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.

It has an eight foot statue of a Jackalope. What other reason do you need to go there?

Basically Van Nuys is an uninteresting division of LA with nothing to recommend it. (I lived there for 2 years), but here’s some trivia for you pop culture buffs.

1. The main drag, Van Nuys Blvd, was used for the cruising scenes in American Graffiti.

2. Van Nuys High School is the setting for many films including Fast Times At Ridgemont High and Rock N’ Roll High School. Its alumni includes Paula Abdul, Natalie Wood, and Marilyn Monroe.

3. On Van Nuys Blvds down from Victory Blvd. is (or was) a bar called Corky’s. The bar’s piano player in the early 70s was billed as “Bill Martin the Piano Man” now known as Billy Joel

Sure it’s hokey, commercial and way too expensive. But if you’re with your loved one it’s a must and will be remembered as one of the most romantic things you ever did. Also the view from a gondola gives you an entirely different perspective on the canals. The usual price is 100 euros for an hour ride but most will give you a cheaper shorter trip if asked and if you find a gondolier off the well treaded tourist path, you may be able to bargain down. Talk to your gondolier a few seconds before deciding. A gondolier with a pleasant, eager to please disposition will enhance your experience.Our gondolier proudly pointed out where he was married and was happy to give us tips on the city’s romantic spots.

My home town! If you are headed from LA to Phoenix or visa versa you’ll probably stop for gas or eats anyway. The Colorado River Area is a great place for relaxing, fishing and other watersports. 15 miles north on highway 95 are The Blythe Intaglios, giant figures etched to the hard desert gravel. The two major festivals are the Colorado River Bluegrass Festival and The Blythe Jazz festival. Our sunny weather is famous but avoid the summer when it regularly goes over 110F. If you just want to get something to eat we have a world famous Sizzler Restaurant. I call it famous because when I was in Italy I told a couple from Scotland where I cam from and they said, “We’ve been there. We ate at Sizzler!” If you go there, say hi to The Whites who own it and tell them Marvin sent you!

Big, Wild and Beautiful. My main reason for goin to Denali was to see bears. My bear count was 16! That included two bear families and one grungy male that was chasing a caribou! I also saw several caribou. some mountain goats from a distance and a pack of wolves. From other visitors, i was told that my luck in finding wildlife was better than most but others say it wasn’t unusual. My traveling companion, a bird watcher, was indifferent to the bears but was rapturous over seeing an Arctic Tern! I was also lucky to get sunny weather all three days in August and a very nice view of Mt. Denali.

Lassen is a small park. I’ve spent a week there and practically hiked every trail and seen every attraction worth seeing. The size and the relative obscurity are two reasons it is the forgotten gem of the national park system. Another reason to visit is to hike to the summit of a real volcano, albeit a sleeping one. Lassen’s volcanic fields are nothing compared to Yellowstone but they are more welcoming and intimate. If you are there for the first time, you will probably want to trek up Mt. Lassen but it’s a triesome and shadeless series of switchbacks. The hike to Brokeoff Mountain, the second highest elevation in the park, is much better. It is a beautiful walk through forests and bubbling creeks with lots of wildlife and few people. The view is just as good and you can wave to the people on the top of Mount Lassen!

If you perused my page, you will have come to the conslusion I’m a national park buff. If fact I plan to mark and write up every US national park I’ve visited, Mesa Verde is one of the most unique because its primary attraction is archaelogical not natural. But it’s also one of the best parks. Its well preserved cliff dwelling are stunning and other-worldly. It ranks with Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, and Yosemite as the jewels of the national park system.