Matador Network's Blog, page 604
August 5, 2021
PETA wants to buy Charles Darwin’s home and turn it into an animal empathy museum
Charles Darwin’s former home is on the market for almost $1.3 million. But the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) is hoping the owners will donate money or significantly reduce the cost of the home so that the organization can turn it into a museum focused on animal empathy.
The five-story home has six bedrooms, five reception rooms, two kitchens, a double garage, original fireplaces, and stunning views of the Kent coast in Ramsgate, England. It has a connection to the work that the Father of Evolution is most known for, too. The home is where Darwin studied barnacles in 1850, which supported his theory of evolution.
Photo: Miles & Barr Exclusive/Shutterstock
Most people today know Darwin for his theory and studies on the fauna of the Galapagos Islands, but he was also an advocate for the good treatment of animals. According to PETA, he was vocally against the steel-jaw traps that game wardens and fur trappers often used because they crushed limbs.
“Charles Darwin’s groundbreaking theory of evolution established humans as just one animal among many, which is the very foundation of the modern animal rights movement,” said PETA founder Ingrid Newkirk in a press release. “PETA’s empathy museum would celebrate Darwin’s legacy by reminding visitors that we’re all part of the great orchestra of life on Earth.”
Photo: Miles & Barr Exclusive/Shutterstock
In the press release, PETA also made public Newkirk’s letter to the realtor company in charge of selling Charles Darwin’s home, Miles & Barr Exclusive. The letter details Darwin’s discovery that animals, much like humans, experience emotions and pain.
“At PETA’s empathy museum, guests would learn how Darwin spearheaded legislation to regulate experiments on animals in England,” Newkirk said in the release. 
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8 mouthwatering styles of mac and cheese from around the world
The combination of salty, savory, melty cheese and tube-style noodles is one that inspires nostalgia for eaters all over the world. The choice of cheese, shape of noodle, and inclusion of extra ingredients may change depending on the destination, but the fundamental dish is the same: mac and cheese, one of the most recognizable comfort food dishes on the planet. From Brazil and the Bahamas to Germany and Finland, home cooks get the credit for perfecting mac and cheese recipes that are now staples of their national cuisines. Here are eight of the tastiest worth traveling the world to try.
1. Brazil: Macarrão com requeijãoThe secret to Brazilian mac and cheese’s satisfying texture is all in the sauce. The key ingredient is requeijão cremoso, a mild ricotta-like cream cheese with a consistency similar to yogurt or condensed milk. Cubes of mozzarella are mixed in for meltiness, and mayonnaise can be added to make the cheese sauce extra velvet-y. Brazilians are also liberal with add-ins ranging from tomatoes to peas, peppers, corn, or olives. Once the pasta is tossed with the sauce, more mozzarella is layered on top, and the whole dish is baked until lightly bronzed.
2. Indonesia: Makaroni schotel
Photo: Iren_natty/Shutterstock
Makaroni schotel, or makaroni schaal, is an Indonesian casserole with roots in Dutch cuisine. Dutch colonizers introduced macaroni-style noodles to the island nation, and the name of this preparation, which may also be referred to as macaroni panggang, literally translates to “macaroni dish” from the Dutch word for the vessel it’s baked in. Meat is a staple addition to makaroni schotel, whether it’s corned beef, sausage, or another animal protein, and cheddar is a go-to cheese. On the side, Indonesians may serve sambal, or chili sauce, for a spicy kick.
3. Israel: Lokshen kugelKugel is a Yiddish term that describes any starch-based Ashkenazi Jewish casserole or baked pudding. It’s traditionally served on Jewish holidays, notably the Sabbath. Lokshen kugel refers to kugel made with egg noodles, rather than potatoes, rice, or another starch. It can be sweet or savory, dairyful or dairy-free. Many takes on lokshen kugel incorporate fresh cheese, such as cottage cheese or cream cheese, landing the dish in mac and cheese territory.
4. Germany: Käsespätzle
Photo: Nina Alizada/Shutterstock
Likened to both pasta and dumplings, spätzle is a small, strand-like German egg noodle. Its origins trace back to Swabia, a medieval region of southwestern Germany where the modern states of Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg now lie, but similar noodles are prepared across Central Europe, from Swiss knöpfle to Hungarian nokedli. In Germany, grated cheese, or käse, is sometimes melted into spätzle, creating a dish similar to mac and cheese. Emmentaler, bergkäse, and other alpine cheeses are most common, though the cheese of choice varies by region. Crispy, crunchy, thinly sliced fried onions are a popular garnish.
5. Norway: FiskegratengNorway’s take on mac and cheese casserole differs from its Swedish and Finnish counterparts in one major way: the use of fish. Cod and salmon are two of the most popular choices. Bite-sized pieces of either fish are combined with macaroni noodles, covered in a bechamel-like white sauce called hvit saus, topped with a layer of breadcrumbs, and baked until golden brown. Cheese is technically optional, but the creamy, savory sauce creates a similar effect even when cheese is omitted. Peas, broccoli, and other veggies may be added to the mix.
6. Bahamas: Mac and cheese pie
Photo: Fanfo/Shutterstock
A staple side dish at family gatherings, Bahamian mac and cheese is baked like a casserole and served in squares like lasagne. Though the cooking method is shared by multiple dishes on this list, the Caribbean-style preparation has a distinct flavor owing to a handful of specific ingredients: green bell peppers and spicy habaneros, for example, as well as spices like paprika for a smoky touch and some extra heat. Perhaps the biggest departure from mac and cheese casseroles prepared elsewhere is the use of canned evaporated milk, which Bahamians began using when fresh dairy was hard to find and is now integral to the recipe.
7. Finland: MakaroonilaatikkoCheesy macaroni casseroles are eaten throughout Scandinavia. Finland’s makaroonilaatikko is a particularly popular dinnertime dish, one that can be made from scratch or purchased pre-prepared from grocery stores. It typically incorporates ground beef or other minced meat and is traditionally served with lingonberry jam, although ketchup may be used as a substitute. In Sweden, a similar dish called makaronipudding combines macaroni, cheese, ham, and leeks.
8. Switzerland: Älplermagronen
Photo: Elena Salminen/Shutterstock
Älplermagronen, or alpine macaroni, presents all the familiar flavors of mac and cheese with a few tasty additions. Traditional Swiss cheeses such as gruyère impart nutty notes while cubes of potatoes add texture, both when eaters bite into them and by releasing starch as they cook. Combined with milk or cream, this makes Swiss mac and cheese particularly hearty, as does the addition of bacon or sausage. Any tubular pasta will do for the base, though macaroni or elbow-like hörnli are most common. Once cooked, onions and extra bacon or sausage bits can be used for garnish, and a side of applesauce contributes a complementary sweetness.
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It’s time to stop using the word ‘museum’ to describe pop-up museums
The definition of “museum” has remained relatively stable over the years. The concept originated more than 2,500 years ago in Babylon, when wealthy individuals displayed their private collections of art and artifacts in special galleries. Even in 500 BCE, humans were eager to immerse themselves in a past and culture they wanted to understand. Since then, museums have largely continued to be sanctuaries of human curiosity (though for much of recent history they’ve also been the home of artifacts stolen through colonialism). Any true sense of sentimentality and elevation, however, ended with pop-up museums.
