Great Smoky Mountains National Park welcomed over eleven million visitors in 2016. Throughout the year, the park encouraged people to experience the park in honor of the National Park Service Centennial. In 2016, a record 11,312,785 people visited the national park, a 5.6% increase over 2015. In addition, over 2,200 people joined Superintendent Cassius Cash by completing the Smokies Centennial Hike 100 challenge by exploring 100 miles of park trails.
“I continue to be inspired by the number of people enjoying the park, but more importantly, I am moved by their unwavering support and care for this special place,” said Superintendent Cash. “This support is more critical than ever since we have entered into our second century of service and recovery following the Chimney Tops fire. The response of the Smoky Mountains community, both near and far, has been remarkable and we thank you.”
In 2016, over 2,230 park volunteers donated over 117,000 hours of service. These volunteers provided much needed help across the park including trail maintenance, invasive plant removal, and providing visitor information along trails, at visitor centers, and in campgrounds. Front country camping at the park’s developed campgrounds increased to 327,033 campers, up 3.1% over 2015. In addition, backcountry camping also increased with over 109,344 campers spending a night at one of the park’s backcountry campsites or shelters, up 12% over 2015.
Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com
HikinginGlacier.com
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
TetonHikingTrails.com
Stunning in Red and White
A friend and colleague showed me his new lifestyle property on the edge of Armidale a couple of weeks ago. He is an observant soil scientist and noted that his land consisted of poor quality soils which grew only resilient grasses and some typical New England gum, stringy-bark and box woodland. He was curious about the rocks that were common on the surface of the dusty grey-brown soil. I was not surprised of the poor soils because the property is located on a geological unit called the Sandon Beds.
The Sandon Beds are common in the Armidale district, especially just to the north of the town. They were laid down sometime during the Devonian to Carboniferous periods. The rocks of the Sandon Beds are varied and include mudstones, conglomerates, volcanics and bio-chemical sedimentary rocks. The deposition of the unit was in the ocean debris flows from the continental shelf would form turbidites (coarse to fine grained repeating sequences), layers of fine mud would accumulate and occasional basalt volcanic rocks would occur. Sometimes, while a long distance from landmasses or spreading ridges very little would happen - only the gentle settling of dead primitive ocean organisms with silica skeletons.
The settling of silica on the sea bed produces a rock called chert. It is common in the Sandon Beds with a red colour. The chert occurs in beds interspersed with dull mudstones, siltstones and the like. Possibly because of regional scale metamorphism or the effect of fluids in the rock the chert has been affected and displays its red colour. Because of the red colour it is often referred to as Jasper which is seen by some as a semi-precious stone.
Throughout my friend's property could be traced lines of chert running essentially north-south. This is because the beds have been tilted to a nearly vertical direction. There was nothing out of the ordinary with these beds but in one area some of the red chert caught my eye. I could not see the actual outcrop but scattered around one little area was red chert with bright white quartz veins. The chert had been broken apart and re-cemented together with the quartz rich fluid. The result was quite striking, a stunning red and white. In this one little area, at some time after the chert had formed and turned into hard rock it had been blasted apart apparently by hot fluids. A 'brecciated jasper' occurring in a little area that just happened to be on a friends new property just ready to be discovered.
The Sandon Beds are common in the Armidale district, especially just to the north of the town. They were laid down sometime during the Devonian to Carboniferous periods. The rocks of the Sandon Beds are varied and include mudstones, conglomerates, volcanics and bio-chemical sedimentary rocks. The deposition of the unit was in the ocean debris flows from the continental shelf would form turbidites (coarse to fine grained repeating sequences), layers of fine mud would accumulate and occasional basalt volcanic rocks would occur. Sometimes, while a long distance from landmasses or spreading ridges very little would happen - only the gentle settling of dead primitive ocean organisms with silica skeletons.
| Brecciated Jasper (chert) of the Sandon Beds |
The settling of silica on the sea bed produces a rock called chert. It is common in the Sandon Beds with a red colour. The chert occurs in beds interspersed with dull mudstones, siltstones and the like. Possibly because of regional scale metamorphism or the effect of fluids in the rock the chert has been affected and displays its red colour. Because of the red colour it is often referred to as Jasper which is seen by some as a semi-precious stone.
Throughout my friend's property could be traced lines of chert running essentially north-south. This is because the beds have been tilted to a nearly vertical direction. There was nothing out of the ordinary with these beds but in one area some of the red chert caught my eye. I could not see the actual outcrop but scattered around one little area was red chert with bright white quartz veins. The chert had been broken apart and re-cemented together with the quartz rich fluid. The result was quite striking, a stunning red and white. In this one little area, at some time after the chert had formed and turned into hard rock it had been blasted apart apparently by hot fluids. A 'brecciated jasper' occurring in a little area that just happened to be on a friends new property just ready to be discovered.
La reproduction d`un pont japonais ancien ! ( 2 de 4 )
Salut à tous,
Windows 10 / Windows 7 / Windows XP Pro / Ubuntu 16.04 LTS / Emmabuntüs 3 / Linux Mint 17 / MacOS X iBook, version 10.4.11 ¨Tiger¨.
堪忍は一生の宝
La construction de ce pont ancien, le Pont Divin, Shinkyo, m`a demandé beaucoup moins de travail que pour la pagode, cependant, plusieurs particularités ont mis ma patience à rude épreuve, comme par exemple le travail minutieux des garde-fous et clôtures des entrées et sorties, ainsi que les six tourelles, m`obligeant à devoir me procurer un petit tour à bois, et encore là, à reproduire le plus intégralement possible chacune d`elles, d`y appliquer des banderoles dorées, et une peinture noire brillante.
Pour la structure proprement dites, je me suis procuré deux panneaux de pins de deux mètres de longueur chacun, et sur lesquels j`ai tracé deux courbes, la première atteignant la limite maximale d`espace sur trois faces et sur la deuxième, quelques 15 cm plus bas. Après y avoir appliqué deux couches de peinture noire, j`y ai dessiné quelques dessins de style japonais.
