A Trip Around Death Valley National Park

Death Valley has a name that invokes all that is hellish, hot, and harsh – a lifeless, barren, and punishing place of severity. Yet a closer look shows that in this park, nature puts on an absolutely fascinating show: plenty of endemic wildlife, stark mountains rising up to 11,000 feet, palm-shaded oases, extinct volcanic craters, water-sculpted canyons, and singing sand dunes. Some people I know that work for Albatross Roofing & Construction took a recent trip to the valley and were blown away by everything they saw. This is a park of superlatives, holding the country’s records for lowest point (282 feet below sea level), hottest temperature (57 °C/134°F), and largest national park (over 5,000 sq. miles) outside Alaska.

Dante’s View
At 54755 feet, the view of the Death Valley southern basin from the Black Mountains top is absolutely stunning, especially at sunset or sunrise. On a clear day, you can see the lowest (Badwater) and highest (Mt Whitney) points in the US.

Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes
Death Valley’s most accessible dunes are in a sea of sand rising about 1,000 feet high next to the highway close to Stovepipe Wells Village. They are at their most photogenic at sunset or sunrise when accented by deep, long shadows and bathed in soft light. While here, be on the lookout for animal tracks. Especially magical are full-moon nights.

Zabriskie Point
The best time to visit this place is early morning to have a glimpse of the breathtaking views across badlands eroded into gullies, pleats, and waves. It was named after the Pacific Coast Borax Company manager and also inspired Michelangelo Antonio’s movie title.

Scotty’s Castle
Scotty’s Castle is a historic building in Death Valley National Park. This whimsical castle was once the desert home of Death Valley Scotty, Walter E Scott. He was a quintessential teller who captivated many people with his stories. His most fruitful friendship was with an insurance magnate, Albert Johnson, who financed this castle in the 1920s.

Aguereberry Point
Named after a miner who struck gold at the Eureka Mine nearby, this point sits at a height of 6433 feet above the floor and delivers breathtaking views out to the Funeral Mountains and into the valley. Late afternoon is the best time to visit. The road here is a bit high and an off-road vehicle is recommended.

Amargosa Opera House
This opera house is in the middle of the desert. Thanks to the vision of Marta Beckett, a New York dancer who fell in love with the adobe building in 1967 when her car broke down close by. For many years, she entertained visitors with mime shows, music, and dance. Sadly, Marta passed away in 2017 but visiting performers still perform here.

Montgomery, Alabama Travel Guide

If you happen to arrive in Montgomery, Alabama, on a Sunday morning, then the best place to dive into Deep South culture is Dexter Avenue Church. Now I’m not one for religion, but Mass here is definitely an experience. Beyond the uplifting songs of gospel belters and general sense of goodwill, what really put this little church on the map was its former pastor, Martin Luther King. His office in the basement looks much the same now as it did then. Here, he planned the Montgomery Bus Boycott, the famous protest against racial segregation on public transit, which began just down the street when Rosa Parks boarded a bus and then refused to give up her seat to a white person. You might also recognize the nearby Alabama Capitol Building, as the site of Dr King’s moving “How Long, Not Long” speech?

With a rich history of resistance and a major role in the fight for voting rights, this is a seminal destination on the USA’s incredible civil rights trail. Moving away from Dexter Avenue, the city’s little downtown has done a lot of work to fix itself up. Renovated lofts now occupy previously derelict buildings, cool bars and cafes like Prevail Union, which serves up some of the best coffee in Alabama, are opening up on and around the main street. There are startup workspaces, new creative initiatives, and a pretty park for strolling along the Mississippi River. Plus a stellar craft brewery called Common Bond that prides itself on providing a space and medium that brings people from different walks of life together to sit down over a beer. And the city’s really taking pride in its new food game.

While all this is cool, if you find yourself craving some more traditional southern comfort food, then pay a visit to Derk’s Filet and Vine, a humble Montgomery institution. It’s a traditional meat and three where you pick a meat and three sides. But vegetarians will still be able to pack a heaping plate here. And if you would like to wash this down with a little drink, they have got over 1500 bottles of wine and 600 different beers to choose from. It’s a heavy meal for sure, but it’s delicious.

