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justkindaoverhereobsessing · 4 years ago

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the stars always make me laugh (1/4)

Now complete! Here is chapter 2, chapter 3, chapter 4, and the epilogue.

A year to the day after Ziva departs D.C. to return to Paris and reunite with her family, her newfound contentment is shaken by an unexpected loss. Tony and Tali are right where they belong—safely by her side—but she still finds herself feeling drawn to reflect on the past. She might just be able to use this new grief to bring peace to old wounds, renewing hope along the way for a future with her family... but only if she can find a way to let go of what haunts her.

Written as a combined response to two different challenge prompts; also available for reading on ff and AO3. This is angsty but will ultimately be soft.

_________________________

"And when your sorrow is comforted (time soothes all sorrows) you will be content that you have known me. You will always be my friend. You will want to laugh with me. And you will sometimes open your window, so, for that pleasure… And your friends will be properly astonished to see you laughing as you look up at the sky! Then you will say to them, 'Yes, the stars always make me laugh!'"

—Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, The Little Prince

_________________________

January 7th, 2021

It's a Thursday morning when Tony gets the call.

He's working from home today, and he's nearing the end of a video conference when his phone buzzes—he looks down to check it and sees his favorite unflattering photo of Tim McGee on the screen. Paris is six hours ahead of Washington, where McGee presumably still is, which makes it… hmm. It's four in the morning there. He's probably not reaching out for a casual chat, then.

Something tells him to take the call.

"Sorry to be rude," Tony says quickly in French, looking back at his computer screen, "but there's an emergency I have to deal with. Let's go ahead and wrap this up for today and we'll talk progress next week, same time as usual—Félix, go ahead and email me that report, if you can. I'll check in when I'm back at the office tomorrow. Have a good morning, all of you."

Then he abruptly ends the conference; he cares very little if he comes across as impolite, because his thoroughly French team has always seen him as a hopelessly crass American anyway.

Tony hits a button on his cell, catching the call just before it would have gone to voicemail. "Why, if it isn't Tim-Tim-Timothy McGee!" he cries, jovial as usual even though he's a little apprehensive about the nature of the unexpected conversation. "What can I do for you?"

"Hey, Tony." McGee sounds tired, which is little wonder given the time difference. "Do you have a moment to talk?"

"Sure," Tony agrees, dropping the slightly mocking enthusiasm from his tone. "What's up?"

"I don't know how to tell you this, so I'm just going to say it, okay?"

"...okay."

"There was an accident last night, and—"

"Who?" Tony can read between the lines—he doesn't have to hear the word "death" to understand that someone he knows has passed away.

"It was Ducky."

_________________________

Tony is on the phone with McGee for another fifteen minutes, getting all the details and committing them to memory as best as he can through his slight haze of shock. Though Ducky had always been the oldest member of their team and clearly couldn't live forever, he had seemed… invincible, somehow. He was an institution, something timeless and never-ending.

Of course, that had been an illusion, but still, it's strange to know that the vibrant old man is now just…

Gone.

The rest of the workday is spent processing all of this new information and making preparations. Tony can't imagine a world in which they wouldn't fly back to the States to attend the funeral, and though he hasn't yet talked to Ziva about it, he feels fairly comfortable arranging emergency bereavement leave from work and informing Tali's school that she'll be out next week.

Near the end of the call, McGee had asked if Tony wanted him to call Ziva, too, or if Tony wanted to tell her himself. Tony's answer was immediate: he knew without needing to stop and consider that telling Ziva in person would be the right thing to do.

It doesn't matter how much he hates having to give bad news.

Tony intends to do it tonight, once his wife is home from work… she has experienced too much loss in her life for him to be anything less than absolutely gentle in telling her about their old friend. There's no need to make it harder than it needs to be; an impersonal phone call across the Atlantic may have been an inevitability for Tony himself, but now that he knows, he wants to be there to hold Ziva's hand when she finds out, too.

He would give anything to spare her from as much pain as possible, and while he can't do much, he can do this.

Fortunately, the timing of McGee's call is decent—Tali has choir practice after school today, effectively speeding up the rest of the evening's schedule. By the time Ziva gets home, it'll nearly be dinner time, and bedtime will follow shortly after.

Tony doesn't want to delay giving Ziva the news, but he thinks it best to wait until Tali is safely tucked away. That way, they don't have to worry about putting on happy faces to keep from scaring her.

_________________________

As soon as Ziva walks in the door, she can tell that something is wrong. Tony looks tired or sad, or maybe both. He kisses her in greeting as usual, though, and when she gives him a questioning look, he answers with an almost imperceptible shake of his head. Later, she understands that to mean.

Ziva is concerned, but she trusts him.

Still, Tony seems eager to rush through Tali's evening routine, telling Ziva her unsettled feeling isn't merely a product of her typical anxiety… she's right, and something has happened or is happening still.

If she was Gibbs, she'd claim a gut feeling.

"Tony, is everything alright?" Ziva asks in a low, tense voice once Tali's bedroom door is shut for the night.

Tony shakes his head. "Let's go sit," he answers softly.

He leads her to the couch and she sits next to him automatically, her heart starting to race in a horribly familiar way. "Please just tell me, whatever it is," she murmurs anxiously.

Tony takes her hand. "Alright." His voice is gentle. "Just don't forget to breathe, Ziva, okay? I got a call from McGee today, and he had some bad news. Ducky was in an accident last night… he passed away this morning."

Ziva's pulse is thudding in her ears, and she focuses on the grounding anchor of Tony's hand on hers as she tries to internalize what he just told her. "An accident?" she echoes, sounding distant even to herself.

"Yeah…" Tony shakes his head and unexpectedly gives a quiet, incredulous laugh. The sound pulls Ziva out of her head a little, and she makes a conscious effort to squeeze his hand back as she waits for details.

He gives her a warm smile, recognizing the gesture.

"Honestly, it was the 'Duckiest' way that he could have died, I think," Tony explains. "He had apparently been out in Newfoundland exploring some continental fault thing, and on the way back, his plane hit some bad weather and ended up crashing. Palmer says it was very quick—Ducky never would have felt a thing."

Ziva nods, slightly faint but quickly getting over her shock. With any luck, she'll avoid a full-blown anxiety attack; the frequency of the attacks has decreased since she reunited with her family a year ago, but they'll always be a threat that she has to be prepared for.

Tony seems to understand that she's not quite ready to talk yet, so he keeps going. "There are worse ways to go, for sure, and I think Ducky would have wanted to spend his last minutes just as he did: coming from from an adventure in a tiny two-seater Bonanza. You know what I mean?"

"Yes… yes, I am sure you are right," she agrees, her voice steadier.

"I'm really glad that we got to see him recently, too. We had a good time, didn't we?"

"We did." A few months back, Ducky'd had a daylong layover in Paris on a trip to a remote area of Siberia, and they'd spent a very fun day showing him around the city. Their daughter had warmed to him quickly, which was hardly surprising.

"Hopefully Tali was old enough that she'll remember it, I think."

"Yes."

Tony pauses, and with his free hand, he reaches up to briefly caress his wife's cheek. "Are you alright?" he questions, concerned. "You're not saying much. I don't want you to pass out on me."

"I am—" Ziva stops in the middle of her sentence and takes two deep breaths. She had nearly said 'fine,’ but she's not, is she?

Ziva likes to think that she can be open and honest with Tony these days, as much as a lifetime of trials has given her the impulse to keep things to herself. The fact that Tony waits patiently for her to finish rather than interrupting tells her that she's right—she shouldn't shut him out.

Finally coming to a decision, she shakes her head. "No."

Tony nods. "I thought that might be the case."

"Are you?"

"Alright?"

"Yes."

"No. No, I'm really not. But I will be."

Tony's words suddenly pull a memory to the forefront of Ziva's mind, and she tilts her head for a moment, considering something.

Tony waits, a slight frown furrowing his brow.

"Come," Ziva decides finally. "There is something that I want to show you."

_________________________

A few minutes later, a bemused Tony watches from the doorway as Ziva digs determinedly through a box in the back of their bedroom closet. He knows what's in that box, and he knows that several identical boxes stacked neatly in the corner contain more of the same: Ziva's old journals from NCIS, dozens of them thoughtfully shipped to Paris by Ellie Bishop.

"Are you looking for one in particular?"

"Yes," Ziva answers, but she doesn't explain any further. After a few more seconds, she makes a noise of triumph and rises with one of the journals in hand.

"Found it?"

"I did."

She leads him back to the bedroom and sits on the bed, inviting him to sit next to her; Tony is relieved to see that while she definitely looks pained and tired, there are no obvious signs of an impending anxiety attack.

Once they're settled, Ziva gently—almost lovingly—pats the cover of the thin book. "This is one of my journals from late 2009 until early 2010."

"That's—"

"Shortly after I was rescued from the desert, yes."

Tony nods; it's not his favorite time to think about, and he knows it can't be for Ziva, either—so why did she pull this notebook in particular from the dozens of identical ones chronicling her experiences?

"Ducky was… helpful to me, in the aftermath of my rescue."

"He was?" Tony interjects in surprise. "You've never talked about that before."

"It is not a subject that I deeply enjoy discussing, something I am sure you can understand."

"Sure."

"Well, because I believe that sharing this memory will honor Ducky, I would like to tell you more about what he did for me."

"Are you sure?"

Ziva nods, and she keeps the journal clutched lovingly in one hand as she reaches over to lay a hand on Tony's thigh. "It has been a long time, and I think I am ready." She offers a smile—it's small and watery, but it's very sincere, and something about it makes Tony's own eyes start to sting.

He's been too busy to cry today, but he knows it's coming sooner or later. Ducky had been family for a very long time, and with this on top of that loss...

"Okay," he agrees roughly, clearing his throat. "Take it away. I'm all ears."

Ziva squeezes his thigh and then pulls her hand away, glancing down at the journal; this one will always be one she cares for above its brethren, because its painful content reminds her of how much she has overcome.

After a pause, Ziva opens it carefully.

Then, her voice surprisingly steady, she starts to read.

_________________________

January 7th, 2010

There is a reason that I have not penned an entry in quite some time; I have walked a difficult road these past months. Today, however, I was offered a comfort that I had not previously possessed the courage to ask for. If I have any hope of sorting through my own thoughts on the matter, though, I need to reconsider earlier events.

Before returning to Mossad more than half a year ago, I was faced with a dilemma that I had successfully avoided in my career before that point—that is, the dilemma of who to trust and who to side with when personal and professional obligations become hopelessly conflicted. I have already written at length about the choices I and the others made in the midst of that conflict.

Much has happened since then, but recent forced introspection has shown me an important connection between the difficulties of Michael's death and the horrors I endured after: a connection between who I was then and who I am now. That night, it only took a few minutes to change the course of my life: in that time, Tony and Michael fought, and Michael was killed. Every single one of us has had to deal with the consequences of those events ever since.

