Tagged With "dry winter"
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Re: Huntingdon, Pennsylvania: Peaceful Holiday Getaway
Thank you George. They close in the winter, so call first to be sure so that it's not a wasted trip.
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Re: Canadian snowbirds: Don't clip our wings!
I have a hard time feeling sorry for those snowbirds, generally retirees with the wherewithall to escape the winter. I suspect subsidizing lying on a beach for weeks or months wasn't something meant to be built into the system.
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Re: Boston in the fall - suggestions please!
Mac. I'll be in Pennsylvania - Delaware - Maryland - Virginia later this month through September. Although a good way south of your expedition the colours of winter arrive gradually and the days are still warm enough to enjoy walking the empty State Parks. Only a leisurely days drive south of Boston. I love that warm gap between the end of an English summer and getting back home for that first chill of winter. LATE SEPTEMBER
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Re: Yes, Winter's coming: France gets first snow
We almost got snowed in as we were leaving Krakow, Poland. Yes, it's that time of year when winter is letting us know it's coming.
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Re: Sydney Expat Guide
My first impression of Australia was how clean and modern everywhere is. Oz has a shorter history span than the US. Their view of people from other countries is limited to what they see on TV News. Similar to Americans. My 3 kids lived in Australia for a while and found it very safe with well mannered folks. I have lots of family over there and the great plus of living in Oz is being able to enjoy the great outdoors. Even in winter when most days are above 60f - which the locals call cold !
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Re: Where Gumbo Was #14: A Sewer Journey
IslandMan - Good one ! Your island home of Malta is an interesting case in point of modern water and wastewater management. The limestone and clay geology there leads to rapid groundwater runoff during the winter rains. Because of this, precious water is reused after treatment in one of the two above ground sewer plants. Water has always been a very valuable resource on the island. Perhaps you might like to make a report sometime about the natural springs and history of the Maqluba doline in...
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Re: The Maltese Islands – Underrated gems or best kept secret ?
Thanks for your comments TatToo. Summer is the best time for water sports,from May to October. Most operators usually shut down over winter. There isn't much surf to speak of unless there is an exceptionally stormy day, but the northern parts of the island are more suited for windsurfing and paragliding as the winds from the northern Mediterranean tend to have more strength in them
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Re: Thai Tourism Blossoming
I think of travel in Thailand as "Asia Lite". In a good way. It was the first place I ventured in Asia and have continued to go back, combined with more challenging destinations. So I'm not surprised. It's also my destination of choice for recuperation when the food elsewhere does me in. It's pretty much in the middle of the region with flights in from all over and that, combined with the fresh & delicious food, makes it a relaxing and beneficial spot to forget one's food woes. It's high...
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Re: Thousands of flights cancelled
Winter has yet to arrive in Western Europe. While the Jetstream continues to push warm air up from the Caribbean it will continue to be frost free.
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Re: Newgrange; Ireland’s ancient Passage Tomb
For those who are interested, we received this link which has some interesting graphics of Newgrange site. http://www.openuniversity.edu/...he-winter-solstice-a
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Re: Christmas in Arizona--what to do?
Anywhere around the Phoenix area would be good. Northern Arizona (Grand Canyon) gets winter. Scottsdale is a popular destination with great resorts and there are many budget hotels in the area. I would use Fashion Square Mall as your search area.
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Re: Christmas in Arizona--what to do?
Originally Posted by EyeWonder: Thanks everyone. I have to ask you more questions! My friends have come up with two more suggestions. One is Sedona, and the other is the Navajo reservation that Tony Hillerman wrote all his books about and that has some big canyons. Is that area too far north for warm weather? Navajo country is too far north and too high up for a warm winter break. But if you bring a warm jacket, it will be magical that time of year. Sedona will be nice, but with cooler days...
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Re: A Visit to Ireland: Part 1) An overview of the Country and its People
To say that Ireland is typically wet and cold is true of Winter. The Summers are often pleasant and warm but when you get to the West Coast then the wind blows in of a cold Atlantic Ocean. But the weather can change 4 times a day - so there's something there to please everyone. Ireland has wonderful fresh food. Fresh from the sea and farm. Try a locally produced Vintage Cheddar Cheese or an 18 year old Jamesons Whiskey. Soda bread is a local speciality. But stay away from the home made...
