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Gallery

Seasons on Lake Champlain

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Seasons on Lake Chaplain, Waterfront Park.

Location: 20 Lake St, Waterfront Park, Burlington, Vermont.

Date and Time: Around 9am on February 19, 2017.

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Land of Flowers

Skagit Valley Tulip Festival

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The Skagit Valley Tulip Festival is a popular and hot tourist destination from late March to early April in the Skagit Valley of Mount Vernon, Washington, USA. The acres and acres of land suddenly burst to life with blooming tulips of every shade, color, and variety. With Mt Rainier on backdrop, this becomes a perfect spot to sit, admire, and enjoy nature.

These photos are from our visit to Skagit Valley during the first week of April, 2010.

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Quick Facts and Tips

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Gallery India

Coconut Trees in Rice Fields

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My Native, My Pride: A peaceful walk through the beautiful paddy fields surrounded by coconut trees!

Location: Uppinakudru, Kundapura, Udupi district, Karnataka, India.

Date and Time: Around 2:30pm on August 12, 2018.

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National Parks

Glacier National Park, Montana

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The Glacier National Park in Montana encompasses more than one million acres of landscapes ranging from the Rocky Mountains to the Great Plains. The park showcases its many snow-capped glacier-carved peaks, valleys, lakes, cascading waterfalls, and alpine hiking trails, along with its glorious, iconic Going-to-the-Sun Road.

These photos are from our trip to Glacier National Park in late August 2013.