At the time, I let my anger and my grief consume me, destroying all vestiges of rationality in my thoughts and decisions. I followed that pain to the Horn of Africa, hurting and reckless and prepared for death.

Of course, I did not die, and that has brought consequences of its own… consequences that I am only now beginning to come to terms with.

In the wake of Michael's death and doubly so in the wake of my experiences in the desert camp, I found myself vulnerable. For the first time in my life, I'd been forced to acknowledge my heart and acknowledge its fragility. It could be bruised. It could humiliate me. These were things that frightened me, because I knew from recent experience that they could—and likely would—be used against me. My fear led me to withdraw, to hide again; acknowledging my own weakness demanded far less bravery than I would have needed to share that vulnerability with my friends.

I defaulted to an old defense mechanism. I leaned on ability borne of long experience to simply feign contentment. I passed my psychological evaluations, I sent my resignation to Abba, and against all odds, I was instated as a probationary special agent at NCIS. After a time, my colleagues stopped watching me when they thought I could not see, waiting for me to fall apart. I had convinced them that I was alright; perhaps I even convinced myself some of the time, too. Maybe I was not yet as 'fine' as I seemed to be, but I was sure that in time, I would reach a point where my conscience felt as carefree as my forced smile looked to those who loved me.

Darkness, however, is difficult to chase away with one single flickering candle, lit only by the flame of my own exhausted determination. My candle burned low, worn down over time, and I found myself in need of help. I alone could not summon the light that had long since fled my tired soul.

Though I did not know to whom I should turn, fate helped a friend to find me. It was—of all people—Ducky. In many ways, he is something of a saba* to me, the kind that I wished for as a child. Even so, I would not have thought to seek him out as a confidant. I see now how remiss I was in taking him for granted as I have sometimes done. It turns out that he was just who I needed.

He found me this evening in the midst of… I do not know how to define what I was feeling. I can only say that I was lost in a moment of weakness. At the time, being seen that way was humiliating, but now, several hours later, it feels serendipitous.

Ducky and I spoke quite candidly then… I will not record the details of the conversation here, because I feel in no danger of forgetting what was said. I am confident, however, that today marks something of a new beginning for me. There is still so much to sort through and process, but the shadows already feel less dim.

Today, I invited a friend to see my darkness, and despite what he saw, he did not pity me; he only held my hand and lit another candle.

_________________________

*saba = "grandfather" in Hebrew

#ncis fanfiction #tiva #tivali #tony dinozzo #ziva david #tali david-dinozzo #ducky mallard #timothy mcgee #cynthia writes stuff too #this is for two more biscuits challenges that i got way too committed to lol #parts two through four are already planned out and half written #they'll be posted shortly #hurt/comfort #angst but ultimately soft

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purefunskatezine · 5 years ago

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BANNED IN ST. LOUIS

Friend and Pure Fun contributor, Matt Picker, originally wrote this article for our 13th issue but seeing as Ban This just turned 30 years old, I figured it would be fun to publish it online for everyone to enjoy. - Larry

Summer ‘89: I was living in Chesterfield, Missouri, a western suburb of St. Louis, about to start my first year of junior high. My younger brother and I were certifiable skate rats and card-carrying members of the Bones Brigade- not the actual Bones Brigade, of course, but the mail-in fan club version created by Powell Peralta to keep skateboarders immersed in news, tour dates, and product offering in the days before the internet. It was always a great joy to come home and see that large white envelope sitting on the kitchen counter, adorned with the familiar red Rat Bones stamp and Santa Barbara, CA return address.

Powell Peralta was my favorite skateboard company, and I spent many hours foregoing schoolwork to meticulously doodle their various logos and pro model graphics in the margins of notebooks and test papers. At the time, Powell videos like The Search For Animal Chin and Public Domain were the undisputed holy bibles of skateboarding: the standard to which all others aspired, the videos you watched before embarking on daylong skate adventures or all-nighter parking lot sessions.

One afternoon late in the summer, an envelope from Powell arrived in the mail. Usually these would carry Intelligence Reports (the Bones Brigade ‘zine) and a few stickers, along with the occasional patch, folded poster, or postcard autographed by a team rider like Tommy Guerrero or Kevin Harris. However, this one was different. Instead of the normal assemblage of Bones-branded swag, this one contained a folded paper invitation, which read:

Imagine yourself sitting with Tony Hawk, Ray Barbee, Lance Mountain, Stacy Peralta, and George Powell, watching the World Premier of “Ban This”, our newest video production. Got that? You’re there with your popcorn and your drink and there’s McGill sitting next to you and it’s showtime! Too good to be true? Well, it’s all possible because Powell Peralta is bringing the World Premiere of “Ban This” to St. Louis and, because you’re a Bones Brigade member, you’re invited to the very showing ever on Sat. Nov. 18at the Sheldon Concert Hall. Just follow these simple instructions to obtain your 2 free tickets…

Was someone messing with me? Surely this couldn’t be real. Head spinning, I called up my friend Dave, who lived on the next street over. A fellow Brigadier, he had just received it too. Minutes later, he was at my house, invitation in hand. We could barely comprehend what we were looking at: things like this just simply didn’t happen in St. Louis. Sure, we had some demos here and there, but a Powell Peralta video premiere? An event of this magnitude may go down in California, but not here in the middle of the rust belt. None of it made any sense, but we weren’t going to question it.

I immediately grabbed the phone and dialed up Powell HQ, reserving our tickets for the debut screening of Ban This on Saturday, November 18, 1989. A few weeks later, they finally showed up in the mail. This was really happening. To say that the level of excitement was high amongst my group of friends would be a massive understatement- we talked about it almost nonstop. Speculation ran wild: how could Public Domain be topped? What new tricks would be debuted? Who would have the opening segment? Which members of the (actual) Bones Brigade would be in attendance? Was Johnny Rad going to play? It was almost too much for our juvenile, skate-addled brains to process.

After an excruciating few months, the long anticipated day finally rolled around. More correspondence had trickled in from Powell in the interim- there would be an autograph signing beforehand at Splash, our local skate shop, featuring Tony Hawk, Ray Barbee, Steve Saiz, and Ray Underhill (along with Stacy Peralta himself). Luckily it was an unseasonably balmy afternoon, because the line snaking into Splash spilled out the front door and creeped down past several storefronts, hundreds of kids long. Despite being perched awkwardly behind a glass display counter on barstools for the better part of two hours dealing with an endless line of skateboard-wielding kids, the Brigade was all smiles, doling out innumerable autographs, shaking hands and posing for pictures with any kid who wanted one.

That evening a group of us piled into someone’s mom’s car and took off, getting to the Sheldon early to take it all in. The buzz was off the charts as we finally took our seats and the room went dim. I will never forget the deafening roar of the packed theater as the screen turned blue and a gigantic Ripper the size of a two-story house poked his bony fingers through the screen and tore out, laughing maniacally. You’ve obviously seen Ban This so I won’t go into too many details on the video itself, but suffice to say that starting with Frankie Hill’s monstrous opening segment and lasting straight through to Tony Hawk’s jaw-dropping 540 ollie ender, it was a scene of sheer, barely-containable pandemonium. You could have powered a small city with the energy in that hall.

After the video ended, everyone filed upstairs to a ballroom for an extended meet & greet/hangout with the Powell pros. The huge room was decorated with cardboard stand-ups of the lab professor who narrated the video, and numerous red winged ripper banners peppered the walls. There was even a little bulldog running around that everyone joked was the very dog that stole Lance Mountain’s board in Public Domain, flown in for the occasion. The scene was overall very chill, at least compared to the near-riot that had ensued in the theater, and to just be there in a room casually mingling with people like Tony Hawk and Ray Barbee, chatting about skateboarding, ramp building and whatever else was nothing short of surreal.

Splash Skate Shop, we later discovered, was an instrumental component in the St. Louis world premiere coming to fruition; yet despite extensive prodding from myself and my friends in the months following Ban This, the owner was always very vague on the details, usually smiling and saying something to the effect of “I just worked it out with Stacy”. My brother recounts, “I have a very hazy recollection that he just asked and they said OK, if he arranged everything”. Could it really have been that simple?

Whatever the circumstances, to this day, I consider that event to be a real milestone in my life. What an unbelievable privilege it was to be one of the first 150 people in the world to see a brand new Powell Peralta video- at the height of their dominance- was not lost on me then or now. Luckily, I kept everything I ever received associated with that night- very likely some of the only remaining copies in existence- and I’m happy to get to share them with everyone reading this issue of Pure Fun. Even today, watching Ban This (and all the old Powell classics) continues to provide maximum stoke, fueling my quest to cheat adulthood and stay young forever, which I’m happy to say is still going strong at 37.

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shooktim-blog · 5 years ago

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Iceland is one of my favorite countries to visit and, over the years, I’ve been fortunate enough to go back on five different occasions. Thanks to its proximity to the East Coast of the US and great deals on airfare, I’ve been able to explore most of the island nation with plenty still left to see and do. Until my most recent trip though, there was a section of the country I still hadn’t seen, East Iceland. So, when I saw a unique way to reach this remote part of the country, I couldn’t book the trip fast enough. Earlier this year, my partner and I took a slightly unusual trip. Spurred on by a TV documentary we watched by pure chance, we booked the cruiseferry highlighted on the show unsure of what we had gotten ourselves into. Sailing from Denmark to Iceland, via the Faroe Islands, and back, the week was fun, interesting and certainly an experience I’ll never forget. One of the cruise highlights was the time spent in Iceland, two days when we were able to get out and finally explore this beautiful part of the country.

What is a cruiseferry?

A cruiseferry, including the ship on which I sailed – Norröna – combines features of both a traditional ferry service and a cruise ship. In this case the Norröna, which is operated by the Smyril Line, operates every week between Denmark, the Faroe Islands, Iceland and then back again. The schedule is always the same and it provides a very real service, especially to Faroese companies who need to ship goods to and from the islands. But it’s unlike any other ferry I’ve seen, because it’s also a fully functioning cruise ship. Able to accommodate more than 1,400 people, throughout the year tourists board the ship either as a simple conveyance or to enjoy a full week at sea, experiencing the North Atlantic in a very unusual way. This isn’t your typical cruise ship though, not even close. Leave behind those images of waterslides and enrichment activities, and instead replace it with a more bare bones version of the modern leisure cruise.

