Matador Network's Blog, page 587
September 1, 2021
Albuquerque’s annual Balloon Fiesta is back, and it’s going to be epic
Look to the New Mexican skies, and you might see any number of mesmerizing sights: flaming red sunsets, the Milky Way swaddled by stars, an 80-foot inflatable dragon soaring hundreds of feet overhead. Admittedly you’re only likely to see that last one in October when the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta livens up the capital’s skies for nine straight days.
Albuquerque’s first Balloon Fiesta was held in 1972 when a group of 13 hot-air ballooners gathered in the parking lot of a shopping mall to launch their whimsical aircraft. Today that number is 50 times higher. Now the biggest hot-air balloon festival in the world, the extravaganza welcomes hundreds of pilots and hundreds of thousands of spectators from across the globe to Albuquerque’s 350-acre Balloon Fiesta Park each year.
Photo: Gary L. Brewer/Shutterstock
In addition to mass ascensions, when the entire fleet of balloons launches in two groups, the festival has grown an exciting roster of events of the years. After the sun goes down on the first Sunday evening of the fiesta, attendees can walk among a garden of grounded lit-up balloons during the annual Balloon Glow, then be awed by the AfterGlow Fireworks Show. Since 1989, the festival’s Special Shape Rodeos have spotlighted the event’s most unique balloons, which in the past have been modeled after everything from killer whales to firetrucks to Yoda. On Thursday and Friday nights, these balloons also get their own Balloon Glow, or Glowdeo.
Photo: Daniel Cummings/Shutterstock
Beyond a long list of ballooning events, festival-goers can expect a variety of concerts and dance performances, contests, children’s acts, and other exciting showcases, including a chainsaw carving demonstration. Balloon rides are also available. When they’re not busy with the festivities, attendees hop between concession stands peddling the flavors of New Mexico and beyond, from hatch green chile everything to fried Twinkies, frog legs, churros.
This year marks the 49th anniversary of the inaugural Balloon Fiesta. After being postponed last year due to COVID-19 concerns, the festival is back in action in 2021 and set to take place October 2-10. Attendees are expected to comply with local health and safety regulations, as well as any guidelines announced by the Balloon Fiesta. Current practices include mask mandates in indoor spaces per a statewide public health order announced in August, as well as a recommendation to wear a mask and practice social distancing outside.
Photo: Kit Leong/Shutterstock
Those traveling to New Mexico for the spectacle should also note that some businesses are requiring patrons to provide proof of vaccination. Ticket holders are encouraged to keep a close eye on festival announcements as health and safety measures are subject to change. Those unable to join the fun in person are able to live stream the extravaganza.
Tickets for the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta can be purchased online and are also available at the park gates. Gates open at 4:30 AM and 3 PM each day. Due to the popularity of the festival, attendees are encouraged to arrive as early as 4 AM for morning events.
Albuquerque Airbnbs to book for the Balloon FiestaWe hope you love the spaces and stays we recommend! Just so you know, Matador may collect a small commission from the links on this page if you decide to book a stay. Listed prices are accurate as of the time of publication. See our full Advertiser Disclosure here.
Bella Beige
Photo: Bella Beige/Airbnb
Situated around Albuquerque’s West Old Town, roughly 20 minutes from Balloon Fiesta Park, this one-bedroom home has everything festival-goers need to stay comfortable when they’re not enjoying the fiesta. The property is simple but charming, with enough room to accommodate four guests between the master bedroom and sofa bed.
Four guests, one bedroom
Price: $132 per night
Photo: The Audrey/Airbnb
Perfect for solo travelers or a couple, this stylish property is located in a quiet neighborhood a stone’s throw from downtown Albuquerque and the Historic Old Town. Past guests have raved about the space’s coziness and cleanliness, the well-equipped kitchen and bathroom, and the kind and accommodating superhost.
Two guests, one bedroom
Price: $293 per night
Photo: Modesto Gardens/Airbnb
Equal parts luxurious and rustic, this expertly appointed, state-of-the-art RV is located in an Edenic gated compound, with fruit trees, herb and vegetable gardens, koi ponds, and a beautiful array of flowers. After a long day at the Balloon Fiesta, guests can retreat to the patio for a delicious home-grilled meal in view of the mountains and desert. A variety of sporting equipment is also available, from bikes to bocce ball to badminton nets, as well as a private hot tub, sauna, and massage chairs.
Eight guests, four bedrooms
Price: $405 per night
Photo: Desert Oasis/Airbnb
Guests of this three-bedroom property will have as much to keep them entertained outside of the Balloon Fiesta as they will at the festival grounds, which is just 10 minutes away by car. With the Sandia Mountains nearby, guests have a wide variety of hiking trails at their disposal, and the property comes with its very own pool and hot tub.
