Matador Network's Blog, page 1067

More issues found in Boeing 737 Max

As if the Boeing 737 Max didn’t have enough issues to deal with, a new flaw has been found in the aircraft which might delay its return to the skies even longer.

According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), another potential risk has been identified in the aircraft during simulator tests. Currently, Boeing is in the process of upgrading the aircraft’s flight control system, which is thought to have caused two fatal crashes, one in Indonesia in October and another in Ethiopia in March.

The FAA tweeted, “On the most recent issue, the FAA’s process is designed to discover and highlight potential risks. The FAA recently found a potential risk that Boeing must mitigate.” And although the specifics of the problem are still murky, a source told the BBC, “During simulator testing last week at Boeing, FAA test pilots discovered an issue that affected their ability to quickly and easily follow the required recovery procedures for runaway stabiliser trim (i.e., to stop stabilisers on the aircraft’s tail moving uncontrollably). The issue was traced to how data is being processed by the flight computer.”

It is not clear yet if the new issue can be resolved with a software fix or if it is hardware related, in which case, the grounding may last even longer than expected. According to The Guardian, “United and Southwest have grounded the plane through August.”


More like this: Why you have to put your shades up for takeoff, and other answers to your burning airline questions

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Cruise ship cheers late passengers

Late passengers are usually despised in the traveling community – after all, their tardiness is taking up precious vacation time for the rest of us. But for most of the Norwegian Cruise Line passengers earlier this month, a delay was no biggie, apparently.

The cruise ship was preparing to disembark from Bermuda, but was held up by three passengers who failed to show up for the 2:30 PM departure time, reported Thrillist.

Embarrassingly — though according to protocol — the crew announced their names via the intercom, and eventually prepared to leave without them. When they were seen sprinting for the ship, however, the crew reopened the gangway and waited for them to arrive at the dock, go through security, and eventually board.

The ship full of passengers was only delayed by 20 minutes, and the other passengers did not hold it against the latecomers. They watched them run all the way up the dock to the ship and welcomed them back with some applause and loud cheers. It’s a welcoming committee never seen on an airplane, that’s for sure.


More like this: 7 actually cool cruises that are nothing like the ones your parents take

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How to travel to Cuba from US

And here you thought your window for traveling to Cuba had been unceremoniously slammed shut.

When the Trump administration announced earlier this month it was severely curtailing US travel to Cuba, your dreams of smoking cigars in bright pink ‘57 Chevys seemed shot. The old “people-to-people” visa was cancelled, cruise ships halted port calls, and day trips from Key West hotels went back to being the stuff of 1940s fantasies.

But all is not lost. A number of tour operators bent on getting folks to Cuba have found ways around the Trump administration’s ban. By carefully examining the remaining categories of travel, and taking advantage of a few exceptions to the law, these companies offer tours that allow you to get right into the heart of the island. Best of all, you’re doing it completely legally.

So how are they doing it? And how is any of this legal? We talked to some operators taking Americans to Cuba, and they broke it down.

Pre-existing tours are grandfathered in.

When the ban was announced, the administration allowed anyone who’d purchased one leg of travel before June 5 to continue with their plans. That means if you’d booked a flight, hotel, tour, rental car, or other travel products, your old people-to-people visa was still good to go.

Theoretically, you’d think this means if you hadn’t booked something already you’re SOL, but that’s not the case.

Because tour companies are the ones doing the actual purchasing of travel products — hotels, buses, etc. — they are still eligible for the people-to-people visas. And if you buy into one of their tours for which they’ve already made plans, Cuba is all yours.

“Because (we) had already reserved hotel accommodations for people-to-people trips in Cuba prior to June 5, anyone traveling with us to Cuba on a people-to-people program is grandfathered in as completely legal,” explained Edward Piegza, president and founder of Classic Journeys, which will be running Cuba trips through the end of the year.

The same goes from smarTours, which will be running trips through 2020 including the Best of Cuba tour, which stops in Havana, Cienfuegos, Camagüey, and Holguin. And the Cuba Up Close tour which includes stays in private homes and exchanges with local artists and musicians. The latter, smarTours hopes, will still qualify for visas even after its existing tours are over.

“In the future, past 2020, we’ll be looking into options under the ‘support for the Cuban people’ category,” said Kendra Guild, smarTours’ director of product and operations. “We have a tour where people stay in private homes, which qualifies.”

So you may not be able to live like Hemingway at the Hotel Nacional, but you can still visit the island. Your airline will still ask for your visa type when you book, so you’ll need to select “people-to-people with the grandfather clause.” If the airline doesn’t offer that, Piegza suggested selecting “educational activities,” so long as there’s no mention of a degree. If the airline doesn’t offer that, he said it’s probably still playing catch-up, and to check with other airlines.

Support for Cuban people is the new ticket in.

These grandfathered trips are all well and good if you were planning to go to Cuba in the next couple of years. But what about beyond that?

