North America

Matanuska Glacier—Alaska USA

April 10, 2015 by Exploretraveler.com 1 Comment

Matanuska Glacier—Alaska USA

Matanuska Glacier is one of the worlds awesome wonders. How majestic it is! The Matanuska Glacier is an amazing sight when traveling between Palmer and Glennallen. The ice sparkles in the winter sunlight! It is clean and beautiful with a new layer of snow. This is unsuppressed beauty, Alaskan style. It is so fantastic that Alaska Magazine made it number two of the top forty-nine places to visit in the State of Alaska. Is it on your bucket list? It should be on everyone’s To Do List! It is too magnificent to miss!

Where does this beautiful glacier come from? The Matanuska Glacier begins high up in the Chugach Mountain Range of South Central Alaska. It is visible for much of the drive on the Glenn Highway National Byway. One of the best view points is at Glacier View, Alaska. This is the perfect view! The Matanuska Glacier is the largest glacier in Alaska that you can reach by car. It is truly a beautiful sight and goes for about 26 mile and is 4 miles wide at its widest point. It is truly a privilege to see this remarkable work of nature. It is one of the wonders of Alaska! Come and See….Matanuska Glacier!

For those living in the Greater Anchorage area, it is only a two hour drive north east of the city. Take the Glenn Highway out of the city. This beautiful glacier can be seen for miles. Be patient though, there are some views that do not have safe parking. There are many large wayside areas to stop at, if you just wait. These vistas give you a safe place to enjoy this amazing and magnificent view. Come and see, what’s in your own back yard!

Matanuska Glacier Recreation Area covers more than 229 acres. This vista is located at mile post 101. There is no access to the glacier from there, but the view is amazing. It is a very popular spot for photographers. There is an easy walking trail that goes along the side of the glacier and the Matanuska River. There is also a nice pavilion that makes a perfect spot to relax and enjoy the magnificent views. What a fun way to relax. Relaxation with a view!

For those who are hardy and adventurous, Matanuska Glacier Park is at milepost 102. This is a private parking area and a parking fee is charged. This is the only point where you can access the glacier. The fee allows you to drive right up to the side of this amazing glacier and park. There is a trail and it is about a fifteen minute walk to the glacier. Once you reach the glacier, you can choose to explore to your heart’s content, or use one of several guide companies on site. Which ever you choose, be ready for the experience of a lifetime.There is nothing like it!

The Sheep Mountain and Glacier View communities welcome you to come spend a day or a week. These are two of the most fantastic communities in this area. The scenery is awesome! The wildlife is amazing! And yes, there are fantastic places to stay and quality restaurants. There are even cabins overlooking the glacier. There are real Alaskan lodges. What are you waiting for? Matanuska Glacier is waiting to delight you with the adventure of a lifetime. Come and see, what’s in your own back yard.

http://www.tundrarosecabins.com/

http://www.grandviewrv.com/

http://www.alaskaglacierguides.com/agg/gallery/photos

https://www.pinterest.com/exploretraveler/i-love-alaska/

https://www.exploretraveler.com

Columbia River Gorge In Washington USA

April 8, 2015 by Exploretraveler.com Leave a Comment

Columbia River Gorge near Wanapum, Washington, U.S.A.

Columbia River Gorge, is an awesome playground for the adventure. The mighty Columbia River divides the States of Oregon and Washington. The Western side of both sides of the Columbia River Gorge is a green and lush temperate rain-forest. As you travel East you begin to see a different type of beauty. Both sides are full of hiking opportunities, though we will be looking at a few of those that take off from Hwy. 14 in Washington. Both sides of the river are a hikers paradise. So lace up your hiking boots and let’s go!

Ginkgo Petrified Forest State Park has over three miles of hiking trails for the beginning hiker. The park will delight you with its freshwater shoreline on the Wanapum Reservoir. The reservoir is located on the Columbia River. Petrified Ginkgo Wood was discovered back in the 1930’s and a National Historic Preserve was formed. It is known to be one of the most unique and unusual fossil forests in the world. This is a perfect beginners hike and camping facilities are available for those that desire. It is well suited to families with children. So put gas in the car and head up the Columbia River Gorge.