Six guests, three bedrooms
Price: $850 per night
Photo: Corrales Retreat/Airbnb
If you’re looking for an Airbnb that’s as striking as the Albuquerque sky during the Balloon Fiesta, this traditional adobe home in The Village of Corrales will deliver. Located an easy 20-minute drive from the Balloon Fiesta Park, the property comes with four bedrooms and five baths and is ideal for large families or groups of festival-goers. 
Eight guests, four bedrooms
Price: $1,179 per night
The post Albuquerque’s annual Balloon Fiesta is back, and it’s going to be epic appeared first on Matador Network.
The ultimate Colorado stargazing road trip to remote Dark Sky Sanctuary towns
Colorado road trips typically center around the state’s mountains or desert canyons, and the recreational activities offered there. Now, a collection of small towns in southern and western Colorado have banded together to create an astronomical road trip called “Colorado Stargazing: Experience the Night.”
Five Colorado towns and nine remote areas in Colorado have earned Dark Sky Sanctuary status from the International Dark Sky Association. This road trip takes you to the best sites to see across the state, beginning in the western Colorado town of Norwood and ending in Westcliffe. How long you spend en route is up to you — but we recommend taking it nice and slow. Few road trips are so easy to access while taking you so far away from big-city life.
“There’s not a whole lot of civilization here,” John Metzger, President of the Norwood Chamber of Commerce, tells me. “And the skies are about as dark as anywhere on earth, because of the altitude combined with the dryness. There’s nothing in the way — a lot of clear skies.”
Photo: Norwood Colorado/Facebook
On Wright’s Mesa, along the western end of the San Juan Mountains, three small towns have banded together to form a Dark Sky mega-spot. Norwood became a Dark Sky Sanctuary in 2019 and is the primary hub in the area, home to some 800 residents. Along with its IDA designation, the town has developed hiking and mountain biking trails to attract outdoor enthusiasts looking for a more affordable place to visit than nearby Telluride. But it’s the IDA certification that has bonded this town with other remote locations across Colorado — although you could combine two interests and look up during a nighttime hike.
People come here who “have never even seen the Milky Way,” Metzger says. “And their reaction is always, ‘Wow.’ It just sort of complements everything you do around here.”
Just past Highway 145’s merger with Highway 141, the town of Naturita and neighboring Nucla received their IDA designation this year. The high alpine environment of the San Juan and Sangre de Cristo Mountains along with the San Luis Valley that separates them, and you have the recipe for an unforgettable Colorado stargazing road trip. Here’s how to make it happen, from Norwood to Westcliffe
Norwood, Naturia, and NuclaFollowing the above map, our Colorado stargazing road trip kicks off in Norwood, about 45 miles from Telluride.
“There’s so much vastness and expanse of territory, and above it all is this unbelievable sky,” Metzger says. “It sort of turns into something bigger, into a sort of Colorado Dark Sky corridor.”
The Unaweep-Tabeguache Byway, Highway 141, connects Norwood to Gateway and eventually Grand Junction, a beautiful stretch of Slickrock canyon reminiscent of Moab and its surrounding national parks. The stars are viewable anywhere en route.
The Thunder Trails have designated dispersed campsites that make for a great place to stargaze, with the bonus of taking a morning hike or bike ride on the trails. Lone Cone Peak is visible in the distance, with Miramonte Reservoir offering camping closer to the peak. Or opt for an artsy, Burning Man-esque vibe at the recently refurbished glamping resort, Camp V.
Gunnison and Creede
Photo: DomVisuals/Shutterstock
Gunnison is the biggest town on this route, the hub of the Gunnison Valley and the gateway to the ski town of Crested Butte. Hartman Rocks Recreation Area is the best place to stargaze near Gunnison. This desert scape features numerous trails at which to get away from any present crowds, but you can also just pop the hatch on your vehicle and gaze at the stars from the parking lot. Gunnison stargazers also head to Taylor Canyon and Blue Mesa Reservoir. If visiting on a Friday or Saturday night in summer, “Carpe Noctem” (seize the night) at the Gunnison Valley Observatory’s public viewing hours. Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, known for its steep and narrow Precambrian rock canyon carved by the Gunnison River, is a recent addition to the certified parks list, and certainly worth a stop and an overnight camp as well.
Creede is just over two hours south of Gunnison via CO 149. Knock back a brew at the town’s iconic Tommyknocker Tavern before heading up to camp and observe the stars from the Marshall Park Campground. Other popular stargazing spots include Love Lake and Pool Table Road.
