#Colorado trip 2023 (1)

[aisling-saoirse]

Down Along the Colorado - May 21st 2023

[dungeonsandfierceorangecats]

Went to the museum of Boulder and they had a history of beer in Colorado exhibit, and on an old fridge they left a fridge magnet poem set, and this poem was there:

“they must imbibe beautiful yeast by mouth”

Whoever left it there for me to find made my day.

[coochiequeens]

I may not like conservative news sites but at least they are willing to report on crap like this instead of bowing to the TQ+ cult

An 11-year-old little girl was assigned to share a bed with a male student who identifies as a girl while on a cross-country school trip, according to a demand letter sent Monday. That girl's parents are now calling upon the public school system to provide answers and clarification of its policies related to children who identify as transgender.

FIRST ON THE DAILY SIGNAL: An 11-year-old girl was assigned to share a bed with a male student who identifies as a transgender girl while on a cross-country school trip, according to a demand letter sent Monday. That girl’s parents are now calling upon the public school system to provide answers and clarification of its policies related to children who identify as transgender.

Represented by Alliance Defending Freedom, Joe and Serena Wailes are calling on the Colorado-based Jefferson County School Board usaand Jefferson County Public Schools Superintendent Tracy Dorland to clarify “whether JCPS will continue this practice of intentionally withholding information about rooming accommodations from parents like the Waileses, who object to their children rooming with a student of the opposite sex, regardless of the other student’s gender identity.”

“This practice renders it impossible for these parents to make informed decisions about their children’s privacy, upbringing, and participation in school-sponsored programs,” reads the demand letter, which was exclusively provided to The Daily Signal. “Additionally, our clients request information related to JB R-1 and the ability to opt out of this rooming policy for all future school trips.”

The Waileses describe how their daughter, who is in fifth grade, went on a JCPS-sponsored trip to Philadelphia and Washington, D.C., in June 2023. JCPS had repeatedly told parents that the boys and girls on the trip would be roomed on different floors—and chaperones told the students that boys would not even be allowed to visit the girls’ floor, as well as vice versa, according to the letter.

Serena Wailes also went on the trip, though she was not a chaperone.

The Wailes’ 11-year-old daughter, who is identified in the letter as “D.W.,” was assigned to a room with three other students, according to the demand letter. Two of these students were girls from her school, and the third student was a boy who identified as a girl (named in the letter as “K.E.M.”) who went to a different school.

D.W. and K.E.M were told that they would share a bed, and that evening, when the students were in their room together, K.E.M. reportedly revealed to the girls that he is a boy who identified as a girl.

“We were definitely not aware of that before we went on the trip,” Serena Wailes told The Daily Signal in a phone interview. The mother shared that this young boy was presenting as a girl, wearing girls’ clothing, and had longer hair.

Uncomfortable at the thought of sharing both a room and her bed with a boy, D.W. snuck into the bathroom and called her mother. Then she went downstairs and met her mom in the lobby to discuss the matter.

Serena Wailes told The Daily Signal that her daughter was “terrified and really upset about the idea of sharing a bed with a biological boy—even though she had a good relationship with this other student.”

“I was really upset,” Serena Wailes told The Daily Signal. “One, I was really upset that she was put in that situation at 11 years old—I don’t feel that is fair to put kids in that kind of situation—and two, that we were not even given the information that this was a possibility before the trip. The whole time they’re saying, ‘Girls on one floor, boys on another, they’re not going to be in each other’s rooms unless it is pre-approved.’ So we’re going through this whole process, not even recognizing that this is a possibility.”

Joe Wailes said that his wife called him from the hotel and filled him in about the situation.

“I felt a bit helpless,” he said. “I was 2,000 miles away. My daughter is scared in a bathroom trying to get herself out of a situation. It was a frustrating experience, and I just really felt like it was not a situation my daughter should be put in.”

School chaperones called one of the trip leaders, Principal Ryan Lucas, who called the boy’s parents, according to the letter: “K.E.M.’s parents confirmed their child’s transgender gender identity and that K.E.M. was to be in ‘stealth mode,’ meaning students on the trip would not know about their child’s transgender status.”

After a good deal of trouble, chaperones finally agreed to move the male student, with a different female student, to another room.

“Throughout the entire evening, K.E.M.’s privacy and feelings were always the primary concern of JCPS employees,” the letter said. “After JCPS disregarded D.W.’s privacy and the Waileses’ parental rights, JCPS then silenced D.W., thus infringing on her freedom of speech, when a JCPS teacher told the three girls that they were not allowed to tell anyone that K.E.M. was transgender, even though K.E.M. voluntarily chose to share this information.”

According to the demand letter, the school district’s policy is, “in most cases,” to room students based on the gender they identify as, rather than their sex.

The Wailes parents have two fourth-grade children registered to attend a trip to New York, Washington, and Philadelphia in 2024, and they emphasize in their letter that the district must clarify its policies for room assignments for students, as well as parental ability to opt their children out of sharing rooms with children of the opposite sex.

“They want to make sure that every parent knows that this is a possibility and can have the opportunity to opt out or make the best decision for their kid,” Kate Anderson, director of the Center for Parental Rights at Alliance Defending Freedom, told The Daily Signal. “But they also have two younger children that they want to make sure are not in the same situation that their older daughter was in.”

[thgfanfictionlibrary]

Winter/Christmas Masterlist

Created: November 21st, 2023

Last Checked:----

A Touch of the Fingertips-melchimaus (ao3) Summary: A little romance on a cold evening.

An Unbearable Cold-hutchabelle (ao3) Summary: Katniss joins Peeta and his friends for a day of sledding. Without the proper winter clothing, Katniss battles hypothermia and only the underlying heat between them can warm her. Part 1 of For Every Season. Modern AU

At the Peak-maddmaddworld (ao3) Summary: Katniss Everdeen moved to Summit County to work with her mentor and study the geology of the Rocky Mountains. She never expected to meet a sweet, shy snowboard instructor who would turn her first winter in Colorado upside down.

