Matador Network's Blog, page 1147

The Queen posted on Instagram

She might not be posting beach selfies and hot dog legs, but the Queen has finally jumped on the Instagram bandwagon. On Thursday, she posted her first-ever photo on Instagram after a visit to London’s Science Museum. There, she viewed a letter written to Queen Victoria and Prince Albert from Charles Babbage, the world’s first computer engineer. Perhaps inspired by Babbage’s historic technological contributions, the Queen took to Instagram to commemorate the visit.

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A post shared by The Royal Family (@theroyalfamily) on Mar 7, 2019 at 3:31am PST

In her caption, the Queen wrote, “It seems fitting to me that I publish this Instagram post, at the Science Museum which has long championed technology, innovation and inspired the next generation of inventors.”

Although the Royal Family’s Instagram account was created in 2013, Queen Elizabeth has never personally posted anything until now. Fans of the Royal Family are overjoyed by the Queen’s emergence on the social platform, expressing their delight in comments on her picture.

“Gotta love Liz getting on Insta in her 90s,” said one commenter. “This is revolutionary for us Brits,” said another, “I mean the Queen posted on Instagram. Can’t get any better than that.”

In a statement to INSIDER, a spokesperson for the Royal Family said, “To celebrate the visit of The Queen to the Science Museum, Her Majesty formally opened the new Smith Centre by sharing an archive image on the @theRoyalFamily’s Instagram account.” The statement added that the Queen has “long been a supporter of digital communications tools,” pointing out that she launched the first British Monarchy website back in 1997, and even sent her first email in 1976.

If you expect the Queen to become an influencer and start posting staged pictures of herself standing precariously atop waterfalls in Yosemite, however, you’ll probably be disappointed.

H/T: Insider

More like this: 6 awesome reasons to visit Britain this spring

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World’s largest snow maze

When winter rolls around, some people decide to lock themselves in, while others spend the season building snowmen, snow fort, and, apparently, snow mazes.

It took six and a half days of work a week for the last three weeks and 300 truck loads of snow, but Canadian Clint Masse did it: he built the world’s largest snow maze and broke the Guinness record. You might say that Masse’s entire life has been preparing him for this moment — for 21 years he has designed and erected corn mazes on his property in St. Adolphe, Manitoba.

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Tunnels found beneath Alcatraz

Tunnels were just discovered under the infamous high-security penitentiary of Alcatraz, but, surprisingly, they aren’t relics of prisoners’ attempts to escape. Archaeologists have long suspected that the prison was built over a Civil War-era military fortification, and these findings confirm it. Experts used ground-penetrating radar and terrestrial laser scans (to avoid disturbing the land while digging), as well as historical maps and photographs to find a series of tunnels, fully buried structures, and even ammunition magazines underneath Alcatraz’s prison yard.

According to Timothy de Smet, an archaeologist and co-author of the official study published last week in Near Surface Geophysics, “This really changes the picture of things,” he told PBS. “[The remnants of the fortifications] weren’t erased from the island — they are right beneath your feet.”

Alcatraz Island, now a busy tourist attraction in San Francisco Bay, served as a military coastal fortification in the 19th century during the Civil War, and started functioning as a federal prison for the most notorious gangsters in the country in the 1930s until 1963. It is now confirmed that the prison was built on top of the aforementioned military fortifications.

H/T: Insider

More like this: Archeologists drained an Amsterdam canal and the findings go back thousands of years

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Best wine bars in Chicago

Chicago is a world-class dining destination, so it’s no surprise that it’s easy to find a great wine list here. You may see us locals throwing back a beer and a shot one night, but that doesn’t mean we can’t quaff a fine Burgundy the next. We’re versatile like that, and we love a good local spot serving delicious food paired with great wine. From unpretentious neighborhood bars with short lists of carefully curated bottles to fine dining restaurants with encyclopedic lists, these are the 10 best places to drink wine in Chicago.

1. Enolo Wine Cafe

Photo: Enolo Wine Cafe/Facebook

Enolo Wine Cafe is a River North wine bar that specializes in wines by the glass. At any given time, it features around 25 different options, which is more than the full wine list at a lot of places. The wines rotate seasonally, so you’ll always find a perfect glass that fits the mood and the weather. The food is also great, and obviously pairs well with the wines.

