Matador Network's Blog, page 426

The Real Reason Flight Attendants Make You Open the Window Shades Before Takeoff and Landing

Of all the things airline passengers are asked to do before a flight takes off and lands — buckling our seatbelts, stowing our tray tables, returning our seats to their upright positions — opening the airplane window shades seems pretty incidental. Turns out it’s not.

A recent Reddit thread posted to the r/YouShouldKnow subreddit by a flight attendant under the username u/TerraFormer 001 explained that opening the windows before takeoff and landing is actually a matter of safety. The goal is to help the human eye adjust to the outside light to ensure that passengers can evacuate as swiftly and safely as possible in the event of an emergency, without wasting time trying to orient their vision. The poster noted that the cabin crew always turns off the cabin lights during takeoff and landing for the same reason.

According to a 2018 news release from Amsterdam’s Schipol Airport, there’s another explanation for why airplane window shades need to be open during takeoff and landing, the two most dangerous stages of air travel. It allows the cabin crew to see if there are problems with the engines or wings that need to be communicated to the pilot or emergency services, as well as identify which side of the aircraft is safer to disembark from if the plane does need to be evacuated. In the event that emergency services is contacted, the release also points out that the fire service benefits from having the window shades open so that they can see if there’s smoke or fire in the cabin before they enter.

In response to the original Reddit post, one user commented that they recalled being asked to close the airplane window shades to keep the aircraft cool. Others said they’d had similar experiences on flights to destinations such as Las Vegas and Dallas. In response, another Reddit user who identified themselves as a flight attendant explained that this is common practice once the plane has safely landed.

“Once at the gate, if the plane is not staying in ‘full power mode’ it will start to get hot just as a car does,” the commenter wrote. “Then it takes a long time on the ground to cool back down for a new departing flight, so [closing the airplane window shades] after landing helps a bit.”

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25 Must-Know Pieces of Hiking Advice for Beginners

If you’re anxious to hit the trails but aren’t quite show how to get started, don’t worry. Hiking experts on Reddit are sharing their best tips for hiking for beginners, ranging from what to pack to how to evaluate a trail to how to stay safe.

While hiking seems simple — and it fundamentally is — it’s understandable that it can be a little scary. Being out in the woods away from other people (and sometimes cell service) can make even an easy trail seem intimidating. But hiking for beginners doesn’t need to be extreme, and these 25 tips for first-time trail explorers prove it. These tips come from Redditors around the world, ranging from experts who have hiked the entire Pacific Crest Trail to tropical hikers used to rain storms and muddy trails.

The best part of some of these tips is how honest and easy they are, especially in regards to buying expensive new gear (hint: don’t do that right away). Pair these tips with suggestions of what not to do on the trails, and you’ll be a pro in no time.

Hiking for beginners can be intimidating, but hopefully this useful suggestions can help make you feel a little more confident about venting past the trailhead.

Start with your footwear

Photo: Diego Cervo/Shutterstock

“Shoes, and I can’t emphasize this enough: get good shoes.” – Yaglara

(By the way, Matador’s outdoor editor wrote a guide to her favorite trail shoes that work for hiking but aren’t big, clunky boots)

Seriously: shoes. And socks

“This is so important! Your feet are your only mode of transportation when you’re hiking, so you have to take care of them. You don’t necessarily NEED super fancy “hiking shoes” right off the bat, you really could hike in tennis shoes, but I would consider the type of terrain you are hiking in.

“I would also invest in a pair of merino wool blend socks. They’re moisture wicking and odor resistant, so they’ll help wick away sweat from your feet and dry off faster, which in turn helps prevent blister formation.” – star_wolff

And break ’em in

Photo: rdonar/Shutterstock

“Do not wear new boots unless you have broken them in first or you’ll be left half way somewhere and in a lot of pain.” – Kanad3_Tachibana

It’s not just shoes that can hurt

“Have a plan to avoid chafing. There are products out there that apply like deodorant or [wear] good underwear/compression shorts. Find what works and feels best for you. A little chafing leads to a lot of unpleasantness.” – skyrim9012

Know proper wildlife behavior

Photo: Travelvolo/Shutterstock

“Learn about proper food storage. Bears are real.” – rapiertwit

Trust your senses

“If your gut says something is dangerous or not a great idea then listen to it. Solo trips are fun but you are alone and help may be far away if something goes wrong.” – pajamakitten

Hiking for beginners need not be difficult

“As a beginner, there is really nothing you ‘need’ other than a bit of knowledge and a willingness to learn. John Muir would famously stuff a few handfuls of peanuts and raisins in his pockets and disappear for days. Not recommending this approach, but you probably already have an old-school backpack and some sort of water bottle you can use. Throw some snacks and a map in there and go for a walk.

Plan conservatively and do short, simple hikes. Ask yourself, ‘What did I enjoy about that hike? What might I l have liked to have or done differently to make it more enjoyable or to be better prepared in the future?’ Spend your money on those things as you learn more.” – njp9

Get to know your surroundings

Photo: ShutterstockProfessional/Shutterstock

“Brush up on nature and meteorology. For example, going above treeline and you see some clouds — is it a cumulonimbus or a lenticular cloud? Going off trail to pee… are you walking through stinging nettle, poison oak, or just Virginia creeper? And read up on bears. Believe it or not bears aren’t going out of their way to toss your campsite and hold you up by your legs.” – Ptr4570

Turning around is A-ok

“Remember that when you go from A to B, then you have to go from B to A. If you are getting very tired don’t be afraid to turn around. Sometimes the way back (downhill) takes more time. Take it easy and don’t rush at first. You don’t want to give 90 percent of your energy in the first 10 percent of the way. Enjoy the view.” – Megymguy

Don’t buy expensive gear right away

Photo: Blue Planet Studios/Shuttestock

“All you need are exercise clothes, running shoes and a backpack for the essentials (water and whatever else is safe in your climate). I bought all my gear before I started and spent a lot of $$$, then had to sell it and buy different stuff once I knew what I was doing. The tent I bought was too big, the backpack was too big, there was lots of gimmicky stuff I didn’t need, the hiking boots made my legs tired, etc. Just wear your exercise clothes and go for a walk!” – PattersonsOlady

Start with pre-owned gear

“I’m fairly new myself, only have done day hikes. But in my opinion you need whatever will make you comfortable so that you can focus on enjoying your surroundings. I have boots that fit alright, from REI used gear. I know it sounds weird, but it’s a good way to get high quality gear at lower prices. I also got super cheap used hiking pants and a light, breathable button down.” – streachh

(By the way: some of Matador’s editors favorite brands have their own used gear programs, such as Patagonia. You can also find great deals on used gear at REI if you’re an REI co-op member).