Brokenheartsville-dracoisalooker76, passionately_curious, SoThere (ao3) Summary: Canon AU. When the winter prior to Prim's last reaping is brutal, Katniss agrees to marry Gale. But the night before her toasting has her in the arms of Peeta Mellark and the consequences will change their lives forever.

By the fire-angylinni (ao3) Summary: Peeta and Katniss spend an evening by the fireplace, enjoying a gift from Johanna.

Cabin Fever-atetheredmind (ao3) Summary: Katniss isn’t happy to learn that her New Year’s trip with friends has acquired one more guest: Peeta, the one person she can’t stand. She’s even less thrilled when a snow storm traps the two of them together. Alone.

Christmas Comes Early and Often-hutchabelle (ao3) Summary: Katniss finds herself in a compromising position with Peeta and a household appliance. Well, really…she's just ironing when her husband comes home. It's not her fault things get a little steamy.

combs and a fob chain-orphan_account (ao3) Summary: “And here I have lamely related to you the uneventful chronicle of two foolish children in a flat who most unwisely sacrificed for each other the greatest treasures of their house. But in a last word to the wise of these days let it be said that of all who give gifts these two were the wisest.” – O. Henry

Dreams of White Dresses-Xerxia (ao3) Summary: Winter in District 12 makes Peeta dream of things that can never be…

Enemies to Lovers: Christmas CoWorkers-muttpeeta (tumblr) Summary: "We're coworkers who hate each other but drank too much at our holiday office party"-featuring a pushing, well meaning Finnick.

[blueberryshelves]

__________________________________________

Book Review

Title:  Let the Rubble Fall Author: Mandi Lynn Bell

Series: Road Trip Snapshot, book #2

No. of Pages: 327

ISBN: 9781953388063

Cover design: original cover and pen name before book republishing in 2023.

Synopsis:

Marly moves across the country on a leap of faith, but will the familiar fear of losing someone she loves be her downfall?

For the first time since her parent’s death, Marly has a new sense of hope as she moves to Colorado to be with the boy she had met on her epic cross-country road trip. What’s supposed to be a fresh start, quickly goes awry after Dylan gets into an accident, leaving him stranded in the wilderness alone. As rescuers search for him, Marly is left panicked, wondering if he’s safe as she re-lives the day her parents died.

When Dylan is finally back to safety, it's Marly who’s left battered and afraid. Dylan is eager to heal, while Marly is determined to stop him from risking an injury again. What Marly doesn’t know is that Dylan’s drive to summit mountains goes much deeper than wanting to cross something off his bucket list.

Will Marly’s fear of losing Dylan be the exact thing that pushes him away?

Let the Rubble Fall is the second book in the Road Trip Snapshot Series. If you like sweet romance, outdoors, and coming of age, then you’ll love this story that will be sure to tug at your heartstrings.

__________________________________________

What did I think of the book?

Let the Rubble Fall by Mandi Lynn Bell My rating: ⭐ 1 of 5 stars (1.5) [Disclaimer: spoilers!] A year later, and I'm finally finishing the Road Trip Snapshot series! The first book had a lot of good things going for it that made for an enjoyable read, even despite the issues present in the book. I absolutely loved the 3rd book/standalone of the series. But Let the Rubble Fall is another case that has suffered from what I call the "curse of the second book". This book is labelled as a coming-of-age romance. But the story is riddled with so much drama, and irrational behavior from Marly that it left me wondering why her and Dylan were even together. From chapter 32 and onward, the book is written as if Marly has made good progress in her healing, and is more stable in herself. She's able to be the one to help her boyfriend, Dylan, in healing from his own grief and trauma, and even offers him closure from losing his grandfather. Frankly, I quite enjoyed the ending, and it showed the potential of how the book could have been from the start. But instead, we get a story that is 85% of Marly having pretty extreme mental breakdowns, and running away from her problems at every turn. She quickly becomes toxic and controlling towards her boyfriend, even becoming a hypocrite, when she starts seeing her parents deaths in Dylan's hiking accident. Any progress she made in the first book is lost. She never processes or deals with the loss of her parents in a healthy way. Nothing triggers her to change. She doesn't grow, or make any real character development throughout the story. But at the last 15%, everything suddenly takes a 180 turn, and the story finishes in the end as if she did. It makes the last chapters of the book feel completely disconnected from the rest of the story, and I'm so confused as to what the intended message is being conveyed here. The other issue I experienced with the book was an imbalance in details. Where there was a significant lack of basic character descriptions such as hair color, eye color, body build, etc. throughout the book, other things were over-described with too many unnecessary details crammed into a scene. This was something the first book suffered from as well, but it's even more of an issue in Let the Rubble Fall. I did enjoy the moments where Marly is describing the landscapes she travels to, and they provided a great deal of relief from the rest of the book, but there's not many of them. Favorite character/s: Lori, for being the "voice of reason" throughout the story. Dylan, for being strong in himself, and not letting Marly stop him from doing what he loves. What drew me to this book? It's the second book to the series I was reading. Honestly, I didn't feel that drawn to it on its own. Stars: 1.5 of 5 stars. It pains me a bit to rate it so low, but this really wasn't my idea of a good story or reading experience. View all my reviews

See my reviews for:

Meet Me at the Summit, Road Trip Snapshot book #1 My rating: ⭐⭐⭐ 3 of 5 stars!

The Trail to You & Me, Road Trip Snapshot book #3 My rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5 of 5 stars! - Events in book #3 occur after Let the Rubble Fall, but can be read as a standalone.

[klaineccfanficlibrary]

I was so close to a full bingo.

1. Express Yourself by esperantoauthor​

2. Lost Boy by myownpatronus my-own-patronus

3. Miles To Go by hundredindecisions thnxforknowingme​

4. A “Safe” Choice by izwordsoup special-bc-ur-part-of-it​

5. Wild Child by dreamcatcher klainedreams34​

6. TBA

7. Scenes from December by spaceorphan spaceorphan18​

8. My Heart, It Pounds, Yeah You Got Me by nineofhearts nineofhearts4​

9. Plucking Daisy Petals by hundredindecisions thnxforknowingme​, although I am not sure if it counts, since it isn’t a Klaine fic but it is Klaine-adjacent? But uh, it is Blaine/Quinn, hence the whole “Genre/Trope I don’t normally read��. If it doesn’t count, that’s fine and y’all don’t have to add it to the collection.

