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The Cass Scenic Railroad

Morning mist, like a transparent sheath, rose from the green-carpeted Cheat Mountain in West Virginia’s Monongahela National Forest on that Memorial Day weekend, but the hot sun quickly intercepted it during its gentle ascent, leaving a flawlessly blue sky.

Like a pocket of history, somehow frozen in time, the town of Cass, accessed via curving, mountain-hugging roads and a short, Greenbrier River-traversing bridge, sported its railroad depot, historic buildings, and dual tracks, all cradled by a valley in Back Allegheny Mountain. The tracks themselves, stretching toward and disappearing into a dense forest, were the very reason for the town and its railroad and also the reason why neither disappeared into history.

Densely covered with virgin forests during the late-19th century, West Virginia ubiquitously sprouted oak, hickory, pine, walnut, and chestnut at its lower elevations and hemlock, spruce, maple, and birch at its higher ones, providing rich lumber resources, with its eight- to nine-foot diameter trees, for the houses, stores, churches, and schools demanded by the state’s increasing population. First Grade Accommodation In Coonoor.

Logging, once dependent upon rivers to power sawmills, evolved into a significant industry with the concurrent development of the steam engine and the circular saw, a combination which permitted location anywhere the operation required it, independent of external water power.

Trees were traditionally felled, cut into manageably sized logs, propelled down slopes by means of wooden skids to streams, and transported to mills on log rafts.

Because of the inherent imprecision and danger of the manual skidding method, the Lidgerwood Company of New York designed the first steam-powered skidder, which constituted another logging industry advancement. First used in West Virginia in 1904, the device, featuring a mile of 1 7/8-inch thick cable which extended up to 2,600 feet, was either mounted directly on the ground or atop a rail-provisioned flat car, gripping the log and transferring it from forest to stream in a secure, controlled manner. It significantly increased the capability of the horse-drawn method it often replaced.

Water-born logging rafts, as equally imprecise because of rock, boulder, branch, and rapids obstructions during the summer and ice in the winter, were eventually replaced with steam-operated loaders and logging railroads.

Large band saws, substituting for the earlier, circular device, converted timber into lumber more rapidly, precisely, and efficiently, eliminating needless waste, and had an average daily capability of 125,000 board-feet.

By the late-19th century, West Virginia had become one of the country’s largest lumber producers, more than one hundred railroads transporting raw timber to mills for cutting and processing before being shipped for sale as a finished product. Peaking in 1909, the industry cut some 1,473 million board feet of lumber per year.

One of the most major logging operations had been the West Virginia Spruce Lumber Company. Founded in 1899 when John G. Luke acquired more than 67,000 acres of red spruce in West Virginia, it was a subsidiary of the West Virginia Pulp and Paper Company located in Covington, Virginia.

The Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad, foreseeing a need for freight and lumber transportation, hastened its own plans to extend its track into northern Pocahontas County, incorporating a subsidiary designated the “Greenbrier Railway Company” in 1897 and commencing roadbed and track construction two years later. The line reached the area that December. Threshold to virgin forests, it was uniquely positioned to carry timber to the Covington sawmill and also to connect with the Coal and Iron Railway, which itself was later amalgamated into the Western Maryland Railway. Vale Tourism.

First Grade Accommodation in Coonoor

The hills of Nilgiri are well-known for their awe-inspiring hill stations. Coonoor the distinguished in the midst of them is situated at the top of the Hulikal valley at an elevation of 1,800 m over sea level. It is 19 km from Ooty), one more renowned hill station of the Nilgiris. Coonoor is prominent for its lush surroundings and for an assortment of natural flowers and birds. Finding accommodation in Coonoor will not be that difficult for an array of hotels and resorts have set up by the tourism department to please the tourists.

