Matador Network's Blog, page 781

The prettiest small towns in Mexico

Over the past decade, Mexico City has edged its way into the tourism spotlight that’s long shone on resort destinations like Puerto Vallarta and Cancún, exposing travelers to a facet of the country that extends beyond its beaches. Though we love to see the city rake in the recognition it deserves, Mexico’s coasts and capital are just the tip of the country’s proverbial iceberg. It is the 14th-largest country in the world by area, after all. From charming towns in the lesser-trafficked highlands to sleepy cities with ruins to rival Chichen Itza, here are seven destinations that prove just how magical Mexico can be when you leave the crowds behind.

1. Cuetzalan

Photo: Miguel Rodriguez Paredes/Shutterstock

Saturdays and Sundays in Cuetzalan, a town about two hours southeast of Mexico City in the Puebla state, are nothing short of magical. Every weekend, “flying men” known as voladores perform a traditional Mesoamerican dance while dangling from a pole outside the Parroquia de San Francisco de Asís. This ritual, originally created to promote rain and fertility, was recognized by UNESCO as an example of Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2009. Sundays in Cuetzalan also spell the weekly tianguis, an open-air market that invites Indigenous locals to set up stalls with fresh produce, flowers, handicrafts, clothing, coffee — you name it.

During the week, spend your days hiking to nearby waterfalls and sampling yolixpa, a digestive drink made from herbs, honey, and aguardiente that’s difficult to track down outside of Cuetzalan. Later, venture roughly 25 minutes outside the town’s bounds to see Yohuálichan, one of the most impressive pre-Columbian archeological sites anywhere in Mexico.

2. Taxco

Photo: Belikova Oksana/Shutterstock

Taxco is a small, striking city of whitewashed buildings and red roofs that’s spread out against the green hills of Mexico’s southern Guerrero state. Up close, the baroque Templo de Santa Prisca cathedral in Plaza Borda is the architectural centerpiece, a gift to the former silver-mining capital from one of its most celebrated barons, Don Jose de la Borda. Though tourism has taken over as Taxco’s primary source of revenue, it’s still worth visiting for the silver goods alone: You could spend days pursuing the many platerias, or silver shops, lining the street to stock up on jewelry, kitchenware, and other souvenirs.

3. Todos Santos

Photo: Matt Gush/Shutterstock

A Baja California Sur beach town that’s been gaining in popularity over the past few years, Todos Santos is everything that Los Cabos is not. Quiet and still somewhat undeveloped, it’s a fishing village that’s just as famous for its surf breaks as it is the saguaro cactuses that speckle its sandy shores. Todos Santos is bohemian but not cultivated, full of galleries that attract artists and spiritual enclaves that seduce soulful types. Still, visitors would be remiss to spend much time away from the world-class beaches that backdrop the town. There are at least six worth exploring in the area, but Playa Cerritos is often called the nicest, particularly for swimmers.

4. San Cristóbal de las Casas

Photo: Daniel Carmona Ruiz/Shutterstock

Cobbled streets, colonial architecture, open-air markets: San Cristóbal de las Casas has all the hallmarks of must-see small-town Mexico. There’s more to absorb in this particular town than rows of Insta-worthy balconies dripping with flowers, however. Located in the Chiapas highlands a few hours from the Guatemala border, San Cristóbal is surrounded by a rich mix of Indigenous villages, large tracts of farmland, and fragrant pine forests.

El Arcotete Parque Ecoturístico is the perfect entry point into the highlands, with trails leading to rivers to be canoed, caves to be spelunked, and even a zipline to get your adrenaline pumping. Back in town, make time for the Amber and Jade Museums, as well as Casa Na Bolom, the former home of archeologist Frans Blom and his wife Gertrude Blom, a journalist, photographer, and anthropologist. Now a museum, the property is also a hotel fit for a truly special stay.

5. Campeche

Photo: emperorcosar/Shutterstock

Campeche is a historic harbor town on the Gulf of Mexico. To start, its fortified center earned the small city a World Heritage site designation in 1999. Not only are the 16th-century Spanish colonials bright and beautifully restored, but the port was also integral to the colonization of the Yucatán Peninsula. To learn about the region’s pre-Hispanic heritage, visit the Museo de la Arquitectura Maya, then experience history up close at the nearby Calakmul ruins. Later, wind down the day with a stroll along the malecón outside the inner walls before enjoying the fresh seafood. Eat up: You’ll need the fuel for nights filled with live music and salsa dancing.