Et afin de lui donner un cachet quelque peu exotique, je l`ai installé sur un étang sec, composé de pierres dorées, d`un petit îlot de verdure, et un placide Bouddha qui semble bien volontaire pour en assurer sa longévité.
* Première photo : Prise en 2000, lors du début de son installation, et la petit étang sec, et le premier élément de mon aménagement paysager.
* Deuxième et troisième photos : Prises en 2010, entourés de nombreux arbres et arbustes.
À bientôt pour la suite, soit un petit jardin japonais zen.
Pégé
« La patience est un trésor de la vie »
La construction de ce pont ancien, le Pont Divin, Shinkyo, m`a demandé beaucoup moins de travail que pour la pagode, cependant, plusieurs particularités ont mis ma patience à rude épreuve, comme par exemple le travail minutieux des garde-fous et clôtures des entrées et sorties, ainsi que les six tourelles, m`obligeant à devoir me procurer un petit tour à bois, et encore là, à reproduire le plus intégralement possible chacune d`elles, d`y appliquer des banderoles dorées, et une peinture noire brillante.
* Première photo : Prise en 2000, lors du début de son installation, et la petit étang sec, et le premier élément de mon aménagement paysager.
* Deuxième et troisième photos : Prises en 2010, entourés de nombreux arbres et arbustes.
À bientôt pour la suite, soit un petit jardin japonais zen.
Pégé
Windows 10 / Windows 7 / Windows XP Pro / Ubuntu 16.04 LTS / Emmabuntüs 3 / Linux Mint 17 / MacOS X iBook, version 10.4.11 ¨Tiger¨.
The Top 6 Reasons to Visit Glacier National Park
I know this may sound a little over-the-top, but every person living in this country should visit Glacier National Park at least once in their lifetime. It will forever change them. John Muir once said of Glacier; "Give a month at least to this precious reserve. The time will not be taken from the sum of your life. Instead of shortening, it will indefinitely lengthen it and make you truly immortal. Nevermore will time seem short or long, and cares will never again fall heavily on you, but gently and kindly as gifts from heaven."
I know I can’t, but I'm pretty sure there aren’t too many others that can quite sum-up the Glacier experience better than Muir did. Here are just a few of the reasons on why I think Glacier is so special:
Unparalleled Beauty
In my humble opinion Glacier National Park is by far the most beautiful park I’ve ever seen. This includes almost every major national park in the lower 48. As a disclaimer, I should note that I haven’t been to Alaska….yet. Having said that, my love affair with this park began immediately the first time I laid eyes on it. To be precise, it was during the drive from Browning along Highway 2 as we approached the East Glacier/Two Medicine area. My love and awe for the park has grown after every hike and after each subsequent visit. At every turn on any road or trail is one spectacular scene after another. In fact, there are no bad or boring hikes. Photographers could spend a lifetime here taking photos of scenes that normally show up in Backpacker Magazine or National Geographic. One of the most famous photo locations in the entire National Park System is at a spot known as Wild Goose Island Overlook. You may recognize the scene in the photo below:
Glaciers
Most people assume that Glacier received its name as a result of the 25 glaciers that are located throughout the park. However, the park was actually given its name as a result of the rugged mountains that were carved by massive glaciers during the ice ages. Fortunately, many of the glaciers can be reached by trail. Some of the most popular hikes for enjoying front row views of these glaciers include Iceberg Lake and Grinnell Glacier.
The Highline Trail
The Highline Trail from Logan Pass is widely recognized as one of the best hikes in the park, if not the entire National Park System. At every step and every turn hikers will enjoy absolutely spectacular scenery as they follow along the Continental Divide. The exceptionally beautiful views, the excellent opportunities for spotting wildlife, and the wildflowers all combine to make this a hike you'll remember the rest of your life. If you can make it past the narrow ledge section near the trailhead you’ll have the option of traveling to Haystack Pass, Granite Park Chalet, or making a one-way hike which continues all the way to “The Loop”.
The Going-to-the-Sun Road
The famous Going-to-the-Sun Road is the only road to cross Glacier National Park from east to west. The epic route transports visitors through some of the most spectacular scenery the park has to offer. This engineering marvel spans more than 50 miles across the park's interior, takes passengers over the Continental Divide at Logan Pass, and treats visitors to some of the grandest sights in the Rocky Mountains. Along its course the road passes glacial lakes and cedar forests in the lower valleys, and windswept alpine meadows and sweeping mountain vistas atop the 6646-foot pass.
Several scenic viewpoints and pullouts along the way provide motorists with ample opportunities to stop for extended views and photographs. Once at Logan Pass be sure to visit Hidden Lake Overlook, a relatively easy hike that takes hikers across the Continental Divide just above the Logan Pass Visitor Center.
Some drivers (and passengers) might be a little intimidated by the Going-to-the-Sun Road. Portions of it hug the mountainside as it traverses over steep drop-offs and steers through tight curves. If this gives you any pause, you may want to consider letting the drivers of the iconic Red "jammer" Buses take you across the mountains.
Wildlife
Outside of Yellowstone, Glacier National Park is arguably the best park for spotting and viewing wildlife. Although wildlife are frequently spotted along the road, a venture into the wilderness is likely to bring better results. Trails like Iceberg Lake, Ptarmigan Tunnel, Grinnell Glacier and Swiftcurrent Pass are excellent choices if you wish to possibly see a grizzly or black bear. Bullhead Lake, the Swiftcurrent Nature Trail, Dawson Pass and Cobalt Lake are all great choices for spotting moose. For bighorn sheep, check out Grinnell Glacier, Dawson Pass or the Highline Trail. For the best opportunities to possibly spot a mountain goat, check out Hidden Lake Overlook, the Highline Trail or Piegan Pass.