Beacon Rock State Park is home to Hamilton Mountain. Driving from Vancouver up the Columbia River Gorge, it is located at milepost 39.9. Enter into the state park and follow the signs to the trail head. There is plenty of parking at the trailhead. The trail up to the summit is well marked. If you want to do the loop, hike to the North from the summit for 0.9 miles and you will see an old road. Go to the left and follow the road down for about a mile. There you will encounter a marked trail. You can then travel on this trail for 1.1 miles and then you will rejoin the main trail to Rodney Falls. This is a little more than a 7 mile hike with an elevation gain of 2,000 feet. It is not for beginners nor children. Hamilton Mountain is a major mountain peak in the Central Columbia River Gorge. From the peak you have an awesome view of Bonneville Dam. Washington does not have as many waterfalls as the Oregon side, but you will pass 2. Pool of the Winds is a spectacular water fall and Rodney Falls is extremely nice also.

Dog Mountain is a wildflower haven in mid to late May. This is one of the nicest spring hikes around. From Vancouver, drive up the Columbia River Gorge to milepost 53.6. You will find parking on the north side of the highway. There is a 5.00 parking fee unless you have the Northwest Forest Pass. This is not a hike for out of shape hikers or beginners. It is a real tummy trimmer! There are two junctions on the way up, stay to the right for the first junction.When you come to the next junction stay to the left and you will follow the main trail to the 2,920-foot summit. This is an awesome view. You can see forever! There is a loop possible on the way down. Make a right turn 0.1 mile from the summit, then make a left turn after 1.1 miles and you will return by the way of the Auspurger Trail to the highway. This is a little more than 7 mile loop and you gain in elevation about 2, 800 feet. If you want to burn fat, this is the hike! This is not a beginners hike, nor for the out of shape hiker. It is definitely not for children.

These are three hikes that are a favorite in our family. There are so many hikes on both sides of the Columbia River Gorge. If you want to really know the Gorge, purchase a good hiking book. See links below for suggestions. Enjoy the day at the Columbia River Gorge!

http://www.amazon.com/Hiking-Columbia-River-Regional-Series/dp/0762729627

http://www.wta.org/go-hiking/seasonal-hikes/spring-destinations/hiking-the-columbia-gorge

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San Francisco Bay, California USA

April 7, 2015 by Exploretraveler.com Leave a Comment

San Francisco Bay, California USA

San Francisco Bay is one of the wonders of California! What beauty ! It is home to The Golden Gate Bridge, an awesome piece of bridge artwork. The completion of the Bridge was on May 27,1937. The local residents celebrated with a 1.7 mile walk over the bridge. More than 200,000 people participated in this walk. The Golden Gate Bridge was named one of the Seven Wonders of the World in 1994.

The San Francisco Bay receives water from the Sacramento and the San Joaquin Rivers, as they then flow on out into the mighty Pacific Ocean. The entrance to this Beautiful Bay from the The Pacific Ocean is referred to as The Golden Gate. What an awesome entrance! Across the strait spans one of the Seven Wonders of the World, The Golden Gate Bridge. What a famous landmark!

There are five major islands that call The San Francisco Bay home. Alameda Island is currently a bedroom community of the greater San Francisco area. Many people call this island home. Angel Island or Ellis Island is now a beautiful park. It was once the entry point of many immigrants. Many of our ancestors came through Ellis Island. Mountainous Yerba Buena Island is connected to the mainland of San Francisco by the San Jose Bridge. Treasure Island is to the North and is totally flat. Treasure Island was the home of the 1939 Golden Gate International Exposition. What fun that was! Alcatraz Island was home to a famous federal prison that is no longer in use. It is still a popular tourist site. Mare Island is in the North of The San Francisco Bay and is a peninsular, rather than an island. Mare Island is a beautiful place to visit!