Where: 450 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60654

2. Rootstock Wine & Beer Bar

Rootstock Wine & Beer Bar is a brasserie in the Humboldt Park neighborhood that serves great food and wine with no pretension. Reservations aren’t accepted, which makes for a casual vibe. The wine list focuses on small-production wines — especially those made with organic and biodynamic farming practices. You probably won’t recognize a lot of bottles, which would be intimidating if not for the friendly and knowledgeable staff always ready to help without pressuring you or upselling.

Where: 954 N California Ave, Chicago, IL 60622

3. Red & White

Photo: Grace Ren/Red & White/Facebook

Bucktown-based Red & White was one of the first natural wine shops in the US when it opened in 2008, and its focus hasn’t wavered. This wine shop and bistro only sells wines from vintners who use no chemicals, harvest by hand, and use native yeast strains. You can take home a bottle or enjoy a glass at the bar, where small plates that pair with the wine selection are served.

Where: 1861 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60647

4. Bar Pastoral

If you’re in the Lakeview neighborhood and looking for great wine, Bar Pastoral is the place to be. With an impressive wine list and an equally solid list of cheeses, you can enjoy what feels like an infinite number of pairings. The entrees are excellent as well. If you’re looking to sample a number of wines, you can order by the half pour to pair with the many cheeses and charcuteries. If you find a bottle that you especially love, it can be bought at the Pastoral shop next door.

Where: 2947 N Broadway, Chicago, IL 60657

5. Avec

Photo: John Philp Photo/avec/Facebook

If you ask Chicago chefs where they love to eat and drink wine, you’ll probably hear Avec pretty often. This West Loop neighborhood bistro from legendary restaurateur Paul Kahan does delicious Mediterranean shared plates and wines from small producers that are described as “hearty peasant wines.” All are high-quality table wines that are priced well and served without pretension.

Where: 615 W Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60661

6. Café Marie-Jeanne

Humboldt Park-based Café Marie-Jeanne makes this list not because of a huge wine list, but because it’s just such a delightful place to drink wine. Being here feels like you’re in a neighborhood brasserie in France. Neighbors stop in to buy pastries and baguettes or grab a coffee, while diners eat some of the least pretentious cuisine you’ll find in the city. The few select wines are all available by the glass or bottle, and are thoughtfully selected to pair well with the menu.

Where: 1001 N California Ave, Chicago, IL 60622

7. Webster’s Wine Bar

Photo: Webster Wine Bar/Facebook

Originally located in Lincoln Park and now in Logan Square, Webster’s Wine Bar is one of Chicago’s original spots for wine lovers. It prides itself on having a list that is approachable enough for newbies or casual wine drinkers, but deep enough to keep the connoisseurs interested. Webster’s also has a nice selection of small plates and well-priced tasting pours that let you sample from up and down the list.

Where: 2601 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60647

8. Income Tax

Income Tax probably doesn’t sound like your idea of a good time, but if you love wine, this Edgewater bar will warm you up to the idea. With one of the city’s best wine lists, and a menu full of wine-friendly foods, Income Tax is a perfect place to try something new. The dark wood, exposed brick, and neighborhood location far from downtown only add to the ambiance.

Where: 5959 N Broadway, Chicago, IL 60660

9. The Press Room

Photo: The Press Room/a>/Facebook

Located down in the basement of the Publishing House, a West Loop boutique bed and breakfast, The Press Room is a wonderful little wine bar doing food and drinks with a trendy vibe and neighborhood ambiance. It features an amazing 40 wines by the glass and many, many more by the bottle.

Where: 1134 W Washington Blvd, Chicago, IL 60607

10. Piccolo Sogno

Piccolo Sogno, which means “little dream” in Italian, has some of the city’s best Italian food and serves it up in a slightly old-school setting. A list of over 400 wines, mainly from Italy, and a knowledgeable staff to recommend pairings makes Piccolo Sogno a little dream for lovers of Italian food and wine.

Where: 464 N Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60642


More like this: The 10 best pizza places in Chicago

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Best family trips in South America

Perhaps you hadn’t been thinking of South America as a family travel destination. The huge continent is actually a fantastic place to explore with the kids — full of otherworldly landscapes, sand dunes, dinosaur sites, sky-high cable cars, national parks, and super beaches. For parents with an adventurous streak, there’s no better place to bring the family. From Ecuador down to Uruguay, here are some of our favorite places.

Ecuador

Photo: Stephanie Frias

If Ecuador isn’t on your bucket list of South American destinations, be prepared to move it to the number one spot. Besides being the mother country to the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador is a relatively small country with a mainland bursting with dazzling landscapes. It’s particularly easy with kids because the country is so simple to navigate by highway, airlines, and extensive bus routes.