Lake City
Photo: Xiu Yu Photography/Shutterstock
“Since 96 percent of our county is public lands, there are a lot of areas to go for high-quality stargazing,” says Philip Virden, owner of the Mountaineer Movie Theatre in Lake City and the head of the effort to bring Dark Sky Sanctuary status to the town.
Virden recommends the Windy Point overlook, seven miles south of Lake City, for the best viewing on most nights. Virden also notes that ss the town continues to gain traction as a stargazing destination, it plans to establish an official observatory site near Slumgullion Pass, which runs a tight course through the jagged San Juan peaks between Lake City and Creede, in the next year or two.
One thing Lake City has going for it is ample spots to camp. Public campgrounds range from well-heeled (by camping standards) private areas including Henson Creek and Highlander to dispersed wilderness campsites in the mountains surrounding town. In between are public campgrounds at Williams Creek, Mill Creek, and Deer Lakes, among others.
La Veta, Cuchara, and Great Sand Dunes National ParkPhoto: Sean Xu/Shutterstock
The Southern Colorado Astronomical Park, one mile outside of La Veta, is Colorado’s premiere place to learn about astronomical evolution and the practice of observing it. From here, you can watch the stars through telescopes from two domed observatories. You can also look at an ancient stone calendar and learn how the area’s original inhabitants learned to follow everything from time to the seasons based on the sun and stars.
Further afield in the Spanish Peaks Wilderness is Cuchara, where you can observe the stars from your campsite at either the Bear Lake or Blue Lake campgrounds. Stick around for an extra night and gaze from Cuchara Mountain Park. Or head to Great Sand Dunes National Park to embark on an evening hike up the dunes to watch the stars after the sun sets over the San Luis Valley to the west.
Crestone, Westcliffe, and Silvercliffe
Photo: Justin Mair/Shutterstock
The Colorado Dark Sky Sanctuary road trip tour concludes with an arbiter of the divine. Crestone, a tiny hamlet north of Great Sand Dunes National Park, occupies a few football fields worth of space at the base of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. The area is a popular pilgrimage for spiritualists, yogis, and the occasional UFO theorist, largely because of a route of spiritual sites known as the Camino Baca Grande. Before the sun goes down, you can visit a Tibetan prayer site called a Stupa, several Buddhist monasteries, Hindu ashrams, Catholic temples, and various other religious relics honoring nearly every major theological perspective prevalent in the world today.
It’s after dark, though, when this town of 86 permanent residents really lights up. From the Baca National Wildlife Refuge, gaze upward for uninterrupted views of the constellations lighting up the Sangre de Cristo Wilderness. The local’s hack is to book a room at Joyful Journey Hot Springs and then settle into a tub to watch the stars as you soak.
On the other side of the Sangre de Cristos, conclude your Colorado stargazing road trip at the state’s first Dark Sky Sanctuary, Westcliffe & Silver Cliff. The Smoky Jack Observatory is named for Suzanne B. Jack, who founded the group Dark Skys of the Wet Mountain Valley to lead the area’s IDA certification effort and found the observatory.
“Visitors can pretty much go anywhere in the county to enjoy the best stargazing,” says Custer County Tourism Board Chairperson Deb Adams. “Getting away from town and driving on any dirt road in any direction will have dark skies.” Adams particularly recommends Grape Creek Campground. Camping is free on the land surrounding Deweese Reservoir, or head into the Sangres to gaze upwards from the Alvarado Campground.
The post The ultimate Colorado stargazing road trip to remote Dark Sky Sanctuary towns appeared first on Matador Network.
August 31, 2021
US Forest Service is closing every single National Forest in California due to wildfires
If you had plans to travel to a National Forest in California for labor day, it’s time to re-think. Due to an unprecedented wildlife season, the US Forest Service is closing every single National Forest in the state.
“We do not take this decision lightly, but this is the best choice for public safety,” said Regional Forester Jennifer Eberlien in a press release. “It is especially hard with the approaching Labor Day weekend, when so many people enjoy our national forests.”
The US Forest Service notes the drastic uptick in fires this year as a reason for the closure. More than 6,800 wildfires have burned 1.7 million acres across the state. The press release states this season is only the third time in the past 20 years that the state has reached such a high level of wildland fire activity, and that it’s forecasted that conditions this season are trending the same or worse moving into late summer and fall.
“Although the potential for large fires and risk to life and property is not new, what is different is that we are facing:
(a) record level fuel and fire conditions; (b) fire behavior that is beyond the norm of our experience and models such as large, quick runs in the night; (c) significantly limited initial attack resources, suppression resources, and Incident Command Teams to combat new fire starts and new large fires; and (d) no predicted weather relief for an extended period of time into the late fall,” noted in the press release.