San Francisco Bay became home to the Nation’s first urban wildlife refuge. In 1972 the first American wildlife refuge in an urban area was opened. It was called the Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge. This Wildlife Refuge is yet another tribute to this beautiful San Francisco Bay. For the first time in 65 years, the Pacific Harbor Porpoise has returned to the bay. In 2009 the first porpoises began returning. How awesome it is to see old friends coming home!

This beautiful bay is the home to many salt ponds. Salt is shipped throughout the Western United States. One of the largest companies of the 1940’s was the Leslie salt Company. It held the most private land of any landowner in the Bay Area during the 40’s. Certainly it was a large company and a daily word in many homes. How can you forget those dark blue boxes of salt? There are also many low salt ponds which are home to the Brine Shrimp. The Brine Shrimp provides a large and rich food source for the many shorebirds. What a natural resource for the many birds that call the bay home.

On your next trip to California, check out the beautiful San Francisco Bay. It is one of the most productive pieces of natural artwork in the world. It is only fitting that a famous bridge would be built there and that later it would become known as one of the Seven Wonders of the World. What a distinction! As the world comes to see one of the Seven Wonders of the World, it is my hope that you will discover what is in your own backyard! Discover San Francisco Bay! Adventure is waiting!

http://www.visitcalifornia.com/region/discover-san-francisco-bay-area

http://www.alcatraztickets.com/?gclid=Cj0KEQjwgI6pBRDak6aRovWNqLsBEiQA8zZSLg3ONn2ILx_de7MeAI1OonKsfL2UcY8VcIUy3rOCIg8aAnWs8P8HAQ

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Costumed Characters of Disneyland Resort

April 6, 2015 by Exploretraveler.com Leave a Comment

Costumed Characters of Disneyland Resort

Costumed Characters at Disneyland Resort are everywhere. Where are they? Who are they? Where can I find them? They can be seen as you walk along the park, as they are numerous and mingle with the guests. But there are also special times and places each day where they will appear. Drop by City Hall for a list of costumed characters and the times and locations where you will find them. You can also attain this list at any information booth. Enjoy the many characters and all their costumes. The costumed characters of Disneyland are many, but we will only talk about a few of them When arriving each day, be sure to get a current list at City Hall.

Aladdin and Jasmine, two of the Disneyland favorites among the costumed characters can usually be found in Adventureland, near the Bazaar or in front of Aladdin’s Oasis. Aladdin and Jasmine often greet Adventureland guests, sign autographs and pose for pictures in front of Aladdin’s Oasis. Be sure to keep watch for Baloo, as he often can be seen scratching his back on a tree at adventureland. Here Aladdin and Jasmine delight the young children, who adore them.

Visit Wonderland to see Alice and White Rabbit chasing through Wonderland. When she grows weary she may be playing games with Mad Hatter and Hook. Then of course she often poses with her friends Tweedledee, Tweedledum, Mad Hatter, White Rabbit and the Queen of Hearts. What fun there is in Wonderland! Are you ready to play musical chairs with Alice, Mad Hatter, and Hook.? They are never too tired to play a good game.

Beautiful Belle is very allusive, but can often be found at the Entrance Plaza, strolling down Main Street, or in Fantasyland. But more than anything, Belle loves to read to the sheep near the fountain. How can Belle resist a good book?

Be sure to look out for the Big Bad Wolf. He is petty and mean as he huffs and he puffs and he blows someone’s house down. But when he is in a rare good mood, he can be seen smiling and posing with little children. He does’t eat his young guests!

Buzz Lightyear is on a mission to protect Sector 4 of the Gamma Quadrant. When he is not busy, he and the Space Rangers pose with young guests and answer their endless questions. When not on patrol, he is usually in front of Tomorrowland Terrace. Buzz never tires of talking to his young guests about tomorrow. So check out the future with Buzz and the boys!