An added bonus is that Ecuadorians adore children, and it shows. Fees related to tourism are generally waived for kids in most places, shop owners often offer freebies like a lollipop or stickers for little ones, and it’s customary for a man to give up his seat on a bus for mothers.

Ecuador is only about the size of the US state of Colorado, yet within its boundaries travelers can discover Cotopaxi, one of the world’s highest active volcanoes; Quilotoa, a two-mile wide water-filled crater; the Andes range; the Amazon rainforest; and the city of Baños. Baños is famous for its natural hot springs, waterfalls, and plethora of outdoor adventures like zip lining, bungee jumping, canyoning, and rafting.

Photo: Stephanie Frias

In addition, the coastline boasts more than 1,000 miles of pristine Pacific beaches that are lush and tropical in the north, and have towering cliffs, sandy hillsides, or mangrove forests in the central and southern sections. Playa los Frailes, in fact, has been called one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Completely devoid of infrastructure, the virgin moon-shaped beach with a clear, aquamarine cove is protected by the Machalilla National Park.

As for the capital city, Quito is a dazzler with a picturesque historic center including the 377-foot-tall Roman Catholic Basilica del Voto Nacional, an impressive cable car ride that reaches almost 13,000 feet in elevation that kids will love, and the nearby Mitad del Mundo park, which celebrates the equatorial line and is packed with museums geared toward adults and kids. Families can do all sorts of fun science-related activities there to explore the phenomenon of this delicate global location.

Ecuador’s two other major cities, Cuenca and Guayaquil, both have beautiful historic architecture, extensive pedestrian zones and park networks, and enviable waterfront locations. A side note: When traveling to such high-elevation destinations like Quito or Cuenca, take it easy for the first couple of days so you and your kids can adjust to the altitude.

Peru

Photo: Stephanie Frias

It’s impossible not to think of Peru without conjuring up images of iconic Machu Picchu…and the days and days of trails that lead to it. But Machu Picchu isn’t just for trekkers and outdoor enthusiasts. It’s also very easy to do with kids, if you bypass the trail routes. After flying into Cusco from Lima, a train takes you to the small town of Aguas Calientes. From there you can check into your hotel; our kids were crazy about the treehouse-style cabins at the Rupa Wasi Eco Lodge.

The next morning you can bus it all the way to the top of the citadel, the most Instagrammed spot of Machu Picchu. Let the kids roam around as long as they like, and then bus it right back to town again. Just be sure to buy your Machu Picchu tickets and train tickets on Peru Rail or Inca Rail in advance. You can buy the bus tickets for the last leg from the kiosk when you first arrive in Aguas Calientes.

Cusco itself, an ancient Inca capital and then a major center of Spanish colonial power, is an exceptional city to explore on foot with kids of every age. The main historic center of the city is blocked off to traffic on the weekends, allowing families to gather and kids to play beneath one of the most jaw-dropping city backdrops in South America. If you go during the rainy season, the throbs of tourists will be reduced to a manageable level. You might get lucky and be there when the city presents a family focused daytime Carnival celebration, allowing kids to get in on the chalk dust and party foam action without any parade chaos or drunken partygoers.

Peru is a big country, and there’s more to see than Inca ruins and Cusco. Check out the often-bypassed inner cities, like Trujillo, which has ancient Moche pyramids and desert landscapes. Or visit Ayacucho, with its 33 historic churches and the most important battlefield related to Peru’s war of independence, or Arequipa, packed with colorful monasteries and convents, historic plazas, and inspiring architecture.

Along the coast, a must is the Paracas National Reserve, where kids can paddleboard alongside flamingos or take kitesurfing lessons in the bay. Families can take a day cruise to Ballestas Islands — also known as the “poor man’s Galapagos” — to see blue-footed boobies and sea lions. Not too far off from Paracas, a tiny oasis village named Huacachina rests in the middle of the highest sand dune fields in South America. Let the dunes cast their spell on your kids while exploring by sand buggy, sandboard, or paddle boat.

Last but not least is Lake Titicaca on the border with Bolivia, the highest navigable lake in the world. Here, the last remaining indigenous families still reside on their hand-made floating islands and reed boats. You can take guided tours to visit this unique community and interact with the few people who still practice this aquatic lifestyle.

