Hurricane Ridge Olympic National Park

The vista from Hurricane Ridge, on clear days, is a breathtaking one, with peaks and deep valleys crowding the panorama. The Olympic Mountain range isn’t tall, by most standards, topping off just under 8,000 feet, but the uneven terrain makes the center of the mountain clump hard to access. This area comes by its name honestly—winds in the exposed meadow near its visitors center top 75 miles per hour, sculpting the snow in the winter and blowing off ball caps in the summer. Numerous trails are accessible from here. 

The Hurricane Ridge area is located 17 miles south of Port Angeles on Hurricane Ridge Road. From U.S. 101 in downtown Port Angeles, turn south (away from the water) onto Race Street, which becomes Hurricane Ridge Road. The mountain road is plowed with snow on winter weekends. 

The Hurricane Ridge Visitor Center (360/565-3130, www.nps.gov/olym, open year-round, hours vary seasonally) houses exhibits (including a 20-minute orientation film) and a limited snack bar, and a gift shop on the lowest level. But the real draw is outdoors, where wildflowers bloom in the alpine meadows in the summer. In their signature wide-brimmed hats, park rangers—part police force, part naturalists, part tour guides—give guided walks and talks about the area. 

Views of the area get even better from the top of Hurricane Hill, a peak more than 5,700 feet high. From here you can see the broad Strait of Juan de Fuca and the full spread of the Olympic peaks. The entire route is paved, but only the first section is wheelchair accessible. 

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Oak Creek Canyon – The Smaller Cousin of the Grand Canyon

Oak Creek Canyon is often referred to as a smaller cousin of the Grand Canyon. A river gorge located just south of Flagstaff, Highway 89A weaves a charming route through Oak Creek Canyon on its way to Sedona and Flagstaff. Oak Creek Canyon area is situated in a Transition Zone between two great geologic provinces: the Colorado Plateau and the Basin and Range.

The canyon has magical scenic scenes, dense woods shadow the road, and the steep cliffs are colored in bands of red and yellow sandstone, pale limestone, and black basalt. Oak Creek Canyon is a popular summer vacation area with many day-hiking trails, such as the East Pocket Trail, a steep, wooded climb to the canyon rim.

One of the prettiest and easiest hikes in Oak Creek is along the three-mile (five-kilometer) West Fork Trail, which follows a stream past abandoned apple orchards and into a narrow red rock canyon. At nearby Slide Rock State Park, swimmers enjoy sliding over the rocks that form a natural water chute. This canyon is approximately 19 kilometers long ranging in width from 0.8 to 2.5 miles, along with 250 to 610 meters in depth.

Oak Creek, a tributary of the Verde River, flows along the bottom of the canyon and is one of the few perpetual streams in the high desert region of northern Arizona. Oak Creek is mainly responsible for carving the modern Oak Creek Canyon, through movement along the Oak Creek Fault, a 48 kilometers long north-south normal fault line, is thought to have played a role as well. Sedona-Oak Creek Canyon area offers some of the most unique and spectacular geologic features in northern Arizona.

Because of the relatively sparse vegetation, most of these features are easy to recognize and photograph. Some of these geologic features are common on the Colorado Plateau of northern Arizona, western Colorado, southern Utah, and northeastern New Mexico. Others occur in many other parts of the American Southwest.

Oak Creek Canyon slices through the Mogollon Escarpment to the House Mountain shield volcano rising from the floor of Verde Valley. teau and the Basin and Range (Figure B.) The Colorado Plateau, a 130,000-square-mile region of vast plains, high mesas, buttes, deep canyons, volcanic fields, and isolated mountain clusters, is built of thousands of feet of generally horizontal sandstone, shale, limestone strata, and basalt flows.

In north-central Arizona, the southern margin of the Colorado Plateau is the Mogollon Rim, that line of spectacular cliffs north of Sedona. The sedimentary and volcanic rock layers that form this part of the Colorado Plateau are beautifully exposed in the Mogollon Rim north of Sedona. In ascending order they are the Supai Group, the Coconino Sandstone, the Toroweap, and Kaibab Formations, and the basalts of the San Francisco volcanic field. Basalts of the Mormon Mountain volcanic field cap the Mogollon Rim to the west of Sedona.

South of Sedona, are dark-colored basalts of the House Mountain volcano and the white sedimentary layers of the Verde Formation. For most of its geologic history, this part of Arizona was a low-lying region where sediment was deposited and preserved to form the layers of red and buff rocks exposed in the SedonaOak Creek Canyon region.