Last but not even close to all, is Cinderella. She has no pumpkin coach to ride in, so spends her days on King Arthur’s Carousel in Fantasyland. She is still looking for her glass slipper, but even without her shoes, she is beautiful. She can often be seen posing for pictures on the Hollywood Pictures Backlot. And what does she do at night? She spends much time discussing with her Fairy Godmother how times have changed….that midnight curfew really is outdated, you know!

Regardless of which costumed character you love, you will find them at Disneyland San Diego. Costumed characters are fun for all. So drop by city hall and find out where your favorite will be spending the day.

https://disneyland.disney.go.com/destinations/southern-california/

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Journey To Atlantis…. Sea World

April 6, 2015 by Exploretraveler.com Leave a Comment

Journey to Atlantis, wet high speed fun at SeaWorld in San Diego California USA

Sea World: The Journey to Atlantis

Journey to Atlantis has arrived. Climb aboard and let the fun begin! Journey to Atlantis is a water coaster experience that begins with getting soaked. There are many thrilling coaster antics and action and lots of very unique special effects. Let the fun begin, as you journey to Atlantis. Along the way you will dip and plunge and get the thrill of your life. All this in a simple journey to a lost civilization. The Journey to Atlantis is fun to the very end. As your journey to Atlantis ends, you take a 60 foot plunge, ending eye to eye with amazing and fascinating sea animals. Don’t wait another day, come discover this ancient civilization, as you Journey to Atlantis.

Shipwreck Rapids is another amazing ride at Sea World. Join other castaways in a huge tube like raft and take a ride down an amazing, peaceful, and winding river. How peaceful this island is! Is this paradise? You will whirl and splash as you move along! You may even have a crash or two as you enter the rapids that move so swift they make foaming whitewater. Be careful though, as soon you will plunge through a waterfall and land in the most fascinating underground cave. Here you will find many secrets that are part of this lost island. What secrets will you discover? Where will they lead? Buckle up for the journey, as the going may get rough.

The Manta is here and what an experience awaits you! You will soar and dive like a sea ray, twisting as you go. Take the journey deep into the world of the beautiful and dangerous ray. This is a multi-media double launch roller coaster. You will be surrounded with gliding rays! Arriving at the grotto, you will even be able to feed these incredible and peaceful animals. The Manta changes the meaning of what a roller coaster is! It is new and will delight the whole family. Ride the ray today! Feel the rush of excitement! This is a one of a kind experience….only at Sea World!

Riptide Rescue is ready to leave. Climb aboard and try to relax as we venture out to rescue turtles in trouble. Hold on tight, as the ride can get scary and wild. As you move through the riptides, looking for hurt turtles in need of assistance, you will make swift moves and whirl and splash your way along. There is fun in the riptides!

As the day ends, spend 6 relaxing minutes in the Bayside. The Bayside is a cable car skyride and what a view. As you go across the bay and back, soak in the amazing views of San Diego. What a chance to relax and unwind. Enjoy the sunset! The view is amazing! And when you come back……enjoy a nice relaxing dinner in one of the cafes at Sea World San Diego.

https://seaworld.com/orlando/park-info/theme-park-hours/?webSyncID=a6d06736-9a64-81e0-27c0-e5678db183e8&sessionGUID=2d365ee7-d1bb-d56c-c612-397380d0d909&_ga=2.206868693.751349644.1579631547-66951401.1579631547

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Published on [email protected] April 11th, 2017 at:

https://steemit.com/travel/@exploretraveler/journey-to-atlantis-sea-world

Herbs: Medicine Of The World

April 6, 2015 by Exploretraveler.com Leave a Comment

Herbs: Medicine Of The World

Herbs are a plant or a part of a plant that is used for its scent, taste, or therapeutic properties. Every culture has herbs that are used to help us overcome different diseases. The key is to learn which ones are good for what and when and how to use them. The herbs of the field are a blessing for our welfare. Herbalism is use of plants for medicinal purposes, and the study of such use. Some are very common to us and others not so much. The whole world makes up the herbal medicine cabinet. Plants have been the basis for medical treatments throughout much of human history. Especially in places like India, China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan traditional medicine herbs are still greatly used.

