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August 5, 2021
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.
The post The most stereotypical Russian foods sold in the country’s supermarkets appeared first on Matador Network.
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.
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August 4, 2021
Thailand’s hotspot islands are open to visitors. Here’s how to visit.
Thailand has begun opening its international border for overseas tourists once again, with some of its most famed island hotspots first on the list. In July, the islands of Phuket and Koh Samui launched travel projects known as the “Sandbox Program,” allowing entry to fully vaccinated travelers without quarantine. As part of Surat Thani province, this includes Koh Tao, a popular diving island, and Koh Phangan, renowned for its beach parties, in Samui’s reopening. Visitors from at least 69 countries and territories are eligible, including the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. After the COVID19 pandemic halted international travel, visiting places like Thailand became a dream. Now you can experience its turquoise blue waters and white sand beaches. But there’s a catch.
How to enter Thailand’s islands right now
Photo: Sorbis/Shutterstock
The gradual reopening is part of a wider strategy from the Thai government to reopen its borders to fully vaccinated visitors without quarantine by mid-October and improve its ailing tourism economy. Yet, this comes as the country is experiencing its third wave of virus cases, with at least 17,000 new virus cases a day and over a hundred deaths in recent weeks. Approximately six percent of the population have been fully vaccinated, far below the levels of many western countries.
Because of this, getting into the country as a traveler means you must follow a strict set of guidelines. While Thailand’s mind-blowing islands await, entering the country admittedly isn’t as easy as it used to be. First, you have to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 if you want to experience either of the Phuket and Koh Samui reopening projects and be able to prove it at least with a vaccine card. You’ll also need to book return flights and COVID-19 insurance with coverage of $100,000. More information on the insurance and purchase options are available via the Thai Embassy website. An average US traveler visiting Thailand for 30 days can expect to pay about $130 for this insurance. Furthermore, you will need to provide a negative PCR test 72 hours before arrival and obtain a Certificate of Entry (COE) by filling out this form provided by the Thai government.
Once in the country, it is mandatory to stay at a government-approved Safety Health Administration (SHA) hotel. Sorry budget travelers, hostels and guesthouses aren’t available for your initial stay, but the government has made it easy to browse and view applicable hotels via its official portal. Thailand’s tourism authority also published a list of hotels in Koh Samui that are open to travelers.
You must also test negative for COVID-19 at least three times over 14 days before leaving the islands to ventures elsewhere in Thailand. The Phuket Sandbox program allows you to travel throughout the island once you’ve provided your first negative test upon arrival. But for those staying in Koh Samui, you must stay within designated areas for the first seven nights, although some tours are available so you can at least get out of the hotel and do some sightseeing. Travelers then have the choice to hop on over and stay in Koh Phangan or Koh Tao for the remaining seven days.
What to do on Phuket and Koh Samui
Photo: Day2505/Shutterstock
Now that official business is covered, let’s look at what there is to do now on the Thai islands. Phuket is the easiest to visit even in normal times and a destination that suits all types of travelers year-round. With its sizzling beaches, verdant green scenery, modern shopping malls, and pulsating nightlife, the island has a bit of everything. So much so that the Thai government made it the number one priority for its reopening plan, and so far, it’s been a success. There have been over 12,000 arrivals since July 1, and nearly 300,000 bookings made through the end of September as of this writing.
The main thing to do in Phuket right now is hit the beach and markets. Not everything is open, but you can swim at Patong Beach, visit Big Buddha or eat tantalizing Thai cuisine at one of the island’s many markets. See this full list of information on the Phuket Sandbox Program.
Koh Samui is Thailand’s second-biggest island and a popular hotspot for ex-pats and visitors alike. The jaw-dropping limestone rocks of Ang Thong National Marine Park haven’t gone anywhere and remain surrounded by blissful blue sea — with far fewer people there to witness the spectacle. Chaweng Beach isn’t busy as it once was but still equally beautiful. And if you want something more rustic, those working at Fishermans Village will be happy to see you, from the beachside restaurants to street vendor sellers. Thailand’s Tourism Authority released this list of guidelines for visiting Koh Samui.
