I topped the Sierra Nevada Mountains in eastern California and caught my first glimpse of Mono Lake. From afar it looked like just another body of water, but up close it took on an otherworldly appearance. All along the shore and from its placid lake waters, immense pinnacles jutted skyward. These eerie spires, known as tufa formations, seemed fragile, as if a mere touch would cause them to disintegrate and crumble to dust in the surrounding moonscape.

Mono Lake, which is fed only by mountain runoff, has no outlet other than evaporation. During periods of high evaporation, dissolved salts in the water raise the lake’s pH level and salt concentration, making it 80 times more alkaline and 2 1/2 times more salty than the ocean. As the salt load becomes too heavy, it accretes out of the water, forming calcium carbonate deposits that over time have built up into the spires and pinnacles that today surround the lake and soar from its depths.

The tufa building process accelerated when the State of California began diverting water from the Mono Lake in 1941 to serve the growing population of Los Angeles. By 1982 it was reduced to 37,688 acres, having lost 31 percent of its 1941 surface area. Fortunately, by the mid-1970′s Mono Lake was identified as an important stopping point on the migratory bird route and various conservation groups – including the Audubon Society – mounted a successful effort to save it. Since 1994, Mono Lake has been protected and the amount of water that the State can divert strictly controlled. As a result its level has risen, although the current surface is still below historic levels.

During summer months trained naturalist conduct free, one-hour walking tours of the world-famous South Tufa grove, during which they explain how the million-year old ecosystem developed. Canoe, kayak, and motor boat tours are also available during the summer months. For those desiring in-depth knowledge of the lake, weekend classes on birding, wildflowers, photography, and hydrology are conducted by expert instructors.

Mono Lake is located 13 miles east of Yosemite National Park, just off US 395 between Lee Vining and Bridgeport. The US Forest Service manages the site, and a $2 fee is charged to visit the South Tufa site.

Article by Barbara Weibel of Hole In The Donut Travels

by Linda (minnemom) of Travels with Children

Faster than a car. Longer than a mile. Higher than the Statue of Liberty.  Check out these extreme roller coasters from the United States that make a trip to the amusement park exciting!

Top Steel Roller Coasters

Kingda Ka
Six Flags Great Adventure
Jackson Township, New Jersey

With a height of 456 feet, a drop of 418 feet, and a speed of 128 mph, this mighty beast is the tallest and fastest in the United States.

Top Thrill Dragster
Cedar Point
Sandusky, Ohio

Just behind Kingda Ka is this thrill ride, which boasts a height of 420 feet, drop of 400 feet, and amazing 120 mph speed.

Millennium Force
Cedar Point
Sandusky, Ohio

Also at Cedar Point, Millennium Force ranks on the list for longest as well as fastest, tallest, and tallest drop.  It has stats of 310 feet in height, a 300-foot drop, is 6595 feet long, and runs at 93 miles per hour.  It’s a force to be reckoned with.

Goliath
Six Flags Magic Mountain
Valencia, California

With a speed of 85 miles per hour, height of 235 feet, and spot on the record list for vertical drop as well, Goliath lives up to its name.

Superman: The Escape
Six Flags Magic Mountain
Valencia, California

Goliath’s neighbor at Six Flags Magic Mountain may not hold as many records, but with a drop of 328 feet and speed of 100 mph, it’s a superhero in the world of roller coasters.

Top Wooden Roller Coasters

Son of Beast
Kings Island
Mason, Ohio

With a height of 218 feet, drop of 214 feet, and speed of 78.4 mph, Son of the Beast is the current world-record holder for height, drop, and speed.

El Toro
Six Flags Great Adventure
Jackson Township, New Jersey

Six Flags Great Adventure isn’t just great for a steel-coaster ride.  The wooden El Toro ranks on the tallest, fastest, and biggest drops lists with a height of 181 feet, drop of 176 feet, and speed of 70 mph.

The Voyage
Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari
Santa Claus, IN

This voyage is one of the longest in the world on a wooden roller coaster at 6442 feet.  It also ranks on the lists for tallest (173 feet), tallest drop (154 feet), and fastest (67.4 mph).

Mean Streak
Cedar Point
Sandusky, Ohio

This is one mean wooden coaster, with a length of 5427 feet, a height of 161 feet, and a drop of 155 feet.

The Boss
Six Flags St. Louis
Eureka, Missouri

The Boss is no slouch, with a speed of 66.3 miles per hour, a length of 5051 feet, and a drop of 150 feet.

Do you have a favorite roller coaster or amuseument park?

Information credit:  Wikipedia

Avery Island in the Iberia Parish of Louisiana is famous for something that is sold in every grocery store in this country.

Can you guess?

Do you know what I’m talking about?

Avery Island is the home of Tabasco hot sauce.

 

 

The island is not really an island.  I mean, it’s actually a salt dome surrounded by bayous on all sides. You can get to the island via a $1 toll road now.

American Indians discovered this and boiled the Island’s spring water to extract the salt, which they in turn to other tribes as far away as Texas, Arkansas and Ohio.

In the 1830′s, the Avery family settled there where they operated a sugar plantation and salt mines. This spot is one of the largest salt mines in the world today.

 

 

Edmund McIlhenny married into the Avery family and founded The McIlhenny Company in 1868, received a patent on his special formula and began producing the famous Tabasco Sauce. His signature is on every product even to this day.

 

 

Tabasco Sauce is still manufactured on Avery Island today.

 

 

The Avery-McIlhenny family has gone a long way to preserve the natural beauty of the island and native  birds, forming Jungle Gardens and Bird City, where egrets migrate and rare plants thrive.

 

 

I don’t know about you, but next time I’m in Louisiana, I plan to visit the Tabasco Factory, pepper fields and see this unique part of Louisana’s history.

 

Photos curtesy of Mboxman

by Gudrun Enger, of Kitchen Gadget Girl

A recent visit to this Palo Alto landmark reminded me again what a great attraction this is for families with young children.

When my kids were toddlers and still in playgroups, our friends used to meet there often, especially in the winter, when the weather was unpredictable. Inside the Palo Alto Junior Museum and Zoo we would find activities to keep our kids entertained for hours.

As I rediscovered recently, the Jr. Museum offers hands-on science exhibits in a contained space that offers several vantage points. You can park yourself in the middle of the room and watch as your kids explore, or get in there with them and experience the exhibits yourself.

Outside the museum, in the back of the facility, is the zoo part of the Palo Alto Jr. Museum and Zoo. The best part of the zoo is the smell from the Bobcat habitat. I know that sounds strange, but I remember that smell from when I was a kid!

The Jr. Museum also offers special programs throughout the year, including Dads & Donuts and Moms & Muffins.

Plan Your Visit:

Hours:

Monday: closed
Tuesday through Saturday: 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Sunday: 1 p.m.-4 p.m.
Please call the City of Palo Alto (650) 329-2111 for current hours and holiday schedules.

Admission is FREE, although a small donation is requested.

Address

Palo Alto Junior Museum & Zoo
1451 Middlefield Road
Palo Alto, CA 94301 Tel: (650) 329-2111