Ocean Jasper is a type of semi-precious gemstone and mineral that is known for its vibrant and intricate orbicular patterns and colors. It is a variety of chalcedony, which is a type of microcrystalline quartz. Ocean Jasper is specifically found in only one location in the world, the coast of Madagascar, near the small village of Marovato. This limited geographical occurrence adds to its rarity and desirability among collectors and enthusiasts.
Appearance: Ocean Jasper is characterized by its striking, spherical patterns, often resembling the appearance of orbs or circles. These orbs come in various colors and combinations, including shades of green, pink, red, yellow, and white. The background color of the stone can be green, blue, or white.
Variability: One of the most fascinating aspects of Ocean Jasper is its variability. No two pieces are identical, making each stone unique. The patterns and colors within the orbs can vary significantly from one piece to another.
Origin: As mentioned, Ocean Jasper is primarily found along the coast of Madagascar. The gemstone is often mined in remote areas accessible only by boat, which can make its procurement challenging.
Metaphysical Properties: Like many gemstones, Ocean Jasper is associated with various metaphysical and healing properties in alternative and holistic practices. It is often considered a stone of relaxation and cooperation, believed to help with stress reduction and promoting a sense of tranquility.
Use in Jewelry: Ocean Jasper is a popular choice for lapidaries and jewelry designers due to its unique and eye-catching patterns. It is typically cut into cabochons, beads, and other polished forms for use in jewelry, such as pendants, rings, and earrings.
Collectibility: Due to its limited source and distinctive appearance, Ocean Jasper is highly sought after by mineral and gemstone collectors. Specimens with exceptional patterns and colors can command high prices in the market.
Environmental Considerations: The mining of Ocean Jasper has raised environmental concerns, as the only known deposit is in a sensitive coastal area of Madagascar. Ethical sourcing and responsible mining practices are important considerations when dealing with this gemstone.
In summary, Ocean Jasper is a captivating and rare gemstone known for its unique, orbicular patterns and a wide range of vibrant colors. Its limited source in Madagascar and distinctive appearance make it a popular choice for collectors and jewelry enthusiasts, though ethical sourcing and environmental considerations are important factors to be aware of when working with this beautiful stone.
Ocean Jasper is found exclusively on the coast of Madagascar, an island nation located off the southeastern coast of Africa in the Indian Ocean. Specifically, it is primarily mined near the small village of Marovato, which is situated in the northeastern part of the island. The deposit is often referred to as the “Ocean Jasper mine.” This single source location is the only known place in the world where Ocean Jasper is found, adding to its rarity and desirability.
Ocean Jasper is a variety of chalcedony, which itself is a microcrystalline form of quartz. Its unique orbicular patterns and vibrant colors are the result of a combination of geological processes. The exact formation of Ocean Jasper is still a subject of scientific study and debate, but some theories suggest the following processes:
- Silicification: Ocean Jasper, like other chalcedonies, is formed through the process of silicification. This involves the replacement of other minerals with silica (primarily quartz). Over time, the replacement of the original material by silica results in the formation of chalcedony.
- Mineral Solutions: The colorful orbs or circles in Ocean Jasper are believed to be the result of variations in the composition of mineral-rich solutions that permeate the host rock. These solutions may contain elements like iron, manganese, and other impurities that contribute to the distinctive colors and patterns.
- Volcanic Activity: The geological history of Madagascar is characterized by volcanic activity, which has played a significant role in the formation of various minerals, including Ocean Jasper. Some theories suggest that Ocean Jasper’s formation may be associated with hydrothermal activity related to volcanic processes.
- Post-Depositional Processes: After the initial formation, secondary processes like erosion and chemical alteration likely played a role in shaping the unique patterns and colors seen in Ocean Jasper.
The specific combination of these geological factors, along with the presence of various impurities, gives rise to the remarkable and diverse patterns that make Ocean Jasper so highly prized among collectors and enthusiasts. The orbs and swirls of color are believed to be a result of concentric layers of chalcedony forming within voids or cavities in the host rock, and the exact appearance of Ocean Jasper can vary widely from one piece to another due to these complex geological processes.
Characteristics of Ocean Jasper
Ocean Jasper is a distinctive and highly sought-after gemstone known for its unique characteristics, which contribute to its beauty and appeal. Here are some of the key characteristics of Ocean Jasper:
- Orbicular Patterns: The most defining feature of Ocean Jasper is its striking orbicular patterns, which appear as rounded, concentric circles or orbs. These patterns can range from tiny specks to large, eye-catching circles, and they come in various colors, such as green, pink, red, yellow, and white. The orbs are often set against a background color of green, blue, or white, creating a mesmerizing visual effect.
- Color Variability: Ocean Jasper exhibits a wide range of colors and combinations. The hues in the orbs can vary from piece to piece, making each specimen unique. This range of colors and patterns has led to the gemstone being used in diverse types of jewelry and art.
- Translucency and Luster: Ocean Jasper typically has a translucent to opaque appearance, depending on the specific piece. When polished, it can display a waxy to vitreous luster, adding to its visual appeal.
- Smooth Texture: When properly polished, Ocean Jasper has a smooth, tactile texture that feels pleasant to the touch. This quality makes it popular for use in jewelry, especially for cabochons and beads.
- Rarity: Ocean Jasper is rare and primarily found in one location in the world, the coast of Madagascar. This limited source contributes to its desirability among collectors and jewelry enthusiasts.
- Geometric and Organic Shapes: While it is typically fashioned into polished cabochons and beads for jewelry, it can also be found in natural, uncut forms with irregular shapes, which add to its artistic value.
- Unique Inclusions and Impurities: The patterns and colors of Ocean Jasper are often influenced by the presence of various inclusions and impurities, including minerals like hematite, goethite, and other elements. These inclusions contribute to the gem’s distinct visual character.
- Metaphysical Properties: In addition to its aesthetic appeal, it is believed to have metaphysical and healing properties in alternative and holistic practices. It is often associated with relaxation, stress reduction, and harmony.
- Environmental Considerations: Due to the sensitivity of the mining location in Madagascar, ethical sourcing and responsible mining practices are important factors to consider when dealing with Ocean Jasper.
- Collectibility: Ocean Jasper is highly collectible, and specimens with exceptional patterns, colors, and orbs are particularly prized among collectors and lapidary enthusiasts.
In summary, It is a captivating gemstone known for its one-of-a-kind orbicular patterns and a wide range of vibrant colors. Its rarity, variability, and aesthetic appeal make it a highly desirable gem for both collectors and jewelry designers.
Mining and Sources of Ocean Jasper
Ocean Jasper is exclusively found in a single location in the world, along the coast of Madagascar, near the small village of Marovato. Here’s an overview of the mining and sources of Ocean Jasper:
- Location: The primary source of Ocean Jasper is a remote area in the Ambolobozo Peninsula in northwestern Madagascar. The gemstone is found in the form of nodules or rounded masses within volcanic rocks.
- Mining: It is typically mined from the host rock in the form of nodules. These nodules can be quite large, and they are often extracted using hand tools and sometimes dynamite to break them free from the surrounding rock. Mining Ocean Jasper is a labor-intensive process, and it often requires navigating difficult terrain, as access to the mining sites is often by boat.
- Environmental Considerations: The limited source and the environmental sensitivity of the mining location have raised ethical and environmental concerns. The Ambolobozo Peninsula contains unique and delicate ecosystems, and overzealous or irresponsible mining practices could harm the environment. As a result, there is a growing awareness of the need for responsible mining and ethical sourcing of Ocean Jasper.
- Lapidary and Processing: Once the nodules are extracted, they are typically transported to cutting and lapidary workshops where skilled artisans cut and shape the Ocean Jasper into various forms, including polished cabochons, beads, and other jewelry components. The lapidaries aim to showcase the gem’s unique orbicular patterns and vibrant colors.
- Distribution: After processing, It is distributed to various markets, both domestically in Madagascar and internationally. It is especially popular among lapidary artists, jewelry designers, collectors, and metaphysical practitioners.
- Market Availability: Due to its limited source and growing popularity, it can sometimes be challenging to obtain in the market. High-quality, beautifully patterned specimens are particularly sought after and can command premium prices.
- Ethical Sourcing: In response to environmental concerns and the need for responsible sourcing, some efforts have been made to ensure ethical and sustainable mining practices. These initiatives aim to minimize the environmental impact of mining and promote the well-being of local communities.
As with any precious or semi-precious gemstone, it is important for consumers, collectors, and jewelry designers to be aware of the source and origin of Ocean Jasper and to support ethical practices within the industry. Responsible sourcing and environmentally conscious mining are essential considerations when dealing with this unique and highly desirable gemstone.
Types and Varieties
Ocean Jasper is a distinct variety of chalcedony known for its unique orbicular patterns and a wide range of colors. While there isn’t a strict classification system for different types or varieties of Ocean Jasper, the gemstone can exhibit a considerable degree of variation in its patterns and colors. The primary distinguishing features of Ocean Jasper are the orb patterns, background color, and orb colors. These variations result in a range of visual effects and aesthetics. Here are some of the types and varieties based on these features:
- Orb Color Varieties:
- Green Ocean Jasper: Characterized by green orbs set against a background that can range from white to various shades of green. It is one of the most common and widely recognized types of Ocean Jasper.
- Red Ocean Jasper: Features red or rust-colored orbs on a contrasting background, typically in shades of white or green.
- Yellow Ocean Jasper: Displays yellow orbs with backgrounds that can vary in color, often green or white.
- Pink Ocean Jasper: Pink orbs set against backgrounds that may include shades of white, green, or pink.
- Orb Pattern Varieties:
- Classic Ocean Jasper: This variety exhibits well-defined, concentric orb patterns, and it is the most commonly recognized form of Ocean Jasper.
- Orbless Ocean Jasper: Some pieces may lack clear orb patterns and appear more mottled or without the typical orbs. These are often considered a unique variety.
- Scenic Ocean Jasper: Scenic Ocean Jasper features landscape-like patterns that can resemble natural scenes, such as forests or seascapes. These pieces are highly prized for their artistic and storytelling qualities.
- Background Color Varieties:
- Green Background Ocean Jasper: The background color of it can range from pale green to deep forest green, providing a different overall appearance to the gemstone.
- Blue Background Ocean Jasper: Though less common, some Ocean Jasper specimens have blue backgrounds, creating a distinct and appealing color contrast.
- Mixed Varieties:
- Rainbow Ocean Jasper: This variety incorporates a mix of various orb colors, resulting in a rainbow-like appearance. The orbs can feature a combination of green, pink, red, yellow, and other colors.
- Ocean Jasper Banded Agate: Occasionally, It is found in combination with agate bands, creating a banded appearance in addition to its orbicular patterns.
- Geographical Varieties: Some enthusiasts may classify Ocean Jasper based on the specific location within the mining area, as different areas can produce stones with unique characteristics.
It’s important to note that these “varieties” are often not officially recognized categories but rather informal descriptions used by collectors, lapidaries, and enthusiasts to differentiate between different visual appearances of Ocean Jasper. The gem’s rarity, variable patterns, and colors make it an appealing and collectible material, and the diversity of its visual characteristics adds to its allure.
Uses and Applications of Ocean Jasper
Ocean Jasper, with its unique beauty and aesthetic appeal, finds a variety of uses and applications, primarily in the realms of jewelry and lapidary arts. Here are some of the common uses and applications of Ocean Jasper:
- Jewelry: It is a popular choice for jewelry designers and enthusiasts due to its striking patterns and vibrant colors. It is often cut into cabochons, beads, and pendants. Common jewelry items include rings, earrings, necklaces, bracelets, and brooches.
- Lapidary Art: Lapidaries and artisans appreciate Ocean Jasper for its distinctive patterns and translucency. They use it to create carved sculptures, decorative objects, and lapidary art pieces, showcasing the gem’s unique features.
- Collector’s Specimens: Ocean Jasper’s rarity and the diversity of its patterns make it highly sought after by mineral and gemstone collectors. Collectors often seek specimens with exceptional orbicular patterns and vibrant colors.
- Metaphysical and Healing Practices: In the realm of metaphysical and holistic healing, Ocean Jasper is believed to possess calming and balancing properties. It is thought to help with relaxation, stress reduction, and emotional harmony. As such, it may be used in energy work, crystal grids, or as a meditation aid.
- Home Decor: Polished Ocean Jasper pieces are sometimes incorporated into interior decor, offering a touch of natural beauty and serenity to spaces. They can be used as decorative stones, paperweights, or incorporated into various art forms.
- Art and Craft Projects: Artists and crafters use Ocean Jasper in various artistic and craft projects, such as mosaics, collage, and mixed-media art. Its unique colors and patterns can add visual interest to art creations.
- Gift Items: Ocean Jasper jewelry and polished specimens make excellent gift items for individuals who appreciate gemstones and unique natural materials.
- Educational and Geological Study: It is used in educational settings and geological studies to illustrate the formation of chalcedony and the influence of geological processes on mineral patterns and colors.
- Spiritual and Meditation Tools: It is sometimes used as a meditation aid or as a tool in spiritual practices. Its calming qualities are believed to facilitate relaxation and enhance the meditative experience.
- Resale and Collectibles Market: Given its limited source and growing popularity, it can be an investment for those who acquire high-quality specimens and anticipate their value increasing over time.
It’s important to note that while it is a versatile and beautiful gemstone, it should be cared for properly, as it is not as hard as some other gemstones like diamonds. Protecting it from scratches and avoiding exposure to harsh chemicals is essential to preserve its appearance and value. Additionally, when purchasing Ocean Jasper, consider its ethical sourcing and origin to ensure responsible and sustainable practices in the gemstone trade.