What to do on Koh Tao right now
Photo: Makhh/Shutterstock
If you end up visiting the popular scuba dive island of Koh Tao, you’ll have ample opportunity to see what lies beneath its sky-blue waters. Koh Tao has always been a community-led island, but with international tourism closed for over a year, like other Thai islands, businesses have suffered. Nicky Simmons, who runs the Summer Guesthouse on the island, said the atmosphere is quieter, though she hopes new arrivals are coming soon.
“We hope for new visitors to the island — businesses need it to survive — it’s been very hard for a lot of people. We rely primarily on tourism as an island,” Simmons says. “You can get amazing deals on seriously good food — a lot of cheap Thai food and 100-baht deals on tasty western options.”
What to do on Koh Phangan right now
Photo: Dmitry Zimin/Shutterstock
Pre-pandemic, Koh Phangan was known for one thing: the Full Moon Party. But today, gone are the thousands of drunken revelers who would embark on Haad Rin beach to listen to cheesy techno and bump into one another while covered in fluorescent paint. Today Haad Rin, like many beaches in Thailand, has benefited from a natural reset. Even the water is sky-blue, something unbeknown to be many visitors over the years.
The village of Baan Tai still enjoys those visitor vibes, with foreigners riding on scooters sun-kissed from relaxing on the beach all day. In fact, night markets, stores, massage parlors, and bars remain open, unlike the strict lockdown that currently overwhelms other provinces in Thailand.
In the heart of Thong Sala on Soi Krung Thai, restaurant bars are still open, including the European-styled tapas joint, The Winery. For glitzy lights and vintage vibes, Baan Tai’s Night Market Café Vintage offers a handful of outside eateries open during the afternoon, serving everything from pizza to crepes to beer.
David Deveaux, a French ex-pat living on the island, runs Piz n’ Salads eatery. He said there is a digital nomad lifestyle present today in Koh Phangan, and those based there are happy to be in “paradise.” But like other business owners, he hopes for new international arrivals and the proposed lifting of even more restrictions this fall.
“If people can come it’s cool, but if it’s too difficult with all this process, quarantine, hopefully in October things will change,” Deveaux said.
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You can win an all-inclusive trip to Puerto Rico’s ‘Fantasy Island’ film locations
If you’re dreaming of a tropical vacation that won’t cost you, your dream just might come true if you win this sweepstake. The Fantasy Island reboot is set to premiere on August 10, and in celebration, Sony Pictures Television, FOX, Discover Puerto Rico, and Hyatt Regency have partnered to give one lucky person the vacation of a lifetime: an all-inclusive trip to Puerto Rico, where the show was filmed.
The winner will receive round-trip airfare to Puerto Rico on JetBlue and a five-night stay with a garden view at the Hyatt Regency Grand Reserve Puerto Rico. The winner of the Fantasy Island Sweepstake will also have the choice of either a spa experience at the Hyatt Regency Grand Reserve, a walking or ziplining tour through the rainforest foothills and the beach, or an Old San Juan food tour to experience all the yummy food that the Caribbean archipelago has to offer.
The Fantasy Island Sweepstake started at 12:01 AM PT on August 3, and it ends at 11:59 PM PT on August 18. You must be 18 years or older and living in the United States to enter.
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TikToker reveals why airplane windows are round and not square
When you’re assigned a window seat for your flight, do you ever look at the window and wonder why it’s round and not square like a window in a house? Well, for starters, that rounded shape is helping you and everyone else on the plane make it safely to your destination.
TikToker designsecrectsss, who reveals design secrets of everyday life, just divulged why airplane windows are round. In a video, they showed viewers the first commercial airplane, the 10r Comet, had square windows. The model also experienced three crashes within the first year of flight — all due to stress on the windows.
