Forest

Muir Woods ? a Journey to a World of Redwood Forest

Breathtaking beauty with plenty of sky touching trees, sun playing hide and seek behind the high branches and small streams running down the slope. All these describe Muir Woods, part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area which is a must visit place for nature lovers. This isolated and ancient redwood forest lies near the Pacific coast of California and is quite close to the foot of Mt. Tamalpais. Here one can stroll through 1000 year old giant trees towering 260 feet high. A day long Muirwood tour not only offers solitude but plenty of more things to enjoy such as numerous hiking trails.

Location

The beautiful Muir Woods is located to the north of San Francisco city. It takes a drive of just 35 minutes to reach there. Roads to the park are steep and vehicles over 35 feet long are not allowed to go there. During a holiday in San Francisco one must definitely include a day long tour to Muir Woods. Commuting from the city of San Francisco to Muir Woods is easy. Simply hire a limo from any reputed San Francisco limousine rental service providing company and arrive here in style.

Flora

People come to a Muirwood tour to see the renowned Coast Redwood trees that are famous for their height. Here one can see nearly 250 to 380 feet long trees as if they are touching the sky. The average age of the redwoods found here are between 500 and 800 years old. Apart from redwoods, there are other tree species also such as the California Bay Laurel, the Bigleaf Maple and the Tanoak.

Fauna

Along with the rich and unique flora collection, Muir Woods is also famous for the diverse fauna that can be found here. Two famous species of the salmon family Coho or silver salmon and Steelhead Trout can be seen here during the winter days. Moreover, Muir Woods is home to over 50 species of birds and a wide variety of mammals such as Northern Spotted Owls, Woodpeckers, American Shrew Mole, larger Deer, Black Bears and Bats.

Activities

There are also well maintained paved walking trails where visitors can take a leisurely walk to enjoy the magnificent giants from very close distance. There are lots of different trails to follow in the woods and adventurous people can indulge in biking or hiking activities too. One can also enjoy moonlight walks here that are held on nights with a full moon for which prior reservations are must. Here with a proper permit couples can even plan their weddings too.

Footrace

On a Muir wood tour, if you are not participating in the annual footraces you are definitely missing something. Every year, footraces between the Mill Valley and Stinson Beach passing though the Muir Woods are organized. The annual Dipsea Race takes place on the second Sunday in June. While the Double Dipsea happens in the end of June, the Quad Dipsea is organized during the month of November.

A tour to Muirwood guarantees non-stop fun. Travel to this beautiful place in a luxurious and comfortable limo that can be hired from any reputed San Francisco limousine service.

Forest

Motor Home Fun in the Wilds of Kisatchie National Forest

What do you think of when you think Louisiana? Most people would answer bayous, shrimp boats, and the mighty Mississippi emptying into the gulf. You probably don’t picture a hilly landscape of old growth pines and awe-inspiring forest views. But, that’s just what Kisatchie National Forest, in northern and central Louisiana, is all about.

The southern United States has lots of great motor home destinations, and Louisiana’s Kisatchie National Forest is one of the best. It is located in five different districts, spread over a wide area. The total land area of the park is 600,000 acres, and each of the five districts has all kinds of things to do, see and enjoy.

The best thing the park has to offer is its pristine, natural beauty. There are hills and mesas, steep and rocky climbs, and overlooks where you can see the top of the pines stretching out below. Down in the valleys, there are old growth pine trees and grand old cypresses with their leaves forming a natural canopy.

The park is full of trails that wind through these deep, piney forests and bayous. The park has everything, from rolling woodlands to rocky mountains to swampland, and everything in between.

The woods are full of deer and smaller animals that go scurrying through the underbrush. You might catch sight of an armadillo or a raccoon, looking around on the forest floor for a tasty morsel.

Hang around the lowland bayous and you might even catch sight of an alligator! Remember, they are wild animals and unpredictable, so don’t get too close.

Things to Do at Kisatchie

Each of the five districts of Kisatchie has a wonderful range of fun things to do for the whole family. The park is full of hiking trails and public recreation areas with picnic tables and barbecue pits. You’re never too far from a lake or stream, and you can go fishing in the park.