6. Tlacotalpan

Photo: javarman/Shutterstock

To simply exist in Tlacotalpan is a treat. Much of the town’s charm lies in its practically neon-pastel Spanish-Caribbean architecture, which received World Heritage status in 1998. Time spent here is delightfully slow, with days spent meandering along the Papaloapan River, sauntering around Plaza Zaragoza and Parque Hidalgo, and poking into the town’s handful of museums and galleries. Hardly crowded or action-packed, Tlacotalpan is the epitome of small-town Mexico and a definite must for anyone passing through the Veracruz state.

7. Izamal

Photo: SL-Photography/Shutterstock

Izamal is the Yucatán state’s Yellow City, so named for the coat of bright yellow paint covering the majority of the city. A sight to behold, Izamal also has a long, important history, having originally served as a site of worship for the Maya deities Itzamná and Kinich Kakmó. Grand pyramids are woven throughout the landscape, earning the city a second nickname: the City of Hills. Visit the 112-foot Kinich Kakmó pyramid about 15 minutes from the city center on foot for the views of Izamal in all its golden glory, followed by Itzamatul, Habuk, and the rest. You’ll appreciate the contrast to nearby colonial sites like Convento de San Antonio de Padua.

More like thisArchaeologyThe largest pyramid in the world isn’t in Egypt. It’s in Mexico.

The post 7 small towns and cities that celebrate Mexico’s quieter side appeared first on Matador Network.

Indigenous Two-Spirit explainer

Two-Spirit, a traditional social and ceremonial role found in Indigenous tribes throughout Turtle Island (i.e. North America), was first used as a label in English during the 1990s. The relatively new term, which sometimes appears as the ‘2’ in LGBTQ2, still creates confusion in queer and straight communities alike, so we sat down with a couple of Indigenous folx who identify as Two-Spirit to set the record straight.

Geo Neptune (they/them) identifies as queer, trans, non-binary, and Two-Spirit and is a member of the Passamaquoddy Tribe in Indian Township, Maine. On top of being a master basketmaker, Geo is an accomplished artist and community leader who advocates for the preservation of tribal history and language.

Ryan Young (they/them) is a multidisciplinary artist who identifies as queer and Two-Spirit. Ryan grew up in the Ojibwe community on the Lac du Flambeau Reservation in northern Wisconsin and currently lives in Santa Fe, NM. Much of their work focuses on the Two-Spirit experience.

Today, Two-Spirit traditions and their recent resurgence pack valuable lessons concerning gender, sexuality, and community. Consider Geo and Ryan your guides to a greater understanding.

The meaning of Two-Spirit

Photo: Geo Neptune/Instagram

Two-Spirit is the English translation of an Ojibwe word (niizh manidoowag) that, at its most rudimentary, refers to an Indigenous person who “embodies both the masculine and feminine spirit,” says Ryan. But Two-Spirit is an umbrella term for a concept far more complicated than that.

“It is not simply sexual orientation. It is not simply a spiritual role or a societal role. It is not simply a gender role,” Geo explains. “It is all of those things at once.”

Using English to describe the meaning of Two-Spirit is difficult “because it tends to be very black and white,” says Geo. Geo’s elemental description of the term is perhaps most fitting: “If the sun is male and the moon is female, then Two-Spirits are the dusk, Two-Spirits are the dawn, and Two-Spirits are the time in which the sun and moon occupy the sky at the same time.”

Still, it’s essential to know that there are a few black-and-white rules when it comes to identifying as Two-Spirit. They include the following:

If someone does not belong to an Indigenous tribe, they cannot be Two-Spirit. Identifying as L, G, B, T, and/or Q does not give someone liberty to identify as 2.

When singer Jason Mraz referred to himself as Two-Spirit in a 2018 Billboard interview, he received severe backlash for co-opting the term. Mraz, who is not a member of an Indigenous tribe, is attracted to both men and women. He apologized for misunderstanding and misusing the term on Twitter. Still, the lesson remains — Two-Spirit is an identifier for Native people only.