The oldest of these sedimentary rock units that are exposed throughout the region is the Supai Group, deposited 310 to 270 million years ago (some sources say that the Supai Formation is 270-220 million years old). During this time the Sedona-Oak Creek Canyon region was a nearly flat, subtropical desert coastal plain bordered by shallow seas, at the latitude of present-day Central America. Some sandstones. and conglomerates were deposited by wet-weather streams. Other sandstones were deltas, beaches, or desert dunes. Mudstones and limestones accumulated in lagoons and the sea.

The sea advanced and retreated across this coastal plain numerous times, leaving alternating layers of terrestrial and marine sedimentary rocks. Arid conditions limited life on land and fossils are mainly from species that lived in the sea. The upper part of the Supai Group was deposited 275 to 270 million years ago (Permian time) as extensive sand seas on an arid coastal plain. At times the dune sand was reworked by the tides and spread along beaches, as occurs in coastal portions of the Sahara and Namib Deserts today.

These massive wind-deposited sandstones, well-cemented by calcium carbonate and silica, are resistant to erosion and form most of the orange-red cliffs and buttes around Sedona, such as Bell Rock, Courthouse Rock, Coffee Pot Rock, and Cathedral Rock. The Coconino Sandstone (270 to 265 million years old, late Permian time) forms the tall, nearly vertical cream-colored cliffs above the Supai Group.

Deposited as massive sand dunes, similar to those found in the great sand seas of the Sahara and Saudi Arabia, this sandstone represents an arid, inland environment far removed from the sea. The Coconino Sandstone and the underlying upper Supai Group contain very few fossils due to harsh desert conditions. The Toroweap Formation (about 265 to 262 million years old, late Permian time) caps the Coconino Sandstone and represents a return to an arid, coastal environment.

This thick sandstone was once beach and shallow coastal sand. It contains beds of gypsum that accumulated as high temperatures evaporated seawater from saturated desert soils. Distinctive buff-colored cliffs above the Toroweap Formation mark the Kaibab Formation (about 262 to 255 million years ago, late Permian time). This rock unit consists of silty limestone and dolostone, and sandstone and siltstone cemented by calcium carbonate.

The Kaibab Formation was deposited in shallow seas and on an arid coastal plain. Dark-colored rim rock capping the plateau is basalt from the San Francisco Volcanic Field (Figure B, SF). Beginning about 6 million years ago, magma (molten rock) from deep inside the Earth migrated upward along old fractures and flowed onto the plateau surface as lava. Eruptions continued during the period 3 million to 1000 years ago.

The basalt at Oak Creek Vista is about 6 million years old. The basalt capping the cliffs to the east and southeast of Sedona are old lava flows from the older (3 million to 15 million years ago) Mormon Mountain Volcanic Field (Figure B, MM). The contact between these plateau-capping volcanic rocks and the underlying Kaibab Formation marks a time gap in the geologic record of nearly 240 million years, years not represented by the rock at this locality.

The uplift of the Mogollon Highlands in central Arizona about 60 million years ago tilted the entire sequence of Paleozoic and Mesozoic strata in the Sedona-Oak Creek Canyon region to the north. At this time, rivers flowed from the higher Mogollon Highlands across the Sedona-Oak Creek Canyon region toward the lowlands to the north. Erosion by these rivers removed the Mesozoic strata that once existed here and left deposits of sand and pebbles collectively called “rim gravels’ because they are found along the Mogollon Rim.

Between 35 and 15 million years ago, the crustal rocks of western North America were stretched, thinned, and broken in blocks along steep cracks, called faults. This crustal extension led to the collapse of the Mogollon Highlands. This collapse, combined with thousands of feet of uplift of the Colorado Plateau, triggered a drainage reversal in the Sedona-Oak Creek Canyon region. Streams now flowed southward from the southern rim of the Colorado Plateau and the Oak Creek and Verde River system slowly developed.

Today, continued erosion is wearing back the cliffs of Pennsylvanian, Permian. and Neogene rocks north of Sedona. This northward retreating line of cliffs, the Mogollon Rim, is the southern edge of the Colorado Plateau in Arizona. Continued stretching of the crust in the Sedona-Oak Creek Canyon region caused one of these blocks to subside thousands of feet relative to other blocks, forming the deep basin now occupied by the Verde River.

A high-standing block was eroded to form Mingus Mountain southeast of the Verde Valley. About 10 million years ago molten rock (called magma inside the earth and lava when it erupts onto the surface) migrated upward along faults and flowed onto the land surface. A series of these lava flows south of present-day Sedona built the House Mountain shield volcano. During this same time period, faulting and lava flow dammed the Verde River. More than 275 feet (900 m) of sediment accumulated as limestones, mudstones, sandstones, gypsum, and conglomerates in these dry-climate lakes and form the Verde Formation that is exposed along the modern Verde River valley.