Lots of food and water

“Bring more water than you think you need. A few snacks too. Beginning hikers make this mistake a lot. Myself included.”  – Pat_solo

Find fellow hikers

Photo: Vitalii Matokha/Shutterstock

“When you’re ready to attempt longer hikes, perhaps get in touch with a local hiking club. The Meetup App is pretty good for this. You’ll learn a lot from the more experienced members as well as get some great trail recommendations. As a bonus, you’re likely to make new friends, too.” – Acid_rain_747

Download a useful hiking app in advance

“Personally, I’d recommend the AllTrails app. I went and bought the pro version, has some great downloadable map features, etc., gives decent insight into how hard or easy the trail will be and how long it might take, where to park, etc. Was fantastic on a recent trip to Acadia — so many choices for just three to four days.” – Ill-Albatross-8963

Hike in popular places first

Photo: Gerry Matthews/Shutterstock

“Here’s my add: go to the popular places initially. Places you know that other hikers will be at. You’ll make new friends, find other solo or duo hikers, and if something goes wrong, there are people to help out. I’ve met a couple people out while solo hiking and still keep in contact with them.” – mazzicc

State parks are great

“State park websites often have good information about different hiking trails and their levels of difficulty. If you pick a shorter trail, like under three miles or something, you probably don’t need to sweat too much about the details. Just wear tennis shoes/boots, find out where you can park, and bring water. Park offices usually have maps, and these might be available online as well, if that would increase your comfort level.” – natalielynne

Hydrate before you start

Photo: Pearl PhotoPix/Shutterstock

“My uncommon water advice: start the day hydrated. Drink 0.5 liters before bed the day before you start the hike. Then before leaving the house, drink as much as you can fit.” – SvalbardCaretaker

Manage your risk

“If you’re just going out for the day, getting lost should be your main safety concern, followed by falls. Falls are the number one cause of death in national parks, with 245 falling deaths occurring between 2010 and 2020. Yosemite had the most falling deaths – 45 – in the 10-year period, while Grand Canyon had 27 and Sequoia had 25. So get a GPS app on your phone and/or map and compass if you know how to use them.

When you’re hiking solo never climb anything high enough if you slip you could be incapacitated and couldn’t walk out. Remember, lots of backcountry areas won’t have cell service, so you likely couldn’t call for help.” – Genericdude999

Take it seriously, but mistakes are okay

“Don’t be intimidated. Hiking is easy to get into. Just be smart about it, know your fitness, experience, and knowledge levels and try to make good choices. If you can, find people you can enjoy it with and learn from. Have fun. Keep learning. Most mistakes don’t actually end in disaster, just discomfort or a less-than-ideal experience, so learn from them and keep going.” – Cephas24

Obvious, but essential

Photo: Maridav/Shutterstock

“No matter how short a trail or how familiar you are with the area, check the weather first. Lightning is unpredictable. Survivors of a strike can have permanent brain damage.” – PreserveHabitat

Make it easy to get found

“My first thing I always recommend someone carry is a good whistle. If you get lost, it’s one of the most effective ways to alert others to where you are.” – rmcnee

Don’t forget about salt

“You need water, but you also need salt. When you sweat you lose all the salts and electrolytes in your body and you have to replenish those. An imbalance will make you feel super lethargic and your legs will feel very heavy. Bring a salty, protein-dense snack like some nuts or some cheese and salami (my favorite) and you’re in good shape.” – BlissfullyChilling

Motivate yourself with a hiking bucket list

Photo: Ryan Kelehar/Shutterstock

“It’s easy. Start with well known and popular trails that people have told you about. Shoes, food, water, and elevation maps that show how many miles in/out/up/down. That way you know how far you are going. Start out with one/two mile loops… then keep going up from there. At some point bring extra weight to practice. Find some dream hikes (Havasupai) and figure out what it takes to complete them. Make all your hikes build up to completing your dream hike. Then find a bigger dream.” – circediana

Or make it about more than hiking

Photo: StockBusters/Shutterstock

“Be open to changing things… if your knees hurt on downhills, try a walking stick or poles. If you get blisters, change your footwear. If you’re feeling crummy at the end of a hike, change stuff… the end of a good hike should leave you wanting more.

If you can pick up some interest, it can make the hike more enjoyable. Maybe you can try to identify all the plants along the way, notice how they change through the season. Try to ID birds by their songs. Same for flowers or insects… maybe cartography or photography could be your thing.” – MayIServeYouWell

Maybe the most important

“Tell someone where you are going, what trail you are taking, and how long you expect it to take. That way, if anything happens, they have an idea of where to look for you. I usually give my wife a copy of my map with my route highlighted and give her a rough window of when to expect me to check in when I’m headed back home.

This is good practice for any hike, not just solo hikes.” – jslondon85

More like thisNational ParksThe 9 Hardest Hikes in the US National Park Service You Can Do in a Day

You Can Be Fined $5,000 and Get Six Months in Jail for Visiting the World’s Tallest Tree

Taking the wrong hike in California can now lead to a $5,000 fine plus six months of jail time. The world’s tallest tree in northern California’s Redwood National Park has been off-limits since its discovery in 2006, but that hasn’t stopped people from trying to find it, according to the Los Angeles Times. Now, park officials hope the new consequences keep visitors at bay.