Someone who is Two-Spirit can identify as either part or none of the acronym LGBTQ. Two-Spirit is all-encompassing.

All of these identities can coexist, as they do for both Geo and Ryan; they do not cancel each other out.

Being queer is integral to being Two-Spirit.

“Some people think Two-Spirit shouldn’t be included in the LGBTQ acronym because it aligns with Western colonial systems of thought. It exists outside of that,” Geo says. Still, Geo believes that being queer is a definitive part of being Two-Spirit: “Just because you’re queer doesn’t mean you’re Two-Spirit, but you aren’t Two-Spirit without being queer.”

Being LGBTQ and Indigenous does not necessarily mean someone is Two-Spirit.

Someone who identifies as L, G, B, T, and/or Q is communicating a sexual or gender preference. Being Two-Spirit requires acknowledging the spiritual and social responsibilities associated with the role.

The origin of Two-Spirit

Although the concept of the Two-Spirit has been a part of Indigenous life for millennia, the English term was only adopted by Native tribes in 1990 at the third annual Native American Gay and Lesbian Gathering in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Those at the conference agreed it was the best way to describe their community “using colonial languages,” says Geo.

Two-Spirit encompasses a long list of words used in a diversity of native tongues and traditions. It acts as a bridge between native and non-native communities, giving English speakers an entry point for understanding a part of queer Indigenous culture. Most importantly, it puts the power of self-identification back in the hands of Indigenous people after centuries of subjugation.

The power of language

Photo: Ryan Young

“Our language is who we are,” Geo says. “It’s our connection to the place in which we were created.”

Language is the cornerstone of culture. It shapes identity, builds community, and preserves history. But language can also be the cornerstone of oppression. It enforces ideologies, builds walls, and rewrites the past.

“When Native people lose access to our languages, it changes a fundamental part of our worldview and a fundamental part of who we are as Indigenous people,” says Geo.

Geo’s tribe, the Passamaquoddy, are a First Nations people whose language existed solely as an oral tradition until 1980. Passamaquoddy is the only Native language on the Eastern Seaboard of Turtle Island that wasn’t relearned through reclamation efforts following the destruction caused by European colonization. But even the Passamaquoddy were subject to the oppression of language.

When Europeans began making contact with native tribes nearly 500 years ago, their languages introduced the idea of a gender binary that had no place in Indigenous culture. Soon, languages like English and the gender ideals they enforced overpowered native traditions.

A history of oppression

The westward expansion and genocidal onslaught of white settlers in Turtle Island left no room for Indigenous voices. As a result, some of the earliest records of Two-Spirits come from the perspective of colonizers who used unsuitable language to frame Native people within their limited worldview.

Jesuit priests from the 1600s used the French term berdache, which translates to “kept boy” as a derogatory term for men who didn’t prescribe to European sex or gender norms. As colonization and Christianity spread, so did the label. Berdaches soon became synonymous with sexual deviancy and were ostracized from society.

While Two-Spirit has been used in favor of berdache for the past 30 years, the queer-phobic connotation lingers. When Geo first heard the term Two-Spirit, it was as a slur. “Every time I heard it spoken in my community, it was not in a good context,” they recall.

For Ryan, a family friend once said, “You have to choose if you want to be Native or queer, because it’s really hard to be both.” Ryan questioned the statement’s validity but lacked the language to explain their intersectional identity.

“Not a lot of people in our communities talk about how queerness or gender fluidity might’ve been a part of our traditional values,” says Ryan. Still, they knew it would be impossible to pick one identity over the other and began digging through scholarly texts to find answers.

That’s when Ryan discovered documentation from the Ojibwe tribe that unlocked a vital piece of history. Ryan’s sexuality and gender expression weren’t in opposition with their heritage — they were a part of it.

Much like Ryan, it wasn’t until Geo began studying the history of Two-Spirits that their perceptions began to change. “I would read these stories about Two-Spirits in the past, and it was almost as if I was reading stories about myself, or about who I wish I really could be,” Geo recalls.