You might not have visited a pop-up museum yourself, but you’ve probably seen them flash across your Instagram feed. The Wonderland-esque aesthetic and impossibly vibrant reds and yellows look like a life-sized version of Candyland met the beginning of a Wes Anderson movie. The museums are designed to be undeniably eye-catching. Arguably, they’re designed for little else.
Pop-up museums are “museums” that operate for a limited time with highly specific gimmicks. The word “museum” is used lightly, as these are more like pop-up photo experiences than anything else. Think like the Museum of Ice Cream or the Rosé Mansion, the latter of which describes itself as “a wine bar, an Insta-worthy amusement park, and a science museum.” These often have Instagram marketing campaigns and spots where people are encouraged to take selfies they can post online with the appropriate hashtags. Some, like the Museum of Selfies in Hollywood, are commendably transparent and self-aware in the pursuit of viral notoriety.
I enjoy mindless family excursions as much as anyone else, but pop-up museums are more than just benign diversions — they’re a symbol of the growing culture around “main character syndrome” where people think of themselves as the main character in their own movie. Now that’s metastasizing from social media to our cultural and intellectual institutions.
Let’s not get ahead of ourselves: pop-up museums can be harmless funDon’t get the wrong idea. The decline and fall of humanity might be right around the corner, but pop-up museums and selfies won’t be the culprit. We should really view these places the same way we view Chuck-E-Cheese, and we certainly don’t hold Chuck-E-Cheese to any high-minded intellectual standards. With a bright aesthetic and cheesily fun offerings, pop-up museums are great for families looking to entertain their young kids and teens on a rainy day. At first glance, you’d even think they were built specifically for kids aged three through 12.
Photo: Hayk_Shalunts/Shutterstock
The problem here is that pop-up museums aren’t designed for children. They’re designed for adults by marketing experts who understand that, as a society, our interests are becoming increasingly childlike.
The “me” culture without a whole lot of cultureThe reason childhood is such a fond era of our lives is because it’s truly all about “me.” In a happy childhood, the universe revolves around us. It can feel like everyone looks at us and everyone listens to us. We have short attention spans, and fascination with bright colors and activities that offer instant gratification. Sound familiar?
Social media, whichever platform you prefer, is a tiny dose of the joys and attention we sought in childhood. As a highly efficient vehicle for vanity and self-aggrandizement, social media has been the primary catalyst of “me” culture. It keeps us rooted in the childlike idea that life is about attention, validation, and positive affirmation. Pop-up museums are an extension of this.
Pop-up museums are a “me” experience. Hiding behind the colorful gimmicks are number-crunchers hoping visits translate into social media posts, and that those posts translate into revenue and free advertising. Pop-up museums use the egos of their guests as a springboard for success, and you have to hand it to the designers and marketing pros: It’s a pretty safe bet.
Consider the Color Factory, currently located in New York City and Houston. The museum is designed almost exclusively to tempt your hand into your pocket, where it will inevitably find an iPhone as you whisper, “Damn, that’d make a really Instagrammable photo.” Its rooms are filled with swirling confetti, rainbow-hued art installations, a giant ball pit (Chuck-E-Cheese, anyone?), and in case you didn’t get the memo already, photo booths spaced throughout. The Museum of Selfies takes a similar, if less apologetic, approach. The museum features a bathtub filled with gold coins, a private jet-themed set, and a Game of Thrones-esque throne. You know, for the truly modest. And, of course, the place rents out selfie sticks.
Traditionally, museums have been about enjoying other people, their culture, and their history. Many pop-up museums make it about the person we all know best: ourselves, who we already see enough of on our own social media pages.
Pop-up museums oversaturate the entertainment spaceOur leisure time is a precious commodity that always seems to be shrinking. Between the demands of work and other obligations, we can only spare so much time for things we enjoy. Luckily (or perhaps, unluckily) we have more recreational options than ever. There are bars with gimmicks to suit every taste, operators offering an endless catalogue of experiences and guided tours, too many streaming services, and more that are all vying for our attention. Museums — real museums — are often lucky to even be on the list these days unless the institution is considered a “must stop” on travel lists and guides.
Time is short, options are endless, and our attention spans are miniscule. Pop-up museums exploit our desire for low-investment entertainment to offer museum-esque experiences without the learning or cultural value. They capitalize on our vanity and shrinking attention spans to tempt people away from museums with actual cultural significance. I mean, a guy who goes to the mall just to sit in Brookstone’s massage chairs has no right to tell anyone what they should or shouldn’t do in their spare time, but there’s a reason pop-up museums flit from city to city: If they overstayed their limited welcome, the short attention span of their target audience would work against them.
They contribute to the anti-intellectualization of cultureComparing pop-up museums to the Guggenheim is like comparing frozen pizza to Brooklyn style. No, pop-up museums aren’t “real” museums. The ancient Babylonians wouldn’t recognize the concept of the Rosé Mansion, and there’s a good chance people even half a century ago wouldn’t put it into the “museum” category. But more important than terminology is the co-opting of culture by institutions that barely even pretend to offer anything of value.
Photo: travelview/Shutterstock
In an ideal world, we would have a clear delineation between experiences that provide cultural, artistic, and historical value, and those that merely offer mindless entertainment. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with mindless entertainment — I’d even argue it’s essential for a balanced lifestyle. The problem is that the line is becoming increasingly blurred. Thinking of yourself as the main character is infiltrating culture like it never has before. Even influencers with moderate followings are signing deals for hundreds or thousands of dollars. OnlyFans saw a 75 percent increase in “model sign-ups” in April 2020 alone. Pop-up museums are in the same conversation as traveling art exhibitions.
If a particular pop-up museum tickles your fancy, by all means go. I wouldn’t rule out a trip to the Museum of Ice Cream myself. But when there’s little distinction between real culture and “me” culture, it hints at a broader societal problem. We already live in an era of rampant anti-intellectualism. It’s most evident in politics, but also in the social dynamics of communities around the country: being interested in history, literature, art — you know, stuff you find in museums — gets you labeled an “out of touch” elitist. It’s becoming more common to forego museums while traveling in favor of trendier, more Instagrammable experiences.
Pop-up museums won’t bankrupt real museums anytime soon, and they’re not single-handedly facilitating the downfall of society. But as long as our attention spans keep shrinking and the heavily filtered devils on our shoulders keep whispering “take a selfie” in our ears, we should at least be honest with ourselves. These experiences aren’t museums. They’re a symptom of “me” culture in a world that should really be more about “us.”
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Raft Idaho’s Salmon River and actually help the salmon in their fight to survive.
“In the west, when you touch water, you touch everything.” – US Rep. Wayne Aspinall, D-Colorado, 1896-1983
On a recent trip down the Lower Salmon River in Idaho, I occupied a rear seat in a dorie, a flat-bottomed, shallow-draft boat used to navigate fast-moving rivers. As we proceeded through the Class III Snow Hole Rapid, the watercraft seemed the ideal vantage point to pass through the trip’s most intense rapids. It was a craft that had helped to make OARS, our guiding company, a pioneer in commercial whitewater trips.
The river flowed at 3,500 cubic feet per second (CFS), significantly below the average for mid-July, but the low water presented its own challenges with fin-shaped rocks darting towards the sky from the river’s surface. On our 70-mile journey, we’d pass four distinct canyons and through the Lower Salmon River’s confluence with the Snake River at Devil’s Canyon. Over four days, I experienced firsthand how the Northwest is coming together to fight for the sockeye salmon and for the rivers that bring the region together.
