Because this place is basically Martian.

Don’t believe me? By the end of this article, you will, because today I’m going to share with you the 3 top sights to see if you only have an afternoon to explore the Canyon (also known as the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, but hey, who’s keeping track?).

Even if you don’t have much time, you’re going to see some incredible rock formations. Like this one:

But before we get to the canyon, I have a confession to make.

A Confession & A Goal

To be completely honest, by the time I reached Las Vegas my primary goal became very simple: to get home. Having been on the road for over 5 months, my money was running low. Actually, that’s not even the main reason.

The main reason was that my heart was homesick. I’d never travelled solo for more than a week before that trip, and by day 160 (the day of Red Rock Canyon) the pure adrenaline of adventure had already been worn off for a while, leaving only the desire for some time to truly rest. So, I had my eyes set on the East.

I switched hosts a couple times while in Vegas, waiting for any sane person who wanted to carpool with me to Denver, or any point east for that matter. Some people thought I was a bit crazy, but I knew something would work out. (Something did, but that’s the subject of the next article.)

And so, I waited. I waited for 8 days.

Turns out, the last Couchsurfing host I had in Vegas was a kind man who let me stay with him and his son. In the process, I taught him how to cook brown rice and sauté vegetables (resulting in incredible quesadillas), and he took me to Red Rock Canyon— yet another beautiful example of how Couchsurfing creates win/win situations.

Exploring the Red Canyon

Which brings me at last to our explorations of the Red Rock Canyon. After heading beyond the check point (most days it costs about $10 per car), we followed a narrow road past short cacti and bushes to the first stop. I’d heard good things about the Canyon, but I wasn’t expecting the formations to be so alien, which brings me to our first unmissable sight:

1. Somewhat More-Prepared People risking their Lives

Decidedly more intelligent than the people who risked their lives for my viewing pleasure back at the other park with red rocks, these people were actually outfitted with climbing gear and looked like they knew what they were doing. And it makes perfect sense. With over 1,700 climbing routes, Red Rock Canyon is a world-class climbing location, attracting climbers from all over the world.

Still, there were some people who were adventurous without climbing equipment, as you can see above. And as before, one part of me wished they’d been more careful, and another part of me enjoyed taking the picture.

2. The Keystone Thrust

Farther down the road that loops around the park, we came upon perhaps the most famous feature in the park: The Keystone Thrust. This set of sandstone peaks and walls showcases some of the oldest rock formations in North America.

See the grey peak to the left? That’s Turtlehead Peak which contains probably the oldest rock in the entire park. Although most of the rocks there have their origin in the towering red sand dunes that once ruled the area 180 million years ago, Turtlehead Peak stretches even farther back.

3. Las Vegas in Perspective

Yet the most profound picture that day was one I took right before we left. Do you see the faint dots and lines in the valley in the distance? Beyond the red rocks but before the distant peaks. See that? That is the city of Las Vegas. (It’s easier to see in the larger version of the photo so you may want to click the photo to see it in the gallery once you’ve finished reading.) But that’s it.

All of the casinos, all of the greatest jackpots, and all of the inevitable losses. The old strip, the new strip, and everything around it is all contained in that valley below.

Kind of puts everything into perspective, doesn’t it?

— Bonus —

Marco appears in all 14 photos in the accompanying photo gallery. If you’re new to the “Where’s Marco” game, it’s similar to “Where’s Waldo” or “I Spy”.

Learn how to play —>
Then find him in the photos! —>

Coming up Next:

As long as BlogCarnival.com gets their act together, I’ll be publishing another excellent edition of the Byteful Travel blog carnival. And following that, the story of an incredible day that begins in Las Vegas and ends at a Denver Halloween party.

So Stay Tuned.

— — —
All accompanying photos are in the Red Rock Canyon photo gallery. With so much free, high-quality content, why not tell a friend and share this article?