A couple of tour companies have looked carefully — with lawyers! — at the dozen remaining categories under which Americans can legally travel to Cuba. Under the “support for Cuban people” visa, they’ve found ways to operate tours, with one slight change.

“The people to people required us to provide a chaperone who ensured we were fulfilling the requirements of that visa,” said Michael Edwards, managing director for Europe and the Americas at Intrepid Travel, which will be continuing its Cuban tours as Hola Cuba for US citizens. “Under the new amendment, it’s the responsibility of the traveler to document their interactions. We’ll no longer have a chaperone, but we’re providing all travelers with a diary, and we’ll give time to document interaction with Cuban people and culture.”

Sounds like a pretty simple loophole, but Edwards insisted his team looked at the law carefully and found this to be completely on the books.

“For us, to continue running this trip was paramount,” he said. “To not be able to run it is pretty depressing in 2019, not to get people to experience the country. So we’re happy we found a way around it that complies with the amendment.”

Friendly Planet will also continue Cuba tours under the “support for Cuban people” visa. Founder Peggy Goldman said her trips more or less fell under this stipulation already, and she’s excited to continue introducing people to Cuban culture.

“We have used and will continue to use paladars for meals. We have stayed and will continue to stay at casas particulares,” she said. “We have visited and will continue to visit and support community projects that benefit artists, musicians, educators, farmers and most especially, the entrepreneurs. Our departures will be smaller than before, but we will continue to be 100 percent compliant with the law.”

She did warn, however, that travelers need to stay with their group and participate in the group activities, since wandering off on your own might inadvertently put you out of bounds of US regulations. She also suggested keeping your records for up to five years.

As far as visas go, travelers will still be responsible for obtaining them. But Intrepid, at least, will refund your tour price if your visa is denied.

“We understand the sensitivities around it,” Edwards said.

So, though going to Cuba isn’t as simple as stepping off a cruise ship, you can still make it happen. Despite the government’s efforts to keep US citizens from visiting, enterprising travel companies have found a way to make it happen — hopefully keeping our cultural exchanges going no matter the political situation.

“You can never say what planned legislation will come along,” said Edwards, “and it’s reasonable that other changes may happen. But hopefully we’ll still find ways to run tours to Cuba for U.S. citizens. We’re pretty confident at this stage.”


More like this: 5 awesome tour companies that are actually giving back to the community

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‘Stranger Things’ Coney Island

Anticipation has been building for the release of the third season of Stranger Things, which will premiere on July 4. But in case you binge the whole thing in one night, you can still get a healthy dose of Stranger Things at Coney Island in New York City the next day.

From July 5 to July 7, Stranger Things will take over Deno’s Wonder Wheel Amusement Park. Starting at 11:00 AM and running until 6:00 PM, guests will be able to enjoy treats and rides inspired by the Netflix show.

Themed surprises include the Hawkins Fourth of July Spectacular Fireworks Show at 9:30 PM on July 5, and goodies from the Hawkins Scoops Ahoy ice cream shop. Classic Coney Island rides like the Tilt-a-Whirl, Wonder Wheel, and bumper cars will get a Stranger Things makeover.

Coney Island isn’t the only place getting the Stranger Things treatment. This weekend, the Santa Monica Pier in California is also joining in on the fun, with ‘80s cover bands, the Hawkins High School cheerleading squad, food eating competitions, magicians, and the Hawkins Bike Shop.


More like this: The 7 strangest theme parks around the world

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How to sleep on a flight

It’s no secret that sleeping on planes is uncomfortable — that is, unless you’re willing to drop some dough on a luxury first-class seat. But for the rest of us, catching some shut-eye in a plane seat isn’t exactly ideal. Aside from close proximity to strangers and possible pre-vacation nerves, there’s another reason why it can be difficult to doze off, even on a red-eye flight.

“Sleeping on a plane is difficult mostly because of gravity,” explained John Breese, sleep science coach and CEO and founder of Happy Sleepy Head, a site focused on sleep issues and products. “See, when you lie horizontally in your bed, you can relax completely, and gravity doesn’t work against you. But when you are in an upright position in your plane seat, your body can’t relax completely because it needs to maintain balance in order to not fall into an aisle or onto your neighbor (due to gravity).”

So when it comes to getting some rest on a plane, the goal is to create an environment for yourself that is conducive to sleeping. This often means blocking out noise and light, and positioning yourself so you can relax as best as possible. It’s always recommended to bring the standard eye mask and noise-canceling headphones in your carry-on, but according to the pros, there are a few other things you can do to get comfortable.

Read on for expert-approved tips and tricks on how to get the best sleep on a plane. From what to wear to how to prepare, this advice will help you drift off next time you hit the skies, especially if you’re in for a long flight.

