Best of...Night Sky Viewing
One of the most spectacular sights in nature is the pristine night sky. If you go on vacation to one of our country's beautiful national parks or enjoy some backcountry camping you have the opportunity to enjoy some spectacular night sky viewing. Here are a few locations that are considered by many to be excellent for night sky viewing.
Death Valley National Park
Death Valley is the largest National Park in the contiguous United States and it has lots of deep wilderness. The wilderness greatly reduces the light pollution, clearing the sky for great night sky viewing. One thing to note is that there is some faint light pollution from the lights of Las Vegas, but it is so minimal that it is negligible. Death Valley also has access to some amazing backcountry activities. These activities will take you to the center of the deep wilderness where you can see some truly spectacular night skies.
Joshua Tree National Park
Located in southeastern California Joshua Tree has some amazing night sky views, especially while camping among many other spectacular natural sights. At Joshua Tree you can see the Milky Way with amazing clarity, using only binoculars. If you bring along a star chart you can identify all sorts of stars and constellations. Using binoculars you can look into the dense star clouds of the Milky Way, and see clearly. These star clouds are especially dense and bright to the south near the horizon.
Mauna Kea, Onizuka Center for International Astronomy
The Onizuka Center is located at the 9,300 foot level on Mauna Kea. Mauna Kea, located on the island of Hawaii surrounded by the Pacific Ocean is an ideal spot for international astronomy. At the top of Mauna Kea there is an internationally renowned observatory with 11 telescopes, located at 13,796 feet. The mountain has minimal light pollution and the high elevation is ideal for stargazing. Visitors have very limited access to the summit telescopes, due to a difficult road and the observatories are not open for public viewing. If you want to stargaze from Mauna Kea your best option is to take advantage of one of the free stargazing programs at the Onizuka Center or to take a commercial tour. If you really want to go to the summit, the Keck Observatory and the UH2.2 telescope have visitors galleries which are open for visitors at certain times.
Carlsbad Caverns National Park
Located in southeastern New Mexico this park is one of many amazing locations in New Mexico for night sky viewing. Throughout the summer visitors can enjoy the night sky events hosted at the park. Carlsbad Caverns are located away from the lights of the local communities, limiting light pollution, and creating better night sky viewing. During the summer there are Star Party Events, which provide information about the night sky and provide telescopes for better viewing. Carlsbad Caverns also has Ranger led programs emphasizing astronomy and nocturnal creatures.
Chaco Culture National Historical Park
On the opposite side of New Mexico from Carlsbad Caverns National Park, Chaco Culture National Historical Park has great night sky scenes. The park also has a great night sky program. The Chaco Night Sky Program includes presentations, astronomy which links modern astronomy with the astronomical knowledge of the Chacoan people. On top of the nocturnal activities Chaco Culture National Historical Park has the largest concentration of Chaco ruins outside of Mexico.
New Mexico Skies
New Mexico Skies is a program that provides a complete experience for aspiring astronomers. The lodgings are located within the Sacramento Mountains. New Mexico Skies has low light pollution and high elevations, and it borders the Lincoln National Forest, making it a fabulous spot for stargazing. Visitors can rent cabins, stargaze at night and sleep during the day, all of which is delightfully accommodated by New Mexico Skies. Of course, should you want to partake is some daytime activities the National Forest is a great location for recreation.
Great Basin National Park
Along the eastern edge of Nevada, Great Basin National Park has an ideal combination of low light pollution and high elevation. When stargazing at the Park, visitors can see five planets, meteors, star clusters and the Milky Way, simply with the naked eye. Some of the best spots to see the night sky in the park are at the turnouts along the Wheeler Park Scenic Drive.
Bryce Canyon National Park
Utah, like New Mexico is a great state for stargazing. Bryce Canyon has a variety of night time programs for visitors to enjoy. You can take a full moon hike, guided only by the light of the full moon and a "Dark Ranger" from Bryce Canyon. These hikes are a fabulous opportunity to enjoy both the nature of the park and its night skies. Bryce Canyon also has the Night Sky Program, which includes a multimedia presentation and telescope viewing. Bryce Canyon National Park has some pristine night skies, especially on moonless nights.
Natural Bridges National Monument
In southeastern Utah, Natural Bridges National Monument is one of the darkest national parks in the country. In fact, it is the world's first International Dark Sky Park. Natural Bridges has tried to maintain and improve its dark skies by reducing light pollution from park installations. In addition, there are ranger led programs for visitors to enjoy. Natural Bridges National Monument has especially amazing night skies because the dark canyon walls contrasts with the starry night skies.
Sky Meadows State Park
An hour away from Washington, DC in Virginia Sky Meadows State Park is a popular destination for night sky viewing. The park is located on the eastern side of the Blue Ridge Mountains, and its relatively remote location helps to limit the light pollution and accentuate the night sky. At Sky Meadows State Park groups come together to host stargazing events. Even astronomers come here to host presentations on the night sky.