Seyðisfjörður

The Norröna docks in Seyðisfjörður, a small town hidden amongst the rocky fjords of East Iceland. Although Vikings inhabited this fjord during the early settlement era of the 8th century, it wasn’t until the 19th century when a proper town was established. Founded by Norwegian fishermen, the town was originally a whaling hub in addition to normal commercial fishing. Since the closing of those facilities though, Seyðisfjörður has shifted to tourism and, based on my brief time there, is excelling at attracting visitors. After many visits to Iceland, I now understand that tourists typically only visit a few areas of the country, mostly close to Reykjavik. That leaves the rest of the country with a scant few intrepid souls, all there to discover what Iceland really is all about. That’s the true appeal of visiting the country, for the opportunity to be on your own and to enjoy Iceland as it really is. One of my favorite discoveries in Seyðisfjörður happened by accident, although I’ve since learned it’s rather famous – the rainbow road. The brick path was painted down the center of Main Street; a collective effort by residents and businesses in this artsy town. Pride events started here a few years ago as a small celebration amongst friends but this year hundreds are expected to attend. More than being a colorful street, it’s the symbol of community support that really touched me. This is still rare around the world but here in Iceland it’s just everyday life.

Heading North

Even though we booked the best suite onboard the Norröna, the all-inclusive cruise was not at all expensive, which is honestly one reason we were attracted to it in the first place. One of those inclusions are robust excursions at the ports of call; 8-hour trips to some pretty amazing places. It really is an incredible bonus and in Iceland it meant two, daylong adventures around the region starting not in the East, but in the North of the country. Ironically enough, I had visited the Lake Mývatn region just a year earlier, but I was thrilled for the opportunity to return.

The daylong tour took us to many such important spots around the countryside; formations and geological oddities that aren’t only pretty to look at, but which have had deeper meanings for generations of communities. The Skútustaðagígar Pseudo Craters, Dimmuborgir Lava Formations and Mt. Námafjall were all important highlights, but I found unlikely inspiration at the point where the Eurasian and American continents meet – the rift at Grjótagjá. Best known for the caves with thermal pools inside, I was more attracted to the rift itself, especially with the sun-drenched mountain in the background. The highlight for me though was a return to the relaxing Mývatn Nature Baths.

Iceland is a strange little island, and I’m not talking about their odd love affair with elves. No, it’s strange in any number of ways but one of the best ways is its geothermal resources. Iceland sits over a rift in the continental plates, resulting in a high number of volcanoes and a landscape that can only be called steamy. In addition to providing much of the energy requirements for the country’s citizens, there are some other fun by-products to this geothermal energy, namely the many thermal baths and spas located around the island, including at Lake Myvatn. Like the Blue Lagoon, the basin for this complex of thermal pools is manmade, using water from a nearby borehole. The water has a temperature of around 130 degrees C, before it’s tempered and made suitable for bathers. The water here is very high in sulfur and also a number of other health-promoting minerals. I wasn’t thinking about any of that though when I visited. No, instead I used the all too rare opportunity to relax and just zoned out in the steaming hot waters. Unlike some other baths, due to the relative isolation of Mývatn, there weren’t many other visitors with me that day, creating a nearly private experience. I only spent about an hour there but, believe it or not, it was one of the best hours of my time in Northern Iceland.

Beauty of the East

On the second day of our time in East Iceland, we had the opportunity to explore East Iceland itself, all experiences that were new for me. This day was about enjoying the natural splendor of Iceland, which is very different in the East than in the other parts of the country. Here it’s about tall mountains, expansive icy plains, deep fjords and, of course, plenty of waterfalls almost anywhere you go. We started the day at Hallormsstaður National Forest and a visit with some rangers who explained not only the importance of the park, but what is being done to protect it for future generations. The Vikings destroyed most of Iceland’s natural forests, but efforts in recent years have been made to reestablish these trees and even from my point of view, I’ve seen some real progress in just a few years. From the natural to the cultural, we then visited the nearby Gunnar Gunnarsson house, preserving the life and times of one of Iceland’s most famous authors. Icelanders are readers and a shocking percentage of them have even been published in some form. Since they’re so focused on all things literary, the reverence paid to this famous author only makes sense and, when coupled with a very traditional country lunch, was a perfect afternoon break. The rest of the day was spent at scenic overlooks, admiring waterfalls and fjords and even spending some time in another East Iceland city, Egilsstaðir. For me, it was the ideal introduction to this part of the country and I can now, finally, say that I have circumnavigated Iceland – even if it took 7 years.

Iceland truly has captured my heart over the years and is one of only a couple of countries that I keep revisiting time and time again. There’s a reason for that personal affinity, although I can never exactly explain it. Part of it is the natural splendor of course, but it’s also the kind and warm-hearted people, the experiences available and to recapture that feeling of adventure. Once I leave the city limits of Reykjavik I feel like an intrepid explorer of old, a sensation I love almost above all others and an easy one to relive in the Land of Ice and Fire.

The post Discovering the Frosty Appeal of East Iceland appeared first on LandLopers.

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readbookywooks · 8 years ago

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The Last Stage

It was on May the First that the two came back at last to the brink of the valley of Rivendell, where stood the Last (or the First) Homely House. Again it was evening, their ponies were tired, especially the one that carried the baggage; and they all felt in need of rest. As they rode down the steep path, Bilbo heard the elves still singing in the trees, as if they had not stopped since he left; and as soon as their riders came down into the lower glades of the wood they burst into a song of much the same kind as before. This is something like it: "The dragon is withered, His bones are now crumbled; His armour is shivered, His splendour is humbled! Though sword shall be rusted, And throne and crown perish With strength that men trusted And wealth that they cherish, Here grass is still growing, And leaves are yet swinging, The white water flowing, And elves are yet singing Come! Tra-la-la-lally! Come back to the valley! The stars are far brighter Than gems without measure, The moon is far whiter Than silver in treasure: The fire is more shining On hearth in the gloaming Than gold won by mining, So why go a-roaming? O! Tra-la-la-lally Come back to the Valley. O! Where are you going, So late in returning? The river is flowing, The stars are all burning! O! Whither so laden, So sad and so dreary? Here elf and elf-maiden Now welcome the weary With Tra-la-la-lally Come back to the Valley, Tra-la-la-lally Fa-la-la-lally Fa-la!" Then the elves of the valley came out and greeted them and led them across the water to the house of Elrond. There a warm welcome was made them, and there were many eager ears that evening to hear the tale of their adventures. Gandalf it was who spoke, for Bilbo was fallen quiet and drowsy. Most of the tale he knew, for he had been in it, and had himself told much of it to the wizard on their homeward way or in the house of Beorn; but every now and again he would open one eye, and listen, when a part of the story which he did not yet know came in. It was in this way that he learned where Gandalf had been to; for he overheard the words of the wizard to Elrond. It appeared that Gandalf had been to a great council of the white wizards, masters of lore and good magic; and that they had at last driven the Necromancer from his dark hold in the south of Mirkwood. "Ere long now," Gandalf was saying, "The Forest will grow somewhat more wholesome. The North will be freed from that horror for many long years, I hope. Yet I wish he were banished from the world!" "It would be well indeed," said Elrond; "but I fear that will not come about in this age of the world, or for many after." When the tale of their joumeyings was told, there were other tales, and yet more tales, tales of long ago, and tales. of new things, and tales of no time at all, till Bilbo's head fell forward on his chest, and he snored comfortably in a corner. He woke to find himself in a white bed, and the moon shining through an open window. Below it many elves were singing loud and clear on the banks of the stream. "Sing all ye joyful, now sing all together? The wind's in the free-top, the wind's in the heather; The stars are in blossom, the moon is in flower, And bright are the windows of Night in her tower. Dance all ye joyful, now dance all together! Soft is the grass, and let foot be like feather! The river is silver, the shadows are fleeting; Merry is May-time, and merry our meeting. Sing we now softly, and dreams let us weave him! Wind him in slumber and there let us leave him! The wanderer sleepeth. Now soft be his pillow! Lullaby! Lullaby! Alder and Willow! Sigh no more Pine, till the wind of the morn! Fall Moon! Dark be the land! Hush! Hush! Oak, Ash, and Thorn! Hushed be all water, till dawn is at hand!" "Well, Merry People!" said Bilbo looking out. "What time by the moon is this? Your lullaby would waken a drunken goblin! Yet I thank you." "And your snores would waken a stone dragon - yet we thank you," they answered with laughter. "It is drawing towards dawn, and you have slept now since the night's beginning. Tomorrow, perhaps, you will be cured of weariness." "A little sleep does a great cure in the house of Elrond," said he; "but I will take all the cure I can get. A second good night, fair friends!" And with that he went back to bed and slept till late morning. Weariness fell from him soon in that house, and he had many a merry jest and dance, early and late, with the elves of the valley. Yet even that place could not long delay him now, and he thought always of his own home. After a week, therefore, he said farewell to Elrond, and giving him such small gifts as he would accept, he rode away with Gandalf. Even as they left the valley the sky darkened in the West before them, and wind and rain came up to meet them. "Merry is May-time!" said Bilbo, as the rain beat into his face. "But our back is to legends and we are coming home. I suppose this is a first taste of it." "There is a long road yet," said Gandalf. "But it is the last road," said Bilbo. They came to the river that marked the very edge of the borderland of the Wild, and to the ford beneath the steep bank, which you may remember. The water was swollen both with the melting of the snows at the approach of summer, and with the daylong rain; but they crossed with some difficulty, and pressed forward, as evening fell, on the last stage of their journey. This was much as it had been before, except that the company was smaller, and more silent; also this time there were no trolls. At each point on the road Bilbo recalled the happenings and the words of a year ago-it seemed to him more like ten-so that, of course, he quickly noted the place where the pony had fallen in the river, and they had turned aside for their nasty adventure with Tom and Bert and Bill. Not far from the road they found the gold of the trolls, which they had buried, still hidden and untouched. "I have enough to last me my time," said Bilbo, when they had dug it up. "You had better take this, Gandalf. I daresay you can find a use for it." "Indeed I can!" said the wizard. "But share and share alike! You may find you have more needs than you expect." So they put the gold in bags and slung them on the ponies, who were not at all pleased about it. After that their going was slower, for most of the time they walked. But the land was green and there was much grass through which the hobbit strolled along contentedly. He mopped his face with a red silk handkerchief-no! not a single one of his own had survived, he had borrowed this one from Elrond -for now June had brought summer, and the weather was bright and hot again. As all things come to an end, even this story, a day came at last when they were in sight of the country where Bilbo had been born and bred, where the shapes of the land and of the trees were as well known to him as his hands and toes. Coming to a rise he could see his own Hill in the distance, and he stopped suddenly and said: "Roads go ever ever on, Over rock and under tree, By caves where never sun has shone, By streams that never find the sea; Over snow by winter sown, And through the merry flowers of June, Over grass and over stone, And under mountains in the moon. Roads go ever ever on Under cloud and under star, Yet feet that wandering have gone Turn at last to home afar. Eyes that fire and sword have seen And horror in the halls of stone Look at last on meadows green And trees and hills they long have known." Gandalf looked at him. "My dear Bilbo!" he said. "Something is the matter with you! You are not the hobbit that you were." And so they crossed the bridge and passed the mill by the river and came right back to Bilbo's own door. "Bless me! What's going on?" he cried. There was a great commotion, and people of all sorts, respectable and unrespectable, were thick round the door, and many were going in and out-not even wiping their feet on the mat, as Bilbo noticed with annoyance. If he was surprised, they were more surprised still. He had arrived back in the middle of an auction! There was a large notice in black and red hung on the gate, stating that on June the Twenty-second Messrs. Grubb, Grubb, and Bun-owes would sell by auction the effects of the late Bilbo Baggins Esquire, of Bag-End, Underhill, Hobbiton. Sale to commence at ten o'clock sharp. It was now nearly lunch-time, and most of the things had already been sold, for various prices from next to nothing to old songs (as is not unusual at auctions). Bilbo's cousins the Sackville-Bagginses were, in fact, busy measuring his rooms to see if their own furniture would fit. In short Bilbo was "Presumed Dead," and not everybody that said so was sorry to find the presumption wrong. The return of Mr. Bilbo Baggins created quite a disturbance, both under the Hill and over the Hill, and across the Water; it was a great deal more than a nine days' wonder. The legal bother, indeed, lasted for years. It was quite a long time before Mr. Baggins was in fact admitted to be alive again. The people who had got specially good bargains at the Sale took a deal of convincing; and in the end to sav6 time Bilbo had to buy back quite a lot of his own furniture. Many of his silver spoons mysteriously disappeared and were never accounted for. Personally he suspected the Sackville-Bagginses. On their side they never admitted that the returned Baggins was genuine, and they were not on friendly terms with Bilbo ever after. They really had wanted to live inhis nice hobbit-hole so very much. Indeed Bilbo found he had lost more than spoons - he had lost his reputation. It is true that for ever after he remained an elf-friend, and had the honour of dwarves, wizards, and all such folk as ever passed that way; but he was no longer quite respectable. He was in fact held by all the hobbits of the neighbourhood to be 'queer'-except by his nephews and nieces on the Took side, but even they were not encouraged in their friendship by their elders. I am sorry to say he did not mind. He was quite content; and the sound of the kettle on his hearth was ever after more musical than it had been even in the quiet days before the Unexpected Party. His sword he hung over the mantelpiece. His coat of mail was arranged on a stand in the hall (until he lent it to a Museum). His gold and silver was largely spent in presents, both useful and extravagant - which to a certain extent accounts for the affection of his nephews and his nieces. His magic ring he kept a great secret, for he chiefly used it when unpleasant callers came. He took to writing poetry and visiting the elves; and though many shook their heads and touched their foreheads and said "Poor old Baggins!" and though few believed any of his tales, he remained very happy to the end of his days, and those were extraordinarily long. One autumn evening some years afterwards Bilbo was sitting in his study writing his memoirs - he thought of calling them "There and Back Again, a Hobbit's Holiday" - when there was a ring at the door. It was Gandalf and a dwarf; and the dwarf was actually Balin. "Come in! Come in!" said Bilbo, and soon they were settled in chairs by the fire. If Balin noticed that Mr. Baggins' waistcoat was more extensive (and had real gold buttons), Bilbo also noticed that Balm's beard was several inches longer, and his jewelled belt was of great magnificence. They fell to talking of their times together, of course, and Bilbo asked how things were going in the lands of the Mountain. It seemed they were going very well. Bard had rebuilt the town in Dale and men had gathered to him from the Lake and from South and West, and all the valley had become tilled again and rich, and the desolation was now filled with birds and blossoms in spring and fruit and feasting in autumn. And Lake-town was refounded and was more prosperous than ever, and much wealth went up and down the Running River; and there was friendship in those parts between elves and dwarves and men. The old Master had come to a bad end. Bard had given him much gold for the help of the Lake-people, but being of the kind that easily catches such disease he fell under the dragon-sickness, and took most of the gold and fled with it, and died of starvation in the Waste, deserted by his companions. "The new Master is of wiser kind," said Balin, "and very popular, for, of course, he gets most of the credit for the present prosperity. They are making songs which say that in his day the rivers run with gold." "Then the prophecies of the old songs have turned out to be true, after a fashion!" said Bilbo. "Of course!" said Gandalf. "And why should not they prove true? Surely you don't disbelieve the prophecies, because you had a hand in bringing them about yourself? You don't really suppose, do you, that all your adventures and escapes were managed by mere luck, just for your sole benefit? You are a very fine person, Mr. Baggins, and I am very fond of you; but you are only quite a little fellow in a wide world after all!" "Thank goodness!" said Bilbo laughing, and handed him the tobacco-jar.