According to Mashable, when commercial flying was becoming popular, most airplanes began to fly at higher altitudes to avoid turbulence and drag. Since humans can’t survive at altitudes as high as 30,000 feet — and even higher — in the air, designers started to pressurize airplane cabins to create habitable environments.
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♬ Spooky, quiet, scary atmosphere piano songs – Skittlegirl Sound
At high altitudes, air pressure outside decreases, becoming lower than the air pressure inside the cabins. As air pressure inside the aircraft grows bigger relative to the air pressure outside of it, the aircraft’s structure is stressed, as the metal literally wants to expand.
As designsecrectsss tells us, on the 10r Comet aircraft, that structural pressure built up on the corners of the square windows, which then created cracks in the structure of the plane and, eventually, tragic crashes. The video below gives you a play by play demonstrating the outcome of what can happen with square windows.
Thankfully engineers were able to catch this flaw and fix it to where we can now fly safely with round — well, oval — windows.
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The 8 best Palm Springs Airbnbs for a bachelorette party to remember
So the wedding is coming up and your crew is ready to roll. It’s time for a bachelorette party in Palm Springs, easily the best bachelorette party destination in California. Palm Springs is remote enough that you’re getting away from the city, there are plenty of bars and restaurants, and party vibes run through the entire town. Palm Springs is also strikingly beautiful, so you know the photos of your weekend are going to be epic. These are the best Palm Springs Airbnbs for a bachelorette party.
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.
1. Scenic mountainside villa with private movie theatre, pool, and amazing sunset views
Photo: Airbnb
One cool thing about a bachelorette party in Palm Springs is that there are places like The Summit. Here you can totally seclude yourself on a picturesque hillside and party in peace. Throw The Bachelorette on the screen in the private movie theatre, splash in the pool, and lounge poolside with a frozen drink without ever having to worry about anyone intruding on the fun. This of course means that stories and games can flow freely, oh and you won’t find a better sunset in all of California.
Twelve guests, five bedrooms
Price: $1,665 per night
Photo: Airbnb
Another way to do a bachelorette party in Palm Springs is to have a mix of cultural experiences and partying. The mid-century La Paloma Palms is the perfect place to do just that. Its ambiance calls to mind a Tarantino film with a much cleaner ending, so in addition to the well-trimmed aesthetic there’s a large pool with lounge area, ample exterior lighting, and a massive kitchen and dining area for buffet and gift spreads. The art museum and many of Palm Springs’ best restaurants are also super close by.
Eight guests, four bedrooms
Price: $955 per night
Photo: Airbnb
This luxury dreamhouse is acclaimed in the media for its striking desert persona. Surrounded by palms and rolling hillsides, you’ll celebrate the bride to be in a property as deserving of attention as she is, Dine al fresco — which in this case means poolside — on meals prepared in a kitchen fit for a professional chef (if you choose to cater, local outfits know and love this place). Bedrooms and the living space open to the pool area, keeping fresh air a prominent presence throughout your stay.
Six guests, three bedrooms
Price: $646 per night
Photo: Airbnb
You’ll get the best of both privacy and convenience at this Palm Springs Airbnb. Blue Sky Modern is within walking distance to the restaurants and bars of downtown Palm Springs, and the home itself is designed as perfectly as a luxury beach resort. You’ll have a private pool with lounge area and dining space, a spa, and a well-decorated interior including a brand new chef’s kitchen and spacious bedrooms. You may not want to leave the home at all, and hey, it’s your party — chill if you want to.
Eight guests, four bedrooms
Price: $793 per night
Photo: Airbnb
This luxury Palm Springs Airbnb embodies Vista Las Palmas — the house is literally surrounded by towering palms and the San Jacinto Mountains standing guard from father away. The home is bright and airy, with post-worthy bedroom palm views. But this spot is all about staying active and engaged (pun intended). Games are the name of the game here. There’s a giant Connect Four set up, a volleyball court, putting green, and more on site to keep the crew laughing. And there’s a pool and hot tub surrounded by shaded cabanas for when cocktail-and-chill time kicks in.