Best of...Sheep Dog Herding Trials
Sheep Dog Trials are probably one of the least known great summer events. We are all familiar with State Fairs and Harvest Festivals, but if you have never been to a sheep dog herding trial, they are lots of fun. Spectators can enjoy watching the best dogs and handlers show off their amazing skills, while enjoying the accompanying food and events.
Wild N Woolie Sheep Dog Trial, Coalville, Utah
This is a three day event, which is held in conjunction with the Summit County Fair. These Sheep Dog Trials are sanctioned by the United States Border Collie Handlers Association. Friday and Saturday of the event have two one-day open trials, then on Sunday there are two runs of pro-novice and nursery. Nursery Trials are limited to herding dogs under three years old. Spectators can also watch the demolition derby and Fireworks on Saturday night.
Hotchkiss Sheep Camp Stock Dog Trials, Hotchkiss, Colorado
Held in May, this three day event is full of fun activities on top of the herding trials. The trials start at 7am and continue throughout the day, increasing in difficulty as the day progresses. There is also an art contest held in conjunction with the sheep dog trials. In addition to the trials there are camp wagon contests, great food, sheep to shawl demonstrations which include carding, spinning and weaving, and sheep shearing demonstrations.
Merck Forest Sheep Dog Trials, Rupert, Vermont
These sheep dog trials and farm festival are held in July. The dogs and their handlers work together to herd flocks of sheep. They demonstrate how they can move the flock from pasture to pasture, separate one sheep from the flock and herding the flock into pens and barns. The dogs follow the commands of their handler and they are awarded points based on skills. This event also has sheep shearing, draft horse demonstrations, maple syrup demonstrations, children's activities and wagon rides.
Leatherstocking Sheepdog Trials, Cooperstown, New York
This is a very competitive trial for handlers and it attracts many spectators. Handlers travel from around Canada and New England to compete in these trials in August. There are also vendors, that sell plenty of interesting items. These trials have a challenging field, the open course has a long slope. All herding breeds are welcome at these sheep dog trials.
Steamboat Stock Dog Challenge, Steamboat Springs, Colorado
The Steamboat Stock Dog Challenge is held in September and is a three day event. These trials showcase some of the top border collies in the nation. Trials such as these demonstrate how handlers use only their voice and whistles to direct their dogs to guide the sheep through obstacles. The trials also showcase the incredible teamwork and relationship between the dogs and their handlers.
National Sheepdog Finals, Middletown, Virginia
The 2010 finals are held in September at Belle Grove Plantation. The finals bring together the best dog and handler teams from across the nation. Over the six days of trials, North America's top 150 dogs compete for the title of National Champion. The National Sheepdog Finals also have Nursery competitions for dogs under three years.
Meeker Sheepdog Trials, Meeker, Colorado
Every year the town of Meeker holds the Meeker Classic Sheepdog Trials over Labor Day weekend in September. At the annual international competition, sheepdogs and their handlers compete on a closed course, performing complex sheepherding maneuvers. The sheepdogs and handlers are competing for a $20,000 purse. Visitors will also have the opportunity to enjoy the art contest, food booths and dog exhibitions.
Rural Hill Sheep Dog Trials, Huntsville, North Carolina
These trials held in November, are United States Border Collie Handlers Association sanctioned. More than 100 dogs compete in these trails. The trial tasks are based on the daily tasks the dogs have to compete on the farm. Points are awarded to teams based on the precision demonstrated and completed within the allowed time interval. These trials are open to any breed of herding dog, but in the past only border collies have been present. Visitors to these trials can also enjoy hayride tours, battle axe throwing and children's activities.
Soldier Hollow Classic Sheepdog Trials, Heber, Utah
The Soldier Hollow Classic is held over Labor Day each year. Last year over 24,600 people attended the trials. Over the four days of these trials dogs and handlers from around the world compete and spectators can watch some of the best dog and handler teams in the world. There are also other events at these trials including entertainment, food and Police K-9 team demonstrations.
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Best of...Christmas in July
Christmas in July is a very unique holiday. Communities throughout the world have their own Christmas in July celebrations. Many southern countries choose to celebrate Christmas in July because July is winter in the southern hemisphere, while December, the month that Christmas falls in, occurs during the summer. Here are a few celebrations held in U.S. communities, celebrating Christmas in July.
Broward County, Florida
Broward County has a very special celebration. Each year the non-profit company Christmas in July Inc. holds an event to designed to raise money for the homeless children in Broward County. Each year the children are invited to participate in the Christmas in July event. The event raises money for the homeless children and their families. At the event children are given gifts of new clothing, school supplies, toys and more. This event truly celebrates the generous spirit of Christmas.