Herbs for teas, or tisanes, are when you seep a certain type of herb in liquid, usually hot water. Though teas are made in a few different ways, that is perhaps the most common. Mint is a great appetizer or cleanser, A cup of warm mint tea before a meal helps with digestion. It is also very soothing for stomachs in cases of indigestion or inflammation. It can also work wonders for a headache. In cases of bad asthma, it has been very helpful to some. When you feel sick to your stomach, drinking a cup of mint tea can give you almost instant relief. Mint is one of the common herbs in our society and is easy to grow. In fact it is best grown in a container unless you want a mint orchard. It will quickly spread. You can use the leaves fresh or dry them for a later time. The many mint herbs are very easy to prepare.

Decoctions are usually boiled and are usually of harder substances like roots or bark. When I make a ginger herb tea, for example, I usually use the root or rhizomes. I like it a lot stronger and I boil the rhizomes till soft and mash. Then I continue to simmer on a very low heat for 8-10 minutes at least. The result is a very strong ginger tea. This is the type of tea you will want if you are using it to fight a major disease like Ovarian Cancer, IBS, or Alzheimer’s. It is often used along with traditional methods for added healing benefits and to help with the nausea that accompanies some of the standard treatments. If Alzheimer’s runs in your family, consider adding ginger in everything you can and drinking several cups of the strong tea daily. In the case of Alzheimer’s, you could also make a ginger candy using honey instead of sugar. If fighting cancer, I would want to be careful about any type of sugar. I have also found those who have good results for pain relief. Ginger is also good for tired muscles, weight control, Glucose levels, and Arthritic inflammation. Ginger is another one of the common herbs that are easy to use.

Maceration is the old infusion method of herbs with a high mucilage-content, such as sage and thyme. To make macerates, plants are chopped and added to cold water. They are then left to stand for 7 to 12 hours (depending on herb used). For most macerates 10 hours is used. I generally put in a bowl of cold water and cover with a plate and let stand 10 hours. Sage is used for treating conditions from cankers to memory loss. It is more than just your average kitchen herb. Maceration makes a strong tea and you can serve it over a small amount of ice or serve at room temperature. Findings have confirmed that drinking lots of sage tea and using sage in all you can help the brain to function and is useful to stall off Alzheimer’s. Sage oil is also excellent for healthy adults for increasing their brain activity.

Tinctures are usually made with either alcohol or vinegars. Often times cough syrups are made using alcohol. Different herbs can be added to vinegar to make awesome salad dressings. Tinctures seem to be used when you want something really strong with the benefit of either alcohol or vinegar.

There are thousands of herbs throughout the world and each area has their local herbs. You can also grow your own herbs and use fresh, or order many of the ones from across the world either dried or freeze-dried. The world of herbal medicines is unique and intriguing. Grow what is easy for you to get to start and then start branching out and growing other herbal plants and fruits. There are many seed exchange groups online where you can start getting things from India or South America. Once you get started, the world becomes your doctor. Of course always check with your medical doctor before using something new or different and do your own research. Google is a great research buddy. Many areas have classes on different herbs and herbal oils. The sky is really the limit!

http://umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/treatment/herbal-medicine

http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/ART00469/Herbal-Botanical-Medicine-Dr-Weils-Wellness-Therapies.html

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Hollywood: Glamorous Past And Present

April 1, 2015 by Exploretraveler.com Leave a Comment

Hollywood's glamorous past and present — Hollywood’s glamorous past and present at Disneyland California USA

Hollywood Land Glamor

Welcome to Hollywood Land, where all the tinsel and glamor of Hollywood fills the air. Here the past and present come together to delight you. In Hollywood Land, Hollywood and Disneyland unite as one to reveal the glamorous past and the awesome future of the biggest name on the big screen. Here you can celebrate with attractions, shows, and awesome entertainment. You will relive the romance and glamor of the Big Silver Screen. Then you re-discover the past and look into the feature. You will visit Hollywood studios and re-live the romance of the past. You will even take a ride down Sunset Boulevard! What fun that is! And where will you end up? Why you will visit non-other than the famous Hollywood Tower Hotel

The famous and very haunted Hollywood Tower Motel has special events planned just for you. Imagine, bordering an elevator for a journey into the depths of the haunted Hollywood Tower Hotel. You will enter a whole new world of fear when you embark on the Twilight Zone of Terror. What an experience! Hang on tight! You are about to experience the Twilight Zone!