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Re: Finishing college. Need help planning trip to U.K,
Summer months are best - between May and September. Snowdon is 3,560 feet high. Temperature drops 5.4 F per 1,000 feet of elevation. This winter has been very warm so far. So the snow will clear early if it continues to be warmer than usual. You'll see the current Temps before you go up clearly displayed. The weather can change suddenly so pack for wind, rain, sun and snow ! The Mountain doesn't warm up. It depends on which way the wind blows. From the South = warm From the North =cold...
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Re: Visit Canada! Kiss a Canadian
I think there are three main problems Canadian tourism faces. 1) The weather. Very limited season, unless you want to ski. 2) Expensive airfares. In the last 5 years, air fares went from being competitive to being very expensive -- overly taxed, I guess. And predictably, when you charge more for something you get less of that activity. 3) Heightened border security between Canadian and US border can cause long delays and has greatly reduced cross border crossings in the past 15 years. It's...
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Re: Capital of Culture Series: Liverpool
Here's a good quote Paul PORTRAIT OF AN UNHEALTHY CITY - NEW YORK INTHE 1800'S by David Rosner Columbia University When a horse died, its carcass would be left to rot until it had disintegrated enough for someone to pick up the pieces. Children would play with dead horses lying on the streets. In addition to lacking street cleaning, the city also had no sewage system and no flush toilets. Garbage--which included both human and animal waste--was basically thrown out windows and onto city...
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Re: 1000's Drawn to North Dakota
A lot of people who went there are now packing out. The Salvation Army is trying to help people - who cannot afford the cost of living in these places - "escape" from boomtown. http://money.cnn.com/2013/01/1...html?iid=SF_PF_River I see ads in the Indianapolis Craigslist for people wanting RVs and travel trailers to take the Dakotas and Montana. Makes me wonder where they will park them when they arrive, how they will stand the winter, and if they did any research into the cost of living...
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Re: The Beautiful Pools and Geysers of Yellowstone National Park
Hi PHeymont, Andre and DrFumblefinger, Just back from a winter break and glad to see many of you also like the brilliant colors associated with the geysers, pools and hot springs in Yellowstone! As of how the mesmerizing colors are formed, I know no more than my friend DrFumblefinger (thanks Karl for the explanation). I only know that was those incredible heat-loving thermophiles that somehow survived and produced those amazing nature wonders.
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Re: Jama Masjid, Delhi (Where Gumbo was #256)
Delhi has a lot to offer in terms of interesting sites. HOWEVER, the air pollution is appalling, particularly in the winter. We will be in Delhi in March - when things should start to get a little better - but we have cut our stay there to a mere 24 hours. We would have liked to re-visit some places like Humayun's Tomb or the Jama Mosque, but in the end decided that we could not face the atrocious smog again. We will now leave on the earliest convenient train south.
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Re: Spotted on the Road, Winnipeg, Canada
As you can see from the above photos, each parking spot has its own electric outlet because of the need to use a block heater in the coldest winter months. This little buggy plugs into a standard outlet. No special adapter or anything needed.
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Re: Spotted on the Road, Winnipeg, Canada
When i lived in Canmore Alberta for a year, it didn't pay to install a block heater on my car. The house we were living in had a heated garage, and The car was never going to be out in the cold for that many hours. BUT it change one aspect - making hotel reservations. Out first question throughout the winter was- "Do you have indoor parking?"
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Re: How to not miss a connecting flight
There are a lot of good tips in the article about streamlining your connections. While I mostly enjoy flying, travel days are busy and tiring enough that I hate to be rushed. I try to get to the airport early (often I've been grateful that I gave myself that extra time), and I don't take flights that have connections I consider too tight. I like at least 1.5-2 hours between my connections. I've been delayed on arrival often enough that having less time than that is no fun. As planes travel...
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Re: Mall of the Emirates
Unbelievable technology to maintain a ski resort in the desert. I believe the world's largest indoor ski resort just opened last summer which is the Wanda Indoor Ski and Winter Sports Resort in Harbin China.
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Re: Nepalese Sherpas building Norway trails
Good news; I certainly struggled with paths in Lofoten in summertime, mainly because most local access is in winter by skidoo. Even waterside trails are non existent as everyone uses boats for fishing ! Norway has a spike in hillwalking accidents in springtime among hikers desperate to get out in the hills; surely this will help them too.