A History of Urban Planning in Two West African Colonial Capitals: Residential Segregation in British Lagos and French Dakar (1850-1930)
Few published studies have thoroughly treated the history of European planning practices in the overseas colonial territories. This is especially true regarding the African continent in general and sub-Saharan Africa in particular. Interest in the indigenous response to the formal organization of the colonial settlement has only been manifest in the last few decades. In addition, French and British colonial policies and practices in West Africa, particularly with regard to town planning, have rarely been analyzed together within the same intellectual framework. This work is concerned with the perception and realization of residential segregation in two major colonial capitals in West Africa: British Lagos and French Dakar. The history and the form of residential segregation in Lagos, a chief port and an administrative and commercial centre, and in Dakar, the capital of the AOF (Afrique Occidentale Francaise) Federation, are traced from the establishment of the official colonial rule in the mid-nineteenth century to the inter-war period. The focus on residential segregation as a crucial aspect of colonial urban planning directly relates to colonial discourses, municipal politics and indigenous conceptions. Rather than a schematic and somewhat simplified model of segregation, comparative aspects are stressed here, offering a more diversified view of this phenomenon. Urban policies also served purposes other than mere separation of various ethnic groups, and a more complex definition of segregationist schemes is needed, referring to conceptual and actual nuances of spatial divisions and hierarchisation.


Discovered in a garden shed in 1951 and acquired and restored by the State Library of New South Wales, the Holtermann Collection comprises 3500 wet-plate glass negatives documenting goldfields towns in regional Victoria and New South Wales, including Hill End and Gulgong, as well as the urban centres of Melbourne and Sydney in the 1870s. The photographs were taken between 1872 and 1876 by Beaufoy Merlin and Charles Bayliss of the American & Australasian Photographic Company, under commission from successful German immigrant Bernhardt Otto Holtermann. The collection’s national significance rests on the size and quality of the collection, the level of detail captured in the images, and the originality of the approach taken to the systematic documentation of regional life and urban environments in south- eastern Australia. It is a rare survivor of a large-scale nineteenth-century photographic archive.
The collection also includes the largest surviving wet-plate negative in the world. It measures 0.9 x 1.6 metres and is a view of North Sydney captured in 1875 from the tower of Holtermann’s house at North Sydney, and was part of his plan to promote Australia’s progress to the rest of the world.


ABOUT THE TOWN OF NEWTON GROVE
From the early nineteenth century when it carried it first name, Williams, through today Newton Grove has represented the spirit of progress and promise. With a rich tradition as the "New Town at the Grove", so called because of a prominent oak grove in the area, the Town of Newton Grove was chartered in 1879.
Nestled strategically amid the major and developing eastern North Carolina urban centers of Raleigh/Research Triangle, Fayetteville, Wilmington, and Goldsboro, Newton Grove represents an excellent base area for selling, servicing, and distributing to eastern North Carolina and the Research Triangle area, only an hour away by interstate highway.
Small size has not stopped big thinking in Newton Grove. The community has engaged in a strategic planning process setting twenty-year goals for the town affecting future education, economic development, and quality of life.
Newton Grove citizens are proud of the progress, excited about the promise of the future and committed to the preservation of the natural beauty and cultural heritage of their community. Newton Grove is certainly a "Circle of Opportunity."


The Golden Horn (Turkish: Haliç (which is derived from the Arabic word Khaleej, meaning Gulf) or Altın Boynuz (literally "Golden Horn" in Turkish); Greek: Κεράτιος Κόλπος, Keratios Kolpos: Horn-shape gulf) is an inlet of the Bosphorus dividing the city of Istanbul and forming the natural harbor that has sheltered Greek, Roman, Byzantine, Ottoman and other ships for thousands of years. It is a scimitar-shaped estuary that joins the Bosphorus just at the point where that strait enters the Sea of Marmara, thus forming a peninsula the tip of which is "Old Istanbul" (ancient Byzantion and Constantinople). Its Greek and English names mean the same, but the significance of the designation "golden" is obscure, while its Turkish name Haliç simply means "estuary". It has witnessed many tumultuous historical incidents, and its dramatic vistas have been the subject of countless works of art.
The Golden Horn is a flooded prehistoric estuary. It is 7.5 kilometers long and is 750 meters across at its widest. Its maximum depth, where it flows into the Bosphorus, is about 35 meters. It is today spanned by four bridges. Moving downstream, the first is the Haliç Bridge, literally Estuary Bridge. The former Galata Bridge was damaged by a fire in 1992; it was moved to the second position in pieces, re-assembled, and restored as the Eski Galata Bridge, literally Old Galata Bridge. The third one is the Atatürk (Unkapanı) Bridge. The current Galata Bridge was completed in 1994. A fifth bridge is currently under construction to connect the subway lines of the Istanbul Metro to the north and south of the Golden Horn
Source : Wikipedia


We’re kicking off 2013 with a new website design project for Riverview Tax & Accounting. Riverview Tax is a locally-owned, full-service tax and accounting firm located in the heart of historic downtown Dubuque, Iowa.
Because of it’s downtown location and proximity to the Mississippi River we wanted to incorporate some local iconic imagery to convey Dubuque’s historic charm. Most of the photography was generously provided by John Kunze, a photographer from West Bend, WI.
Working only from their existing logo and the apt name of “Riverview”, we had creative free reign and we’re confident the hometown feel will convey a sense of local pride and loyalty for new and existing clientele.
We look forward to launching the full website later this month.
Looking to create a new or refresh your current website? Contact us and let’s talk about your ideas today for tomorrow.