A history of community

Two-Spirit people traditionally held revered roles in their tribes. They were medicine makers, warriors, ceremonial leaders, artists, and political negotiators. They sometimes lived harmoniously in same-sex relationships. They sometimes took on the roles of both men and women. Some histories recount tribal communities throwing celebrations for young people who came out as Two-Spirit — the very opposite of today’s gender-reveal parties, which continue to affirm the false construct of a masculine-feminine binary.

“The native view of gender identity was far more modern than the contemporary view,” says Ryan.

Finding a Two-Spirit community today

Art by Ryan Young. Left: Portrait of Ty Defoe. Right: “My Gender is Indigenous” Photo: Ryan Young

The work of reclaiming space for Two-Spirit people isn’t always easy, but the advent of social media certainly simplifies the task. Both Geo and Ryan have met an array of Two-Spirits through platforms like Instagram, including each other. “There are so many amazing Two-Spirits I’ve found online who inspire me to be the best that I can be,” says Geo.

From San Francisco-based drag queen Landa Lakes to performer-and-writer Ty Defoe, there are myriad voices within the virtual community representing the dynamic range Two-Spirit identities can take within their communities.

For anyone interested in learning more about all things Two-Spirit, it’s essential to speak directly to people who identify as such. “Find folks who are credible,” Ryan warns. “Make sure the community they come from acknowledges them. There are a lot of people who claim Native identity, but it isn’t necessarily true.”

2Spirit, Native LGBTQ, and Indigiqueer News is a Facebook group that shares information about conferences, ceremonies, retreats, and other important information that directly reflects and impacts Two-Spirit people.

Bay Area American Indian Two-Spirits (BAAITS) is a San Francisco-based group dedicated to restoring Two-Spirit people’s role in First Nations communities. Their annual Two-Spirit Powwow brings together Two-Spirits from across the nation to socialize and organize, often with a political bent.

Indigenizing Love, an educational PDF by Western State Center that features Ryan’s artwork, is an easy-to-use guide for learning more about the meaning of Two-Spirit.

For a pop-culture twist on being Two-Spirit, Ryan recommends reading the 2018 fictional novel Johnny Appleseed — a bildungsroman by Joshua Whitehead. “ [Johnny Appleseed] was the first time I felt I could identify with a character outside of them just being queer,” Ryan notes.

When consuming content about being Two-Spirit, ensure it amplifies voices from the community. Anthropological texts written about Indigenous people without including their voices are a modern form of oppression. Books that still use berdache in favor of Two-Spirit are desperately outdated.

The power of representation

Photo: Ryan Young/Eighth Generation

Language is only the first step in reclaiming one’s power. The next step is using that language to be heard — a job Geo and Ryan take very seriously.

Geo was recently elected to the school board in Indian Township in September, becoming the first openly trans Two-Spirit to win public office in Maine. Ryan’s recent works, including contributions to an upcoming book by the American Theatre Wing and a blanket design for Eighth Generation, make Two-Spirit people both subject and audience.

This level of visibility is still new for the modern Two-Spirit community, and the impact is already far-reaching.

While Ryan grew up without language to describe their identity, their two-year-old nephew is already creating his own. He refers to Ryan as ‘Uncle Aunty’ — a nickname bestowed with love.

“We’re doing all of this reclamation work, so when the next generation of Two-Spirits are ready, we can hand it to them, and say, ‘This is your bundle for you to pick up,” says Geo.”‘ It’s here for you when you’re ready.'”

More like thisCultureHow Native Arctic women are taking back the art of Inuit tattoos

The post What it really means to identify as Two-Spirit in Indigenous culture appeared first on Matador Network.

Interactive air quality maps

Wildfires in the West are worse this year than any in recent memory. Northern California, Oregon, and parts of Washington have been dealing with intense fires, and their resulting smoke is turning the sky an eerie shade of orange and polluting the air. The smoke from the West Coast is so intense that it’s visible from space and drifting east across the country, and even reaching Europe. Now, many people are forced to consider the air quality before they venture outside.

This can be confusing, especially if you’re unfamiliar with air quality indexes and have no idea what the numbers mean. Luckily, There are a few resources designed to make it easier for you. NOAA released an interactive map that allows you to look at factors like visibility, fire detections, near surface smoke, and more.