Eight guests, four bedrooms
Price: $462 per night
Photo: Airbnb
This historic ranch, built in 1934, is its own world just a short walk from downtown Palm Springs. The private, secluded pool area is spacious enough for large groups who plan to spend most of their time here congregating in and around it. Hinshaw Hideaway is an ideal spot for mid-sized bachelorette parties in Palm Springs looking for variety — privacy around the pool is guaranteed and epic nights on the town don’t even require a vehicle. You’ll love the palm-fringed aesthetic as much as you love the sun-drenched interior.
Six guests, three bedrooms
Price: $875 per night
Photo: Airbnb
The Valentine Estate is among the best Palm Springs Airbnbs at which to go all-out. The pool and hot tub offer views of the surrounding mountains, making it tempting to not even head downtown for dinner. This home features an outdoor bar so there’s no need to even go back indoors for a refill. However, being indoors is no bad thing — the fireplace and vaulted ceilings of the interior living space give the home the feel of a mountain lodge to complement the resort vibes of the exterior. If you wish to stay active, there’s a fully stocked gym in the home as well.
Six guests, three bedrooms
Price: $1,650 per night
Photo: Airbnb
Desert mountains are among the world’s most beautiful landscapes. There’s no better place to appreciate this than the PS Aloha, a luxurious Palm Springs Airbnb with an expansive pool and lounge area. Famous architect Charles DuBois designed the home in 1958, and its signature style is still unique in the Palm Springs scene. Inside you’ll love the spacious, clean kitchen and top-notch sleeping situation. It’s also pet-friendly, in case the bride-to-be’s dog must come along. We mentioned above that there’s no better spot for a California sunset — this property may put that theory to the test.
Twelve guests, six bedrooms
Price: $1,569 per night
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An outdoor etiquette guide for newbies: 10 tips for recreating responsibly
More people than ever are heading outdoors. While we’re thrilled that many folks are discovering nature’s mental and physical benefits, we’re also seeing a few rookie behaviors that aren’t great for the outdoors. To ensure that nature remains a sanctuary for all, including the plants and animals that call our open spaces home, we could all brush up on basic outdoor etiquette. From preserving the natural environment to accommodating others, here are 10 rules for recreating responsibly that every newbie nature lover needs to know.
1. If you make trash, take your trash.
Photo: BLACKDAY/Shutterstock
There’s nothing worse than planning an outdoor excursion only to find your destination strewn with litter. Whether you’re at the beach or on a mountain, it’s all too common to see food wrappers, plastic bottles, toilet paper, and other trash that’s been left behind by previous visitors. One of the best, and easiest, ways to protect our natural playgrounds is to make sure whatever waste we create leaves the outdoors when we do, or “pack it in, pack it out” as backcountry enthusiasts say. Remember, we’re guests of the great outdoors, and keeping open spaces clean not only makes them more enjoyable for us but also healthier for the local wildlife.
2. Nature is not a gift shop. Don’t collect souvenirs.
Photo: ehrlif/Shutterstock
When it comes to keeping the outdoor spaces as pristine as we found them, not littering is only half of the equation. What we take with us can be just as impactful as what we leave behind. Picking flowers, collecting rocks and shells, and otherwise claiming natural souvenirs may seem harmless, but these actions disrupt the local ecosystem. As a rule, outdoor recreationists should aim to leave no trace of their time outside, unless they’re making their destination cleaner than when they arrived. If you see litter, pick it up. Everything else, leave it be.
3. Feed your pets, not the wildlife.
Photo: Karel Smilek/Shutterstock
Encountering wildlife is one of the joys of outdoor recreation. Sharing treats with the critters we meet can be tempting, either to show affection or draw them closer, but feeding wild animals does more harm than good. Animals have different nutritional needs than humans. Filling up on foreign foods can disrupt their diets and distress their digestive systems. Feeding wild animals can also desensitize them to human contact, which may encourage aggressive food-seeking behavior and train them to rely on people for sustenance. Moreover, introducing new food sources can impact reproduction rates and increase the likelihood of disease transmission. The best way to show our appreciation for native fauna is to keep a safe, respectful distance.