Named Hyperion after the Greek Titan of heavenly light, the tree was last recorded by Guinness World Records to measure over 380 feet and is estimated to be between 600 and 800 years old. Naturalists Chris Atkins and Michael Taylor put the tree on people’s radar in 2006. By 2010, blogs and Reddit threads revealed the location of the tree, and over the years, more and more visitors have created trails by bushwhacking their way to it. The tree has become degraded due to unwelcome visitors who leave trash and human waste and trample the surrounding area, ruining the vegetation and soil around the tree’s base. Some people even bring drones or try to climb the giant, Leonel Arguello, the park’s manager for natural resources, told The Associated Press. Joanna Nelson, director of conservation planning at Save the Redwoods League, told the Los Angeles Times that only five percent of old-growth redwoods are left that haven’t been used for commercial logging.

Traveling to the area is also dangerous for hikers because it’s completely off the beaten path with no cell service, making it easy to get lost.

But perhaps the most ironic thing about all of the people who desperately seek out the famous redwood is that officials say the tree is just not that impressive in person. Compared to other redwoods that are easier to get to, the trunk is thin and there’s no way for visitors to take in the tree’s massive height. Park officials hope that by further deterring visitors with the threat of fines and jail time, the natural vegetation around the world’s tallest tree will have time to heal.

More like thisNational ParksYour Guide To Seeing the Tallest Trees and Old-Growth Forests in California

An Inside Look at Where Flight Attendants and Pilots Sleep on Long Flights

If you’re a plane passenger who often flys economy, you know how challenging sleeping on a flight can be. Maybe you’ve dropped some dough on the perfect neck pillow to get a good night’s rest or resorted to the military sleep method. But what about the pilots and crew who are working those long haul flights? It turns out flight attendants and pilots have their own sleeping quarters. Quinten Moshy, a ramp agent and cabin groomer, posted a TikTok showing where the crew can get some rest while flying.

@quintenmoshy Apparently flight crews need rest after all… #boeing #787 #airplane #pilot #bayarea #california #london #airport #flightattendant #fyp #travel #aviation #rampagent ♬ Aesthetic – Tollan Kim

Moshy shows a 787 Dreamliner on British Airways, but according to Insider, the pilot’s quarters can look different depending on the airline. In Moshy’s TikTok, he shows how the pilot’s resting area is located behind the cockpit, which is common in almost all planes. Some areas on other planes include TV screens, bathrooms, and reclinable seats. And sometimes the flight attendants sleep in bunk beds. However, one commenter noticed there was one important feature missing.

@quintenmoshy Replying to @49erwarrior no windows, just mirrors and curtains #boeing787 #dreamliner #aviation #airplane #flight #flightattendant #pilot #california #london #travel #fyp #sleep #airport ♬ original sound – Finley

One of the best parts of flying is the view. And although it might seem a little harsh or claustrophobic that these sleep pods don’t have any windows, perhaps it’s a good thing to ensure that the crew gets uninterrupted rest.

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The Best Things To Eat and Do on Procida, One of Italy’s Most Charming Islands

Procida, Italy is an idyllic island fringed with black sand beaches and candy hued architecture just off the coast of Naples (in Campania, Southern Italy). It has managed to remain largely hidden from the usual Naples tourist route, but after winning Italy’s much-coveted Capital of Culture status (the first island to be awarded such a distinction), now is the perfect time to explore this slice of rough-around-the-edges Neapolitan island culture.

Wash ashore from a ferry from Naples or Ischia and it’s likely that those glittering waters that nip at the volcanic black sand beaches, or the daily catch from local fishermen that piles up in boxes and nets across the marinas, will make you fall head-over-heels in love with Procida, Italy. Venture on a slow walk into Procida’s chaotic and often unkempt interiors, and you’ll soon realize that this pretty little island, with its winding roads, has so much more to offer than seafood – although that’s good, too, of course.

What is Procida, Italy, known for?

Photo: Inu/Shutterstock

Procida’s cobbled, candy-floss-colored marinas can easily rival its neighbors, but where Ischia and Capri are all glitz and €15 spritzes, in Procida you’ll see more fishing nets and crumbling walls, with a hardened Neapolitan charm that has barely changed in a century (although you can get a spritz for a fiver here, too).

Photo: Javen/Shutterstock

Look up from most of the island and you’ll see a vast fortress on a hilltop, until recent years an infamous prison for Italy’s worst criminals. It hangs like some medieval shadow over the colorful houses of Marina di Corricella, where old cars and mopeds crowd the sidewalks punctuated by a forest of lemon trees, their roots breaking through the tarmac on narrow roads.

What are Procida lemons?

Photo: costagliola/Shutterstock

Treasured for its white pith, the fluffy underside of the rind, that locals refer to as the bread of the lemon, the Procida lemon is unlike any other. First of all, it’s huge. Some are as much as four times the size of a regular lemon, with porous skin and a lumpy exterior. Lemons are chopped into big chunks for deliciously sweet lemon salads, shredded up for pasta dishes and distilled into Limoncello di Procida.

Walk the streets of the Procida, Italy, and you’ll find lemon trees arching over roads, beds of lemons beneath thickets of bushes, bowls of lemons perched beside lemon-scented pasta dishes in waterside restaurants, and pretty houses made all the prettier by a lemon fresco or a house number marked by a tile decorated in hand-painted lemons. The Procida lemon colors this little island as much as it flavors and scents it.

How do I spend a day in Procida?

Photo: Francesca Sciarra/Shutterstock

Procida, Italy can be visited in a day, but take it slowly and get to know it, walking from the busy Marina Grande to the vistas atop Terra Murata and stay in a hotel with a view of Marina di Corricella – try to find one that serves freshly baked pastries in the morning (I recommend hotel La Casa Sul Mare).

The bridge to Vivara Island. Photo: Francesca Sciarra/Shutterstock

Hike the length of the island (a trek that can be completed in less than half a day) to find the island’s interior lemon groves and hop over the bridge that connects to the nature reserve at Vivara Island. Stop for slices of Neapolitan pizza en route to black sand beaches where local limoncello spikes the spritzes and take the time to try each of these delicious island delicacies.

What to eat in Procida, Italy

Photo: trabantos/Shutterstock

Lingue di Procida

Hop off the ferry at Marina Grande (the only way to reach the island), avoiding the mopeds that form a disorderly crowd around the ferry docks, and grab a seat at a rustic outside table at Bar Roma – the place where this lemon cream-filled pastry was supposedly invented. It first popped up sometime in the 1960s, and its name means the Tongue of Procida. A golden-hued, extra crunchy puff pastry in the shape of a fat tongue, flaky and rough around the edges, with fluffy layers leading to a melting creamy lemony cream within. It pairs sublimely with a coffee for a perfectly Procidan breakfast, or alongside a spritz for an indulgent mid-day aperitivo.

