Wednesday, 15 July 2020

Just Room Enough Islands – New York, USA

Just imagine in your dream, an island is with just enough room for a home, a beautiful greenish tree, and A pair of bench chairs for the owners to lounge in the absorbing sun. Your dream is perfectly matched with the Just Room Enough Island, located at the Canadian-US border on the St. Lawrence River between Heart Island and Imperial Isle, of Ontario. 

A breathtaking private-owned island is with literally just room enough for its owner’s domestic pleasure. This is the smallest inhabited island, which appears to be around 3,300 square feet. In order to be considered an island in the region, the acquired land must be bigger than one square foot. And it must remain above the water level all year-round and must uphold at least one tree. 

Therefore, Just Room Enough Island meets such criteria, but really it’s more house than an island. If Just Room Enough were a few inches smaller, then the area couldn’t be called an island officially. It seems that someone actually thought, that testing how much room the tiny island had was an unbelievable idea in hopes to get some peace and quiet. 

That’s exactly why, in the 1950s, a Sizeland family bought the vacation lodge and named it Just Room Enough Island. The Sizeland family built a house on the tiny speck of land placing the walls right up to the edges of the island, construct a house that was just big enough to fit and giving the island its idiosyncratic name.

At that time, Sizelands family didn’t expect that this tiny Just Room Enough Island would rapidly become a popular tourist attraction because of its peculiarity. The Island is part of the thousand Islands in the St. Lawrence River. However, it is the smallest of the 1,864 islands in the well-known archipelago shared by the cities of Ontario and New York. 

Previously The Bishop Rock, just off the Isles of Scilly, which Guinness Book of World Records once named the world's smallest inhabited island. The tiny Just Room Enough now takes that crown. Just Room Enough Island also called Hub Island, counts as a legitimate part of the Thousand Islands because it satisfies these state-given criteria:

1.       Above water level year-round

2.       Have an area greater than 1 square foot

3.       Support at least one living tree

Many tourists travel in search of a serene and quiet place, where there is no traffic noise, no annoying neighbors, and no disturbing noises at night, no hustle and bustle of city life. Hence, Island soon attracted hordes of holidaymakers and tourists who broke their placid solitude. The Just Enough Room Island belongs to Alexandria Bay, a village part of the town of Alexandria, Jefferson County, New York.

Just Room Enough Island, Hub Island,
Just Room Enough Island, Hub Island,

Just Room Enough Island, Hub Island,

Just Room Enough Island, Hub Island,

Just Room Enough Island, Hub Island,

Just Room Enough Island, Hub Island,

Just Room Enough Island, Hub Island,

Read More – The Tree of Life Kalaloch, Washington
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Monday, 13 July 2020

Garden of Cosmic Speculation Scotland

A 12 hectare private Garden of Cosmic Speculation is a sculpture garden created by Charles Jencks at his home, Portrack House, in Dumfriesshire, Scotland. The renowned landscape architect and theorist Jencks’ work, is inspired by the modern cosmology of science and mathematics. He has also designed the distinguishing Landform at the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art. The Garden of Cosmic Speculation celebrates nature, both intellectually and through the senses, including the sense of humor.

The Garden of Cosmic Speculation has black holes, Comets, Big Bang or twisting DNA helixes, and fractals. Normally gardens are having many trees and plants, but this garden is not abundant with plants. However, it sets mathematical formulae and scientific phenomena in a setting that elegantly combines natural features and artificial symmetry and curves. Indeed it is very exclusive among gardens, drawing comparisons with a similarly abstract garden in Scotland.

As the garden is private but generally opens for only five hours on one day each year through the Gardens program of Scotland. The Charles Jencks raises the money for the Cancer Care Charity center for 1,500 tickets sold each year. In 2014, the literature The Long Way Home uses The Garden of Cosmic Speculation as an important plot device in her tenth Inspector Gamache mystery. The Garden is no longer dialogue with the universe; however, it is a monologue about the universe. The Garden of Cosmic Speculation is a representation of an unconventional approach.

According to Wikipedia - In the book of Cameron Jace makes creative use of The Garden of Cosmic Speculation in his fictional novel titled Circus, which is the third installment of his Insanity series. Jace uses many true facts when referring to the 'public' knowledge of the garden, but changed the name of the designer to better fit into the story's plotline. The garden located near Dumfries in south-west Scotland, famous due to its unusual design. The Garden of Cosmic Speculation doesn't boast plant diversity, its symmetry and snail-like curves are surely appealing. In the Garden, there are artificial lakes, staircases, bridges, and terraces that reflect the story of universe creation.

When Jenck’s started the idea of making the garden, the larger issues of the cosmos were considered. However, with the passage of time, he thinks about nature to contemplate and speculate on the origins of the universe. The garden is the most compelling motive idea of the microcosm to celebrate the place in the universe. A water cascade of terrace shows the distortion of space and time caused by a black hole, a “Quark Walk” takes the sightseer on a trip to the smallest building blocks of matter, and a series of landforms and lakes recall fractal geometry.