1. Be mindful when choosing your seat.

While budget limits seat choice to some extent, there are a few things you can control. Of course, the earlier you’re able to reserve a seat, the more options you’ll likely have. “If it’s possible, book the seat near the window so that you can also lean on the wall to relax your neck and spine,” Breese suggested. “If you can’t get a window seat, you can still lean on the back of your seat by turning your body to the side. You might appear sitting face-to-face to the passenger next to you, but you shouldn’t feel uncomfortable because of that…I’ve seen people do really weird things to get comfortable on a plane.”

Ruth Petralifi, a personal travel planner at Not Just Travel, gave a few more insider tips. “Avoid seats right at the back, as many don’t recline and can be close to the toilets,” she advised. “If you’re traveling on Virgin, look out for seats in ‘the bubble.’ These are economy seats next to premium economy and are more spacious. Many people don’t know about it, and it has less than 20 seats.” She also recommended checking out SeatGuru, where you can look up seat plans by airline and flight number, before booking your ticket.

2. Wear comfortable clothing.

No, you don’t have to wear your plaid flannels to the airport in order to catch some sleep on your red-eye. You can certainly pack them in your carry-on, or consider other options that are as comfortable as they are stylish.

“Anything constricting, itchy or uncomfortable in any way should be left at home,” said Charish Badzinski, writer and founder of Rollerbag Goddess Global Communications. “This doesn’t mean you have to wear sweatpants or athleisure wear. There are loads of comfortable clothing options that also look great. I try to avoid anything with a tight waistband, in particular, as it can cut in after 10 hours on a plane.”

Some ideas to consider: joggers, stretchy jeggings, drawstring palazzo pants, maxi skirts, flowy tops, and soft sweaters.

3. Bring layers.

Frequent travelers know that planes can get chilly, and there’s nothing worse than trying to catch some zzz’s while you’re shivering. “Bring socks and a sweater or sweatshirt [on a flight],” Badzinski recommended. “Overnight flights almost always get cold for me. Just being able to keep my toes warm, or pull a hoodie up over my head, makes all the difference in my ability to sleep.” You can also bring along an oversized blanket scarf, that — you guessed it — can double as a blanket.

4. Practice your nightly “bedtime” routine.

“If you’re on a night flight, take your toothbrush and [face cleaning] wipes so you can prepare for bed,” said Petralifi. “Sometimes going through these bedtime routines helps the body prepare for sleep.” You may also want to bring face cream and hand lotion, too. Not only will you be sticking to your pre-sleep ritual, but it will also help you arrive feeling fresh at your destination.

5. Load up your electronics.

Aside from providing in-flight entertainment, if you usually listen to movies, music, podcasts, or meditations before bed, doing so may help you doze off mid-flight. “To me, there’s nothing better than falling asleep to a movie,” added Breese.

On the flip side, if you normally avoid blue light before hitting the hay, you may do better drifting off to soothing sounds from noise-canceling headphones, or flipping through a book or magazine before closing your eyes.

6. Choose your beverages wisely.

“Avoid caffeine, including that found in soft drinks and chocolate, on the day of your flight and the day before,” Breese recommended. As far as alcohol goes, there are mixed reviews; Breese advised against it. “It might help you fall asleep as soon as you’re onboard, but will probably cause you to wake up an hour or two later with no desire to sleep anymore,” he said.

However, other travelers say that a drink or two pre-flight helps them relax enough to take a snooze. Again, it depends on your preferences, and moderation is key.

As always with flying, it’s important to drink plenty of water before and during your flight. This will help keep you comfortable, which assists with sleep. “Hydrate in the days and hours leading up to your flight, but cut yourself off an hour before boarding,” Badzinsk recommended. “This eliminates your need to get up and go to the restroom while in the air.”

7. Use natural remedies to help you feel drowsy.

“A melatonin supplement may be helpful to use short-term while traveling for improving sleep quality as well as in reducing and overcoming jet lag,” said Tania Mather, a certified master wellness coach, master coach leader with the International Association of Wellness Professionals, and wellness retreat designer.

She added that inhaling essential oils can also be relaxing. “If I’m flying and want to sleep on the plane, I’ll spray some [essential oils] on a scarf or wrap that I can wrap around me and smell in flight. I love lavender and bergamot. Both are high in linalool and linalyl acetate and are well known for their relaxing properties. My favorite is doTerra’s Serenity blend.” You can also bring a travel-sized bottle of skin-safe essential oils to dab onto pressure points. Just be sure to layer the scents on lightly, as nearby passengers may be sensitive to smells.

8. And if all else fails…

If you have a long or overnight flight and you’re really worried about getting some shut-eye, you can take some drowse-inducing allergy or over-the-counter pain medication to help your eyes get heavy. As always, consult with your doctor before taking any new medications or supplements; they may also prescribe a light sedative if need be.

A travel must-have checklist, according to the experts:

Comfortable neck pillow (an inflatable one will take up the least amount of space)
Light-blocking eye mask
Noise-canceling headphones or earplugs
Electronic device loaded with movies, TV shows, music, podcasts, and/or guided meditations
Books and magazines
Warm layers such as a sweatshirt, soft socks, and blanket scarf
Supplements and/or essential oils to help make you drowsy
Water
Travel-sized “nighttime routine” products such as a toothbrush, toothpaste, face cleansing wipes, creams, and lotions



More like this: How to get some decent sleep while on an airplane

The post Expert secrets to getting the best sleep on a flight appeared first on Matador Network.

