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The Most Underrated National Park

As a lover of our country’s wonderful inventory of National Parks, I, like most of you who are reading this, have my opinions on which parks deserve to be considered among the top tier of parks within our countries unbelievable collection.  I think of the national parks much as I do puppies; I never met a single one I didn’t like, but I still have preferences and favorites.  

While most put the likes of Yosemite, Yellowstone, and the Grand Canyon among a small group at the very top, one that often gets left out is Glacier National Park (NP).  This writer believes this park is fully deserving of membership in this small fraternity of the grandest of our prized parks. 

To begin with, there are very few parks where you are nearly guaranteed to see grizzly bear.  There is only a couple where you can count on seeing an endangered glacier.  Glacier NP may be the only, (it is certainly the best), place to see both.

 Additional, one of my favorite experiences when visiting one of our great western national parks is overnighting, or at least enjoying a meal, at a grand and historic lodge.  These often massive and always historic lodges are one of the fortunate attributes and selling points for a select few parks.  A national park is lucky if it has one, Grand Canyon NP has two (one on each rim which in many ways are like two distinct parks), but Glacier NP has four, five if you include the Prince of Wales Hotel in Canada’s adjacent Waterton International Peace Park.  Together the two parks operate as Waterton – Glacier International Peace Park World Heritage Site.  The great lodges at Glacier NP are for the most part, unbelievably massive, built with hundreds of lodging rooms, designed around high vaulted ceiling central common areas, and sit aside deep clear mountain lakes.  These tremendously tidy, continually renovated, and gorgeous options for food and overnight stay have preserved the charm that has been lost to modern architecture and the reality of today’s high building costs.  They were all built nearly a century ago (1920 – 1927) and were, for the most part, the brainchild of the great railroads to drive their business by giving vacationers an excuse and a practical way to experience the great western parks.

 Glacier NP offers unsurpassed hiking, large, clear, and very chilly mountain lakes, and memorable wildlife encounters.  A word of warning here.  This is not a park to just take off and hike alone and without any planning.  There is a large population of grizzly bear in this park.  I have hiked most every western national park, and I have seen both black and grizzly bear in numerous parks, but there is no park where their numbers are so plentiful.  In fact, where many parks like Yosemite, Yellowstone, and Kings Canyon  (among others) will tell you via brochures and park rangers that you are in bear country, Glacier NP is the only park where I have experienced large red signs stating that you are in BEAR COUNTRY at every trailhead.  The smart plan is to get advice from a park ranger on how to react if you do encounter bear, wear a “bear bell” and make lots of noise while hiking, and NEVER hike alone or with small children.  If you heed this advice, you can experience some of the most memorable hiking of your life without any problems. I challenge anyone to deny this park its rightful place among the elite few parks that comprise the very best our fabulous national park system has to offer.     

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Top 10 Most Expensive Homes In The United States

A $135 million home tops the list of the most expensive homes for sale in America. Forbes.com compiled a list of the world’s most valuable homes on the market for the year 2007. The following are the top ten of America’s priciest mansions pulled out from the Forbes list. Interestingly six of the top ten of the world’s most expensive homes in 2007 are American.

The top 10 most expensive homes for sale in the United States in 2007 are:

1. Hala Ranch – Aspen, Colorado, $135 million: This 95-acre ranch estate consists of an expansive 56,000-square-foot mansion, with 15 bedrooms and 16 bathrooms. America’s priciest mansion, owned by Prince Bandar bin Sultan bin Abdul Aziz, former Saudi Arabian ambassador to the United States, also boasts several smaller buildings, stables, a tennis court, an indoor pool, a steam room, an exercise room, cross-country ski trails and a fishing pond.

2. Fleur de Lys – Beverly Hills, California, $125 million: Modeled after the palace of Louis XIV at Versailles, this 45,000-square-foot Beverly Hills mansion is priced at $125 million making it the second most expensive home in the U.S. It had taken five years to complete this palatial home.

3. Maison de L’Amitie – Palm Beach, Florida, $125 million: Previously owned by former health care magnet Abe Gosman, the home was purchased by New York billionaire Donald Trump in 2004 at a bankruptcy auction for $41.25 million. Now refurbished, the mansion, featuring a ballroom, conservatory, a 100-foot swimming pool and 475 feet of ocean-front, is on the market for sale for $125 million.