Backcountry Chalets
2014 marked the 100th anniversary of the Sperry and Granite Park Chalets. Both backcountry chalets were built in 1914 during a period when the Great Northern Railway was promoting Glacier National Park under the "See America First" campaign. Today the two backcountry chalets offer hikers the opportunity to trek to an overnight backcountry destination without being bogged down with a bunch of camping gear.
Perched at an elevation of more than 6500 feet, the Sperry Chalet sits high atop a rock ledge that offers visitors commanding views of majestic mountain peaks, waterfalls, as well as Lake McDonald in the valley far below. The Granite Park Chalet rests just below Swiftcurrent Pass, along the edge of a sub-alpine meadow that offers commanding views of Heavens Peak and the McDonald Valley. Day hikers and overnight guests commonly reach this chalet by one of three trails: the Highline Trail, the Granite Park Trail or the Swiftcurrent Pass Trail out of Many Glacier.
With more than 740 miles of trails meandering throughout the park, hiking is the absolute best way to see Glacier National Park. In addition to the hikes listed above, the park offers a variety of other outstanding hikes. If you do plan to visit Glacier this year, please note that our hiking website also offers a wide variety of accommodation listings as well as other things to do to help with all your vacation planning.
Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com
HikinginGlacier.com
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
TetonHikingTrails.com
I know I can’t, but I'm pretty sure there aren’t too many others that can quite sum-up the Glacier experience better than Muir did. Here are just a few of the reasons on why I think Glacier is so special:
Unparalleled Beauty
In my humble opinion Glacier National Park is by far the most beautiful park I’ve ever seen. This includes almost every major national park in the lower 48. As a disclaimer, I should note that I haven’t been to Alaska….yet. Having said that, my love affair with this park began immediately the first time I laid eyes on it. To be precise, it was during the drive from Browning along Highway 2 as we approached the East Glacier/Two Medicine area. My love and awe for the park has grown after every hike and after each subsequent visit. At every turn on any road or trail is one spectacular scene after another. In fact, there are no bad or boring hikes. Photographers could spend a lifetime here taking photos of scenes that normally show up in Backpacker Magazine or National Geographic. One of the most famous photo locations in the entire National Park System is at a spot known as Wild Goose Island Overlook. You may recognize the scene in the photo below:
Glaciers
Most people assume that Glacier received its name as a result of the 25 glaciers that are located throughout the park. However, the park was actually given its name as a result of the rugged mountains that were carved by massive glaciers during the ice ages. Fortunately, many of the glaciers can be reached by trail. Some of the most popular hikes for enjoying front row views of these glaciers include Iceberg Lake and Grinnell Glacier.
The Highline Trail
The Highline Trail from Logan Pass is widely recognized as one of the best hikes in the park, if not the entire National Park System. At every step and every turn hikers will enjoy absolutely spectacular scenery as they follow along the Continental Divide. The exceptionally beautiful views, the excellent opportunities for spotting wildlife, and the wildflowers all combine to make this a hike you'll remember the rest of your life. If you can make it past the narrow ledge section near the trailhead you’ll have the option of traveling to Haystack Pass, Granite Park Chalet, or making a one-way hike which continues all the way to “The Loop”.
The Going-to-the-Sun Road
The famous Going-to-the-Sun Road is the only road to cross Glacier National Park from east to west. The epic route transports visitors through some of the most spectacular scenery the park has to offer. This engineering marvel spans more than 50 miles across the park's interior, takes passengers over the Continental Divide at Logan Pass, and treats visitors to some of the grandest sights in the Rocky Mountains. Along its course the road passes glacial lakes and cedar forests in the lower valleys, and windswept alpine meadows and sweeping mountain vistas atop the 6646-foot pass.
Several scenic viewpoints and pullouts along the way provide motorists with ample opportunities to stop for extended views and photographs. Once at Logan Pass be sure to visit Hidden Lake Overlook, a relatively easy hike that takes hikers across the Continental Divide just above the Logan Pass Visitor Center.
Some drivers (and passengers) might be a little intimidated by the Going-to-the-Sun Road. Portions of it hug the mountainside as it traverses over steep drop-offs and steers through tight curves. If this gives you any pause, you may want to consider letting the drivers of the iconic Red "jammer" Buses take you across the mountains.
Wildlife
Outside of Yellowstone, Glacier National Park is arguably the best park for spotting and viewing wildlife. Although wildlife are frequently spotted along the road, a venture into the wilderness is likely to bring better results. Trails like Iceberg Lake, Ptarmigan Tunnel, Grinnell Glacier and Swiftcurrent Pass are excellent choices if you wish to possibly see a grizzly or black bear. Bullhead Lake, the Swiftcurrent Nature Trail, Dawson Pass and Cobalt Lake are all great choices for spotting moose. For bighorn sheep, check out Grinnell Glacier, Dawson Pass or the Highline Trail. For the best opportunities to possibly spot a mountain goat, check out Hidden Lake Overlook, the Highline Trail or Piegan Pass.
Backcountry Chalets
2014 marked the 100th anniversary of the Sperry and Granite Park Chalets. Both backcountry chalets were built in 1914 during a period when the Great Northern Railway was promoting Glacier National Park under the "See America First" campaign. Today the two backcountry chalets offer hikers the opportunity to trek to an overnight backcountry destination without being bogged down with a bunch of camping gear.
Perched at an elevation of more than 6500 feet, the Sperry Chalet sits high atop a rock ledge that offers visitors commanding views of majestic mountain peaks, waterfalls, as well as Lake McDonald in the valley far below. The Granite Park Chalet rests just below Swiftcurrent Pass, along the edge of a sub-alpine meadow that offers commanding views of Heavens Peak and the McDonald Valley. Day hikers and overnight guests commonly reach this chalet by one of three trails: the Highline Trail, the Granite Park Trail or the Swiftcurrent Pass Trail out of Many Glacier.
With more than 740 miles of trails meandering throughout the park, hiking is the absolute best way to see Glacier National Park. In addition to the hikes listed above, the park offers a variety of other outstanding hikes. If you do plan to visit Glacier this year, please note that our hiking website also offers a wide variety of accommodation listings as well as other things to do to help with all your vacation planning.
Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com
HikinginGlacier.com
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
TetonHikingTrails.com
Smokies Requests Public Input on Draft Corridor Management Plan for Newfound Gap Road
Great Smoky Mountains National Park is seeking the public’s input on a draft corridor management plan for Newfound Gap Road. The development of the plan is required for park officials to seek designation for the road as a National Scenic Byway which opens up opportunities to the park and gateway communities to compete for special grants that enhance the travel corridor.
The draft Newfound Gap Road Scenic Byway Corridor Management Plan has been posted on the National Park Service Planning, Environment and Public Comment website for public review and comment at http://ift.tt/2fjX2CU Comments received during the 30-day review period, ending February 24, 2017, will be considered in the development of the final plan.
Newfound Gap Road is already a designated state scenic highway in both Tennessee and North Carolina. Park officials believe that Newfound Gap Road also meets the qualifications necessary to be designated as a National Scenic Byway. The first step in the eligibility process for this national designation is the preparation of a corridor management plan that addresses a variety of roadway attributes including the visitor experience and sustainability as a scenic byway.
Corridor management plans serve to guide the management of scenic byways to protect the important qualities associated with the byway. These are not decision making documents such as those prepared under the National Environmental Policy Act which typically evaluate a specific proposal or a set of alternatives for decision. Rather, corridor management plans provide an overarching framework for future planning.
Specifically, the park is interested in learning the following from the public:
1) if there are significant visitor experiences available to visitors traveling Newfound Gap Road that have not been considered and what those experiences are, and
2) if there are additional steps or strategies that should be considered that would help maintain the outstanding qualities of this corridor.
View and comment on draft plan online at http://ift.tt/2fjX2CU. Before including your address, phone number, e-mail address or other personal identifying information in your comment, you should be aware that your entire comment (including your personal identifying information) is subject to the Freedom of Information Act and may be made publicly available. While you may request in your comment to withhold your personal identifying from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will legally be able to do so.
For more information on National Scenic Byways, please visit http://ift.tt/2jdYd80.
Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com
HikinginGlacier.com
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
TetonHikingTrails.com
The draft Newfound Gap Road Scenic Byway Corridor Management Plan has been posted on the National Park Service Planning, Environment and Public Comment website for public review and comment at http://ift.tt/2fjX2CU Comments received during the 30-day review period, ending February 24, 2017, will be considered in the development of the final plan.
Newfound Gap Road is already a designated state scenic highway in both Tennessee and North Carolina. Park officials believe that Newfound Gap Road also meets the qualifications necessary to be designated as a National Scenic Byway. The first step in the eligibility process for this national designation is the preparation of a corridor management plan that addresses a variety of roadway attributes including the visitor experience and sustainability as a scenic byway.
Corridor management plans serve to guide the management of scenic byways to protect the important qualities associated with the byway. These are not decision making documents such as those prepared under the National Environmental Policy Act which typically evaluate a specific proposal or a set of alternatives for decision. Rather, corridor management plans provide an overarching framework for future planning.
Specifically, the park is interested in learning the following from the public:
1) if there are significant visitor experiences available to visitors traveling Newfound Gap Road that have not been considered and what those experiences are, and
2) if there are additional steps or strategies that should be considered that would help maintain the outstanding qualities of this corridor.
View and comment on draft plan online at http://ift.tt/2fjX2CU. Before including your address, phone number, e-mail address or other personal identifying information in your comment, you should be aware that your entire comment (including your personal identifying information) is subject to the Freedom of Information Act and may be made publicly available. While you may request in your comment to withhold your personal identifying from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will legally be able to do so.
For more information on National Scenic Byways, please visit http://ift.tt/2jdYd80.
Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com
HikinginGlacier.com
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
TetonHikingTrails.com
U.S. Forest Service Reminds Visitors, Bear Canisters are Required for Backcountry
The National Forests of North Carolina is reminding visitors that bear canisters are still required in the Shining Rock Wilderness, Black Balsam, Sam’s Knob and Flat Laurel Creek Areas of the Pisgah Ranger District, Pisgah National Forest.
A camping closure in Graveyard Fields area is still in effect, though the area remains open for day use.
“We’ve had numerous reports of bears having success in acquiring improperly stored as well as hung food, reinforcing that bear canisters are the best way to deter hungry bears,” said Pisgah District Ranger Derek Ibarguen. “Visitor safety is of the utmost importance and canisters are the most effective way to safely store food and reduce bear-human conflicts.”
These regulations, issued in consultation with the N.C. Wildlife Commission, were implemented due to human safety concerns after a bear entered a tent and removed a hiker’s backpack earlier this year.
All bear canisters must be commercially made; constructed of solid, non-pliable material manufactured for the specific purpose of resisting entry by bears.
* Please ‘Be Bear Aware’
* Do not Store Food in Tents
* Properly Store Food by Using a bear proof container
* Clean up food or garbage around fire rings, grills, or other areas of your campsite
* Do not leave food unattended
For more information visitors are encouraged to call the Pisgah Ranger District at (828) 877-3265.
For tips, visit http://ift.tt/2iLIiOv
Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com
HikinginGlacier.com
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
TetonHikingTrails.com
A camping closure in Graveyard Fields area is still in effect, though the area remains open for day use.
“We’ve had numerous reports of bears having success in acquiring improperly stored as well as hung food, reinforcing that bear canisters are the best way to deter hungry bears,” said Pisgah District Ranger Derek Ibarguen. “Visitor safety is of the utmost importance and canisters are the most effective way to safely store food and reduce bear-human conflicts.”
These regulations, issued in consultation with the N.C. Wildlife Commission, were implemented due to human safety concerns after a bear entered a tent and removed a hiker’s backpack earlier this year.
All bear canisters must be commercially made; constructed of solid, non-pliable material manufactured for the specific purpose of resisting entry by bears.
