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Ireland road trip experiences

Ireland is a road-tripping dream come true. Its small size means it’s easy to get around while taking in countless sites, stories, and, of course, pubs. Don’t forget the pubs. You can whip through deliriously green farmland, get lost between loughs and mountains, or zig-zag along the Wild Atlantic Way. Whichever direction you’re headed, here are some experiences you are sure to have along the way.




1

Ponder if Giant’s Causeway is worth the drive

Especially as it’s all the way over in Northern Ireland. But the answer is yes, yes it is.

2

Inevitably hit a traffic jam

Just not the kind you thought.

3

Guzzle Guinness in some adorable, colorful, cobbled alleyway

You can tip back a pint of the black stuff pretty much anywhere but with towns that look like this, you can pick some especially excellent backdrops to do it in.

More like this: 21 images prove Ireland is the ultimate roadtrip




4

Try a Murphy’s. Once.

Guinness will call you back. In fact, this rich beer will get better and better as you go and soon enough you’ll understand why it feels so right to wind a day down with one in your hand.

5

Wake up with some new neighbors

This particular scenario has a better chance of happening if you have a camper van to call home, but it’s also entirely possible should you pass out in an open field, perhaps after one too many Guinness (or Murphy’s), so don’t count yourself out.

6

Worry that you’ll never see a straight road again

From the moment you deviate from the highway you’re going to be subjected to twists, turns, and roads so narrow you wonder why they bothered with a line down the middle. You may not get from A to B straight as the crow flies, but the extra time spent winding through villages and hamlets is worth it.

7

Sleep in a an actual castle one night.

Even if you’re on a budget, it’s still possible to stay in an actual castle (Ireland has so many) for the night. It’s totally worth it to feel like royalty for an evening.

8

Wander the woods and get slightly terrified

It starts off as an innocent lovely stroll through a woodsy area, and ends with some fog inevitably rolling in and then all those stories you heard somewhere, once upon a time, about bogmen and things that live in the swamp start to seem like maybe they had some truth to them.

9

Wonder how normal sized cars are supposed to fit down these roads

But just have a little faith and squeeze along. You’ll fit. But get good insurance on that rental just in case.

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10

Discover that Ireland has some pretty epic beaches

I, for one, didn’t think of the Emerald Isle as a beach destination. And while it’s never going to be the tropics, there are wide swaths of sand waiting for a roam, and even some excellent surfing spots (you will just need a wetsuit).

11

Weather a storm or two

It’s not exactly predictable weather up here, but boy, do the storms know how to put on a show. The best view is always from the closest pub, if you ask me.

12

Get completely lost

Don’t worry - it’s a good thing. You’ll probably discover some hidden gems along the way. Plus getting lost in Ireland is like bowling with bumpers - it’s a small island, there’s only so far you can stray.

13

Just casually stumble upon some ancient ruins

Because you can’t throw a rock very far here without hitting some other neolithic rock formation. Ireland has been inhabited a very, very long time and it’s hard to forget when around any corner is another tomb, monastery, or ruin.

14

Cozy up in a snug and meet the locals

A snug is a pretty adorable term for a cozy booth inside a pub. It is like the heart of the pub, and the pub is the heart of the town, so if you hunker down here, you’ll be in the thick of things. Inside pretty much any pub in Ireland, you’ll find kind-hearted Irish folk catching up, winding down, or just shooting the breeze. If you’re willing to say hi and join it, it’ll pay off in spades.

15

Get incredibly jealous that people actually live in a place like this

After getting cozy in a snug, step outside and just accept that Ireland might have the rest of the world beat for cheerful, colorful buildings. Some of them look like straight up movie sets, just too perfect, too adorable. But nope, they’re real, so Instagram away and make the world jealous that you at least got to visit.

16

Get swept up into the music and dancing

Irish music is absolutely mesmerizing. If you do a little research you’ll find times and places for music and never know when it’ll just roll into an all night folk dance party and community jam session.

17

Feel teeny tiny at the Cliffs of Moher

They seriously are giants, these cliffs. And no, there’s no railing. So in addition to feeling small, you’ll have your stomach in your throat.

More like this: 21 images prove Ireland is the ultimate roadtrip

The post 17 experiences you’re going to have road-tripping around Ireland appeared first on Matador Network.