Photos portraying Detroit in a positive light are sometimes hard to come by.
When I look at photos of Detroit there are usually only a few categories that normally come up in a Google search: photos of old and abandoned buildings that has quickly become known as “Ruin porn”, and iconic photos of Detroit such as the Renaissance Center, Comerica Park or the Spirit of Detroit. A lot of these photos come from photographers that aren’t from Detroit and can’t really grasp what is significant other than the stereotypical image of decline or renewal.
But the Detroit Institute of Arts is trying to change that with their “Detroit Revealed: Photographs (2000 – 2010)” exhibition. The exhibition contains photos from artists from Detroit, native born, and those from artists that are only passing through. The mix of people that know firsthand of the city’s past and those that are experiencing the city for the first time brings a collection of images that tell a sometimes contradicting story.
The images were taken over the last decade and can at times show the best of Detroit; a resilience to destruction and elimination and a willingness to fight back and to stick around. And they can show the worst of Detroit; white flight from the city, leaving behind buildings and neighborhoods and entire swathes of land slated for development but turned over to the relentlessness of nature.
This installation and photograph by Scott Hocking, a Detroit native, was taken inside of Fisher Body Plant #21. Inside he found a structure exposed to the elements and what was beginning to look like something reclaimed by nature. Inspired by Mayan architecture, Hocking created a ziggurat to connect modern day Detroit to ancient Central America monumental ruins.
Hocking captures the relentless spirit of nature and re-purposes the inside of this plant, abandoned for more than 30 years, into something more useful.
This image, taken by Corine Vermeulen, reveals a different side of Detroit. Taken near the river, just outside of Hart Plaza during the Detroit Electronic Music Festival, the image juxtaposes the vibrancy of the attendees of the festival against the somber nature of the International Underground Railroad Memorial, pointing the way to Windsor, Ontario, Canada.
The Detroit Institute of Art is also giving everyone a chance to Reveal Your Detroit through their Flickr group. Join the group to share your relationship to Detroit through your own photos. The Detroit Revealed exhibit will be open through Sunday, April 29th. And through the month of March, if you go over to the DIA’s Facebook Page and give them a like, you can get free admission for four.


When people “buy local”, they do it for many reasons—the quality of the product, the reputation of the purveyor, the attention to craftsmanship and service. Our local roots are deep—we’ve been working with dedicated independent agents in your neighborhood to cover homeowners, drivers, and businesses for nearly 200 years.
“Locally Grown Insurance” embodies everything The N&D® Group has always stood for:
- Our employees and agents live, work, and shop in your communities. So we know the people, the region, and the weather. We are committed to providing the best local service possible, from our fleet of Automated Claims Vans that can mobilize for fast, accurate, on-site appraisals and are equipped to provide settlement checks on the spot, to the fact that you can still visit our Dedham, MA headquarters and pay your bill in person, we are there when and where you need us.
- We work with our valued network of the highest quality local independent agents. We set the bar high and make sure agents meet our demanding standards before they are appointed on behalf of our group. And we maintain close relationships with them to ensure the quality stays high.
- A thriving community depends on the generosity of businesses who call it home. We are dedicated to the community through our work with local charitable organizations.
Because of our personal and local experience, we are able to offer coverage options that are applicable to where you live, work, and drive, and that can be personalized to your needs. Feel free to contact us or reach out to your local agent to find out how we can protect the assets you value, as well as benefit from our generous multiple policy discounts and feature-rich policies.


The moment I drove onto Mount Desert Island in Maine, the home of Acadia National Park, my entire body tingled with the excitement of seeing and experiencing nature’s beauty and the challenge of exploring her varied terrain in hiking boots. So far this summer, I have explored three National Parks. And I am so grateful!!!
At each trail head, I took a breath and wondered – what will nature teach me. Each experience making my way up and over mountains, scrambling over rocks and streams, walking through trees and wildlife habitats, illuminated nature’s power to cultivate courage, compassion and connection.
In Acadia National Park, where my family and I have camped for the past 11 years, I feel completely at home. Each year as our children (now 11 and 8.5) have gotten older, my husband and I take longer and more difficult hikes. This summer I felt compelled to get down and dirty with nature. We took 4-6 hour hikes where we had to climb over boulders, pull ourselves up or slide down to get to a level terrain. To embark on each excursion took a lot of courage (and preparation). Kids and terrain are unpredictable. Yet, I knew we had to be fearless in order to have an intimate and transformational experience with nature. Watching my children embrace the terrain courageously, especially during moments of potential danger, and take the lead at different times, left me in awe of them. Now when they become fearful, I can remind them of the courage they had to hike the mountains in Acadia.
I felt most courageous when I hiked the Beehive in Acadia (without the children, at least this time around). There was a warning sign, which I had never seen in Acadia. Letting nature have my back, I pushed through my anxiety and relied on my experience as a hiker. While I am not a rock climber, this hike is probably the closest I’ll ever get. Pulling myself up using irons rungs and walking on the edge of cliffs to get to the top and view the beauty of the Atlantic was worth every bead of sweat and every palpitation of my heart.
This hike awakened my courage!
An even more beautiful example of courage was watching my 69 year old mother (who is not a hiker!), complete a trail in Shenandoah National Park and the Great Smoky Mountains. In spite of the humidity and bugs, she put on her sneakers and persevered to complete each trail. It takes courage to push yourself outside your comfort zone. This is how we grow.
This is the courage that nature cultivates. Explore National Parks.
Compassion is to be aware of suffering, feel empathy and be willing to act to relieve that suffering. In Acadia, every time I felt that the hike we chose was too long, the beautiful sound of song birds filled the air. This happened at least three times. It was as if no other sound existed (the woods can be very quiet) and the birds were speaking directly to me. “You can do this. Keep going.” The melodic sound soothed my suffering. I felt held and guided by nature’s love.
Such a love, supported both my children and I when they were resistant to hiking. At one time or another, one of my kids was unhappy and complaining at the beginning of a hike. Knowing that I could not flee from the situation and that I needed this child to walk over challenging terrain, I flexed my compassion muscle. I practiced just being present with my child who was experiencing an unpleasant time and allowed the love of nature to soften both of our hearts. This was not always easy as I had to give up control of how I wanted to “experience” this hike. The embrace of nature opened my heart so that I could be compassionate toward my child. Teaching my children how to embrace their connection to nature as a way to soothe their suffering was a deep insight we all shared. Eventually, each child let go of his or her resistance and embraced the hike, which always ended with a high-five and a smile.
I am filled with deep gratitude for these experiences. Also, I have more of an appreciation for the suffering nature experiences all the time. The history of these parks reveal that people a century ago knew the power in the beauty of these parks and the necessity to protect it.
They are sanctuaries that need our compassion. Support National Parks.
Hiking with others can be an intense experience. With courage and compassion comes connection. One reason people hike is to connect with the earth and its magnificence. There is undoubtedly an existential element to exploring nature’s home. Another reason is to connect with ourselves and possibly our hiking partners.
One of the reasons I adore camping and hiking in Acadia is because it has become a family tradition. We have this experience that we will all carry with us and that forever joins us together. As my children develop lives a part from me, we will always have Acadia. My 11 year old asked if she could keep camping with us when she is older. This warmed my heart. When her and I hiked alone in Shenandoah National Park, she talked about us coming back together as a bonding experience. She felt nature’s power to connect us.
Hiking requires a degree of cooperation and collaboration whether it be with nature or with others. The challenge to complete each hike required us to work together. Sometimes you have to wait when other’s are tired. You have to be supportive when other’s are struggling. You have to pause and take in the beauty that surrounds you. Nature does not always give you a choice! When hiking in Shenandoah, a deer walked right toward us without hesitation.
We are without a doubt connected to the earth and to each other. Exploring these National Parks has reminded me of our interdependence. We are never alone and thus our actions have a ripple effect that we often may not see. If we listen, nature calls to us, reminding us that we are courageous, that it is within us to reach out and connect with a compassionate heart.
May we open ourselves to the beauty of life
and push ourselves outside our comfort zones
so together we can grow our voice.


The documentary film Stella Polaris* Ulloriarsuaq follows the Light-Art-Project in Greenland from beginning to end in portrait-style. Using the latest in technology, budding director Yatri N. Niehaus, in his first solo attempt at a full- scale documentary, captures every moment of the project in this unique form of photographic art. Besides the fascinating shots of Greenland’s unparalleled glaciers and icebergs, Yatri interviews Greenland’s Light- ambassadors, who have much to say to the world about the disappearance of the eternal ice. As it stands now, the documentary Stella Polaris* Ulloriarsuaq is expected to be about 30 minutes. A full-length film is in the planning stages.
“The Greenland ice cap stretched many thousands of kilometers before me. When I stepped upon it for the first time, it moved under my feet, making loud crackling sounds. In that moment, it became clear to me—the indes- cribable connection—of how the changes that are happening in Greenland are linked to everything and everyone in the world. If more people were able to have this experience, it could possibly create a lasting change in their relation- ship with the nature that surrounds us all. Still, not everyone can be there—seeing, hearing. I believe that art, especially film, has the potential of taking people along on the journey and to contemplate our role in the world.” Yatri N. Niehaus
The film will be published in 2015.
Teaser – 1:08 min
Trailer – 5:12 min


This album is professionally recorded using state of the art digital recorders on location in numerous Queensland and Northern Territory remote tropical rain forests. It does not contain any music, words or anything else other then the sounds from a rain forest as if you were sitting there in person.
The various sounds on this CD include birds, frogs, insects, rain drops, wind on trees and gentle running water from tropical streams. It is recorded in stereo format and the different sounds can be heard with depth, clarity and binaural effect. Sound recordist Andrew Skeoch and his wife and photographer Sara Koshak traveled to some of the most stunning remote rain forests in Australia to capture the beautiful and relaxing sounds you hear on this CD. Andrew is known and respected worldwide for his ability to capture the true essence of mother nature.
When it comes to rain forests, Australia is blessed with some truly spectacular examples that contain a multitude plant and animal life. Some of the birds you will hear on this CD are in fact rare and never before heard on any type of nature recording CD. You can hear every leave gently stir with the wind and rain as you can hear every harmonic bird and frog noises as they go about their natural daily activities.
Rain forest Sanctuary presents the Australian wilderness in all it's natural and untouched glory. Andrew and Sara venture deep into the Australian jungle to capture nature's own choir heard as if you were literally sitting their in the middle of a forest. The best thing is, you can experience this in the comfort of your own home and enjoy the immense benefits of deep relaxation and focus that using this CD will give any listener.