They adhere strictly to Louisiana fishing regulations, and you have to be licensed and legit. But, once you cast your line, you’re bound to come up with some of the region’s famous catfish.

In the park, you can enjoy horseback riding, all-terrain vehicles and even hunting. Deer hunting season is quite an event in Kisatchie National Forest, and with the right licensing and gear, you can hunt in certain areas of the park.

Then again, you can always just grab a canteen and go on a hike. There are trails all over the forest which take you through its many terrains. It’s well worth the walk.

Places to Stay at Kisatchie

There are camping options for everybody, whether you want to stay in a tent out in the middle of the woods, or would rather stay in your nice, comfy motor home. Recently, the park has re-designated certain roads for RVs and large motor homes. Large vehicles are not permitted in some areas, so you will want to check before you head out.

You can get a map ahead of time showing the routes that are RV-friendly at the park’s official website. The new regulations were put in place to keep the park clean and minimize human impact on wild areas.

The park has nine campgrounds located right at the trailheads, but they are all pretty primitive. They all have restrooms and most have trash services. Some cater to different activities, like horse riding or hunting.

Of the 9 campgrounds, the best for motor homes are the Corral Camp and the Lotus Camp. Both are close to the Sandstone Trail, and the Lotus Camp is probably the most developed of all of them.

The nearest town with full-scale RV parks is Leesville. Pecan Acres is a small RV park, but with all kinds of services for RV drivers. Another good park in the Leesville area is Shady Lake RV Park, located on Highway 171, not far from Kisatchie National Forest.

Forest

Muir Woods – a Journey to a World of Redwood Forest

Breathtaking beauty with plenty of sky touching trees, sun playing hide and seek behind the high branches and small streams running down the slope. All these describe Muir Woods, part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area which is a must visit place for nature lovers. This isolated and ancient redwood forest lies near the Pacific coast of California and is quite close to the foot of Mt. Tamalpais. Here one can stroll through 1000 year old giant trees towering 260 feet high. A day long Muirwood tour not only offers solitude but plenty of more things to enjoy such as numerous hiking trails.

Location

The beautiful Muir Woods is located to the north of San Francisco city. It takes a drive of just 35 minutes to reach there. Roads to the park are steep and vehicles over 35 feet long are not allowed to go there. During a holiday in San Francisco one must definitely include a day long tour to Muir Woods. Commuting from the city of San Francisco to Muir Woods is easy. Simply hire a limo from any reputed San Francisco limousine rental service providing company and arrive here in style.

Flora

People come to a Muirwood tour to see the renowned Coast Redwood trees that are famous for their height. Here one can see nearly 250 to 380 feet long trees as if they are touching the sky. The average age of the redwoods found here are between 500 and 800 years old. Apart from redwoods, there are other tree species also such as the California Bay Laurel, the Bigleaf Maple and the Tanoak.

Fauna

Along with the rich and unique flora collection, Muir Woods is also famous for the diverse fauna that can be found here. Two famous species of the salmon family Coho or silver salmon and Steelhead Trout can be seen here during the winter days. Moreover, Muir Woods is home to over 50 species of birds and a wide variety of mammals such as Northern Spotted Owls, Woodpeckers, American Shrew Mole, larger Deer, Black Bears and Bats.

Activities

There are also well maintained paved walking trails where visitors can take a leisurely walk to enjoy the magnificent giants from very close distance. There are lots of different trails to follow in the woods and adventurous people can indulge in biking or hiking activities too. One can also enjoy moonlight walks here that are held on nights with a full moon for which prior reservations are must. Here with a proper permit couples can even plan their weddings too.

Footrace

On a Muir wood tour, if you are not participating in the annual footraces you are definitely missing something. Every year, footraces between the Mill Valley and Stinson Beach passing though the Muir Woods are organized. The annual Dipsea Race takes place on the second Sunday in June. While the Double Dipsea happens in the end of June, the Quad Dipsea is organized during the month of November.

A tour to Muirwood guarantees non-stop fun. Travel to this beautiful place in a luxurious and comfortable limo that can be hired from any reputed San Francisco limousine service.