Bolivia

Photo: Stephanie Frias

Bolivia is a secret gem, rarely making a mark on the family travel circuit. But, listen closely parents: We think that will soon change. Bolivia is the most centralized country in South America, wedged between Peru, Brazil, Paraguay, Chile, and Argentina. Although the country can be more difficult to navigate than other South American countries, the remote and rare experiences within are worth the extra effort.

Most travelers come to Bolivia to explore the Salar de Uyuni, the world’s largest salt flat, covering over 4,000 square miles. The unimaginable landscapes are a magical white bliss of glistening salt particles and natural pools, fascinating to kids and parents alike. Beyond Uyuni, the other highlight is dinosaur tourism. Family travelers will delight in all things dinosaur — including museums, theme parks, and real-life dino footprints found both in cities and remote places.

Although there seems to be dinosaur sites everywhere, two of the most notable are Torotoro National Park in Potosí province and the Parque Cretácico near Sucre. You can visit Torotoro National Park by guided tour from a small, remote town of the same name, hiking through desert and canyon landscapes in search of authentic dinosaur prints. Inside the national park, more than 2,500 unique prints dating back to the Cretaceous period (120 million years ago) have been documented. Kids can see the prints exactly as they were found in the field, untouched and untampered with. Guides tell the stories of how dinosaurs lived in the area and why they might have disappeared, and also allow you touch, stand next to, and lie inside the prints.

Photo: Stephanie Frias

The second key location, Parque Cretácico, is located just three miles outside of the beautiful city of Sucre. This fully interactive, modern Jurassic park has been built around the concrete mine where a wall of than 5,000 dinosaur prints from more than 15 species was accidentally discovered in the 1990s. It is believed to be the largest collection of dinosaur prints in the world. The park is full of replica size, animated, and audio-enhanced dinosaurs that visitors can walk next to and beneath. It also has several museums, a video presentation, and an artificial dig site where kids can pretend to be archaeologists.

Other Bolivia highlights include the historic city of Sucre and the sky-high capital city of La Paz. Sucre, nearly 400 years old, is packed with antique white buildings topped with Spanish clay rooftops, stunning colonial churches, and quaint cobblestone streets. It’s known as one of the most affordable places on the continent to take Spanish lessons or salsa dance classes. La Paz, for its part, has the highest and longest extensive cable car network in the world, reaching 13,000 feet in elevation over 27 miles — and growing. Other La Paz attractions are Valle de la Luna, a field of large eroded rock formations similar to the USA’s Badlands, and the Witches Market, where “black magic” products are openly sold — including shrunken skulls, dried animal fetuses, feathers, frogs, and more.

Chile

Photo: Stephanie Frias

Chile seems to have some of the most well developed infrastructure in South America. With its widespread tourism, incredible national parks, and extensive paved highway networks, it hardly feels like a developing country at all. Even so, with a country 2,653 miles in length and with regions that are so far apart, careful planning is important to nail down the best places to visit with kids.

In the far north, near the Bolivian border, the Atacama Desert is an icon. Situated between the Andes and the cold Pacific Ocean, it’s one of the driest places on the planet. Its startling and unique landscapes are often compared to the horizons of Mars or the moon. You can marvel at its geysers, sandboard down dunes, gaze on pink flamingos in its salt flats, and even go on nighttime astronomy tours in one of the best dark sky places on the planet. All of these tours are easy to arrange from the town of San Pedro de Atacama.

In the Bío Bío region in the center of the country, you can base yourself in the city of Los Angeles and venture to nearby wild landscapes like the impressive Laja Falls, four gushing waterfalls that form a horseshoe shape; Nevados de Chillán, a resort for volcano and glacier skiing; and the secret beach of Playa Ramuntcho. The International Guesthouse El Rincon is the perfect base for families — with cabins, suites, and eco-domes in a forest setting just north of Los Angeles.

Chile also shares the region of Patagonia with Argentina. One of the most scenic and family friendly portions of the remote south is Chile’s Los Lagos region. With easy access from Puerto Montt, travelers can visit the northernmost regions of Patagonia, with its fjords and glacial lakes. We recommend the ultra-modern Pumalin Park, Chile’s largest national park covering nearly one million acres. The Amarillo area there has an excellent array of quality camping facilities and plenty of hiking trails appropriate for kids to see glaciers, temperate rainforests, and wildlife.