Bird scooters

There’s a new form of transportation taking off in many of the busiest cities across the US: electric scooters. The brand Bird Scooters is becoming increasingly popular, allowing riders to abandon their scooter at their final destination, eliminating the common problem commuters have in metropolitan destinations of getting to and from public transportation hubs.

These scooters are now common in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Austin, Washington, D.C., among other cities. Riders pay for Bird Scooters on a per-ride basis; users download the app and link a payment account, find a nearby scooter, and ride it to wherever it is they need to go. It sounds like a genius plan, offering people a means to get from point A to point B quickly and cheaply, while also decreasing the need for private vehicles on the road, hopefully making a dent in traffic and carbon emissions.

But issues with the concept have begun to arise as electric scooters appear in more cities across the country. In many cases, cities haven’t had a chance to regulate the businesses and their users, and have little to no control over where the scooters are stored, parked, or even driven. What happens when a scooter is dropped in the middle of a sidewalk, or blocking the entrance to an alley?

Bird encourages riders to park their scooter by a bike rack whenever possible and informs them not to block passageways or leave the scooter in a hazardous location. No one is there to actually see that it happens, however, and a clear method of enforcing policies and ticketing those who violate them has yet to be enforced.

The brand is aware of the problems their product may bring and is taking steps to counteract. Their SOS Pledge encourages operators of all electric shared vehicles, from scooters to bikes, to commit to what it calls the ‘Three Pillars” of community support:

Retrieving their vehicles at the end of the day. This helps the brand stay on top of any needed maintenance, and keeps the scooters from being carelessly strewn about the city.
Not increasing the amount of vehicles per city until existing stock is used at least three times per day.
A $1 per vehicle, per day revenue share with city governments to be used for improving bike lanes and other non-single passenger vehicle community development.

There’s no telling what may change as the scooters become more regulated, but for now, Bird’s scooters cost about $1 to rent, plus 10-15 cents per minute of use. For those living in urban areas, getting to the subway, light rail, or bus could be much cheaper than using Uber or other ride-sharing services, as little as $2 or $3 in some cases.


More like this: This insanely affordable flight-sharing service is like Uber for private planes

The post Bird Scooters have taken over LA and SF and are headed to your city next appeared first on Matador Network.

Do summer right in Wisconsin

1. Go to Summerfest as many times as you can manage it.

A post shared by Summerfest (@thebiggig) on May 15, 2017 at 6:01am PDT

Stage hop to see every style of music you can imagine and take advantage of the different promotions to get in free every once in a while. Hey, Summerfest is a long festival and you have to save money for beer somehow!

2. See Wisconsin Dells live up to its full potential.

A post shared by Wisconsin Dells (@waterparkcapital) on Aug 29, 2016 at 2:16pm PDT

In summer, every single inch of those many miles of outdoor water park slides and every single duck boat gets their time to shine, making Wisconsin Dells even more bizarre (and crowded) than we ever thought possible.

3. Spend as much time outside as possible.

A post shared by Kayla (@kayla_ray_williams) on Apr 4, 2018 at 2:43pm PDT

Summer is the earth’s way of apologizing for putting us through so many months of freezing cold and cruel spring snowstorms. So, take advantage of it while it’s here — whether it’s exploring the Apostle Islands in a kayak, sitting on your front porch with a good book, or stargazing on a dock with an cold Spotted Cow in hand. It sure isn’t going to last forever.

4. Enjoy the socially-acceptable window of ten days to eat as many cream puffs as you can at the Wisconsin State Fair.

A post shared by Wisconsin State Fair (@wistatefair) on Aug 4, 2017 at 12:23pm PDT

Maybe the French invented this delectable pastry, but we all know where you can buy the best version and relive the glory of the world’s biggest ever made!

5. Stuff your face with all the cheese at Madison’s Farmers Market.

A post shared by Dane County Farmers' Market (@danecofm) on Feb 4, 2018 at 12:21pm PST

With so many different types of cheese and such friendly cheese-makers, it would be a shame to not try at least 50 different types. You could almost swear that Lady Forward, staring down from the pinnacle of the State Capital, is there to encourage you to be brave and try that habanero-flavored cheddar.