Sermon by Rev. Diane Rollert, 7 June 2015
(Click Read More on the sermon page for access to the audio files)
I wrote these words five years ago in an early December. It was winter then, not a beautiful green spring day like today. Yet the image still remains powerfully vivid in my mind as I contemplate beauty and my love for this world.
It was in the early morning, the day before the sky became thick with a white, impenetrable cloud cover and the snow began. I was walking along the Lachine Canal. This is my landscape, the place where I often walk. That particular morning, the days being so short, the sun had only just begun to rise. Everything was hazy with a soft suffusion of pale mauve. The bricks of the buildings lining the canal were dark, the trees blackened, the city itself still sleeping— a foggy mirage of Montreal rising above the bridges.
Continue reading Falling in Love with the World Again


Philip Webb’s Camino Pilgrimage Raises $2,000 for Mission Tradition
U.S. Marine veteran Philip Webb is no longer on active duty, but his missions continue. Nowadays, the retired machinist devotes much of his spare time to helping Mission Tradition raise much-needed funds for its apostolates in Nigeria, Mexico, and Colombia.
Webb’s latest effort was a pilgrimage on the Camino de Santiago—the Way of St. James—in Spain. He began his trek on October 3 and finished on November 4, days ahead of his self-imposed deadline of November 10. Along the way, Webb posted updates to his Facebook page and encouraged his friends and supporters to donate to Mission Tradition in honor of his pilgrimage.
Webb raised more than $2,000 and gave 100 percent of the proceeds to Mission Tradition because he covered his own expenses. He returned from his second pilgrimage full of gratitude.
“I’m thankful to everyone who supported this fundraiser and kept me in their prayers,” he remarked. “Please remember that even though my days on the trail were long, our Mission Tradition priests work even harder each day to meet the needs of the world’s poorest people. They rely on your support to make their apostolates a success.”
Beautiful Scenery Makes a Long Trek Easier
Webb’s pilgrimage began with a 17-hour bus trip that took him from his home in southwestern Spain to the town of Irún in the northeast. There, near the French border, the Camino del Norté begins.
Camino del Norté is one of the longest and most rigorous routes on the Way of St. James. On a damp, overcast morning, Web set off at the Santiago Bridge over the Bidasoa River. That first day, he walked about 18 kilometers (11 miles) before stopping at an enchanting albergue in Pasai Donibane. An albergue is a hostel designed to accommodate pilgrims for a nominal fee. These no-frills lodges are a godsend to the many pilgrims who seek to complete their journeys on a budget. More well-heeled pilgrims sometimes stay at hotels in the towns they visit.
Webb’s first stop put him among breathtaking mountains near a river. But throughout his journey, it was the agriculture he enjoyed seeing most. Webb grew up in Michigan and helped on his grandparents’ farm. He later worked on a neighbor’s farm that had the second-most heads of cattle in Michigan at the time. Walking past many small family farms brought back pleasant memories for Webb.
“I saw many different kinds of crops, including winter squash that was two or three times bigger than anything I ever saw in Michigan,” he remarked. “There’s a tremendous amount of rain in northern Spain and it’s really warm in the summer, which clearly helps these crops grow.”
On his stops, Webb visited northern Spain’s beautiful churches whenever he could, enjoying the traditional architecture and statuary. For example, the Santiago Cathedral in Bilbao featured Gothic architecture and many masterpiece paintings. Although the cathedral was only open for Mass, Webb arrived just as the midday Mass was concluding and the priest allowed him to look around for a few minutes.
Webb also enjoyed the smaller church of San Salvador in Getaria, which featured one of the area’s oldest sanctuaries dating back to the fifteenth to seventeenth centuries. This church was built on the remains of at least two earlier churches dating back to 1397.
“In many of these churches and cathedrals, the bishops and cardinals are buried in crypts in the walls,”Webb noted. “When you stop to pray there, you really feel the communion of saints! It’s almost overwhelming to feel that connection to the past.”
But Webb’s Camino schedule left little time for sightseeing. Although some pilgrims set aside several months to finish their journeys, Webb had a family to get back to. Church visits tended to be 30 minutes or less unless Webb was attending Sunday Mass. Webb’s daily mileage ranged from 12 to 35, but he typically aimed for 18 to 20 miles per day.
Heavy Rain and Scarce Lodging Test Pilgrims’ Mettle
Camino del Norté presented Webb with many challenges. Because he made his pilgrimage near the end of the season, he knew he would run into rain. Although his first two weeks brought warm, sunny weather, he faced steady rainfall over the last two weeks. By the time October ended, northern Spain had experienced twice its normal rainfall for the month. Through the wetness—and even a fierce hailstorm—Webb relied on his rain jacket and Marine Corps poncho.
Webb also had difficulty finding lodging on many nights. During the first two weeks of the journey, the trail was full of tourists who often snapped up the available beds at the albergues. And because it was near the end of the pilgrimage season, some albergues had unexpectedly closed early. These situations left Webb little option but to hike from town to town and trust in Divine Providence.
But as Webb walked on, the crowd on the trail thinned out to include only the most dedicated pilgrims. On November 1, the Feast of All Saints, he took a “break” day in which he walked just seven kilometers (4.3 miles) on level terrain and then explored the charming city of Mondoñedo. There, he visited the Cathedral of Santa Maria—a stunning building erected between the twelfth and sixteenth centuries—and enjoyed a hearty dinner of chiperonies (squid) accompanied by a glass of Albariño wine.
Pilgrims Inspire Each Other to Persevere
Just as he had done on his first Camino in 2022, Webb met many interesting and inspiring Catholics on the trail. One walking companion was a 29-year-old professional soccer player who was taking time for reflection between contracts. Another was a Lithuanian graphic designer who lives all over the world because she works entirely online. A pair of retired accountants from the United Kingdom provided Webb with constant comic relief.
But Webb’s most meaningful connection was with “Sandra,” a German doctor of pharmacy. She, too, was completing her second Camino—but with a special challenge: type 1 diabetes. Throughout the journey, she gave herself at least 10 insulin injections per day and sometimes stopped to consume sugar to keep her blood glucose levels in balance.
“Sometimes Caminos are about facing one’s own difficulties,” Webb reflected. “Other times they teach us to admire the courage we see in others, showing us that our troubles may be smaller than we think. I was incredibly proud to have shared some days on the Camino with Sandra and am delighted to call this inspiring woman a new friend!”
Sandra tracked her blood glucose levels with an app that clearly displayed her “peaks” and “valleys.” At one point on the trail, Webb happened to see the graph. Thinking it was a trail app, he said, “Hey, I thought we were finished with the mountains. Why is your app showing another incline?” He was relieved when Sandra reassured him that the graph simply represented a spike in her blood glucose level.
Every Mile Is an Offering to God
Many pilgrims envision fitting in hours of prayer on the Camino. For Webb, that proved more difficult this year than last year because the Camino del Norté was busier than the Via de la Plata. But as the crowd thinned out, the opportunities for quiet reflection became more common. And whenever Webb stopped in a town with an open church, he fit in a Rosary before returning to the trail.
As the weeks of walking wore on, Webb found the trail changing him. The soreness of Week 1 gave way to the fatigue of Week 2. But by Week 3, Webb remarked, “The pilgrimage becomes who you are. You wake up in the morning and you’re not really thinking about how you’re doing—you’re just focused on today’s plan and backup plan. There’s nothing you can do about yesterday. There’s nothing you can do about what might be going on back home. Your life becomes simple and you live in the moment.”
Webb advises other potential pilgrims to be realistic about what a Camino journey can do for them.
“Don’t go to the Camino looking for that one answer to the biggest problem in your life—and certainly don’t go looking for romance! The Camino has a way of providing you with what you need, which may not be what you want. There’s almost always a place to stay, even if it wasn’t your first choice. You come to realize how little you really need to get by.”
As he walked, Webb’s thought returned constantly to the work our Mission Tradition priests are doing to bring the light of Christ to the world’s neediest people. He is grateful for your support and is continuing his fundraiser for anyone who may be inspired to send a gift to Mission Tradition.