4. Tranquility – Lake Tahoe, Nevada, $100 million: This expensive mansion sitting on a sprawling 210 acres is located on the tax-free Nevada side of Lake Tahoe. The property is owned by Joel Horowitz, the co-founder of Tommy Hilfiger. The 20,000-square-foot main house is modeled after a northern European mountain home. The Lake Tahoe house boasts of several luxuries such as a 3,500-bottle wine cellar, a giant indoor swimming pool and atrium, and a 19-seat movie theater.

5. Three Ponds – Bridgehampton, New York, $75 million: This home, designed by architect Allan Greenberg, is located amidst three lakes on 60 acres of Hamptons farmland. It features its own USGA-rated Rees Jones golf course, 14 gardens, a 75-foot-long swimming pool, golf pro shop, grass tennis court, and a guest house. The main house has a great room with a domed ceiling, 28 foot high.

6. The Portabello Estate – Corona del Mar, California, $75 million: This modern estate home built in 2002 is located on a triple oceanfront lot along the Pacific Ocean. The 30,000-square-foot home features eight bedrooms and 10 full baths.

7. Malibu, California, $75 million: This is a beach home with a difference. Located on a flat seven-acre lot the beach house is surrounded by picturesque ocean views. It features seven bedrooms, two riding stables, a riding ring, swimming pool, tennis court, and private access to the beach.

8. The Pierre Penthouse – New York City, $70 million: The eight most expensive home in the U.S. is a penthouse with balconies and windows that offer 360-degree views of Manhattan, Central Park, the East River, and the Hudson River. Consisting of the top three floors of one of the grandest hotels in New York, the Pierre is located overlooking Central Park. The penthouse features a grand salon that has a 23-foot high ceiling.

9. Belvedere, California, $65 million: This 10,000-square-foot home California home features six-bedrooms, herringbone floors, marble baths and front gates designed by Hearst Castle architect Julia Morgan. The home offers the combined beauty of the scenic San Francisco Bay, Angel Island and the Golden Gate Bridge.

10. San Francisco, $65 million: This limestone palace is on the market for $65 million. It was sold for $32 million two years ago. It is significant that the limestone that the Gold Coast palace is clad in comes from a single quarry in France. Among the elite billionaires’ row neighbors are the Getty family. The mansion features European windows and the guest house has a 19th-century Italian tile roof.

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Palma Nova and Magalluf, Majorca’s Most Lively Resorts

Majorca (or Mallorca as it is also spelt) is the largest of the Balearic Islands off the east coast of Spain, which collectively are one of the most popular holiday destinations in the World. Two of the most popular resorts on the island for holiday makers are Magalluf and Palma Nova, both situated in the south west. For those looking for lively fun from their Majorca holiday, one of these two resorts would probably be a good choice.

The majority of visitors to these resorts are British package holiday makers looking for fun in the sun, and few leave dissatisfied. Palma Nova has three sandy beaches, each with blue flag status, water sports and boat trips and plenty of sports facilities, particularly golf courses in the vicinity. In addition to this, in adjacent Magalluf you will find more watersports including jet skiing, kite surfing and scuba diving, a giant waterpark and a Wild West theme park.

Shopping in Palma Nova and Majorca is probably what you would expect from such a tourist oriented place, with plenty of gift shops, convenience stores and shops selling beachwear and souvenirs. Better shopping is available in the islands capital Palma, a short bus or taxi ride away.

The long promenade in Palma Nova provides Chinese, Italian and Mexican restaurants along with Spanish bars serving tapas during the day. In Magalluf there is also a wide selection of restaurants, many of which cater to British tastes; there are several that even serve Sunday roasts, bangers and mash, fish and chips and other British favourites. As these resorts are generally favoured by young budget travelers, there are also the usual fast food outlets available.

There is a huge amount in Magalluf and Palma Nova to keep night owls and other party animals entertained. In Palma Nova you can expect to find late night bars with DJ’s and dancing, English style pubs and karaoke bars while Magalluf boasts some top class night clubs well known on the European club circuit and competes with Ibiza as the clubbing capital of the Mediterranean.

Both Palma Nova and Magalluf can get very busy during peak season and beaches and sidewalks can become crowded. As such, this area of the island will probably not be a good choice during the summer months for those looking for a peaceful and relaxing break from their Majorca holiday.