* Please ‘Be Bear Aware’
* Do not Store Food in Tents
* Properly Store Food by Using a bear proof container
* Clean up food or garbage around fire rings, grills, or other areas of your campsite
* Do not leave food unattended
For more information visitors are encouraged to call the Pisgah Ranger District at (828) 877-3265.
For tips, visit http://ift.tt/2iLIiOv
Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com
HikinginGlacier.com
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
TetonHikingTrails.com
J`ai construit un aménagement paysager japonais dans mon arrière-cours ! (1a de 4)
Salut à tous,
En complément du précédent article concernant la construction d`une pagode japonaise de 4 étages, je me propose, dans ce deuxième volet, de vous donner quelques précisions supplémentaires, compte-tenu de sa complexité, pour ceux qui aimeraient peut être concevoir quelque chose de semblable un jour.
Voici quelques points précis, de l`idée première de construire cette pagode jusqu`à son installation dans son habitat permanent à l`extérieur :
1- Avoir un assortiment de photos de pagodes japonaises, de vue générale comme de parties de structure, surtout au niveau du toit et des sous-toits, afin d`en saisir le maximum de détails. Ainsi, cette photo de droite m`a servi afin d`évaluer le plus précisément possible le genre de technique utilisé.
2- Se munir d`instruments et outillages de précision : Scie à ruban, banc de scie, scie à chantourner, perceuse à colonne, etc..... indispensables pour réussir un travail de qualité.
3- Établir une base en béton dans laquelle on aura déjà installé un poteau en aluminium d`environ 6 cm de diamètre et d' environ 1.100 cm de hauteur. De la longueur de ce poteau, il faudra alors tenir compte précisément : De la partie enfouie dans le sol et béton, la demi-pyramide, la hauteur du premier étage, ainsi que les trois autres, incluant le toit, plus quelques centimètres de plus pour assoir la flèche ou sôrin. De plus, ce poteau sert à maintenir la structure entière d`une façon pratique et permanente.
4- Dans cette photo, de gauche, la hauteur de la flèche ou sôrin, variable, mais tenir compte du nombre de cercles dorés, au nombre de 9, ainsi que des 6 derniers items du haut.
5- Prévoir une largueur maximale des étages, basée sur la porte où l`on doit sortir chacune d`elle, que ce soit dans une cave ou dans un atelier extérieur. Personnellement, je n`avais que 4 cm de jeu !
6- La complexité du toit et surtout, des sous-toits suppose d`avoir élaboré un plan précis, et d`en avoir expérimenté la technique au préalable.
7- Personnellement, j`ai mis sur de grands cartons blancs, au tout début de ce travail, 9 plans décrivant toutes les composantes, au millimètre près.
8- Ne pas oublier que chaque étage comprend près de 1000 pièces différentes : Bois, métal, verre, bambou, clochettes, etc., et être constamment attentif à la progression du travail, car dans plus de 90 % du montage, il sera pratiquement impossible de revenir corriger quoi que ce soit par la suite.
9- Enfin, dans la photo de droite, une des étapes du début d`une construction d`un étage, les 3 autres étant semblables dans leur ensemble.
En espérant que ces détails supplémentaires puissent vous intéresser, et pour certains, vous aider à vouloir réaliser un jour un projet semblable.
Au plaisir,
Pégé
Windows 7 / Windows XP Pro / Windows Vista / Ubuntu 10.04 LTS / Voyager 11.10 / Linux Mint 10 MacOS X iBook, version 10.4.11 ¨Tiger¨.
En complément du précédent article concernant la construction d`une pagode japonaise de 4 étages, je me propose, dans ce deuxième volet, de vous donner quelques précisions supplémentaires, compte-tenu de sa complexité, pour ceux qui aimeraient peut être concevoir quelque chose de semblable un jour.
1- Avoir un assortiment de photos de pagodes japonaises, de vue générale comme de parties de structure, surtout au niveau du toit et des sous-toits, afin d`en saisir le maximum de détails. Ainsi, cette photo de droite m`a servi afin d`évaluer le plus précisément possible le genre de technique utilisé.
2- Se munir d`instruments et outillages de précision : Scie à ruban, banc de scie, scie à chantourner, perceuse à colonne, etc..... indispensables pour réussir un travail de qualité.
3- Établir une base en béton dans laquelle on aura déjà installé un poteau en aluminium d`environ 6 cm de diamètre et d' environ 1.100 cm de hauteur. De la longueur de ce poteau, il faudra alors tenir compte précisément : De la partie enfouie dans le sol et béton, la demi-pyramide, la hauteur du premier étage, ainsi que les trois autres, incluant le toit, plus quelques centimètres de plus pour assoir la flèche ou sôrin. De plus, ce poteau sert à maintenir la structure entière d`une façon pratique et permanente.
5- Prévoir une largueur maximale des étages, basée sur la porte où l`on doit sortir chacune d`elle, que ce soit dans une cave ou dans un atelier extérieur. Personnellement, je n`avais que 4 cm de jeu !
6- La complexité du toit et surtout, des sous-toits suppose d`avoir élaboré un plan précis, et d`en avoir expérimenté la technique au préalable.
7- Personnellement, j`ai mis sur de grands cartons blancs, au tout début de ce travail, 9 plans décrivant toutes les composantes, au millimètre près.
8- Ne pas oublier que chaque étage comprend près de 1000 pièces différentes : Bois, métal, verre, bambou, clochettes, etc., et être constamment attentif à la progression du travail, car dans plus de 90 % du montage, il sera pratiquement impossible de revenir corriger quoi que ce soit par la suite.
En espérant que ces détails supplémentaires puissent vous intéresser, et pour certains, vous aider à vouloir réaliser un jour un projet semblable.
Au plaisir,
Pégé
Windows 7 / Windows XP Pro / Windows Vista / Ubuntu 10.04 LTS / Voyager 11.10 / Linux Mint 10 MacOS X iBook, version 10.4.11 ¨Tiger¨.