Farrar Straus Giroux December 2016
Recommended 4 - 10 years
Written and illustrated by Barbara McClintock
When Adele and Simon travel to China to visit their uncle Sidney, their first stop is in Hong Kong to buy items for the trip. Simon picks out a hat, a flute, a fan, and other articles, and Adele receives a camera just like Uncle Sidney's. Then they're off to explore!
In handwritten postcards home, Adele describes the sights they see - and, of course, the items Simon manages to lose. He drops his scarf on a silk farm near Shanghai, and at the Great Wall his hat blows right off his head. By the end of the trip, Simon has misplaced all of his belongings!
But when Adele develops her photographs, they discover that they can find each of Simon's lost items in the background of the pictures. Can you?
Award-winning author/illustrator Barbara McClintock's meticulous research and intricate pen-and-ink and watercolor illustrations bring to life the sites that Adele and Simon visit, broom bustling old Beijing to rural rice paddies. Filled with facts and seek-and-find pictures, this book leads readers on a brilliant historical tour of China a century ago.
This addition to the children's saga finds Adele and Simon touring China with their uncle. Told through postcards written by Adele, this adventure is a true delight. With stops in Hong Kong, Tongli, and Shanghai, this is a beautifully blended masterpiece of art and history. As with the other books in the series, Simon loses items along the way, prompting a fun search-and-find aspect that readers will love. The endnotes contain blurbs about each location, including significant historical information.
“The intricate, vintage-style illustrations and interesting historical facts will be sure to please a wide audience. Young armchair travelers will want to pore over this one.”— SLJ
“Detailed renderings, done in McClintock's trademark, vibrant pen-and-ink-and-watercolor style, of a bustling marketplace in Peking, a complex of monasteries in the Wudang Mountains, and the sprawling carved hillsides in southern China. With the children's route outlined in red, the opening period map of China provides great perspective on how vast and varied this country was and still is. Since this is a historical view of China, many of the Chinese men wear queues, which can lead to further conversations with young readers.” —Kirkus
“Adèle and Simon hit the road again! They previously explored America and Paris, but they are now headed to China to visit their photographer uncle, Sidney. This is the China of more than a century ago, allowing today’s children a trip of their own.
First stop is Hong Kong, where Sidney takes the two youngsters on a shopping spree. Simon gets a hat, a jacket, a knapsack, a flute and many other items while Adèle opts for one large gift: a camera so she can record her journey just like her uncle. Readers familiar with this series knows what is to come: Adèle will write postcards home to “Dear Mama” and Simon will lose an object at each stop. At the Shanghai silk farm, he loses the yellow scarf. Careful readers will pore over each detailed, colorful pen-and-ink illustration to find the missing object. Older eyes will undoubtedly have to search longer and harder than young eyes, but no matter the age of the searcher, it’s great fun to finally locate the missing item. (This time the scarf is in the mouth of a dog.) On each page, the search is made more challenging by the artist’s color choices; the missing yellow scarf is exactly the color that most of the people are wearing in this spread. Searching for the red abacus on the following scene means discerning it from the many sticks of candied apples that are the same red. Thankfully, McClintock provides a dandy picture of the items in Adèle’s early letter to Mama, and readers can flip back and forth to help remember what the objects look like. When Adèle develops her photos after the trip, she sees a record of each missing item.
McClintock also includes tiny thumbprint pictures with fascinating factual information of each spread in the backmatter, further adding to the fun for older readers and adults. Many children learn Chinese at school these days, and it’s easy to see teachers using this picture book in class, even with much older students. The historical information, maps and thumbnail guide to this enormous country will certainly fascinate any child with an interest in China. While comparisons to Where’s Waldo? are inevitable, Adelé and Simon’s journeys are much more interesting, encouraging readers of all ages time to slow down and read the detailed pictures. Repeated visits will reveal more and more details—eye candy at its very best.”— BookPage
“A book for VERY young eyes. I'm beginning to wonder if Ms. McClintock paints with the aid of electronic microscopes. Someday she's going to paint a book on the head of a single grain of rice. I would read that rice.” —Elizabeth Bird
(Ages 4 - 10)


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Come by and say hello. Let us show you the difference local really makes.
We’re located in far South Austin less than half a mile North of the Menchaca Road and FM 1626 intersection. If you’re heading South on Menchaca and reach the end of the road, you’ve gone too far.
If you’re heading North on Menchaca, just look for the digital sign on the left side of the street or spot the three flag poles in our “front yard” when you’re nearing the “Manchack” and 1626 intersection.
We also welcome our South Austin, Buda, Kyle and surrounding area neighbors. You might find another facility closer, but you won’t find one better, friendlier or more affordable.
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You can start the rental process or request more information any time of the day or night through the handy contact form.
You can expect to hear from us the next business day. And the information you need will be provided by a real member of the local Budget team right here in South Austin – not by a call center operator in Timbuktu.


Possibly one of the most iconic Singaporean dishes, chilli crab has found its way to many a foodie and celebrity chef’s heart and belly. The highly revered chilli crab has even earned a spot on CNNGo’s World’s 50 Most Delicious Foods list. Time and again, chilli crab has become a must-try experience for anyone visiting the country of Singapore. Even for the most discerning traveler, chilli crab can satisfy any craving for seafood or spice – its tomato-chilli sauce hits all the right notes of spice, sweetness and tang.
Like many dishes, each restaurant has its own version of chilli crab. Some have a more distinct sambal flavor, some are more acidic – but two factors are constant: visible egg white ribbons in an abundance of sauce. Of course, every chilli crab experience is incomplete without the presence of fluffy fried mantou buns, the perfect foil to the tangy spiciness of the chilli crab.
Although the quest for the best chilli crab in Singapore remains a hotly contested topic, Evolve Daily presents its top picks for the 5 Best Chilli Crab Restaurants In Singapore:
1) Jumbo Seafood
One of the most popular chilli crab restaurants, Jumbo Seafood has 5 outlets all over the island. Don’t be surprised at the size of your crab – Jumbo truly lives up to its name, serving the biggest, most tender chilli crabs in town. If your tolerance for spice isn’t at par with the local tastebuds, Jumbo Seafood might just be your best bet.
1206 East Coast Parkway, #01-07/08, Singapore, 449883
30 Merchant Road # 01-01/02 Riverside Point, Singapore 058282
20 Upper Circular Road, #B1-48 The Riverwalk, Singapore 05841
10 Changi Coast Walk, SAFRA Resort, Singapore 499739
Blk 11 #01-16 Dempsey Road, Singapore 249673
2) Melben Seafood
What was once a quiet neighborhood favorite has become home to one of the longest dinner queues in Singapore. Skip the crowds and arrive way before dinnertime to secure a table (they don’t take reservations). Although their Claypot Crab Bee Hoon Soup and Butter Crab is more well known, their sweet version of chilli crab definitely hits the spot as well.
211 Toa Payoh Lorong 8, Singapore, 310211
Not really the dressing up type? Head on over to Mastercrab, a chain of neighborhood cze char (cooked to order restaurant) that serves up some of the best chilli crab at a decent price point. Feeling adventurous? Mastercrab is known for its Salted Egg Yolk Crab as well.
Blk 19 Ghim Moh Road #01-229
Blk 277 Compassvale Link #01-13
Blk 475 Choa Chu Kang Ave 3 #01-31
Blk 108 Punggol Field #01-01
Blk 639 Punggol Drive #01-07
4) Long Beach
One of the most iconic chilli crab restaurants in Singapore, Long Beach has received many culinary awards and is often recommended by locals. The main branch at East Coast Parkway offers a great view of the seaside as well as the sparkling lights from the nearby neighborhoods. The spiciness level for chilli crabs at Long Beach is probably the highest among the restaurants in this list!
1018 East Coast Parkway, Next to ECP Burger King
1202 East Coast Parkway, #01-04 East Coast Seafood Centre
25 Dempsey Road, opposite Singapore Botanic Gardens
Jurong East St 21, Level 3, IMM Building, Next to Rooftop Garden
220 Stadium Boulevard, Singapore
5) No Signboard
Can’t figure out which spiciness level you prefer? No Signboard lets you choose the level of spiciness for your chilli crab as part of their service. The decades old Geylang outlet gives you that quintessential dining experience of vintage ambiance and delicious food.
414 Geylang , Singapore 389392
1 Harbourfront Walk #03-02 Vivo City Singapore 098585
Blk 1202 East Coast Parkway #01 – 02 East Coast Seafood Centre Singapore 449881
Remember, chilli crab is best eaten with your bare hands. Although some restaurants provide plastic bibs to protect your clothing, why not prepare ahead and forego your favorite white t-shirt for something darker. And when you’re ready to burn those calories, why not head to the nearest MMA gym and sweat it out with some World Champions?


Living in Texas means dealing with a diverse array of pests, and few are as infamous as the red imported fire ants. These aggressive insects can create immense difficulties for both residences and commercial properties throughout the state.
A clear understanding of fire ants’ behavior, biology, and control methods is essential for managing their presence in and around your home or business. Killum Pest Control, Inc., the area’s premier residential and commercial pest control service provider, is committed to offering expert guidance and professional assistance in tackling fire ant problems in the Texas Gulf Coast region.
This blog post will explore intriguing regional facts about these stinging insects, their impact on Texas residents and agriculture, and proven strategies for managing fire ant populations. By staying informed and proactive, you can protect your family, property, and pets from the hazards posed by fire ants.
Our service area encompasses Houston, Pearland, Friendswood, League City, Seabrook, Missouri City, Manvel, Sugarland, Alvin, Angleton, Lake Jackson, Clute, Richwood, Freeport, West Columbia, and many other cities in Brazoria, Ft. Bend, Harris, and Galveston counties.
Join us as we delve into the world of Texas fire ants and arm yourself with the knowledge and insights needed to manage these unwelcome intruders effectively. Our expert team at Killum Pest Control, Inc. is here to help safeguard your property and well-being from these stinging pests through our comprehensive pest control solutions and industry expertise.
The Impact of Texas Fire Ants
The red imported fire ant, a non-native species from South America, was accidentally introduced to the United States in the 1930s. Adaptable and aggressive, these ants have since established a solid presence throughout the southern states, including Texas, where they have become a significant concern for property owners.
1. Agriculture and Wildlife: Fire ants can damage crops, harm livestock, and threaten native wildlife populations. Their extensive tunneling can lead to soil erosion and weakened root systems, posing a hazard to both residential’s and commercial properties.
2. Property Damage: Mounds built by fire ants can obstruct or damage equipment and machinery, resulting in costly repairs and downtime for businesses and homeowners.
1. Invasive Ant Stings: Fire ants are notoriously aggressive and will sting humans and animals if their nests are disturbed. Their venom induces a burning sensation and can cause pain, itching, and potentially severe allergic reactions.
2. Children and Pets: Young children and pets are most vulnerable to fire ant stings as they may unknowingly disturb their nests while playing.
Fire Ant Identification: Know Your Foe
Fire ant workers vary in size (1/8 to 1/4 inch) and are reddish-brown. Their distinctive mounds can be recognized by their dome shape without a central opening. Mounds are typically found in sunny, open spaces and can measure up to 18 inches in diameter and 8 inches in height.
Effective Fire Ant Control Techniques
Managing fire ant populations on your property requires a proactive approach, employing both prevention tactics and targeted treatments to minimize their impact.
1. Regular Inspection: Routinely check for fire ant mounds on your property, particularly after rainfall, as these pests often rebuild their nests after being disturbed by water.
2. Eliminate Food Sources: Fire ants primarily feed on proteins and sugars. Clean up spills, pet food, and waste to deprive them of potential food sources on your property.
3. Observe Safety Precautions: Wear protective clothing, such as closed-toed shoes, long pants, and gloves, when working in your yard. Educate children about the risks of fire ant stings and how to avoid them.
1. Baiting: Fire ant bait, which combines an attractive food source with a slow-acting insecticide, is a popular method for controlling infestations. Forage ants carry the bait back to their colony, where it is consumed by other ants, including the queen, leading to the eventual demise of the colony.
2. Mound Treatment: Drenching fire ant mounds with an approved liquid insecticide can provide targeted control. This method is best suited for small-scale infestations or when immediate action is required.
3. Professional Help: Enlist the assistance of a professional pest control company, like Killum Pest Control, Inc., to assess your property’s unique fire ant problem and develop an effective control plan.
The Importance of Professional Pest Control Services
Attempting to handle fire ant infestations on your own can lead to incomplete control and ongoing challenges. Partnering with a professional pest control service, like Killum Pest Control, Inc., ensures access to the most effective products and methods tailored to your property’s specific needs. Our expert team will work with you to develop a comprehensive fire ant management plan that includes ongoing monitoring and preventative measures, protecting your property from potential fire ant threats.
Understanding the unique challenges of Texas fire ants and proactively implementing prevention and control measures are key to maintaining a safe and comfortable living environment for your family, pets, and property. By enlisting the guidance of expert pest control professionals like Killum Pest Control, Inc., you can protect your home and property from these invasive stinging insects, ensuring year-round peace of mind.
Turn to Killum Pest Control, Inc. for expert advice, cutting-edge solutions, and exceptional service to safeguard your family, property, and well-being from the hazards of fire ants. Together, we can create an effective plan that keeps your Texas home and property a secure and inviting sanctuary, free from the menacing presence of fire ants. Inquire now!