Experiencing the Lower Salmon
Photo: Tim Wenger
Travelers who navigated the Salmon River in the early 1800s nicknamed it “the river of no return.” Moving downstream proved doable, enjoyable even. Turning around to return to where they’d started, however, proved impossible — given the tight rapids, strong flow, and narrow canyons. Sockeye salmon, for whom the river is formally named, didn’t have that problem. Each year, thousands traveled downstream towards the Pacific and hundreds made the journey back to the breeding grounds, spawning a new generation to make the same run all over again. Today, factors like dammed waterways and increasingly large wildfires mean fewer salmon make it back to their spawning ground.
The hillside just across the river from our starting point — along with much of the 76-mile stretch we would cover on the trip — had burned less than two weeks prior, flames lighting the night sky for the boaters camped along the river’s sandy beaches. The surrounding landscape of grassland sprinkled with ponderosa pines is well acclimated to wildfires. Moderate blazes are not just common and natural, but necessary to maintain proper forest health. Still, witnessing it firsthand isn’t easy.
“It felt apocalyptic to see this place burn and the fish die because the water is so hot,” our lead guide, Sarah Mallory, told me as she guided the dorie through Snow Hole Canyon. “This river is as close as many of us have to a place that feels like home. This is where we feel our best selves, where we are the happiest. To see it like that, it was hard.”
Photo: Tim Wenger
Passion imbued everything our guides told us over four days on the water. Nearly all of them were drawn into this line of work by a life-changing river trip of their own that had revealed to them both the importance of rivers to our ecosystem and to the thrill of floating down them. They were deeply knowledgeable as well. On a quick hike to see makeshift stone housing set up by Chinese miners who arrived in northern Idaho in the 1860s searching for gold, we learned how the car-length spacing and fire-resistant embers of the ponderosa pine make it more resistant to catastrophic fire.
Despite the ponderosa pine’s adaptation to fire, I was struck by climate change’s obvious impacts on the region. Increasingly common large wildfires threaten the salmon that run these rivers. The warmer the days, the warmer the water. And the warmer the water, the lower the level of breathable oxygen in it. More than 200,000 sockeye salmon were killed by hot water while running up the Columbia towards the Snake and Salmon Rivers in 2015 alone, according to a report in The New York Times. The number of fish spawning here each year has dropped from 50,000 per year in the 1950s to about 1,500 per year now.
The Nez Perce and other Indigenous peoples used farming and regular burns to maintain the health of the forest and grassland, optimizing natural fire cycles with their own small prescribed burns. Historically, large fires have happened here every 40 to 75 years, our guides told us. The Great Fire of 1910 burned some three million acres in Idaho and Washington and killed 87 people, largely firefighters. The threat of more common large fires is greater now than ever before due to warmer temperatures combined with over-zealous forest management during the late 19th and early to mid 20th Centuries.
At camp during sunset, the orange glow of the smoke-hued sun rippled off the water. Throughout this day, our second, our sinus tingled most, as we had navigated the tight turns of Cougar and Snow Hole Canyons — where each bend in the river revealed a hillside shrouded in haze from four wildfire complexes that were burning in the Northwest.
The rivers of the northwest are bridging divides to bring people together
Photo: B Brown/Shutterstock
Beyond fire, dammed waterways also threaten sockeye salmon. While the Salmon River ranks among the longest undammed rivers in the US, the Snake River has four controversial dams. These dams, along with water storage facilities and other man-made structures, impact the fish’s ability to run the 900 miles upriver from the Pacific Ocean to their Idaho nesting grounds. This includes running up the Salmon River. Climate change is exacerbating this, with both warmer temperatures and the West’s ongoing drought diminishing water flow.
The battle between dam advocates and those arguing for the removal of the dams has become known in the Northwest as the Salmon Wars. Dam advocates cite the clean hydropower produced, along with the ability of agricultural barges to run from Portland, Oregon, all the way to Lewiston, Idaho, the basecamp for most river trips down the Lower Salmon.
While that provides a major economic boon to the region’s growers and businesses, salmon and steelhead trout in both rivers are listed as endangered or, at the very least, threatened. One advocate for the salmon is Republican Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson. In February of this year, Simpson released his plan to recover the critically endangered fish populations in the region by removing the four dams along the Lower Snake River.
The Columbia Basin Initiative calls for the removal of the dams so that the salmon may more easily make their way back to their breeding grounds. It calls for the clean power produced by the dams, roughly four percent of the region’s total power output, to be replaced by clean sources operated by regional energy producers. It cites data showing that the best way to recover salmon populations is to remove the dams. The plan needs the support of Congress and Simpson’s local constituents, and appears to be heading towards passage.
“Changes of this magnitude might be unnerving at first, but we have a unique opportunity to create a solution that finally puts a stop to the never-ending salmon wars,” said Simpson in a press release announcing the plan. “This concept could take Idaho’s salmon off the path toward extinction and put them on a more certain path of sustainability and viability. We CAN protect our stakeholders and modernize our energy system for the next fifty-plus years, and we CAN do this on our terms.”
Photo: Tim Wenger
Simpson has partners across the aisle and across sectors. The Nez Perce Tribe released a statement of support, with its Chairman Shannon F. Wheeler saying:
“We view restoring the lower Snake River — a living being to us, and one that is injured — as urgent and overdue. Congressman Simpson, in focusing on the facts and on a solution, speaks the truth — that restoring salmon and the lower Snake River can also reunite and strengthen regional communities and economies.”
The Yakama Nation released a similar statement of support, as did the Confederate Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation. One non-profit representing the unifying force of rivers is Northwest Strong, a collaborative project among American Rivers, Under Solen Media, and local residents advocating for the Upper Snake, Lower Snake, and Lower Columbia. The group has successfully brought together these unlikely allies.
“The goal is to demonstrate that in the Northwest, we have more in common than we think,” says Amy Kober, Executive Director of American Rivers. “We are united by shared values and a love of this special place. And when it comes to saving salmon and addressing long-standing challenges on our rivers, we need a comprehensive and collaborative approach.”
You can support these conservation efforts by taking a river trip with OARS
Photo: Tim Wenger
This is where you come in. You can voice your support in three primary ways. First, take an epic river trip with OARS and see this amazing place for yourself. OARS doesn’t just provide its guests with a world-class experience, as evidenced by its many repeat guests, but it contributes a percentage of revenue from each trip to conservation-related causes supporting the rivers on which it guides.
Beyond financial contributions, a multi-day river trip with OARS offers a first-hand lesson in Leave No Trace ethics as they pertain to life on the river. Each stop during our four days on the Salmon and Snake rivers was an opportunity for the guides to teach us about where we were traveling. OARS also posts calls to action on its blog, making it easy for advocates to stay vigilant even when far from the flowing waters of the Salmon, Snake, or other waterways.
Free-flowing rivers support long-term, healthy, and sustainable habitats for fish and the natural surroundings. These rivers do the same for the economies that depend on them. Conservation and the recreational economy that it spawns is that common ground. The rivers of the Northwest can be an example for others to follow.
This is not extreme. It’s not radical. It is the only way forward.
We all want what’s best for the rivers. The jet boaters and the fishermen. The ancestral inhabitants and the hunters. The river rats and the travelers they guide downstream. Even the politicians and the environmentalists.
“This is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to save iconic species and invest in one of the most dynamic regions of the country. It will strengthen the region and the nation, bringing one of our most important rivers back to life,” says Kober.