6. Have a beer on the huge lawn chair at UW-Madison’s Memorial Union Terrace.

A post shared by Katie Johnson (@kjon14) on Jul 27, 2017 at 5:36pm PDT

If you have any doubt about your climbing abilities, don’t even try to get up there or the whole terrace will witness your fail. But if you make it up, you are guaranteed to have a great view of the Lake Mendota while enjoying a cold pitcher.

7. Hit up cultural festivals every weekend.

A post shared by Mariachi Acero (@mariachi.acero) on Feb 9, 2018 at 9:10pm PST

From a polka festival in a Swiss town to a Mexican Fiesta in Milwaukee and everything in between, you can spend the whole summer traveling the world without ever leaving the state.

8. Watch live theater under the stars.

A post shared by Peninsula Players Theatre (@peninsulaplayers) on Sep 22, 2017 at 1:57pm PDT

Whether it’s world-class Shakespeare performances in Spring Green or plays laced with a healthy dose of Wisconsin inside jokes in a more intimate setting at Peninsula State Park, your inner theater nerd will be more than content. Just don’t forget the repellant to keep our unofficial state bird away.

9. Cool down with a delicious custard.

A post shared by Tennille Stanfield (@tennillestanfield) on Jul 16, 2017 at 12:34pm PDT

Of course, we eat custard all year around but, in summer, we get to enjoy it with the perfect melt.

10. Do all the rides at Green Bay’s Bay Beach Amusement Park.

A post shared by Greater Green Bay CVB (@visitgreenbay) on Jun 25, 2016 at 9:44am PDT

Not only are the ride tickets very affordable, but the park is also completely open to anyone to picnic or stroll around. Keep your eyes peeled and you might spot a Packers player from the Ferris wheel!


More like this: 9 reasons why we should all move to Wisconsin

The post 10 ways to do summer right in Wisconsin appeared first on Matador Network.

Raised by Alaskan mom

Let’s just tell it like it is: if it weren’t for our mothers, most of us wouldn’t have the first clue how to do this Alaskan thing. Heck, they deserve some kind of medal for managing to keep us all fed, dressed in the right garb for the right season and most importantly, defrosted. While not a comprehensive list, here are eight telltale signs you were raised by an Alaskan mom.

1. Getting drafted to help with the family garden after dinner was a normal summertime thing.

While not everywhere in the state is equally conducive to gardening, for those of us raised in places that are, summers were chock full of evenings hijacked by mom. With it practically being broad daylight until well after midnight, it’s easy to understand why and how after-dinner romps in the woods with neighborhood friends were the golden standard of summer.

Every few nights mom ambushed you — just at the tail end of dinner — with her infamous, “We’re going to weed the garden tonight.” This unhappy announcement meant that instead of hunting down imaginary pirates and unearthing invisible treasure chests, you’d be battling chickweed, lettuce-eating slugs, and the great Alaskan dread: hordes of blood-sucking mosquitoes.

Any sort of protest or expressed aversion to gardening on your part fell on deaf parental ears. You learned early in the game that as soon as those words came out from mom’s mouth, your glorious Alaskan midnight sun evening was done for. The only option was to trudge to the garden, giant-sized can of mosquito spray in hand and wage an unwinnable war against the onslaught of wilderness encroaching upon mother’s prized garden.

2. You got schooled in the art of foraging at a young age.

And rightly so, as Alaska is a foragers heaven. There are nearly fifty different species of wild berries and this is by far the most common form of foraging. With such easy access, it’s also the one with some of our most vivid hunter-gatherer-growing-up-in-Alaska-activities-with-mom memories. However, there are also copious wild edible plants (ie. fern, yarrow, nettles, chickweed, dandelion, fireweed, devil’s club) and the “not for novices” mushrooms (ie. chanterelles, puffballs, morels). And even further off the forest floor, an ample selection of seaweeds (ie. sea lettuce, black seaweed, ribbon seaweed) from coastal areas.

Whether used to make dessert, to dry and preserve, turn into homemade medicines or bath products, Alaskan moms are in tune with nature and are acutely aware of the importance of teaching their children life skills that extend far beyond the walls of mainstream education.