The least-crowded US national parks

Each year, people from around the world flock to at least one of our nation’s 61 national parks in search of serenity and adventure. What they often find instead are hoards of selfie-stick-bearing tourists, all struggling to catch a glimpse of a moose or the erupting Old Faithful geyser. But there are other ways to find that quiet solitude nature can give us.

While over 300 million people visit US national parks each year, many stick to the same big-name parks. There are, in fact, several parks teeming with natural splendor that hardly get a visit. If you’re in search of adventure, vast areas of untouched wilderness are waiting to be explored at some of the least-visited national parks in the United States.

Lake Clark National Park and Preserve

Photo: Lloyd Wallin Photography/Shutterstock

Lake Clark National Park and Preserve is situated in south-central Alaska, about 100 miles south of Anchorage. Here, the Alaska and Aleutian Ranges, which lie adjacent to Bristol Bay, intersect, hosting a range of ecosystems from alpine tundra to coastal forest and salt marsh. Home to the largest salmon run in the world, the land is vital to the economic sustainability of the local Dena’ina natives. The park is accessible only by air taxi or boat. Adventurers travel there to the park to explore the active volcanoes, catch salmon, or paddle one of the many bodies of salt or freshwater.

Big Bend National Park

Photo: CrackerClips Stock Media/Shutterstock

Located on the northern end of the Chihuahuan Desert near Texas’s border with Mexico, Big Bend National Park is one of the least-visited parks in the continental US — seeing one-twelfth of the visitors to Yosemite National Park. It’s home to over 300 species of birds, mammals, reptiles, and amphibians. In the heart of the park lie the Chisos Mountains, which protrude nearly 8,000 feet from the lowlands, adding to the area’s ecological diversity. Around the Rio Grande River ⁠– which contains a large bend from which the park’s namesake was derived — visitors will also find deep canyons, forested oases, and vast, untouched desert. Much of the park is undeveloped, making it perfect for paddling, backpacking, hiking, and simply enjoying the landscape’s natural beauty.

North Cascades National Park

Photo: Anna Abramskaya/Shutterstock

The proximity of North Cascades National Park to Seattle makes it more accessible than the remote wilderness of Alaska. Yet it still manages to remain overlooked by the crowds heading to more popular parks like Yellowstone, Arches National Park, and the Grand Canyon. Spanning over a half-million acres in northern Washington, North Cascades is home to over 300 glaciers and spectacular landscapes, from massive rock faces and monoliths to alpine tundra and glacial-fed lakes and streams. The park, which can be accessed by car but has limited man-made structures and roads within its boundaries, is popular for technical mountaineering, backcountry skiing, fishing, and backpacking.

National Park of American Samoa

Photo: Danita Delmont/Shutterstock

Located in the heart of the South Pacific, the National Park of American Samoa provides an experience unique to most other US national parks. On three islands approximately 2,600 miles south of Hawaii, there lies a remote paradise with coral reefs, beaches, mountains, volcanoes, and rainforests. These ecosystems are home to a variety of rare wildlife — like the endangered flying fox — that can’t be found elsewhere in the United States. To reach the park, visitors must fly into Pago Pago on American Samoa’s main island. From there, the other islands can be reached by flights offered through a local operator.

Dry Tortugas National Park

Photo: vagabond54/Shutterstock

Dry Tortugas National Park, which lies nearly 70 miles west of Key West, Florida, consists mostly of water with a few small islands scattered throughout. Consequently, the park is accessible only by boat or seaplane. While there are opportunities to hike and camp on the islands, less than one percent of the park is made up of dry land, making it perfect for boating, fishing, snorkeling, and diving. The real draw of the park is its colorful reefs and wildlife,such as hundreds of bird species and the sea turtles that give the park its name — as tortuga is turtle in Spanish.

Great Basin National Park

Photo: Arlene Waller/Shutterstock

Nevada, which is often associated with flat, barren landscapes, is actually home to glacier-capped peaks, ancient bristlecone pine groves, and deep limestone caves. In Great Basin National Park, situated in eastern Nevada, the 13,000-foot Wheeler Peak provides hiking and climbing opportunities while the dark, unpolluted skies are perfect for stargazing. The Lehman Caves and their limestone formations give visitors a glimpse into the vast depths of the earth below the park.

Isle Royale National Park

Photo: Steven Schremp/Shutterstock

Isle Royale and the 450 rocky and forested islands that surround it in Michigan’s Lake Superior make-up Isle Royale National Park. Ferries from Minnesota, Michigan, and Wisconsin provide access to the main island, which does have some facilities like a lodge and campground. The island — which is famous for a wolf and moose population that likely migrated across the frozen lake in the late 1940s — offers great hiking, backpacking, paddling, boating, and fishing opportunities. Perhaps because access is only by boat, Isle Royale receives far fewer visitors than its wooded and watery scenery merits.

Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve

Photo: Lloyd Wallin Photography/Shutterstock

Located in the remote Brooks Range of northern Alaska, the Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve is the second largest and northernmost national park in the US. The park, which sits entirely north of the Arctic Circle, is devoid of roads and trails and received only 9,600 visits in 2018 — compared to the Great Smoky National Park’s over 11 million. Visitors backpack, paddle, and view wildlife and the northern lights from the 8.4 million acres of glacier-carved valleys and mountains. Before venturing into a remote landscape like this, be sure you are proficient in backcountry travel and survival skills.

Kobuk Valley National Park

Photo: Lloyd Wallin Photography/Shutterstock

Kobuk Valley National Park is another remote, difficult-to-access, Alaskan wonder. Each year, a half-million caribou migrate through the park’s sand dunes, providing food for the native communities of the region. The Great Kobuk Sand Dunes are the largest dunes in the Arctic and provide a natural habitat for a wide variety of arctic wildlife. The dunes and almost 1.8 million acres of remote backcountry that surround it provide opportunity for backpacking, paddling, fishing, photography, and sightseeing.


More like this: Everything you need to know about getting a backpacking permit for national parks

The post The least-crowded national parks you can visit this summer appeared first on Matador Network.

Rockhounding on the Oregon Coast

Sweeping sandstone capes and headlands, basalt outcroppings dappled with tide pools, sea stacks towering in the ocean. The Oregon Coast is an environment defined by its unique geology — one that contains ancient fossils dating back millions of years and gemstones created by prehistoric lava flows. An explorer with an apt eye can find majestic stones along beaches in an activity Oregonians call rockhounding.

Rockhounding can yield everything from fiery red agates and colorful jasper to petrified wood from age-old forests, and the search can be quiet and contemplative or a fun group pursuit. Here’s everything you need to know about rockhounding, including how to look, what to look for, and where on the stunning Oregon shoreline to do so.

What is rockhounding?

Photo: crbellette/Shutterstock

Simply put, rockhounding involves seeking out unique stones and gems blending into the floor of common basalt, sandstone, feldspar, and other sandy debris-like shells. Thanks to the 50-year-old Oregon Beach Bill, the Oregon Coast is free and open to the public, and so are its share of the treasures that wash up on our rocky beaches.

A colloquial term for casual geology, rockhounding brings us into contact with the earth’s rich history of lava flows, tectonic shifts, and gemology. Many self-proclaimed rockhounders seek out these treasures for decorative purposes. Many will polish jasper and agate with a rotary tumbler to create their own jewelry while others expand their personal collection of fossils and minerals.

If you’re looking for a memento to give to your friends and family, agates make the perfect gift. If you find a haul, arrange your rainbow assortment of stones on a windowsill or shelf that needs a dash of earthy zest. My personal favorite use for agates is to fill vintage glass jars with these translucent and speckled gems.

How and when to search for treasures

Photo: Art Boardman/Shutterstock

To go rockhounding, you don’t need a mineral collection at home or a degree in earth science. All you need is a beach, an exposed gravel bed, and a moment to immerse yourself in the salty breeze and the colors at your feet. Rockhounding is a meditative activity, involving quiet hours on the beach. It also makes for a group-oriented activity, great for families and friends, who will often comb together, relishing in discovering jade-colored jasper and pebble-sized agates.

Rockhounders comb the gravel beds, estuaries, and outgoing tides for any geological items that happens to turn up. Everyone has their own style when it comes to rockhounding. I personally recommend strolling along at a slow pace, eyeing the rock bed for contrast. Smooth, rounded basalt stones dominant Oregon Coast gravel beds, so the bold colors and jagged shape of agates and jasper will stand out from the neutral earth tones.

Other rockhounders tend to plant themselves within a circumference, heavily scanning that area in 360 degrees before moving on. It is common to see rockhounders with a sand dipper, an extendible aluminum rod ended with a sieve basket. Sand dippers make it easier to rifle through stream beds and help the back.

Another important strategy is to check your tide chart and then search the outgoing tide. The waves will agitate the shoreline, causing any gemstones to glint, making them easily recognizable.

Fall through spring marks the best time for rockhounding because rains and storms agitate the beaches more often. During the summer season, many gravel beds will be sanded in due to the relative calm of the Pacific. In that case, head to the rivulets and streams. Agates come from the mountains; they wind up on the beach because Oregon’s rivers carry them there. Thus, searching streams will yield agates, as will combing the rock heaps deposited at any seawall after high tide.

Oregon law is friendly to rockhounding. You should just take no more than a gallon and not gouge sea walls looking for fossils. Not only do sea walls fall outside Oregon’s protected area, but chiseling at sea walls leads to erosion and can lead to collapse.