AirNow also has a tool for measuring air quality. The website highlights air quality information at the local, state, and national levels with an interactive map. It uses the official color-coded Air Quality Index to communicate whether air quality is healthy or unhealthy, as well as give data on current fire conditions and air quality forecasts so you can take the appropriate measures to keep yourself safe.

More like thisCampingHow to go camping without fire when fire danger is high (and still have fun)

The post These real-time maps show where air quality is dangerous in the West appeared first on Matador Network.

UN report on biodiversity targets

In 2010, the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity set 20 global goals to preserve biodiversity around the world. The results are in, and humanity has failed miserably on a global scale. According to the 220-page report issued last week, we didn’t meet a single one of the 20 Aichi Targets as the 10-year goals were called. But there was a glimmer of light in the report.

The report detailed how over-consumption, rampant population growth, and increasing encroachment into natural habitats threaten not just ecosystems on the outskirts of major cities but also habitats everywhere on Earth. The overwhelming diagnosis is this: Humankind is failing to prioritize the wellbeing of any species other than ourselves. But when we do take action, progress is both noticeable and significant. Here’s a quick summary and a look to the future.

What does the report say?

The overall findings of the new report are not exactly uplifting, so let’s get the hard data out of the way first before we look at the spots where progress has taken place. The report issued last week noted that humanity on a global scale has failed on each of 20 targets set out as part of the UN’s “Decade on Biodiversity.” These include educational targets such as the first target on the list, which stated that by 2020 people should be “aware of the values of biodiversity and the steps they can take to conserve and use it sustainably.”

It also included specific targets for conservation. Target 6 stated that “all fish and invertebrate stocks and aquatic plants are managed and harvested sustainably” while Target 11 aimed to protect “17 per cent of terrestrial and inland water, and 10 per cent of coastal and marine areas.”

Because the targets were not met, many species have become endangered or threatened during the past 10 years, pushing progress overall backward in some instances and underlying potential threats to global food systems. Much of this came as no surprise, as multiple studies conducted between 2010 and now had documented the lack of progress. One United Nations report issued in 2019 showed that one million of the planet’s nine million active species face possible extinction in the coming years.

But as grim as the overall findings were, it’s not all bad news.

The good news

Photo: Ondrej Prosicky/Shutterstock

This most recent UN report looked directly at whether a set of 20 very specific goals were met. We know that they weren’t — but, as with anything worth reading, there’s more to the story. For instance, humankind has not protected 17 percent of the earth. But we’re close. Fifteen percent of land and freshwater habitat is currently protected globally, along with 7.5 percent of the ocean, and initiatives are in place around the globe to reach 30 percent by 2030. If the 30 percent goal comes to fruition, it would exceed the 2020 goal outlined in the 2010 Aichi Targets.

Fish supplies are also increasing in the areas where protections have been put in place, according to the National Academy of Sciences. Though we haven’t met Target 6, this conclusion is a positive sign that protections actually do work when they’re put in place. Furthering this conclusion are the report’s findings that between 11 and 25 threatened bird and mammal species were protected from extinction over the past 10 years, though the report doesn’t specify the exact number of species protected.

What happens now?

The report doesn’t just focus on the past 10 years. It also looks forward, calling repeatedly for “transformative change.” On a geopolitical level, this means that biodiversity should be a central focal point in future policy negotiations at national and international levels. The Convention on Biological Diversity reconvenes next year in Kunming, China, to set targets for the coming decade.

Matador’s weekly Climate Win column looks at where progress is being made week to week and notes simple changes and steps you can take to reduce your environmental footprint, both as a traveler and as a global citizen. We’ll also be following developments in biodiversity. Follow along to stay in the loop.

More like thisNews‘Green banks’ want to create five million jobs in renewable energy

The post The world missed its 2020 biodiversity targets, UN report shows appeared first on Matador Network.

2,500-year-old sarcophagi discovered

Recent archaeological excavations in Saqqara, Egypt, have led to the incredible discovery of 27 sarcophagi, as well as artifacts, buried more than 2,500 years ago. Saqqara was an active burial ground for over 3,000 years, serving as the necropolis for Memphis, the capital of ancient Egypt. The discovery is said to be one of the largest of its kind.

In a statement, Egypt’s Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities said, “Initial studies indicate that these coffins are completely closed and haven’t been opened since they were buried.”