3. You knew “Get dressed and get outside now!” meant business.

Alaskan moms are women of few words. While official research is still out on the matter, it’s not unreasonable to theorize that people who live in colder climates seriously economize on their words. Why wouldn’t they? It’s freaking cold. Who wants to articulate a paragraph when a single sentence of ten words or less will convey sufficient meaning?

As a child, you knew that when mom said, “Get dressed and get outside now!”, what she fully meant was: if you didn’t comply immediately by going to find your snowsuit, hat, gloves, boots, and every other piece of cold weather gear you needed to spend at least an hour playing outside (aka not becoming a human popsicle) in the frigid Alaskan winter, there would be trouble. As in, possible banishment to your room for the better part of an afternoon, grounding, and on the extreme end, no sleepovers with friends for at least a month.

Why? Because being cooped up inside for months on end with siblings to argue and bicker with is not Alaska mom’s idea of time well spent. And because there’s only so much screeching, shouting, and threats of tattling a person can listen to before they reach the edge of sanity — no matter how nice and kind a person they are on a normal day.

4. “Stop playing in the fire” or “Leave the fire alone” were nearly as common “Go clean your room” or “It’s time to get ready for bed.”

Fire is as much a part of the Alaskan life as hiking, fishing, and camping. Whether our year-round barbecues, backyard fire pits, campfires, indoor fireplaces/wood burning stoves, or annual springtime brush burning activities, we’re a state full of pyromaniacs. Alaskan moms are constantly reciting the dangers of the flames to their children. Yet, like the proverbial moth/flame scenario, we’re inexplicably drawn to the open flame and subsequently develop chronic cases of selective hearing.

Truth be known, Alaskan moms are no strangers to fire starting and don’t actually mind including their children in the process. They just aren’t fond of when dad abdicates his fire starter application duties and passes them on to the offspring — turning the children (that she works so hard a keeping alive) into miniature pyrotechnicians.

The fortunate and perhaps intended byproduct of this perpetual back and forth with Alaskan moms and their children over fire safety standards is that: we develop a healthy confidence in both fire construction and the finer, albeit more elementary life skill of “how not to die” while so doing.

5. She taught you to spot wildlife.

Of all the things we learn from our Alaskan moms, this is perhaps the most important thing that turned us from children into full-fledged Alaskans.

While dad is excellent at wildlife spotting and also well equipped to teach this critical Alaskan skill, it’s mom the kids generally spend the most time with. And it’s the Alaskan mom who is ready to shift into “mama bear” mode in an instant when a potential threat to her young appears. Hyper tuned in to her surroundings, nine times out of ten, mom is the first one pointing and announcing the arrival of the Alaskan animal of the hour.

This most often manifests itself in early summer evening hours when she’s outside gardening and the kids are happily playing in the yard. Practically every Alaskan kid has a story of mom speeding around the corner of the house like her pants were on fire and urgently whispering “There’s a moose. Guys, there’s a moose.” And then, lining everyone up Seal Team 6 style against the side of the house only to have each of you take turns peeking around the corner at the mama moose with her baby. Both of whom happen to be a few feet away and quite happily munching on something she “just planted” in her garden.

6. She was your food processing line manager and educated you on the importance of preservation for the long haul.

It’s no secret the Alaska life requires at least some advance preparation and survival skills training to navigate successfully. Considering the Alaska mom is up against more challenges than most regarding keeping her little humans alive, she’s known for pulling out all the stops in her arsenal. Among them include educating the children on the proper formation of a food processing production line.

This happens most frequently after a particularly prosperous blueberry picking excursion, a bountiful harvest of homegrown strawberries and rhubarb, upon return from a fishing trip, or when dad comes home from his latest hunting expedition.

She taught you how to use the vacuum sealer. She educated you on the finer points of employing a food dehydrator. She taught you how to make and can jam using a recipe she inherited from her mom or grandma. And if your family was particularly deep into food preservation Alaska-style, she taught you everything you need to know about how to smoke and then store (according to the family recipe) the granddaddy of all Alaskan long haul preserves — salmon.

7. She is the reason you only wear wool socks.

Slightly intertwined with the days you got kicked out of the house as a kid and banished to the backyard to play in the dead of winter, Alaska mom is obsessed with proper footwear.