Argentina

Photo: Anibal Trejo/Shutterstock

The romantic tales of international immigrants, a living cowboy culture, wine country, and picturesque colonial cities are enough to lure many curious travelers to Argentina. But to appeal to the discerning crowd of kid travelers, parents will be thrilled to discover some intriguing places beyond Buenos Aires and grape vines.

Start in the far north, in Salta, a stunning historic city that feels more like Europe than South America. Expansive plazas full of fountains, grassy knolls, and towering trees are surrounded by ornate colonial architecture and gloriously wide sidewalks — which are perfect for strollers. The city is safe for walking and is best appreciated on foot. Stay in the Tres Cerritos neighborhood, where boutique hotels neighbor affluent residences from a hilltop location that mimics Beverly Hills in California. Choose the Kkala Boutique for its heated pool, family lofts, and in-room jacuzzis. Don’t miss the Parque San Martín with a duck pond and paddle boats, large streets, and countless playgrounds.

A little farther south, the traditional ranchlands of Tafí del Valle in the Tucumán province are saturated with Argentina’s renown cowboy culture and ranches. At Estancia Las Carreras, the kids can milk cows, ride horses, and play in pastures and creeks. They can even learn the art of making empanadas and artisanal cheese.

Further south, Argentina’s Rio Negro province is locally famous for a 130-mile stretch of virgin beaches accessed by the Route 1 or the Camino de la Costa. Many of the beaches like Punta Perdiz offer incredible ocean coves with shell covered beaches and calm water. Camping is free and families could spend days swimming, snorkeling, and paddleboarding alongside Magellanic penguins.

Further south, the Valdes Peninsula, a tip of land off the northeast coast of the Chubut province, is the easiest place to see the ocean wildlife of Patagonia. On a simple safari trip (independent or guided), the whole family can get within arms reach of Magellanic penguins, elephant seals, and southern sea lions. You might also see the endangered right whales, killer whales, and several dolphin species that frequent the protected coves and beaches of the Valdes Peninsula.

Uruguay

Photo: elbud/Shutterstock

The tiny country of Uruguay is tucked between Argentina and the southern shoulder of Brazil. Located on the Atlantic coast, Uruguay boasts progressive politics and beautiful beaches. Along with Chile, it’s also one of the safest destinations for family travel in South America. The coastline stretches 410 miles, with a variety of sleepy surf towns north of Montevideo like La Pedrera and Barra de Valizas.

While Punta del Este hosts a trendy scene full of bikinis babes and cocktail bars, it’s also great for families. Don’t miss the Playa de los Dedos, where the kids can crawl into the palm of a hand sticking out of the sand. Just north of Punta, José Ignacio is a lot quieter and has lovely stretches of shoreline. Or head north all the way to Punta del Diablo near the border of Brazil. This fishing village has a pretty string of colorful houses that overlook the water, plus surfing schools that teach kids and novices how to master the waves.


More like this: Why Chile is the perfect gateway trip to South America

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$20 JetBlue flight sale

JetBlue is launching a Flash Fares sale, with flights to cities all across the US — some of which are as low as $20. So if you’ve had enough of snow (or the neverending rain out west), this is your chance to escape to warmer pastures for cheap.

When perusing the site, keep in mind that the reason for the super low fares is because they only apply to specific travel dates in March and April, at occasionally inconvenient times, so you’ll have to be flexible if you want to take advantage of the best deals. For example, to fly from Fort Lauderdale to New York for $40, you would have to take a 6:00 AM flight on March 7, aka, tomorrow. The sale prices are also only for JetBlue’s blue fare, meaning any checked baggage will come at an extra cost. Other than baggage, however, there are no major differences; so if you can travel light, you should be good to go.

Here are some fares you might want to pounce on:

New York to Boston for $20 on March 11
Boston to Washington, DC for $20 on March 20
Seattle to Long Beach for $30 on March 20
San Juan, Puerto Rico to Hartford for $70 on March 28
New York to Aruba for $70 on April 4
Boston to Santiago, Dominican Republic for $90 on March 18

You don’t have long to browse these sales — the sale ends tonight at midnight, so book fast.

H/T: Thrillist

More like this: The extra airline fees that are absolutely worth the money this holiday season

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Best job in Sweden

There are tons of professions billed as “dream jobs,” but the ultimate dream job may be the one that lets you do anything you want. This employment opportunity at the Korsvägen train station (currently under construction) in Gothenburg, Sweden, certainly fits that description. According to the job ad, “the position holds no duties or responsibilities […] Whatever the employee chooses to do constitutes the work.” To make this deal even sweeter, the job posting says that while the employee will be expected to punch in and out on a time clock each day, “the employee is not required, however, to stay within the premises of the station throughout the day.” And yes, it’s a permanent position.