Klaine Bingo 2023 - last day of bingo cards! Thank you for this Anon. ~Jen

1. Debut fic: Express Yourself by @esperantoauthor

When he was 4, he didn’t notice it. When he was 6, he hoped he could outgrow it. When he was 14 he thought he could ignore it. When he was 16, he tried hide it.

When Blaine is attacked for being different, he transfers to a new school where he meets a cadre of misfits called The New Directions, who seem very impressed with his singing and very curious about his past. Blaine just wanted to fit in but maybe he will find something better: his voice.

[A canon-divergent story in which Blaine transferred to McKinley rather than Dalton after being attacked at his old school.]

2. Page turner fic: Lost Boy by myownpatronus

On September 20, 1999, Pam and James Anderson's world was shattered when their youngest son, Blaine, was abducted from a local park. Twelve years later, after pain, healing, and tireless searching, the family is reunited in a most unexpected way. But the boy who comes home to them isn't the same one they lost so long ago. Each member of the Anderson family has to learn to change and grow together as a lost boy is found once more.

3.Fanfic that made you reach for a box of tissues: Miles To Go by hundredindecisions @thnxforknowingme

In the wake of Finn’s death, Kurt struggles to keep up with schoolwork at NYADA or engage with his life in general. He finally finds purpose again when he decides to spend the summer venturing west, to scatter Finn’s ashes in the Pacific Ocean. The road trip is long and lonely and challenging, but Kurt’s luck starts to turn around when he meets a handsome man named Blaine, who’s heading to California for his own reasons. After crossing paths in Colorado, they decide to travel together. As they get closer to the west coast they start to let down their walls, learning more about each other and revealing what they’re really seeking on this trip.

4. Fanfic where on has an unusual occupation: A “Safe” Choice by izwordsoup @special-bc-ur-part-of-it

This one is already in our list under this category!!

5. Fanfic - wild card/your choice: Wild Child by dreamcatcher @klainedreams34

Tired of his son rebelling against him, Burt Hummel sends Kurt off to boarding school in England, hoping it will straighten him out. There, Kurt makes friends, gets involved in shenanigans, and just maybe finds the boy of his dreams! Heavily based on the movie of the same name!

6. Summer story: TBA

7. Written for a challenge: Scenes from December by @spaceorphan18

An exploration of Kurt's life throughout various Decembers. The story of family and how the definition of family changes over time.

Written for Klaine Advent 2022.

8. Fic that made you laugh out loud: My Heart, It Pounds, Yeah You Got Me by @nineofhearts4​

This one is already in our list under this category!!

9. Genre/trope you wouldn't normally read: Plucking Daisy Petals by hundredindecisions @thnxforknowingme

Blaine Anderson and Quinn Fabray meet during their first year at Yale, and quickly bond over shared experiences. They become best friends, then roommates, and eventually start dating. Blaine cares for Quinn so much, and everyone else thinks they belong together - so it has to be right, doesn't it?

Inspired by Ljubim te by maanorchidee.

This fic is entirely thanks to maanorchidee and her fic Ljubim te, in which Blaine and Quinn are dating before Blaine meets Kurt while in Slovenia. I was super fascinated by the idea of Blaine and Quinn falling into a romantic relationship during college, because they're both so desperate for affection and sort of don't know any better. So Yuè very kindly gave me permission to write a quasi-prequel (and also gave me the idea for the title!). That being said - I created this independently, so it may not entirely line up with the canon of Ljubim te. It's meant to compliment Yuè's story, but her fictional universe is her own, so there may be inconsistencies.

[marydublinauthor]

✨ Meet the Authors ✨

Hi there! We’re co-author duo Mary Dublin and Anne Kendsley. We’re lucky enough to also call each other best friends! We’ve been friends/writing together for over 10 years now (where did the time go??). Our upcoming project is a unique romantic thriller, The Restoration Program — releasing July 1, 2023!

✍🏻What we like to write about:

We love to write about strong, complex, and memorable characters. We think it’s important to write flawed protagonists and villains with a clear set of values. You’ll find the following genres and tropes in our novels: enemies to lovers, height different romance, grumpy x sunshine, forbidden love, fairies + monsters + hunters, dystopian society, science fiction, urban fantasy, diverse representation, LGBTQA+, romantic thrillers, and more!

🌸🌲When we’re not writing

We love to travel together! One of our favorite trips were hiking the Rocky oMountains in Estes Park, Colorado, and to visit the prehistoric spring, Devil’s Den in Florida. Being in nature always brings a surplus of relaxation and inspiration for both of us!

📚📖 Favorite books?

Some of Mary’s favorites:

The Shadow and Bone Trilogy, UGLIES, ACOTAR, You by Caroline Kepner, the Hunger Games

Some of Anne’s favorites:

The Giver, The Hunger Games, Six of Crows, The House in the Cerulean Sea, Defy the Night

🍿🎥 Favorite Movies:

Some of Mary’s favorites:

The Dark Knight Trilogy, Phantom of the Opera, V for Vendetta, Bullet Train, Pride and Prejudice

Some of Anne’s favorites:

Midsommar, The Cabin in the Woods, Spiderman: Into the Spiderverse, Zombieland, Knives Out

🌸We welcome questions! Please feel free to email or DM us. 🌸 @kendsleyauthor @bittykimmy13

[gravelish]

Alabama Hills (Lone Pine CA)

1 April 2023

After two weeks in San Francisco, I’m on the road again, on my way to Arizona. I’ve got some ideas for rides along the way and this was one of them. Fortunately the weather cooperated, providing me a sunny, clear afternoon with the temperature in the low 60s.

Lone Pine is in the Owens Valley, immediately east of the southern Sierras and Mount Whitney (which at 14,500’ is the highest point in the lower 48, although it’s only barely higher than Mount Rainier in Washington and Mount Elbert in Colorado). The Alabama Hills are weathered granitic knobs that protrude from the lower portion of the alluvial fans, just west of town, and have been the backdrop for many old western movies and TV shows.