Or select a city to explore its attractions:

Read related articles

1. Andrew Molera State Park Review: Top 5 Sights
2. Red Rocks Park (& Amphitheater!) Review: Top 3 Stunning Sights
3. Denver Art Museum Review: Top 5 Sights (Psychedelic Exhibits to Flying Foxes)

Even though it was nearly November when I arrived in Las Vegas, a surprising number of desert plants were in bloom, their radiant colors speckled across the rocky landscape. In light of this, I’ve written a poem about the beauty I found, and a surprising similarity that I only realized much later.

— — — — — — —

We rise above red granite
Blooming under desert stars
Now thriving on solid ground
Our petals red as Mars

A wary traveller draws near
And admires us for a while
Watching bees in pollination
We see he can’t help but smile

We rise above red granite
Yet our blooms are sadly fleeting
Our time short upon this planet
The season is retreating

A wary traveller departs
What is his unending quest?
Is it his way of improving?
Perhaps loose roots are blessed

We rise above red granite
Did he grasp our unique powers?
Ever changing, always moving
What a strange Desert Flower

— — — — — — —

— Bonus —

Marco appears in all 6 photos in the accompanying photo gallery. If you’re new to the “Where’s Marco” game, it’s similar to “Where’s Waldo” or “I Spy”, and it’s totally fun!

Learn how to play —>
Then find him in the photos! —>

Coming up Next:

I explore one more landmark in Las Vegas before I continue onward to Denver: The legendary Red Rock Canyon.

So Stay Tuned.

— — —
All accompanying photos are in the UNLV photo gallery. With so much free, high-quality content, why not tell a friend and share this article?

Or select a city to explore its attractions:

Read related articles

1. Las Vegas Strip Review: Venetian Gondolas, Bellagio Fountain & An Ancient Carved Tusk
2. 7th Holiday Extravaganza – Fragile Army poem
3. A Flash of Newfound Zen poem

As per usual, I caught a ride out of San Jose using Craiglist Rideshare (I outline in detail how I leverage Craiglist to travel safely in this article). I was quite excited to be moving onward once again, especially since I would get to explore a city that I’d never had a chance to explore in depth before: Las Vegas.

Believe it or not, I actually looked forward to the long drive down. A day earlier, I’d called my carpool partner and learned that he too was a member of Couchsurfing.org, and overall I got a good vibe from him. From the conversation, I suspected that the drive down would go very well.

It did. We had some great conversations and blasted Flight of the Conchords music as we drove through the afternoon and into the night (passing a small “fake” Vegas along the way). And when he dropped me off at my host’s place that night, we made plans to meet up the following day. Turns out, he’d never explored Las Vegas, either.

The following day, we met up again after breakfast and started exploring. As I said before, neither of us had explored The Strip before, and we had the movie-equivalent of an entire montage of fun (which is why I’ve formatted this article as a photo essay). And although I’m not a fan of gambling, I did try some video poker (purely for the cultural experience, I assure you), and I only ended up netting a $2 loss over a few rounds. Not bad for a gambling newbie, I’d say. My friend however, lost a bit more than that, but not as much as he would have if he hadn’t asked me to be his poker chip holder. That day, I became his willpower. It was interesting.

We also stumbled across an ancient tusk carving, a tiny Venice (complete with gondolas), beautiful stained-glass flowers, a free roulette lesson, an animatronic tree, and an amazing fountain show at the Bellagio that evening. And did I mention all of that is completely free? While Vegas can be expensive, it really depends on what you decide to do. There are many cheap and free activities to choose from, too.

Overall, my first day in Las Vegas turned out to be a great overview of the city. At the very least, I highly recommend you explore The Venetian and catch the Bellagio fountain show which happens each evening at the top of the hour. Unmissable!

Photos

— Bonus —

Marco the Spacefarer appears in all 15 photos in the accompanying photo gallery. If you’re new to the “Where’s Marco” game, it’s similar to “Where’s Waldo” or “I Spy”, and it’s totally fun!