Discover the trolley cars of yesterday, as you ride the Red Car Trolley. What fun memories come floating back as you go from Hollywood Boulevard to Buena Vista Street. What excitement fills the air!

Take a fast and wild tour of a lifetime! It is time to visit Monstropolis on Monsters, Inc. Hang on, as scary is a mild word. Who will step in and safe you? How will you get out of this mess? Do you remember Mike and Sulley? Here they come to the rescue! Fear the sheer relief as they take control of Monstropolis! The monsters are now on the run and all is well!

While close by, check out the Muppet Vision 3D and discover what new in the Muppet World. See all the latest technology. Enjoy a sneak preview into the future of the Muppets!

Check out the Disney Animation building to see how to draw and bring to life your favorite Disney Characters. Hear you will learn all about how to create their appearances and how to give them a voice. It is all about personality, as you will learn from all the many exhibits. What fun it will be to create your favorite Disney Character and then bring him to life. This is the amazing world of Disney Animation!

Visit the theater for an awesome showing of Walt Disney’s Aladdin. This is a delightful event! Do you have little ones in the party? Take them to the Junior Stage to dance and sing with Mickey Mouse and others. This will sure to delight the younger ones in the family.

You can round out in trip to Disney at the Hot Dog Stand or the Smoothie shops. Here you will find tasty Hot Dogs with all the trimmings. Schmoozies has some of the best fruit smoothies! They will delight your taste buds.

And if you still have energy left, join us for dancing or a Disney Shopping trip. The many studio shops have it all.

So while in Southern California, be sure to visit Hollywood Land, for a new view of an old landmark.

http://disneylandinsideout.com/disney-california-adventure/hollywood-land

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Southern California Coast USA

March 31, 2015 by Exploretraveler.com Leave a Comment

Southern California Coast USA

Southern California Coast is one of the most unique and beautiful coastal drives you will ever take. Drive down the Southern California coast and discover some of the most fabulous beaches around. Take time to visit the best beaches that Los Angeles, Orange County and San Diego have to offer. The drive is pleasant and the adventure is endless. Here you will see some of the beaches that have made Southern California famous. Beaches like Laguna, Coronado, El Matador, and others are waiting to delight you. So come along with me as we visit some of the famous and unique beaches of Southern California.

Laguna Beach with it’s calm and clean water is a magnet for the tourist and locals alike. The water is generally warm and the sand is snowy white. It is a fantastic white sand beach, perfect for volleyball and other beach games. Or you can just pull up a chair and bask in the sun. This is a fabulous beach in Orange County, just waiting to be explored by you. Kick off your flip flops and walk the beach. Adventure is waiting in Laguna Beach.

Beautiful Coronado Beach has attracted beach goers of all types. The beach in front of the famous Hotel Del Coronado stretches for a mile and a half along the famous Ocean Boulevard. This Southern California beach welcomes surfers, boogie boarders, swimmers, sand sculptors, and those who like to wander the tide pools. During the winter, Whale watchers take to the beach as these giant beauties make their yearly migration through these waters. The North Beach is famous for it’s waves. In the morning you will see surfers taking to the water. At the very North is Dog Beach, here leashless canines enjoy the beach and play in the surf. Coronado Beach is part of the Greater San Diego area and convenient for all.

El Matador Beach lacks all the hustle and bustle of the cities. Escape from Los Angeles and head to the beach. It is one of Malibu’s best kept secrets. This is the place to go if you want to just do nothing, but enjoy the beach. Check the tide schedule and come have a family picnic on the beach. Stay to watch some of the finest sunsets anywhere. Order out dinner and eat on a blanket at the shore. El Matador is full of coves and nooks to delight any beach bum. It must be one of the most romantic beaches in the world, especially at sunset. So if it is a quiet beach you desire, this is the one. Make today the day you walk the beach at El Matador.