Eternal Employment was conceived by Swedish artists Simon Goldin and Jakob Senneby. They are investing around $650,000 into the Eternal Employment Foundation, which will form a board to select and pay the perfect employee to “work” at the station forever.

While the artists understand that this type of job can’t realistically become a widespread trend, they do hope that it becomes a “point of reference for the future,” and that centuries later, “working as though you were at Korsvägen” might become a phrase rooted in urban legend.

Anyone can apply, but you’ll have to wait for a little while. The official application won’t become available until 2026, when the train station is completed.

H/T: Atlas Obscura

More like this: The 11 most beautiful train stations around the world

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Everest climbers carry own waste

It’s difficult to comprehend that the outdoors experts who climb or attempt to climb Mount Everest are also responsible for trashing the place with litter and poop. According to a report by The Washington Post in 2015, sherpas remove around 26,000 pounds of human excrement from Everest each season. A BBC report drawn from a statement by the Tibetan authorities supports these findings, revealing that three clean-up operations last spring resulted in the collection of eight tons of waste, including mountaineering equipment left behind by climbers and a whole lot of crap.

The waste issue has now gone so far that China is enacting strict measures to prevent waste buildup on the mountain. First, the base camp on the Chinese side of Everest is now officially closed to visitors who don’t have the proper climbing permits (those are now limited to 300 per year). Second, according to an announcement by Ci Luo, director of the Chinese Mountaineering Association, reported by Fodor’s Travel, climbers will now be required to carry all of their own waste off the mountain — including their own feces.

Since the cold and elevation on the mountain prevent feces from degrading, it ends up getting deposited in the lakebed and contaminating the local drinking water.

Although the new rules might sound strict, China isn’t the first country to implement them. Climbers at El Capitan in Yosemite are required to store their feces in bags, which are then disposed of in pit toilets at the bottom. The National Park Service advises climbers to “go to the bathroom in a paper bag, and then put that bag in some sort of container to carry off the cliff.” On Antarctica, a similar prohibition is in place. To prevent garbage buildup on the frozen continent, the British Antarctic Survey requires research teams to collect waste, sort it by category, and then ship it either to the Falkland Islands or the UK for safe disposal.

H/T: Fodor’s

More like this: China is restricting access to Everest base camp until human bodies and waste are cleaned up

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How to fly with legal marijuana

Navigating the web of marijuana laws in the US is tricky — even in the states that allow recreational cannabis. Things get even more complicated when you’re traveling to and from a legal recreational state by plane.

Federal agencies have authority in airports once you pass security — including in states with legal recreational and medical marijuana. Which means that within a span of minutes you can take weed from a place where law enforcement is cannabis friendly in pre-security, to where law enforcement is anti-cannabis post-security.

“The passenger’s originating and destination airports are not taken into account,” TSA spokesperson Lorie Dankers told USA Today. “TSA’s response to the discovery of marijuana is the same in every state and at every airport — regardless of whether marijuana has been or is going to be legalized.”

The best thing you can do is leave your drugs in the recreational state you bought them. Don’t be that person who buys from a recreational dispensary for the first time without knowing the ins and outs of purchasing and possessing. If you’re curious, however, here’s what can happen if you do arrive at the airport with cannabis.

Can the TSA arrest you for possession of marijuana?

The TSA, in general, isn’t searching out drugs. The agency’s primary goal is to find threats like weapons and explosives. If they do stumble across some drugs, however, they will report it to law enforcement. The hitch here is that it’s up to local law enforcement to crack down on laws (including federal ones), meaning it has discretion on how to respond if and when the TSA reports drug possession.

TSA officers won’t, and can’t, arrest anyone for possession — or anything else for that matter. There’s enough confusion about the fact that the agency dedicated a portion of its website to lay out that, “TSA officers at airport checkpoints do not have the authority to arrest any passenger, regardless of the situation.” Furthermore, TSA officers don’t carry handcuffs or weapons and aren’t allowed to use force. Officers are instructed instead to call for law enforcement when, among other obvious things, “illegal narcotics or any other illegal items are discovered.”