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Re: Swiss glaciers under threat after hot summer
Warmer Autumns in the UK mean that farmers can leave Cows and other animals grazing on grass for at least 6 weeks longer. Animals are fed on maize when they are brought in to over winter. The savings they make there are a bonus too.
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Re: Going Underground in Toronto
I've visited Toronto several times during winter. Some winter days are lovely and you want to be outside, but when the cold blows from the north, you're grateful to be able to walk the PATH. Have never seen the Christmas decorations, which are lovely. Thanks for sharing this, Kai!
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Re: March 19, 2018: Winter at Caraquet Wharf, New Brunswick
Brrrrr. I can feel that North Atlantic wind crossing over all that ice. It's a little hard to tell from the photos but I assume the boats are dry-docked fro the winter? Ice can be a very destructive force when it thaws.
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Re: March 19, 2018: Winter at Caraquet Wharf, New Brunswick
A lot of boats are dry-docked for the winter, but I did see others that were not. The Bay looks more like a field. That's an island out there!
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Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day, November 25, 2014: Fall colors at Upper Kananaskis Lake, Alberta
Hi GarryRF, Yes, this part of the world includes vaste stretches of wilderness. Lots and lots of unspoiled mountains, valleys, forests, rivers and lakes. It is only an hour's drive from west Calgary, so lots of those of us who live here spend our weekends in the Rockies. Much like those in Denver. Camping is wonderful in the summertime, as the weather is mild and the days very long. It's also great to hike here at that time. Camping in the winter is only for the brave of heart. You need to...
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Re: Fares to Europe for as Low as $301 Round Trip Total!
Rob, with these fares from Oakland to Stockholm in mind, I once spent a summer working in Sweden but I don't recall seeing palm trees. Which part has them so I'll know where to go for my winter vacation?
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Re: Fares to Europe for as Low as $301 Round Trip Total!
Prices for Oslo in June were not that much more than winter ones.I'll have to check if the Oakland -Stockholm is similar. If I were to travel to Stockholm in winter though,i 'd just get a return budget flight to somewhere warmer in Europe.
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Re: "Cruise Night", Thunder Bay, Ontario: The 1970's and 1980's
Hi again GarryRF Thanks for the kind words. I'm glad you enjoyed this collection of photos. You are correct that these cars are definitely kept warm and secure in garages all over Thunder Bay during the harsh winter months, which makes it all the more special to see them out and about in the summertime. Just another reason why I love summers in the Great White North, eh.
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Re: A stroll through the Betty Ford Alpine Gardens, Vail
Does winter arrive early in these gardens ? Is that due to the elevation? Does it remain cool in the Summer too ? I'm thinking of the likes of Mexico City where it should be tropical but its elevation keeps it cool all year. Lovely photos of the Flora and Gardens. Was it really that empty ?
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Re: A stroll through the Betty Ford Alpine Gardens, Vail
Thanks for the comments, Garry. Yes, winter arrives early because of the very high altitude. Over a mile and a half above sea level. Summers are very nice -- warm (75-80F) dry pleasant days (no humidity to speak off), and it always cools down nicely at night, so most places don't even have air conditioning. It really was that empty. No more than 6 folks in the garden including my wife and I, and of course not counting the hundreds of birds flying about.
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Re: Gallery: Signs of Toronto -- the City at Large
Thanks for your comments, Garry and Rbcia! Garry, you mentioned twins!? Are you a grandpa again? Rbciao, if you can postpone your trip to spring, when everything is blooming, I think you'll have an even better time in Toronto. But there's lots to see and do, even in the winter.
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Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day, February 23, 2015: Skógafoss, Iceland
Thank goodness for the Gulf Stream. Keeps me warm in the winter at 52' north. Unlike Calgary - also 52' north - who get quite a chill. Less than a thousand miles to Iceland and I still haven't been !
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Re: A day at The Forks Market: Winnipeg, Canada
Looks like a fun place to go in the deep freezing Winnipeg winter! Nice collection of photos. Thanks Karl.