Learn how to play —>
Then find him in the photos! —>

Coming up Next:

I stumble across the most beautiful desert flowers I have ever seen. Have you ever seen a Red Bird of Paradise? You will. The next article includes these stunning desert blooms, as well as those of the Orange Jubilee:

See what happened next —>

— — —
All accompanying photos are in the Las Vegas Strip photo gallery. With so much free, high-quality content, why not tell a friend and share this article?

Or select a city to explore its attractions:

Read related articles

1. Denver’s City Park Jazz Review (& The Haunted Prismatic Electric Fountain)
2. San Jose Bike Party Review: An Unparalleled Cycling Experience (with donuts!)
3. Golden Gate Bridge Review: How missing your bus can have a Silver Lining

Bike Party.

If you haven’t heard of it yet, Bike Party is a BLAST. Every month, the San Jose Bike Party volunteers plan a route leading out of San Jose, through the surrounding area, and back again. Their mission? To build community through cycling.

Despite it’s modest beginnings, Bike Party now attracts thousands of cyclists each month, many of whom decorate their bikes in outrageous ways. And while it’s difficult to completely describe the excitement and sheer adrenaline of biking with such a large group of people, my story (which happens to be a tale of tragedy and triumph) should give you a taste of what it’s like.

The Triumph

Oddly enough, the triumph came first. It all began when the friend who told me about Bike Party also happened to have a spare bike that I could use. (He’s one of those delightful characters who happens to love tinkering with fixed-gear bikes, yet somehow isn’t a hipster.) Unfortunately though, on our way to the Bike Party he realized that a part was missing from the front of his bike. And he wasn’t even sure if he had the part back at home.

Yet, as we walked down a San Jose street, I got the strangest feeling that the solution to our problem was nearby. I noticed that there was a bike shop farther up which happened to be open, but my friend was skeptical about whether or not they’d have the right sized part for his decidedly-unique fixie bike. I told him to ask anyway. “What’s the downside?”

Sure enough, after looking around for a few minutes, they were able to find the right part. (Some kind of nut, I think, which was ironic because I was about to see a LOT of nuts that night.)

When we finally arrived at one of the starting points, I was surprised to see how elaborately some of the bikes had been decorated. Many of them had colorful LED lights, and a few were even towing small carts with speakers on them!

Energy Drinks & Free Donuts

Soon we were among waves of hundreds of bikes following a preset path through San Jose’s streets, stopping at break points along the way, eventually reaching Cupertino, and heading back to San Jose again. Even big sponsors like Red Bull showed up in a branded car. And although I don’t normally have energy drinks, I chose that night to have my first Red Bull. It helped, given the circumstances.

Later on, during another break point along the way, I ended up talking to a software engineer who I was surprised to learn worked for Apple! Apparently, he was part of the team that worked on OS X’s Disk Utility, a program that I use just about weekly. Very cool.

In fact, everything went extremely smoothly. (At least, until the end.) And along the way, spontaneous chanting would break out. Usually, one person would yell “BIKE PARTY!” followed by ten people echoing it back to them. There was a real sense of camaraderie. I even came across a large cart, moving with the flow of the group, that was handing out free donuts! And soon it seemed like everyone had a donut amidst the spinning neon lights of the night.

The Tragedy

Perhaps fueled by this extra sugar, I began passing a few people. Actually, a lot of people. After a while, I was certain that I was near the front of the entire party. Yes, I knew it wasn’t a race, but I wanted to reach the endpoint at San Jose City Hall early so I could watch everyone come in and perhaps take a few photos of it, as well.

Then, I ran over a small piece of unidentifiable junk in the road. At first, I thought the bike was alright, and then everything felt wrong. My front tire was totally flat. After a few minutes, a concerned biker stopped and even pumped up my front tire with a small bike pump, but to no avail. There was a definitely a hole, and neither of us had a patching kit. I thanked him profusely, and he offered to lead me down a shortcut to the endpoint so I could wait for my friend. Soon, I was following him down side streets, cringing every time I hit a bump.