Photo: Tim Wenger
On the final night of the trip, we pulled into Confluence Camp, where the Salmon River spills into the larger Snake River and joins its northwestern flow towards the Columbia River. Oregon and Washington were visible from camp on the shoreline of western Idaho. Looking southeast into the depths of Hell’s Canyon, the water flowed towards me in a bubbly turquoise, an eerie but beautiful contrast to the jagged limestone walls that gave the canyon its name. The area just above us had been on fire less than two weeks before.
I scrambled up an embankment of loose rocks above the confluence to find one solitary tree protruding from the ashes. Parched and surrounded by black, it was a reminder that this land is fragile and in modern times we have asked too much of it. The American West is not my ancestral homeland. I am here as a result of past injustices. But as a lifelong resident of the West, I feel obligated to advocate for the future of the lands that hold me.
The lone tree also struck me as a signal that despite the increasing prevalence of intense wildfires, the hotter summer days, and faster-melting winter snowpacks, there is hope for the West. That hope lies in us, the people who call this amazing place our home — to unite above our differences and let common ground bring us together. The winding corridors of the Salmon and Snake Rivers can show us the way, if we only listen.
The post Raft Idaho’s Salmon River and actually help the salmon in their fight to survive. appeared first on Matador Network.
Your family can get paid $1,500 just to sleep in a tent in your favorite campground
Sleep Junkie is on a mission to improve your sleep. And it will pay you to do it.
The one-stop source for advice on sleeping and the items you need to do it seeks to answer the pressing question of, “How do I get the best night’s sleep?’” And now it’s added a twist by asking, “How does sleeping outside impact people?”
The sleep-obsessed folks at Sleep Junkie are seeking a family of four to help find out. They’ll invite that family on an all-expenses-paid trip to be “sleep testers” for their study on how sleeping outside affects different people physically and mentally, as well as on the quality of sleep they can get while outside.
The family of four chosen will get to stay at any campsite of their choice. There, they’ll spend three nights outdoors enjoying the amenities provided at the site. During the stay, the family is required to compile a report of the family sleeping experience.
This report will focus on temperature, sounds of the wild, humidity levels, what sleeping facilities they brought, and how sleep aids enhanced their sleep.
The study is open globally to anyone who meets the criteria. To be considered, adults must at least be 21 years of age, speak fluent English, and have access to camping gear. For the study to be authentic as possible, Sleep Junkie is not looking for camping experts.
Submit an application on Sleep Junkie’s website by August 14, including headshots and a 60-second video talking about why they would be a great fit for this position. Sleep Junkies plans to choose a family by August 15 and take them on their family camping trip in September.
If you’re chosen, you won’t just get a free, three-day camping trip out of it, along with plenty of great memories. You’ll also receive $1500 at the end of your family camping trip just for participating in the study. How will you all spend it?
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The most stereotypical Russian foods sold in the country’s supermarkets
I’m a firm believer that if you want to understand a country (or any area, really), then you need to shop at the local grocery store. It’s the only place where you’ll find aisles of regional favorites that the locals love alongside the imported foods residents think are worth bringing in other regions. It’s the former that gives you the best taste of the place, though, and in Russia, that partly means at the most grocery stores you’re likely to encounter tinned bear meat, herring, and vodka.
A Russian TikToker, @nikiproshin, recently filmed two videos where he walks through a grocery store in his home country to find the most iconic foods of Mother Russia. In the first, he starts with a tin of bear meat ($8), followed by a baby cup of vodka ($1) that he says pairs best with a pre-set, plastic-wrapped container of herring, onion, and boiled potatoes ($1.50). There’s also a package of pickles, of course, for $2, and a type of mayonnaise that he says Russians “are crazy about.”
@nikiproshinMost Russian things I could find at a supermarket #russianfood #russianculture #inrussia #supermarket
♬ original sound – Niki Proshin
In a follow-up video, he has his “foreign friend” do the same: find five of the most stereotypical Russian products in five minutes. (He later clarifies in the comments that his friend is Russian, but “entirely raised abroad.”) The friend starts with a big bar of Alyonka chocolate, which has a startled looking baby on the packaging and is a beloved treat from the Soviet era. That’s followed by kvass (a fermented rye bread drink), artificial caviar, and “Russian Champagne” — which is a sparkling wine made domestically. One of the more interesting items is what @nikiproshin calls curd snack, which he says is his favorite snack in the basket and clarifies in the comments that it’s “a sweet thing made from tvorog/curd cheese, covered in chocolate.”
@nikiproshinReply to @nikiproshin should we try the bear meat from the last video? 😰😰 with @ricardojposada #supermarket #russiansupermarket #russianfood #russia
♬ original sound – Niki Proshin
Do these choices lean a bit on stereotypes? One baby cup of vodka says yes. But dig into the history of Russian food a little more and you’ll understand why these items made it into the video. One good place to start is The Book of Tasty and Healthy Food, which the podcast 99 Percent Invisible recently featured in a story about Soviet-era recipes, food security, and Anastas Mikoyan, who producer Lasha Madan dubs the “Soviet Chef Boyardee.”
Some (or maybe all) of the foods in the video might be unfamiliar to people outside of Russia, especially those who aren’t familiar with the complicated history of Soviet cuisine and the lasting influence it has today on Russia’s modern culture. Others spotted some items they recognized in the U.S. One commenter who lives in New York City’s predominately Russian neighborhood of Brighton Beach noted that they now “have confirmation that all the supermarkets [in Brighton Beach] sell the same brands and items.”
And that’s the beauty of a grocery store run: You always leave with a little more insight about what people eat elsewhere, and how that connects to seemingly disparate people around the world.
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This iPhone add-on gives travelers the photo controls of a traditional camera
Gone are the days when phone photos were pixelated at best, and looking as if they just came out of a microwave at worst. Photos snapped from an iPhone have graced legacy print publications, spanned across massive billboards, and resulted in more than a few incredible images in Apple’s iPhone Photography Awards.
It still, however, felt like just snapping a photo with your phone. But now there’s a clip-on tool that makes your phone have a similar camera feel to match the professional-quality photos it takes.
Fjorden is an iPhone camera grip that gives you the same controls that you’d find on a fixed-lens set-up. It has a two-stage shutter button with a half-press to focus the shot, a control dial for the basics (exposure, shutter speed, ISO, focus, and others), a multi-function button for the rest, and a zoom lever. A paired app keeps the whole apparatus running and offers two modes: auto for quick shots or manual to control every detail.
Plus, importantly, the Fjorden is slim enough (just over 0.4 of an inch) that your phone still easily fits in your pocket. The Norweigan-designed iPhone addition writes on its Kickstarter that it follows the Bauhaus philosophy of “form follows function.”
The Fjorden attaches to your phone through a custom MagSafe case. It connects via Bluetooth, and is compatible with all iPhones 11 and newer. If you’ve invested in some fancy iPhone camera lenses, it’ll work with those as well. In short, it plays nicer with other tech than many of your average Wi-Fi enabled point and shoots.
There are two things to know other than the fact that the specs make the Fjorden sound like a must-have for travelers looking to take better iPhone photos. One is that the company has plans to be Climate Neutral Certified. The other is that it’s a Kickstarter, and as anyone who’s dabbled in start-up tech knows, you can’t always rely on the ideas panning out exactly as they’re marketed before the release.
The Fjorden prototypes started in November 2019, the Kickstarter campaign started in July 2021, and the company hopes to fulfill orders by February 2022. At the time of writing, it has received $352,075 of Fjorden’s original funding goal of $23,670.