Edinburgh is a great city with plenty of choice for everyone. From a walk up Carlton Hill, to shopping on Princes Street, or even a trip to the Zoo to meet Tian Tian and Yang Guang - the UK’s only giant pandas. There’s always something to see and do in Edinburgh. Whilst you’re here, give your taste buds an explosion of flavours by trying a wee portion of haggis and wash it down with a cold can of Irn Bru!
The city is renowned for its Festival Fringe so if you’re around in August make a point of going to see a feast of live theatre, music, dance and comedy shows. Don’t forget there are lots of free activities in Edinburgh too – why not have a picnic in the Meadows, check out the Botanic Gardens or visit one of the many free museums and galleries.
Edinburgh itself has 4,500 listed buildings, 140 parks, gardens, public green spaces and beaches and is home to over 450,000 people, but that figure more than doubles during the arts festivals in August. Each year the city hosts the biggest New Year street party in the world, known simply as Edinburgh's Hogmanay. With over 100,000 revellers enjoying the wonderful music in Princes Street Gardens it’s sure to be a well-remembered evening especially with dazzling firework displays across the city at the stroke of midnight.
We hope you have fun experiencing the best of Scotland’s capital, old and new!


Bourton St James
St James is located on the outskirts of the village of Bourton in the direction of Bishopstone. It was founded and built in 1859 following the purchase of a plot of land by Mr T. Tucker, and its foundation stone was laid on August 8th of that year by Jane - Viscount Barrington. Prior to this the village had no church, and villagers would meet in a hut at the bottom of The Hill to worship.
Bourton is a small village, but the church remains important both to the village who hold services there twice a month (normally first Saturday at 10am and third Sunday at 9am), and to Pinewood school, who hold regular services there when Saturday school is in session. Village services welcome adults and children alike to enjoy the service, but also coffee and biscuits following it. The highlight of year is our candlelit holy communion service on Christmas Eve at 6pm, where the village children dress up as various members of the nativity to build a living crib, along with mulled wine for the adults and the traditional handbells rung by the Shrivenham bell ringers. Please visit our village website at www.bourton-oxon.org.uk for details of latest services and our fundraising activities. Please visit www.bourton-oxon.org.uk for details of the latest service times and our fundraising activities.


Our project assistant Ashwin Viswanathan, who is working on vegetation patterns of semi-arid ecosystems, is attending Complex Systems Summer School at Chile organized jointly by the Santa Fe Institute, Santa Fe, US and Universidad del Desarrollo, Chile. The school will run from Nov 11th to 21st and has a distinguished panel of researchers in the area of complex systems conducting the workshop.
He was one of the top 10% of an international pool of applicants selected to attend this workshop with full financial support to cover his travel and local expenses. Congratulations, Ashwin!!!


National Cemetery Administration
VA Purchases Land for a New Rural National Cemetery
October 6, 2015
WASHINGTON – The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) today announced that it purchased six acres of land located in Cassian, Wisconsin, to establish a new rural national cemetery, also referred to as a National Veterans Burial Ground. VA purchased the land from the town of Cassian for a total of $24,000.
“Our cemeteries are national shrines that honor the brave men and women who sacrificed for our country,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Robert A. McDonald. “We are pleased to expand burial service to Veterans, their spouses and families in Wisconsin. This National Veterans Burial Ground will help us reach Veterans in rural parts of Wisconsin who have not previously had reasonable access to a national or state Veterans cemetery.”
The new facility, located in Oneida County near Rhinelander, will serve approximately 24,300 Veterans located in the service area of the cemetery. It will include in-ground casket burial sites, in-ground cremation burial sites, above-ground columbarium niches, a memorial wall, flagpoles, a memorial walkway, roads and other infrastructure.
Wood National Cemetery in Milwaukee, Wisconsin’s only national cemetery, closed to first interment casketed burials in 1997 and to first interment cremation burials in 2001. The closest open national cemetery is Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis, approximately 220 miles away.
There are three open VA-funded state Veterans cemeteries in Wisconsin located in Union Grove, King, and Spooner. The closest state Veterans cemetery to Cassian is the Northern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery, located about 140 miles away in Spooner.
VA’s Rural Burial Initiative provides burial access for Veterans not currently served by a burial option at either a national or VA-funded state cemetery. VA plans to build other burial grounds in Idaho, Maine, Nevada, North Dakota, Utah, and Wyoming. VA dedicated its first National Veterans Burial Ground, Yellowstone National Cemetery in Montana, in May 2014.
VA operates 132 national cemeteries, one National Veterans Burial Ground, and 33 soldiers’ lots and monument sites in 40 states and Puerto Rico. More than 4 million Americans, including Veterans of every U.S. war and conflict, are buried in VA’s national cemeteries. VA also provides funding to establish, expand, improve, and maintain 95 Veterans cemeteries in 47 states and territories, including tribal trust lands, Guam, and Saipan. VA also provides headstones, markers, or medallions to mark the graves of Veterans not buried in a VA national cemetery. In 2014, VA honored more than 356,000 Veterans and their loved ones with memorial benefits in national, state, tribal, and private cemeteries.
Information on VA burial benefits can be obtained from local national cemetery offices and from the Internet at www.cem.va.gov.