As a kid, you used to moan and lament over how scratchy they were. As an adult, you came to see the light in that — not only are wool socks far warmer than most synthetic offerings out there, they are way more economical as they last longer and come from a sustainable and renewable resource. Not only that but, you’ve come to realize that her knitting hobby wasn’t as useless an endeavor as you initially presumed. Especially these days when “handmade” is all the rage.

For those of us who haven’t inherited the knitting gene, we find ourselves sneering at and immediately discounting the idea of purchasing any sock (for any season or reason) that does not have at least 20% wool listed on the contents label. Listening carefully enough, we even hear our mother’s voice in our heads while shopping, “They’re no good. They aren’t made of wool. Better to keep looking.”

8. You’re too familiar with, “I’m gonna leave you in a snowbank somewhere…”

In Alaska, we’re raised on the concept that getting from point A to point B should take a good long while, and we’re accustomed to measuring travel times in terms of hours and days rather than miles or minutes. That said, Alaskan moms are troopers. As an adult, imagining a full day out, several hours in the car with a full load of any kids and a month’s worth of shopping…most of us think, “can we just not and say we did?”

When mom came out with the snow bank threat and depending on her tone of voice when she said it — you got jolted into a different reality. Sometimes it was light-hearted, full of humor and the perfect response to over the top goofiness. Others… well, you know now that you were extremely lucky she didn’t actually dump you off for the polar bears to eat. Which is a thing in and of itself — as a kid, you had no idea the polar bears only lived in certain places and fell for that hollow threat hook, line, and sinker.


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The post 8 signs you were raised by an Alaskan mom appeared first on Matador Network.

12yo booked trip to Bali

Just when you thought your trip planning skills were getting pretty solid, along comes a twelve-year-old to show you up. International flight? Check. Luxury hotel? Check. Ground transport? Not a problem. An Australian boy from Sydney managed to book and execute a solo trip from Sydney to Bali, sans-parents, sans-escort, and generally sans-any-other-kind of assistance. He even remembered to bring his passport.

As a minor, his name isn’t released to the media, but this kid takes the crown for the best way to get back at your parents. After getting into an argument, the boy managed to get ahold of both his passport and his mom’s credit card. With help from the internet, he found an airline that allows children over 12 to fly unaccompanied and without a note from their parents. He bought a ticket, got himself on the train to the airport, and flew to Ngurah Rai International Airport in Denpasar. He even managed to successfully navigate a layover in Perth.

The story gets even juicier after his arrival in Denpasar, the capital of the Indonesian island of Bali. He checked into the luxurious, four-star All Seasons Hotel and managed to stay for four days — four days — by himself. He told A Current Affair that he “wanted to go on an adventure.” After realizing that he didn’t turn up for school, the boy’s parents reported him missing. It’s doubtful that the first thing local police thought to check was with Indonesian authorities, perhaps explaining how he managed to stay for four days.

Why no one in the international terminal at Perth International Airport was suspicious enough of this 12-year-old traveling alone to raise an alarm bell remains a mystery, one thing is certain: no one is going to have better stories to tell at his secondary school than him.

H/T Metro

More like this: Why I encourage my young kids to travel alone

The post This 12-year-old booked a luxury solo trip to Bali — and got away with it appeared first on Matador Network.

Enchanted River in Philippines

On the east coast of the island of Mindanao, flowing into the Philippine Sea and the Pacific Ocean is a river so clear, its sapphire blue hues look like solid gemstones glinting in the sun. The Hinatuan Enchanted River is a salt water passageway that springs from the jungle only to travel a short 600 meters to the sea. The water is surprisingly cold, and nobody’s entirely certain where the river originates, but the winning theory is that it derives from an underground cave system which has yet to be completely mapped.

This waterway, surrounded by thick jungle, vines, and orchids, was once locally known as Libwak before the “Father of Philippine Tourism”, Modesto Farolan, referred to it as the Enchanted River in his famous poem, “Rio Encantado”.

Regardless of the name, lore about this special location has circulated for generations. The local people have stories about how the river got its brilliant color. One such tale says that fairies stirred the river with sapphire and jade wands, leaving the color behind. Other tales speak of supernatural beings who dwell in the depths and serve as protectors.

