Crooked Forest

 

Just some trees,  crooked trees outside of Nowe Czarnowo, West Pomerania, Poland.    The grove of 400 pines was planted over 85 years ago and is considered a mystery to why it has grown this way.  Many believe that some form of a tool or technique was utilized to create their crooked appearance, but the method or the motive is still unknown.  Maybe it was planted by a furniture maker who needed curved wood.  Who knows...

 

Flower Valley!

 

The Valley of the Flowers National Park is located in the Western Himalaya mountain range in India's state of Uttarakhand. These grassy pastures, at an altitude of 13,000 feet, are covered with snow most of the year. However, in July and August, more than 600 varieties of beautiful plants are in full bloom. The valley has it's own micro-climate and it is often chilly, misty and raining during these summer months. If you decide to take the four hour trek from the village of Ghangria, you will enjoy the orchids, poppies, primulas, marigold, daisies and anemones that cover the ground, as well as the backdrop of the Himalayans! This spot needs little words as pictures seem to tell it all :).

 

 

 

 

Alien Rain!

 

Kerala, state located in southwest India, is now famous for it's bleeding sky or the Kerala red rain phenomenon.   Bright red rain has occurred more than once in Kerala and most recently in June of 2012.  Reports of yellow, green and black rain have occurred over the years as well.  According to locals,  the first colored rain was preceded by an extremely loud thunderclap and a flash of light, then followed by groves of trees shedding shriveled grey "burnt" leaves.  It fell over small localized area where nearby rain was normal color.  This lead scientists to believe initially the red rain was colored by the fallout of a meteor burst.  However,  days later, following a light microscopy evaluation,  particles 'resembling' spores were observed.  After allowing the particles to grow in Petri dishes for several days, it apparently showed they were consistent with a marine origin or terrestrial plant.  Therefor, the red rain was a result of normal rain falling from the sky coming in contact with algae on trees, buidings, lamp posts, etc. coloring it bright red.  All this being said,  that doesn't explain for the unusually loud thunder clap and light that preceded the rain or the resulting burnt leaves.  Some scientists do believe that a meteor disintegrated over Kerala releasing red particles which slowly fell to the ground.  They also believe the particles are of biological nature, however they believe the cells are extraterrestrial in nature.  They believe that the cells are a new biological species as a result of panspermia.  Literally alien rain!   What do you think... algae or new alien cell life?

Goat Trees!

 

You won't find any decorated Christmas trees in Tamri, Morocco, however you will find their trees decorated with something even more charming.... GOATS!!!  The thorny Argan tree (Argania), up to 30 feet high, is no obstacle for these natural climbers.  The tree apparently bears a delicious fruit (unpleasant for humans) for the goats.  Oddly enough, after digestion,  the goat droppings are inspected for Argan seeds which is then clean, pressed in made Argon oil. A popular oil in Morocco.  You think they should share the tree with me?  or knock me off?

 

 

Raining Fish Tacos!

 

We've all heard the expression 'it's raining cats and dogs', but how about fish?  The people of  Yoro, Honduras not only have heard expression but have experienced this natural event first hand.    Yes,  it rains fish in Central America as well as other parts of the world.   Not only does it rain fish, it rains frogs, it rains crabs and it rains other small aquatic creatures (and some unfortunate land animals as well).  Locals have been accused of telling tall tails, but scientist may have finally solved the mystery of this very real event witnessed and documented since the 1700s.   To make a long story short,  some scientists believe it is a result of  'tornatic' water spouts.  Under this hypothesis, animals are transported to high altitudes, carrying them over large distances.  Typically when it rains animals,  it is preceded by a good sized storm (but not always).  However, this theory has it's holes.  Whatever the case,  it's raining fish and crabs and stuff!

 

 

Cappuccino Anyone?

 

Yamba, Australia has been dubbed Cappuccino Coast for good reason.  If you wish to frolic in thick foam up to 6 1/2 feet deep,  just head on down to Queensland.  Of course,  it's only during very special circumstances that this foam evolves.  It's a natural phenomenon that occurs when storm water polluted with fertilizers and other agents empty into the sea.  This creates a massive algae bloom, however when this algae dies, water turbulence allows it to release a thickening agent that prevent natural air bubbles in water from breaking down.  Thus, more and more bubbles arrive to the shore.  Whatever the case,  it looks amazing!   Who would actually swim in this though?

  

An aPEELING spot!