Garden of Cosmic Speculation Scotland
Garden of Cosmic Speculation Scotland

Garden of Cosmic Speculation Scotland

Garden of Cosmic Speculation Scotland

Garden of Cosmic Speculation Scotland

Garden of Cosmic Speculation Scotland

Garden of Cosmic Speculation Scotland

Garden of Cosmic Speculation Scotland

Garden of Cosmic Speculation Scotland

Garden of Cosmic Speculation Scotland

Garden of Cosmic Speculation Scotland

Garden of Cosmic Speculation Scotland

Garden of Cosmic Speculation Scotland

Garden of Cosmic Speculation Scotland

Garden of Cosmic Speculation Scotland

Garden of Cosmic Speculation Scotland

Read More - The Tree of Life Kalaloch, Washington
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Saturday, 11 July 2020

Tree Root Cave, Kalaloch, Washington

The power of nature stuns human beings. Nature shows a true example of how powerful nature is. On the north of Kalaloch, “Tree Root Cave” is an amazing marvel of nature. The feature in the tree of life is like no other has. People call it the “Tree of Life” with its stunning roots seemingly supplying the tree with life in spite of no soil. This seems an immortal nature, leaving humans speechless from a sight that has never been seen before that. Decades of erosion taken the soil supply, but never stopped the tree from thriving.

In the first look, there are several questions that come in mind, how has it not gone? Is this circle of life? How has another tree not taken over like it? Why nature is holding this tree without soil? Hence, with no one really knowing how it keeps ongoing. Therefore, it is famous as Tree of Life Kalaloch in Washington. The Tree of life WA is just 40 minutes from Manitou Lodge in Forks, WA. Moreover, underneath the tree is a cave-like hollow that some people call “the tree root cave”.

The magical tree standing without soil, and not fallen in the intense storms. Your brain will have no logical explanation for why it hasn’t toppled over yet. Surely, some magical nature power involved in the health of the tree. It doesn’t hurt by wind and rain and cemented without a soil anchor system. Many people believe the magical tree can withstand things that take down even the healthiest of trees, right?

The nature lover believes, it is a true example of a freak of nature that isn’t supposed to happen. The Tree of Life Washington goes against all the rules of science and biology. It shouldn't be standing. It shouldn't be alive. And yet, it is! At Kalaloch, it is long by the way... gorgeous coast, beautiful hikes, sunsets like nowhere else, cozy cabins, great food, friendly faces, etc. We could go on, but we're talking about a tree right now and it's a tree that must be seen in person, such as when you vacation at Kalaloch.

The “Tree of Life”, is a Sitka spruce, the largest kind of spruce, and one of Washington State’s most famous trees. This astonishing natural wonder has no official name. As a result, it has many names, the Kalaloch Tree, The Runaway Tree, Tree Root Cave (for the space beneath the tree), and The Tree of Life.

The Tree of Life is incredible – but it’s not the only reason to visit the Kalaloch area. “Kalaloch” is Quinault for “a good place to land” offers a variety of sandy beaches, trails, and scenic overlooks to discover and explore. Wildlife here includes sea otters, shorebirds, tide pools with crabs and sea urchins, clams, and even the occasional sight of whales and dolphins.

The lubin-king.com, written in 2005

“As we approached the tree a couple that was walking towards the bluff commented that they had been coming to this campground for 17 years and each year they had been expecting the tree to fall, but it hadn’t happened yet”
Tree Root Cave, Kalaloch, Washington
Tree Root Cave, Kalaloch, Washington

Tree Root Cave, Kalaloch, Washington

Tree Root Cave, Kalaloch, Washington


Also Read: The Alnwick Garden Poisonous Plants
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Thursday, 9 July 2020

Le Passage du Gois, France

The Le Passage du Gois is a natural, periodically flooded passage that is leading to the beautiful island of Noirmoutier in France. The European country is famous for its beautiful beaches, mountains, architecture, and culture. Here in Passage du Gois has a fascinating road that is truly unique, hidden treasure, and a national monument of France.
The beauty of Le Passage du Gois is that when the path is flooded twice a day by high tide. It is located between ÃŽle de Noirmoutier and Beauvoir-sur-Mer, in the department of Vendée. The track is 2.5 miles long. Every year, a foot race – the Foulées du Gois – is held across it, starting at the onset of the high tide. This beautiful road of France is only accessible during the low tide and only 1 ½ hour before the tide and 1 ½ hour afterward.

Tourist Spot

This stunning occurrence gathers thousands of visitors each year to see the “miracle”, while several in busy collecting clams and oysters. Due to flooded water, the road conditions deteriorate and paved many times. If you go there then you should be very careful in observing the disappearance of the road, as the water level reaches more than 15 feet. However, safety signboards are displayed on both sides of the passage. Whenever you go to France, then Le passage du Gois is a must-see lifetime experience. Indeed this causeway is so distinctive, that you cannot encounter it anywhere else in the world.