The early Verde River, lower Oak Creek, and some of their tributaries flowed in looping meanders across broad floodplains, much like the Mississippi River do today. During the last 6 million years regional uplift and reactivation of faults caused these streams to down cut their channels into underlying sediments and, eventually, bedrock. This downcutting preserved the sinuous flow pattern of ancient streams in many canyons of the modern landscape.

Other canyons have straight courses because they were cut by streams eroding the pulverized zones of rock along faults. For example, several episodes of vertical movement along the Oak Creek Fault produced a zone of shattered and powdered rock. Oak Creek excavated this shatter zone as it extended its headwaters into the Mogollon Rim, producing Oak Creek Canyon.

Later movement along this fault triggered outpourings of lava that filled the canyon. The lava cooled to form basalts that were offset as movement along the fault continued. Today, weathering, rock falls and landslides, and erosion by the Verde River-Oak Creek drainages continue to enlarge Oak Creek Canyon and wear back the Mogollon Rim. Red rock mesas and buttes surrounding Sedona are monuments to the power of these processes and record the diverse landscapes that once existed in.

this part of North America.

Palazzo Fortuny–Venice

Venetians called this place “The House of the Magician.” It’s where Mariano Fortuny, who became world famous for his outrageously gorgeous fabrics, gowns, and lamps, set up his home and workshop in 1907. There was a woman behind his success: Henriette Negrin, who he met in Paris in 1897 when she was a French widow, a model, and a seamstress. She became his muse, collaborator, and wife—after they lived together for twenty-two years. 

You’ll see Fortuny’s paintings of Henriette here—some nude, others with her dressed elegantly with her hair swept up, along with photographs of their trips to Greece and Egypt, where Fortuny got lots of inspiration. In the museum where they once lived and worked together, you enter the world of this eccentric, twentieth-century Renaissance man. Fortuny was born in Granada in 1871, to both a father and grandfather (on his mother’s side) who were highly acclaimed painters in Spain. 

His father died when he was three, so his mother took him to live in Paris, and also traveled about, until they finally settled in Venice, because Fortuny was horribly allergic to horses, and this was the only place around without carriages. After his early artistic endeavors in painting and photography, and success in designing sets and lighting for theater, Fortuny, at thirty-six years old, began his work on printed fabrics here with Henriette. He’d already had an attic studio in the thirteenth-century palazzo, and then bought the building that had been cut up into apartments and gutted it, turning it into a free-flowing creative space. 

The walls of the first floor’s large rectangular room are covered with Fortuny’s patterned fabrics, creating a warm, exotic, colorful ambiance. His paintings and lamps surround displays of his gowns and capes that were worn by such illustrious women as Eleanora Duse, Sarah Bernhardt, and Isadora Duncan. Fortuny broke into the woman’s fashion world in 1907 with his Delphos gown, inspired by tunics from ancient Greek statuary. 

It was simple and finely pleated, in soft, shimmering colors. Women happily tore off their corsets to put on the sensational dress that elegantly draped their bodies. He packaged it rolled up in a hatbox, so it was easy and light for travel. The second floor of the museum gives you an idea of what life was like when 100 workers were there producing Fortuny fabrics, under Henriette’s supervision. In contrast to what’s below, it’s stripped bare with only huge worktables. 

Off to the side is Fortuny’s library and personal workshop, where you’ll get a hit of the practical side of this free-spirited artist. It’s packed with volumes of books about artists who came before him, lots of journals where he cataloged designs and colors, his paints and tools. Fortuny’s preferred entrance to this palazzo was climbing through the skylight, straight into his workshop. Fortuny’s fabric designs, of intricate swirls, animals, and geometric prints, on cotton, silk, or velvet, clearly show his influences from Spain and travels to Greece and farther east. 

But ultimately, they’re completely Venetian, reflecting the cultural melting pot of the city, with rich colors muted by the city’s fog, or glistening in gold or silver sunlight. He was called “the magician” because nobody could figure out exactly how he produced these fabrics, and his techniques are still kept secret. You’ll be so tempted to reach out and touch them in the museum, but you can’t. 

For a tactile experience, head to the Fortuny Showroom on Giudecca, or one of the Venetia Studium stores in Venice, where you can even buy a scarf, pillow, purse, or lamp to take home and keep a little bit of the Venetian magician in your life. Palazzo Fortuny Museum: Campo San Beneto (San Marco), 10-6, closed Tuesday.

