mpvernon

To clear up an earlier statement that implied the discoverers who sign books at the site may not have been authentic.

There were three farmers who discovered the terracotta warriors. None were given any compensation when the government took over their land nor were they paid anything for their discovery. Due to a settlement in a prolonged legal battle , they are now allowed to sign books for a fee at the site. They usually are in different areas of the complex. It is certainly an unique experience to meet them.The book are not all that expensive and they charge the equivalent of two US dollars to sign and stamp the book. There’s usually a line but the farmer I met was very friendly and reacted quite favorably to my feeble attempts to speak Chinese.

My traveling companion and I started up the Dempster Highway on the way to Inuvik. It didn’t take long to realize that it is a slow and dangerous road and we were ill equipped at the time. So we headed back after about 30 miles. The road is broken shale so expect at least four flats and take the appropriate amounts of spares. The road is miles and miles of nothing (but a very beautiful nothing) and has to be the wildest stretch of highway I’ve ever seen. But if you’re game I’m sure it’s an unique experience. It’s too bad we didn’t continue. I really wanted to see Inuvik.

I live 100 miles away in the middle of the desert and Palm Spring is the place I go every weekend I can to shop and just wind down. Sunny, beautiful and a very relaxing atmosphere. Downtown Palm Spring is a shopper’s paradise and a fun place to walk on the streets. When in season, see the Palm Springs Follies, a show of veteran entertainers and a chorus line of beautiful women in their 70s! Sherman’s Deli is the place to go for the best pastrami sandwich outside of New York. The new statue to Sonny Bono is eye-catching (Lousy entertainer but great congressman!). Finally, the trip on The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway is not to be missed. Where to stay? The Spa Casino Hotel is smack in the center of town and reasonably price for this city. The staff is very professional AND friendly and there is a natural hot spring spa on the premise.