The Kurumba Village Resort is an uncommon perfumed showground; it is well-known for the adequate cottages amidst a place of spice like nutmeg, cloves and pepper flourishing all around. Kurumba cottages are exotic with the feel of a more improved interior. The airy rooms with adjacent balconies to view the natural vista are quite enchanting. The two storey suites are synonymous to luxury and compliant with modern day architectures and lifestyle. Each suite is has almost the area of 1000 sq.ft. The multi-cuisine restaurant has a long reputation for serving high-quality for which the guests relish. To appease you modern day lifestyle swimming pool has also been introduced.

Founded in the year 1903, Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces among Asia’s one of the principal and premium group of hotels. Accommodations are divided into 4 categories – standard rooms, superior rooms, deluxe rooms and suites. Standard rooms are roomy with two inter linked rooms. Meticulously equipped with visitor facilities like a CTV with satellite channels and fireplace in a number of of rooms, it is another favored choice of the tourists. Superior rooms are much bigger and deluxe rooms are decked with the most costly interiors matched with an impeccable ambience throughout. 4 Top Honeymoon Ideas.

Riga Residency a VIP-rank hotel situated at Wellington, 6000 feet higher than sea level at the top of The Nilgiris or Blue Mountains is considered as another major accommodation in Coonoor. Hovering on the top of the hill, it offers sumptuous accommodation and suites that present a complete fresh sense to a room in the company of a sight. Big and wide windows open to good-looking sight of the Wellington vale and crunchy breezy mountain atmosphere, aromas of eucalyptus and birdsong. The tycoon eatery dishes up almost any kind of dish flanked by the bar, Opium, the best place to hang about for hours with quality liquor. Vale Tourism.

4 Top Honeymoon Ideas

It goes without saying that your honeymoon should be one of the most special and memorable times of your life. In keeping with honeymoon tradition most newlyweds are eager to travel somewhere that is “romantic” – a label that is most often justified by either the natural beauty or cultural significance of a place. Today, however, an increasing number of young couples who are already familiar with such holiday destinations are eager to find a place for their honeymoon that is both romantic and an altogether more unique or one-of-a-kind experience.

Jukkasjärvi:
The Icehotel in Jukkasjärvi, Northern Sweden, is one such experience. The hotel was established (somewhat accidentally) in 1990 after a lack of accommodation forced two tourists to stay in an igloo intended as an art space. Today, as the winter settles in around November, architects, sculptors and artists move in to carve the 6,000 square metre hotel with ice from the Torne River – and with enough room for 100 guests. As the place is essentially rebuilt every year, the hotel (including the main hall, ice bar and church) is unique to that time and place for a few months only.

International Balloon Fiesta:
Festivals are not typically associated with the desired romance of honeymoons, yet the International Balloon Fiesta in Albuquerque, New Mexico, might be perfect for the couple who don’t want to hide away during such a time. The festival takes place annually during early October and since the early 1970s has grown to be the biggest balloon convention in the world. Aside from being a spectacular sight (and subsequently the most photographed yearly event), you can also take a trip yourself and explore the city of Albuquerque – a town steeped in historical and cultural significance.

House boating:
Contrary to popular belief, newlyweds do not need to travel far in order in order to find a unique and romantic honeymoon destination. For a modest and cheaper option, renting a houseboat on the Kennet and Avon Canal will be unforgettable and perhaps an experience better suited to a young couple than a family. The area is home to picturesque chalk vales and rolling rural countryside, whilst a short trip up the canal will take you to beautiful city of Bath.

Geo-tourism, Waterton-Glacier Peace Park:
Tourism with the prefix “geo” or “eco” is increasing in popularity as more and more travellers are becoming aware of the carbon costs of their holidays. Despite the buzz, a geo-tourism honeymoon may well be the perfect chance to explore a part of the world that is utterly new and breathtaking, as well as ensuring that your journey is good for the environment. Waterton-Glacier Peace Park on the Canadian-US border is a prime candidate. Mountainous scenery is home to nature, history and trails to explore – and the area is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Vale Tourism.

Tradition and History of the Council of Tavira

Tradition and History of The Council of Travira

The freguesia of Luz de Tavira began to be known since the century XVI, before 1514 and its importance appears through its intense agricultural activity.