 

Again,  another unusual place in the  Mojave Desert :).   This time it's located in Mecca, California USA and is the one and only International Banana Museum.   It all began in 1972 when Ken Bannister attended a photo convention in which he passed out Chiquita banana stickers stating the T.B. (Top Banana) of the International Banana Club.   People enjoyed his humor and began sending him anything banana related leading to a massive collection.  Today,  he is the founder of the International Banana Club and opened the International Banana Museum.  As Ken gained publicity, he eventually dubbed himself "Bananaster", as well "Top Banana" or "T.B."  Today, the Banana Museum has over 19,000 banana related items to enjoy.  It has also earned the title of the "Largest collection devoted to one fruit" by the Guinness Book of World Records.   He eventually did sell his business on Ebay but it continues with it's new owner, Fred.  The International Banana Club operates out of Altadina, CA and for $9.00, you too can have a lifetime Banana Club  membership :). 

 

        

His Last Chance!

 Located near Red Rock Canyon National Park in the Mojave Desert, you will find tunnel built by William "Burro" Schmit.  While driving along the 395,  a small dilapidated sign will lead you  to his former camp.  Schmit was a loner (some say hermit) prospector living over 32 years of his life at Last Chance Canyon, single-handedly drilling a tunnel nearly 1/2 mile through solid granite.  He is known as "The Human Mole" by Ripley's Believe It or  Not.   Schmit moved to California, the land of sunshine and promise,  after six bothers and sisters died of consumption in the state of Rhode Island.    When questioned regarding why he was building the tunnel,  his only answer was he needed a short cut to bring his gold ore to market.  When a new road was built making this unnecessarily, he continued on with his grueling work.   Sadly,  there is no known record of any gold strike that ever existed.  Although he never found gold,  he certainly found his drive.  He broke ground with pick, hammer and hand drill and moved granite with canvas bags.  Later he managed to install a mining cart and utilize dynamite. After 32 years he finally broke through the other side of the Copper Mountain and his job was complete.  Yet, oddly enough,  shortly after completion, he left his mine deeding it to a fellow miner.  He then packed his bags and moved to a nearby town until his passing in 1954.  Many believe he was a crazy hermit and few understood his way of life or motivation,  but that never deterred him.  He never married nor had children,  he shared his life with the desert.

His camp remains today with his house that appears barely standing. Although vandalized,  his walls display their original decorations of newspaper articles and advertisements.   I would love to someday take a stroll down his tunnel and appreciate his hard labor of love? obsession? :)  

 

.

 

 

'

Creepy or Charming??

 

When did clowns turn from fun entertainment to horrifying creatures?   Probably sometime before they created this motel in Tonopah, Nevada USA.  The Clown Motel has really captured the essence and charm of clowns.  Filled to the brim, clowns are EVERYWHERE!   Not only is it filled with adorable clowns,  it's located, more or less, in the middle of no where in the heart of the desert.  The closest town with hotels, gas and food is about 70 miles away.  The Clown Motel might be your only option after a long day.  If sleeping in no man's land with millions of clowns isn't enough,  then you might want to enjoy an evening stroll to the local cemetery next door.  The cemetery appears to have opened it's doors in 1901 for local gold miners who unfortunately lost their lives to the plague.  I'm quite sure their are plenty of ghost stories attributed to this hotel.  It's only $39.00 for a night!  Let me know what you think.. creepy or charming???

Antarctica is HOT!

 

Oh, Antarctica.. you fascinate me.  Scientists have headed down to Antarctica, the coldest place on earth, to search for life that thrives in blistering heat. Yes, blistering heat!   This is the, out of this world, Antarctica's Mt. Erebus.  Antarctica's second largest volcano (12,448 ft) and only one of five volcanos in the world that have a permanent lava lake.  The lake frequently spews out lava high into the sky,  but on quiet days,  it just huffs and puffs sulfur smelling steam. The volcanic activity surrounding Mt. Erebus has created unique geological features such bizarre caves which as expressed as ice towers at the surface.  The ice towers are formed when water rapidly turns to ice, as warm volcanic vapors come in contact with the frigid Antarctica surface temperatures.   Their caves can be even more stunning on the inside, as millions of intricate crystals hang from the walls like fragile crystal chandeliers. Warm volcanic gases seeping to the surface carve the labyrinths within the ice.
The caves can be quite warm with the hottest recorded temperature of 104 degrees.  Can you imagine being hot in Antarctica outside ;)?  The hot gases have allowed for some amazing microbial life forms living in the soils of the ice caves.  Currently the caves are protected as the life is being studied. They caves aren't completely safe to enter as the gas levels can be toxic to humans and will be explored in the future by robotics.  Amazing, right?