The Bigger Triumph

When I arrived at San Jose City Hall, over a hundred people were already there. And as I watched some of the wilder ones jump and balance on the City Hall plaque, I realized that even though the last 10% of my experience had been a bit of a bummer, that didn’t diminish how great the first 90% of Bike Party had been. Despite the setback, it was certainly some of the most fun I had during my entire time in California. So amidst the still-glowing cyclists around me, I decided to focus on that 90%, to focus on gratitude.

I’d already learned that by consistently focusing on what I’m grateful for, it opens the door for more positive experiences, and I wanted to keep that door open.

After all, I hadn’t even known Bike Party existed a mere week before, and what was to come was just as equally unpredictable and amazing.

Photos

— Bonus —

Marco the Spacefarer appears in all 5 photos in the accompanying photo gallery. If you’re new to the “Where’s Marco” game, it’s similar to “Where’s Waldo” or “I Spy”, and it’s totally fun!

Learn how to play —>
Then find him in the photos! —>

Coming up Next:

I finally began heading east again, and I soon found myself back in Las Vegas, the only city that seems to think life itself might just be one vast game. There I saw Venetian Gondolas, breathtaking fountain shows, an ancient Chinese elephant tusk, and so much more:

See what happened next —>

— — —
All accompanying photos are in the Bike Party photo gallery. With so much free, high-quality content, why not tell a friend and share this article?

Or select a city to explore its attractions:

Read related articles

1. Golden Gate Bridge Review: How missing your bus can have a Silver Lining
2. Portland Voodoo Doughnut Review: Bacon-Maple bars & Vegan donuts on the menu!
3. Las Vegas Strip Review: Venetian Gondolas, Bellagio Fountain & An Ancient Carved Tusk

It’s true. I’d wanted to walk across it for years, but just once was all I had in mind. I mean, it’s almost 2 miles long, and there’s a bus stop at the other end. No problem, right? Well, apparently the Universe had something more in mind for me that day.

The day’s adventure had begun at the intersection of Haight and Asbury, a neighborhood that had become famous during the 1960s as a haven for psychedelic rock and counterculture. Famous musical acts like Jefferson Airplane, Janis Joplin, and the Grateful Dead all lived short distances from the intersection at the time.

Since then, the spark of the neighborhood had seemed to fade. In fact, after wandering into one of the t-shirt shops and taking the photo above, I was told that I was only allowed to take one photo of the shirts inside.

That’s it. One photo. Try taking another, and you’re out of there. And this is coming from a shop that exists right on the proverbial Holy Land of Counterculture.

One can’t help but ask, “What happened?”

The Golden Journey & The Surprise on the Other Side

I kept moving. I had a long hike ahead of me. My path took me across the city, up to the Presidio of San Francisco, and north to the entrance of the Golden Gate Bridge.

When I finally arrived over an hour later, San Francisco actually seemed small in the distance, it’s skyscrapers appearing like tiny pencils reaching toward the sky. And just beyond the entrance of the bridge, I noticed that the Fort Point lighthouse that had seemed so large about a week before now seemed incredibly tiny when seen from this new vantage point.

Now, let’s be honest.

Until you’ve seen it in person, you really can’t appreciate how huge the Golden Gate Bridge is. It’s over 2.7 km (1.7 mi.) long and services around 300,000 vehicles every single day. And as I made my way across, looking up at it’s two massive towers, it was obvious why this was the most photographed bridge in the world. The bridge itself is nothing less than a work of art, and I felt honored to be able to walk across it. And for free, no less!

When I reached the other side, I found myself at Vista Point Overlook. I’d been here about a week before when I was heading up to the Muir Woods. But this time I was surprised to see a large biker group, all covered in black leather, taking a group picture with the bridge behind them.

Of course, I couldn’t help but sneak a picture of the moment.

Missing the Last Bus

After taking some time to enjoy the view and overall energy of the overlook, I knew I had to hurry if I was going to catch the bus back. I followed a narrow road that cut through rocky hills and expected the bus stop to be easy to find. It wasn’t. I found what I thought was the stop, but as the minutes passed, the reality of the situation settled upon me: I had missed the last bus to San Francisco.