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One of the Most Livable Cities in the U.S

With easy access to all the cultural and other amenities offered by a major urban area, but without all the crowding and other potential negative aspects, Naperville, IL, located on the edge of busy Chicago, is consistently ranked among the best small cities in the United States. Like much of Illinois, Naperville, IL, has its roots firmly established in farming and agriculture, but its proximity to Chicago has enabled it to grow and thrive, finally becoming known as a vital city in its own right, home to many successful, wealthy individuals who enjoy the vibrant ambience of the city but crave the smaller hometown feel of Naperville, IL. The city itself was founded in 1831 by settler Joseph Naper and his wife and extended family. Naper named the area he founded “Naper’s Settlement.” Native Americans were firmly established in the area, and in its early years, Fort Payne was constructed at the settlement to protect the settlers against the possibility of attack. By 1857, the settlement had grown to a population of 2,000, and was officially incorporated as the Village of Naperville, IL. Following a period of growth, the village was reincorporated as a city in the late 19th century. Naperville, IL, remained largely rural in character until the last half of the 20th century when a new, large toll road brought a huge influx of new residents to the area. The last 20 years have seen the population of Naperville, IL, quadruple in numbers. The city features some lovely original examples of 19th- and early 20th-century architecture, as well as more modern edifices, and a lively downtown area. One of the most prominent examples of modern architecture is the Moser Tower and Millennium Carillon, constructed in 1999 in honor of the turn of the 21st century. The carillon features 72 bells, and its notes span four octaves, making it one of only four such carillons in the world. Another recent addition to the cityscape is the Naperville, IL, riverwalk, which extends along the shoreline of the DuPage River. The riverwalk was an effort, which began in 1981, and reflects mostly the work and dedication of numerous volunteers who sought to turn a former eyesore into a place where residents and visitors could spend relaxing hours along winding paths, and is dotted with fountains and benches overlooking the river. The riverwalk also allows a glimpse into many diverse neighborhoods in Naperville, IL, and today has become known as the crown jewel of the city. Once an agrarian economy, Naperville, IL, now depends upon the wealth of high-tech companies that make the area their home, In fact, Naperville is part of the Illinois Technology and Research Corridor, and is near major offices of Bell Labs, Amoco Labs, and world famous Fermilab. Moreover, Naperville, IL, is home to one of the nation’s largest retail districts, with its Main Street Promenade featuring numerous upscale shops, and attracting customers from a wide area. Another “crown jewel” in Naperville, IL, is its public library system, which for nearly a decade has been ranked first among all library systems in the United States. For more information on Naperville, Illinois visit http://napervillemicroblog.com and http://illinoismicroblog.com

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I want to go snowbird to ski but want to miss most of the crowds what is the best time of the year to go skiin

I am still in school and can’t leave just like that but want to go this year or next.

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Make most of snow this week at Stevens Point parks

Make most of snow this week at Stevens Point parks
Mother Nature has given Stevens Point and Portage County a good reason to go outside and play in the snow — many inches of it have fallen in the last few days.

Read more on Stevens Point Journal

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Parkite crowned ‘Most Gifted Wrapper’

Parkite crowned ‘Most Gifted Wrapper’
A few weeks ago, Park City resident Ann Erickson traveled to Rockefeller Center in New York City to face the ultimate challenge for gift-wrappers:

Read more on Park Record

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21 Tips to Get the Most Out of Renting

For people renting residential properties this can mean consistent rent increases for those already in properties and a shortage of properties on the market available to rent.

In this the following three article series I’ll address the following topics from my own experience as a tenant, a real estate business owner, a property manager and as a property investor.

1. How to make yourself the most desirable tenant when looking to rent a property

2. How to negotiate the lowest price for your desired rental property

3. How to keep rental increases to a minimum once you’re in a rental property

Notes, the following terms are interchangeable:

• Renter / tenant

• Landlord / property investor / property owner

Part 1

As a renter or tenant, here are some ways you can make yourself more attractive to the property owner or property manager when you’re looking for a property:

• If you’ve rented a property before, always ask to get a reference in writing from your previous landlord or (even better) from the property manager who you rented through. I say that a reference from a property manager is better than one from a private landlord in that it’s harder to fake a reference from a legitimate real estate company. The best rental references discuss the condition you kept the property in while you were living there, the condition it was in when you left and your consistency in paying your rent on time. Best of all is the final line where your property manager (hopefully) states that they would love to rent to you at again at any time in the future.