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Re: Gallery: Bicycles, Lucca, Italy
Originally Posted by DrFumblefinger: I also find bicycles a pleasant subject, and enjoyed your collection, PortMoresby! Here are a pic I snapped last year in France. The guy was pushing his uphill towards the market..... And these frosty models at the University of Manitoba in Winnipeg (hey, they have studded snow tires for these -- seriously!)
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Re: Impression about Perth, Australia
My 3 kids lived and worked in Australia for a year. I loved going to Oz to visit them. Once in summer and once in winter. We accept young folks from Australia to live and work here in the UK as part of the Commonwealth of countries. Like Oz does for our kids. As you say Aussies are proud of their convict heritage and are often disappointed to find they have ancestors who merely migrated. I have lots of relatives in Oz today - mostly found using the internet. Its surprising when we swop...
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Re: Prague's Jerusalem Synagogue: Where Gumbo Was (#129)
I visited Prague in Feb. a few years ago and had a wonderful time. Even in the cold middle of winter there was a vibrant outdoor life. A great place any time.
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Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day, January 15th, 2015: Winter Flowers ?
It's a beautiful flower, Garry, and wish that they were blooming out there now. I'm looking at a foot of snow on the ground as I write this. Last year in Calgary was one of the longest and coldest winters on record. This winter is somewhat milder, but still with enough cold days. What does this mean when added to what you describe? I have no idea. My own view is that we've only been studying the planet's weather for about a century with some detail now. That, in the scope of the history of...
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Re: Punalu'u Black Sand Beach Park, Hawaii Island, Hawaii
You'd love the Canary Isles. Volcanic islands off the north west cost of Africa. Its a winter hotspot where the islands belong to Spain. Its party time all year and a favourite with the younger set. Its famous on Tenerife for young men to drive up Mount Teide in winter and collect snow from the peak in Cooler Boxes. Drive back down to the 77'f / 25'c beaches and throw snowballs at the topless sunbathers. Might be a bit too much for non-Europeans !!
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Re: Thinking Cuba? Tickets not so easy yet!
Mac. Cuba has already changed since my first visit 15 years ago. Buses and cars are everywhere now thanks to those intrepid Chinese salesmen. Living standards are rising rapidly thanks to the tourist dollar. Fields of Sugar Cane are now rare. Castro has decided that Cuba's future lies in tourism. Bicycles prevail in most Towns and a horse and buggy are common. When I first went to Cuba it was painfully poor. It's like going back in time to a 3rd world country. But with safety and very civil,...
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Re: Thinking Cuba? Tickets not so easy yet!
Maybe the answer to the number of Hotels needed to accommodate the new visitors from the US is all in the timing. Brits - Canadians - Germans love Cuba in the winter. It's the dry season with no hurricane threat. Warm in the daytime, 75-85f or 24 -29c. Cool enough for a sweater at night. Americans can have the summer !!!
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Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day, January 27, 2015: Breaking the winter blues at the Calgary Zoo
It's important to teach the children that winter is there to be enjoyed too. It's never bad weather - just the wrong clothes !
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Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day, January 27, 2015: Breaking the winter blues at the Calgary Zoo
That's a good point, GarryRF! People who live in places with cold climates do adapt and most involve their kids in out door activities -- winter or summer. For example, downhill skiing is very popular. But that walk with the penguins intrigues me. I've never heard of this except, of course, in Antarctica. Need to go by and check it out sometime.
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Re: Yellowstone National Park in Winter
Thanks so very much for making us a part of your fascinating road-trip by sharing your visit to this unique place at such a special time. It's so rare to actually talk to someone who visited Yellowstone in the winter, much less to read such a wonderfully written report and to share in your experience through your beautiful photos. I'm sorry you didn't get to see wolves in the wild, but in this you are not alone. As many times as I've been in the wilderness, I've yet to see them (though I was...
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Re: Yellowstone National Park in Winter
I really enjoyed this blog entry! I have been to Yellowstone but never in the winter, I want to now though. I especially loved the picture of the Bison in the snow.
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Re: Signs of Boston
Lovely walkable city. The trains were a great way to get around too. Just move along one station at a time and pop up out of the underground railway for another look around. Around Quincy Market was very strange. It was St Patricks day and the sun was shining. The sellers were wearing shorts and T-shirts. But around the corner the sun hadn't made any impression. It was still in the shade after a long winter. Snow was everywhere and the market traders wore hats and coats. Around the next...