You’re liable to find anything — bog stone, agates, jasper, petrified wood, fossilized bones and shells, arrowheads, and even sea glass — when you go rockhounding on the Oregon Coast. Knowing what to look for is key.

What you’ll find
Agates

Photo: Jacob Boomsma/Shutterstock

Soft pink, fiery red, or milky white, agates (known as the jewel of Oregon Coast) adorn the shore with their glassy, mysterious luster. Agates take on the color of the minerals that accompanied their formation process millions of years ago, deep within basalt chambers of hardened lava flows. Silica-laden water turned these minerals into translucent quartz. Over time, erosion wears away the outer layer, exposing the gems. Today, agates hide in plain sight amongst the basalt, sandstone, and other sandy debris on the Oregon Coast.

When agate hunting, heed the advice a self-proclaimed rockhounder once gave me: “Agates are family oriented. When you find one, look close by for its friends.” This person’s advice has proven wise. After you’ve found a basket-full of agates, check out Agates of the Oregon Coast for a guide to identifying your gems.

Jasper

Photo: Holly Mazour/Shutterstock

Jasper is agate’s close cousin, coming from similar basalt chambers. Only jasper is more defined by its impurities, which gives it its bands of color. Jasper is an opaque stone, milky and colorful, while agates tend to be translucent. To get its full color and luster, jasper will benefit from a rotary tumbler.

Petrified wood

Photo: Roadwardbound/Shutterstock

Not as common as agate and jasper, petrified wood appears on the Oregon Coast. A fossil, petrified wood is the result of volcanic ash and other sediment encasing ancient organic material. Water rich with silica and other minerals, especially opal, seeps in and replaces the organic matter with mineral deposits, fossilizing the original bark.

Shells

Photo: SNC Art and More/Shutterstock

The turbulence of the Pacific tends to crush seashells in the rocky shoreline, and what the waves don’t break, the birds crack open in search of food. Intact seashells are rare, but some survive. Check between medium-sized stones in the cracks where small pebbles collect. Chances are the tides smoothly deposited them in a cranny safe from birds, feet, and other hazards.

Sea glass

Photo: BOOCYS/Shutterstock

Another rare sight on the Oregon Coast, sea glass is literally glass trash, like bottles, broken and ground up in the sea. Over time, the waves smooth the sharp edges and polish the translucent glass, and thin, safe shards wash up on the shore. You can recognize their distinctive glassy hue.

Where to go
North Coast: Oceanside & Short Beach

Photo: David Borok/Shutterstock

If you find yourself in the North Coast, from the town of Tillamook head north on Three Cape Scenic Highway to Oceanside, home to some of Oregon’s most spectacular sea stacks, Three Arches. Here, you will find open sandy beaches as well as exposed rock beds. During the outgoing tide, head through the walking tunnel toward Maxwell Point, a towering headland, to comb Tunnel Beach’s gravel beds.

Short Beach, perhaps the most agate-strewn shoreline on the North Coast, is a hidden cove just north of Oceanside but south of Cape Meares. Most pass this wayside without notice, but you can recognize the wayside parking thanks to a small power station. Park alongside the road and head down the wooden staircase, where you will first spot a waterfall and then a mossy sea stack on the shoreline. Short Beach is not short, but it is very rocky.

Central Coast: Newport & Cape Perpetua

Photo: Rob Crandall/Shutterstock

The Newport area is without a doubt Oregon’s most famous rockhounding strip. From the Yaquina Head to the headland of Otter Rock, in this five-mile stretch check out any of the wayside stops. Moolack Beach counts as one of the most famous. Park at Beverly Beach State Park if you want something more official.

To reach my personal favorite locations, you will need to travel south on Oregon’s Scenic Highway 101 for about 30 miles to the Cape Perpetua Scenic Area, just south of Yachats. Far rockier than the north coast, the Cape Perpetua Scenic Area boasts five state parks and a number of waysides. Among the many options, my favorite stops for gravel beds are Neptune Beach and Bob’s Creek.

South Coast: Bandon to Brookings

Photo: CSNafzger/Shutterstock

If you’re visiting the south coast near Bandon, the Coquille Lighthouse stands at the mouth of the Coquille River at Bullards Beach State Park. The beach by the lighthouse is a hotbed for agate and jasper.

Additionally, the Rogue River travels through the wild remote Siskiyou Forest and deposits its stones and wood onto Gold Beach. Continue to travel south, and you will have no lack of rockhounding opportunities. Pistol River State Scenic Viewpoint and the mouth of the Chetco River at Brookings are famed.

Safety

Photo: Myleskatherine/Shutterstock

Before you start rockhounding, be aware of these critical safety protocols. The golden rule to follow during any exploration of the Oregon Coast is to never turn your back on the ocean. The reason for this rule is that sneaker waves, powerful oceanic bursts that rush the shore by surprise, are dangerous.