Put-In-Bay, Ohio
The town on the island decorates itself for the holiday season of Christmas in July. The whole town comes together, serves Christmas food and celebrates Christmas in July. In fact, it is one of the islands busiest seasons. Visitors will find live entertainment, and enjoy the Christmas decorations throughout the downtown area.
West Jefferson, North Carolina
This town has a one day event to celebrate Christmas in July. There is lots of bluegrass and traditional mountain music. Visitors can enjoy the handmade crafts, diverse food vendors and children's activities. There is also a civil war era camp and reenactments.
Paradise, Pennsylvania
This celebration is held at the National Christmas Center Family Attraction and Museum. At this celebration revelers will find arts and crafts, entertainment and music. They eat Christmas food and can enjoy the Christkindlmart. This festival is called the Midsummer Yule Festival.
Vermilion, Ohio
The Vermilion festival is just as unique as all of the others. This three day festival has all sort of fun activities. Every year there is the Santa Claus Riverboat. After Santa Claus arrives there are holiday decorations, an open air market, concerts and much more.
Top Fishing Locations
Most of us have experienced the joys of fishing at our local pond or lake, but few of us get the chance to experience fishing at some of the best locations in the United States. This list includes only a few of the top fishing holes in the country -- there are many more and they are always changing due to varying conditions. Although this list is not comprehensive, it does include spots considered by many to be the best fishing locations in the country for fly fishing, ice fishing, fresh water, salt water, and deep sea fishing.
Silver Creek, Idaho
Located in Idaho, Silver Creek is a top fly fishing location. Much of the creek flows through the Silver Creek Preserve. This spring-fed tributary of the Little Wood River is, in fact, a world-renowned fly fishing location. Anglers especially will find this spot a delight. The headwaters of the creek are surrounded by farmland, which provides amazing scenery, and as it flows it turns into a large creek that moves through the Silver Creek Preserve. Silver Creek is known for its large Brown and Rainbow Trout.
Gallatin River, Montana
This river starts at Gallatin Lake, which is located in the Gallatin Mountain Range in Yellowstone National Park. The river flows for 115 miles and comes to an end at the Missouri River. Twenty-five miles of the river are located within Yellowstone National Park. When it leaves the Park, the river mostly flows through public land for the next 40 miles. The majority of the river is closed to float fishing, so it is great for wade anglers.
Yellowstone River, Montana
The entire length of the Yellowstone River is undamed, which provides excellent trout habitat along the stretch of almost 200 miles. Most of the fishing on this river is done by boat, unlike on the Gallatin River. The most productive part of the river runs through Paradise Valley. Fishers may expect to find Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout, Cutthroat Trout, and even Rocky Mountain Whitefish.
Kenai Peninsula, Alaska
For fishers looking for a saltwater angling experience, the Kenai Peninsula is considered the best. The Peninsula is home to the largest run of Sockeye Salmon as well as the largest King Salmon ever caught. Alaska's Kenai Peninsula is fairly easy to reach and also heavily fished. Saltwater anglers can expect to find King, Sockeye, Coho, and Pink Salmon at the Kenai Peninsula. Cooks Inlet, which is the adjacent body of water, is known for its Pacific Halibut, Rockfish, Dolly Varden Char, and Steelhead Trout.
Hawaii
The tropical waters off of the islands of Hawaii are great for big game sport fishing. If this is a type of fishing you want to try, there are lots of charter boat options throughout the islands. There are fish in these deep sea that weigh more than the average person. Catching big fish like those in the waters off Hawaii provide great action and plenty of excitement. The catch from a trip in Hawaii could include Blue Marlin, Striped Marlin, Wahoo, Yellowfin Tuna, and more.
San Diego and the Southern Coast of California
From the waters off of San Diego and south to Baja, avid fishers will find excellent deep sea fishing. The warm summer waters attract lots of big fish and if you are interested in this type of fishing there are plenty of charter boats and guides throughout the area. At a short distance from shore, fishers can expect to find fish like Calico Bass, Mackeral, Dorado, and more. Farther off shore the catch is different and can include Albacore, Yellowfin Tuna, Skipjack, Yellowtail, and others. The deeper the fishing, the bigger the fish.
Mille Lacs Lake, Minnesota
Minnesota is a land full of lakes and it provides a huge range of options for fishing. Out of all these lakes, Mille Lacs is just one great option. During the spring and summer it is a great location, but it is an even better location during the winter. When the lake is iced over, the lake has 132,00 acres on the surface. The large surface area provides for incredible ice fishing. Throughout the winter there are lots of ice fishing huts all over the lake. The fish in the lake include Walleyes, Pike, Smallmouth Bass, and Perch.
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