Photo: Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities وزارة السياحة والآثار/Facebook

The discovery was made in two phases. Earlier this month, archaeologists found 13 sarcophagi in a deep well, and only a few days later, 14 more were unearthed from another well.

Photo: Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities وزارة السياحة والآثار/Facebook

According to the ministry’s Facebook page, where it posted several pictures of the discovery, researchers believe there are many more coffins waiting to be found on site.

Excavations are continuing at the site as experts try to learn more about the identity of those who rest in the highly decorated coffins.

More like thisArchaeology7 underrated sites in Egypt worth visiting, according to an archaeologist

The post More than two dozen 2,500-year-old sarcophagi discovered at Egyptian sacred site appeared first on Matador Network.

New high-tech Mayflower

A ship named the Mayflower will be crossing the Atlantic in 2021, but it’s going to look a lot different than the one from 1620. The ship was supposed to cross the Atlantic this year to mark the 400th anniversary of the Pilgrims’ landing at Plymouth, but the occasion was delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Now the voyage will take place in spring 2021, only it won’t have a human crew or passenger.

This iteration will be powered entirely by artificial intelligence. The 50-foot-long trimaran won’t just cross the ocean from Plymouth, England, to Plymouth, MA, but will conduct scientific studies along the way on topics like global warming, micro-plastic pollution, and marine mammal conservation.

The ship relies on computer vision and automation software, and though human operators program the ship’s destination, the A.I. is responsible for determining the best route.

Andy Stanford-Clark, chief technology officers for IBM UK and Ireland, told CNBC, “Able to scan the horizon for possible hazards, make informed decisions and change its course based on a fusion of live data, the Mayflower Autonomous Ship has more in common with a modern bank than its 17th-century namesake.”

Raphael Aiden Sacks, a descendant of original Mayflower crew member John Alden, said in a statement, “This new Mayflower is intended not only to make the voyage in an unprecedented way but also to help humanity be a little better — by collecting data that in the future will make a positive difference for the environment — without taking anything away from anyone else.”

More like thisNewsThe worst attraction in every US state, according to Instagram

The post An ultra-modern, A.I.-driven Mayflower will cross the Atlantic next year appeared first on Matador Network.

NYC restaurants to add charge

The restaurant industry has been hurting since the onset of COVID-19 in March, and subsequent closures have put many restaurants out of business. Those still keeping the lights on are forced to do so with reduced hours and limited capacity, dealing a significant blow to their already thin profit margins. As winter approaches, and outdoor seating gets trickier, restaurants are set to face some real financial hurdles. That’s why the New York City Council passed a bill last week allowing restaurants to add a 10 percent surcharge to diners’ checks, which is intended to give economic relief to restaurants through the winter months.

The bill will officially go into effect once signed by Mayor Bill de Blasio, who has supported its passage. It doesn’t apply to food trucks and most chain restaurants.

Restaurant owners can use the extra charge to pay for any aspect of their business, as long as they specify to customers that the fee is not a tip for waitstaff. Some in the New York restaurant scene believe the COVID-19 Recovery Charge could actually negatively impact restaurant staff, as customers may choose to tip less.

The charge will remain in place for 90 days after capacity limits are lifted.

More like thisNewsNew interactive maps document the history of Mexican food in New York City

The post NYC restaurants will soon be able to add a 10 percent COVID-19 surcharge to checks appeared first on Matador Network.

Best national parks to visit

Getting outside is the backbone of travel in 2020. This fall, there’s no better place to do so than by visiting one of our 62 national parks. While some parks light up in winter and others bloom in full each spring, these seven national parks are ideal for an autumn visit. The colors are bright, the crowds are light, and if you make it to two you’re doing it right. Time to get packing.

2. Great Smoky Mountains National Park — Tennessee and North Carolina

Photo: Sean Pavone/Shutterstock

Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the United States’ most visited for a reason: mist-covered mountains, hiking trails flanked by waterfalls, and stunning vistas everywhere you look. Fall is an ideal time to visit, as the park’s sublime annual rendition of yellows, reds, and greens stretch from the park’s low point at Newfound Gap nearly to its 6,643-foot-high summit at Clingman’s Dome. If you’ve never taken a guided canopy tour, now is the time to do so, as you’ll soar above the colors to take in a view that few get to see from such an angle. One hazard does present itself: being so wowed by the spectrum of colors below you that you forget to monitor the approaching zip line station. Try your best to not forget to slow down.