#Hobbit

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tinyhouseexpedition · 7 years ago

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Tiny House Festival Season is Here AGAIN: 2017 Edition

Not that long ago, experiencing a tiny house in-person was a rare occurrence. Today is flourishing era for the movement, brimming with small grass-roots, regional and national event opportunities. The next six months are jam-packed with tiny home festivals, and they are popping up all over the United States and Canada. For the most die-hard tiny fans, a giant road trip might just be in-order. Now's the time to start planning!

Here's your roadmap to these must-see events...

June:

New Jersey Tiny House Festival

The festival wizards over at United Tiny House Association are at it again, with a brand-new event. These are the same people behind the hugely successful 60,000+ attendee 2016 Florida Tiny House Festival, and the popular annual Georgia Tiny House Festival.

The new New Jersey Tiny House Festival event is going to be HUGE! Oodles of tiny homes, high-quality entertainment, top speakers, workshops and even a Senator.

Unique feature:

Enjoy an aerial view of the tiny houses from a Ferris Wheel or whiz by overhead on a zip line!

Feel-good, fun fact:

The United Tiny House Association donates proceeds of their festivals to charities, non-profits and the local community.

Ticket discounts:

Active/retired military, law enforcement and first-responders (firefighters/EMT's) get in FREE with valid ID. Individuals 60 years and older get 50% discount at the gate.

AND Fridays are always free for students, their teachers and immediate family who pre-register on the Festival website. These are same special offers for all UTHA events.

New York Tiny House Freedom Fest

The is a three-day celebration of tiny homes, sustainable living, and green technology in New York’s Hudson Valley.

The festival will kick off Friday with fireworks, live music, local food trucks, and a tiny house preview, free and open to the public, hosted by the Town of New Paltz. Saturday and Sunday will be a ticketed event, and will include tiny house speakers, workshops, renewable energy exhibitors from the region, local craft vendors, and food trucks.

Special deal:

Save on a weekend pass using code: TINYLOVE. Plus with each purchase you'll be entered to win: an all-inclusive Monhonk Mountain House getaway for two, two kayaks + paddles, four free passes to Rail Explorers USA

July:

YIMBY Tiny House Festival

There's a growing movement in Vancouver and spreading across Canada called, Park your Tiny House: Make it Legit! It began with advocacy-based Meetup group that is working to create a tiny house community on co-shared land on the Sunshine Coast of British Columbia. They just announced a Tiny House Festival in Vancouver that will bring together tiny home supporters to raise awareness and normalization of tiny homes. Think tiny house tours and community round table discussions. Tentative date: July 8th

Special feature:

Tiny House Expedition's tiny home showcased on Granville Island in the heart of downtown Vancouver.

More event details to come soon!

Special Mention: NW SolarFest Sustainable Living Fair

The regions longest running grassroots organized renewable energy and sustainability fair, that combines exhibits, vendors, interactive activities and outdoor fun to help us apply more sustainable habits in our daily living. Located just outside of Seattle.

This year's event will feature the creators of The Big Adventures of Tiny House, Susan Bernardo and Courtenay Fletcher, and the tiny house that inspired the book, Tiny House Expedition's DIY tiny home. Plus, the event will include a screening of the documentary, Living Tiny Legally Part 2.

August:

Festival Des Mini-Manisons

Canada's first tiny house festival is back! Building on the success of its first two editions of Lantier, the festival is moving and joining forces with the Montréal Ecosphere Fair.

This event is sponsored by Habitat Multi Generations, a non-profit developing a tiny home community called the Lantier Sustainable Development Project (P3

September:

The 2017 Tiny House Fest Vermont is reimagining human spaces with a community-focused advocacy and educational event in Brattleboro, VT. This is daylong downtown festival and academy featuring a tiny house village.

Meet tiny house designers, builders and dwellers.

Learn about innovations from experts and initiatives from our state officials.

Equip yourself with knowledge so you can build your own attainable and sustainable house.

Bonus day:

Brattleboro Tiny House Tours

Tennessee Tiny House Festival

Another new festival from the United Tiny House Association in beautiful Chattanooga, TN. Master of ceremonies, John Kernohan is working a spectacular aerial treat... view the tiny homes from a hot air balloon!

3rd Annual BIG Tiny House Festival

New England’s largest tiny house festival is back and this time it’s in Stoughton! This dynamic grassroots event was started by Miranda's Hearth, a creative community organization. This year the main attraction is tiny house village exhibit in the middle of town.

The local community is pumped!

"I’m so excited that I have goose bumps. I’ve always thought that living with conservation in mind is the best way for us and our children. Go Tiny Houses! Can’t wait to explore everything in miniature!" -- Beth McNeill, local resident

Special Mention: the Tiny House Roadshow

This is a traveling trade show, featuring industry leaders & exhibitors from across the nation showcasing the latest in tiny home construction and technology.

Next show:

September 15-17 in Indianapolis, ID

Tiny Midwest Fest

Finally the Midwest is getting some tiny house love! This brand-new festival is the brain child of Renee McLaughlin of Tiny On. As she explains this, "a home & garden show, farmer's market and outdoor music festival all rolled into one. Now, add tiny houses that you get to explore and POW! -- There you have it... TinyFest Midwest!"

Rock star special guest:

Jay Shafer, former Iowan and pioneer of the modern tiny house movement

Special Mention: Tiny House Summer Camp

This legendary camp/workshop/party is back again! Hosted by the one and only Derek "Deek" Diedricksen the YouTube extraordinaire, former host of HGTV's Tiny House Builders and author of Microshelters and Humble Homes, Simple Shacks. This is a three-day camp out/ hands-on tiny house design and build workshop

Decatur Tiny House Festival

Tiny House Atlanta's annual festival is hosted in partnership with the City of Decatur. This advocacy-based event focuses on how micro-housing can benefit individuals and communities in Georgia, specifically the metro Atlanta area.

The weekend event will feature many high quality tiny houses (20+), related vendors and speakers covering the following topics sustainability, minimalism, urban planning, zoning and codes, and downsizing.