My ride climbed through the hills on Tuttle Creek Road and returned to Lone Pine on the main Whitney Portal Road. My two side trips were very different. The first was a long straight climb on Horseshoe Meadows Road to the gate that marks its current closure (a couple of miles before the first big switchbacks and probably where I would have begun seeing snow). The turnaround was right where the road reached the top of the alluvial fan and began climbing the mountains themselves.

The second detour, but also the main reason for the ride, was riding out and back on Movie Road through the main part of the Alabama Hills. It was packed with tourists (only a few others were on bikes). I think the combination of the granitic soils (grus) and some recent road grading were responsible for Movie Road being awfully sandy in places and difficult to ride. It was closed to cars just a couple miles in, apparently due to some recent washouts (yup, it’s been raining hard everywhere in California this winter), but I continued for a ways before turning around. It would have been fun to explore more of the side roads, but the sand was deep and loose and I would have been walking the bike.

[randadrives]

An overview: Moab pt. 1

In 2021, I had no idea where Moab was or why it was considered special. By the beginning of 2023, I had my sights set on finding out. And I really do mean finding out, because I did minimal research! At the end of May that year, I was hooking up my tow trailer, packing my dogs in the truck, and headed west to drive about 1900 miles by myself to a campground in hopes the seasonal job offer I had lined up would work out. The tales of that road trip I’ll save to write for another day, as right now I want to focus on the magnificent experience of Southeast Utah. I heard many people over the years talk shit on Utah, tell me to avoid it, tell me there is nothing there but desert and Mormons. All it took was one different person telling me “I always end up going back to Moab because it feels like home” (shoutout to a wonderful person I met in high school). My advice to fellow travelers, or aspiring travelers, now is: don’t take travel advice from people who have never been anywhere. No offence to vacationers, because everyone travels and finds joy in their own ways, but if someone from western PA tells me not to go to a place like Utah when their yearly vacation is to Myrtle Beach or Florida, I would take their advice with a grain of salt. It might be good advice for them, but that doesn’t make it good advice for you! Discovering for myself what the place had to offer was important to me, and I went with the mindset that if I wasn’t having a good time, I could leave without fulfilling the seasonal commitment. I’m not normally the type to give something up so easily, but that thought was imperative to convincing myself to go try this. If you don’t like it, allow yourself to change your mind.

On my trek, seeing the “Welcome to Utah” sign was magical. There was a gradual change in landscape my last hundred miles or so through Colorado before the border. All the sudden I really was driving through the desert, with vast views on both sides. The sky appeared so open, and I couldn’t wait to see what the stars looked like at night. At the junction of I-70 and Highway 191 is a gas station called Jackass Joe’s, or Papa Joe’s according to Google Maps. This is about 35 minutes from downtown Moab, and I suggest stopping. It’s florescent green, covered in aliens and UFO’s, and they sell many convenient items but are known for their beef jerky and freeze-dried candies. It’s a fun place to take photos and look around to get your eyes off the road for a few minutes. Once on Highway 191, things really start to get interesting. The scenery changes from isolate desert to mountain ranges in the distance, and massive, red rock formations. I thought I had never seen anything more beautiful in my life (this phrase has crossed my mind several times, in several places all over the world, and each time I believe it wholeheartedly, and that’s how you remain happy with life). I looked up that night that these were the La Sal Mountain range of the Manti-La Sal National Forest, and I would spend a lot of time there later. At 13,000 ft, it is Utah’s second highest mountain range. The red rocks started getting closer and more densely occupying the space right after passing the airport (which you will surely miss if you’re not looking for it extremely hard) and the Moab Giants, a museum that will catch your eye with a life-size model of a tyrannosaurus rex outside. On the left hand side, you’ll pass Arches National Park and may not even know it, and then the entrance to Lions Park and a road called 128 next to the Colorado River, which is a must see for anyone who drives through this area. On the right of that is an equally enchanting Potash Rd, which goes up the opposite direction along the river. Then very suddenly, depending on the time of year, you’re in the hustle and bustle of a small town teeming with tourists from all over the world. On both sides there are fast food restaurants that you just don’t expect to see after the sheer magnitude of the rocks you just passed. There are ATV rental businesses, hotels, campgrounds, bicycle stores, and everything you can imagine a small town might need on top of that for their year-round residents. My favorite part was the lack of a Walmart (even Moab can’t escape the grip of Dollar General, though). I passed sign after sign advertising river tours, Jeep tours, base jumping, and things I didn’t even consider would be there. It can be overwhelming the first time! The coolest part for me was with the amount of traffic to look at, all of the overlanding vehicles you notice. The Jeeps with the full set up, the old-school VW vans, the expensive Sprinter vans, the truck campers, the RV’s and tow trailers, the giant Class A’s, the school buses! Bicycles and motorcycles mounted on everything, kayaks and canoes, extra gas cans everywhere, stickers and patches galore. I was thinking how surrounded I was by people who were very intentionally living their lives, and I knew coming here was a decision I would not regret. Downtown, I passed several cute little stores and bakeries I knew I’d be checking out soon. I’m a sucker for a handmade, local souvenir, and I love coffee shops. Exiting the main drag and continuing down 191, the stores and businesses lessen and you can see the full view of the Moab Rim, the cliffs along the west side of the town. These are beautiful when the sun hits them. And just ahead you can see the La Sal mountains in their full glory. I arrived at the campground, Moab Rim Camppark, and let the exploring begin.

[kikiskeysgame]

Kiki's Keys to the Chicago Blackhawks-Colorado Avalanche Game (10/19/2023)

Good morning, Blackhawks fans! The Blackhawks' road trip ends tonight as they play against the Colorado Avalanche in the first of four meetings this season.

(FYI: Tonight's game starts at 9:30; if for some reason, you can't stay up that late to watch the game, I will fill you in on the details in my post-game recap).