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Quick Facts and Tips

  • Best Time to Visit: Mid June to mid September
    • Busiest months and warm weather: July to August
    • Less crowd and cooler weather: June and September are pleasant, but Going-to-the-Sun Road and Logan Pass may be closed.
  • Fly into
    • Glacier Park International Airport, Kalispell: 30 mins drive to West Glacier Entrance.
    • Missoula International Airport: 2 and 1/2 hour drive to West Glacier Entrance.
    • Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport: 6 hours drive to Glacier West entrance. There are more frequent flights from West-Coast cities of US and more expensive and fewer flights from East-Coast cities of US. This airport is convenient if you are planning to visit Glacier, Yellowstone, and Grand Teton national parks.
    • Consider Yellowstone Airport or Jackson Hole Airport if you are planning to visit Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks along with Glacier National Park. These airports give you good access to Grand Teton, Yellowstone and Glacier National Parks.
  • Clothing
    • Plan to dress in layers. Comfortable pants, hiking shorts, t-shirts, sweatshirts, comfortable walking/hiking shoes and warm jackets, scarfs, caps, gloves for chilly evenings and nights
  • How Many Days: At least 2 days
  • What to Expect
    • Glaciers, Iceberg Lakes, Snow-capped Mountains, Waterfalls, Valleys, Wildflowers, Wildlife
  • Be sure to check the Park Website for alerts on road closure and current trails conditions.
  • Entrance Fee: $35 per vehicle or from $20 to $30 per person/motorcycle, good for seven days.
  • Start early in the morning or use the free park shuttle service as the parking lots fill up quickly by late morning in summer. Expect road delays and difficulty in finding parking.
  • Starting early is the best way not only to beat the traffic, but also for the best lighting, more elbow room, and increase chance of seeing wildlife.
  • There are plenty of pull-outs or overlooks along Going-to-the-Sun Road. Keep some extra time for stopping for photos, wildlife, sights and for unplanned delays.
  • No gas stations are within Glacier Park boundaries, have the gas tank filled before you hit the road.
  • Weak/no cell phone signals, highly recommend to have maps downloaded or printed.
  • Roads are very narrow, winding with many hairpin turns, and limited parking. Be patient, drive slowly, be prepared to stop and park only the designated area.
  • Take extra caution when you pull over to capture pictures.
  • Prepare yourself if you have motion sickness.
  • Hike with a group to avoid a bear encounter. Do not forget to carry bear spray and secure your food while going for a hike.
  • Take food and water so you can spend the day touring.
  • There is a lot to capture, so keep your camera ready. Make sure that camera is fully charged and also keep backup battery and memory cards.
  • Best Things to Do
    • Lake McDonald: Enjoy the beauty of Lake McDonald valley filled with spectacular u-shaped glacier carved mountain peaks, hiking trails, diverse species of plants and animals. You can rent kayaks/paddle boards or book a scenic lake cruise for another perspective of the lake views.
    • Going-to-the-Sun Road: Drive the most scenic winding mountain road the Going-to-the-Sun Road. This iconic 50 miles road between West Entrance (Apgar Visitor Center) and East Entrance (St Mary Visitor Center) takes you through the stunning views of the most grand vistas in all of the northern Rocky Mountains. Going-to-the-Sun Road offers every beauty of nature. From snow-capped mountains to glacier-fed lakes and waterfalls, from vast mountain vistas to cedar forests, from verdant lush valleys to windswept alpine meadows filled with wildflowers… and the list goes on. It takes at least 2 hours to drive the Going-to-the-Sun Road with NO stops. But it is irresistible not to stop with so many breathtaking views along the way. Stop and enjoy the spectacular views at popular attractions like Lake McDonald, McDonald Falls, Avalanche Falls, Trail of the Cedars, the Loop, Haystack Falls and Weeping Wall, Logan Pass, Jackson Glacier Overlook, and Sun Point.
    • Logan Pass: Visit Logan Pass and relish the breathtaking views of Reynolds Mountain and Clements Mountain that sit on the carpets of wildflowers. Logan pass is the highest elevation point on the park and is located along the Continental Divide in Glacier National Park. Hike the Hidden Lake Trail from the Logan Pass Visitor Center. This 5.3 mile uphill hike offers gorgeous Hidden Lake, colorful wildflowers blanket, stunning views of Reynolds Mountain and Clements Mountain and Wildlife.
    • Sun Point: Visit Sun Point, a small peninsula on St Mary Lake. Just a short walk from the Sun Point parking lot that opens up to a breathtaking panoramic view of the St Mary Lake and the snow capped mountain peaks in the distance. Trail can be expanded to further 1.2 mile to see Barring Falls and Saint Mary Falls.
    • Many Glacier: Drive to Many Glacier region, almost 40 miles (1 and 1/2 hour drive) from Logan Pass. The Many Glacier region is located north of the Going-to-the-Sun Road, on the east side of the park. The rough and bumpy ride to Many Glaciers is forgettable once you view the gorgeous glaciers, blue water lakes, and mountains. The Many Glacier region offers many wonderful hikes like Apakuni Falls Trail, Swiftcurrent Lake, Fishercap Lake Trail, Iceberg Trail. Go hiking to experience the real beauty of the Many Glacier region.
    • Two Medicine: Visit the Two Medicine region located in the southeastern part of Glacier National Park. Even though the Two Medicine offers dramatic views of vast snow-capped mountains, rushing waterfalls, and reflective pristine lakes, it is less visited than other parts of the park. Take an easy 0.6 mile loop walk to Running Eagle Falls. You can rent a rowboat, kayak, or canoe or book a Two Medicine boat tour to explore Two Medicine Lake even more
    • Take a guided Boat/Bus tour. More info here.
  • Nearby Attraction
    • Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park (you may need Canadian Visa).
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Gallery

Hickory Run State Park

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Hickory Run State Park, a natural landmark with the giant 16-acre boulder field and more than 40 miles of hiking trails.

Location: Family Camp Road, White Haven, Pennsylvania, USA.

Date and Time: Around 4pm on October16, 2010.

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General

Lower Antelope Canyon, Page, Arizona

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The Antelope Canyons are narrow, long, deep, and twisting canyons on the Navajo land east of Page, Arizona. Antelope Canyons are accessible only by guided tours, so a tour guide is mandatory. The Lower Antelope Canyon has become a great place for photographers and it offers a unique experience to the tourists. If you have plans to visit Zion, Bryce, or Grand Canyon National Park, do not forget to include Antelope Canyon in your itinerary.

These photos are from our visit to Lower Antelope Canyon during the last week of September, 2014.