Special bonus event:

Friday night VIP Tiny Soiree

October:

National Tiny House & Simple Living Jamboree

As most of you have probably learned, the National Tiny House Jamboree is moving and evolving in a big way. That's why Texas is so fitting. Everything really is bigger there, including the tiny house movement. It's the home to multiple tiny home communities, major legal progress and countless tiny house dwellers. Texas native and tiny house pioneer, BA Norrgard is heading up the educational programming and community outreach for the event.

What else is new:

More education, more vendors AND more houses including DIYers!

Fun fact:

Tiny House Expedition was the only completed, lived-in tiny house at the first Jam.

November:

2nd Annual Florida Tiny House Festival

The most epic United Tiny House Association festival coming back November 17-19! Last year's event featured 97 tiny houses and over 60,000 people. The UTHA promises an even more colossal festival experience.

My question:

What aerial delight will this UTHA Festival feature?? I'm on pins and needles...

Happy festival-going!

See our event calendar for even MORE events!

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rafaelhillr1 · 6 years ago

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Fall Family Activities

In celebration of that fact that fall is offically here(!) and sweater weather is in full force, we've come up with a few ideas of ways to enjoy the cooler weather with the whole crew.

Have some fun adventures planned this fall? We'd love to see! Make sure you tag us @jonaspauleyewear or #jonaspauleyewear for your chance to be featured on our social media pages!

1. Take a walk

Wander through the neighborhood to see the fall decorations popping up on the porches of your neighbors. Or drive to the woods, the mountains, the park, just to stroll. No daylong hikes here; just a leisurely time to be in rhythm with your family.

2. Go apple picking

If you’re in such a location to be able to do so, apple picking is a sweet and gratifying way to gather your family for a fun Fall activity. Plucking fruit from tree to tree gives kids an appreciation for growing, gathering, and enjoying a harvest.

3. Make a trip to the farmer's market

Just because summer is over doesn't mean the farmer's market adventures need to end! There are all kinds of fun fruits and veggies that you'll only find in the fall, you can talk to the farmers who grow the produce, and, if you're lucky, maybe there's even a pumpkin carving contest for the kids! Check out this blog for a few more activities that the kids can do at the farmer's market.

4. Make something

There's something so special about sharing experiences and creating something together! It can be a drawing, a skit, a blanket, a recipe (...with something from the farmer's market or apple orchard ;) ), or anything else that doesn't necessarily require a lot of effort, but brings you together as a family!

5. Go to the park

Who doesn't love to swing or go down a slide?! Cherish moments with your kids by spending a little time outside at the local park - even if all they do is run around and want to play tag, being outside with them in the fresh air is such a good thing! You could even take a football or soccer ball to play with, and some picnic supplies to turn it into a full afternoon activity.

6. Share a moment

Embrace a little stillness and just sit together. Because why not? Perhaps you could rest on a blanket outside if it’s warm enough; if not, the living room floor is perfect, too. See what happens when you share a little square for a few moments. This might be easier said than done if your little one is a wiggle worm, but give it your best shot!

We know this list might sound a bit underwhelming, and that's okay! In a world where we are always go, go, go, it's even more important to soak in the mundane and simply be together. Here's to soaking in the "normal" moments that we create and stumble upon, and to simply being present with one another (yes, that means putting down the phone or tablet or other screen ;) ).

From all of us at Jonas Paul Eyewear, we hope you enjoy your fall season! Be sure to tag us on social media so we can celebrate the mundane with you!

via Jonas Paul Eyewear - News https://jonaspauleyewear.com/blogs/news/fall-family-activities

from Jonas Paul Frames - Blog http://jonaspaulframes.weebly.com/blog/fall-family-activities

#Jonas Paul Frames - Blog

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coniecoleman · 7 years ago

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What’s the Best Cooler For Any Budget This Summer?

People planning serious adventures or frequent outdoor gatherings don’t want a cheap, tiny cooler. They want the best cooler available, with enough space for food, beer or fish – and insulation that will actually keep things frosty without vanishing into a puddle at the end of the day. That’s why we’ve picked out the best, most advanced coolers of the year: for people like you.

The top prize goes to the Pelican Elite Cooler 70 Quart ($384.95). This isn’t your everyday, sling-it-in-the-backseat cooler, this model is a tough, professional storage space with amazing ice retention that can prevent thawing for more than a week, with features specifically designed for hunting and fishing. But let’s take a look at our other top picks to see what they bring to the table!

The Best Coolers of 2018 Compared

Pelican Elite Cooler 70 QuartYeti Tundra Cooler 45 QuartIgloo Marine Ultra 36 Can Rank#1 - Editor’s Choice/Best Cooler for the Money#2 - Best Affordable Cooler#3 - Best Soft Sided Cooler Amazon Rating Capacity Options30, 50, 70 quart 35 -75 quart36 can cooler, 36 can backpack Ice Retention10 daysUnknown2 days Extra AccessoriesMeasuring board, cup holders, bottle openerToughened hinges, extra sealingAntimicrobial liner, shoulder strap Weight34 pounds (heaviest)approx 25 pounds3 pounds Price$384.95$339.00$39.79 Buy NowBuy NowBuy Now

How We Choose the Best Cooler

How do we choose the best coolers? Several key features help us make our decision. At the top of the list are insulation and capacity, two of the most important specifications for any cooler. Models that have multiple capacity options are more useful to buyers, since they can be customized to individual need. We also focused on coolers that will keep things on ice for at least a couple days, due to thick insulation – such as injected polyurethane foam or 2-3 inches of solid insulation.

We also took into account usability, looking for coolers that were easy to flip open quickly but also fasten tightly closed so they stay shut even after rolling around a little bit. This is closely tied into overall design, where we looked for coolers that can fit easily into everyday spaces, and have extras like cup holders, measuring boards, efficient drainage options, and similar advantages. Handles, wheels, and other mobility features helped us decided on our favorite picks as well.

Durability also helped us score these top coolers, since easily damaged coolers aren’t much use on adventures. Tough exteriors and hinges that can shrug off rough treatment are important for these high end coolers! And speaking of high end, these coolers can get a little pricey, so we looked for models that didn’t overcharge for any of the above features.

Why You Should Buy a New Cooler

There’s a vast difference between these elite coolers and the “normal” coolers you may take on a picnic. Whether you are tailgating, out on the boat, deep in the trails, or just trying to combat some oppressive summer heat, these new coolers are custom made for their purposes, and they do a fine job. Don’t think of it as an upgrade to a cheap cooler you already have – think of it as the cooling solution you always needed by never had.

These coolers are also excellent picks for outfitting. If you just got a boat, why not grab one of the best coolers in the world to use in it? If you’re spending money on new camping gear, why not include a cooler that will never let you down?

#1 Pick Pelican Elite Cooler 70 Quart – Editor’s Choice/Best Cooler for the Money

Tough, rugged, and ready for long trips.

Price: $384.95 | Capacity Options: 30, 50, 70 quart | Ice Retention: 10 days | Extra Accessories: Measuring board, cup holders, bottle opener | Weight: 34 pounds (heaviest)

WHY IT’S A TOP PICK: This ultra-tough cooler is made for longer adventures.

Pelican coolers are simply some of the best around: these are extra-tough, professional products that are designed specifically for long trips. The ice retention is rated at an amazing 10 days, and the 3-inch locking latches are made to ensure that this ice chest will never pop open. The inside is a little empty, but does include a simple drain plug. On the bottom are rubberized feet to prevent any slippage on the boat or in the truck.

Yes, this is a hunter and fisher cooler, although it can be used for any long-term camping odyssey. One reason we picked the large 70-quart version is because these hardcore features work best with plenty of room – if your ice is going to last 10 days, you need enough room to make that insulation worthwhile! But the model also has some “conversation” pieces, such as four cup holders, a bottle open, and a measuring board (for measuring fish, etc.). In other words, you can pull it up and use it as a table if necessary.

And let’s not forget about the warranty! Pelican coolers come with a lifetime guarantee. If this durable cooler breaks (and that’s pretty unlikely), they’ll replace it for you, relatively few questions asked.

The only thing to note about this top-grade cooler is that it’s not especially portable. The two side handles allow you to lift and position it, but this heavy cooler is happier when it spots most of the time in one spot.

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#2 Pick Yeti Tundra Cooler 45 Quart – Best Affordable Cooler

A high-end cooler for every purpose.

Price: $339.00 | Capacity Options: 35 -75 quart | Ice Retention: Unknown | Extra Accessories: Toughened hinges, extra sealing | Weight: approx 25 pounds

WHY IT’S A TOP PICK: With a broad choice in sizes, the Tundra can be used for anything.

This Yeti cooler has one of the widest capacity ranges that we’ve seen. We chose the 45-quart version, which can fit around 26 cans plus lots of ice, as a middle ground, but you can go smaller or much, much larger as needed. We’re not sure about the exact ice retention rating, but we can confirm it will last the weekend without problems. The exterior of this model is especially simple, with the standout feature being their interesting “T-Rex” lid latches (named after the tiny T-Rex arms, we guess), which do pop open more easily than most latches.

This, plus the airtight design and general high quality of construction, make this an extremely versatile cooler that can be used for just about anything. There is a small rack in the cooler for keeping dry goods cold too, although the Tundra model prefers a minimalistic approach to stacking up features.

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#3 Pick Igloo Marine Ultra 36 Can – Best Soft Sided Cooler

More of the party type? This cooler is the answer you need.

Price: $39.79 | Capacity Options: 36 can cooler, 36 can backpack | Ice Retention: 2 days | Extra Accessories: Antimicrobial liner, shoulder strap | Weight: 3 pounds

WHY IT’S A TOP PICK: The best drink-carrying, portable coolers we’ve found.

Here’s the best soft cooler we’ve ever seen: the Igloo cooler is designed for casual use – and while the “Marine” logo does indicate beach and boat activities, this cooler is a welcome addition any time you have to tote it along to a favorite party spot. The lightweight nature, soft surface, and shoulder strap will make you sigh in relief at how easy it is to keep your drinks cold without needing to lug around a heavy box. Plus, the ice retention is still good enough to last for 2 days! There are also backpack models if you’re hiking out a bit farther and want something easier on your shoulders. We also want to point out that, unlike our other, much more pricey models, you can get this cooler for only $40, which makes it an affordable addition to any outdoor party.

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Related: Go Off the Grid For Up to a Week with Brute Box Coolers

What to Look for When Buy the Best Cooler

Easy Carrying Options

Carrying may seem like a basic feature – put a handle on the cooler, problem solved. Reality is a little more complicated. Our first and second picks come with dual handles, so you’ll need both hands to make it work. Our third pick comes with a shoulder strap for easy handling. Other, smaller models have a single handle on top. Think about where you’ll be carrying your cooler, and then decide what handle is right for you (it’s a more important feature than you might guess).