Variations pop up here and there (try Panificio F.lli Dell’Amura or Pasticceria Spinelli) with custard and chocolate amongst the most popular, but Bar Roma’s original take is as good as any place to start a tour around the island, and they’ve served up their version for more than half a century.

Where to find it: Bar Roma, Via Roma, 164, 80079 Procida

Insalata di limoni di Procida

On Procida, plates piled with sliced lemons are a common sight. The unusually robust white pith is so thick that locals call it bread of the lemon, and the first bite is sweet, fresh, and juicy. The salad is further spiced by fresh onion and chillies, then seasoned with fresh mint and salt.The dish is often served on a small plate, and sometimes with a plateful of freshly fried anchovies, but it’s at its best when the chef is liberal with the chillies and sprinkles on a handful of freshly picked mint, as in the version at Il Pescatore.

Where to find it: Il Pescatore, Via Marina di Corricella, 63, 80079 Procida

Seafood from the marina

Photo: trabantos/Shutterstock

Stroll along the waterfront beneath the gelato-colored houses at Marina di Corricella and the choice of fresh seafood is abundant. Every restaurant boasts freshly caught fish and offers them up for selection from a silver plate. Stray cats weave in and out of empty fishing nets, eager to sample from the bowls of freshly topped up water. This little cinematic scene happens daily.

While it’s fair to say that the restaurants in Marina di Corricella have similar menus, serving up the local seafood and shaving parmesan and lemons onto crisp white plates, the marina remains a perfect spot for lunch and dinner. La Graziella serves up some of the better pasta, with spaghetti served with fried anchovies and lemon juice, or thick chunks of lemon and handfuls of mint, while Ristorante Gorgonia’s sea urchin pasta is a divine, salty hit of pure oceanic flavor.

If you’re traveling to Procida, Italy, in the high season it’s advisable to book, as space is limited, but La Lampara’s creamy seafood risotto is more than worth the effort. Pair it with an inexpensive but generally very good house wine poured from a carafe, all while gazing at views of the bay and the ornate duomo of Santuario S. Maria Delle Grazie Incoronata poking up from the skyline like a big lemon-colored wedding cake.

Where to find it: Marina di Corricella, Via Marina di Corricella, 80079 Procida

Babà with limoncello

Photo: s74/Shutterstock

Babà, conical cakes soaked in sticky, citrus-flavored alcoholic syrup, are a staple on the Neapolitan food scene, but their roots grew from the east, where, in Poland, former king Stanislas Leszczynski had the idea of soaking a dried-out kugelhopf cake in liqueur.

The idea traveled and eventually hit Paris where it became babà au rum before being taken to Italy by the monsù – chefs who had trained in France and worked in the kitchens of the well-to-do families of southern Italy, ensuring babà would become as Neapolitan as pizza. In Procida, these delight cakes are often served soaked in the local limoncello.

They pop up across menus but the sweet, browned cones of babà served up on the terrace at Ristorante Gorgonia are often topped with cream for an extra hit of indulgence. A lemony, burned sugar flavor gives way to a strong hit of alcohol and the sticky sponge melts in the mouth, perfect for an after-dinner treat.

Where: Ristorante Gorgonia, Via Marina di Corricella, 50, 80079 Procida

Coniglio alla Procidana

People with a taste for heavy meat dishes aren’t particularly well served on Procida. However, one red meat dish that you’ll find on the island is a hearty, heavily spiced rabbit stew. Procida’s stew is a slow, laborious affair; the cooking time goes on for several hours until the rabbit is tender and proficiently soaked in the flavors of local rosemary, a touch of garlic, cherry tomatoes, chillies and white wine.

La Pergola’s rabbit stew is legendary, and served, as seems correct for such earthy, autumnal fare, under the lemon vines of its romantic terrace amongst the island’s leafy interiors.

Where to find it: La Pergola, Via Salette, 10, 80079 Procida NA

Spaghetti alla pescatora povera

Everyone on Procida has a lemon tree close to hand, that much we’ve established. It’s also true that the sea is never more than a 10-minute walk away from where you are on the island.

This simple pasta dish of anchovies and peppers is emblematic of the fishermen who populate the island: In fact, the name loosely translates to poor fisherman’s spaghetti. On Procida the enlivening flavors of anchovies and green pepper give this dish a tang of both the sea and the land.

The dish comes together quickly with everything fried in olive oil and piled up atop a fresh hill of al dente spaghetti in the middle of the plate,  topped with grated cheese (while not “traditional”, it is a mouth-watering accompaniment).

La Conchiglia serves its version in the traditional fashion from a delightful space overlooking the vistas at Spiaggia della Chiaia. The restaurant is accessible from the beach but is one of many restaurants that remain closed for the colder seasons, so check for opening times before descending the (hundreds) of twisting stairs to the sand.

Where to find it: La Conchiglia, Via Pizzaco, 10, 80079 Procida

Foglioli

Photo: youri/Shutterstock

Traditionally, while making Limoncello di Procida, the island’s native version of limoncello, producers would drop in a few lemon leaves along with the lemon peel for a subtle Procidan twist, but David and Cinzia Lubrano, the creators of Foglioli decided to drop the lemon entirely and make a drink inspired by limoncello using only the leaves of the local lemons. The results are more herbaceous than a limoncello, with less sugar, and a puckering bitterness on the palette. On my last visit to the island, David told me that breaking open a lemon leaf and smelling the “truly amazing” aroma is exactly how he got the idea for Foglioli.

In order to get a taste, order a spritz al Foglioli at Capriccio Bar on Via Roma or try the Flamingo Bar on Piazza Della Repubblica, where the cocktail menu often showcases the spirit.