Blog Update #11 - More rocks in our region
Not a lot to mention as far as the blog goes at this point, except that I've added photographs of three more stratigraphic units to the Rocks of the Region page. These are three of the many 'granites' in the Armidale district:
Gara Monzogranite --- Fickr Photos --- Stratigraphic Names Database
Glenburnie Leucomonzogranite --- Flickr Photos --- Stratigraphic Names Database; and
Rockvale Monzogranite --- Flickr Photos --- Stratigraphic Names Database
On another note, while visiting a friends property near Armidale I observed a brecciated jasper in the Sandon Beds. I was aware of an abundance of jasper beds (red chert) in the region ever since my university days, however, I'd never seen a brecciated type and this was quite attractive. More to come in a week or so.
Gara Monzogranite --- Fickr Photos --- Stratigraphic Names Database
Glenburnie Leucomonzogranite --- Flickr Photos --- Stratigraphic Names Database; and
Rockvale Monzogranite --- Flickr Photos --- Stratigraphic Names Database
| Typical landscape and outcrop characteristics of the Rockvale Monzogranite, Wollomombi area |
On another note, while visiting a friends property near Armidale I observed a brecciated jasper in the Sandon Beds. I was aware of an abundance of jasper beds (red chert) in the region ever since my university days, however, I'd never seen a brecciated type and this was quite attractive. More to come in a week or so.
Take a Tour of Glacier National Park on an Historic Red Bus
Modern day visitors to Glacier National Park can step back in time by taking a tour of the park on one of the historic Red Buses. These historic open-air buses have been taking visitors through the park since 1936, and are widely considered to be the oldest fleet of touring vehicles anywhere. While the historic Going-to-the-Sun Road travels across precipitous cliffs and hair-pin turns, the Red Buses allow visitors to soak in Glacier's magnificent scenery - instead of worrying about having to keep their cars on the road.
In this short video below, Finley-Holiday Films gives you an idea of what it's like to cruise through the park in one of these wonderful old vehicles:
In addition to cruising the Going-to-the-Sun Road, one of the best ways to see Glacier National Park is to take a hike along one of the many hiking trails that meander throughout the park. Prospective visitors may also want to note that our hiking website also offers a wide variety of accommodation listings and other things to do to help with all your vacation planning.
Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com
HikinginGlacier.com
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
TetonHikingTrails.com
In this short video below, Finley-Holiday Films gives you an idea of what it's like to cruise through the park in one of these wonderful old vehicles:
In addition to cruising the Going-to-the-Sun Road, one of the best ways to see Glacier National Park is to take a hike along one of the many hiking trails that meander throughout the park. Prospective visitors may also want to note that our hiking website also offers a wide variety of accommodation listings and other things to do to help with all your vacation planning.
Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com
HikinginGlacier.com
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
TetonHikingTrails.com
J`ai construit un aménagement paysager japonais dans mon arrière-cours ! (1 de 4)
Salut à tous,
昨日の花は今日の夢
« La fleur d’hier est le rêve d’aujourd’hui »
Après de nombreuses recherches infructueuses afin d` accumuler le plus d`informations possibles sur son élaboration future, et ne devant me satisfaire à la toute fin que d`une simple photo, j`ai alors planché sur un travail particulièrement exigeant et méticuleux, soit de reproduire au millimètre près, sur 9 grands cartons blancs le plan précis projeté. Mais je dois vous avouer que cette partie du projet a été pour moi très valorisant, et un vrai bonheur à devoir y passer des heures et des heures à y coordonner grandeur nature le suivi de ce qui devait devenir plus tard cette pagode.
Chacun des 4 étages de la structure, possédant près de mille pièces diverses, du clou aux baguettes de bambou, des décorations métalliques au verre décoratif et sans oublier bien entendu, les nombreuses pièces de bois, est identique, tant qu`à ses dimensions, sauf le premier, possédant des supports de base, ainsi qu`une entrée pour l`escalier, et le dernier, possédant un toit amovible, me permettant de l`enlever à chaque automne afin d`en recouvrir la structure haute de plus de 1.720 m d`une toile protectrice.
De plus une flèche verticale dorée ou sôrin , haute de 1.037m, surplombe cette pagode, remplie de toutes petites clochettes, de cercles sacrés, et tout en haut, la pierre sacrée.
Un facteur important à retenir, c`est le fait de m`assurer que chaque étape de sa construction à bien été pensée d`avance, car dans de nombreuses situations, comme par exemple les divers paliers du toit, il devient par la suite impossible de revenir y changer quoi que ce soit, d`où une planification stricte. Enfin, la pagode a été installée en permanence en 2005, et à chaque saison estivale, je dois m`assurer d`un bon suivi de son entretien.
(*) Photo du haut, à gauche : Lors de l`installation temporaire du premier étage, mais avec temporairement le haut du toit devant servir au quatrième étage.
(**) Photo du milieu, à droite : La pagode complétée et installée en permanence dans mon arrière-cour, entourée de la végétation variée.
(***) Photo du bas, à gauche : Vue rapprochée du quatrième étage, montrant la complexité du toit.
Au plaisir,
Pégé
Windows 7 / Windows XP Pro / Windows Vista / Ubuntu 10.04 LTS / Voyager 11.10 / Linux Mint 10 MacOS X iBook, version 10.4.11 ¨Tiger¨.
Scarrogance
noun. Condition combining fear and arrogance, common among powerful individuals and institutions when faced by opposition, typically accompanied by withdrawal and unresponsiveness.
"In a display of scarrogance, House Speaker Ryan withdrew to his office, locked the doors, and called extra police when Planned Parenthood activists tried to deliver petitions."
"Rebel Bureaucrat" (Death of an Oxymoron)
It only took a few weeks for Congress to start elaborating on Trump’s ascendancy to dictatorship. The guy is not even in office yet, and the GOP is in a headlong over heels rush to suppress opposition and bring the government under overt, complete control of Capitalism Gone Wild.