Be careful around driftwood. While fun to climb and great for relaxing, just inches of water is enough to lift driftwood logs and turn them into hazards. Likewise, stay off the rocky jetties — as these boulders can shift as the waves crash into them.

Finally, dress warmly. Ocean breeze can be cold and powerful, and rains come suddenly. Wear a hat that won’t blow away, and pack a rain poncho and extra layers. You don’t want Oregon’s famously wet weather to get in the way of this captivating treasure hunt.


More like this: Oregon’s Three Capes Scenic Loop is the perfect day trip from Portland

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Best spa towns in Europe

Whether it’s summertime or the dead of winter, there are few things more enjoyable than a dip in the restorative waters of a thermal spa. You could go to any old spot in your hometown, take a mud wrap or get a two-hour massage, but you’re definitely better off in a place where spa traditions date back centuries. Thanks to the ancient Romans, who took relaxation pretty seriously, there are a number of cities across Europe with an abundance of thermal spas, and unlike in Roman times, they aren’t just reserved for the elite. From the natural geothermal hot springs of Iceland to ancient Roman baths in England, here are the spa towns you need to keep on your radar for a restorative experience.

Baden-Baden, Germany

Photo: Caracalla Therme Baden-Baden/Facebook

Literally translating to “bath-bath,” Baden-Baden is the king of German spa towns. There are two main thermal baths to choose from. The Friedrichsbad is an exceptional way to experience Roman and Irish bathing traditions, with 17 different thermal bathing stations all with different temperatures. It’s also important to note that this is a nude bathing complex, so you should be prepared to bare it all. You will not, however, have to be naked in front of the opposte sex unless you really want to, as men and women only bathe together on special mixed-gender days.

Opened in 1877, the Friedrichsbad baths does not actually date back to Roman times, but you can still enjoy the building’s elaborate frescoes and classical architecture while you sit in the rejuvenating waters. The Caracalla Spa has a much more modern aesthetic, built in the 1980s with a glass dome and marble columns. While it doesn’t have quite as many pools as Friedrichsbad, there are still 12 hot springs to choose from, including an outdoor area in a castle garden.

The charms of Baden-Baden haven’t gone unnoticed by the rich and famous, either. Notables from Barack Obama all the way back to Queen Victoria have been known to frequent the spa town.

Heviz, Hungary

Photo: Botond Horvath/Shutterstock

Budapest is indisputably Hungary’s best-known spa town, with multiple spas across the city. The problem is that bathing in Budapest can be far from relaxing. Crowds are tough to avoid in the city’s more popular spas, and though certainly worth a visit, they may leave you craving a more soothing experience. Heviz, located two hours southwest of Budapest, is home to the world’s second-largest thermal lake, fed by a natural hot springs that are rumored to have a host of medical benefits. In this town of under 5,000 people, you won’t have to worry about jockeying for space in a pool. The water temperature is always warm, so even in the heart of winter you can take a relaxing and comfortable dip in Lake Heviz. Many residents spend their summer days floating among the lake’s water lilies while sipping a drink or reading a book.

Bath, England

Photo: Thermae Bath Spa/Facebook

Aptly named, Bath is the premier relaxation town in England, with its spa roots going back over 2,000 years. Around 43 AD, Romans began developing the Aquae Sulis, a sanctuary for rest and relaxation unique from the military outposts they often established in occupied territories. The extensive series of baths was the largest outside Rome, and people traveled long distances — even from mainland Europe — for the restorative waters of the Aquae Sulis.

The city’s spa history is incredibly well preserved, with the original Roman Baths complex and Great Pump Room available for tours, though the baths themselves are no longer usable. People still, however, come from all over the world to take a dip in Bath’s Thermae Bath Spa, the city’s main spa with 18th-century Georgian architecture and an open-air rooftop pool.

Sveti Martin na Muri, Croatia

Photo: LifeClass Terme Sveti Martin/Facebook

Most visitors to Croatia tend to spend their time along the coast, basking in the sun. But while a beach day by the Adriatic is certainly relaxing, nothing beats the spas of Sveti Martin na Muri in the north of the country. This city’s spa tradition dates back to 1936 when its first wooden swimming pool was built. Now, visitors flock to the LifeClass Terme Sveti Martin resort. Its Temple of Life pool complex was inspired by the philosopher Rudolf Steiner (the man behind the Waldorf education) who was born in a nearby village. Because the thermal waters there come from the Pannonian Sea — a former sea basin that existed 10 million years ago — the pools are said to have healing powers.

Dalvik, Iceland

Photo: Bjórböðin – Beerspa & Restaurant/Facebook

Iceland is full of geothermal springs, and visitors to the country won’t have too much trouble finding thermal pools. The Blue Lagoon, just south of the Keflavik Airport, is the country’s best- known spa, but it’s also a victim of its own popularity, drawing immense crowds at some pretty steep prices. A great alternative can be found in Dalvik, on the country’s north coast, just a half-hour from the city of Akureyri. You can bathe outdoors in the water hot pots, with fantastic views of the Island Fjord, but what really makes Dalvik unique is the Bjórboðin — the Beer Spa. You will soak in beer, water, hops, and yeast while drinking a local Kaldi brew. You’ll have to book in advance, though, as the spa can only accommodate 14 guests per hour.