Where to find it: Capriccio Bar, Via Roma, 99, 80079 Procida NA and Flamingo Bar, Via Libertà, 90, 80079 Procida

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3 Mysteries Archaeologists Still Haven’t Figured Out About Ancient Egypt’s Pyramids

The world’s fascination with ancient Egypt has a long history; Greek rulers often portrayed themselves as pharaohs and Romans dragged obelisks out of Egypt to adorn their cities, including Istanbul and Rome. Following Napoleon’s invasion of Egypt in 1798, Egyptomania gripped Europe and amateur archaeologists began flocking to the country, unearthing massive temples and statues and excavating untold numbers of tombs, including the famous tomb of Tutankhamun, discovered by Howard Carter in 1915. But of all the impressive sites and artifacts found, the pyramids of ancient Egypt are unmatched in grandeur.

Pyramids were built as funerary tombs for pharaohs and high-ranking officials from 2600 BCE to 1550 BCE. These massive monuments displayed a person’s power and wealth and served as a place of ascension into the afterlife. Over 100 pyramids have been found in Egypt, mostly in clusters along the west bank of the Nile. The pyramids come in all shapes in sizes, from the early stepped pyramid of Djoser to the uniquely shaped Bent Pyramid, where the pyramid angle was changed mid-way through construction, to the three iconic Pyramids of Giza, which have been dominating Cairo’s horizon since 2550 BCE.

Research on the pyramids have been taking place since the early 19th century, with early archaeologists clearing sand from the complexes and exploring the interior chambers (sometimes, unfortunately, for the pyramid’s preservation, with the help of dynamite) and later archaeologists scanning and restoring the monuments. However, for all the centuries of excavation and research many pyramid mysteries remain.

Pyramid mystery #1: How were the pyramids of Egypt built?

The Pyramid of Khufu. Photo: ImAAm/Shutterstock

The Pyramid of Khufu (sometimes called Cheops), the largest Egyptian pyramid, is made of 2.3 million stone blocks, each weighing anywhere from 2.5 to 16 tons. Some of the blocks, particularly the ones used in the inner chambers, came as far as Aswan, 500 miles from Giza where the pyramid stands. But how did ancient Egyptians build such massive pyramids without using simple machines such as the wheel, which, while used by Egyptians for pottery making, was not used for carts or chariots until 1500 BCE, likely because wheels weren’t much use in the thick sand that covered the country? It’s an age-old mystery and one that continues to be an enigma for ancient monumental complexes across the world. While there are numerous theories, there is a lack of hard, archaeological evidence to fully support any one of them.

One theory about how the blocks were moved involves sleds and wet sand. A painting in the tomb of Djehutihotep shows men dragging a colossal statue on a sled. In front of them, a person pours water onto the sand. While initially thought to be a ceremonial gesture, physicist Daniel Bonn recently discovered that the right amount of water, about two to five percent of the volume of sand, increased the stiffness of the sand and reduced the friction between the object being dragged and the ground, making the object much easier to move. The same technique may have been used to drag stone blocks to pyramid construction sites.

Once the blocks were at the pyramid’s construction site, however, how were they lifted into place without the use of mechanical advantage? A ramp found in a quarry dating to the construction of the Pyramid of Khufu indicates that ancient Egyptians were able to pull stone blocks out of the quarry on a steep upward slope. It’s possible that similar ramps were used to haul stones up the pyramid’s sides to be placed. However, the exact system is unknown. The ramps could have been on the outside of the pyramid, spiraling up like a mountain road, or straight and long, or built within the pyramid. How a 16-ton block could have been moved up a ramp is also unknown, with theories ranging from sleds to wooden rollers to wooden posts tied to each side of a block, changing the shape from square to polygon and allowing them to be rolled like a keg of beer.

Pyramid mystery #2: What’s inside the mysterious cavities inside the Pyramid of Khufu?

A tunnel inside the Pyramid of Khufu. Photo: hlopex/Shutterstock

In 2017, ScanPyramids made a massive discovery inside the Pyramid of Khufu. With the aid of muon-tomography, a non-invasive scanning technique that uses cosmic rays to produce 3D images of spaces and can penetrate much more deeply than X Rays, researchers discovered two previously unknown voids inside the pyramid, the first new spaces found inside the pyramid since the 19th century.

A small void was detected on the pyramid’s north face, approximately 15 feet long. Horizontal and sloping upwards, this could be a passageway. More significantly, a 100-foot-long void was found above the Grand Gallery, itself a magnificent passageway that provides access to the burial chambers towards the center of the pyramid.
Not much is known about this larger chamber. It could be either horizontal or at a slope and may actually be made up of several smaller rooms. While it is unlikely to be a burial chamber, it could be a second Grand Gallery, or, more intriguingly, hold some of the secrets to the engineering and construction behind the pyramid. The Bent Pyramid, built by Snefru, Khufu’s father, has a similar chamber above the main burial chamber. The space is believed to help reduce the weight of masonry pressing down from above.

ScanPyramids has plans to scan more pyramids, including the Pyramid of Khafre, Egypt’s second largest. What other secrets could muon-tomography reveal about ancient Egypt’s monuments? Time will tell.

Pyramid mystery #3: Why did the Egyptians stop building pyramids?

Photo: Gurgen Bakhshetyan/Shutterstock

The last royal pyramid was built around 1500 BCE. Afterward, while wealthy individuals were occasionally buried in or near pyramids, pharaohs were buried in the Valley of Kings, near Thebes (modern-day Luxor), the new capital of ancient Egypt. What exactly caused the rulers of Egypt to abandon the practice of pyramid burials is unknown, though many theories exist.

One theory is that religious changes around 1500 BCE began emphasizing building tombs underground, in the bedrock, rather than interring bodies in pyramids. Thebes, unlike the previous Egyptian capital, Memphis, had far less open space and what little there was was rocky and rugged, hardly the ideal landscape to build massive monuments.

Tomb robbing was also an issue, and there was far less chance that burials would be looted if they weren’t placed in such conspicuous settings as horizon-dominating pyramids. The Valley of the Kings is a cliffy, complex landscape that was easy to hide royal burials and rock-cut tombs in. Tuthmosis, the first pharaoh to be buried in the Valley of Kings, hired a man named Ineni to inspect the excavation of his tomb. In his autobiography, Tuthmosis wrote, “I inspected the excavation of the cliff tomb of his Majesty alone, no one seeing, no one hearing.” Entrances were kept secret and necropolis guards patrolled the area for looters.