It won’t come cheap when it finally gets here. The expected retail price will be about $190, though if you back the company early you can get it for about $140. If it all works out, it could be money (and time) well spent for the traveler who wants camera-level controls without having to lug the gear around.
The post This iPhone add-on gives travelers the photo controls of a traditional camera appeared first on Matador Network.
The 34 newest UNESCO Heritage sites and why you should visit them
Every year, UNESCO adds properties of amazing cultural and natural significance to its list of protected sites. The voting and induction ceremony couldn’t take place last year due to the pandemic, so this year UNESCO considered nominees from both 2020 and 2021 — adding a total of 34 new heritage sites to its list. The final selection was certainly worth the wait, with new additions ranging from prehistoric Russian petroglyphs to a Modernist German artist colony. As travel is finally opening up again, the new list of UNESCO heritage sites provide plenty of inspiration for your next trip.
1. Arslantepe Mound
Photo: Roberto Ceccacci/MAIAO/UNESCO
The Arslantepe Mound is located in the Eastern Anatolia region of Turkey, in the province of Malatya. It’s technically a tell, i.e. an archaeological site consisting of remains from multiple generations who settled in the same place. Experts estimate that Arslantepe has seen human occupation since at least the sixth century BCE up until the late Roman period. There are many impressive aspects of the site, including Uruk adobe ruins from the fourth century BCE, ornate lion sculptures from the Hittite civilization, and some of the earliest swords yet discovered.
2. Chankillo Archaeoastronomical Complex, Peru
Photo: Municipalidad Provincial de Casma/IDARQ/UNESCO
This prehistoric site (250-200 BCE) is located in Peru’s Casma Valley, roughly 240 miles up the coast from Lima. Here, man-made constructions complement naturally-occurring features to form a primitive calendar (like a sophisticated, giant sundial). Specific elements include a triple-walled hilltop complex, two building complexes, and a series of 13 cuboidal towers. Archeologists believe that the center of the site was likely used by a solar cult for rituals and ceremonies.
3. Colonies of Benevolence, Belgium and the Netherlands
Photo: James van Leuven/Province of Drenthe on behalf of all nomination partners/UNESCO
This site consists of one colony in Belgium and three in the Netherlands. Established in 1818, these complexes were created with the goal of alleviating urban poverty through remote agricultural production. The colonies’ small farms were insufficient in achieving their aims, so the Society of Benevolence sought a secondary source of revenue by contracting with the state to settle orphans, beggars, and vagrants in the colonies, who then worked in the farms under guarded supervision.
4. Cordouan Lighthouse, France
Photo: Gilles Vilquin/DRAC Nouvelle-Aquitaine/UNESCO
The Lighthouse of Cordouan is located off the coast of France, at the mouth of the Gironde estuary. Designed in the late 16th century by engineer Louis de Foix, it was built from white limestone and decorated with ornate pilasters, columns, and gargoyles. The lighthouse underwent significant modifications in the late 18th century, mainly to increase its height and improve the light chamber’s signal emitted. These changes are exemplary of other scientific advancements within the time period, making the Lighthouse of Cordouan a totem of artistic and technical progress. The Cordouan Lighthouse is the last inhabited lighthouse in France and the second lighthouse to get UNESCO status.
5. The Danube Limes (Western Segment), Austria, Germany, Slovakia
Photo: K. Leidorf/BLfD/UNESCO
This site spans roughly 350 miles across what was the Roman Empire’s Danube Frontier, in present-day Austria, Germany, and Slovakia. The Danube Limes contain significant elements of infrastructure such as roads, watchtowers, and legionary fortresses; all of which contributed to the security of the Roman border in the first through the fifth century CE.
6. Kakatiya Rudreshwara (Ramappa) Temple, India
Photo: ASI/UNESCO
Rudreshwara, also known as Ramappa Temple, is located in the village of Palampet, India. It’s the main Shiva temple in a walled complex, constructed during the Kakatiyan period (1123-1323 CE) over roughly 40 years. The temple itself is made of sandstone, with decorative beams and pillars of carved granite and dolerite. The aesthetics of Rudreshwara reflect the region’s specific dance customs and Kakatiyan culture.
7. Mathildenhöhe Darmstadt, Germany
Photo: Nikolaus Heiss/UNESCO
The Darmstadt Artists’ Colony on Mathildenhöhe (west-central Germany) was built in 1897 as a center for emerging reform movements in architecture, arts, and crafts. The colony’s artist members designed most of the buildings as experimental models in early modernist live/work environments. Today, it serves as a testimony to early modern architecture, urban planning, and landscape design, all of which were influenced by the Arts and Crafts movement and the Vienna Secession.
8. Padua’s fourteenth-century fresco cycles
Photo: Comune di Padova, Gabinetto Fotografico dei Musei Civici di Padova/Comune di Padova Settore Cultura, Turismo, Musei e Biblioteche/UNESCO
This site spans eight religious and secular building complexes, all within the historic walled city of Padua, Italy. Each site contains prime examples of 13th-century fresco cycles. A fresco is a technique of mural painting wherein the artist quickly applies earth pigments to damp plaster. A fresco cycle is a series of individual fresco paintings, typically meant to convey a narrative or particular theme. UNESCO’s selection includes Giotto’s Scrovegni Chapel (Arena Chapel), commonly considered one of the most important works of Western art.
9. Paseo del Prado and Buen Retiro, a landscape of Arts and Sciences, Madrid
Photo: Karol Kozlowski/Shutterstock
This 200-hectare cultural landscape is located in the heart of Madrid, Spain. Specifically, the site includes the prestigious, tree-lined Paseo del Prado Avenue, several adjacent fountains and buildings, and the gardens of what was Buen Retiro Palace. The significance of this site comes from its cultural and conceptual connotations: Together, the buildings embody 18th-century Spain’s utopic vision of urban space and development.
10. Quanzhou: Emporium of the World in Song-Yuan China
Chen Yingjie/Quanzhou maritime Silk Road World heritage Nomination Center/UNESCO
Quanzhou, also known as Zayton, served a prime role in 10th-14th century China’s maritime trade. This serial site encompasses several buildings that attest to this significance: the 11th-century Qingjing Mosque, Islamic tombs, multi-purpose stone docks for commerce and defense, ancient bridges, and more.
11. Roșia Montană Mining Landscape, Romania
Photo: Radu Salcudean/UNESCO
This site in western Romania features the most significant, extensive, and technically diverse underground Roman gold mining complex yet uncovered. Over a span of roughly 170 years (starting in 106 CE), the Romans extracted approximately 500 tonnes of gold from the site, requiring the development of elaborate engineering works, water wheels, and underground infrastructure. Archaeologists have also excavated wax-coated wooden tablets from this site, which provide extensive details about the legal, socioeconomic, demographic, and linguistic implications of Roman mining.
12. Sítio Roberto Burle Marx, Brazil
Photo: Oscar Liberal/Iphan/SRBM/UNESCO
This innovative site conveys a 40-year artistic endeavor by landscape artist Roberto Burle Marx. Situated west of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, this work of art is part-garden, part-natural scape: characterized by sinuous forms, mass planting, architectural plant arrangements, dramatic color contrasts, and folk art elements. The project began in 1949, and today it contains over 3,500 species of tropical and subtropical flora growing in harmony with Brazil’s native vegetation.