Luz of Tavira, declared town on July 12, 2001, is about six kilometres from the city of Tavira. Luz includes an area of 31.53 squared kilometres and has 3.778 inhabitants. Ists patron is Nossa Senhora da Luz.

Nowadays, this freguesia lives essentially off the agriculture and of the trade. The craftmanship activity, still present, shows works in iron, joinery and fishing products and the gastronomy, besides the feijoada of broodings, of the oysters and of the corn with conquilhas, the regional candies of almond should be tasted.

The quality of life in Santa Catarina
The Mother church of Santa Catarina of Fonte do Bispo is the favourite place for the tourists that visit that freguesia. Original from the century XVI, began to be built with manuelinas forms.

In the century XVIII, the renew gave Baroque forms to the facade. In its interior, there is a screen with the representation of the final Judgement, but the history is also one of the strong points in Santa Catarina. The freguesia is located to 13 kilometres from Tavira, with about 11.920 hectares of extension.

The population of the place, about 2.118 inhabitants, is devoted to the agriculture, to the craftmanship and the industry of the craft ceramic. The craft is the simplest form of translation of the culture of Santa Catarina. The production of tiles, bricks and craft tiles done by the Association of Craft Telheiros constitutes a point of reference of this freguesia.

In relation to agricultural activity, we have the culture of cereals and almond trees. The soils, limestone and clay, they determine the development of the craft and of the ceramic industry.

There are enough places exclusively destinated to the leisure and the example of that is the Tavira Country Lawn, where you can take advantage to relax with a bowling game on the grass.

Two places and a city
The city of Tavira is composed by two freguesias: Santa Maria and Santiago that were the first populations of the municipal district. Created after the conquest of Tavira to the Moors by D. Paio Peres Correia, in 1242, Santa Maria is the largest freguesia of the council about population with 6.041 inhabitants, in an area of 13.520 hectares.

Santiago remounts to 1270, when D. Afonso III donated its padroado to the Bishop of Silves. The freguesia has 2.590 hectares and 5.655 inhabitants. The main activities in those places are the trade, services, agriculture, besides the tourism.

The traditional kitchen contemplates shellfish and fish, about the craft, we have essentially the latoaria, although in the mountain they are made baskets in cane and stick, as well as chairs in board.

Tavira is the proof of many years of history. In the city, you can visit many churches, convents, palaces and a beautiful river.

A walk by the historical
Santo Estevao is placed in the barrocal of Algarve, with about 1.195 inhabitants, Santo Estevao has an area of 2.640 hectares. Its population lives, essentially, from the agricultural exploration and of the citrinos production.

This freguesia has a vast natural and architectonic patrimony. The creation of this place remounts to the century XVI (1597), however its development began to accentuate in the beginning of the century XX.

According to the history, Santo Estevao was a dispersed freguesia in the immensity of the green of the hills. The church is the central point of the area. The alfarroba production, fig, almond, wine, whitewash, firewood, coal and hunt are the responsible for Santo Estevaos economic development.

The craftsmanship works the baskets in stick or cane, chairs in board and the distillery. Santo Estevao is the ideal place to appreciate the charms of the barrocal. The Algarve is rich of traditions, culture and history. Vale Tourism.

Follow in the Footsteps of Britain’s Greatest Writers

Embarking on walking holidays through the wondrous landscapes of the Lake District will take you into a world that has inspired many of Britain’s greatest poets. The Romantic Poets were drawn to the area and formed a group called the Lake Poets and this landscape has provided inspiration for some of the most beautiful words ever written.