A more recent theory about why pyramid construction stopped comes from Peter James, an engineer tasked with examining the outer casing of the Bent Pyramid, built in 2600 BCE. While better preserved than other pyramids, which all have lost their outer casings of limestone and marble, the Bent Pyramid’s casing has also been breaking apart. Peter James discovered that the extreme temperature fluctuations of the Egyptian desert were causing the limestone to expand and contract, moving the stone blocks to the edges of the pyramid and forcing them to detach or break, taking the outer casing with them. Oddly enough, the Bent Pyramid’s unusual construction made it the best preserved pyramid; the gaps between the stone blocks have allowed them to shift with thermal expansion without breaking the casing. On the other hand, the more perfectly aligned and placed blocks of the Pyramids of Giza had no gaps between them. Any shifting of the blocks caused them to push against each other, causing the casing to disintegrate rapidly. This disintegration likely happened while pyramid building was still occurring. After spending so much time, money, and energy creating perfect monuments, this visible and rapid destruction of their perfection could have been one reason pharaohs abandoned them as burial monuments.

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This Small Texas Town Hosts the Most Authentic Oktoberfest in the US

Fall is coming fast, which means Oktoberfest season will be here before you know it. The famed Oktoberfest in Munich is scheduled to return this year after a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic. If you’re not lucky enough to be able to catch a flight to Germany to drink beer for a couple of days, there are plenty of grand Oktoberfest celebrations right in the United States. One of the most notable is in Addison, Texas.

Named the country’s “most authentic Oktoberfest” by Forbes and USA Today, this small town’s celebration takes place from September 15 to 18. The festival typically brings in around 50,000 people to Addison Circle Park who come for authentic German food and performances. Expect polka music, sing-a-longs, Bavarian folk dances, yodels, and interactive games, all with German performers in costume. Kids can participate in the fun too in the Fun For Die Familie section with hands-on crafts, balloons, airbrush tattoos, and sachshund races.

Beer and food, of course, are at the center of it all. There’s a special Oktoberfest Paulaner Bier and plenty of German sausage, schnitzel, sauerkraut, strudel, and of course, giant pretzels. And in the Draught Haus Biergarten, guests can enjoy beer and brats while watching top college and pro games on a huge outdoor tv screen.

Tickets are on sale now with free admission for everyone on Thursday, September 15, and Sunday, September 18. Kids under 10 are free for the entire weekend of the festival. And tickets on Friday and Saturday are $10. Guests can also purchase a two-day pass for $40 that includes one commemorative half-liter stein, two Paulaner beers, and one commemorative lapel pin. For guests looking to spend the night from out-of-town, purchase one of the hotel packages with rates starting at $94.

As long as you don’t drink too much beer, you’re sure to have an experience you’ll never forget.

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Rockford, Illinois, Is an Outdoor Haven Perfect for a Weekend Escape From Chicago

The largest city in Illinois outside of the Chicagoland area, Rockford offers beautiful landscapes and plenty of family-friendly adventures that make it a great destination for people who love the outdoors. The city and Winnebago County have more than 10,000 acres of protected recreational land, as well as 42 forest preserves for hiking, camping, fishing, and kayaking. It’s no wonder Rockford’s nicknames are Forest City and City of Gardens.

If you’re looking for a Midwest vacation where you can immerse yourself in the great outdoors, here’s how to make the most of Rockford, Illinois.

What to do in Rockford

Photo: Ana S. Chao/Shutterstock

Anderson Japanese Gardens: What started as a backyard project for the Anderson family is now one of the top Japanese gardens in the United States. It’s tucked into a hillside near the Rock River, and offers 12 acres of stunning landscape to take in. There are streams, waterfalls, trees, shrubs, flowers, and winding pathways to explore. Don’t forget to snag a bag of fish food before heading out on your garden walk — the koi in both of the property’s ponds are eager to greet you while they snack.

This is also a great spot for brunch with a lovely view overlooking the property. Fresco in the Garden has a brunch menu with options like chorizo and egg hash, salmon Oscar, and a fruit and yogurt parfait served in half of a pineapple.

Rock River Recreation Path: This 10-mile trail runs along the Rock River. It’s a community hub for outdoor recreation, whether you’re walking a dog, going for a jog, or teaching your kiddo how to ride a bike. The path runs from downtown Rockford north to the MercyRockford SportsCore 1 at Loves Park. The grounds just outside of the Nicholas Conservatory are particularly lovely as you can make a pit stop to wander through the stunning rose garden. There are several other spots to stop and play along the way, along with local food trucks.

Photo: Jw5 Photography/Shutterstock

Nicholas Conservatory and Gardens: The conservatory is located right next to the Rock River, but one foot inside and you’ll be transported to the tropics. The 11,000-square-foot space is filled with an impressive variety of vegetation that towers to the ceiling. There are orchids, palms, lipstick plants, papaya trees, and elephant ears bigger than a child. There are also relaxing water features, benches, and sculptures, making it a wonderful spot for quiet reflection. The eclipse lagoon outside (keep your eyes out for the resident swans) connects the conservatory to the nearby Sinnissippi Rose Garden.

Atwood Park Silent Sports Trail System: Several years in the making, this trail system will feature some 20 miles of interconnected trails on both the north and south sides of the Kishwaukee River when fully complete. The trails are multi-use (hiking, biking, and cross-country skiing) but are perhaps best loved by bikers — especially those with fat tire bikes. The trails weave through the woods and wind up and down the hillside, along ravines, and across the prairie. Be sure to check out the trail guide before heading out to find the right difficulty rating of the route to match your skill level.

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West Rock Wake Park: You don’t need a boat to wakeboard or water ski in the heart of Rockford. Thanks to the cable pulley system set up at Levings Lake, you can hop in the water, hold on, and go. The course is great for every skill level and age, with a training course for beginners and a more advanced loop course for people who are more experienced and want to hit the jumps. Reservations are required, so check the website before heading out.