13. The Great Spa Towns of Europe
Photo: aroundworld/Shutterstock
UNESCO selected 11 towns for this transnational heritage site, spanning Austria, Belgium, Czechia, France, Germany, Italy, and the U.K. Each town in the list was built around a natural mineral water spring, providing a natural source for the elaborate baths and resorts that lie there today. These sites bear witness to the international European spa culture that developed from 1900-1930, and its subsequent implications on the exchange of medical, scientific, and balneological practices.
14. The work of engineer Eladio Dieste: Church of Atlantida, Uruguay
Photo: Javier Villasuso/CPCN, Getty Foundation/UNESCO
The Church of Atlantida is located roughly 30 miles from Montevideo, Uruguay. Engineer Eladio Dieste built the church with inspiration from Italian paleo-Christian and medieval religious architecture. The church is notable for its innovative arrangement of exposed and reinforced brick: The cylindrical bell tower and main walls both feature an impressive undulating pattern.
15. Trans-Iranian Railway, Iran
Photo: Hossein Javadi/UNESCO
As the name suggests, the Trans-Iranian Railway spans the entirety of Iran from the Caspian Sea in the northeast to the Persian Gulf in the southwest. The railway was built between 1927 and 1938 in collaboration between the Iranian government and 43 international contractors. It is notable for both its scale and the extensive engineering works required to build across two mountain ranges.
16. Ḥimā Cultural Area, Saudi Arabia
Photo: Dr. Majeed Khan/SCTH/UNESCO
This site in southwest Saudi Arabia contains a considerable collection of rock art images going back roughly 7,000 years. This is mainly due to its function as the oldest known toll station along one of the Arabian Peninsula’s major caravan routes. Over the years, travellers and armies camping on the site left behind a large assortment of inscriptions and images, including depictions of hunting, wildlife, flora, and cultural totems.
17. Amami-Oshima Island, Tokunoshima Island, Northern part of Okinawa Island, and Iriomote Island, Japan
Photo: MOEJ/UNESCO
This newly-added natural property encompasses 42,698 hectares of subtropical rainforests across four islands in southwest Japan. The marked sites are completely uninhabited by humans, with a high percentage of globally-threatened endemic species such as the endangered Amami Rabbit (Pentalagus furnessi) and the endangered Ryukyu Long-haired Rat (Diplothrix legata).
18. Colchic Rainforests and Wetlands, Georgia
Photo: Paata Vardanashvili/Agency of Protected Areas/UNESCO
This naturally-occurring site exists along a 50 mile stretch on Georgia’s Black Sea coast. Also known as a ‘slice of the Amazon in Eurasia’, this is a temperate broadleaf and mixed forests ecoregion. The extremely humid climate allows for a unique, diverse range of fauna, many of which survived the glacial cycles of the Tertiary.
19. Getbol, Korean Tidal Flats
Photo: World Heritage Promotion Team of Korean Tidal Flat/UNESCO
Situated in the eastern Yellow Sea along the Republic of Korea’s southern coast, this site contains a unique combination of geological, oceanographic, and climatological conditions that have led to diverse tidal and sedimentary conditions. The above factors have also resulted in a unique array of endemic species, such as Japanese Mud Crabs (Macrophthalmus japonicus) and Yellow Sea Sand Snails (Umbonium thomasi).
20. Kaeng Krachan Forest Complex, Thailand
Photo: Bule Sky Studio/Shutterstock
The Kaeng Krachan Forest Complex is located along the Thailand side of the Tenasserim mountain range, at the crossroads between the Himalayan, Indochina, and Sumatran faunal and floral realms. This unique juncture point has spawned an impressive level of biodiversity, including many globally endangered species. For example, this site is home to the critically endangered Siamese Crocodile (Crocodylus siamensis), the endangered Asiatic Wild Dog (Cuon alpinus), the endangered Asian Giant Tortoise (Manouria emys), and several other vulnerable species of birds and mammals.
21. As-Salt — The Place of Tolerance and Urban Hospitality, Jordan
Photo: Rami Daher/TURATH: Architecture and Urban Design Consultants/UNESCO
The city of As-Salt, located in west-central Jordan, was an important trade link during the late Ottoman period (1860s-1920s). Many wealthy merchants from Nablus, Syria, and Lebanon settled here, attracting many talented craftsmen who transformed the small rural settlement into a thriving blend of European Art Nouveau, Neo-colonial, and local architectural traditions. The city’s non-segregated layout also reflects the relatively peaceful relations between Muslims and Christians during the time period.
22. Cultural Landscape of Hawraman/Uramanat, Iran
Photo: Hamid Binaei Faa/UNESCO
This remote, mountainous landscape in Iran has been inhabited by the Hawrami people since about 3000 BCE. The Hawrami, a semi-nomadic Kurdish tribe, have harnessed the terrain here with tiered steep-stone planning and dry-stone terrace gardening. Their uninterrupted presence in the landscape is also evidenced by stone tools, permanent and temporary settlement ruins, cemeteries, roads, castles, and more.
23. Dholavira: a Harappan City, India
Photo: ASI/UNESCO
The ancient city of Dholavira is located on Khadir Island, within the State of Gujarat. The site was occupied between 3000-1500 BCE and is one of the best preserved urban settlements from the period in Southeast Asia. Inside the walled city, there’s an ancient cemetery, a heavily fortified castle, and a sophisticated aqueduct system for routing and preserving water within the harsh, arid environment.
24. Frontiers of the Roman Empire — The Lower German Limes, Germany, the Netherlands
Photo: Stichting Tijdlijn/Nederlandse Limes Samenwerking/UNESCO
This site follows the left bank of the lower Rhine River for roughly 250 miles, from Germany’s Rhenish Massif to the North Sea coast in the Netherlands. It contains remnants of the Roman Empire’s frontier, including military bases, forts, roads, aqueducts, cemeteries, and more. In the second century CE, the empire stretched across Europe, the Near East, and North Africa.
25. Jomon Prehistoric Sites, Japan
Photo: Aomori Prefecture Board of Education (Cultural Property Protection Division)/Sannai Maruyama Jomon Culture Center/UNESCO
This property consists of 17 archeological sites scattered across northern Japan. The sites contain remnants spanning roughly 10,000 years of the sedentary hunter-fisher-gatherer Jomon culture. The remaining artifacts signify a complex spiritual belief system, with various ritual places like earthworks and large stone circles.
26. Nice, Winter Resort Town of the Riviera, France
Photo: Service Photo/Ville de Nice/UNESCO
This Mediterranean city lies on France’s southeast coast, near the Italian border. From the middle of the 18th century, Nice grew in prominence as a winter resort town for aristocratic and upper-class Europeans. The diverse cultural influences of the winter residents and the desire to make the most of the seasonal conditions have resulted in an elegant, world-renowned destination with impressive architecture from various periods and styles.
27. Petroglyphs of Lake Onega and the White Sea, Russia
Photo: Aomori Prefecture Board of Education (Cultural Property Protection Division)/Sannai Maruyama Jomon Culture Center/UNESCO
This serial site, located in Russia’s Republic of Karelia, contains 4,500 Neolithic petroglyphs from roughly 6,000 years ago. There are 33 distinct locations within this listing, containing a diverse array of imagery including birds, animals, anthropomorphic figures, hunters, sailing scenes, and more. The drawings testify to the creativity of the Stone Age.