Forest

The New Forest – England’s Newest National Park

Named by William The Conqueror the ‘new hunting forest’ in 1079, the landscape of the New Forest has hardly changed since then. The woodlands and heaths are looked after today using the same ancient systems implemented by William The Conqueror mainly in the form of Commoners which are the local inhabitants who farm cattle, pigs, donkeys and ponies. These areas are called pasture woodland are left open for the cattle and pigs, also deer. The Ancient and Ornamental woodlands cover 3,692 hectares of the open forest. There are also a number of other workers who manage the forest from rangers and keepers to skilled woodsmen, all of which work full time to look after the forest.

The New Forest was given National Park status in 2005 and covers an area of approximately 580 square kilometres which is 143321 acres with a population of 38,000. The forest includes the largest tracts of unenclosed forest, heathland and pastureland remaining in the South East England. The uniqueness of the landscape provides habitat for rare wildlife and plants. These lowland areas are a rare occurance in the UK today. In the forms of wet heaths, dry heaths and valley bogs these areas are home to adders, grass snakes and lizards and more information regarding these creatures can be found at the New Forest Reptile Centre.

The New Forest is a popular location for all ages and interests. All year round there are activities such as guided walks, historic and geographic talks and traffic free cycle tracks with many New Forest bed and breakfast establishments to stay in. There are now a wide ranging selection of New Forest accommodation venues available, from 5 star country house hotels and bed and breakfasts to stunning New Forest self catering cottages.

Something that should always be kept in mind is the British weather and if the weather is inclement there are numerous museums, galleries and visitor centres to look round. Surrounding the park there are many pretty villages and the towns such as Totton and Lymington to explore. These villages make an ideal base with a huge choice of New Forest B&B accommodation venues.

Forest

Ritz-Carlton brings luxe life to the forest

Ritz-Carlton brings luxe life to the forest
At first blush, dropping a Ritz-Carlton in the middle of the Tahoe National Forest – the land of mountain bikers, ski bums and “Hoss” Cartwright – seems a lot like wearing a ball gown to a country barbecue. The hotel chain is the poster child for swanky (take… United States National Forest – United States – California – Hotel – Travel and Tourism

Read more on San Francisco Chronicle

Forest

The New Forest Accommodation

The New Forest is located in South East England, namely South West Hampshire and some of South east Wiltshire and is the newest National Park in England.

Named by William the Conqueror the ‘new hunting forest’ in 1079 the landscape of the New Forest has hardly changed since then. The woodlands and heaths are looked after today using the same ancient systems implemented by William the Conqueror mainly in the form of Commoners which are the local inhabitants who farm cattle, pigs, donkeys and ponies. These areas are called pasture woodland are left open for the cattle and pigs, also deer. The Ancient and Ornamental woodlands cover 3,692 hectares of the open forest. There are also a number of other workers who manage the forest from rangers and keepers to skilled woodsmen, all of which work full time to look after the forest.

The New Forest was given National Park status in 2005 and covers an area of approximately 580 square kilometres which is 143321 acres with a population of 38,000. The forest includes the largest tracts of unenclosed forest, heath land and pastureland remaining in the South East England. The uniqueness of the landscape provides habitat for rare wildlife and plants. These lowland areas are a rare occurrence in the UK today. In the forms of wet heaths, dry heaths and valley bogs these areas are home to adders, grass snakes and lizards and more information regarding these creatures can be found at the New Forest Reptile Centre.

The New Forest is a popular location for all ages and interests. All year round there are activities such as guided walks, historic and geographic talks and traffic free cycle tracks with many New Forest bed and breakfast establishments to stay in. There are now a wide ranging selection of New Forest accommodation venues available, from 5 star country house hotels and bed and breakfasts to self catering lodges.

Something that should always be kept in mind is the British weather and if the weather is inclement there are numerous museums, galleries and visitor centres to look round. Surrounding the park there are many pretty villages and the towns such as Totton and Lymington to explore. These villages make an ideal base with a huge choice of New Forest B&B accommodation venues.