Romantic Inspiration

The late eighteenth and nineteenth centuries provided us with some of the greatest poets ever to put pen to paper, and some of the most notable of these were inspired by the Lake District. William Wordsworth, Samuel Coleridge and John Ruskin were all moved to write their beautiful poetry when living in or visiting this area of England. Although John Ruskin was born in London he spent a lot of his childhood in the Lake District and some of his earliest memories were of his time here. He wrote: “The first thing which I remember as an event in my life was being taken by my nurse to the brow of Friar’s Crag on Derwentwater.” His experiences there went on to have a great influence on his writing. Later in life he bought a property in the area at Coniston called Brantwood House, which remained his home until he died in 1900. You can visit Brantwood House and it is easy to see where Ruskin got his inspiration, while walking through the gardens and admiring the beautiful views of the mountains and Coniston Water. Ruskin is buried in the churchyard at Coniston. And reading Chinatown: Western Europe’s Taste Of The East.

Walking holidays in this spectacular region are best taken with the words of William Wordsworth drifting through your thoughts. His prose is among that which just about everybody can recite, and perhaps his most famous come from his quintessential Lake District poem Daffodils:

“I wander’d lonely as a cloud
That floats on high o’er vales and hills,
When all at once I saw a crowd,
A host, of golden daffodils;
Beside the lake, beneath the trees,
Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.”

The setting and inspiration for the poem Daffodils is thought to be Glencoyne Park, Ullswater, which Wordsworth visited with his sister Dorothy who recorded the visit in her diary. Wordsworth was born just outside the National Park and is said to have been responsible for the upsurge of tourism in the area after he wrote his Guide through the District of the Lakes in 1820. He moved into Rydal Mount in 1813 and, today, the William Wordsworth Trust is based at Dove Cottage another Wordsworth residence in the area – both properties can be visited by the public.

Another great poet who took his inspiration from the Lake District was Samuel Coleridge who, although born in Devon, became one of the Lake Poets with his friend William Wordsworth. After taking a walking tour in the Lakes in 1799, Coleridge decided to live there and rented a house in Keswick.

Wherever your walking holidays lead you in the Lakes District, you are sure to pass close by a place that has inspired one of these great writers. Their words have captured the beauty of the landscapes and reflect their love of this place. Vale Tourism.

Chinatown: Western Europe’s Taste of the East

Chinatown

London’s Chinatown is the largest such neighborhood in all of Europe. Although it has relocated during the twentieth century, it is currently in the Soho area of Westminster and is concentrated in and around Gerrard Street. Tourists and locals alike come here to sample some of London’s best Chinese cuisine, see unique crafts from the Orient and witness several annual Chinese festivals.

Chinatown’s history is as colorful as the present-day neighborhood. In the early 20th century, most of the city’s Chinese population was in London’s East End, specifically around Limehouse, so that’s where there was a first semblance of a Chinatown. It mainly catered to Chinese dock workers and began to have a negative connotation for violence and opium usage. In the decades after World War II, the combination of many buildings in the area being destroyed in bombings and more and more Chinese immigrants entering the country led to a shift of the Chinese-centered settlement areas to the current zone around Gerrard Street and Shaftesbury Avenue. Chinatown today is still highly residential in addition to its restaurants and other attractions. One of the biggest residential blocks is called Vale Royal House, constructed in the 1980s, with the well-known China Town parking garage under it. Gerrard Street was later converted into a pedestrian walkway to further enhance Chinatown’s tourism prospects. The Leicester Square and Piccadilly Circus stations are the closest tube stations to the neighborhood. And Reading Yorkshire Museums Triumph.

London’s Chinatown keeps many traditions alive. One is that on September 2 each year, businesses in the area still close their doors early to remember the death of Yelu Xian, the Liao Dynasty emperor. The red pagoda-style telephone booths are a fun characteristic to look out for. Watch the vibrant red decorations go up for Chinese New Year and enjoy the traditional Lion Dances and Dragon Dances. Late-night fireworks are the centerpiece of the holiday. It is estimated that nearly 500,000 people came to Chinatown for 2011′s Chinese New Year festivities on February 6. The Mid-Autumn Festival is also cause for celebration in Chinatown. During this festival you can try the ubiquitous and flavorful moon cakes. Food traditions from all over Asia are very much alive in Chinatown. You can find top-quality Cantonese, Mongolian, Szechuan, Malaysian dishes and more. There are more than 70 restaurants squeezed into this relatively small area. You can also check out its Asian markets to find exotic ingredients for your own kitchen. Cantonese dim sum and seafood specialties make great meals, and Shanghai dumplings, or Xiao Long Boa, are also a local favorite. If you’d like to have a true Asian dining experience and are planning to try your hand at chopsticks, there are a few rules and guidelines to remember. Never point at anyone with chopsticks unless you’re trying to insult your neighbor. Also don’t stick chopsticks vertically in a plate or bowl of food to leave them standing up. It resembles incense sticks burnt to honor ancestors. When you’ve finished a meal, always rest your chopsticks as a pair on top of your plate or bowl. Vale Tourism.