• If you have a pet be prepared that many investors may not even want to consider you for their property, however written pet references (note multiple if you can!) from previous landlords or property managers will speak highly for your case. Also – if your pet is small or presents well, a photograph attached to your application doesn’t hurt.

• In some areas (not Tasmania where the bulk of my rental properties are) you are able to pay a voluntary increased bond or “pet bond” to further guarantee that your pet will provide no long term damage. Offering to do this is a good sign of your intentions to a property owner.

• If you’re young sadly at times this can make you as undesirable as a Doberman dog! I know this personally from renting while I was 17 years old at University. To overcome this, attach with your application a few written referees from the most responsible adults you can find (teachers, employers etc). Remember here that putting down your parents or relatives as references doesn’t really hold that much sway as they’re obviously going to be biased!

• Why do I keep going on about written references? For one, they look good but for two, they save a property manager some of their valuable time. If a property manager has ten applications to check and yours is partly done because of the written references – you can come across as a more appealing tenant to the time poor property manager.

• If you really want a property and believe there is going to be competition or you simply think that the property is good value or will be hard to find again, consider offering $5 a week (or any amount you like) more in rental. This obviously isn’t going to be the answer for everyone, but is an option. (More on how to get the rental down in part II!).

• Present well when you inspect a rental property. A property manager or property owner only has limited information to go on when deciding which tenant to chose. One of the things that will be a factor (regardless of whether they admit it or not) will be your presentation and the first impression you make at the inspection.

• Remember that property managers may look to see how well you take care of your car as an indication to see how well you’ll take care of the property (NB. McDonalds wrappers all through the car – not a good sign!)

• Ask the person in charge of renting the property if there is anything you can do to make your application more desirable to the property owner. Examples of this may be: length of lease, gardening, presence of pets, supply of references / guarantors etc.

• Where possible I always recommend that if you’re unsuccessful at getting a rental property that you ask why. For anti-discrimination reasons you may not find out, but it never hurts to ask the question because it could lead to you being more successful next time.

• When you do apply for a rental property, have everything ready in advance. If the property manager has five applications to check and yours is incomplete it’ll go to the bottom of the list! A great idea is to have all the information photocopied and ready to hand over including credit checks, references, photo identification, birth certificate etc.

Part 2

In this day and age in many areas it can be difficult but not impossible to negotiate on the rental of a property. In your area there may be a high vacancy rate which puts you as the potential tenant at an advantage.

Here are some ways to negotiate when you rent. This may be to either attempt to save money on the rental price or to maximise your chances of being the number one picked tenant.

• Ask what length of lease the landlord would prefer and then submit your application with that lease length. Asking to see if the landlord wants a long term tenant gives you the advantage of being able to offer a 2 year lease instead of 12 months (if it suits you) which may put you one step ahead of the other applicants who haven’t thought of this.

• If gardening is included in the rental amount, offer to do your own gardening and provide (yes, you guessed it) a written reference to say how immaculately you maintained your last garden.

• Being ready to take the property immediately may put you in a position where you can negotiate more easily. To a property investor, any vacancy means a zero percent return, so if you’re ready to move in tomorrow – sensational! Consider stating that you will take the property immediately even if you don’t need it for a few days to put you in a stronger negotiating position and gives you a little breathing room to move in!

• I once bought a property specifically for one set of tenants because they offered to pay 6 months rent up front. It was a great bargaining chip for them because, as a property investor, it was money straight off my mortgage. This can be used as a negotiation strategy for any tenant (who has the funds at hand) and while you may not pay 6 months rent up front, two identical applications from tenants can be quickly separated if one wants to pay say 12 weeks rent up front instead of 4 weeks.

And don’t forget to go through part 1 and make sure that you present as the most desirable tenant!

Part 3

Of course most property investors want to maximise their return on a property, ie: they want to get as much money as they possibly can. However, it’s not rocket science to figure out that most of us also want to attract and retain a quality tenant and some investors will sacrifice some of the higher end of their return to do so.

If you’re in a property, here’s a way to make yourself a more valuable tenant and to try and avoid some of the rent rises:

• Be a long term renter. I know as an investor myself – I’m the most lenient on rental increases to tenants who have been in the properties the longest.

• Be nice to your property manager (they have a lot of sway as to whether an owner renews leases or increases rent and to how much!)