Forest

Vail Wins National Forest Foundation Award

Vail Resorts in Vail Colorado operates one of the largest recycling programs of any ski resort in North America and their on-mountain recycling program is the largest of its kind in North America.

Vail Resorts consists of five mountain resorts. Each resort receives monetary contributions of $1 from each skier per season pass, online lift ticket transaction and night spent at the resort in the Colorado and California locations.

Since the program began, Vail has received more than $550,000 in guest contributions. The National Forest Foundation (NFF) has matched the contributions by more than $275,000. All funds are used for projects that aim to restore, improve and protect Vail’s neighboring National Forests.

The effort put forth by Vail Resorts owners, employees and skiers alike gives a glimpse into the number of skiers who are concerned about the environment. The preservation of National Forests is a major factor in the success of not only Vail Resorts but other ski resorts worldwide. The environment skiers are helping protect is the same environment that attracts them to Vail Resorts to begin with.

Vail’s five major resorts are some of the most visited and most family friendly resorts in North America.

Families can learn very valuable lessons about wildlife preservation, recycling and environmental issues. Currently, Vail’s recycling program recycles about 70 percent of on-mountain waste. The amount of waste recycled equals nearly one pound per guest, and about 100 tons of material per month are recycled during an average ski season.

Some of the most notably environment friendly parts of the resorts are:

* Beaver Creek’s Spruce Saddle Lodge. The lodge is the first ski resort restaurant to become a Certified Green Restaurant by the Green Restaurant Association. The GRA is a national non-profit organization that dedicates its time to setting sustainable environmental standards within the restaurant industry.

Spruce Saddle Lodge is one of the first resort restaurants to be recognized by the GRA for multiple environmental breakthroughs. The restaurant uses recycled, tree-free, biodegradable and organic products throughout the lodge. It also maintains impressive water efficiency, energy and conservation levels and recycling and composting programs.

* Keystone Composting at Keystone Ranch Restaurant. Keystone’s composting program began in 2002 and has grown immensely over the years. More than 500 pounds of kitchen waste per week is being diverted from the landfill.

Combined with efforts from the Keystone Conference Center, food scraps and wood shavings create the soil used in landscaping throughout the resort. Similar composting programs are being established by other resorts.

* Heavenly Waste Reduction, in partnership with California’s El Dorado County, diverts about 482 tons of recyclable waste from landfills each year.

Surrounding communities are also encouraged to keep yard wastes out of local landfills. An annual event, Compost Your Combustibles, educates and encourages citizens to participate in recycling and composting efforts.

* Vail Resorts and RockResorts. Recycling programs are in place for all employees and guests of any Vail Resorts or RockResorts.

They promote water conservation to guests by promoting the reuse of towels and linens for multi-night stays.

Restaurants on the resorts use biodegradable, compostable and recycled food and beverage containers and flatware. The resorts recycle beverage and food containers and paper items used in all resort operations.

All areas of the resorts use environment-friendly cleaning products that are not only safer for the environment, but for guests and employees as well.

Resorts worldwide are becoming more environmentally aware and passing their knowledge on to their guests. With the help of their guests, they are able to conserve more water and recycle and compost more waste in a broader range of areas of resort operations.

The efforts put forth by these resorts and others around the world help protect the environment and wildlife that attracts their visitors.

Forest

Oak Park & River Forest Community Calendar

Oak Park & River Forest Community Calendar
Oak Leaves and Forest Leaves welcome items for the Community Calendar, as well as items for Business Briefs, Campus News, Community Briefs, School Digest and Newsmakers. Items must be received minimum of 10 days prior to publication; earlier is better.

Read more on Oak Park Leaves

Forest

01-jan20-Enchanted Forest (Upper and Lower)

Copper Mountain – January 20, 2008 … ski copper mountain colorado snow winter trees glades enchanted forest

Forest

Oak Park & River Forest Community Calendar

Oak Park & River Forest Community Calendar
Oak Leaves and Forest Leaves welcome items for the Community Calendar, as well as items for Business Briefs, Campus News, Community Briefs, School Digest and Newsmakers. Items must be received minimum of 10 days prior to publication; earlier is better.

Read more on Oak Park Leaves