There was only one option now. I had to walk back over the bridge in time to catch the train back to San Jose where my host lived.

Thankfully, the walk back turned out to be a positive experience. Despite my tired legs and feet, I was given a spectacular view of the sunset and the flickering city in the distance. A gibbous moon hung overhead, and I even met a Canadian woman who was also crossing back over the bridge. She was from Vancouver and found the idea of Couchsurfing intriguing. Thankfully, the conversation made the time fly, and soon we were back in San Francisco where we parted ways.

I only barely caught the bus to the train station, but I had done it. I had finally walked across the Golden Gate Bridge, and my San Francisco explorations finally felt complete, at least for this particular West Coast journey.

But that wasn’t the last amazing experience I had in the Bay Area.
Not by a long shot.

Photos

— Bonus —

Marco the Spacefarer appears in all 21 photos in the accompanying photo gallery. If you’re new to the “Where’s Marco” game, it’s similar to “Where’s Waldo” or “I Spy”, and it’s totally fun!

But this time something was different. He left is cloak on the entire time, which means he appears completely black in all of the photos. (I suggest looking for him in the shadows.)

Learn how to play —>
Then find him in the photos! —>

Coming up Next:

With my San Francisco explorations complete, I returned to San Jose to arrange a carpool to Las Vegas. But before I left California, an incredible opportunity to bicycle across South Bay manifested itself, and it turned out to be a blast:

See what happened next —>

— — —
All accompanying photos are in the Golden Gate Bridge photo gallery. With so much free, high-quality content, why not tell a friend and share this article?

Or select a city to explore its attractions:

Read related articles

1. What’s Hidden Underneath the Golden Gate Bridge (Historical Fort Point Review)
2. Twin Peaks & Sutro Baths Review: The Little-Known Ruins of San Francisco’s coast
3. Coit Tower Review: A Secret San Francisco View

Apparently, they called this place Twin Peaks, but they might as well have called it The Summit in the Sky; because after a short drive to the top, the entire city was laid out before me in all its beauty.

Mere photography couldn’t capture its radiance.

From here, its lightly colored buildings contrasted uncounted numbers of verdant trees. To my left, the Golden Gate Bridge itself seemed to bow upward slightly as it spanned the Golden Gate in the distance. And to my right, I could see straight down Market Street, all the way to the bay. The cars zipped down the boulevard like distant blood cells transporting oxygen down an artery. And in a way, that’s exactly what they were, moving to keep the economy of San Francisco alive.

Entering the Ruins

Soon afterward, I arrived at the Sutro Baths. Once a famous bathhouse, all that remained now was a long-abandoned concrete ruin on the western coast of the city. Strangely enough, no one else I’d mentioned it to had even heard of it, including a few people who had lived in San Francisco for years. So it came as no surprise to me when I arrived to find only a handful of people exploring its tortured stairwells and walls, as they were constantly barraged by crashing waves.

By now, not much was left of the ruins, save for a scummy pond, a few walls, a stairwell, and a shallow cave. I followed a steep, rusty path down.

As I approached the cave I noticed that the sun was low now, reflecting off of the waves that forever washed up over a lower path.

I thought I saw a man down there, but I can’t imagine how he could have held on.

Entering the Cave

I entered the cave, and inside I found a small tunnel which kicked up ocean spray whenever the waves crashed in. At the far end of the cave, the floor dropped off into the ocean. Two thin ropes holding up a warning sign were all that was between me and the torrents crashing on the jagged rocks below.

I walked back, noticing for the first time the small half-moon that hung high above the Cliff House farther down the beach. From here I could also see the famous Seal Rocks formation.

To my great surprise, it contained the hollowed out shape of a heart within.

Recap

You need to come here.