Another Southern California treat is Newport Beach. Many come here in their yachts and take advantage of the fantastic and ritzy harbor. There are small cottages near the beach that are worth millions. Maybe it takes real money to rent or own the beach cottages, or to dock your yacht, but the beach is free. This is a magnificent beach with a wide bed of silky and blond sand. It extends from Balboa Pier to Newport Pier and plays host to many diehard surfers. Those who are contented to sunbath, and families who like to play in the sand love Newport Beach. For those trendy shoppers, there is a very ritzy shopping district near by. Come sit on the pier and watch the awesome sunsets as the sun goes down. These are some of the most fabulous sunsets and painters love to capture them on canvas. They are a photographers delight! Come enjoy some of the best of what Southern California has to offer.

La Jolla Cove is perhaps the smallest beach, but it is photographed and painted with delight. It has a very small crescent shaped beach that is tucked between awesome towering sandstone cliffs. The sandy beach may be small, but the view is big. It has many rocks that makes the beach beautiful to watch. It is fantastic to see the waves come in and the spray fly as it hits the rocky shore. It is a favorite beach in Southern California for divers and snorkelers. The visibility here can be 30 feet and the water is so clear. It is also part of the San Diego La Jolla Underwater Park Ecological Reserve. This is one of the most fantastic Southern California Beaches.

This is just seven of the reasons to visit the many beaches of Southern California. They vary greatly from one to the other and there are an endless supply of magical beaches waiting to delight you and your family. Make this the year that you discover the many beaches that call Southern California home.

http://www.aaccessmaps.com/show/map/us/ca/sccoast

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Apples In Yakima Washington

March 27, 2015 by Exploretraveler.com Leave a Comment

Granny Smith Apples In Yakima Washington

Apples are one of the awesome gifts we get from the Pacific Northwest. Granny Smith Apples were first discovered in Australia in 1865. Granny Smith Apples are a favorite among cooks who enjoy its crisp and tart taste. It is often used for pies and other deserts. It has a tart spicy flavor with just a tinge of sweetness to it. Perfect for baking. It is the rich volcanic soil found in the Pacific Northwest and Cascade Mountain Spring water that makes these delicious delicious apples. There is no other apple for the serious cook and baker.

Eastern Washington has hot dry summer days and the nights are cool and crisp. The perfect combination for raising many different types of apples. Washington exports Granny Smith, Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, Fuji, Gala, Rome, Jonagold, Honey Crisp, Cameo, Cripps Pink, and Braeburn.

The Red Delicious apple is known as America’s favorite. It is a dark red and has a slight heart shape. It’s mild and sweet flavor and it’s slight crunch make it an awesome snacking apple. This apple is rarely used for cooking, but it is a must in every lunch pail.

The Golden Delicious is the all-time favorite for general baking and cooking. The skin is so soft that it requires no peeling. This mellow apple retains it’s shape in cooking. It is often used for baked apples. There is nothing like good baked apples with a touch of butter and cinnamon.

The Fuji Apple varies in color from a yellow-green with a tinge of red to mostly red. It is sweet and juicy and often used in salads. It is also a wonderful apple for snacking and lunches.

The Gala Apple is yellow-orange with red overtones. It is sweet and crisp and makes an excellent snacking apple. Mighty delicious in salads also. These are perfect for apple and raisin salad.

The Rome Apple is the bakers buddy and used for cooking and baking. Their flavor gets better when cooked. They are really good sauteed and baked. They also make good applesauce.

The Jonagold is a blend between the Johnathan and the Golden Delicious. It is a yellow-green with red stripes. It is a tangy and sweet apple and awesome for snacks or salad.

The Honey Crisp is yellow with a red overlay. It is a sweet and crisp apple. It is perfect for eating, salads, and sauces. Another good choice for applesauce.

