in a while as my friend, Chung, the owner, has opened new and larger premises, The Great Wall Restaurant, near the Fraser River bridge on Hwy 97. This has a much larger selection in its daily smorg.

Another favourite culinary experience was on Sunday mornings. I would phone all my friends, who were generally nursing hangovers, and coax them out of bed to one of the four big breakfast smorgs. I believe the only one left is at Ester's inn. But it is still worth going. Table after table of culinary delights.

A new establishment has opened, next to the Cariboo, `The Waddling Duck'. Their menu offers; air dried bison steak, venison sirloin, nori wrapped ahi tuna, as well as other culinary delights.

One of my all time favourites is Franco's Steak and Spaghetti, 251 George St. Home of the Panzeroti. A panzeroti is, basically, a pizza, folded over, with the edges joined, but they don't use pizza dough, or bread dough, as some restaurants do.

One of my mother's favourite sayings, if something tasted good, was, `That tasted like more'. The first time I had a panzeroti the waitress asked me how it was. I replied, “That tasted like more”. She took me seriously, looked at me startled, and said, “If you can eat another one of those, I'll pay for it”. She paid for it.

• Esther's Inn 1151 Commercial Drive; 1-800-663-6844. Water slide, pool, restaurant.
• Franco's Steak and Spaghetti, 251 George St
• Prince George Restaurants

GETTING AROUND:

Prince George is too spread out to walk to most locations. However it does offer a city bus system.

• Prince George Transit System 24 Hr. Bus Info (250) 563-0011

PARKS:

There are several parks throughout the city. Fort George Park, on the banks of the Fraser River, is the largest, at 65 acres, and is home to the Fraser Fort George Regional Museum, `The Exploration Place', Prince George's Science Center and Museum.

A replica of the old fort has been constructed in the Park. Also, in the park, one can ride on a miniature train, or walk along the bank of the Fraser River.

The Prince George Railway and Forestry Museum is located adjacent to Cottonwood Island Park. There is an 1914 Grand Trunk station and a large array of rolling stock, such as; a 1913 100 ton steam crane, a 1903 Russell Snowplow, and a 1913 first-class Nechako Car. In the forestry part of the museum is a large selection of 1800's machinery.

Cottonwood Island Park offers a pleasant stroll along the bank of the N. Nechako River. The park is open all year and offers; a boat, and canoe, launch, picnic shelter, toilets, and an eleven Km. paved, trail, suitable for; walking, biking, in-line skating, or running, that goes under the bridges and connects to Fort George Park.

Another place to walk or picnic, is Connaught Hill Park. While I was in Prince this summer I discovered, or is that re-discovered, Connaught Hill Park. I have been to the park, more than once, over the years, but have never really noticed it. Just a quick drive through.

When I lived in Prince I was into dogs. I have always been good with cats and dogs and having relayed a story of approaching a strange dog a young lady dared me to try and approach her's.

I followed her to Connaught Hill Park where she; parked her VW bug, instructed her German Shepard to Guard it, then walked away. A while later I approached the car, spoke to the dog, through the closed windows, walked around the car, still talking, then entered the drivers's door. When she returned to the car I was lying across the front seats, the dog licking my face.

This year I took the time to smell the roses. Connaught hill is a wonderful place for; a stroll, a picnic, some picnic tables have their own parking area, or to smell roses, or other flowers, and offers a splendid view of the city.

• Connaught Hill Park
• Cottonwood Island Park
• Fort George Park
• The Prince George Railway and Forestry Museum
• Prince George Parks

ACCOMMODATION:

There are several hotels in the city, four of which represent major chains; Coast, Days Inn, Holiday Inn, and Ramada. The city, and area, also abounds with motels; Economy, Travelodge, Camelot, Carmel, and many others. As well there are numerous BandB's.

CLIMATE:

Prince George has always been noted for short, hot, dry summers and long, cold winters. Over the last few years, due to the increase in surface area of lakes that have been enlarged for hydro electricity production, and global warming, the climate has moderated. Though they still get the odd day of forty below in the winter they no longer get the week after week of fifty below, with the odd day that would reach a high of thirty-five below. Nor do they get the continuous, deep, snowfalls, that they once did.

For some this is a good thing; the elderly don't have huge snowfalls to contend with, the city saves a lot of money on snow removal, and people from the South are more inclined to move in.

However, the down side is less winter employment and a basic industry of the province that is in danger of disappearing.

Because the area around Prince is fairly soft, logging was much easier in the winter when the ground was frozen solid. IE: trucks and equipment could move, off road, without getting stuck. Seasonal employment is a common thing in Canada and nowhere more so than in the Cariboo.

Winter time would see the population of towns, such as Prince, double. Logging companies from other towns, that had work in the summer when the ground was dry, but too steep to log in winter would come to the North during the winter.

As the North is notorious for its cold winters so it was notorious for fly-by-night companies. Quick-buck artists would come to town in the fall and leave, just a quickly, in the spring, owing their suppliers money. They would stay in motels, make arrangements for fuel, tires, employees, etc., and leave town, owing everyone.

Such companies are great for seasonal employees such as myself and they are educators for youngsters who have no experience.

One such company came to Prince, one winter and I drove a logging truck for them. At the end of the season I went to work one morning to find, nothing. No one. Gone. I enquired at the motel where they had been staying. The manager said they had left during the night. All except the logging truck that I had been driving. He was keeping it until they paid their bill.

Sometime later the truck disappeared from his parking lot. I doubt that he ever got paid. I know I never saw my last cheque.

Years later I had a similar experience with a chop stick factory. A man came form overseas, started up a factory to supply the orient with chopsticks made from Alder wood. I started up a logging company to supply him with clear, white alder.

The day after he received a multi million dollar grant from Ottawa he returned to his homeland. None of the workers in the factory received their last paycheque and none of the logging companies were paid for the logs lying in the yard.

I stated earlier that a basic industry of the province is in danger of disappearing. Cypress; elm, fir, pine, and spruce, beetles kill trees. The beetles bore through the bark and mine the phloem - the layer between the bark and the trunk of a tree. They burrow even deeper into the tree to lay their eggs. They live in the summer and hibernate in the winter. Actually what they do is die in the winter. If it is cold enough. To survive they hide under the bark of a tree. It takes many days for cold to penetrate the bark of a tree and many more days for the cold to kill the beetles. Thirty to forty below, for a period of six weeks, will kill the beetles, and their eggs.

It has been many years since the temperatures have stayed that cold for that long a period. Consequently the beetle population is out of control. The forest that the tree huggers of the `90s managed to save from the forest industry have now been lost to nature. Along with many millions of hectares more. The latest maps from the B. C. Forestry show that over half of B. C.'s forests are infested and will be dead within the next few years.

GETTING THERE:

Passenger train service from East to West, Prince Rupert to Jasper, is offered by Via Rail. Greyhound service is offered in all direction as is airline service. The airport in Prince George hosts; Horizon, Jazz, and West Jet, as well as several smaller airlines and helicopter services. There are several flights a day, to and from, major centers in Western Canada, as well as non stop flights to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.