The Right Ice Retention for Your Plans

Ice retention refers to how long, on average, ice will stay in the cooler without melting. Our top picks are generally designed for more hardcore pursuits, because we believe that if you’re going to look at a best of list for cooler, you actually want the best. That’s why our top pick has ice retention of 10 remarkable days. Our third pick has ice retention of two days, which is still pretty good for daylong trips.

Ice retention is a great stat for judging over insulation quality (and controlling costs), so look for the right kind for your adventures.

A Manageable Weight

Some coolers rarely leave the back of your truck or that under-seat space in your boat. And that’s fine! But most coolers end up traveling a lot in parks, on beaches, on trails, etc. Since people carry it a lot, it’s important to note the weight as well as the handle. For example, our top pick is a master at ice retention, but it’s too heavy to lug around. Our third pick, meanwhile, is specifically made for a walk.

Features for Your Fingers

How does the cooler lock? One reason we like the Yeti cooler so much is that it has “T-Rex” latches that are especially easy to flip open and shut. The Pelican model, meanwhile, has extra-wide hatches that you can use with gloves on. The Igloo option has a zipper for more casual use.

Mistakes to Avoid

Assuming all coolers are the same. They really aren’t. Yes, they are all designed to keep things cold, but that’s where the similarities end. Some are made to be more or less permanent fixtures in boats or vehicles. Some are made for casual parties at the park or beach. Others are designed for serious, long-term hiking. Ultimately, you can’t just pick out the cooler that gets the best score or looks the best for parties – it takes a little research to make a good choice.

Buying too much space. Space is great, but do you need it all? If all you want to do is keep beer cold, pick a smaller size and save some money. If you’re going camping and need to hold a meal or two as well, upgrade. The largest coolers are usually made not to hold food, but to store fish or game along with a few other necessities.

Not learning proper ice management. The general rule is a 2-to-1 ice to contents ratio. However, this can change a bit based on the exact items you are keeping frosty. Research the best ice levels for your food, drink, or meat.

Ignoring your environment. We’re not talking about buying eco-friendly coolers – we mean where you’re going to store the cooler. Is there enough room in the spot you have planned? Is the cooler going to scratch anything nearby (or get scratched by anything). Will it keep its balance even when in motion? Coolers are made for rough-and-tumble activities, but you don’t want them rolling around or getting in the way.

Not cleaning out the cooler. Gross. Clean out your cooler after you use it. It’s basic health and safety. Plus, it smells better.

What Else You Should Think About

In your journey to pick up the best cooler around, remember to stay safe and never eat food that may have spoiled. There are resources available if you want to know what sort of cooler will keep food/game fresh.

If buying a cooler is just a small part of your plans for a camping trip, then make sure you check out our top lists for the best camping tents and best backpacking tents. Feel like planning for a party? Make sure you check out the best outdoor Bluetooth speakers too!

Resource Articles:

How Yeti Made a Cooler An Aspirational Brand – Adage (10/6/2014)

Best Camping Cooler? A Bear Proof One That’s For Sure! – Best Cooler (unknown)

Types Of Ice Coolers And Their Usage: Things To Know – Icecubicle (unknown)

The post What’s the Best Cooler For Any Budget This Summer? appeared first on Gadget Review.

What’s the Best Cooler For Any Budget This Summer? published first on http://www.gadgetreview.com/ What’s the Best Cooler For Any Budget This Summer? published first on http://www.gadgetreview.com/ What’s the Best Cooler For Any Budget This Summer? published first on http://www.gadgetreview.com/

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lonniemanning · 7 years ago

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What’s the Best Cooler For Any Budget This Summer?

The Best Coolers of 2018 Compared

How We Choose the Best Cooler

Why You Should Buy a New Cooler

#1 Pick Pelican Elite Cooler 70 Quart – Editor’s Choice/Best Cooler for the Money

Tough, rugged, and ready for long trips.

Price: $384.95 | Capacity Options: 30, 50, 70 quart | Ice Retention: 10 days | Extra Accessories: Measuring board, cup holders, bottle opener | Weight: 34 pounds (heaviest)

WHY IT’S A TOP PICK: This ultra-tough cooler is made for longer adventures.

View on Amazon

#2 Pick Yeti Tundra Cooler 45 Quart – Best Affordable Cooler

A high-end cooler for every purpose.

Price: $339.00 | Capacity Options: 35 -75 quart | Ice Retention: Unknown | Extra Accessories: Toughened hinges, extra sealing | Weight: approx 25 pounds

WHY IT’S A TOP PICK: With a broad choice in sizes, the Tundra can be used for anything.

View on Amazon

#3 Pick Igloo Marine Ultra 36 Can – Best Soft Sided Cooler

More of the party type? This cooler is the answer you need.

Price: $39.79 | Capacity Options: 36 can cooler, 36 can backpack | Ice Retention: 2 days | Extra Accessories: Antimicrobial liner, shoulder strap | Weight: 3 pounds

WHY IT’S A TOP PICK: The best drink-carrying, portable coolers we’ve found.

View on Amazon

Related: Go Off the Grid For Up to a Week with Brute Box Coolers

What to Look for When Buy the Best Cooler

Easy Carrying Options

The Right Ice Retention for Your Plans

Ice retention is a great stat for judging over insulation quality (and controlling costs), so look for the right kind for your adventures.

A Manageable Weight

Features for Your Fingers

Mistakes to Avoid

Not cleaning out the cooler. Gross. Clean out your cooler after you use it. It’s basic health and safety. Plus, it smells better.

What Else You Should Think About

Resource Articles:

How Yeti Made a Cooler An Aspirational Brand – Adage (10/6/2014)

Best Camping Cooler? A Bear Proof One That’s For Sure! – Best Cooler (unknown)

Types Of Ice Coolers And Their Usage: Things To Know – Icecubicle (unknown)

The post What’s the Best Cooler For Any Budget This Summer? appeared first on Gadget Review.

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jennifernail · 7 years ago

Text

What’s the Best Cooler For Any Budget This Summer?

The Best Coolers of 2018 Compared

How We Choose the Best Cooler

Why You Should Buy a New Cooler

#1 Pick Pelican Elite Cooler 70 Quart – Editor’s Choice/Best Cooler for the Money

Tough, rugged, and ready for long trips.

Price: $384.95 | Capacity Options: 30, 50, 70 quart | Ice Retention: 10 days | Extra Accessories: Measuring board, cup holders, bottle opener | Weight: 34 pounds (heaviest)

WHY IT’S A TOP PICK: This ultra-tough cooler is made for longer adventures.

View on Amazon

#2 Pick Yeti Tundra Cooler 45 Quart – Best Affordable Cooler

A high-end cooler for every purpose.

Price: $339.00 | Capacity Options: 35 -75 quart | Ice Retention: Unknown | Extra Accessories: Toughened hinges, extra sealing | Weight: approx 25 pounds

WHY IT’S A TOP PICK: With a broad choice in sizes, the Tundra can be used for anything.

View on Amazon

#3 Pick Igloo Marine Ultra 36 Can – Best Soft Sided Cooler

More of the party type? This cooler is the answer you need.

Price: $39.79 | Capacity Options: 36 can cooler, 36 can backpack | Ice Retention: 2 days | Extra Accessories: Antimicrobial liner, shoulder strap | Weight: 3 pounds

WHY IT’S A TOP PICK: The best drink-carrying, portable coolers we’ve found.

View on Amazon

Related: Go Off the Grid For Up to a Week with Brute Box Coolers

What to Look for When Buy the Best Cooler

Easy Carrying Options

The Right Ice Retention for Your Plans

Ice retention is a great stat for judging over insulation quality (and controlling costs), so look for the right kind for your adventures.

A Manageable Weight

Features for Your Fingers

Mistakes to Avoid

Not cleaning out the cooler. Gross. Clean out your cooler after you use it. It’s basic health and safety. Plus, it smells better.

What Else You Should Think About

Resource Articles:

How Yeti Made a Cooler An Aspirational Brand – Adage (10/6/2014)

Best Camping Cooler? A Bear Proof One That’s For Sure! – Best Cooler (unknown)

Types Of Ice Coolers And Their Usage: Things To Know – Icecubicle (unknown)

The post What’s the Best Cooler For Any Budget This Summer? appeared first on Gadget Review.

What’s the Best Cooler For Any Budget This Summer? published first on http://www.gadgetreview.com/

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gadgetreviewes · 7 years ago

Text

What’s the Best Cooler For Any Budget This Summer?

The Best Coolers of 2018 Compared

Pelican Elite Cooler 70 QuartYeti Tundra Cooler 45 QuartIgloo Marine Ultra 36 Can Rank#1 - Editor's Choice/Best Cooler for the Money#2 - Best Affordable Cooler#3 - Best Soft Sided Cooler Amazon Rating Capacity Options30, 50, 70 quart 35 -75 quart36 can cooler, 36 can backpack Ice Retention10 daysUnknown2 days Extra AccessoriesMeasuring board, cup holders, bottle openerToughened hinges, extra sealingAntimicrobial liner, shoulder strap Weight34 pounds (heaviest)approx 25 pounds3 pounds Price$384.95$339.00$39.79 Buy NowBuy NowBuy Now

How We Choose the Best Cooler

Why You Should Buy a New Cooler

#1 Pick Pelican Elite Cooler 70 Quart – Editor’s Choice/Best Cooler for the Money

Tough, rugged, and ready for long trips.

Price: $384.95 | Capacity Options: 30, 50, 70 quart | Ice Retention: 10 days | Extra Accessories: Measuring board, cup holders, bottle opener | Weight: 34 pounds (heaviest)

WHY IT’S A TOP PICK: This ultra-tough cooler is made for longer adventures.

View on Amazon

#2 Pick Yeti Tundra Cooler 45 Quart – Best Affordable Cooler

A high-end cooler for every purpose.

Price: $339.00 | Capacity Options: 35 -75 quart | Ice Retention: Unknown | Extra Accessories: Toughened hinges, extra sealing | Weight: approx 25 pounds

WHY IT’S A TOP PICK: With a broad choice in sizes, the Tundra can be used for anything.

View on Amazon

#3 Pick Igloo Marine Ultra 36 Can – Best Soft Sided Cooler

More of the party type? This cooler is the answer you need.

Price: $39.79 | Capacity Options: 36 can cooler, 36 can backpack | Ice Retention: 2 days | Extra Accessories: Antimicrobial liner, shoulder strap | Weight: 3 pounds

WHY IT’S A TOP PICK: The best drink-carrying, portable coolers we’ve found.