More like this: The 7 fanciest thermal spas in Budapest you need to check out

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Eurostar introduces alcohol limits

One of Europe’s most popular train services has just placed a limit on how much alcohol you can consume on board, presumably because people had been abusing their previously liberal policy.

The high-speed train between London and France, Belgium, and the Netherlands allows passengers to bring and/or consume no more than one bottle of wine or four cans of beer. No spirits of any kind are permitted. The new policy was actually implemented last year, but it seems passengers are just beginning to notice, and they aren’t taking it too well.

Mark Smith, who runs The Man in Seat Sixty-One website, voiced his opinion on Twitter that the new measures are unnecessary. “Eurostar has quietly changed its luggage policy,” he said, “and now no-one is allowed on with even a small bottle of spirits given (or to be given) as a present for example. And no more than one bottle of wine. This is completely unnecessary. Eurostar is a TRAIN not a plane.”

Eurostar has quietly changed its luggage policy, and now no-one is allowed on with even a small bottle of spirits given (or to be given) as a present for example. And no more than 1 bottle of wine. This is completely unnecessary. Eurostar is a TRAIN not a plane. https://t.co/h6wqpidQVp

— The Man in Seat 61 (@seatsixtyone) 24 juin 2019

According to Eurostar, the alcohol policy was instituted to “maintain a pleasant environment on board for all our travelers.”

The restrictions are even stricter on night ski trains or trains to and from a sporting event due to previous incidents. During these services, no alcohol is sold on board and passengers are not allowed to bring alcohol with them.


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Cheap flights in July

It’s not just you. Summer is getting warmer.

It’s cracking triple digits in San Francisco. Miami is feeling especially sauna-like, setting record highs. Pretty much anywhere you go in this great land of ours is going to be toasty for the next few months, and for some people, that means getting as far away from America as possible. But for others, it means basking in all of the sun-drenched glory in some of the country’s best warm weather destinations.

Whether you live for the heat or are counting the days until winter, there’s a place for you to go in July. And some are going to have cheap fares almost as painful as a 2:00 PM sunburn. To help you find the best of ‘em, our friends at Skyscanner took a look at millions of historic flight prices to find the places where airfares will be dropping the most in July, and the findings are scintillating.

If summer to you means showering three times a day and an unquenchable thirst for AC, the good ol’ U-S-of-A has some of its hottest destinations on sale. Sweltering Savannah, with all of its dripping Spanish moss and hospitable humidity will have fares down 18 percent to $251. Or you can get that same sticky Southern charm in Charleston, with fares down 8 percent to $300. If dry heat is more your game, head to Austin where airfares will drop 13 percent to $257. Or discover Sacramento in all of its 100-degree glory, with fares down 5 percent to $323. Here’s the rest of the scorching domestic leaders:

Charlotte, North Carolina — $262 (18%)
Savannah, Georgia — $251 (18%)
Nashville, Tennessee — $273 (16%)
Durham, North Carolina — $249 (17%)
Austin, Texas — $257 (13%)
San Antonio, Texas — $291 (10%)
Charleston, South Carolina — $300 (8%)
Sacramento, California — $323 (5%)
Cleveland, Ohio — $269 (4%)
Tampa, Florida — $243 (5%)

However, if you enjoy things like being able to walk a block without a water break and eating outside, you may want to look at dusting off your passport for a July trip. It’s winter in Australia, and airfares to Sydney and Melbourne top the list of international destinations with flights down 23 percent and 17 percent respectively. Temperate Toronto, fresh off its first NBA championship, has airfares down 7 percent to $324. And the pleasant wine country of Porto, Portugal will also be cheaper in July, with trips down 9 percent to $781. Here’s the rest of the international deals:

Sydney, Australia — $894 (23%)
Melbourne, Australia — $965 (17%)
São Paulo, Brazil — $857 (12%)
Panama City, Panama — $485 (18%)
Porto, Portugal — $781 (9%)
Manchester, UK — $737 (7%)
Cali, Colombia — $592 (5%)
Madrid, Spain — $681 (4%)
Toronto, Canada — $324 (7%)
Vilnius, Lithuania — $905 (3%)

Much like weather reports of any kind, none of this is guaranteed. And if you pack nothing but tank tops for your July getaway and get hit with a cold snap, don’t blame us. Or Skyscanner, though it is historically a lot more accurate than that guy who comes on before the sports report on the 11 o’clock news.

So don’t let the heat beat you down, America. Whether you want to lean into the warmer weather or get as far away as you can, July offers plenty of places for an ideal vacation. Just try to think of better things to talk about with the new people you meet than the weather.


More like this: The best places to travel this July

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