Beneath these crystalline waters is an underground cave system that has only recently been explored. The first expedition was led in 1999 by Alex Santos. Extensive expeditions didn’t begin until 11 years later, during which time they found chambers at 30 and 40’ meters’ depth. In 2015, explorations continued and were seeking to map the unexplored areas past 82 meters’ depth.

Peculiarity and beauty often attract crowds, and Hinatuan Enchanted River is no exception. Since 2017, the local government has prohibited the public from swimming in the main pool in an act of preservation and maintenance. People are still allowed to swim 10 meters downstream in a much shallower area, but life jackets are required.

Every afternoon, the caretaker feeds the fish that you might not have realized were swimming serenely below. He rings a bell, signaling everyone to exit the water and plays the “Hymn of Hinatuan”. As the melody begins, the silver-scaled fish emerge from the depths and congregate at the mouth of the river. If you go for a swim right after feeding time, you’ll be sharing the spring with these spectacular fish.

How to get there

Hinatuan Enchanted River is just outside the town of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur on the east side of Mindanao in the Philippines. If you fly into the Butuan City Domestic Airport, you can find a van that will drop you off in Hinatuan town, from there it’s a bumpy moto-bike ride through the jungle and to the spring.

What to consider

This is a spectacular place but it gets crowded, so be prepared.
Fish are fed each afternoon with the playing of “Hymn of Hinatuan” and swimmers are asked to exit the water.
People are not allowed to swim in the deep end of the river any longer, but are allowed to swim downstream around a corner in a waist-deep shallow area.
Life vests are required to enter the water.
Food and souvenirs are sold by private vendors on the premises.
Bring mosquito repellant.
The spring closes at 5 PM.



More like this: Island hopping in the Philippines is as dreamy as it sounds

The post The sapphire Hinatuan Enchanted River in the Philippines is jaw-dropping. appeared first on Matador Network.

Pubs in UK

Fancy a pint? The United Kingdom is the place to be, according to this map posted to Reddit, which claims to show every pub in the country. If there’s one clear take away, it’s that you’re never too far from a good pub.

The red darkens the closer one gets to London. Manchester and Liverpool are also quite swamped, but further north the density of pubs lightens with the density in population.

Photo: Ooginho97/Reddit

One of the most impressive feats of UK drinking habits lies in the fact that more than one Redditor commented on the incompleteness of this map. When it comes to drinking, even Google can’t quite keep up with the British. “This is only a tiny fraction of the number of pubs. I looked up “pubs in Isle of Skye” on Google maps and was shown literally hundreds of results. But OP’s map includes no pubs on the Isle of Skye at all,” noted user Speech 500.

Many commenters expressed reservations about whether there is another country around the world could keep up. “I don’t suppose there is any single type of business in the U.S. or Canada that comes even close to that density per capita!” Redditor Kit_Dit boasted. There were but a few retorts from others. Wisconsin had the best chance, though confidence was low that even the Badger state stood a chance. “As another way of looking at it, there are more pubs in the UK than there are Starbucks in the world,” Redditor Speech500 added.

Users also took to calling out any part of the UK map not covered completely by red marks. “It appears that Fermanagh and Caithness are a right pair of dry shites,” said user punchdrunkskunk (definitely the most appropriate username of any in the thread).

No matter where you’re at in the world, this map certainly makes one ready for 5:00. “Ultimate Pub Crawl?” Redditor valhyl asked. We’re game, but hope someone can map out the best happy hour route because these bartabs are going to add up quick.


More like this:

The post This map shows how many pubs are in the UK appeared first on Matador Network.

Phrases in New Mexico

Ah, colloquialisms — they let locals know when they’re home and confuse the heck out of visitors. And New Mexico is no different. It wouldn’t be the Land of Enchantment without us calling it the Land of Entrapment, saying “orale” in front of every sentence, and always speaking in Spanglish instead of just one or the other. These sayings and words have been a part of our New Mexican identity from day one, like these 14 phrases that, if you grew up in New Mexico, you definitely heard.

1. “Meet me by the arroyo.”

The ultimate NM kid hangout (and later where you met to smoke weed). Also the place your mother warned you to stay away from in case you get swept away but you liked to live on the edge.