View on Amazon

Related: Go Off the Grid For Up to a Week with Brute Box Coolers

What to Look for When Buy the Best Cooler

Easy Carrying Options

The Right Ice Retention for Your Plans

Ice retention is a great stat for judging over insulation quality (and controlling costs), so look for the right kind for your adventures.

A Manageable Weight

Features for Your Fingers

Mistakes to Avoid

Not cleaning out the cooler. Gross. Clean out your cooler after you use it. It’s basic health and safety. Plus, it smells better.

What Else You Should Think About

Resource Articles:

How Yeti Made a Cooler An Aspirational Brand – Adage (10/6/2014)

Best Camping Cooler? A Bear Proof One That’s For Sure! – Best Cooler (unknown)

Types Of Ice Coolers And Their Usage: Things To Know – Icecubicle (unknown)

The post What’s the Best Cooler For Any Budget This Summer? appeared first on Gadget Review.

0 notes

dailynynews-blog · 7 years ago

Text

Lakefront Anchorage Is Convenient, Stylish, and Part of History

New Post has been published on https://www.usatelegraph.com/2018/lakefront-anchorage-convenient-stylish-part-history/

Lakefront Anchorage Is Convenient, Stylish, and Part of History

As anyone in real estate knows, one major factor for setting up a successful storefront business model is location, location, location. With respect to hotel properties, this may be even more important, as rooms with scenic vistas or interesting sights go a long way toward guest satisfaction.

Such is the case with The Lakefront Anchorage, a 248-room hotel with a location so uniquely Alaskan, it’s no wonder the property never has to worry about which room has a better view; they’re all good.

Opened in 1986 under the name Regal Alaskan, the Lakefront also underwent a name change in 2001 with a purchase by Millennium Hotels and Resorts. Then known as the Millennium Alaskan Hotel, it became a popular place for Alaska’s visitors and business travelers to rest their heads after a busy day of work or play.

Located one mile from Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport, four miles from downtown Anchorage, and steps from the shores of Lake Spenard and adjoining Lake Hood, The Lakefront lives up to its most recent name. Renovated top to bottom in 2015, the property’s new presence shines as bright as snow atop the Chugach Mountains, which, by the way, you can see vividly to the east. See what I mean about views?

The Lakefront’s signature characteristic is its access to��flying. Whether arriving or departing from the international airport or heading out on a daylong adventure via float or bush plane, The Lakefront can help you get where you’re going.

A private floatplane dock sits at the edge of the property, and rare is the summer morning when some lucky guest is not climbing aboard, fishing pole or camera in hand, ready for a few hours of remote, rugged Alaska wilderness minutes from the city. Ask at the front desk for a list of recommended float plane companies.

Also in the heart of Spenard, one of Anchorage’s oldest neighborhoods, the Lakefront doesn’t put on airs. Maintaining a welcoming and friendly atmosphere that appeals to residents and visitors alike, staff know their job is customer service, and from the three dining establishments to the front desk staff, everyone is treated like family.

The Appeals of Luxury

Choose a deluxe-style room with Alaska touches in artwork and decor and find affordable, comfortable luxury for the duration of your stay, or choose a larger suite, perfect for families or groups needing a bit of extra space. Dine in-house at the Flying Machine Restaurant, a nod to neighboring airfields and Lake Hood, the busiest seaplane port in the world; have a cool drink and appetizer at the Fancy Moose Lounge while watching baseball or football game on one of their large-screen televisions; or simply relax in the grandeur of Alaska outdoors on the new Deck at Lake Hood, where you can clink a glass with a friend or relative in appreciation of your accommodation choice. Families traveling with children will certainly appreciate the kids’ menus available at each restaurant, including the Fancy Moose lounge, where youngsters are welcome.

GoTip: Children under 12 can also choose to participate in the Ask Alfred program for a nominal fee, whereby receiving a backpack stuffed with Alaska-themed goodies and a stuffed teddy bear. Ask upon making reservations for details.

If you’d like to wander the neighborhood a bit, searching for local cuisine, Spenard offers a collection of old and new favorites, but without a metropolitan ambiance of nearby downtown. The Lakefront staff are also available to provide highlights of downtown and neighborhood dining and call a taxi for those needing transportation to the heart of Alaska’s largest city.

Outdoor recreation from the hotel is simple for those itching to explore this historic and fascinating segment of Anchorage’s industry. From the back deck of The Lakefront curves a four-mile trail looping around Lakes Hood and Spenard, and continuing into the heart of small-plane territory.

If you’ve got the gumption, take the level, paved trail all the way around, stopping to notice the personal style of local pilots as they baby their flying machines. Pay attention for moose along the north side of the trail, as a local park often attracts these ungulates to the brushy leaves and green grasses of summer. On the south side of Lake Hood, swing into the Alaska Aviation Museum, where a complete history of the state’s appetite for flight is explained and three hangars of aircraft are available for inspection.

Considering a wintertime visit? The Lakefront has been the official headquarters for the Iditarod Sled Dog Race since 1986, and come early March, the hotel swells with mushers, dog teams, race volunteers, and a host of race enthusiasts. Bustling the entire first week of March, reservations are a must well in advance of the event, as far out as one year prior, since the property’s access to the race is well-known and always appreciated.

Other Services Provided at The Lakefront Anchorage

Airport shuttle service

Wifi

Business center

A small fitness center

Laundry service

Private floatplane dock and access

Children’s program

Location: 4800 Spenard Road, Anchorage, Alaska 99517

Cost: $$-$$, ranging from $90/night to $300/night, depending upon season and number of guests.

#Alaska #Alaska guide #and Part of History #Lakefront Anchorage Is Convenient #places #Stylish

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robertmcangusgroup · 7 years ago

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The Daily Tulip

The Daily Tulip – International News From Around The World

Sunday 2nd July 2017

Good Morning Gentle Reader…. Another perfect day in paradise… so I thought I would take my Wife and daughter Paula to Cadiz, it’s Sandra’s favourite place in Spain, right on the west coast, where Spain meets the Atlantic Ocean and almost within sight of the famous battle area called Trafalgar where Nelson’s crushing defeat of the French and Spanish Navies on 21st October 1805, established Britain as the dominant world naval power for a century, but at the cost of Nelson’s life.. but it’s also full of even older history, Roman, Moors, Phoenicians, in fact Cádiz, the oldest continuously inhabited city in Spain and one of the oldest in western Europe, was founded by the Phoenicians. Cádiz is sometimes counted as the most ancient city still standing in Western Europe. and has been a principal home port of the Spanish Navy since the accession of the Spanish Bourbons in the 18th century. But enough of what I’m doing later.. at the moment Bella and I are under busy walking and sniffing, It’s Bella that’s sniffing not me!…. under a star filled sky the moon set about 20 minutes ago, so we turn for home, time to publish The Daily Tulip and The Daily Thistle and more importantly, time for coffee… Have a great day… cos I am.

KANGAROO CAPTURED IN NORWAY AFTER DAY OF PERPLEXING LOCALS…. Officials with a Norway zoo said a kangaroo was recaptured about a day after escaping the facility and catching the attention of baffled locals. The Haugaland Zoo in Karmoy said the female kangaroo, Bolla, escaped from her enclosure through a gate that was mistakenly left open during feeding time Tuesday night. The animal was recaptured less than a mile from the zoo, but officials said it took a daylong adventure through Karmoy and nearby Torvastad that included a visit to local gardens and a golf course. Witness Alf-Harry Andersen snapped a photo of the marsupial in the middle of a road Wednesday morning. "It just stood there looking at me for a while before it jumped further towards Haland," Andersen told the Haugesunds Avis newspaper. "I've seen deer on the way to work, but never a kangaroo," he told NRK. Bernt Kai Velde, general manager of the Haugaland Zoo, confirmed Thursday morning that the kangaroo had been tranquilized and recaptured. He said Bolla did not appear to be injured, but was taken to an animal hospital as a precaution. "She'll get a thorough examination because she's been stressed," Velde told NRK. "There have been very many people around her when she's been spotted. We tried to urge folks to keep away from her, but it is of course very exciting to have a kangaroo at Torvastad."

INDIA TAKES AFFORDABLE HEALTH CARE GLOBAL…. There’s a premium on care. India has long acted as the world’s pharmacy with cheap generic drugs, but now it’s Indian health care that’s looking to take the global stage. While the local medical industry is expected to explode from $79 billion in 2013 to $280 billion by 2020, demand abroad is also booming as economies stabilize across the developing world. Whether investing directly in foreign hospitals, entering into joint ventures, or simply managing medical facilities abroad, India’s well-placed to be an affordable alternative to Western hospitals.

TRUMP DRAWS ANGER OVER VULGAR TWITTER INSULT…. Oops, he did it again. President Donald Trump came under fire on Thursday — including from fellow Republicans — for scathing insults he hurled on Twitter toward MSNBC hosts Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski. Besides calling them “Psycho Joe” and “low I.Q. Crazy Mika,” he claimed that when the pair turned up to his Mar-a-Lago resort earlier this year, Brzezinski “was bleeding badly from a face-lift.” Deputy White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders attempted to defend the comment by highlighting the president’s commitment to fighting “fire with fire” — but that’s highly unlikely to kill the criticism.

GERMANY TO VOTE ON SAME-SEX MARRIAGE…. Will it be a yes? After years of deadlock, German lawmakers will decide on Friday whether to legalize gay marriage. The measure is widely expected to pass now that Chancellor Angela Merkel has dropped her opposition, citing a recent meeting with a lesbian couple. Marriage equality has been a long time coming in Germany, where critics say the ruling coalition has made scant progress in recent years despite widespread public support. Friday’s bill would grant full rights to same-sex couples, perhaps most notably the opportunity to adopt children.

SENIOR CATHOLIC CARDINAL CHARGED WITH SEXUAL ABUSE…. It’s been a long time coming. After a two-year investigation, Cardinal George Pell, a senior prelate and top adviser to Pope Francis, has been charged by police in the Australian state of Victoria with multiple historical sexual assault offenses. A detailed list of charges wasn’t released, but Pell, Australia’s most senior Catholic and de facto chief of the Vatican’s finances, has denied all allegations. The cardinal says he’ll return to Australia for his summons on July 18, insisting, “I’m looking forward to having my day in court.”

'FLINTSTONES'-STYLE HOUSE IN CALIFORNIA SELLS FOR $2.8M…. A California house designed to resemble a home from the Flintstones cartoon sold for nearly $3 million after multiple price drops. Judy Meuschke of Alain Pinel Realtors said the unique property sold for $2.8 million in May after arriving on the market for a price of $4.2 million in 2015. The property features a rounded, stone-like exterior with grey and orange walls, closely resembling the cavelike homes in the Flinstones' home of Bedrock City. The previous owner, Korie Edises, purchased the home for $800,000 in 1996, 20 years after it was constructed by architect William Nicholson. An unofficial California landmark, the cartoonish 2,730-square-foot home is located in Hillsborough, about 17 miles south of San Francisco. Nicholson achieved the building's unique look by placing steel rebar and wire mesh frames over inflated weather balloons covered in gunite. The interior of the home, which includes three bedrooms, two bathrooms, a kitchen, a conversation pit and a game room, maintains the prehistoric decor with its rocklike walls. Meuschke said residents in the area have held "mixed" feelings about the home throughout the years, adding it is believed a resident proposed an architectural review board to prevent the construction of similar homes.