28. Settlement and Artificial Mummification of the Chinchorro Culture in the Arica and Parinacota Region, Chile
Photo: Carlos Chow/Regional Program for Protection of the Chinchorro Sites/UNESCO
The Chinchorro people were marine hunter-gatherers who lived in Chile’s Atacama Desert from roughly 5450-890 BCE. This newly-inscribed property contains a collection of three sites representing unique facets of their culture. The sites contain the oldest known evidence of artificial mummification of bodies, as well as bodies naturally preserved through environmental conditions. These mummies possess distinct aesthetic qualities that reflect the presumed importance of death in Chinchorro society.
29. ShUM Sites of Speyer, Worms, and Mainz, Germany
Photo: Ernst, Jurgen/Generaldirektion Kulturelles Erbe Rheinland-Pfalz/UNESCO
This serial site spans three German cities: Speyer, Worms, and Mainz. It contains significant Jewish structures from the medieval era, like the Speyer Jewry-Court, the Worms Synagogue Compound, and the Old Jewish Cemetery in Mainz. These sites reflect the early emergence of 12th and 13th -century Ashkenaz customs, which served as prototypes for later Jewish community and religious buildings in Europe.
30. Sudanese style mosques, Ivory Coast
Photo: OIPC/UNESCO
This site in northern Côte d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast) contains eight small adobe mosques, all characterized by protruding timbers, vertical buttresses, and tapering minarets. The distinct style developed between the 17th and 19th centuries as Islamic customs spread along expanding trans-Saharan mercantile routes.
31. The Porticoes of Bologna, Italy
Photo: Giorgio Bianchi/Giorgio Bianchi – Comune di Bologna/UNESCO
The porticoes of Bologna, Italy, function as sheltered walkways and as prime locations for merchant activity. The selected porticoes span several centuries, and are made from a variety of materials including wood, stone, brick, and concrete. They often serve as a unique, semi-private space for social gathering, and can be considered a motif of Bologna’s urban identity.
32. The Slate Landscape of Northwest Wales
Photo: RCAHMW/Crown copyright RCAHMW/UNESCO
Wale’s Slate Landscape illustrates the drastic effects of quarrying and mining. During the Industrial Revolution (1780-1914), landowners and capital investors transformed what was an agricultural landscape into a massive slate production complex. The territory is made up of six components, each of which contain relict quarries and mines, domestic settlements, gardens, railway systems, and ports.
33. The works of Joze Plecnik in Ljubljana – Human Centered Urban Design
Photo: Matevz Paternoster/Museum and Galleries of Ljubljana/UNESCO
Plecnik’s pre-war work exists in a unique time period, after the dissolution of the Austo-Hungarian Empire but before the first World War. In this middle space, the people of Ljubljana were contemplating their new identity as the capital of Slovenia. Plecnik’s work expresses a profoundly human vision for the city, with many public squares, parks, promenades, and institutions thoughtfully integrated with the city’s pre-existing urban and natural structures.
34. Ivindo National Park, Gabon
Photo: Lee White/UNESCO
Ivindo National Park is located on the equator, in Northern Gabon. The largely untouched site contains a nearly 300,000 hectare network of blackwater rivers, rapids, and waterfalls. The unique environment hosts a large array of endemic flora and fauna, many of which are endangered, such as the slender-snouted crocodiles (Mecistops cataphractus), forest elephant (Loxodonta cyclotis), western lowland gorilla (Gorilla gorilla), and the endangered chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes).
More like thisCultureFour amazing sites that lost their UNESCO World Heritage statusThe post The 34 newest UNESCO Heritage sites and why you should visit them appeared first on Matador Network.
This is the real reason planes are painted white
If you think about it — or want to — it’s quite mind-boggling to comprehend how an airplane full of people can safely get from A to B. But rest assured everything is meticulously thought out, right down to the aircraft’s paint job. This week a TikTok showed BBC footage that explains the reasoning behind why planes are painted white.
@godfreykingnessyprince#viral #boys #foryoupage #planes #kick
♬ original sound – Godfrey Kingnessy Pr
It turns out that not only does a white base make flying safer it’s also cost-effective and good for the environment.
MIT Aeronautics and Astronautics professor R. John Hansman told Business Insider that it’s similar to “putting sunblock on.” White paint reflects sunlight and solar radiation which keeps the cabin temperature cool and gives some protection to the vessel from the sun. This helps to keep the cooling costs of the plane lower. White paint is also technically lighter in weight because it is less pigmented which reduces fuel consumption and emissions. It is also cheaper to purchase and does not tarnish as quickly as brighter colors or polished metal.
According to Simple Flying, using white paint also helps keeps passengers safe. A light-colored vessel makes signs of damage more apparent. It helps engineers find oil spills or leaks, cracks, and anything else that might be wrong with the aircraft. Also, white stands out against a blue or dark sky helping birds spot an oncoming plane and avoid a collision.
So aside from Air New Zealand’s marketing play using black-colored planes, you’re unlikely to see many other airlines slashing on multi-colored paint anytime soon.
The post This is the real reason planes are painted white appeared first on Matador Network.
Outdoor adventure guide to Vermont
The lush summers and snowy winters of Vermont make it the perfect place for year-round recreation. And though the scenery should be motivation enough, with breweries, cideries, award-winning restaurants, and farm stands throughout the state, you can be sure of a delicious culinary reward awaiting you after your efforts, too.
From Brattleboro in the South to Newport in Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom, here are the outdoor activities that will make you absolutely fall in love with the Green Mountain State. Grab your backpack and a water bottle and let’s go!
Note: Vermonters take outdoor recreation ethics seriously; when you visit, do the same. Find a plan B if the parking lot for your destination is full. Always leave no trace, stay on marked trails, and — wherever you go — respect the landowners and local communities that make your adventures possible.
HIKING
Photo: Zach Johaneson
Whether you’re a seasoned hiker or simply a birdwatcher who likes to get their heart rate up before raising the binoculars, Vermont has plenty to offer — unsurprising for a state named for its mountains!
Mount Philo Trail, CharlotteMount Philo State Park — Vermont’s first — spans 237 acres of protected natural beauty, with forested views that spread into the Champlain Valley and up the other side to New York’s Adirondacks. The 1.9-mile trail that starts at the parking area is a family-friendly loop to the top of the 968-foot Mount Philo, with plentiful wildflowers along the way. Thanks to its abundance of maple trees, this is also a favorite for autumn hiking.
Butler Lodge Loop, UnderhillWhile the crowds head to nearby Mt. Mansfield, hit up the quieter — but still challenging — Butler Lodge Loop. You’ll gain 1,700 feet over 4.5 miles (round trip) as you link up with a few connecting trails to complete the loop. Expect to scramble over rocks and alongside caves, wander through dense maple and birch forest, and hop across bubbling streams. Of course, you’ll also find Butler Lodge, a 1930s cabin built for thru-hikers of Vermont’s Long Trail, the first long-distance hiking trail in the country.
Smugglers’ Notch State Park, StoweFor a challenge for every level, Smugglers’ Notch State Park offers several hiking trails that can take anywhere from 20 minutes to four hours to complete — and take you anywhere from 1,620 to 4,390 feet above sea level. Bingham Falls Trail is the shortest; the hike to the Mt. Mansfield ridgeline feature known as the Chin, via Long and Profanity Trails, is the longest and most challenging, the trails certainly worthy of their names (you may want hiking poles for this one!). For something somewhere in between, try the Sterling Pond Trail for a steep ascent to a scenic mountaintop pond.