Having been destroyed by a fire in 1966, the ruins are mysterious and sad, yet somehow truly beautiful. My only regret is not ever finding anyone who knew what was beyond the seemingly ancient sealed-off door that led deeper into the rock. Perhaps it is nothing, I thought. Or perhaps it contains long rusted-away mining equipment. Or perhaps it contains something entirely more secret and sinister.

What do you think is inside?

— Bonus —

Marco the Spacefarer appears in all 24 photos in the accompanying photo gallery. If you’re new to the “Where’s Marco” game, it’s similar to “Where’s Waldo” or “I Spy”, and it’s totally fun!

Learn how to play —>
Then find him in the photos! —>

Coming up Next:

I complete my exploration of San Francisco with a walkabout that takes me across the Golden Gate Bridge. I nearly got lost in the process but managed to make it back to the bridge as the sun set behind me, meeting a Canadian in the process:

See what happened next —>

— — —
All accompanying photos are in the Sutro Baths photo gallery. With so much free, high-quality content, why not tell a friend and share this article?

Or select a city to explore its attractions:

Read related articles

1. Golden Gate Bridge Review: How missing your bus can have a Silver Lining
2. What’s Hidden Underneath the Golden Gate Bridge (Historical Fort Point Review)
3. Coit Tower Review: A Secret San Francisco View

Birds frolic in its ponds. Verdant trees tower high above your head. And everything seems to be at perfect peace. At first glance, at least.

What you don’t know is that the Japanese Tea Garden is home to a disguised Sea Monster, hidden in plain sight. And even without the sea monster as a point of interest, the Garden is a wonderful place. After all, it’s oldest public Japanese garden in the US, and there is history behind every corner.

So let’s begin with the first thing you’ll see.

The Verdancy of the Main Pond

Upon entering, you have lots of options in which path you can take. You can take the pathway around the Main Pond to see the massive 5-roofed Pagoda reflecting in the water, or you can start heading toward the Torii gate. Did I mention how absolutely vibrant and lush this place is? I visited in September, which seemed to be the best time to visit San Francisco, overall.

Not only had I picked the right month, I also happened to be there on the right day, because in the distance was an awesome, mysterious white mist that surrounded the entire garden. You can see more examples of this in the photo gallery that accompanies this article (link below).

And not long after I entered, I found myself at the foot of a very strange (to the point of being somewhat wacky), bridge called:

The Taiko Bashi (Drum Bridge)

Without a doubt, the Drum Bridge, made from carefully cut strips of wood, is something you must walk over during your time at the Garden. In fact, this was commissioned, built, and blessed in Japan before it was brought over to San Francisco. To complete the bridge and the nearby Bell Gate, the builder sold the family rice fields. Only decades later was his son able to repurchase the family fields. Things really came full circle, which is synchronistic considering that the bridge forms a perfect circle when seen with its reflection in the water below.

And yes, the bridge is a bit steep, but the view is worth it.

The Buddha without a Shelter

Although you might not guess at first glance, this 10 foot tall bronze statue is over 200 years old. It was originally cast in Tajima, Japan, for the Taionji Temple; but in 1949 it was presented to the Japanese Tea Garden. And I’m thankful for this because the statue itself seems to radiate the energy of Japan to all of its surroundings.

Perhaps because it was blessed before it came to America, but it lent a welcomed energy to the Garden. Its name, “Amazarashi-No-Hotoke”, is certainly appropriate since it means “The Buddha that sits throughout the sunny and rainy weather without a shelter”.

And you know what? It didn’t even need a shelter.

The Ornate Temple Gate

I continued wandering the many vibrant paths of the garden; and when I saw this, I was instantly amazed. For the first time in weeks, I felt as though I were actually in another nation. This ornate Temple Gate, and an amazing 5-roofed Pagoda nearby, came from San Francisco’s 1915 Panama-Pacific Exposition. And despite being nearly 100 years old, they were in very good condition. The white and red-orange paint of both made them pop out against their verdant surroundings.