Well Gentle Reader I hope you enjoyed our look at the news from around the world this, Sunday morning… …

Our Tulips today is alone, but sometimes we all feel like that, Alone, but on The Daily Tulip you are never alone... That's what friends are for.....

A Sincere Thank You for your company and Thank You for your likes and comments I love them and always try to reply, so please keep them coming, it's always good fun, As is my custom, I will go and get myself another mug of "Colombian" Coffee and wish you a safe Sunday 2nd July 2017 my home on the southern coast of Spain, where the blue waters of the Alboran Sea washes the coast of Africa and Europe and the smell of the night blooming Jasmine and Honeysuckle fills the air…and a crazy old guy and his dog Bella go out for a walk at 4:00 am…on the streets of Estepona…

All good stuff....But remember it’s a dangerous world we live in

Be safe out there…

Robert McAngus

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shooktim-blog · 5 years ago

Photo

Earlier this year, my partner and I took a slightly unusual trip. Spurred on by a TV documentary we watched by pure chance, we booked the cruiseferry highlighted on the show unsure of what we had gotten ourselves into. Sailing from Denmark to Iceland, via the Faroe Islands, and back, the week was fun, interesting and certainly an experience I’ll never forget. Today I want to share my experiences visiting the home country for the cruiseferry, the Faroe Islands. These small bits of land in the North Atlantic have become increasingly popular among travelers in recent years and I was excited for my first visit to this purportedly picturesque nation. I wasn’t disappointed; my time spent in the Faroe Islands was just as fascinating as I had hoped, which is why today I want to share what those experiences were really like.

Getting there – Smyril Line

Two Chances in the Faroe Islands

One of the most surprising inclusions on our cruise were the incredible excursions at each port of call. Daylong, immersive and fun experiences were included in the price of our fare, and in the Faroe Islands that meant two different opportunities to explore this beautiful part of the world.

The first tour of the trip started in the capital city of Torshavn. The Vikings first established their island parliament here in the 9th century, and ever since this sleepy city has been the center of life on the Faroe Islands. Home to about half of the Islands’ 50,000 people, it’s not only the most important city in the Faroe Islands, it’s one of the most striking as well. Our local guide was a character, and his unique perspective on Torshavn and the entire country truly made the experience much more special than it might have otherwise been. Walking around the city center, he shared the history of the city, but also personal stories and remembrances of his long life there. I was a little surprised by how much I liked Torshavn, the small homes and turf-covered buildings all added to the other-worldliness of my time there. But it was only the start of a long day exploring this remote country.

After Torshavn, we boarded a bus to visit a small town along the coast, Kirkjubøur. This small village on the southwest coast of Streymoy offers a stunning view of two neighboring islands, Hestur and Koltur. In the Middle Ages it was home to the Faroese Episcopal See, making this unlikely spot the spiritual and cultural hub of the Faroe Islands. Today only a few buildings make up this historic spot, and we spent the rest of the day exploring not only the village, but the rocky coastline as well. Stave homes (including the world’s oldest inhabited wooden house) the ruins of an old cathedral and a modern church were the official highlights, but for me just being there was the real thrill. I’ve been traveling to Iceland for several years now and I experienced that same sense of wonder and adventure in the Faroe Islands as I do in Iceland. I love visiting remote spots around the world, but especially in the North Atlantic where the people are kind and the views incredible.

Following a two-day stop in Iceland, we sailed back towards Denmark and spent another day in the Faroe Islands. Rather than repeat the first excursion, a completely new experience was offered to the guests and I couldn’t wait for the day to start. The drive to the village of Gjogv was just as enjoyable as the visit itself. The geology and physical immensity of the Faroe Islands is unlike any other place I’ve been, and spending 45 minutes or so on the road admiring that harsh yet stunning scenery was as important a part of the day as anything else I did. But the highlight of course was the romantic town of Gjogv. A popular summer weekend spot for the Faroese, Gjogv is best known for its picturesque scenery dotted with colorful old homes and a natural harbor protected by a massive gorge, which is what the name Gjogv translates to in English.

After enjoying some cake at a local guesthouse, I went out to wander around the town, seeing what I could discover. While small, there’s a lot to love in Gjogv and I quickly found myself getting lost in its beauty, both man made and natural. I soon understood why it’s a popular getaway destination for locals, there’s just something undeniably special about this unlikely town on the edge of the world.

And that’s really what visiting the Faroe Islands felt like; experiencing life on the fringes. The country is remote and there are only a couple of different ways to get there, which means tourism has thankfully been slow to develop. While it has similar cultural and natural highlights to Iceland, not nearly as many people visit, which allows tourists like me the opportunity to see more of what really makes it tick. It was also just a fun experience, and in travel sometimes that’s enough.

Sailing around the North Atlantic aboard a cruiseferry was an unusual trip for me, but one I’m so thankful I booked. The experience was unlike any other and allowed me the unique opportunity to see parts of the North Atlantic not commonly admired, all from the very special vantage point of being on the water.

The post The Faroe Islands – My First Visit To This Remote Country appeared first on LandLopers.

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mindfulrose · 8 years ago

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2017 Mindful Wellness Offerings

Dear Friends,

We wish you all a very happy new year, with much patience for unsolved questions, lots of happiness, fulfillment, and well-being in 2017! We are both embarking on many new adventures including psychotherapy certification, mindful self compassion and MBSR teacher training, a mindfulness for teachers retreat in Costa Rica, the Mindfulness Conference in Toronto, and much more.

I recently received this beautiful quote from Patrick and decided to share it on my facebook page. It seemed to resonate with so many people, so I am sharing it here once again. Enjoy!

“Be patient toward all that is unsolved in your heart and try to love the questions themselves, like locked rooms and like books that are now written in a very foreign tongue. Do not now seek the answers, which cannot be given you because you would not be able to live them. And the point is, to live everything. Live the questions now. Perhaps you will then gradually, without noticing it, live along some distant day into the answer.”

― Rainer Maria Rilke

We are happy to announce our mindfulness offerings for the first few months of the new year. We look forward to opportunities to practice together, to continue to learn and evolve in community and enjoy the benefits we have all experienced from mindfulness: greater peace in our minds and hearts, better relationships, more presence and less stress as we move through the ebb and flow of our daily lives. All the while, rewiring our brains, gently and kindly, with compassion, allowing us to be healthier, more resilient during difficult circumstances, to feel connected, balanced, and happier.

Jack Kornfield writes the following in his book ‘The Art of Forgiveness, Loving-kindness and Peace’:

‘No matter what has happened, we can always return to the greatness of the heart. We have all heard stories about the mysterious power of compassion and forgiveness in the lives of others. Each time we are inspired by these accounts, we remember that we, too can forgive.’

This forgiveness and acceptance begins with our selves. This is how we learn to be more accepting of others. He also goes on to tell a touching and beautiful story:

‘In the Babemba tribe of South Africa, when a person acts irresponsibly or unjustly, he is placed in the centre of the village, alone and unfettered. All work ceases, and every man, woman, and child in the village gathers in a large circle around the accused individual. The each person in the tribe speaks to the accused, one at a time, each recalling the good things the person in the centre of the circle has done in his lifetime. Every incident, every experience that can be recalled with any detail and accuracy, is recounted. All his positive attributes, good deeds, strengths, and kindnesses are recited carefully and at length. This tribal ceremony often lasts for several days. At the end, the tribal circle is broken, a joyous celebration takes place, and the person is symbolically and literally welcomed back into the tribe.’

We invite you to join us as we embrace this process of being symbolically and literally welcomed into this tribe, exploring our common humanity, with compassion for ourselves and ultimately for others; Acknowledging that we are not so different from each other - at the heart of everything we do is a desire for love and acceptance.

Details, including my bio, descriptions of mindfulness practices, location and suggested fees, can be found on my website, Mindful Wellness with Rose Mina Munjee, http://roseminamunjee.com/2017%20Mindful%20Wellness%20Offerings

The dates are as follows:

Approximately every 3rd Saturday of each month in 2017 we offer a day of practice (10:30 am to 4pm): January 21, February 18, March 18, April 29, June 17

Generally doors open at 10:30 am, practice in silence begins by 11am, finishing at 3pm, with tea and social time until 4pm.

Approximately every 2nd Wednesday of each month in 2017 we offer an evening meditation and potluck: January 11, February 8, March 8, April 12, May 10, June 14

Approximately every 4th Wednesday of each month in 2017 we offer evening meditation and tea: January 25, February 22, March 22, April 26, May 24, June 28

We will experience many of the following practices together: intention setting, guided and silent mindfulness meditation, mindful movement, mindful eating, deep relaxation, loving kindness/compassion, reading, and sharing our experience. All beginners and experienced meditators alike are welcome.

All the practices are guided by an experienced facilitator who is also available to answer questions.

Note: there is no daylong in May as we are in courses and retreats, however there are evening sessions that month; the posted dates may change – we will notify you in advance of any changes; the remainder of dates for 2017 will be announced before the beginning of May.

As a gesture of gratitude to all those who practiced with us and were there in spirit, encouraging us from a distance and appreciating this call to share these practices, please feel free to download or stream a guided meditation on Letting Go which will be available soon.

I’ll leave you with this poem and a few inspiring quotes:

‘O Nobly Born, remember your own loving heart. Trust it, honor it, follow it. It will bring you peace.’

- Jack Kornfield, reminding us of ancient words of wisdom.

‘ I am larger and better than I thought. I did not think I held so much goodness.’

- Walt Whitman

The Journey

One day you finally knew

what you had to do, and began,

though the voices around you

kept shouting

their bad advice--

though the whole house

began to tremble

and you felt the old tug

at your ankles.

"Mend my life!"

each voice cried.

But you didn't stop.

You knew what you had to do,

though the wind pried

with its stiff fingers

at the very foundations,

though their melancholy

was terrible.

It was already late

enough, and a wild night,

and the road full of fallen

branches and stones.

But little by little,

as you left their voices behind,

the stars began to burn

through the sheets of clouds,

and there was a new voice

which you slowly

recognized as your own,

that kept you company

as you strode deeper and deeper

into the world,

determined to do

the only thing you could do--

determined to save

the only life you could save.

- Mary Oliver

#mindfulness meditation presence awareness resilience

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