The closure will take effect from August 31 at 11:59 PM until September 17. Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest will remain open since it is not primarily located in California.
The post US Forest Service is closing every single National Forest in California due to wildfires appeared first on Matador Network.
Here’s the food you get on a $3,315 Korean Air business class flight
Airlines aren’t known for delicious in-flight meals. Especially if you’re flying economy, where it’s not uncommon to be served some stale peanuts or pretzels and a drink and call it a day.
Things are different when you fly business class on Korean Air — though it’ll cost you. Sonny from the Youtube channel Best Ever Food Review Show recently took the plunge on a $3,315 in-flight meal and broke down each course.
On a 13-hour flight, Sonny was treated to a multi-course dinner and free drinks. For his first course, he was served an appetizer of smoked salmon with horseradish cream salad with a vinaigrette dressing, and it came with lotus root soaked in soy sauce and Korean sweet pickles.
For the main course, he received the Korean signature dish bibimbap (rice mixed with an assortment of vegetables and a choice of protein, which in Sonny’s case was beef). Along with the bibimbap was seaweed and a soup made with fermented soybean paste, which aids in washing down the spice from gochujang (a red chili paste).
Then there was dessert, which was cheese in Sonny’s case. There were three different kinds: Munster, Saint-André, and Emmental, which were served with grapes and bread.
That wasn’t all he got for the high price. Eleven hours in, Sonny was served a final meal of bulgogi. This one was served with mushrooms on top of steamed white rice served with spicy radish, Japanese plums, seaweed, and fermented soybean paste soup as sides.
Was it worth spending a couple grand? That’s up to the spender. But one thing is certain: Those who pay the price certainly don’t disembark hungry.
The post Here’s the food you get on a $3,315 Korean Air business class flight appeared first on Matador Network.
The best airline and hotel rewards programs of 2021
Everyone is always trying to score the best deal possible — especially when it comes to flights or hotel stays. One way travelers can try to get a bargain on air travel and lodging is to sign up for a rewards program. But not all rewards programs are the built same — with some, it’s hard to reap any benefits.
To make sure travelers are maximizing their chance for free flights and hotel nights, US News & World Report created rankings of the best airline and hotel reward programs of 2021.
The annual rankings identified the hotel and airline rewards programs with the best perks for everyday travelers. For the 2021 ranking, US News & World Report also weighed in how each rewards program responded to the pandemic and how flexible and accommodating their services were for members.
For hotels reward programs, Wyndham Rewards placed number one after placing number two for several years in a row. Wyndham Rewards has reached the number one spot this year thanks to its more than 9,000 participating properties worldwide and its partnerships with Amtrak, airlines, and car rental companies which allow travelers to accumulate points faster and more easily.
The best five hotel rewards programs of 2021
Wyndham RewardsWorld of HyattMarriott BonvoyChoice PrivilegesIHG RewardsFor airline reward programs, Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan remains in the number one spot this year. With Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan, travelers can earn and redeem miles with Alaska Airlines and 23 partner airlines, as well as through retail, rental car, and hotel partnerships.
The best five airline rewards programs of 2021
Alaska Airlines Mileage PlanDelta SkyMilesAmerican Airlines AAdvantageJetBlue TrueBlueSouthwest Rapid RewardsVisit US News & World Report for the full ranking of the airline and hotel rewards programs and for details on the ranking’s methodology.
The post The best airline and hotel rewards programs of 2021 appeared first on Matador Network.
Here’s the gear our Outdoor editors are grabbing at the REI Labor Day Sale
The REI Labor Day Sale is the perfect time to put your hard-earned dollars to good use. The outdoor retailer offers extensive discounts — ranging from 15 to 50 percent off — the same high-quality gear found in its stores. You can find everything from footwear to puffy jackets, and from tents to sleeping bags. All discounted, all shipped to you, and all eligible to earn credit towards your annual Co-op dividend (as long as you’re an REI Co-op member). Here’s what Matador editors are stocking up on at the REI Labor Day Sale this year.
We hope you love the spaces and stays we recommend! Just so you know, Matador may collect a small commission from the links on this page if you decide to book a stay. Listed prices are accurate as of the time of publication. See our full Advertiser Disclosure here.
REI Co-op Hyperaxis Fleece Pants – Women’s
Photo: REI
Stretch pants are great for the outdoors, especially in fall when the weather begins to shift. The REI Co-op Hyperaxis Fleece Pants optomize everything about your favorite bum-coverer in the fall — they’re fleece for starters, and they feature zippered pockets for those little hiking and camping essentials. These pants are also sustainably made using bluesource-approved materials. They’re a win-win for your fall and winter gear setup.