The Zen Garden & The Sea Monster

At last, after wandering through the Garden, admiring its many plants, statues, and bridges; I came upon the Zen Garden within. It was so immaculate and meticulously maintained that I wouldn’t have guessed that it was designed in 1953. And although landscape architect Nagao Sukurai claimed that this Zen Garden symbolizes a miniature mountain scene, I think we both see through that illusion.

Do you see the head? Do you see the green body of the creature? Surely, you see the tail rising up out of the water. These are not miniature islands and forests. Don’t let the azaleas fool you. There is more going on here than meets the eye.

I encourage you to look at a larger version of the photo in the gallery. See the triangular stone head at the left? This is a Sea Creature that has shape-shifted into bits of plant and stone. Don’t believe me? Have a closer look and come to your own conclusion.

In either case, the Japanese Tea Garden within the Golden Gate park is a lovely place to visit to relax, have some tea, and reconnect with nature. Recommended.

Stumbling Across the Twisting Trees

Having explored nearly every nook of the Garden (and my stomach beginning to rumble), I took the West Gate exit and headed toward Stow Lake.

This strange, twisting tree was something I came across as I moved west. It didn’t seem to grow up so much as it grew around and along invisible lines of force. And while it didn’t try to kill me (at least not in an obvious way), it did look menacing. Nearby the creepy tree, I also saw a group of people playing bicycle polo.

Because that’s just something they do in San Francisco.

— Bonus —

Marco the Spacefarer appears in all 27 photos in the accompanying photo gallery. If you’re new to the “Where’s Marco” game, it’s similar to “Where’s Waldo” or “I Spy”, and it’s totally fun!

Learn how to play —>
Then find him in the photos! —>

Coming up Next:

An incredible view of San Francisco and the bay from Twin Peaks. And then, I got to visit the little-known Sutro Baths ruins on the west side of the city, discovering some mysterious caves nearby in the process:

See what happened next —>

— — —
All accompanying photos are in the Japanese Tea Garden photo gallery. With so much free, high-quality content, why not tell a friend and share this article?

Or select a city to explore its attractions:

Read related articles

1. What’s Hidden Underneath the Golden Gate Bridge (Historical Fort Point Review)
2. International Rose Test Garden Review: Top 10 (& the Best Free Activity in Portland)
3. Lan Su Chinese Garden Review: A Visit that Transcends Portland (& Time itself)

So it’s perfect that today’s carnival entries include plenty of vacation ideas, including a new spin on the very idea of what a vacation can be. Perhaps even more importantly, some of today’s entries reflect on the concept of “home” itself.

If you’ve submitted to the BTBC in the past, you may have noticed that BlogCarnival.com was down for the past few weeks. If you meant to submit but couldn’t because of the outage, please submit a quality piece to be considered for the next BTBC which will be coming in May, which I think be an especially big one.

The Best of BTBC #11

If you’re new to blog carnivals, they’re one of the best ways to discover awesome new content you never would have discovered otherwise. And each time I publish a BTBC, I love to highlight three articles that really stick with me, ones you shouldn’t miss. This time I’d like to highlight:

1. An Evening Out in Monmarte and Pigalle Paris by Shanna Schultz is an interesting glimpse into Paris’ Red District, including some great safety tips. Interestingly, she describes it as “a place where one could straddle the line between normal and risque…like you could dip your toes into the dark pool that is the sultry seductive pool of Paris’ other side.” Definitely an interesting read.
2. How I Went From Teaching High School To Traveling Around North America… by Tathata is a disarmingly honest and raw tale about how a great adventure, letting a man named Adi go (a different Adi, not me), and an auto shop led one writer to a completely new understanding of what “pain” and “beauty” really are.
3. Only in Norway: Some lessons I’ve learned from living up here by Andy Higgs is a fun examination of the many quirks and wonders of what its like to live in Norway. According to the article, even though not everyone has a cabin and a boat to zip about in (as the rumors say), everyone can get up to a year of maternity leave. Yes, a year. And on a completely unrelated note, the Norwegian brown cheese apparently does grow on you. (Not literally, though!)