Just around the corner, you will find the Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald Museum. The Fitzgeralds resided here in 1931, where they wrote portions of Save Me the Waltz and Tender is the Night. Today, the house is the only museum dedicated to the life and legacy of these two artists. And the top floor is actually a B&B, which can be rented out for tourists or as part of a scholar and artist residency program. It’s furnished with some of the Fitzgerald’s original possessions, and even the original wallpaper, not to mention a selection of vinyl that’s an exact match of Zelda’s personal record collection.

Still, of all the attractions in Montgomery, the most powerful may just be the newest. There’s the Civil Rights Memorial, which honors those killed in the struggle for equality and the National Memorial for Peace and Justice, commemorating more than 4400 African Americans who were brutally murdered by white lynch mobs. It’s emotionally devastating, moving and life-changing, a vital lens through which to view your time spent in the South. It also provides a new space for dialogue about the legacy of racial terror in America.

Similarly, the Legacy Museum links America’s history of racial injustice to the country’s current prison system, the largest in the world. While this history is haunting, its place at the forefront of the South, as opposed to something swept under the rug, is promising. Montgomery, claiming ownership of its past, will continue to keep it relevant in the eyes of the world, a vital, fascinating and worthwhile place to visit.

How Traveling Can Improve Your Mental Health

When it comes to traveling the world, it is pretty much safe to say that it is one of the most exciting things that you could ever do in your life. This is especially true if you are still just a beginner at traveling. If this is the case, it is safe to say that you are very excited for your first-ever road trip, aren’t you? Of course you are! Who wouldn’t be, right? There is a whole lot of people out there who love to travel whenever they get the chance to do so – whether it be traveling with their family or friends, or traveling by themselves. But did you know that traveling the world can actually have a positive impact on your overall well-being? Well, now you do!

While it is true that traveling the world is good for your physical health, it is also safe to say that traveling the world is good for your mental health as well. With this in mind, if you are planning on going on a road trip with your family or friends in the near future, we strongly encourage you to stick to your plan, because you won’t regret it. That being said, here’s how traveling the world can improve your mental health. Enjoy the ride!

Improving Your Creativity
Did you know that traveling the world can actually make you more creative? You probably didn’t know this, did you? Travel has the ability to change the way your mental health works, and we mean this in the best way possible. This could result in your getting new ideas, thoughts, and feelings, and that is never a bad thing.

Helping You Get Rid of Stress
It is safe to say that one of the most important benefits of traveling the world is that it can actually help you get rid of stress. The reason for this is because travel allows you to escape from stressful situations, even if it is just for a short period of time. This gives you the ability to both rest and relax, as well as regain some of that lost focus of yours.

Making You Happy
There is absolutely no doubt about it – travel has the ability to make you feel more happy, even on the darkest of days. What else could you possibly need? With that said, if you feel sad or angry for whatever reason, you should at least consider taking a short hike.

The Guide To Traveling Across Europe Like a Real Pro

There is absolutely no doubt that Europe is one of the most beautiful continents in the world. And on top of that, Europe is one of the safest continents in the world as well. You see, Europe is that type of place that has something for everybody. This includes things like mountains, beaches, lakes, promenades, beautiful villages, and big cities. One of the things that make Europe such a special and unique place is the fact that some places are exactly how you imagine them. Let’s take Venice as an example, shall we? What we are trying to say here is that Venice is exactly what people say it is, a city where instead of cars, bikes, and other similar vehicles, people actually use wooden boats.

And what about Paris? Paris truly is the city of love. It is pretty much safe to say that Paris is the most romantic city in the world – especially during the spring. But keep in mind that these two places are not the only ones that are worth mentioning, because there are many other places that you need to see to believe. When it comes to natural beauty, Europe truly is a beautiful place. However, Europe has its own, unique architecture as well. With this in mind, whether you are going to spend just two or three days in Europe, or you are going on a week-long vacation there, here are some tips that are sure to help you achieve your European dreams!

Don’t Forget About the Accommodations
We all know that accommodation is one of the most important things that you need to think about when planning a trip, isn’t that right? Well, this is especially true when you are traveling to Europe. It is no secret that accommodation in Europe can be pretty expensive sometimes, but that doesn’t mean that finding a good, cheap place to stay is impossible, because it’s not. And regardless of what type of accommodation you decide to go for, make sure to always book in advance.

Take the Train
Traveling by train is one of the best ways to get around Europe. You can even sleep on the train if you want to save more money. Also, try to get an Interrail Global pass, or at least an Eurail pass.