Price: $68.99 – Reg. $99.95
REI 650 Down Jacket – Men’s and Women’s
Photo: REI
Here’s the best news of the week — it’s almost time to break out the puffy. Yes, that’s right — it’s Labor Day, when visions of fresh powder and Schnapps-infused cocoa begin to make random appearances in your daydreams. Of course, you have to actually have a puffy to break out, and there’s never been a better time to buy one. The REI 650 Down Jacket is fits the bill with sustainably made, 650-fill-power down that is ready to keep you warm against even the harshest of winter nips. It’s made to the Responsible Down Standard — meaning the animals are humanely treated — and is available in a variety of sizes and colors. Do a quick double-check of your favorite winter pants for color matching, and grab this jacket before it sells out.
Price: $69.99 – reg. $99.95
REI Co-OP Switchback GTX Gloves – Men’s and Women’s
Photo: REI
Scoring a good deal on a par of ski-ready winter gloves right before the season is a treat. The REI Co-Op Switchback GTX Gloves are exactly that — the ideal pair for shoveling, riding upon, digging into, or any other interaction you plan to have with snow this winter. These babies even have removable fleece liners for those extra cold days. Because they’re part of the REI Outlet, you’d better act fast — the GTX Gloves are bound to sell out and once they’re gone, they’re gone.
Price: $67.73 – reg. $89.95
Mountain Hardwear Bishop Pass 15 Sleeping Bag
Photo: REI
Photo: mountain-hardware-bishop-pass-sleeping-bag-rei-labor-day-sale.jpg
Credit:
A good sleeping bag is the difference between loving camping and hating it. The Mountain Hardwear Bishop Pass 15 bag keeps you warm in temps down to 15 degrees Fahrenheit, filled responsibly sourced 650-fill-power down. The footbox is designed to wrap your feet and keep them warm all night. Buy two and zip them together to cuddle with your partner on chilly nights in the wild. Because it stuffs down to 8×15.5 inches, this sleeping bag is ideal for backpacking as well as traditional camping trips.
Price: $179.99
MSR Windburner Stove System
Photo: REI
Heat water and cook like a pro with this super-portable MSR Windburner Stove System. The radiant burner and heat exchanger drop cook time to a bare minimum, meaning you can be sipping piping hot coffee in just a few minutes while camping out in the field. And the system packs up inside its pot for easy storage in your pack or gear setup. This stove system is compatible with the MRS 1 liter pot and MRS coffee press kit and holds up to 33.8 fluid ounces.
Price: $112.39
BIG SAVINGS – Exped Outer Space Tent II
Photo: REI
Take advantage of big savings on the Exped Outer Space Tent II and level up your overnight setup. This three-season backpacking tent is best on market for stee vestibule and ease of setup. Considering it’s designed for packing, the fact that this tent provides 30 square feet of floor space is incredible. It comfortably sleeps two and packs to six pounds, five ounces. Plus, it’s light green hue looks super cool when set up in the high alpine.
Price: $300.19
Katadyn Pocket Water Filter
Photo: REI
Filtering water in the backcountry has never been easier than with the Katadyn Pocket Water Filter. Weighing just one pound, three ounces, this filter pumps .86 liters per minute with no external gear required. You’re entire campsite will be drinking fresh filtered water in no time, straight from the nearby stream. This setup is also ideal for backpacking, or even for long day hikes when you need to top off your water bottle. Through one end in the water, out the mouth into your bottle, and pump. It’s that easy.
Price: $277.39
Black Diamond Moji Charging Station/Lantern
Photo: REI
Charge up your phone and illuminate your tent at the same time with the Black Diamond Moji Charging Station/Lantern. Keep it charged and with you at all times in the field and you’ll always have both light and power. This unit is small and durable, designed for the outdoors and ready for years of heavy use. It has a hook to hang in your tent or awning, and includes USB charge ports. The unit plugs in and runs on AC or off rechargeable batteries.
Price: $59.95
Mountainsmith Lookout 60 Pack
Photo: REI
Mountainsmith has taken the established backpacking pack and made it better with the Lookout 60. It’s tall but trim build allows you to pack in everything needed for overnight camping trips without feeling bulky or overly weighed down on trail. The design is better for your pack than thicker setups, more evenly distributing the weight. You’ll enjoy hydration access, hiking pole straps, stretch mesh pockets on the side for your beverage bottles, and an adjustable sternum strap with an emergency whistle. This item is on closeout so grab it now before it’s gone from REI forever. At this price point, you won’t find a better pack.
