ICE PALACE

Most people do not look forward to the blistering cold winter months. A lot of people under-go a deep hibernating state where they stay inside their warm houses, eat lots of cookies, and only step outside when they have to walk to their car to go to work. However, the townspeople of Adirondack Mountain Village feel somewhat different about about the winter months. There are a whopping 5,000 residents that live in this town and every winter they all take part in the Saranac Winter Carnival. the near by lake provides water and ice to build the center piece of the carnival; the glowing ice palace. the ice palace has translucent blocks of ice that allow different colors of light to shine through and glow. This wonderful carnival began 1887. It was used to bring cheer to the patients that were in the tuberculosis sanitarium. 30,000 people attend this event each year and take part in the activities that go on. some of the activities are crowning of king and queen, ski races, figure skating, and a thrilling ladies frying pan toss. This years theme is "hooray for Hollywood". I enjoyed reading this article because I love how a smaller town could attract thousands of people for one event this year. I am putting it on my life list to attend this event sometime! 

Title-baby, it's cold outside

Author-Mariana Gosnell

Smithsonian Magazine February 1, 2008

New Life for Route 66 Motels

Route 66 is one of the oldest roads in America. It was used primarily for travelers heading west. The road begins in Chicago, Illinois and ends in Santa Monica, California. The two lane highway used to be bustling with cars bumper to bumper but as the construction of the new interstate was undergo businesses and the road slowly witnessed the neon lights, fun and friendly mom and pop diners, the abundant plethora of gas stations, and fresh paved roads turn into what is mostly now abandoned, dusty towns and run down buildings. There are still a few people that strive to keep the "motherroad" alive. The article I read was about how new owners of some of the motels along Route 66 are remodeling and giving them a fresher feel. The owners are keeping the original themes of the motels but now they are up to par with travelers needs and wants of "today". Some of the amenities new owners have added are flat screen tvs, jacuzzi whirl pools, new wood flooring, top-notch mattresses and pillows, and new sheets. With all of the new ideas and renovations, the owners did keep in mind the history and people of Route 66. Some of the rooms in the motels are just like walking into a museum or have a vintage theme. I loved reading about how Rob Samsky, owner, remodeled his motel using local services. He would use the wood from the forest and used the local sawmill. I feel it is important to keep the people of the the town or city happy and comfortable with what you are doing as well as the travelers you will bring in. I chose to write about this article because I love learning about route 66 and the businesses that used to be thriving along this road. I find it amazing how travelers of today can be in such a rush to completely surpass the the views, people, and history of Route 66. When my sister, my best friend and I took this trip it was unlike any other trip we had ever taken. The people you meet, the places you stay, and the scenery you see all in all are so breathtaking. Slow down, stay a while, and make yourself at home in one of the renovated motels along route 66. 

“It is important from time to time to slow down, to go away by yourself, and simply be."

-Eileen Caddy quotes (Scottish Writer and Spiritual leader. Findhorn community co-founder. )

New Life for Route 66 Motels

Donna Eastman Liddle 

Friday October 3 2008

Not a Typical Vacation

When booking a vacation, most people look for the amenities that are going to make them feel most comfortable. But if you are like me and thrive on adventure and new experiences than luxury resorts and sunbathing are never on the to do list. The article I read was about a man named Frank, who decided to go on an adventure in Nepal. His trip consisted of sightseeing, trekking, rafting, and a jungle safari. Not everyone can go on this kind of trip, expecially by themselves. To do this kind of adventure I believe you need a strong sense of character. Alot of things could go wrong and you are in very unusual places. So inorder to get through it, you are completly reliant on yourself. Frank started his trip in Kathmandu, then headed to Bhahtapur and the village of Pokara. Going from city to city, Frank would take a bus or trek. On his trip, he did a 7 day hike in the Himalayas. As he trekked through Nepal, he got to experience the culture first hand and was on his feet fot 6-8 hours a day. The next thing he decided to do was a couple of days white water rafting down the Seti River. In the evenings, they would sing songs around the campfire and one time a village tribe joined in and danced with them. The last part of his adventure was a jungle safari through the Chitwan National Park, where he got to see the Bengal tiger and the endangered single horned Indian Rhino. This article had a huge influence on me. I love reading and learning about trips of adventure people go on, in hopes that one day I can do them too. Reading about Frank made me wonder if I would be able to go trekking about in a strange country by myself. I know I would love to give it a shot. Going on a vacation like this one can be satisfying to some but probably a nightmare to most people. I feel the experienced gained, the people you meet, the challenging aspects and the stories you get to tell all add up to outweigh any luxury resort vacation any day. All in all, everyone is different and has their own idea of a get away.

"Do we really want to travel in hermetically sealed popemobiles through the rural provinces of France, Mexico and the Far East, eating only in Hard Rock Cafes and McDonalds? Or do we want to eat without fear, tearing into the local stew, the humble taqueria's mystery meat, the sincerely offered gift of a lightly grilled fish head? I know what I want. I want it all. I want to try everything once." — Anthony Bourdain

Buzzle.com
A Solo Adventure Holiday in Nepal was a Breath of Fresh Air
Frank Walter
January 1, 2009

Generosity of a Small Town

A couple of professional snowboarders set themselves out on a mission to find some urban small town spots to film for their new movie, Forever. Deciding on their destination, Houghton Michigan, they predicted it was going to be extra cold but the generosity and helpfulness that came from the townies they did not see coming. From the waitress in a quaint seafood restaurant to the mayor at city hall, these snowboarders were treated with better hospitality than their own grandmas. As they were planning what they needed the waitress came through with hooking them up with a generator from the only rental place within 100 miles! Little did they know, when they met the owners of the local shred shop, they had major connections in the town. This led them to meeting the mayor at city hall and basically having the right to board wherever they wanted to in the town. The boarders filmed for a couple of weeks and in their stay time, they became part of the local crowd. It got to the point when they could ask for "the usual" at the local cafe and they knew the names of the policemen (who let them jump over one of the squad cars). Even the local kids would help them out at 1a.m. in -14 degree weather. These snowboarders had it real good in this small town. It makes a person wonder, could you find the same amount of generosity in a big city? Or why is it that small towns give such an "at home" and welcoming feeling? I hope in my hospitable future I come across people just as generous and helpful as the ones in  small town Houghton Michigan. 

Snowboarder Magazine

What's u.p. with Houghton, Michigan?

Author- Eddie Wall

Volume 22 March 2009

Pages 66-77