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Quick Facts and Tips

  • Best time to visit
    • Mid March to Mid October
    • Midday is the best time to visit
  • Fly into
    • Phoenix and Las Vegas: Good deals and major international airports, five hours drive to Page
    • Page and Flagstaff: Closest, but small airports and limited flights. Antelope Canyons are only 15 mins drive from Page Municipal Airport and 2 hours drive from Flagstaff Pulliam Airport
  • Clothing
    • Comfortable pants, shorts, capri, tank tops, t-shirts, jackets, hats, comfortable boots or other sturdy closed-toed shoes. It is cool in the winter months, so dress in layers
  • Book a tour
    • Lower Antelope Canyon is a guide-only tour. It is absolutely necessary to book a tour, as you can not enter Antelope Canyon without a native Navajo guide
    • It is recommended to book a tour in advance
    • Bring cash to purchase tickets at the counter and give tips to the guide. Tickets can be purchased with a card on-site too
    • Tour is about 2 hours
    • Tour can be cancelled without any prior notice when it rains. The rain falling dozens of miles away can funnel into the slot canyons and cause flash floods with short notice. So please check their websites for flash flood warnings and cancellations
  • Tour Operators
    • Lower Antelope Canyon: Ken’s Lower Antelope Canyon Tours, Dixie Ellis’ Lower Antelope Canyon Tours
    • Upper Canyon Tour Operators: Navajo Tours, Roger Ekis’ Antelope Canyon Tours and Chief Tsosie’s Antelope Slot Canyon Tours
  • Try to visit during midday as the lighting inside the canyon is the best at this time
  • Check the weather forecast for rain and flash floods warning before you head out
  • Since the Lower Antelope canyons are below ground level, you need to climb down a steep metal stairway that takes you to the bottom. Take caution and be patient as you will be in a group
  • You will be surrounded by dozens of people. As the tour guide will be trying to keep the group moving as a unit, it may be challenging to find enough room to take pictures. So be ready, act quickly and smartly, while taking the pictures
  • There is lot to capture, so keep your camera ready. Make sure that your camera is fully charged and also keep backup batteries and memory cards
  • Carry enough water
  • Inside the canyons there are some narrow passages and steep ladders to climb
  • Pay attention to your tour guide for directions and nice stories
  • Nearby Attractions
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Gallery

Bushkill Falls

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Hiking through a unique series of eight waterfalls huddled in the deep wooded Pocono Mountains.

Location: Bushkill Falls Trail, Bushkill, Pennsylvania, USA.

Date and Time: Around 12:20pm on June 22, 2014.

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National Parks

Glen Canyon National Recreation Area

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Glen Canyon National Recreation Area which is in Utah and Arizona is a must visit place if you are around Page. The area is a recreation and conservation unit of the National Park Service that includes the Lake Powell surrounding area and lower Cataract Canyon area in Utah and Arizona. The incredible view of an iconic Horseshoe Bend is just 5 miles away. If you have plans to visit Zion, Bryce, or Grand Canyon National Park, do not forget to include Glen Canyon National Recreation Area in your itinerary.

These photos are from our visit to Glen Canyon National Recreation Area on our way to Grand Canyon National Park during the last week of September 2014.

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Quick Facts and Tips

  • Best time to visit: Mid March to Mid October
  • Fly into
    • Phoenix and Las Vegas: Good deals and major international airports, five hours drive to Page
    • Flagstaff and Page: Closest, small airports and limited flights
  • Clothing
    • Comfortable pants, t-shirts, shorts, tank tops, jackets, hats, sunscreens, comfortable boots or other sturdy closed-toed shoes. It is cool in the winter months, so plan to dress in layers
  • What to Expect
    • The Canyons, Colorful bluffs-mesas-buttes, Horseshoe shaped engraved ramble,  Man-made reservoir, Marinas, Dam
  • For the current road conditions/closures and opening hours check the Park Website
  • Places to go
    • Horseshoe Bend, Lake Powell Marinas, Lees Ferry, Glen Canyon Dam
  • Best things to do
    • Visit Horseshoe bend and enjoy the breathtaking view of the horseshoe-shaped engraved curve of the Colorado River. This place is located near the town Page, Arizona, and 5 miles from the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. The hike to the Horseshoe bend is about a 1.5 mile round trip. The trail is short but challenging during the day because of the direct sunlight. There is no shade through the hike and take extra caution as there are no barriers at the edge. Carry enough water. There will be an entry fee of $10 per vehicle. More info here
    • Enjoy a joyful boat ride on the long and winding Lake Powell
    • Enjoy a water float trip on the Colorado River for an inside view of the canyon
    • Book a tour and visit Glen Canyon Dam
  • Nearby Attractions
Categories
Gallery

Killington Ski Area

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A mile and a quarter Gondola Ride to the top of the 4,241 feet Killington Peak, Vermont’s second tallest and highest lift serviced peak.