Here are my keys for tonight's game: 1.) Continue to keep the offense productive and consistent; don't allow yourselves to be invisible on the scoreboard. 2.) Keep your power play up and moving. 3.) Be aware of the Colorado Avalanche, who are coming off a 4-1 win against the Seattle Kraken on Tuesday night; they have won each of their first three games of the season. 4.) Stay on your "A" game through three whole periods of hockey in order to end the road trip on a good note.

[dear-wormwoods]

Colorado trip 2023, part 1 -

While we did NOT get to go to Casa Bonita due to not winning the ticket lottery, we did have tons of amazing food this trip! Pictured are a few courses from Wolf’s Tailor, including birthday dessert (yes, I’m even older now), prawn and bison from Beckon, an ounce of wine from 1898 we sampled for the hell of it, a charcuterie board and filet flight from Guard & Grace, and a rabbit dish from El Five. The Denver skyline picture was taken from the balcony of El Five, and there were also amazing fireworks that night which we had the perfect view of.

We also went to Matsuhisa but I honestly forgot to take pictures because I was so afraid of missing our flight that night, but someday I’ll go back and do the omakase menu. This week was definitely a splurge week, as we also did a spa day in Breckenridge on my birthday, and it was soo worth it. Favorite hands down was Beckon - totally blown away by the experience, as well as the knowledge of the sommelier and other staff. I tried both caviar and wagyu for the first time there, which felt like peak fanciness. Sadly the lighting was dim, so none of my photos from the tasting do the food any justice.

[bongaboi]

North Central: 2024 NCAA Division III Football National Champions

HOUSTON -- Luke Lehnen accounted for five touchdowns Sunday night and North Central beat Mount Union 41-25 to win its third Division III national championship.

The Cardinals (15-0) appeared in their fifth consecutive Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl.

Lehnen threw two of his four touchdown passes to Jacob Paradee and has 162 in his career, tied with John Matocha (D-II Colorado School of Mines, 2019 to 2023) for college football's all-divisions record.

Mount Union's Tyler Echeverry ran 29 yards untouched to open the scoring -- the first time North Central has trailed this season.

Lehnen, who went 57-2 over his college career, threw a 24-yard touchdown pass to Myles Walton to make it 7-7 with 4:35 left in the first quarter. It gave Lehnen 159 career TD passes, breaking Braxton Plunk's (Mount Union, 2019 to 2023) D-III record.

After the Purple Raiders failed to convert on fourth down deep in North Central territory, Lehnen scored on a 16-yard run about seven minutes into the second quarter to make it 14-7 and the Cardinals led the rest of the way.

Mount Union (14-1) made trips into the red zone on four consecutive possessions but scored just once, a 30-yard field goal by Ivan Maric with 3:57 remaining in the first half.

The Purple Raiders (75) and North Central (47) have won a combined 122 consecutive regular-season games.

Mount Union has won 13 D-III championships in 23 title-game appearances, both of which are records. North Central -- which captured its first title in 2019, the first championship-game berth in program history -- beat the Purple Raiders 28-21 in the 2022 title game.

Echeverry, who had 68 yards rushing and a touchdown on eight carries in the first quarter, finished with 20 carries for 83 yards.

[limotes786a]

Final Score Colorado Avalanche 5 – 1 Utah Hockey Club NHL 2024 25 Season t shirt

Final Score Colorado Avalanche 5 – 1 Utah Hockey Club NHL 2024 25 Season t shirt

Eunice and I wrote three novels in 2021. Two of Final Score Colorado Avalanche 5 – 1 Utah Hockey Club NHL 2024 25 Season t shirt are slated for publication in 2022, the third in 2023. We’ve outlined four novels we plan to write in 2022, in two different unrelated genres. We are even planning to live-stream the start of one of those novels, which should be fun and interesting. The Barcelona trip the extended polyamorous network had planned for 2020, that got scuttled thanks to COVID, is (tentatively) back on for 2022. We still have reservations at the castle outside Barcelona. A dozen kinky people in a castle in Spain soubds like a blast. My wife and I are planning a cross-country trip photographing abandoned amusement parks. In the late 1990s and early 2000s, the bottom fell out of the amusement park industry, and scores of amusement parks across the country were simply abandoned, left to decay. Today they’re weird and overgrown and beautiful. We want to do photos of about a dozen of them, and possibly publish a coffee table book.

[litotelivan]

Final Score Colorado Avalanche 5 – 1 Utah Hockey Club NHL 2024 25 Season t shirt

Eunice and I wrote three novels in 2021. Two of Final Score Colorado Avalanche 5 – 1 Utah Hockey Club NHL 2024 25 Season t shirt are slated for publication in 2022, the third in 2023. We’ve outlined four novels we plan to write in 2022, in two different unrelated genres. We are even planning to live-stream the start of one of those novels, which should be fun and interesting. The Barcelona trip the extended polyamorous network had planned for 2020, that got scuttled thanks to COVID, is (tentatively) back on for 2022. We still have reservations at the castle outside Barcelona. A dozen kinky people in a castle in Spain soubds like a blast. My wife and I are planning a cross-country trip photographing abandoned amusement parks. In the late 1990s and early 2000s, the bottom fell out of the amusement park industry, and scores of amusement parks across the country were simply abandoned, left to decay. Today they’re weird and overgrown and beautiful. We want to do photos of about a dozen of them, and possibly publish a coffee table book.

NFL New Orlean Saints Football Santa Claus Hohoho Christmas Pattern shirt

The North Node of Gemini is in Gemini, pushing us to find clarity in matters while moving toward greater understanding of NFL New Orlean Saints Football Santa Claus Hohoho Christmas Pattern shirt. This means that the South Node of Destiny will be in Sagittarius, which means we are releasing outdated philosophies. There will be four eclipses in 2021. These are action packed luminaries in the form of a Solar Eclipse, which is an intense New Moon, and a Lunar Eclipse, which is an energetically charged Full Moon. Each will bring major circumstances in situations and relationships to light. The Eclipses will occur on these dates: The Lunar Eclipse in Sagittarius on May 26th, Solar Eclipse in Gemini on June 10th, Lunar Eclipse in Taurus on November 19th, and a Solar Eclipse in Sagittarius December 4th. Mercury Retrograde will occur on January 30th to February 21st in Aquarius, May 29th to June 22nd in Gemini, and September 27th to October 23rd in Libra. During this time, we’ll change and evolve our innermost perspectives and ideology.