Price: $149.73
More like thisCampingEverything you need to stay warm and cozy for fall campingThe post Here’s the gear our Outdoor editors are grabbing at the REI Labor Day Sale appeared first on Matador Network.
What to do if you encounter a whale on a kayaking excursion
Kayaking with whales is one of the most intimate wildlife experiences a person can have. To be oar’s length from a mighty marine mammal, with just a sheet of molded plastic and the surface tension of the seawater between you, is exhilarating. But it can also be scary. Even footage of whales breaching near kayakers is enough to induce anxiety in landbound viewers. Several videos depicting similar scenes have gone viral on social media, leaving millions to wonder what they should even do if a whale encounter ever gets a little too close for comfort.
The most important measures kayakers can take to ensure their safety around whales are precautionary. They should keep a respectful distance of 100 yards, twice that if the whale is resting or a mother is nursing a calf. Under no circumstances should they attempt to chase or pet marine wildlife. If a whale approaches, kayakers should cease paddling to let it pass or retreat slowly to avoid contact, without making sudden movements or excess noise. When in groups, paddlers should “raft up” by arranging their kayaks in a row and holding on to one another to create fewer obstacles for the whales to maneuver around.
Being aware of a nearby whale’s behavior is key. The International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO) lists several examples in its guidelines for cetacean watching for both boaters and kayakers. “Breaching, tail lobbing, and flipper slapping may be an indication that the whales are socializing and may not be aware of boats,” the guidelines state, advising onlookers to keep their distance on these occasions. Changes in direction or speed, quick dives, and general agitation are also signals to stay back, as is blowhole spray.
The Canadian government promotes similar rules when it comes to marine wildlife watching: “If you see a tail, fin, or spray, stay far enough away.” In short, as the IAATO says, acknowledging that whales are often curious, “It is important that the cetacean is in control at all times.”
Though whales will not try to hurt or kill humans, who are neither prey nor easily mistaken for food, their sheer mass poses a threat, whether they’re oblivious to a kayaker’s presence or attempting to be playful. But the rules outlined above are not just intended to protect recreationists. Laws like the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 and the Endangered Species Act of 1973 staunchly prohibit the public from jeopardizing the health and safety of whales and other sea creatures. Regulations surrounding wildlife interactions vary by state and species, but getting too close and interfering with ocean dwellers is always taboo.
Yet even among the most responsible kayakers, run-ins happen. Just ask Tom Mustill.
In 2015, Mustill, a wildlife filmmaker, became the subject of a viral video that captured a 30-ton humpback whale breaching beside his kayak in Monterey Bay, California, nearly crushing him and his kayaking partner when it landed. The traumatizing incident, which Mustill initially perceived as an act of aggression, inspired a deep dive into the habits of humpback whales that the filmmaker later released as the PBS documentary “The Whale Detective.”
In a 2019 Reddit thread promoting the documentary, Mustill attributes his survival to two factors: “Firstly the whale altered its course from landing on the kayak to landing parallel to us,” he wrote. “It hit the front of the kayak with its pectoral fin, smashing the kayak, but likely that point of contact was a few centimeters from [his friend’s] feet. As the whale came down I flipped the kayak over, so when it hit us, we were almost upside down underwater.”
The second half of the life-saving equation, as Mustill sees it, was their release from the kayak. When the whale’s pectoral fin hit the kayak, “it shot us out like corks, downwards, and then we were pulled with the whale and the kayak deeper underwater as it sank,” he wrote. Once freed from the cockpit, Mustill and his friend were able to swim to the surface and grab onto their kayak when it also resurfaced.
Investigating the species for his documentary, Mustill came to learn that humpback whales are not aggressive towards humans, as he first thought. In fact, humpbacks have often been observed exhibiting kind, gentle, and protective behavior, sometimes appearing to usher other marine life away from predators like orcas and sharks. Their disinterest in harming humans is common across whale species. Even orcas, or killer whales, which technically belong to the dolphin family, are rarely hostile toward humans. In places like Washington state’s San Juan Islands and Johnstone Strait in British Columbia, Canada, spotting orcas while kayaking is a regular occurrence, and several outdoor outfitters arrange expeditions to do just that.
Of course, flukes are inevitable — pun intended. Any kayaker paddling out into whale-inhabited waters should be prepared for an encounter and ready to maintain a safe, respectful distance if approached, both for their benefit and that of the gentle giants whose home they’re visiting.
As for those whose palms start sweating at the very thought of being thrown from a kayak by a breaching whale, there’s always the vicarious thrill of whale watching through a phone screen.