1. Death Valley National Park — California

Photo: VIKVAD/Shutterstock

Death Valley National Park is the perfect destination for those out west getting a late start on their autumn road trip. The best time to visit is November, when the triple-digit temperatures are gone and the famed Furnace Creek Inn is open for the season. Death Valley runs on an opposite schedule to most national parks as its busy season is winter. By visiting before the holiday rush, you can hike Badwater Salt Flat or Golden Canyon without a snakeline of people. Book a spot at one of the park’s campgrounds in advance and plan to wake up early; there’s nothing like waking up to watch the sunrise above Badwater Basin.

3. Acadia National Park — Maine

Photo: Skyler Ewing/Shutterstock

Nowhere tops New England for fall foliage. Acadia National Park is the epitome of why, as birch, maple, hemlock, and both red and white spruce bloom with the changing season all within an approachable confined area covering 47,000 acres. Add deep blues of the surrounding Atlantic waters and you have the perfect recipe for a scenic hike. The foliage tends to peak in October, but the park is gorgeous even once most of the leaves have fallen. After a day of hiking and exploring the park you’re bound to be hungry. That’s a good thing because fall is also prime season for fresh-caught seafood along the New England coast. You’ll see the boats out on the water from the early morning, and when the sun begins to set over Cadillac Mountain, the catch is ready at the restaurants of nearby Bar Harbor. Plan your entire trip from start to finish with Matador’s travel guide to Acadia National Park.

4. Arches National Park — Utah

Photo: Peter Bowman/Shutterstock

At Arches National Park, you’ll find the world’s largest collection of intact red sandstone arches — more than 2,000 of them. And while they’re just as beautiful in summer, there is one major perk to visiting the park post-September: it’s much less hot. Summer temperatures in the park routinely hid the upper-nineties or above. In fall, the average temperature drops starkly to 85 degrees in September and 71 degrees in October. Hiking out into Devil’s Garden is much more tempting without the prospect of having to lug gallons of water along with you. And though Moab and its surrounding canyon country is busy in the fall, the visitors are of a different stripe than the summertime crowd. You’ll find plenty of mountain bikers, off-roaders, and backpackers, but far fewer people crowding into the national parks.

5. Indiana Dunes National Park — Indiana

Photo: Shelly Bychowski Shots/Shutterstock

The newest national park is a fantastic spot for an autumn weekend road trip in the Midwest, most notably for one specific activity: geocaching. For those unfamiliar, geocaching consists of using an app or a GPS device to locate a predetermined, hidden item or a location based on its coordinates. What better place to do this than amongst a 17,000-acre park full of sand? The park has numerous geocaching spots, most notably the Mount Baldy Beach Trail. Check out the park’s geocaching page for the full rundown of where to try this real-life hide and seek activity and how to make the most of it. Other activities at the park include hiking across the dunes themselves, chilling on the beach as the gentle waves of Lake Michigan lap the shore, and counting how many of the 1,100 native plant species you can identify within the park’s grounds. If you arrive before November 1 and wish to stay the night, the Dunewood Campground is open for reservations.

6. Shenandoah National Park — Virginia

Photo: Anton Foltin/Shutterstock

Shenandoah National Park is best in late September and early October, when the summer campers have vacated the campgrounds but it’s not yet too cold for an overnight stay. Overnight at the Big Meadows Campground and, in the morning, cruise the 105 miles of Skyline Drive, taking in the autumn colors. If you feel motivated, hop out occasionally to set foot on the adjacent hiking trails and get more up close with the forested Blue Ridge Mountains. If you’re up for a challenge, walk the Bearfence Mountain Trail, across its scramble to the rocky overlook out across the park. Though it’s only a bit over a mile, the scramble necessitates good hiking shoes. You’ll be rewarded with stunning views of, well, mostly trees blanketing undulating hills. But in autumn, that’s enough to take your breath away.