4. Hiking off-road isn’t trailblazing. It’s trampling.
Photo: Cheri Alguire/Shutterstock
When Robert Frost wrote about taking the road less traveled, he wasn’t dispensing outdoor advice. Hiking trails are clearly marked for a reason. Forging your own path may seem adventurous, but veering off-trail can wreak havoc on the local ecosystem. You run the risk of crushing vegetation, disturbing wildlife, eroding soil, and contaminating water sources, among other adverse effects. If you’re in an environment with marked trails, stick to the traveled road.
5. Graffiti can be art, but in the outdoors, it’s usually vandalism.
Photo: Ajax9/Shutterstock
We love street art as much as anyone, but only in the appropriate venues. Except on the rare occasions when artists are invited to showcase their works in outdoor spaces, or incorporate the environment into their art, nature is not a canvas waiting to be decorated. Carving your name into tree trunks, spray painting rocks, and otherwise vandalizing the outdoors we visit is a big no-no. We really can’t stress this enough: Leave things in nature the way you found them.
6. Don’t prioritize selfies over safety.
Photo: lzf/Shutterstock
No matter your thoughts on the 21st-century compulsion to document our every move, there’s one photo trend that needs to stop: disrespecting the natural environment to get the perfect shot, especially if that means putting yourself in precarious situations. In recent years, there have been numerous reports of selfie-takers meeting preventable fates after miscalculating their poses. Potential detriment to the environment aside, always pay attention when you’re playing outdoors, and try to focus more on making memories than capturing them.
7. Know your local leash laws.
Photo: Susan Schmitz/Shutterstock
Dogs make excellent hiking companions, but few outdoor spaces allow pets to roam freely. Many national parks, for example, only welcome dogs in developed areas. Even on trails where dogs are welcome, owners are typically required to keep them leashed at all times. Because few states have statewide leash laws, it’s important to check your municipal regulations, as well as abide by whatever rules a given open space has set. Of course, pet owners should also come prepared to clean up after their pooches. Your fellow hikers will thank you.
8. Always obey signage.
Photo: Andriy Blokhin/Shutterstock
If you’re new to the outdoors, you may not know the unwritten rules of outdoor recreation. That’s okay. More often than not, what conduct is and is not allowed in a given area is clearly marked. Open spaces have signage for permitted and prohibited activities, what areas may be off-limits, which plants or animals recreationists should avoid, and general tips for outdoor etiquette. These rules are designed to protect visitors, as well as preserve the flora, fauna, and geology of a given area. Always keep an eye out for signs and obey them.
9. Uphill hikers have the right of way.
Photo: Monkey Business Images/Shutterstock
There’s one unwritten rule of the outdoors that’s worth memorizing: Uphill hikers get the right of way. This may be counterintuitive, as moving bodies generally have less control on downward slopes, but it’s much harder for uphill hikers to regain momentum than it is for downhill hikers to stop in their tracks. On narrow trails, hikers should also walk single-file to leave room for others to pass, with the slowest members of their group setting the pace.
10. Be considerate of your fellow nature lovers.
Photo: Alex from the Rock/Shutterstock
The great outdoors is a shared space. It’s a place people go to get fresh air and exercise, take in the scenery, and commune with nature away from the bustle of their daily lives. Everyone is entitled to that experience, and all who participate should be considerate of those around them. Don’t hog trails, blast loud music from portable speakers, or fly drones near other outdoor recreationists. Definitely don’t smoke, especially in areas where fire danger is high. Be friendly to fellow hikers. There’s no rulebook for being a thoughtful outdoorsperson, but exercising common sense goes a long way when it comes to fostering open spaces everyone can enjoy.
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