MorePaddlingThe 10 most unique places to go kayaking in the USThe post What to do if you encounter a whale on a kayaking excursion appeared first on Matador Network.
The most cat-friendly cities in the US, according to veterinarians
It’s a top priority to make sure you’re comfortable wherever you’re living. And for cat owners, it’s essential that their feline companion is just as happy as they are.
To give cat owners peace of mind that their pet’s needs are met when they move, OneVet, an online tele-veterinarian platform, has ranked the most cat-friendly cities in the US. It has compared 50 major US cities against five ranking factors:
The number of pet-friendly rentalsThe number of veterinariansThe number of cat adoptions in 2020The number of cat cafesThe number of pet storesThey assigned scores to each factor and calculated the sum of the weight factors to get the overall score for each city. The highest score being 50.
The overall most cat-friendly US cities:
Miami, FL – 43,47Orlando, FL – 43,37Salt Lake City, UT – 39,69Pittsburgh, PA – 37,60Cincinnati, OH – 37,24Atlanta, G – 36,47ADenver, CO – 36,21Minneapolis, MN – 35,32Tampa, FL – 33,97Riverside, CA – 32,69The overall worst US cities for cats and cat owners:
New York, NY – 5.93Memphis, TN – 10,22New Orleans, LA – 14,45Jacksonville, FL – 15,94Pheonix, AZ – 16,13Los Angeles, CA – 16,86Detriot, MI – 17,27San Francisco, CA – 18,11Houston TX – 18,38Virginia Beach, VA – 19,06The US cities with the most cat adoptions in 2020:
Denver, COOklahoma City, OKMilwaukee, WIRichmond, VASalt Lake City, UTBaltimore, MDAustin, TXKansas City, MOLouisville, KYJacksonville, FLThe US cities with the most cat-friendly rentals:
Atlanta, GAOrlando, FLAustin, TXPortland, ORKansas City, MOSt. Louis, MOCincinnati, OHPittsburgh, PALas Vegas, NVBirmingham, ALFor more information on the ranking, check out OneVet’s list of the most cat-friendly cities in the US.
The post The most cat-friendly cities in the US, according to veterinarians appeared first on Matador Network.
Wawa helped introduce me to the chaos of American life in the best possible way
The first summer after I moved to America, my now-husband Charles and I drove a lot. They were not the kind of road trips through lonely country roads and breathtaking landscapes I’d seen in movies. Most of the time, we shuffled between Westchester County and Central Jersey. On weekends, the roads were heavy with “shore traffic” as hundreds of cars rolled bumper to bumper, anxiously and angrily trying to merge along six lanes of highway, their shapes slightly distorted in the heat.
That’s how I came to know American car culture: mundane and highly practical. But those trips weren’t without surprises and discoveries. One day on our way to Island Beach, Charles spotted a red sign on the side of the road. “Oh there’s a Wawa,” he said, sounding slightly excited. “It’s a South Jersey thing.”
He went on to explain that Wawa was a convenience chain popular in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. It sold gas too, he said, and had more food options than an average highway pit shop. That, as I later found out, was an understatement.
Wawa takes the gas station convenience store formula to the next level with made-to-order lattes, freshly packaged fruits and salads, and custom sandwiches ordered off of touch screens. The model proved to be successful and it’s no longer only a Pennsylvania and New Jersey thing. Today, Wawa has more than 850 East Coast stores in six states and Washington DC.
Charles, who spent his teenage years in South Jersey, remembers the Wawa at Princeton Junction as a place for “cheap, reliable sandwiches.” Other New Jerseyans, however, feel more strongly about the chain. I now live in a North Jersey town where it’s not uncommon to come across transplants from other parts of the state, and I recently asked in a neighborhood Facebook Group what people thought of the store. The comments, more than 70 of them overnight, were unanimously laudatory (“Wawa is the BEST!!!”) and surprisingly emotional (“I grew up on their Mac and cheese and hoagies.”) At least three people wrote, “Wawa is life!”
Clearly the people in this Facebook Group aren’t alone. The parking lot of a nearby Wawa was busy when we recently stopped for lunch. Cars were constantly coming in and out of the gas station canopy, carefully steering clear of shoppers haphazardly balancing many sandwiches and drinks in their arms.
The storefront was big and assertive, the bright red “Wawa” logo even more imposing up close than when seen from the highway. Inside the store, the beige-toned decor was unassuming, but the selection made it stand out from being just another convenience store. There were the same racks of snacks, fridges of soda, and thermoses of coffee, but the selection was more varied, and the vibes more energetic. It was almost cheerful. People fussed with cream and sugar at the coffee station, flipped open the acrylic lids of the pasty cases, and poked at the salad bowls and yogurt cups in the central island. They wore shorts and flip flops. They were tanned and sunburned. And they didn’t seem to mind spending some time in a roadside convenience store.