7. Mammoth Cave National Park — Kentucky

Photo: TravelEatShoot/Shutterstock

Mammoth Cave National Park is unique in that there is no access gate at the front of the park. It’s always open, and always a great place to take the kids. Here, the Green and Nolin rivers converge to offer engaging canoe and kayak runs through the park along with fishing and backcountry and campground camping (with a permit or reservation). But the main attraction is the Mammoth-Flint Ridge Cave System itself, part of which is encompassed by the park. This is the world’s longest known cave system, and has been inhabited by Native Americans for more than 6,000 years. Fall is a popular time to visit the park as the surface temperature inside the cave cools a bit, reaching as low as 54 degrees deep inside. Your best bet to guarantee entry into the cave is to make a reservation with the park in advance. If possible, take the Frozen Niagara Cave Tour, where the colors inside the cave are eerily similar to those outside.

More like thisPaddlingIsle Royale National Park is the most underrated place to hang out in nature this fall

The post 7 national parks that truly shine in the fall appeared first on Matador Network.

Michelob ULTRA travel job

Drinking and driving is bad, but driving around the country at the behest of a beer company is good. Michelob ULTRA is launching a search for a Chief Exploration Officer (CEO), which comes with the enviable duty of traveling the country to explore the US’s most beautiful national parks. Oh yeah, and you get paid $50,000 to do it.

The Pure Gold CEO will be given a fully equipped campervan, gas money, and enough beer to keep you hydrated during the off days. You’ll also get to bring a guest so you’re not just sadly knocking back beers in the hotel by yourself. If selected, you can expect to spend six months on the road exploring national parks and other beautiful, iconic sites across the country.

According to the job posting, the ideal candidate “has an affinity for outdoor/nature photography and/or videography. Has deep appreciation for the joy that connecting with nature brings. [Is]

willing and able to hike through national parks and other outdoor areas.” And must be 21 years old or more.

You will also be encouraged to take pictures and videos of your experience to be shared on Michelo ULTRA’s social media accounts.

To apply, just fill out the online form, write briefly about your personal story, and share photos showing your nature photography skills with the #PureGoldCEO hashtag.

More like thisParks + WildernessThis epic fall road trip to Yellowstone and Grand Teton bypasses the crowds

The post Michelob ULTRA will pay someone $50K to take an epic US national park trip appeared first on Matador Network.

Qantas’ Outback ‘flight to nowhere’

On the face of it, a “flight to nowhere” sounds like a lose-lose proposition. You pay a bunch of money, show up at an airport, board a plane, fly around for seven hours, and end up right back where you started. That’s a travel horror story, not a desirable vacation. But in the bizarro world of 2020 where everything is backwards, people are clamoring to take a flight with no actual destination.

Qantas Airlines is running a seven hour flight from Sydney to the Australian Outback named “The Great Southern Land Scenic Flight.” The only catch is, it doesn’t actually land in the Outback, and unless the plane turns into a submarine, your view of the reef is going to be pretty distant. Nonetheless, the flight sold out in 10 minutes, according to FOXNEWS.

The plane will depart from Sydney and will feature low level flybys over Sydney Harbor, the Great Barrier Reef, Uluru, Kata Tjuta, and Bondi Beach — if the weather does not influence the planned flight path.

The flight is scheduled for Saturday, October 10, with seats ranging from $566 to $2,734 depending on which cabin you’re in. That’s right — almost $3,000 for a flight that doesn’t even land.

And because COVID-19 is still very much a threat, only 134 passengers will be allowed in the Boeing 787 Dreamliner.

The airline’s CEO, Alan Joyce, said, “It’s probably the fastest selling flight in Qantas history. People clearly miss travel and the experience of flying. If the demand is there, we’ll definitely look at doing more of these scenic flights while we all wait for borders to open.”

Taiwan organized a Hello Kitty flight to nowhere for Father’s Day on August 8, 2020, and Qantas is also offering scenic 12.5-hour flights to Antarctica that don’t even land on the continent in the next few months. While these flights may be popular and offer eager travelers the thrilling illusion of traveling again, flights to nowhere are resolutely not good for our planet.

More like thisNewsAustralia will likely remain closed to international tourism until 2021

The post Qantas’ seven-hour ‘flight to nowhere’ sold out in 10 minutes appeared first on Matador Network.