Location: Killington Rd, Killington, Vermont, USA.

Date and Time: Around 3pm on February 19, 2017.

Categories
National Parks

Mount Rainier National Park, Washington

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Mt Rainier National Park in Washington state, USA is known for its iconic glacier-capped Mt Rainier. Mt Rainier also known as Tahoma/Tacoma is a large active stratovolcano and is the tallest mountain range in the Cascade Range. The park mesmerizes with its beautiful landscape, breathtaking views of valleys, scenic lakes, waterfalls, wildflowers, as well as marked hiking trails. Really a Paradise!!!

These photos are from a day trip to Mt Rainier National park in late August 2013.

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Quick Facts and Tips

  • Best Time to Visit
    • Summer Months: July to August when wildflowers blooming
    • Spring and Fall Months: Pleasant, but most park roads will be closed
  • Fly into
    • Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, Washington USA
  • Clothing
    • Comfortable pants, hiking shorts, t-shirts, tank tops, Capri, sweatshirts, comfortable walking/hiking shoes, and rain gears. It will be cooler in Spring and Fall, so dress in layers
  • How Many Days
    • Main Attractions: 1-2 days
    • Hiking/Camping: 3-5 Days
  • What to expect
    • The iconic glacier-capped Mt Rainier, Mountain Ridges, Glacier, Wildflower, Waterfalls, Green Valleys, Clear Lakes, Wildlife
  • Be sure to check the Park Website for alters on road closure and current trail conditions.
  • Entrance Fee: $30 per vehicle or from $15 to $25 per person/motorcycle, good for seven days.
  • Try to be there early in the morning for best lighting and more elbow room so that you can cover most of the park’s attractions.
  • Start early in the morning as the parking lots fill up quickly by late morning during summer in Paradise and Sunrise area.
  • Stay on marked trails and use only open trails to preserve the meadows ecosystem.
  • Take food and water so you can spend the day touring with the few restaurants within the park.
  • Weak/no cell phone signals, highly recommend to have maps downloaded or printed.
  • There is a lot to capture, so keep your camera ready. Make sure that camera is fully charged and also keep backup battery and memory cards
  • Places to Visit
    • Longmire Area (Christine Falls, Glacier Bridge, Ricksecker Point, Narada Falls)
    • Paradise Area (Myrte Falls, Skyline Trail, Alta Vista Trail, Nisqually Trail, Reflection Lake, Inspiration Point)
    • Sunrise Area (Tipsoo Lake, Sunrise Point, Sunrise)
  • Best things to do
    • Longmire Area: Longmire area is home for historic buildings and many scenic hiking trails. Relish driving east of Longmire through the Paradise Valley Road that opens up to excellent views of Nisqually Valley. Make sure to stop at the roadside attractions Christine Falls, Glacier Bridge, Ricksecker Point, and Narada Falls. Drive 4 miles east of Longmire to reach Christine Falls pullout. A short stroll from the pullout offers the classic views of the 69 feet high Christine Falls and rustic stone Christine Falls Bridge. Parking is limited and park only in the designated area. One mile east of Christine Falls pullout heading towards Paradise, there is a tall bridge known as Glacier Bridge. The view from the bridge is phenomenal. Do not stop your car on the bridge, rather park your car before entering the bridge or after crossing the bridge. Take a short walk on the bridge and enjoy the magnificent views of Nisqually Valley, Nisqually Glacier, and Nisqually River. Watch out for the ongoing traffic and take extra caution while taking pictures and walking on the bridge. Drive 1.5 miles east of the Glacier Bridge and take a right to Ricksecker Point road. This one-way road is open only in summer and offers remarkable views of Mount Rainier, Nisqually Valley, and the Tatoosh Range. The magical Narada Falls is located 2.5 mile east of Ricksecker Point (around 8 miles east of Longmire). You can view the falls from the large parking area or you can take a short but steep trail down for a better view of the 159 feet high falls. There are a bunch of picnic tables where you can relax and catch your breath after the uphill hike.
    • Paradise Area: Visit Paradise and enjoy hiking to picturesque Myrtle Falls. This place is a paradise with spectacular views of Mt Rainier, colorful wildflowers, beautiful valleys, and waterfalls. The Paradise area offers many easy and great trails with stunning views. You can experience the real beauty of Paradise by hiking many trails located in the area. Many trails intersect each other so that you can make your hike short or long based on your preference, but either way you will be amazed by the gorgeous views. Enjoy Paradise Valley Road from Paradise parking lot to Steven Canyon Road. This 2 mile one-way road takes you through the beautiful meadows with Paradise valleys and Paradise river. There are couple of designated parking spots along the drive. Take caution while parking on the shoulder
    • Stevens Canyon Road: Drive the winding, scenic Stevens Canyon Road and stop at the road side attractions Inspiration Point and Refection Lake. Inspiration Point Lookout is located 3 miles south of Paradise and offers spectacular views of Mount Rainier and the surrounding Tatoosh Range. One mile south of Inspiration Point Lookout is the Reflection Lake. Sunrise views at Reflection Lake are stunning. As the name suggests, on a calm and clear day the mirror image of picturesque Mt Rainier can be seen on tranquil Reflection Lake. Easy to access, few steps from the parking lot (parking is limited) offers stunning postcard views
    • Sunrise Area: Drive to Sunrise Park Road (via Steven Canyon Road, then WA-123 N, and WA-410 E) and enjoy the popular attractions along the way. Take an easy stroll around the beautiful subalpine Tipsoo lake surrounded by gorgeous wildflower meadows. Stop at Sunrise Point Lookout for a gorgeous view of Sunrise Lake to the north, sweeping views of the Cascade Range to the east, and Mount Rainier to the southwest. The last stop on Sunrise Park Road area offers breathtaking panoramic views of surrounding valleys, Mt Rainier and other volcanoes in the cascade ranges
  • Popular and easy hikes
  • Nearby Attractions
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Gallery