In short, the TSA is tasked with following federal law yet it can’t technically do anything about it other than call in the authorities like some type of Barbecue Becky. Local law enforcement can choose to enforce state law or federal law when it encounters cannabis, which is where the divide between major airports comes up.

The most cannabis-friendly airports

Photo: Andrey Bayda/Shutterstock

In legal recreational states, consuming cannabis is somewhat like consuming alcohol. You can’t, for example, use weed in public, and that goes for use in airports as well. It’s a different story when it comes to possession, however.

LAX: Along with Van Nuys Airport (which is policed by LAX’s law enforcement), Los Angeles has the most open airport when it comes to cannabis and security.

“As of January 1, 2018, California law allows for individuals 21 years of age or older to possess up to 28.5 grams of marijuana and eight grams of concentrated marijuana for personal consumption,” the airport website states. “With the change in state law, the policy and procedures of the Los Angeles Airport Police Division (APD) regarding marijuana were updated to reflect this change. APD officers, who are California Peace Officers, have no jurisdiction to arrest individuals if they are complying with state law.”

Note, however, that just because California’s police doesn’t care about that joint in your bag doesn’t mean the police at your destination won’t if it’s outside of the state.

John Wayne Airport in Orange County: While you can’t consume it, authorities are going to let you pass without hassle.

San Francisco International Airport: Public information officer Doug Yakel told SF Weekly that law enforcement at SFO won’t confiscate or prosecute anyone possessing the legal amount of one ounce.

Logan International Airport in Boston: Law enforcement will allow people to walk and board freely with cannabis here, the state police told the Boston Globe. But like at LAX, just know the cops at your destination might not be as friendly.

Seattle-Tacoma International Airport: Once it’s confirmed that you’re not carrying more than you’re legally allowed to (and that you’re over 21), pot possessors leaving Seattle are allowed to go about their day with their cannabis.

The least cannabis-friendly airports in recreational states

Photo: 4kclips/Shutterstock

Denver International Airport: The weed you buy at Denver’s best recreational dispensaries is treated like how a water bottle is treated. People can throw it away, put it in their car, or hand it off to whoever gave them a ride.

Colorado Springs Airport: Same as at Denver International; law enforcement will take it away or ask you to dispose of it when on airport property.

McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas: Las Vegas has some great recreational dispensaries, but Nevada is looking to keep its gaming licenses, which are granted by the federal government, so it’s far more strict than other states. Anyone with a legal amount under Nevada law will be cited with a ticket and the product will be confiscated. More than the legal amount and you’ll be arrested with a felony charge.

Nevada’s airports make it clear that marijuana is not allowed on airport property. There are signs and places to throw away cannabis products before you arrive called amnesty boxes, which is the same for McCarran’s Henderson and North Las Vegas branches as well as the Reno-Tahoe International Airport.

Portland International Airport: Airport police in Portland have no problem with people possessing marijuana before security. Officers will follow federal law, however, as soon as an issue happens after security.


More like this: The best recreational cannabis dispensaries in America

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New York beach house encased ice

If the bad weather affecting the Great Lakes region was not scary enough with its ice tsunamis on the shores of Lake Erie, Lake Ontario is now turning cute beach homes into ice houses. Strong winds at the end of February created massive waves on Lake Ontario and sprayed houses which, with the very cold temperature, got entirely coated in thick ice.

Maureen Whelan’s beach house in Pulaski, New York fell victim to this winter’s harsh weather, now resembling a cottage from Narnia more than a cute vacation home. “We’re devastated,” Whelan told the BBC. She and her family have been trying to chip the four feet of ice off.

What Maureen Whelan’s house usually looks like. (Photo: Maureen Whelan)

Since the property is not in a flood zone, Whelan says insurance may not cover any damage. The family is trying to create channels so the ice can drain properly after it melts so as to minimize water damage, but they’ll likely be waiting with bated breath once it starts thawing. Whelan said, “We’re the fourth generation to live in this house. This house holds many generations of memories. We’re not wealthy people.”

Local reporter John Kucko posted an “Ice House Update” on Facebook, showing photos of the family working to chip away at the ice. “They’ve never experienced anything like what occurred last Monday,” he said. “They’re all smiling and making the best of an unfortunate situation.”

According to BBC weather presenter Nick Miller, this peculiar ice phenomenon is indeed a rarity, and being caused by a unique mix of wind, seaspray, and low temperatures. “It seems this weather pattern has continued long enough,” he said, “for the layer of ice to become unusually thick.”

H/T: BBC

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