Burpee Museum of Natural History: Fascinating displays of the geological history of Rockford and the surrounding area are on full display here. It’s where you’ll find Jane, the world’s most complete and best-preserved juvenile T. rex. The 21-foot skeleton and surrounding exhibit offer fascinating insights into what the region was like some 66 million years ago. There are three other floors of the museum to explore, including live animals like turtles, snakes, and beetles in the SPROUTS Learning Lab.

Connected via tunnel to the Burpee Museum is the Rockford Art Museum, which has pieces that show a diverse glimpse into Chicago Imagist art and early 19th and 20th century artists all the way up through modern Midwest creators of today.

Photo: Eddie J. Rodriquez/Shutterstock

Rock Cut State Park: On the northeast side of the city about a 20-minute drive from downtown Rockford is Rock Cut State Park. With nearly 3,100 acres of forested hiking trails, two lakes, and 270 campsites to choose from, this is a well-known destination for those looking to appreciate everything about the great outdoors. You can rent bikes and motorboats while in the park. It’s a great spot for horseback riding and wildlife watching. It’s also a prime location for spending time outdoors in cold weather months if you’re interested in ice fishing, cross-country skiing, and ice skating.

Where to eat and drink in Rockford

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Prairie Street Brewing Company: Situated right on the banks of the Rock River, restoration of the historic brewery building began a decade ago. Today, it offers fantastic ambience for dining whether you’re inside the building or out on the dock. Snag a flight of the craft beer and an order of cheese curds while you decide what to have for your main meal.

Rockford City Market: A favorite summertime tradition in Rockford is the City Market on Friday nights. There are more than 70 vendors and food trucks that set up shop here, most of which offer something tasty to eat or drink. You can try crepes, cake in a cup, vegan treats, cantina tacos, wood-fired pizza, and much, much more. There’s also fresh produce, honey, and cheese as well as handmade items and jewelry. Find a spot under the pavilion in the heart of downtown Rockford and enjoy your market treats and a local brew while listening to live music.

The neighborhood surrounding the market is chock full of locally owned shops with friendly owners. Pop into 317 Art Collective to view an eclectic mix of modern art by local artists. Rockford Art Deli features custom eco-conscious screen-printed t-shirts as well as hats and other branded apparel. 510 Threads is a lovely fashion-forward women’s boutique. And at Bath & Body Fusion you can find locally made bath bombs and body butters galore.

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The Norwegian: This is a can’t miss spot for breakfast in Rockford. The restaurant’s Nordic design is charming and welcoming, and the food is delicious. Be sure to sample the Æbleskiver (Danish pancake balls served with maple syrup and house-made raspberry jam) and the Swedish cinnamon knot. Plus, the croque madame, sourdough waffles, and salmon and egg are excellent choices to start your day. The Norwegian is also open for lunch and dinner (limited hours and menu), occasionally hosts live music, and has a fabulous pergola-covered patio.

Barnstormer Distillery: A visit to Barnstormer Distillery is like a walk in the park, but with really tasty cocktails. Owners Tim and Addie Ford are as friendly as can be. They’ve created whiskeys, vodkas, rums, and more. You can sample many of the spirits in their new hangar-style bar. Open on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, you can stop by for samples, drinks, and bottle sales. You will also likely find a local food truck, like Batchz BBQ which dishes out delectable barbeque sandwiches and nachos, parked right outside the hanger. Plus, local musicians provide entertainment. The ambience of the whole property is enchanting. The distillery is set on 22 acres, and some of the ingredients for their craft liquors and craft cocktails are grown on the grounds. Make time to wander through the pine trees.

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Octane: This spot has been a fixture on the Rockford dining scene for some 20 years. The menu blends global cuisine with down home, satisfying meals, all creatively plated. Try out the flavorful selection of baos and ramen dishes or the modern TV dinner. The fried chickpeas and sweet corn elotes are a great way to start your meal. And the espresso martini comes highly recommended.

Gelato Joe’s: If you’re a fan of gelato or sorbet, make a plan to stop at Gelato Joe’s. The creamy flavors are the perfect sweet treat to cap off the day as you savor your choice on the patio under the string lights. Check the flavor list before you go, but you’ll likely find everything from strawberry, raspberry, lemon basil, and pistachio, to velvet caramel vanilla, mocha crunch, and tiramisu.

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Candy Cloud: This spot is known for colorful desserts and drinks. What started as a cotton candy stand at the city market has transformed into a store front that whips up coffee drinks and sweet treats right before your eyes. The layered ice cream options are divine, with bits of boba, cake, or doughnut mixed in. The coffee drinks and revivers are caffeine boosts. And the specialty drinks, which change seasonally, are just plain fun.

Where to stay in Rockford

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Embassy Suites by Hilton Rockford Riverfront: A former cabinet hardware factory has been transformed into a 12-story industrial chic hotel situated on the riverfront in the heart of Rockford. The Riverside Embassy Suites opened in 2020 and offers the perfect spot to stay while in town, and includes a complimentary happy hour and made-to-order breakfast. Make sure to head up to The Top Rooftop Bar & Lounge to grab appetizers and a cocktail. The rooftop offers a stunning panoramic view of the city and is an ideal spot to watch the sunset.

How to get to Rockford, Illinois

Rockford is about 90 miles northwest of Chicago. It’s also just an hour south of Madison, Wisconsin, and about an hour and a half from Milwaukee. If you’re looking to travel by air, you can fly into Chicago Rockford International Airport.

How to get around

Rockford is a pretty easy city to navigate. Downtown is walkable on both sides of the Rock River, and by foot is the best way to take in the many colorful murals on the sides of buildings. Bikes are another convenient way to get around, though there’s plenty of parking if you drive. You’ll want to have a vehicle to get to the outdoor destinations beyond those right near the Rock River in downtown.

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I Hike at Least 500 Miles a Year and These Are the Boots I Wear the Most

Living in Colorado, the outdoors is a way of life as much as the craft beer movement that started in the Centennial State. Getting out for an “after-worker” (my colloquial term for a hike, bike ride, paddleboard session, or other outdoor activity squeezed into the late afternoon hours after work and before dinner), is a daily practice for many Coloradans, myself included. I’ve averaged about 75 hikes or roughly 500 miles per year, so I spend a lot of time in hiking boots. I recently tried the Erem Xerocole boots ($169.99), and won’t be hitting the trail without them for the foreseeable future.