Flume Brook at Flume Gorge

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Flume Brook at Flume Gorge Trail during the winter months at Franconia Notch State Park.

Location: Flume Gorge, Daniel Webster Hwy, Lincoln, New Hampshire, USA.

Date and Time: Around 4:30 pm on February 18, 2017.

Categories
National Parks

Best Trails in Mount Rainier National Park, Washington

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Popular and easy hikes in Mount Rainier National Park, Washington

  • Alta Vista Trial: This 1.8 mile steep uphill loop hike from Paradise is considered as moderate. It is worth even hiking half way. During summer, the trail offers fantastic displays of wildflowers, dramatic panoramic views of Mount Rainier, and the surrounding foothills. The hike is mostly paved with some rough spots and narrow path. Please stay on the path to preserve the meadow ecosystem. The trails is best used from June until October. Pictures and more info here.
  • Nisqually Vista Trail: This easy, paved 1 mile loop trail located near Paradise winds through the wildflowers meadows. This trail has several beautiful viewpoints which offer panoramic view of Nisqually Glacier and Mt Rainier. The trail is best used from June until October. Pictures and more info here.

  • Tipsoo Lake Trail: Short and easy 0.8 mile loop trail offers great views of the snow-capped peak of Mt Rainier, lush valleys, wildflowers, and clear water perfect for the reflection. Walk clockwise for better view and stay on trails to protect the delicate meadows. Pictures and more info here.
  • Sunrise Nature Trail : The Sunrise Nature Trail is an easy 1.5 mile loop hike near Sunrise parking area. There are several trails sharing the same trailhead at the north end of the Sunrise parking lot. This hike offers stunning panoramic views of Mt Rainier and surrounding peaks over the wildflowers blanket. Pictures and more info here.

  • Sourdough Ridge Trail to Frozen Lake: 3 mile loop trail from the Sunrise Visitor Center Parking lot. The Sourdough Ridge Trail and Sunrise Nature Trail share the same first half mile starting from the north end of the Sunrise parking area. Follow the nature trail, then at the fork, (you can see the Sourdough Ridge Trail sign) turn left and head west on the Sourdough Ridge Trail to reach Frozen lake. This trail is open from June to October and offers incredible views of Mount Rainier, the north side of Sourdough Ridge and the icebergs floated greenish blue colored Frozen Lake at the end. Pictures and more info here.