[internationalrealestatenews]

[ad_1] Excessive mortgage charges hindered housing markets throughout a lot of the nation in 2023, however that wasn’t the case for Houston’s ultra-luxury market.  House gross sales exceeding the $10 million threshold surged by 75 % in Houston final 12 months, the Houston Chronicle reported, citing Compass.  Nevertheless, house gross sales above $1 million decreased by 8.4 % in 2023, in keeping with the Houston Affiliation of Realtors. Compass discovered that seven ultra-luxury residences in Houston modified palms in 2023, in transactions totaling $78 million. That greenback quantity marks a 20 % bounce from the earlier 12 months, regardless of the comparatively small variety of offers. Notably, there have been no public offers over $10 million in 2021 or 2020, exhibiting momentum within the high-end market. Fueling this surge are professionals from varied sectors, together with power, healthcare and regulation.  Whereas eight-figure transactions are on the rise within the Bayou Metropolis, they pale compared to Manhattan, Los Angeles and Miami. Trip spots equivalent to Palm Seaside, Florida and Aspen, Colorado additionally rank extremely for $10 million-plus gross sales. “There are many $20 million to $40 million homes in a whole lot of these resort cities… the place individuals everywhere in the world are shuffling round,” Compass dealer Robert Bland advised the outlet. “In Houston, although, when you’re going to have an ultra-luxury home, chances are high, you reside right here, you're employed right here, and what you are promoting is right here.” Bland was the itemizing agent for the River Oaks mansion at 3315 Del Monte Drive that lately offered for $12 million to Dr. Calvin Jung, a plastic surgeon who has ties with rapper Drake.  Learn extra One standout property available on the market is 3 Briarwood Court docket, listed at an eye-popping $27.5 million. If offered for the asking worth, it will set a file for most costly house sale on file in Houston, topping a $20 million transaction in 2022.  With builders more and more assured find prosperous consumers, speculative initiatives like these by Layne Kelley Houses, which embrace $25 million and $29 million listings, have gotten extra widespread, the outlet stated. Furthermore, projections counsel that Houston’s pool of ultra-high-net-worth people will proceed to increase, additional fueling the demand for ultra-luxury properties. —Quinn Donoghue  [ad_2] Supply hyperlink

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[ad_1] Our guide to the best day hikes from the Grand Canyon South Rim includes route descriptions, maps, and safety tips. There’s a hike for anyone so take your pick and have a great day out. LAST UPDATE: 21 Jan 2024 Anywhere We Roam is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn a small affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks for your support - Paul & Mark. Stretching along a 278-mile section of the Colorado River and extending up to 18 miles wide at its maximum width, the Grand Canyon is the largest canyon in the world. Grand Canyon viewpoints are dotted along the north and south rim. But to truly appreciate this magnificent natural wonder, its best to strap on those hiking shoes and take to the trails. The best Grand Canyon hiking is around Grand Canyon Village on the South Rim. There’s a trail here for almost anyone of any ability. Easy hikes stick to the rim taking in commanding viewpoints, medium trails descend to the outer canyon and challenging ones descend all the way to the inner canyon. This guide covers the best day hikes at the South Rim. It includes a description of each hike, maps and safety tips from the National Park Service. Travel update: Bright Angel Trail will be mostly closed between December 1, 2023, and April 14, 2024. SOUTH KAIBAB TRAIL GRAND CANYON SOUTH RIM HIKING MAP Below is a map of the best day hikes from Grand Canyon South Rim so you can see where they are all located. The walks use five different trails: South Rim Trail – Orange Bright Angel Trail – Red South Kaibab Trail – Purple Grandview Trail – Brown Shoshone Trail – Blue The distances of each walk are for the complete round trip hike and the elevation is the difference in altitude between the lowest and highest part of the hike. >> How to use this map / Click on the top left of the map to display the list of locations, then click on the locations to display further information. Click on the top right corner of the map to open a larger version in a new tab or the star to save to your Google Maps.   EASY GRAND CANYON DAY HIKES These easy hikes are less than 2 miles, involve less than 800 feet of ascent and descent, and take under 2 hours. These walks can be undertaken by almost anyone, although the hike to Ooh Ahh Point requires a moderate level of fitness. MEDIUM GRAND CANYON DAY HIKES These medium hikes are between 3 and 5½ miles long, involve less than 1, 600 feet of ascent and descent, and take between 2 to 4 hours. These hikes can be undertaken by regular hikers with a decent level of fitness and comfortable footwear. CHALLENGING GRAND CANYON DAY HIKES These challenging hikes are over 5½ miles long, involve over 2,000 feet of ascent and descent and take more than 4 hours. You should be an experienced hiker with a good level of fitness and proper hiking boots or shoes. PLATEAU POINT SHOSHONE POINT SOUTH KAIBAB TRAIL EASY 1. POWELL POINT TO MOHAVE POINT Distance – 1.6 miles (point to point) Time – 45 minutes Elevation change – 70 feet descent The South Rim Trail follows the southern edge of Grand Canyon for 13 miles between the South Kaibab Trailhead and Hermits Rest. Shuttle buses head up and down the route, so you can pick a small section of the trail for an easy hike. This easy Grand Canyon hike follows the trail between three of the best Grand Canyon viewpoints – Powell Point, Hopi Point and Mohave Point. The walk only takes 45 minutes and slowly descends downhill, so you get amazing views for very little effort. At Mohave Point the buttes and mesas are particularly striking, and if you look carefully, you can see the water surging over Salt Creek, Granite, and Hermit rapids. When – This is a great hike to do just before sunset. Getting to the Trailhead – Take the shuttle bus (red route) from Grand Canyon Village to Powell Point to start the walk. At the end of walk, get the shuttle bus from Mohave Point back to Grand Canyon Village. From December to March, you can also drive your own vehicle.