for the Venturing Ranger Award
Navigating through the great outdoors is an adventure that thrills many young people. The ability to find your way through unfamiliar terrain using a map and compass is not only exciting but essential for safety and success in various scouting activities. That’s where the concept of land navigation comes into play, especially for those pursuing the Venturing Ranger Award. This award challenges Venturers to master the art of orienteering, a skill that combines knowledge of the natural environment with modern technological tools.
The Land Navigation Core Requirement is a comprehensive test of a Venturers ability to understand and use topographical maps, recognize natural and man-made features, and move confidently in the wilderness. From identifying map symbols and understanding contour lines to navigating a course and using a GPS receiver, this requirement covers the essentials of outdoor navigation. It’s designed not just to test skills but to prepare them for real-world challenges they might face in the wild.
Moreover, part of this journey involves teaching these valuable skills to others, reinforcing the scouting principle of leadership and service. Whether you’re a seasoned Venturer or just beginning, mastering land navigation opens up a world of adventure and confidence in the great outdoors. Let’s dive into what it takes to navigate the land successfully and earn the Venturing Ranger Award.
Land Navigation Core Ranger Requirements and Workbook
Answers and Resources
Answers and Helps for the Ranger Land Navigation Core Requirement
Find specific helps for the Ranger Land Navigation Core Requirement listed on this page. Some of these resources will just give the answers. Others will provide engaging ways for older Venturers to introduce these concepts to new Crew members.
Land Navigation Core Requirement a: Maps
Using a topographical map for your area or the area you will be navigating in, demonstrate that you know the following map symbols:
- index contour
- vertical control station
- hard-surface, heavy-duty road
- railroad, single track
- power transmission line
- checked spot elevation
- map scale
- intermittent stream
- hard-surface, medium-duty road
- water well or spring
- unimproved dirt road
Land Navigation Core Requirement a Helps and Answers
Land navigation is a skill that turns the great outdoors into a navigable landscape, ready for exploration and adventure. To master this skill, understanding topographical map symbols is crucial. Each symbol provides vital information about the terrain and features you might encounter. Let’s break down these symbols:
- Index Contour: These are the bold lines on a map, making it easier to read elevation changes. They represent a specific elevation level, helping you visualize the landscape’s shape—crucial for land navigation as it helps you understand the terrain’s ups and downs.
- Vertical Control Station: This symbol marks a surveyed location where the exact elevation is known. It’s a fixed point used for reference, ensuring accuracy in land navigation.
- Hard-Surface, Heavy-Duty Road: These roads are depicted with thicker lines, indicating major roads that can handle heavy traffic. Knowing these can help you find your way back to civilization or cross through developed areas.
- Railroad, Single Track: A line with short dashes across it represents a single-track railroad. Recognizing this can prevent unexpected encounters with trains during your land navigation adventures.
- Power Transmission Line: Shown as small pylons in a line, these symbols indicate where high-voltage power lines cross the land. It’s helpful for understanding human impacts on the area and navigating around them.
- Building: A small square or rectangle marks a building. Buildings can be landmarks or shelters, important for orienteering and emergency planning in land navigation.
- Checked Spot Elevation: This symbol, a dot with a number, shows the exact elevation of a spot. It’s a key reference for understanding terrain height and slope in land navigation.
- Marsh: A marsh is depicted with a cluster of short, wavy lines, symbolizing wet, soggy land. Avoiding or navigating through marshes is a crucial skill in wilderness exploration.
- Map Scale: The map scale is a bar or line that shows the ratio of a distance on the map to the actual distance on the ground. It’s fundamental for measuring distances and planning routes in land navigation.
- Intermittent Stream: This stream appears as a dashed line, indicating water flow that isn’t constant year-round. For land navigation, knowing where water may or may not be can influence your route.
- Depression: Depicted by hachures (short lines) on the inside of a contour line, a depression is a low area surrounded by higher ground. Recognizing these helps in assessing terrain features during land navigation.
- Ridge: A ridge is shown by contour lines forming a narrow elongation. It represents higher ground, often a critical landmark for orientation in land navigation.
- Trail: Trails are marked by dashed lines, guiding through natural areas. Trails can be essential paths or routes in land navigation, leading you through unknown terrain.
- Stream: A blue line that flows naturally, indicating continuous water movement. Streams are important for land navigation, providing water sources and natural path markers.
- Hard-Surface, Medium-Duty Road: These roads are depicted slightly thinner than heavy-duty roads, indicating less traffic. They’re still significant for land navigation, providing routes through the area.
- Bridge: A bridge symbol shows where a road or trail crosses over water or a gap. Bridges are crucial in land navigation for crossing obstacles safely.
- Cemetery: A small rectangle with a cross, marking a burial ground. Cemeteries can serve as fixed points for orienteering and navigation.
- Campsite: A symbol of a tent indicates a designated camping area, an important feature for planning overnight adventures in land navigation.
- Water Well or Spring: A circle with a dot or a spring symbol indicates fresh water, vital for survival and route planning in remote areas.
- Unimproved Dirt Road: Shown with dashed lines, these roads are less maintained, often found in natural areas. They’re important for land navigation, offering access through less developed regions.
Mastering these symbols enhances your land navigation skills, making you prepared to explore the wilderness confidently.
Land Navigation Core Requirement b: Contour Lines
Explain contour lines. Be able to tell the contour interval for your map and be able to show the difference between a steep and a gentle slope.
Land Navigation Core Requirement b Helps and Answers
Contour lines are like the storybook of the land’s shape, written on a map. In land navigation, understanding these lines is like learning the language of the earth. They are the thin, often brown, lines that loop and curve across a topographical map. Each contour line connects points of equal elevation above sea level, essentially drawing a picture of the terrain’s highs and lows. This makes them indispensable for anyone navigating through the wilderness.
The contour interval is the vertical distance between two adjacent contour lines. It tells you how steep or gentle a slope is. If you’re looking at a map and see the contour lines are close together, think of them as telling you, “This hill is steep!” The closer the lines, the steeper the slope. On the flip side, when contour lines are spaced far apart, they’re saying, “This slope is gentle, no worries!” This spacing gives you clues about the terrain you’ll be crossing, helping in planning your path during land navigation activities.
For example, if your map has a contour interval of 20 feet, each contour line is 20 feet higher or lower in elevation than the one next to it. On a steep slope, you might only have to walk a short distance to go up or down 20 feet, so the contour lines are close together. But on a gentle slope, you’d walk further to change the same amount of elevation, so the lines are spread out.
By mastering the reading of contour lines and understanding the contour interval, you become much more equipped in land navigation. You’ll be able to look at a map and visualize the terrain, preparing yourself for the ups and downs on your journey. Whether planning a route that avoids steep climbs or finding the easiest path to your destination, these skills are essential for everyone venturing into the great outdoors.
Land Navigation Core Requirement c: Navigate
Using a map and compass, navigate an orienteering course that has at least six legs covering at least 2.5 miles.
Land Navigation Core Requirement c Helps and Answers
Tackling an orienteering course with at least six legs covering a distance of at least 2.5 miles can be a challenge. It’s a test of your land navigation skills, combining the use of a map and compass to find your way through varied terrains. Here are some tips to help you navigate successfully:
- Familiarize Yourself with the Map: Before you start, take a moment to study your map. Understand the symbols, the scale, and especially the contour lines. Knowing how to read the map is the first step in land navigation. Look for landmarks that could serve as guides along your route.
- Set Your Compass: Make sure you know how to use your compass alongside your map. Practice setting bearings from your current location to the next point on your course. Remember, in land navigation, accuracy with your compass can make or break your success on the course.
- Plan Your Route: Look at the terrain between each leg of the course and decide on the best path. Sometimes the straight line isn’t the easiest path. Use land navigation skills to choose routes that avoid unnecessary obstacles like steep hills or thick vegetation.
- Pace Counting: Learn how to count your steps to estimate distances. This can be especially useful in areas where the landscape looks similar and it’s easy to lose track of your position. Knowing how far you’ve walked can help keep you on course.
- Check Off Landmarks: As you navigate from one point to the next, look for the landmarks you identified on your map. Each time you reach one, it’s a confirmation that you’re on the right track. This practice is a fundamental aspect of land navigation, offering reassurance and direction.
- Stay Oriented: Make a habit of frequently checking your map and compass, even if you feel confident about where you are. It’s easy to veer off course without realizing it, especially over longer distances. Regular checks help ensure you’re always moving in the right direction.
- Use the Terrain: Understand how to use the shape of the land to your advantage. For instance, ridges and valleys can guide you towards your destination. This aspect of land navigation is about working with the environment, not against it.
- Be Flexible: Sometimes, despite your best plans, you may need to alter your route due to unexpected obstacles or changes in the terrain. Flexibility and the ability to adapt your plan are key components of successful land navigation.
- Stay Calm and Positive: If you find yourself getting lost, don’t panic. Retrace your steps to the last known point and reassess your location using your map and compass. Staying calm and positive is crucial in navigating your way out of tricky situations.
By following these tips and practicing your land navigation skills, you’ll enhance your ability to successfully complete an orienteering course, no matter how challenging the terrain. Remember, each leg of the journey is an opportunity to learn and grow as a navigator.
Land Navigation Core Requirement d: GPS
Learn to use a global positioning system (GPS) receiver. Demonstrate that you can find a fixed coordinate or geocache at night using a GPS receiver.
Land Navigation Core Requirement d Helps and Answers
Learning to use a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver adds a modern twist to the age-old skill of land navigation. A GPS can be your best friend in the wilderness, guiding you to precise locations with the push of a few buttons. Here’s how you can master using a GPS for land navigation, especially for finding fixed coordinates or geocaching at night:
- Get to Know Your GPS: Before heading out, familiarize yourself with your GPS device. Learn how to enter coordinates, read the display, and use its features. Practicing in a familiar area can boost your confidence in your land navigation skills.
- Understand Coordinates: Coordinates are the GPS way of giving addresses to locations on Earth. Make sure you understand how to read and enter them into your device. This is a fundamental part of land navigation using GPS, as it’s how you’ll know where you’re going and where you are.
- Plan Ahead: If you’re going geocaching or searching for a specific coordinate at night, plan your route beforehand. Look up the coordinates during the day and map out the area. Knowing the terrain and possible obstacles can make your nighttime land navigation smoother.
- Bring Backup: Always have a traditional map and compass with you. Electronics can fail, and batteries can die. Having backup land navigation tools ensures you’re never truly lost.
- Light Your Way: Since you’ll be navigating at night, a good flashlight or headlamp is essential. Not only will it help you see your GPS screen better, but it will also keep you safe on uneven terrain.
- Stay Safe: Night land navigation comes with extra risks. Stick to known paths as much as possible, and be aware of your surroundings. Let someone know where you’re going and when you plan to return.
- Mark Your Starting Point: Use your GPS to mark your starting location. If you get disoriented, you can use the device to guide you back to where you started, a crucial aspect of safe land navigation.
- Watch Your Step: At night, it’s easy to focus on the GPS screen and miss hazards on the ground. Pause if you need to look at the screen, ensuring you’re not walking into danger.
- Practice Geocaching: Geocaching is a fun way to hone your GPS land navigation skills. These real-world treasure hunts provide practical experience in following GPS coordinates to a specific location.
- Stay Charged: Ensure your GPS and any other electronic devices are fully charged before you leave. Consider bringing spare batteries or a portable charger to avoid getting caught out with a dead battery.
By mastering the use of a GPS receiver for land navigation, especially at night, you open up a new world of adventure and exploration. Remember, the key to success is preparation, understanding your tools, and always prioritizing safety.
Land Navigation Core Requirement e: Teach Others
Teach the navigating skills you have learned in (a) through (d) above to your crew, another crew, a Cub Scout or Boy Scout unit, or another group.
Land Navigation Core Requirement e Helps and Answers
Teaching land navigation skills you’ve learned to your crew, another crew, or a scouting group can be a fantastic adventure—it’s your chance to pass on valuable knowledge and maybe even inspire the next generation of navigators. Here are some tips to make learning land navigation not just educational but also super fun:
- Start with a Story: Kick off your session with an exciting story or personal experience related to land navigation. Share a time when your navigation skills came in handy or led you to an unexpected discovery. Stories make the learning personal and engaging.
- Scavenger Hunt: Create a scavenger hunt using the navigation skills needed for orienteering. Incorporate map symbols, contour lines, and GPS coordinates into the hunt. This hands-on approach makes learning active and enjoyable. See more details about an Orienteering Scavenger Hunt.
- Navigation Games: Games like “Find the Leader” where participants use their skills to locate a hidden leader using clues or coordinates can make land navigation thrilling. Games encourage teamwork and apply navigation skills in a fun, competitive setting.
- Night Navigation Challenge: Organize a simple night navigation exercise using GPS. This adds an element of adventure and tests their skills in a different setting. Make sure it’s safe and supervised, turning a complex skill into an exciting nighttime mission.
- Map Drawing Relay: Have teams create their own maps of a small area with basic symbols and then swap maps to find a hidden object or location. This not only teaches mapping but also how to interpret others’ maps, making it a creative and collaborative learning experience.
- Use Technology: Integrate apps or online resources that simulate land navigation scenarios. Technology can make the learning process interactive and resonate more with tech-savvy scouts.
- Geo-caching: Introduce them to geocaching as a real-world treasure hunt. It’s a fun way to practice GPS navigation, encouraging exploration and the excitement of finding hidden items.
- “Teach Back” Method: Encourage learners to “teach back” a skill they’ve just learned to someone else in the group. This reinforces their understanding and confidence in land navigation, and it’s fun to see friends teaching friends.
- Navigation Storyboards: Ask participants to create a storyboard or comic strip of a hypothetical navigation adventure using the skills they’ve learned. This creative activity allows them to conceptualize how these skills come into play in real-life scenarios.
- Celebrate Success: End your session with a small ceremony or recognition for participants who showed outstanding navigation skills or improved significantly. Celebrating success makes learning rewarding and memorable.
By making the learning process interactive, engaging, and fun, you’ll inspire enthusiasm for land navigation and help others develop a skill that enriches their adventures in the great outdoors. Remember, the goal is to spark a lifelong interest in exploring the world with confidence and curiosity.
Venturing Ranger Award Helps and Documents
Embarking on the Venturing Ranger Award? The Land Navigation Core Requirement is your gateway to mastering the great outdoors! This part of the award teaches you to use maps, compasses, and GPS technology like a pro. It’s not just about finding your way; it’s about leading others and embracing adventure with confidence. You’ll learn to read the land, navigate tricky terrains, and even teach your crew the skills you’ve mastered. Ready to take on the challenge? Learn more about the Venturing Ranger Award here.
50 Miler Award
The 50-Miler Award is an awesome adventure that challenges Venturers to go the extra mile—literally! As part of this journey, mastering the Land Navigation Core Requirement becomes crucial. Why? Because whether you’re hiking, canoeing, or biking, being able to navigate through the wilderness confidently is key. This requirement equips you with the skills to map out your route, use a compass, and utilize GPS technology, ensuring your 50-mile adventure is not only successful but also safe. It’s about combining the thrill of exploration with the wisdom of preparation.
National Outdoor Badges Award for Hiking
The National Outdoor Badges Award for Hiking is a fantastic way for Venturers to showcase their love for the great outdoors and their hiking prowess. Tackling the Land Navigation Core Requirement is a step on this path, providing essential skills for any hiking enthusiast. It’s all about learning to read maps, use a compass, and navigate using GPS technology, ensuring every hike is an adventure that’s both safe and exciting. By mastering land navigation, Venturers not only earn recognition but also gain the confidence to lead the way, whether on a rugged trail or in discovering new horizons. Ready to hit the trail and navigate your success?
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the purpose of the Land Navigation Core Requirement for the Venturing Ranger Award?
The Land Navigation Core Requirement aims to equip Venturers with essential skills in orienteering, map reading, compass use, GPS navigation, and teaching these skills to others. It’s designed to enhance their confidence and capability in navigating diverse terrains, ensuring they’re prepared for adventures in the great outdoors.
Do I need previous experience in land navigation to complete this requirement?
Previous experience isn’t required, but it can be helpful. The requirement is structured to teach you the necessary skills from the ground up, starting with basic map and compass use, advancing through GPS navigation, and culminating in your ability to teach these skills to others.
What types of maps will I need to use for this requirement?
You’ll primarily use topographical maps, which show the terrain and elevation of an area through contour lines and various symbols. Familiarity with these maps is crucial for successful land navigation.
Can I use a smartphone GPS app instead of a traditional GPS receiver?
While a traditional GPS receiver is recommended for its durability and reliability, especially in remote areas, smartphone GPS apps can be used for some parts of the requirement. However, it’s important to learn how to use a traditional GPS receiver, as it’s a valuable skill for areas with limited or no cell service.
How can I practice land navigation skills in an urban area?
Even in urban areas, you can practice basic land navigation skills. Use a local park or urban greenway to practice map reading, compass bearings, and even setting up a simple orienteering course. Urban settings can also be great for practicing GPS navigation and geocaching.
What’s the best way to learn how to read contour lines on a map?
Practice is key. Start by studying the map legend to understand what different contour intervals look like. Then, pick out various features on the map, such as hills, valleys, and ridges, and observe how the contour lines depict these features. Hands-on experience, like walking the terrain while comparing it to the contour lines on your map, is invaluable.
How do I demonstrate my ability to teach these skills to others?
Organize a session where you teach land navigation skills to your crew, another crew, a Scout unit, or another group. Prepare a lesson plan covering map symbols, contour lines, compass use, GPS navigation, and plan activities or games to make the learning process interactive and fun. Document your teaching experience as part of your requirement fulfillment.
What should I do if I get lost while practicing land navigation?
Stay calm and use the STOP acronym: Stop, Think, Observe, Plan. Check your map and compass or GPS to try to reorient yourself. If you marked your starting point on your GPS, use the device to navigate back. Always let someone know where you’re going before you start, so help can find you if necessary.
Are there any safety tips I should follow while completing this requirement?
Always tell someone where you’re going and when you expect to return. Have one or more buddies with you. Carry a whistle, a flashlight, extra water, and snacks, even if you’re just going for a short practice session. Dress appropriately for the weather, and wear sturdy footwear. Finally, always have a backup plan in case your primary navigation tools fail.
Can completing the Land Navigation Core Requirement help me with other aspects of outdoor activities?
Absolutely! The skills learned through this requirement are foundational to many outdoor activities, such as hiking, backpacking, and camping. These navigation skills enhance your independence and safety in the wilderness and can also spark interest in related hobbies like orienteering and geocaching.
Navigating Your Path to Success
It’s clear that this challenge is more than just a test of your ability to read a map or use a compass. It’s a journey that hones your skills, sharpens your mind, and prepares you for the adventures that lie ahead in the vast, open wilderness. Through mastering topographical maps, embracing the precision of a compass, unlocking the potential of GPS technology, and sharing this knowledge with others, you’re not just earning an award—you’re building a foundation for safe, confident exploration of the great outdoors.
This requirement is your opportunity to stand out as a leader, a teacher, and an adventurer. The skills you develop here will guide you through untold journeys, ensuring that wherever you go, you can always find your way back home or venture even further into the unknown.
So, take this challenge head-on, embrace the learning curve, and remember: in the world of Venturing and beyond, the ability to navigate your way through unfamiliar territories is one of the most valuable skills you can possess. Let the Land Navigation Core Requirement be your compass to new adventures, leadership opportunities, and a deeper appreciation for the natural world around you.