Yorkshire Museums Triumph

Yorkshire_Museum

The museums of York are celebrating a tourism triumph after the economic difficulties failed to stop the number of visitors to their attractions soaring to new heights. New figures recently revealed show that during the first six months of the financial year visitor numbers were up by around 9% with 317,740 people visiting museums.

Individual figures show that York Castle Museum saw attendances rise by 11% year on year after it opened it prison to the public in July. The Yorkshire Museum saw a massive 16% increase in visitors, then after the arrival of the Vale of York Viking Hoard in September there was a doubling in demand. At York Art Gallery visitors increased by 9%.

Tourism bosses are now predicting a 50% increase thanks to the Yorkshire Museum now being available not only to tourist but also as a conference and wedding venue. Major changes to southern south Australia

The tourism board states in their performance update “This income stream will help fund capital projects in the Museum Gardens, Yorkshire Museum, York Art Gallery and the Castle Museum and will be ploughed back to improve the services we offer the public.”

It was not all great news however, the York Theatre Royal produced its half year report which shows that it received £110,000 grant from the Arts Council Sustain fund in order to plug any gap in their income due to affects from the current recession. Yet on a brighter not it revealed that its recent production of the Railway Children attracted 26,236 visitors, 2,588 more that last years show.

The recent rise in visitor number cannot only be put down to some fantastic displays and exhibitions but also the rise in the ‘staycation’. With the recessions hitting at the beginning of 2009 many started looking at ways to slash their outgoings. One of the biggest expenses a family will incur is their annual summer holiday, while many where not willing to give up their holidays altogether, they were looking for cheaper alternatives.

Stay in the UK was seen as a cheaper way to still have a fun and great holiday. Not only did this benefit families by saving money but has also helped the British Tourism industry survive in one of the most difficult trading periods in memory. Vale Tourism.

Major Changes to Southern South Australia

According to the Southern Messenger newspaper on the front page we will experience some new optimistic changes. Some of these changes are needed and wanted and others not so well known about from the general public and local community.

Firstly, one of three southern suburbs residents will receive a honour from the Queen. The lucky candidate deserved his place through fighting for the rights of ex service men and women. I imagine that he has campaigned for many years to earn this honour.

Following on the front page are three small sections involving lasting change to the present state of the Fleurieu Peninsula and the Onkaparinga region as it stands today. These changes are significant that will contribute greatly to make the south a modern well developed area that will be typical of most highly populated areas found throughout Australia. This is admirable considering deep south has a relatively low population. Take vacation in the beach.

The changes will involve constructing 2 way lane highways between Aldinga and Sellicks Beach which in recent times have been precincts to car fatalities. Another popular proposal is to build a McDonalds in Aldinga Beach. Lastly, it has been proposed that a 200 bed first class accommodation facility be built in nearby McLaren Vale for the increasing amounts of tourists coming into the area needed especially at busy popular times like when the Sea & Vines Festival is on or something similar like Day on the Green concerts or the international bike race, Tour Down Under.

All of these changes are fundamental and intrinsic to a progressive area and are all deemed wanted and necessary by the public, local businesses and tourists. These changes will improve the experience of visitors and locals in the region for future usage whether it be for convenience, safety or tourism related festivities. Vale Tourism.

the Beach Resort Town of Barry

Take a Vacation in The Beach Resort Town of Barry, Vale of Glamoran.