Mystery Castle Phoenix Arizona

Mystery Castle is possibly Phoenix's most unique attraction. In 1927 an individual named Boyce Luther Gulley traveled to Phoenix in hopes that the mild climate would improve his health. His daughter, Mary Lou Gulley, was a fan of building sandcastles at the beach. 

Since Phoenix is so far from the oceans, Gulley set about creating the real-life fairytale sandcastle. He began work in the year 1930 and continued to work for 15 years, ending in 1945. 

The demolition of bricks, desert rocks railway refuse, and many scrapyard materials and car parts, among others, are used to construct the structure. The 18-room interior features 13 fireplaces that are accessible during a guided tour that explores the unique structure and its diverse collection of furniture and antiques from all over the globe.

Green Hills Butterfly Ranch

The captivating Green Hills Butterfly Ranch, which is home to most of the butterflies found in Belize is spread across a lush hillside, eight miles to the south of George Price Highway, opposite the mountain equestrian center, which is a popular horse-riding destination. 

Trails. Although it is primarily a place for research, it's accessible to the public whose main attraction is the well-groomed, 3,300 square feet of air space in which a multitude of beautiful tropical butterflies dances about, stopping occasionally on blossoms to drink nectar. More than eighty species have been reared in the area, and you'll typically be able to see between 25 and 30 at any given moment, based on the season and breeding season. 

Local guides who are enthusiastic and well-trained provide excellent information. Visitors who arrive early may be fortunate enough to witness butterflies emerge from chrysalises with jewels; many of these chrysalises are sent to be displayed in the US. You can also, through appointment, watch the flying of huge owls, which occur at sunset. In order to keep butterflies in your garden, you should be aware of their diet. 

The adjacent botanical garden houses Belize's national passionflower garden, along with a myriad of epiphytes (air plants) including cycads and heliconias, and orchids, as well as an orchard of tropical fruits. The ranch is managed by Dutch biologists Jan Meerman and Tineke Boomsma Both of them have published extensively - such as a Checklist of the Butterflies of Belize that covers reptiles, insects, amphibians, and flowers. They've also found several new species, like one tarantula Citharacanthus meermani - in Green Hills itself. So, Green Hills Butterfly Ranch is a must-visit place for all nature lovers. 

Kings Canyon National Park California

Enter the park via the Kings Canyon Scenic Byway (Route 180), having spent the night in Fresno or Visalia. Better yet, wake up already in Grant Grove Village, perhaps in the John Muir Lodge. Stock up for a picnic with takeout food from the Grant Grove Restaurant, or purchase prepackaged food from the nearby market. Drive east a mile to see the General Grant Tree and compact Grant Grove’s other sequoias. If it’s no later than midmorning, walk up the short trail at Panoramic Point, for a great view of Hume Lake and the High Sierra. 

Either way, return to Route 180 and continue east. Stop at Junction View to take in several noteworthy peaks that tower over Kings Canyon. From here, visit Boyden Cavern or continue to Cedar Grove Village, pausing along the way for a gander at Grizzly Falls. Eat at a table by the South Fork of the Kings River, or on the deck of the Cedar Grove Snack Bar. 

Now you are ready for the day’s highlight, strolling Zumwalt Meadow, which lies a few miles past the village. After you have enjoyed that short trail and the views it offers of Grand Sentinel and North Dome, you might as well go the extra mile to Roads End, where backpackers embark on the High Sierra wilderness. Make the return trip—with a quick stop at Roaring River Falls—past Grant Grove and briefly onto southbound Generals Highway. 

Pullover at the Redwood Mountain Overlook and use binoculars to look down upon the world’s largest sequoia grove, then drive another couple of miles to the Kings Canyon Overlook, where you can survey some of what you have done today. If you’ve made reservations and have time, have a late dinner at Wuksachi Lodge.

Lonar Meteorite Crater

If you like off-beat adventures, travel to Lonar to explore a prehistoric natural wonder. About 50,000 years ago, a meteorite slammed into the earth here, leaving behind a massive crater, 2km across and 170m deep. In scientific jargon, it’s the only hypervelocity natural impact crater in basaltic rock in the world. Inlay terms, it’s as tranquil and relaxing a spot as you could hope to find, with a shallow green lake at its base and wilderness all around. 

The lake water is supposedly alkaline and excellent for the skin. Scientists think that the meteorite is still embedded about 600m below the southeastern rim of the crater. The crater’s edge is home to several Hindu temples as well as wildlife, including langurs, peacocks, deer, and an array of birds. MTDC Tourist Complex has a prime location just across the road from the crater, and offers eight rooms of relatively good value, considering the location.