What Makes it Great
The Mirror Lake Scenic Byway is one of the highest roads in the state of Utah, cresting at 10,687 feet at Bald Mountain Pass. Its path will guide you through the western portion of the Uinta Mountains, one of the few ranges in North America that runs east to west as opposed to the more common orientation of north to south. The route winds its way from farmland to forested valleys and higher to pristine lakes overflowing with fish. The byway will take you by the headwaters of the Provo, Weber, Duchesne, and Bear rivers. The fact that you can escape the crowds of the greater metro area of Salt Lake City and be in the Uinta Mountains in less than two hours is one of its greatest draws. At the end of the day, you can travel back to Salt Lake City and enjoy restaurants, live entertainment, shopping, a walk in the arts district and much more.
What You’ll Remember
Entering from the north, coming south from Evanston on Highway 150, you will see the snowy ridgeline of the Uinta’s high peaks rising above the lush farmland of the Bear River Basin. A stop at the Bear River Guard Station (ranger station) will give you a look back in time. An old historic tie hack cabin is on display here. The men who cut railroad ties from the nearby forests from the 1860’s to 1920’s used many tie hack cabins like this one. The ties were then floated down the rivers to the transcontinental railroad. The cabin has been restored and has photos from the era on display.
About fifteen miles south of the Bear River Guard Station, nestled below soaring alpine peaks is the highway’s namesake, Mirror Lake. This gorgeous mountain lake sits within a thick forest of lodgepole pines and is framed by Bald Mountain, Mt. Agassiz, and Hayden Peak. Taking a walk around the lake along the well-maintained trail is relaxing and easy, and offers plenty of opportunities for fishing.
A short drive up and west from Mirror Lake will bring you to the stunning vistas of Bald Mountain Pass. From here you can see multiple lakes and peaks. It’s also near the Bald Mountain Trail. If you are interested in standing on one of the highest peaks in the western Uintas consider making the journey upward. A few miles below the pass, toward Kamas, you will find the Provo River Falls. Here cold mountain water cascades down the tiered rock spillway. This is the perfect place to enjoy a picnic or find some inspiration.
Who’s Going to Love It
The Mirror Lake Scenic Byway is perfect for anyone looking to get away from the big city. Thick forests, glacially carved valleys, mountain lakes, and towering alpine summits are all part of the journey. All you need to travel this magnificent stretch of road is a car, road map, a good lunch and maybe a few friends.
Directions and Fees
The Mirror Lake Highway falls within a National Forest Fee Area. It is free to drive the byway, but if you stop to use any of the recreation areas you are required to pay the park fee. You may purchase multi-day passes at numerous locations along the Mirror Lake Highway.
From Kamas take Center Street, Highway 150, east from Main Street. From Evanston, head south on Highway 150.
GPS Coordinates for Mirror Lake:
(40.7046 N, 110.8882 W)