Watch Out For Scams
Generally speaking, Europe is a very safe place. However, there are always some people out there who are looking to make some quick cash. What this means is that you should always be on high alert for scammers.

How To Deal With Travel Slump

Have you ever heard of the travel slump? Chances are that you have, because it happens to just about every traveler out there. But first, let us explain what the travel slump actually is, just so there is no confusion later on, okay? Okay, here it is! After spending months upon months traveling the road, you wake up one day and you feel like something’s not right with you. You can’t quite explain the feeling, but you just feel a bit weird. The idea of traveling the world doesn’t sound fun to you anymore. It just doesn’t seem as exciting as it used to. You are both bored and tired, and you just don’t want to travel anymore, but you can’t really explain why feel that way. And then you start to wonder if there is something wrong with you. You have been seeing and doing amazing stuff almost every single day for the last few years, and now suddenly, you feel like you don’t want to do it anymore. Why do you feel this way? And that – ladies and gentlemen – is the travel slump, and it happens to just about every traveler out there.

When you first decide to travel the world, travel is exciting and new. You get to meet new people, try new food, explore exotic lands, and experience new cultures. But one day you wake up and realize that traveling the world has become nothing more than a routine – you wake up, meet new people, pack your travel backpack, head to the next destination, and do it all over again in a new place. What you need to do is stop and mix it up a little bit. Just make some changes to your travel routine, and everything should be okay once again!

Stop Where You Are
One of the main reasons why you are experiencing the travel slump is because you are running around too much, so just stop and spend some time in one place. Changing locations every single day can be a very exhausting process. So, what you need to do is slow down, take a short break from travel, and stay where you are for a few days.

Mix It Up
Do you know what makes travel as exciting as it is? Variety! Every day is a new day filled with endless possibilities, so don’t be afraid to mix up your routine. By mixing up your routine, you will make the travel slump disappear.

Top 5 Things to do in Kyrgyzstan

Kyrgyzstan is a country less traveled by many. This may be due to its name that aside from it is hard to spell, has the suffix “-stan” that everybody fears, but unlike its neighbors, Kyrgyzstan is somewhat a much milder landlocked country with breathtaking mountainscapes and rich nomadic culture. There are just a lot of interesting things to do that can be really worth your time, read through our top 5 here.

 

STAY IN A YURT

To have a truly authentic Kyrgyz experience, you should stay in one of their traditional yurt, a roundish tent made up of felt and is used as a dwelling place of the nomads. Yurts are more than just houses for the locals, it is already part of their diverse culture showcasing their architecture, craftsmanship and tapestries. Sleeping on the floor, breathing fresh mountain air amidst a stunning lakeside view would be nothing short of bliss.

WORLD NOMAD GAMES

It started in 2014, where nomadic tribes from all around the world gather for a week long tournament of sports and intellectual games. It’s an “Olympics” for nomads with games that you probably haven’t heard of yet but is worth the attendance. Eagle hunting, falconry, dog racing, wrestling on horseback, polo, and javelin on horseback are just some of the interesting games you’ll witness in the World Nomad Games.

ISSYK KUL

The stunning blue Issyk Kul is definitely one of the highlights of your Kyrgyzstan trip. It is considered as the world’s second largest saline and second largest mountain lake and a very famous tourist spot of this country. A sure crowd magnet because of its warm waters, bathing beaches and beautiful snow-capped mountain terrain backdrop.

NATURE LOVER’S HAVEN

It’s too hard to pinpoint just one best spot for hiking in this country because it is just so blessed with the abundance of gorgeous landscapes and wildlife. You can, basically, just hike anywhere and you’ll be treated to awesome sceneries like straight from a desktop wallpaper. Aside from the view, you will also get to encounter wild camels, horses, eagles and many other mountain animals. Its nature is so untouched that just a simple hike can give you an intense connection with the earth.

BESHBARMAK

After all the hiking and nature tripping, you are surely up for trying the Kyrgyzstan’s national dish – Beshbarmak. If translated, it is known as “Five Fingers” because it is traditionally eaten with their hands. This food is noodles with horsemeat but can be paired with any other meat, too. Kyrgyz are nomadic people and they are reliant to their own animals so their food are always with meat and dairy.

There are just so much more to see in this less known country, so if you want to visit Central Asia make sure you drop by Kyrgyzstan first.