• Keep the home in great condition on rental inspection date. Working in property management through my real estate career I can’t believe the condition some tenants leave their properties in on rental inspection date. While I’m certainly no Miss. Neat and Tidy every day at my own house – on those 2 – 4 days a year, make an effort and it won’t go unnoticed.

• Be a problem free tenant. Most investors I know will be far more likely to extend a lease to a tenant (and sometimes without a rent increase if the rent is consistently paid on time).

• Don’t be a “difficult” tenant. Now this sounds a lot like the above, but a difficult tenant to a property manager can mean a whole swarm of things. Some of my big “no-nos” are as follows:

- calling up about “emergency” maintenance at 2.00am when it’s just a broken cupboard handle (extreme example, but trust me it has happened)

- making it difficult for trades people to access a property to complete maintenance

- insisting on being present for routine inspections (yes, we know it’s your home, but when a property manager has 20 inspections to do in a morning coordinating each one personally is impossible!)

• Where possible (and appropriate), treat the property like it’s your own. Don’t get on the phone complaining about every loose washer or blown light bulb. Just let your property manager know on the next routine inspection if you’ve replaced anything minor like this. (NB. Before even considering attempting anything major, even if it’s in an attempt to help, call the property manager or owner first)

Most of what is written above is common sense. For new renters and those looking to capitalise upon their renting experience I hope you’ve found one or two tips to help you on your way! Good luck with your renting experience.

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The Most Recognisable Chateau In The Stunning Loire Valley in France – Chateau de Chambord

Chateau de Chambord was commissioned in 1510 by the young King Francois definitely an egomaniac when he was only 25 years of age, to help establish his power. He was not content with the amazing chateaux of Blois and Amboise.

He fancied a hunting lodge. Francois I spent without counting to realise his masterpiece project. He even went so far as to change the natural course of the Loire River. The chateau we see today was not completed until 1685, and by far it is the largest chateau in the Loire.

The Royal Chateau at Chambord, Loir-et-Cher, France is the most recognisable chateau in the world because of its very distinctive French Renaissance architecture that blends classical Italian structures with traditional medieval forms and a variety of towers and turrets. The roofline really is incredible.

If you’re going to visit one chateau on the Loire, it should be this one. This is solid stock. 84 staircases, 18 stories high 440 rooms, 420 feet wide, …. Inside the chateau the highlight is the double helix staircase which serves as the axis for the entire chateau, and is thought to have been designed by da Vinci.

The chateau is in the centre of a 13,000 acre wooded park and game reserve with red deer and wild boar, surrounded by a twenty mile wall. It is the largest forest park in Europe.

The castle was rarely occupied. Francois I spent barely 7 weeks at Chateau Chambord on short hunting trips. Because the chateau had been constructed for the purpose of short visits, it was not practical to stay there on a longer-term basis. The massive rooms, high ceilings and huge windows made heating a logistical nightmare. This was exacerbated by the fact that the chateau was not surrounded by a estate or a village. Other than game, there was no immediate source of food.

The end result was that all the food had to be brought in for the hunting parties which typically numbered between 2000 to 3000 people at a time. This puts catering for the extended family for the holiday season into perspective doesn’t it.

When the chateau was not inhabited it was left completely unfurnished. All of the tapestries, paintings, furniture, eating implements, were brought in especially for each hunting trip. It would have been like co-ordinating a party of two thousand odd including the royal family going camping.

This is why much of the furniture from this era was built to be disassembled in order to aid transportation. French armoires and beds all disassemble beautifully. Contrary to popular belief Ikea did not invent flat-packing.

After King Francois died, Chateau de Chambord remained unoccupied for some eighty years falling into a terrible state of decay. In 1639 Louis XIII gave it to his brother, Gaston d’Orleans who carried restoration work which was greatly needed. He saved the castle.

Louis XIV furnished the royal apartments and added a horse stable for a mere 300 horses to allow him to use the castle as a hunting lodge.

In 1930 the chateau became the property of the French Government but restoration work was not begun until a few years after World War II ended in 1945.

Obviously, this is a must see chateau. Make sure you have good pair of walking shoes, a little snack and a bottle or two of water, and a camera preferably with a fish eye lense. Park your car in the free parking lot. Try to get there before or after all the tourist buses.

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What ski area has the most night skiing terrain?

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