2. “Orale wey…”

You didn’t know what this meant but you heard it from literally every adult you knew.

3. “We’re stopping at Allsup’s.”

Getting an Allsup’s chimichanga or beef and bean burrito during a gas stop was always so much better than going to McDonald’s.

4. “You’re so flaco! Here, have some more.”

There was no such thing as being too full at family dinner.

5. “I made breakfast burritos.”

*tears of joy*

6. “Be home by sunset or La Llorona will get you.”

The fear was real.

7. “Do you want a Coke?”

*adult proceeds to hand you literally any kind of soft drink but Coke*

8. Being called “mijo” or “mija.”
9. “Mira, I told you not to go outside without shoes!”

This phrase always followed us returning to the house weeping after stepping on a goathead.

10. “Eeeeeee…”

You didn’t know why adults said this in every sentence either, but it sounded cool so you started doing it too.

11. “Drink your malk.”

That’s not a typo, that’s how it’s pronounced.

12. “It snowed like an inch so no school.”

Snow day where the snow melts by noon.

13. “Such a pretty drawleen!”

Once again, not a typo.

14. “Our field trip this week is to Explora.”

The best day of your life.

15. “It’s the land of entrapment.”

‘Cuz we never want to leave.


More like this: 18 fears only New Mexicans understand

The post 15 phrases you heard growing up in New Mexico appeared first on Matador Network.

Abandoned Wizard of Oz theme park

If you’ve dreamed of following the Yellow Brick Road through Oz, you’ll have the opportunity to do just that this June. A long-defunct Wizard of Oz theme park is opening its gates for a few days, offering guided tours. The event is aptly titled “Journey With Dorothy.”

Dorothy herself leads the tours, stopping first at the Fountain of Youth before proceeding through Oz itself. Those with a touch for theatrics will love this tour as scenes from the movie are to be acted out at particular points on the Yellow Brick Road.

Tours will be offered each Friday in June, along with Saturday, June 30th for the closing finale. In a bout of luck for fans, June has five Fridays this years, bringing the total number of tour dates to six.

The Land of Oz park is located on North Carolina’s Beech Mountain, an appropriate distance from Kansas but apparently not a place where Oz fanatics flocked to during the original go. The park opened to the public in 1970 but never really took off as expected. The gates closed permanently ten years later, but nostalgia seems to have brought attention back to the park. In 1991, the gates opened for one day only, and area residents have maintained an annual “Autumn in Oz” event each year.

But it was the internet that perhaps made the closed park more famous than it ever was, as its unkempt look became the subject of a number of creepy photo shoots. As documented in a Halloween piece in Metro back in 2013, long-forgotten structures and characters have been overtaken by untamed weeds and plants, and the road itself has fallen into disrepair.

Tickets go on sale today, April 20th, and cost $25 each. Snag yours here before they’re gone.

H/T: Travel + Leisure

More like this: You can now visit an entire museum devoted to avocados, millennials

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Visit National Parks for free 4/21

This Saturday marks the start of National Park Week, and the National Park Service is throwing a party to celebrate. Entrance fees for all National Parks are being waived — that’s right, you can visit any National Park for free on Saturday, April 21.

There are four free days at National Park Service sites each year, but the National Park Week kickoff is perhaps most jovial. Think of it as a sort of unofficial kickoff to road trip season. The NPS partners with the official charity of the National Parks, the National Park Foundation, each year to offer a packed schedule with a variety of happenings to celebrate the week and get people stoked to visit and support the parks throughout the summer.

Guided hikes and presentations are part of the plan at many parks across the country. To go along with the official theme of “Park Stars,” the Foundation plans to highlight the rockstar guides that lead guided hikes and knowledge shares. They also encourage visitors to hang out past dark and gaze up at the stars.

The NPS and the Foundation are “highlighting stories, experiences, and sites that brighten the National Park System,” according to a statement on the National Park Foundation website. Many parks will also celebrate Earth Day on Sunday, April 22, including a family-friendly festival at Yosemite National Park.

Heading to one of the parks this weekend? Check out the list of events here. Join the conversation by using #findyourpark on social media. If you miss Saturday, there are two more free days later in the year: National Public Lands Day on September 22 and Veteran’s Day on November 11.


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