Note: I tested the Erem Xerocole men’s boots. Erem also offers a women’s option.

A brand designed for the desert

What first caught my attention about Erem is the desert-specific design. The Xerocole boots in Almond Bluff are the same sandy brown as the Book Cliffs range that towers above my hometown of Palisade, Colorado.

If you’ve ever hiked in the desert, you know that it can get quite hot. The Xerocole boots are built for the heat, touted for its breathable materials that encourage air circulation, keeping the wearer’s feet cool — much like a car with the windows slightly cracked open.

Adding to the upstart brand’s bonafides, the Xerocole was named the official hiking boot of the Arizona Trail, so you know it’s going to look good and perform well in the desert.

Sustainability is on point

Erem hooked me with its promises of sustainability. The Xerocole production process is “biocircular,” meaning the boot is made of sustainable materials that can be reabsorbed by the earth (i.e. decompose) after its useful life. The sole is 70 percent recycled rubber.

The brand is in the process of building the world’s first “Biocircular hiking collection,” which I certainly want to be part of.

Comfort and performance. Photo: Tim Wenger

Added perk: They wear like Vans, transporting me back to me '90s skater kid roots. Photo: Tim Wenger

Ignore the horrible calf tattoo. Photo: Tim Wenger

The Xerocole blends perfectly with desert surrounds. Photo: Tim Wenger

How do the Erem Xerocole hiking boots perform?

I tried the Xerocole boots first on the Palisade Rim Trail’s lower loop, a 3.5-mile, after-work jaunt that gains about 800 feet. The boots felt loose at first andI wasn’t sure if that was by design – perhaps air flowing in from the top was part of the breathing process. I figured not, though, because it was difficult to get a good foothold on the dirt when my ankles kept sliding around. So I pulled the laces tighter and tied a double knot. Problem solved.

On the descent, I noticed that the rubbing and throbbing so common with an out-of-the-box pair of hiking boots was missing. My ankles felt as good as when I’d started, as did my toes. Even the slight bunion on my right foot hadn’t carved an indent into the toebox. Basically, I wasn’t counting down the seconds until I could swap the boots for flip-flops as I often do on these speedy hikes.

This was a feeling I’d never experienced the first time out in a new pair of boots, and remains what stands out the most about their performance. The Xerocole boots are comfortable without “grinning and bearing it” through a 10-mile slog of pain to break them in.

Photo: Quiggyt4/Shutterstock

I then deemed the boots ready for a longer hike. For this, I ventured deeper into the desert of Fruita, Colorado, to the Devil’s Canyon Trailhead for a seven-mile loop out to Pitchfork Tower and back. The temperature on this late-June afternoon was above 90 degrees, and I’d need the boots to perform as well as the water bladder in my backpack in order to mark the day a success. The trail includes rocky stretches and  at least two sand patches, plus two small stream crossings, making it a great desert trail to test the boot against all elements.

The Xerocole’s outsole has a thick tread ideal for gripping the curves in rock faces, and the boots excelled at ascending the trail’s rocky stretches; I climbed just shy of 700 feet with ease. The shock-absorbing cork took in the hard rock and soft sand equally well.

The design reminds me of the pair of Merrell hiking boots I’ve had for years, mixed with Vans skate shoes, another brand I’ve long stood by. This rethink of hiking boot design is what gives the Xerocoles their comfort – they perform like boots but wear like shoes, albeit high-top ones with a very thick sole.

By the end of the hike, my feet weren’t screaming for release and I felt like I could have kept hiking for several more miles. The boots lived up to what was promised by Erem. And as a bonus, they match the standard desert-town fashion to the point that swapping them out before grabbing a post-hike drink with friends isn’t necessary.

Tips for getting the most out of your Erem Xerocole hiking bootsXerocoles are high-top boots so leave the short socks at home. Wear hiking socks or at least socks that rise above the top of the boot. This also prevents rubbing on your calf or shin.Tighten the laces as tight as you can get them. The boots are adept at hugging feet if you provide enough support to last through the hike.The bottoms of most hiking pants will perfectly cover the top and tongue of the boots, and in most cases, this actually looks quite stylish (by mountain town standards).I opted for the Xerocole boots in Almond Bluff, but they also come in Caramel Brown and Silver Birch.

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This Tulum Airbnb Loft Puts You Right in the Jungle

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In Tulum, you’re going to want accommodations that emulate the best of what this beach town has to offer. There are many amazing hotels in Tulum that offer jungle-themed vibes, but if you’re looking for an Airbnb that’s perfect for a group trip, the TikTok account @bucketliststays has found the perfect Tulum Airbnb that will drop you off right in the jungle.

@bucketliststays #stitch with @meirschon Bucketlist #airbnb in Tulum Mexico #tulum #bucketlist #traveltiktok ♬ original sound – Unique Stays Worldwide

This two-bedroom, 2.5-bathroom loft comfortably sleeps five guests. It’s located in the La Veleta neighborhood, which has two cenotes and an amazing culinary scene. The entire loft is decorated in soft whites, natural greenery, and black and wicker accents. Enter from the private entrance after taking in the jungle garden outside complete with a water fountain. Walk into the lobby with a spacious kitchen with wooden cupboards, black countertops, an electric stovetop, and stainless steel appliances. The centerpiece is a long wooden dining room table made from wood in the region with views into the trees.

The open floor plan leads into the living room with a plush oversized corner seating area, or you can offer the pillows on the floor surrounding the coffee table. Floor-to-ceiling windows that are 20 feet high offer lots of natural lighting and at night wicker basket lighting hangs from above.

Both spacious bedrooms are decorated with Earth-tones, but the primary bedroom is extra special, with an entrance that leads out to the rooftop patio. On the rooftop you’ll find a private pool, lots of comfortable seating, and a gorgeous view of the trees up top.

Both bathrooms have luxurious rainfall showers, while the primary bathroom has a soaking tub that’s perfect for relaxing after a long day of excursions.

Bookings for the Piece of Art Loft average at $378 per night. After spending your vacation in paradise, you’ll never want to leave.

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