Tip: A new stroller- and wheelchair-accessible boardwalk — technically part of the Long Trail — leads visitors from the Barnes Camp Visitor Center and through pretty wetland habitat.
Prospect Rock Trail, ManchesterThis 3.5-mile round-trip hike — located deep in the and intersecting briefly with the Appalachian Trail — is fairly steep but has plenty of spots to rest and a gorgeous lookout near the top where you can stop for lunch. The trail does continue beyond the lookout, though, so make sure you don’t miss the final climb! While this trek may be a little challenging for true beginners, the determined newbie could still make it, motivated by the stunning views at the summit.
Note: This one crosses a few mountain streams, so be prepared for the possibility of getting your boots wet.
BIKING
Photo: Zach Johaneson
Mountain bikers will find plenty to occupy themselves in Vermont, whose landscapes can be described as anything but flat. But even if you’re not a practiced cyclist, the opportunity to explore the state’s natural beauty at a brisker pace is worth the leg workout.
Craftsbury Outdoor Center, Craftsbury CommonYou’ll find more miles of singletrack around Craftsbury Common than of paved roads — some are rooty, rocky, and hand-crafted, while others are machine-built, flowy, and smooth. Surrounded by little but forest, lakes, and a handful of farms, the incredible trails at the Craftsbury Outdoor Center aren’t even half the story — they’re part of a larger network that spans three states, one province, and two countries. “Bike the Borderlands” is a mountain-biking initiative covering Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, and Québec. Start at Craftsbury Outdoor Center and see where the Borderlands take you.
Cady Hill Trails, StoweThe Boston Globe has called Stowe a “mountain-biking mecca,” and we would have to agree. Even better, the Stowe Trails Partnership (STP) ensures that most mountain-biking trails here are free and open to the public. Perhaps the most notable of these is the flagship trail network through Cady Hill Forest — take the Cady Hill Climb trail up to the Green Chair Overlook, if you can — with its views, easy access, and options for every skill level.
Blueberry Lake, WarrenJust south and across Route 100 from the popular Warren Falls swimming hole, you’ll find the small but scenic Blueberry Lake. On the opposite side of Plunkton Road from the water stretches a system of wide, machine-built singletrack that can be pieced together to form the 4.2-mile Blueberry Lake Loop, providing a smooth pedal with stunning views of the Green Mountains. If you get overheated on the ride, all you have to do is cycle over to the lakeshore for a quick swim to cool off.
Note: Blueberry Lake is a good place to practice your outdoor ethics. StewardMRV (Mad River Valley) is leading the charge, and you should follow suit: If the parking lot is full, find an alternative; pack out what you pack in; and leave no trace but winding, looping tracks.
Ski trails at Okemo, Sugarbush, Slate Valley, and KillingtonIf you have a favorite Vermont ski trail with unmissable views, make sure to check and see if the resort is open for mountain biking in the summer. Some of the better-known spots — such as Okemo, Sugarbush, Slate Valley, and Killington — all have incredible biking available come warmer weather. Killington Bike Park, for example, features three high-speed lifts giving riders access to 30+ miles of epic downhill trails.
PADDLING
Photo: Zach Johaneson
Spending a New England summer day on the water is just about as good as it gets. You can pursue all manner of watersports in Vermont, but to throw in the added excitement of exploration, nothing beats an outing by canoe, kayak, or standup paddleboard.
Shadow Lake, GloverLocated just south of I-91 and the town of Barton, Shadow Lake is 210 acres of clean, deep water ringed by forest. Though other lakes in the Northeast Kingdom get more attention, many of those can be dangerous for paddling in choppy weather; Shadow Lake, on the other hand, is almost always a good bet. If you didn’t bring your own kayak, you can rent at the Village Sport Shop in nearby Lyndonville.
Note: Shadow Lake also has a free public beach for swimmers.
Vermont Canoe Touring Center, BrattleboroBrattleboro is situated in Vermont’s southeast corner, at the confluence of the Connecticut and West Rivers, making it a great base for paddling, canoeing, kayaking, and more. The Vermont Canoe Touring Center can set you up with the gear you need, as well as recommendations on paddle trips that match your level of skill and ambition. Rent canoes, kayaks, and SUPs by the hour or by the day, and spend your afternoon floating under vintage railroad bridges and through Vermont’s endless shades of green.
Winooski River, MiddlesexThe Winooski River winds for 90 miles from Cabot to Colchester, where it joins the waters of Lake Champlain. Most people experience it on the sandy beaches near its delta with the lake, but those with paddlecraft will be able to get acquainted with the river more intimately. In particular, the five-mile section between Middlesex and Waterbury provides a nice mix of rapids, a river confluence, and that unmatched Green Mountain scenery.
Note: The organization Friends of the Winooski River publishes a paddling guide if you’d like to learn more before hopping in.
Green River Reservoir, Hyde ParkGreen River Reservoir State Park is all about paddling — in fact, if you’re looking to stay the night, you’ll have to get on the water! The park’s 27 campsites are only accessible by boat, requiring up to a two-mile paddle. Expect to feel a bit off-grid: 19 miles of natural shoreline make this one of Vermont’s largest undeveloped bodies of water, and motorboats are limited to electric power and a top speed of 5 mph. Come with your cell phone’s notifications turned off.
Note: You can’t rent boats here, so make sure to bring your own.
WALKING
Photo: Zach Johaneson
Mountain summits and singletrack, river rapids and off-grid camping — serious outdoor adventures are certainly on tap all over the state. But sometimes you simply want to go for a nice walk in the woods. Here’s where to do just that.
Valley Trail, West DoverWhat’s called the Valley Trail is actually more accurately a nine-mile series of connecting paths between Wilmington and Dover, near the state’s southern border. Just off Route 100 in West Dover, there’s a three-quarter-mile stretch of the Valley Trail that’s paved and wheelchair-accessible; other sections are composed of natural surfaces or gravel. There are often food vendors stationed at each end of the trail and benches throughout where you can have a snack break and take in the scenery. Head out for a leisurely walk with the family, and feel free to bring along the pup (though you’ll have to keep them on leash).
Thundering Falls Trail, KillingtonThis short out-and-back trail (0.4 mile one way) is completely wheelchair accessible. You’ll start out on a 900-foot boardwalk, followed by gentle switchbacks to the viewing platform for , a 140-foot cascade that’s one of the state’s tallest. The length and light difficulty make this a perfect option for a quick afternoon walk and picnic lunch with the family. Find the trailhead (which also happens to be part of the Appalachian Trail) on River Road just north of the Killington Town Hall.
Robert Frost Interpretive Trail, RiptonThe is a 1.2-mile loop about 20 minutes east of Middlebury. As you walk across the beaver pond and past the huckleberry bushes, you’ll see select poems by Frost posted along the track. Don’t be surprised to find two roads diverging in a yellow wood!
Stowe Recreation Path, StoweOne of the more popular paths on the list, the 5.3-mile one-way Stowe Recreation Path winds over and around both the West Branch of the Little River and Route 108 through Stowe. You’ll be hard pressed to find a single path that provides access to both incredible nature (including swimming holes!) and tourist amenities (restaurants, shops, etc) in the state, if not the country. Most folks opt to walk the trail from the northern end to take advantage of the prevailing downhill grade, but it can certainly be enjoyed in either direction. After all, when you’re in Vermont the views are always stellar no matter which direction you head.
The post Vermont adventure guide: Hiking, biking, paddling, and more appeared first on Matador Network.
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