Facilities – Restrooms at Hope Point. MOHAVE POINT HOPI POINT HOPI POINT EASY 2. SHOSHONE POINT Distance – 2-mile round trip (1 mile each way) Time – 50 minutes Elevation change – 50 feet ascent and descent Shoshone Point is hands down our favorite Grand Canyon Viewpoint. Not advertised by the authorities and often missing on maps, it is a peaceful and serene location with views in all directions. Over the years, it has become an interesting destination for weddings. On our visit, one couple were taking their vows, and another were back to celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary.   The only way to get here is to walk. It’s an easy 25-minute walk from the parking lot through the Kaibab Forest to the lookout. Keep your eyes out for elk. When – Shoshone Point is a great place to be for sunset. Getting to the Trailhead – Take Desert View Drive 5 miles east of Grand Canyon Village and park in one of the 20 spaces at Shoshone parking lot (Marked in blue on the map above). Facilities – None. SHOSHONE POINT ELK ON THE SHOSHONE HIKE SHOSHONE POINT EASY 3. SOUTH KAIBAB TO OOH AAH POINT Distance – 1.8-mile round trip (0.9 miles each way) Time – 1 hour 30 minutes Elevation change – 600 feet descent and ascent There are several trails that descend into the canyon, but many have steep switchbacks, and the views take a while to appear. The South Kaibab Trail is an exception. This short hike to Ooh Aah Point is the easiest way to get a feeling for what it’s like to descend into the canyon. The hike begins at the South Kaibab Trailhead, descends a couple of switchbacks, then follows a straighter flatter trail as it heads under the canyon walls. After just 30 minutes it arrives at Ooh Aah point. From here you get a unique perspective of the buttes and mesas of the Grand Canyon. You can also see the South Kaibab trail below you as it winds its way deeper into the canyon. TRAIL TO OOH AAH POINT This is harder than the other easy hikes from the South Rim because you have to climb back up 600 feet of elevation, but it’s worth the effort. When – Early morning or late afternoon when the switchbacks are in shade. Getting to the trailhead – Take the Kaibab South Rim bus (orange line) from Mather Point or the Visitors Centre to South Kaibab Trailhead stop. Facilities – South Kaibab Trailhead has a restroom and a water refill station (May to October only). There is no water once you leave the trailhead. There is parking at Pipe Creek Vista but it’s 0.75 miles from the trailhead. OOH AAH POINT VIEW FROM OOH AAH POINT MEDIUM 4. POWELL POINT TO PIMA POINT Distance – 5.4 miles (point to point) Time – 2 hours 30 minutes Elevation change – 400 feet descent This is the best section of the South Rim Trail, covering about half its length. It’s an extension of hike 1 above, starting with Powell, Hopi and Mohave viewpoints, then continuing along the trail to Pima Point. Along the way it passes the Great Mohave Wall Viewpoint and peers down into the Abyss – the deepest sheer vertical drop on the South Rim. Pima Point itself sits on a promontory overhanging the canyon. It has an excellent view of the Colorado River set in a deep gash in the canyon. On quiet days, the Granite Rapids can be heard echoing around the canyon walls 4,000 feet below. The walk is 5.4 miles which can be tiring on a hot day. But the trail is quite easy with almost no uphill and only very gradual descent. When – Late afternoon for great sunsets. Getting to the Trailhead – Take the shuttle bus (red route) from Grand Canyon Village to Powell Point. At the end of the hike get the shuttle bus from Pima Point back to Grand Canyon Village. From December to March, you can also drive your own vehicle. Facilities – There are restrooms at Hope Point. PIMA POINT POWELL POINT MEDIUM 5. SOUTH KAIBAB TRAIL TO CEDAR RIDGE Distance – 3-mile loop (1.5 miles each way) Time – 2 hours, 30 minutes Elevation change – 1,150 feet descent and ascent

This is our favorite medium-difficulty day hike from Grand Canyon South Rim. There are three reasons. Firstly, it uses the South Kaibab Trail which stays higher up on the ridgeline offering better views for longer. Secondly, it’s less busy than the popular Bright Angel Trail. Thirdly the trail itself is wonderful, especially the section between Ooh Aah Point and Cedar Ridge where the deep red path runs above a narrow ridge. TRAIL TO CEDAR RIDGE The only downside is the lack of shade. In spring or fall the temperatures are not too bad, but in summer, this trail can be very hot. When – Start early morning so you can finish the climb back before it gets too hot. Getting to the trailhead – Take the Kaibab South Rim bus (orange line) from Mather Point or the Visitors Centre to the South Kaibab Trailhead stop. There is parking at Pipe Creek Vista but it’s 0.75 miles from the trailhead. Facilities – There are restrooms at South Kaibab Trailhead and Cedar Ridge. The South Kaibab Trailhead has a water refill station (May to October), but there is no water on the trail. CEDAR RIDGE MEDIUM 6. BRIGHT ANGEL TRAIL TO 2 MILE CORNER Distance – 4-mile round trip (2 miles each way) Time – 3 hours 15 minutes Elevation change – 1,360 feet descent and ascent Bright Angel Trail is the most famous of the trails that descends into the Grand Canyon. From the trailhead at Grand Canyon Village, it is 10 miles and 4,000 feet of descent to reach Phantom Ranch on the banks of the Colorado River. Unfortunately, the best section of the trail is towards the end as it cuts across the inner canyon. However, you can get a good feeling of what the trail is like by walking to 2-mile Corner. From Grand Canyon Village the Bright Angel Trail starts a gradual descent. Passing through a tunnel, a wonderful view of the path twisting down the canyon opens up before you. The trail passes through another tunnel and then descends steeply through a series of switchbacks. After about 1 hour you arrive at 1.5-mile Resthouse. A further 15 minutes brings you to 2-mile Corner with another great view over the trail disappearing down the canyon. At 2-mile corner, turn around and climb the 1,360-foot elevation back up the canyon wall. BRIGHT ANGEL TRAIL The views are never as expansive as from the South Kaibab or South Rim Trail. But the path tucked against the canyon wall is interesting. The temperature increase as you descend is remarkable. When – A good part of this trail is shaded for much of the day, making it a good option for avoiding the sun. Getting to the trailhead – Bright Angel Trailhead is at the western end of Grand Canyon Village. Facilities – There are restrooms at Grand Canyon Village and 1.5 Mile Resthouse. Drinking water is available at 1.5-mile rest house during summer months (May to September) but take plenty anyway. 2 MILE CORNER CHALLENGING 7. SOUTH KAIBAB TO SKELETON POINT Distance – 6-mile round trip (3 miles each way) Time – 4 hours 45 minutes Elevation change – 2,060 feet descent and ascent This excellent challenging day hike from Grand Canyon South Rim descends into the canyon using the South Kaibab Trail. It passes Ooh Ahh Point and Cedar Ridge before reaching Skeleton Point, where you get the first view of the river from the trail. The route to Cedar Ridge follows walk 5 above, after which the trail gradually descends along the ridgeline, before dropping steeply down the side of O’Neil Butte. The path then contours around the butte and re-joins the ridgeline to gradually descend again to Skeleton Point Overlook. Deep in the outer canyon you can see a small section of the Colorado River and the South Kaibab Trail disappearing down the switchbacks below you. SKELETON POINT There is almost no shade on this route and no water, so it is not recommended in summer. It’s a great hike, but if you only have time for one challenging hike, we suggest Plateau Point (see below). When – This is a long hike so get an early start.