Barry is a city in the county of Vale of Glamorgan near the city of Cardiff in Wales. It is on the northern coast of the Bristol Channel. The area is home to several beaches and the Barry Island Pleasure Park.

There is evidence that the area has been inhabited from the New Stone age as polished stone ax heads were found along with some flint tools. There have been excavations of Bronze Age sites and there is an Iron Age fort found when they built Barry College. Barry Island is thought to have been a raider base around 1087 when the Vikings were trying to gain land in the area. Penarth is one great place.

After the Normans came this area was given to two families to build manners; the Penmark and Dinas Powys. These lands were further split into several dub manors and one family built Barry Castle on the high grounds from which they could see Bristol Channel. It really was not a big castle just a stone manor house. It was added to in the 14th century giving it more of a castle look with a large hall and gatehouse and the ruins are still there today.

During the late 1800′s coal was being mined in Cardiff and Barry Railway Company was built so that coal could be transported from Cardiff to the docks in Barry for shipment. This made it a great port and there were so many ships ship repair yards were built as were flour mills and ice factories. Population rose with all the industry and since those that worked hard needed somewhere to have fun they took Barry Island, which was in the middle of the channel and made it a resort. Today the Island is a pleasure park and beach resort with over 50 rides that are great fun for the whole family.

Today the heavy industry has all but stopped and the town has gone more into leisure and tourism endeavors. There are wonderful shops to find new and used wares, there are cafes and restaurants that serve delicious food. Arcades are abundant as are some amusement halls that visitors will enjoy.

Other attractions are Triassic Towers which is on the sea front and is an indoor adventure center. Quasar Center is where you can play a game of laser (like paint ball). A great museum to see is Barry Island Railway Heritage center and you can ride on a stream train. Visit the Llanerch Vineyard to try some of their wine and stay at the Bed and Breakfast.

Most accommodations right in Barry are Bed and Breakfasts or guest houses. There is the Hillside Bed and Breakfast an Edwardian house with great hospitality. New Farm Bed and Breakfast is a working farm where you can stay and participate in farming activities. Tadross Hotel is one of the few hotels in the area and it is a three start hotel with en suite rooms. The Marine hotel only has six rooms but they are clean and comfortable. There is a restaurant and bar downstairs.

Barry is a charming little town with a most wonderful beach. There are other things to go see all within a few miles drive too. The beach is great and it should provide you with a wonderful vacation. Vale Tourism.

Penarth Is One Great Place You Can Visit in Vale of Glamorganv

Penarth Is One Great Place You Can Visit In Vale of Glamoran

Penarth is one place you will find in the Vale of Glamorgan that can give you a nice feel of the outdoors and plenty of scenery. As you are in Vale of Glamorgan you will find many rugged coastlines and tons of country life. The outdoors there is brilliant with tons of vegetation and hills. Penarth is a large tourist attraction for the Vale of Glamorgan.

Penarth has many different tourist attractions that can be found all over the city. You will find Penarth railway in the general area and as you will see, it’s a major attraction. When you walk the streets, you will see the massive landscape of fields and historical buildings. The pleasure park is also in the area, which will give you a perfect place to picnic with the family.

The St. Donats castle is also near the area of Penarth. The transportation in the area is using cars, taxi services and bus. You will enjoy walking the Southerndown beach that has a great view of the ocean. And extraordinary experience in penarth.

When you travel to Penarth, you will be able to find many places to visit and stay. The tourism in the general area is excellent for all people and there are plenty of activities to do while staying in the Panarth area.

The historical buildings and structures are found in Penarth or in the nearby areas. The tourism is an important part of this cities income. The major income to Penarth is the historical sites in the general area, which brings tons of people from all over the world to see the historical sites. Penarth is also a good place to find some good restaurants that provide meals to enjoy. If you are looking for a vacation full of adventure, then this is the way to go. Vale Tourism.