The Cameo Apple is red over a creamy base. It is sweet and firm and excellent for eating. It is an awesome desert apple and holds it’s shape when cooked. Delicious for baked apples and apple crisp deserts.

The Cripps Pink is a yellow apple with a pink overlay. It is sweet-tart and very crisp. It is a good eating apple and is good for cooking. It is a good choice for deserts.

The last of Washington’s apples is the Braeburn Apple. It can vary from a greenish-gold to solid red. It is crisp and aromatic. It’s combination of sweet and tart makes it unique among apples. It is an awesome choice for salads and snacks. It is an awesome apple to pair with walnuts.

These are the many apples of the Yakima, Washington area. The choices seem endless. They all grow in the rich volcanic soils and are watered by the springs of the Cascade Mountain Range. This is the perfect formula to make an awesome apple.

Looking for a vacation close to home? Yakima, Washington is the perfect destination. Any month is apple month!

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http://superfreshgrowers.com/our-fruit/apples/granny-smith

Aloe Vera And Your Health

March 26, 2015 by Exploretraveler.com 1 Comment

The Many Uses Of Aloe Vera

Aloe Vera is known as the Heal All herb, as it is good for so many different conditions, both internal and external. Aloe Vera is great for detoxing and helps rid the body of wastes that should not be there. It helps to clear up a teenagers greatest nightmare, acne. It helps to alleviate a woman’s greatest challenge in menopause, hot flashes. Besides being beautiful when it blooms, it is one of the most important member of any garden. If you like morning breakfast drinks, it is easy to add Aloe Vera Juice to your morning drink.

Aloe Vera supports the immune system in the body and seems to lower inflammation in the body. Too much inflammation in the body can be a partial cause to asthma, eczema and Crohn’s disease. Many believe that regular use of Aloe Vera can slow inflammation and possibly slow down or prevent these other diseases from taking hold in the body.

Some of the tests being done on Aloe Vera show that there is some evidence of a possible connection to lowering cholesterol, helping with digestion, and possibly helping to regulate blood sugar. Regular use may suggest a possible connection in the fight to eliminate obesity.

It also seems to work with injured nerves in the body and have a restorative effect on damaged nerves. It is extremely high in vitamins A,B1, B2, B3, B6, B12, C, E, and folic acid. It also has high levels of minerals like calcium, iron, magnesium, selenium, potassium, and zinc.

As a beauty product Aloe Vera works wonders with hair. One way of using it is to scrap out the inner part of the leaf and add it to the hair instead of using conditioner. Leave in hair for a few minutes and then rinse. Another way to do it is to apply ahead of the shower and then leave on the hair for an hour or so while you clean house. Then you can shower as normal. Regular use works wonders for the hair. If you want healthy hair, try aloe.

It is also great for the skin, soothes burns and takes the pain out. Probably more people are familiar with the use of the gel on burns. It takes the sting out of any burn. It is also great for re-hydrating skin. Aloe Vera is perhaps one of the best beauty products on the market. It certainly works the fastest of anything I have tried on burns. If you grow your own, it is the cheapest burn aid on the market. Just split a piece of a leaf and rub on skin.

Using Aloe Vera is amazing, but there are some guidelines. Be sure to check with your doctor before using internally. It is strongly suggested that you use an organic juice for all internal use. There has not been any known side-effects when using the juice according to directions. It is often easy to get too much of the inner leaf and it has been known to cause diarrhea. It can work as a laxative if you get too much in some people.

Aloe Vera is easy to grow and will grow inside or out. It is an amazing plant! It is good and beautiful to have in the garden. So while visiting California, check out the Aloe Vera and all the amazing uses. Learn all you can and be prepared for that next burn.

For pictures of Aloe Vera check out this site: https://www.google.com/search?q=pictures+of+aloe+on+pinterest&newwindow=1&es_sm=122&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=808UVZnvCOaMsQSwgoCoDQ&ved=0CCEQsAQ&biw=1366&bih=600

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