For reasons no one can rationally explain, the 1% of the 1% are offended by the presence of a middle class. The class war we’re living through is not rich against poor—being poor means you already lost—but oligarchs against a middle class. Maybe because the middle class enjoys a blend of financial comfort and education, the super rich feel a threat, resent the money in somebody else’s pocket, or fear that cities full of college grads may not sign on to the program of extreme social conservatism and endless upward redistribution of wealth.
Whatever the cause, a major battlefield in this war is “the government,” by which people mostly mean the people who work for federal agencies and the places they control. Conservatives are not so upset by the money government grants or the things government buys—pork barrel money feeds their districts’ businesses, they like all the stuff from irrigation systems to tactical police gear that pours in, subsidies are a major part of most farming, not state funds its own disaster recovery—but they hate the strings that are attached. Being told not to over-graze, to protect a stupid little fish, and that you cannot poison the water and air insults the independence-minded sensibilities of the rank and file, and more importantly cuts into the oligarch’s profit margin.
The strategy of riling up the base, buying the politicians, and pursuing de-regulation and down-sizing of government has proceeded unhindered from Reagan right on through Bush II. Although Obama’s compromise-oriented approach and inability to overrun the barricades thrown up by Congressional Republicans fell well short of the Right’s nightmares—remember how he was going to take all the guns and socialize the economy?—they apparently feel abused and angry and ready to retaliate.
The once desultory battle over “the government,” a Cold War of cuts made vs regulations implemented, is now blowing up; the carnage is about to begin for real. The GOP controls the elected government and stole the judiciary, and already they’re acting as if they had 100% backing of the populace.
This week, the new Congress, as it does at the beginning of each session, passed its own rules. By way of inoculating itself against the accusations of corruption sure to come as they pass a slew of heavily lobbied, pro-corporate legislation, the GOP included provisions to partisanize and weaken the non-partisan Office of Congressional Ethics. Progressives garnered immediate grass-roots and politician outrage and the House Republicans backed down, comforted only by their belief that government offices are incompetent anyway.
Before the Left could claim victory, Trump tweeted and ended up getting a large share of the credit. His base seems satisfied that he is hard at work draining the swamp, when all he did was see the writing on the wall and throw some colleagues under the bus, as per his own personal ethics (which he maintains nobody is worthy of scrutinizing).
Meanwhile, the Rules package also included a much scarier provision, provided by yet another scary Virginia Congressman. This one revived a 19th-Century rule intended to target corrupt political appointees by allowing Representatives to offer amendments reducing a person or program’s budget to $1/year. So now when a Representative disagrees with a program or needs a scapegoat for a news cycle or two, a party-line vote puts people in the poorhouse. That li’l nugget slipped right on through with no protest.
Communities nationwide have federal workers, and defunding their jobs will hurt local economies everywhere. Of course it won’t actually have that broad an effect, because no politician would pull this move in their own district. As a way to eliminate inconvenient truths, hamstring regulation, and punish a liberal district, however, it’s a win-win-win (where they get all the wins and you get nothing). That little rule is starting to look like an effective weapon, isn’t it?
Meanwhile back on the ranch—which happens to be mostly federal ground leased by settlers sons at a fraction of market rate—government employees face other threats on the battlefield. Self-proclaimed militias can show up, take over, demand snacks, trash the place, literally dig shitters through Indian sites, and incite a shootout all while broadcasting calls to arms and threatening government employees. They can do all this and they face trial but get off with no conviction.*
Which you better believe has galvanized the conviction of the Bundys and their vehemently anti-government and pro-gun ilk. These white men fee entitled above immigrants and minorities (including the tribes whose lands they occupy), but also abused and angry. Emboldened now by their victory in court, rural federal workers are in literal danger in some of the very places where government land’s management costs are paid by the feds while benefits accrue locally.
Which brings us back to those federal employees who could suddenly find themselves making $1 a year. Few of them have the personal wealth to keep working for free, and most of them would ordinarily be plowing their moderate paychecks back into their local communities, spending their off time participating in those communities. Being middle class.
If there are people still working for the government who think they can continue to be relatively comfortable, they’d better wise up. Congress has only just begun, and Trump hasn’t even unleashed actual and imagined executive powers. The Kochs and other wealthy advocates of concentrating all wealth at the top have plenty more money and a congress begging to be, ahem, lobbied. They’ll get around to privatizing public lands—taking care of that part of “the government”—but even quicker they’ll move against unions, programs that run counter to their ideology, branches of government that impinge on unfettered capitalism, and so on, using this Rule and all the other tools at their disposal. The plutocracy is at war, and the Civil Service has been declared an enemy combatant.
And so it’s time to resist. It’s time to stand your ground, re-unite with your union, and prepare for battle. The Right feels aggrieved by the fact that you might earn a pension, outraged at how much you waste on social programs for the unworthy, tyrannized by your rules and regulations, fed up with your elitist “rationality,” and just all-round pissed about other government sins imagined and real. They are coming for you, starting with the easy targets but not stopping until the bureaucratic machinery that helps maintain free and open society is broken or repurposed to something useful, like prospecting for oil or running detention centers.
As recently as a couple of months ago, I could have imagined this was not going to happen. I could have continued being comfortable in my government job, disappointed that my salary doesn’t keep up with the cost of living, but not worried that I’d be out on the street. I could act as if being a state employee rather than a federal one, as a union member rather than “exempt,” my head is not on the chopping block at the moment.
Now, I cannot afford to sit back. Now, I can no longer think that “rebel bureaucrat” is an oxymoron.
* If they’re white. Indians protecting land at Standing Rock have been brutally attacked with tear gas, rubber bullets, percussion grenades, water cannons (in sub-freezing weather), sonic warfare, and whatever a police force with para-military toys bestowed by the feds can muster.
Mountain Rentals of Gatlinburg Launches #GatlinburgStrong Campaign
I'm happy to report that one of our long-time advertisers, Mountain Rentals of Gatlinburg, is open and ready to welcome you. Although they did experience the loss of some of their cabins during the recent wildfire, they are very happy to report that they're open for business and still have many cabin available for rent in the Gatlinburg area.