Getting to the trailhead – Take the Kaibab South Rim bus (orange line) from Mather Point or the Visitors Centre to South Kaibab Trailhead stop. There is parking at Pipe Creek Vista but its 0.75 miles from the trailhead. Facilities – There are restrooms at South Kaibab Trailhead and Cedar Ridge. The South Kaibab Trailhead has drinking water (May to October only), but there is no water on the trail. SKELETON POINT CHALLENGING 8. GRANDVIEW TO HORSESHOE MESA Distance – 6-mile round trip (3 miles each way) Time – 5 hours 30 minutes Elevation change – 2,500 feet descent and ascent This is the most rugged of the Grand Canyon South Rim day hikes. Originally built by miners in 1893, the route is a wonder of engineering. Cutting its way down the canyon the route is a mix of rocky trails, cobblestone stairs, and log-supported (wooden crib) paths. The cobblestone sections are often extremely steep and tough on the knees. After about an hour you reach Coconino Saddle where views open up to the east and west. The trail now cuts along a narrow section that often gets washed away (so take care) and then descends along the ridge. As you approach the mesa, the trail evens out. Keep left when the trail splits at Page Spring and you have reached Horseshoe Mesa. This is a tough hike, with little shade and no water on route. The path is less well marked than South Rim, South Kaibab, or Bright Angel and is strewn with rocks and boulders making it hard going. You will, however, leave the crowds behind and quite possibly be enjoying this spectacular location all to yourself. This is only recommended for experienced hikers. When – This is a tough hike so start early. Getting to the trailhead – Take Desert View Drive 12 miles (19 kilometres) east of the Grand Canyon Village or 13 miles (20 kilometres) west of Desert View and park at Grandview Point. Facilities – There are restrooms at Grandview Point, but there is no drinking water available, so bring plenty. HORSESHOE MESA FROM MORAN POINT CHALLENGING 9. BRIGHT ANGEL TRAIL TO PLATEAU POINT Distance – 12-mile round trip (6.1 miles each way) Time – 8 hours Elevation change – 3,110 feet descent and ascent The walk to Plateau Point is a long but brilliant day hike. Descending the switchbacks of the Bright Angel Trail it passes 1.5-mile Resthouse, 2-mile Corner, and 3-mile Resthouse before reaching Indian Garden. Here an oasis of trees provides a lovely spot for a rest. Just after Indian Garden the trail splits. Ignore the Bright Angel trail that keeps right heading down into the canyon. Instead turn left, cross over Garden Creek, and (keeping the river on your right) follow the Plateau Point Trail. This section is a wonderful exploration of the plateau between the inner and outer canyons. The trail cuts through a desert scenery of cacti, low scrub, and dwarf trees with expansive views of the outer canyon walls. It ends at Plateau Point, a sublime lookout with views of the Colorado River 1,300 feet directly below you. At 12.2 miles and with over 3,000 feet of ascent and descent, this day hike is not to be taken lightly, but there is help along the way. INDIAN GARDEN Firstly, the switchbacks are often in shade making the hardest part of the walk a little cooler. Secondly there are several restrooms and water refilling stations on route. Thirdly Indian Garden is about half-way with shady spot to take a rest and a ranger’s station in case you need advice. If you only do one challenging hike from Grand Canyon South Rim, and you’re fit enough, make it this one. When – This is the longest of the Grand Canyon hikes so start near dawn to give yourself plenty of time. Getting to the trailhead – Bright Angel Trailhead is at the western end of Grand Canyon Village. Facilities – There are restrooms at Grand Canyon Village, 1.5 Mile Resthouse, 3-mile Resthouse and Indian Garden. Drinking water is available at 1.5-mile Resthouse, 3-mile Resthouse and Plateau Point during summer months (May to September). Indian Garden has drinking water all year round.

PLATEAU POINT HIKING AND SAFETY INFORMATION For all of these hikes, even the easy ones, make sure you have enough water with you. For the longer hikes, snacks are also important to stay energised. Walking boots or shoes with decent grip are required for all the hikes that descend into the canyon.   The national park has some excellent information on the various trails including tips for staying safe. To make sure you see all the great vistas on the South Rim here’s a list of the best viewpoints in Grand Canyon. TOP OF THE BRIGHT ANGEL TRAIL WHERE NEXT AFTER TE GRAND CANYON The Grand Canyon is part of an amazing area of landscapes spread across Utah and northern Arizona. They can be explored on a wonderful 2-week US road trip that includes Utah’s Mighty 5, Monument Valley and Las Vegas.  Here are our recommendations on how to see it all: [ad_2] Source link