But what really caught my attention was the sandwich-ordering kiosks. I could have spent forever swapping the cheese and adding a condiment if it were not for the line behind us. I don’t remember what I got that day, except that it was meaty, saucy, and cheesy. When I unwrapped it in the car later, the cheese had melted into the toasted bread, which itself was half soaked in sauce and grease. It was messy and savory. Not gourmet food, but fun to eat and special in its own way.
Photo: Joni Hanebutt/Shutterstock
Good road trip food is about making the most of what’s available. It doesn’t need to be gourmet, but does have to be good enough to have something to look forward to after hours of staring at car butts and interstate signs. When I asked on Reddit what people’s go-to Wawa orders were, some answers were surprisingly involved. “Chicken cheesesteak, salt, pepper, ketchup, American cheese, get it as a special order and then ask them to toast the roll, build the sandwich with the cheese on last and toast the whole thing again,” one user wrote. “Chicken strip shorti with garlic aioli, extra honey mustard, cheddar cheese, lettuce, onion, everything seasoning, and parmesan cheese,” another said.
My Wawa orders are usually much simpler. For me, knowing my stores means having a routine, which alleviates my still-persisting anxieties about the many uncertainties on the road. I like to pack an Italian hoagie for long rides. The salty ham, mild provolone cheese, vinegar-soaked lettuce, and zesty jalapeño bits taste just as good at room temperature after the sandwich has sat until a good time to eat it as the combination does when it’s freshly assembled. There’s usually coffee, too — a black light roast in the morning and maybe a cold, milky, and indulgent espresso drink later in the day if the traffic is bad. Two hours in, I often tear open a bag of beef jerky or munch on an apple. Not because I’m hungry but because I’m bored. That said, variations are welcome, and there’s much to choose from. I enjoy the occasional doughnuts with sugar glaze — similar to my first donut ever, eaten ages ago in the parking lot of a strip mall — or the berry-flavored ice cream that reminds me of the cake frostings I loved as a kid.
Maybe that’s why people speak of Wawa so emotionally and passionately. It evokes memories of inexpensive coffees on morning commutes, late-night food when the cravings hit, and car picnics during summer trips — small things we do many times and never think too much about, but occasionally reminisce about. I now live in a dense urban area, quite far from the nearest Wawa. But the store, almost always against a backdrop of interstates and highway billboards, is forever associated with my first years as a young immigrant, slightly disoriented yet immensely curious, intrepidly taking in everything about this American life.
The post Wawa helped introduce me to the chaos of American life in the best possible way appeared first on Matador Network.
Watch what it’s like to take the world’s shortest commercial flight
Famous Youtuber Tom Scott took the shortest commercial flight in the world on Monday, and it is very short. Like 80 seconds short.
Scott flew on Logan Air, which services the Orkney Islands off northern Scotland. He lifted off the ground from the airport on Papa Westray Island, which has 90 residents, to the airport on Westray island, home to about 200 residents, and just one mile away. All in less than a minute and a half.
The flight between Papa Westray and Westray on a nine-passenger propeller plane costs only £18 ($25). Considering the cost of air travel, you have to wonder if this isn’t also the world’s cheapest commercial flight?
While on the world’s shortest commercial flight, Scott didn’t want to disturb his fellow passengers as he recorded himself talking through his mask, so he stuck to filming and had the very brief flight narrated by Sam Denby of Westover Productions. You can watch it here.
As Denby explains, the Orkney Archipelago is so sparsely populated that the name of the largest island, where most of the 22,000 Orkney residents live, is actually called “Mainland” — even though it’s an island. Papa Westray is one of the northernmost Orkney islands, far from Mainland.
Building bridges to connect these isles would be expensive. While ferries exist, Denby says, they are slow and impractical, so Logan Air is subsidized by the UK government as part of its “public services obligations.” So the $25 only pays for a small portion of Logan Air’s operating fees.
Moreover, the plane hits three islands in its “milk run” route, operating more like a bus. Passengers hoping to get from Papa Westray to Kirkwall on Mainland will first have to stop in Westray. Then again, when Scott was on the flight, the stop in Westray — where one passenger disembarked — took all of two minutes.
While $25 sounds like a lot for a bus, it sure seems like an efficient one.
The post Watch what it’s like to take the world’s shortest commercial flight appeared first on Matador Network.
Matador Network's Blog
- Matador Network's profile
- 6 followers