Mountain Rentals of Gatlinburg has also recently launched the #GatlinburgStrong Campaign, in which they will be offering 15% off on reservations during 2017. You can find additional information on this special offer by clicking here.
While there was a lot of destruction and damage from the fires, many businesses – restaurants, shops, and attractions – did not sustain any damage at all. In fact, downtown Gatlinburg was virtually untouched - and is currently open to the public.
Hikers should also note that the vast majority of the national park was untouched, and the vast majority of the more than 800 miles of trails in the park are currently open, including the Alum Cave Trail, which has recently reopened after the completion of a two-year rehabilitation project.
The winter "off-season" offers a great opportunity for fans of the Great Smoky Mountains, as well as hikers in general, to support the Gatlinburg region. Spend a day, the weekend, or an entire week; either way, your vacation dollars will help the entire community. I know that Mountain Rentals of Gatlinburg would love and appreciate your support!
Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com
While there was a lot of destruction and damage from the fires, many businesses – restaurants, shops, and attractions – did not sustain any damage at all. In fact, downtown Gatlinburg was virtually untouched - and is currently open to the public.
Hikers should also note that the vast majority of the national park was untouched, and the vast majority of the more than 800 miles of trails in the park are currently open, including the Alum Cave Trail, which has recently reopened after the completion of a two-year rehabilitation project.
The winter "off-season" offers a great opportunity for fans of the Great Smoky Mountains, as well as hikers in general, to support the Gatlinburg region. Spend a day, the weekend, or an entire week; either way, your vacation dollars will help the entire community. I know that Mountain Rentals of Gatlinburg would love and appreciate your support!
Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com
Se retrouver dans le monde merveilleux du bricolage !
Salut à tous,
Étant un passionné du bricolage, j`en ai profité à maintes reprises pour concrétiser de nombreux projets, autant pratiques et utiles que pour le plaisir des yeux, et ce, depuis de nombreuses années.
Et j`ai pensé en partager quelques uns, en toute simplicité, pour le plaisir de revivre ces moments heureux avec vous.
Ces réalisations ont été créées à partir de simples photos, et modifiées selon mes goûts et moyens limités d`amateur, et j`y ai trouvé à chaque fois un plaisir renouvelé à y noircir de nombreux croquis et plants précis au préalable.
Voici donc la liste des projets qui prendront place sur ce site, normalement à chaque une ou deux semaines, selon mes disponibilités :
1- Un aménagement paysager japonais dans mon arrière-cour... Comprenant une pagode de 4 étages (*), un pont ancien, un Torii ou Porte shintoïste, ainsi qu`un petit jardin japonais zen. Le tout présenté en 4 volets.
2- Deux bâtiments en ¨bois cordé¨ (**), principe simple de construction consistant en des billes de bois insérées dans du béton.
3- Sculptures de totems des Indiens du Pacifique canadien (***), mesurant environ 60 cm de hauteur chacune.
4- Deux sculptures, reproductions personnelles de celles d`artistes.
5- Une rosace colorée sur verre, genre vitrail, ainsi que quelques autres dessins du même genre, sur des fenêtres.
6- Rénovations d`armoires de cuisine, avec utilisation de deux variétés de planches à parquet.
7- Un compost double très pratique, surtout à chaque printemps.
8- Inukshuk,, totems des Indiens du Québec. En bois et en pierre.
9- Icône-image sur cadre, reproduction à partir d`une photo.
J`essaierai de donner le plus de détails possibles dans chacun des messages, et ceux intéressés à en savoir davantage n`auront qu`à laisser des commentaires, et il me fera toujours plaisir d`y donner suite.
(*) Quatrième étage de la pagode japonaise, photo du bas, gauche.
(**) Atelier et en arrière-plant, remise-tour en bois cordé, haut, gauche.
(***) Un des 5 totems, photo du milieu, droite.
Pégé
Windows 7 / Windows XP Pro / Windows Vista / Ubuntu 10.04 LTS / Voyager 11.10 / Linux Mint 10 MacOS X iBook, version 10.4.11 ¨Tiger¨.
Et j`ai pensé en partager quelques uns, en toute simplicité, pour le plaisir de revivre ces moments heureux avec vous.
Ces réalisations ont été créées à partir de simples photos, et modifiées selon mes goûts et moyens limités d`amateur, et j`y ai trouvé à chaque fois un plaisir renouvelé à y noircir de nombreux croquis et plants précis au préalable.
Voici donc la liste des projets qui prendront place sur ce site, normalement à chaque une ou deux semaines, selon mes disponibilités :
1- Un aménagement paysager japonais dans mon arrière-cour... Comprenant une pagode de 4 étages (*), un pont ancien, un Torii ou Porte shintoïste, ainsi qu`un petit jardin japonais zen. Le tout présenté en 4 volets.
2- Deux bâtiments en ¨bois cordé¨ (**), principe simple de construction consistant en des billes de bois insérées dans du béton.
3- Sculptures de totems des Indiens du Pacifique canadien (***), mesurant environ 60 cm de hauteur chacune.
4- Deux sculptures, reproductions personnelles de celles d`artistes.
6- Rénovations d`armoires de cuisine, avec utilisation de deux variétés de planches à parquet.
7- Un compost double très pratique, surtout à chaque printemps.
8- Inukshuk,, totems des Indiens du Québec. En bois et en pierre.
9- Icône-image sur cadre, reproduction à partir d`une photo.
(*) Quatrième étage de la pagode japonaise, photo du bas, gauche.
(**) Atelier et en arrière-plant, remise-tour en bois cordé, haut, gauche.
(***) Un des 5 totems, photo du milieu, droite.
Pégé
Windows 7 / Windows XP Pro / Windows Vista / Ubuntu 10.04 LTS / Voyager 11.10 / Linux Mint 10 MacOS X iBook, version 10.4.11 ¨Tiger¨.
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