History of Le Passage du Gois

In the 9th century, Passage du Gois was first mentioned. However, in 1701, it appeared on the map. People faced a lot of difficulties in the 18th century and they went on foot over the sand-banks to the island of Noirmoutier. Eventually, an official road constructed in 1832. Its importance was converted secondary when a bridge was build between the mainland and Noirmoutier in 1971.

Tour de France

According to Wikipedia France famous tour, de France bicycle race was held during stage 2 in Passage du Gois. Therefore, the bicycles face a lot of difficulties in cop the slippery surface. A fall took place and the crash created a 6 minute split in the peloton which finished the hopes of several bicycles to win the race like Alex Zulle. Who would eventually finish second overall, seven minutes after Lance Armstrong? After 12 years, the Passage du Gois was again used as the starting point of the first stage.
Le Passage du Gois, France

Le Passage du Gois, France

Le Passage du Gois, France

Le Passage du Gois, France

Le Passage du Gois, France

Le Passage du Gois, France

Le Passage du Gois, France

Le Passage du Gois, France

Le Passage du Gois, France

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Wednesday, 1 July 2020

The Stone of El Peñol

The Rock of Guatape, is an iconic landmark inselberg also famous as “The Stone of El Peñol” located in the border of two towns Guatapé, and El Peñol Antioquia in Colombia. Hence, both towns claimed ownership of the Rock Guatape. The Guatape Rock has also historically claimed the rock as their own and thus has led to various names for the site. The landform is a granitic rock remains that has resisted weathering and erosion, probably as result of being less fractured than the surrounding bedrock. The town of Guatape is a major tourist attraction, particularly for travelers from Medellín, for both El Peñón de Guatapé, and the famous zócalos that adorn numerous buildings.

The Guatapé is an outcrop of the Antioquia Batholith and towers up to 656 feet above its base. Tourists can scale the rock via a staircase built into one side, a path that includes more than 649 steps to the top. Number of food and markets stalls available near the base of the Rock. About halfway up the stairs, there is a shrine to the Virgin Mary. The summit contains a three-story viewpoint tower, a convenience store, and a seating area.

The indigenous South American agricultural tribe Tahamí, former inhabitants that region, superstitions and worshiped the rock and called it in their language mojarrá or mujará. In 1954, the rock was first climbed by three climbers Luis Villegas, Pedro Nel Ramirez, and Ramón Díaz in a five-day endeavor, using sticks were embedded in the fissure on the rock. Hence, the staircase was built later on to allow people to climb to the rock without needing particular equipment.

Pitcairnia heterophylla (A new species of plant) was found on the top of the rock. The beautiful viewing spot was built on top of the rock. Here, visitor can buy different handicrafts, souvenirs, postcards, and other local goods. It is possible to see the five hundred km shore-perimeter dam. There are 740 steps to the uppermost step atop the building at the summit, a fact reinforced by yellow numbers also seen in the climb up the stairs. In the 1940s, the Colombian government declared it a National Monument.

According to Wikipedia On the western face of the stone there are painted large white letters "G" and an incomplete "U" (only the single vertical stroke was completed, resembling an "I"). The towns of Guatapé and El Peñol had long disputed ownership of the rock, and the residents of Guatapé decided to settle the matter by painting the town's name on the rock in huge white letters. It did not take long for the residents of El Peñol to notice the work, and a huge mob was assembled to stop it. Only the "G" and part of the "U" were completed.

The rock rises from the bottom of the hydroelectric dam of Peñol-Guatapé. This monolith was spotted as a border landmark between country farms and the two cities of Guatapé, and El Peñol.  At its highest part, on the rear southeast side, it has an elevation of 7,005 ft above sea level, with an average temperature of 18 °C. The massive rock "Peñol" is 935 ft long and 360 ft wide. It has some rock breaks, one of which was used for the construction of 650 steps of the stairway that can be used to go to the top.

The Stone of Peñol is mix of minerals such as of quartz, feldspar and mica. The view from atop of this 70-million-year-old rock is unimaginable an enormous lake full of small islets. The rock is easily visible for miles from the surrounding countryside. There are very few travelers leave Medellin without making a visit to this pre-historic massive rock. Even today, researchers are uncertain how the rock was formed or where it has come from.


The Stone of El Peñol

The Stone of El Peñol

The Stone of El Peñol

The Stone of El Peñol

The Stone of El Peñol

The Stone of El Peñol

The Stone of El Peñol

The Stone of El Peñol

The Stone of El Peñol

The Stone of El Peñol

The Stone of El Peñol

The Stone of El Peñol

The Stone of El Peñol

The Stone of El Peñol

The Stone of El Peñol