A Reminder & A Win-Win-Win

And before I forget, if one of your articles is in this month’s edition, I’d really appreciate it if you could retweet, stumble, and “Like” this carnival on Facebook. Remember, spreading the word multiplies the reach of this blog carnival which in turn helps more people discover your article and grows your site. (And if you aren’t yet a submitter, find out how you too can join in farther down.)

Thanks again for submitting to the BTBC. By doing so, you reach many people, many of which have never even seen your site before, so it’s a real win-win-win situation.

So, without further ado, let’s explore the wonders of Norway, Paris’ Red Light District, the surprises of Ottawa, the picturesque streets of Lisbon, and beyond…

Travel Destinations

Shanna Schultz presents:
An Adult Evening Out in Monmarte and Pigalle Paris (Paris’ Red Light District) posted at There and Back Again, saying,

“Our evening out in Monmarte and Pigalle Paris (Paris’ Red Light District) as well as some great ideas to help you plan your visit.”

Theresa Torres presents:
Top 7 Eco Friendly Travel Destinations posted at Lodging World, saying,

“If you’re planning to travel and prefer somewhere closer to nature, here are 7 great destinations for you to enjoy the natural environment and local culture.”

Travel Photography

Sarah presents:
Lisbon Romance posted at Natsumi.

Travel Stories

Tathata presents:
How I Went From Teaching High School To Traveling Around North America To Returning Home To Work In An Autoshop posted at That Which Really Is, saying,

“In 2010, I left my job and promising career, got rid of most of my belongings, left my city, and took to the road to work with horses on ranches around the US and Canada. I aimed to learn everything I could about horses, and ended up learning a lot more about myself.”

Anwar presents:
Gunpowder Plot Day posted at Beyond My Front Door, saying,

“The history of the Gunpowder plot, how the day has changed, and my experience of it when I traveled to the UK in November.”

Andy Higgs presents:
Only in Norway… Some lessons I’ve learned from living up here posted at Grown-up Travel Guide.

Travel Tips

Hayley Picchini presents:
Volunteer Vacations – Give, Enjoy, and Rejuvenate All At Once posted at Classy Not Pricey, saying,

“Information on alternative travel opportunities that include a component of giving back and volunteerism.”

Hayley Picchini presents:
From Romania to Israel to Paris – Traveling for free with miles, points, and other tricks posted at Classy Not Pricey, saying,

“Key tips for earning points & miles to travel (at the international level) for free.”

Anwar presents:
Five Fun things to do in Ottawa in the Winter posted at Beyond My Front Door, saying,

“Tips on what to do in Ottawa during the long cold winters as seen from my trip there in the winter of 2012.”

Theresa Torres presents:
Traveling Without Breaking Your Bank Account posted at Digital Photo Buzz, saying,

“There are plenty of ways we can save on our travels. Here are some suggestions on how we can enjoy ourselves without breaking the bank.”

Care to grow your blog’s audience?

If you write well (and you’ve written something that relates to travel), and you haven’t submitted to the BTBC before, can I ask you a question? What are you waiting for? Blog Carnivals are an amazing and free way to get more exposure to your work, so you’d be silly not to take advantage of this opportunity.

I know this from firsthand experience because blog carnivals have been helpful in spreading the word about Byteful Travel. So if you’re a writer, and you’ve written something that relates to travel, submit a piece you’re proud of to the next BTBC by going to the submission form. Just remember to read the ground rules. (And to see past posts and future hosts, check the blog carnival index.)

Also, if you enjoyed the carnival, you’ll probably enjoy the Byteful Travel Weekly Recap, as well. It automatically collects the best content from writers I’ve hand-picked from around the web (most of which I’ve discovered because they’ve submitted to the BTBC).

Coming up on Byteful Travel:

Soon we explore the wonders of a verdant Japanese Tea Garden in San Francisco, complete with a hidden sea monster. And not long after that, we explore Las Vegas, so be sure to subscribe and stay in touch. And until next time, may your travels enlighten your soul to fresh insights, new connections, and powerful experiences.

Read related articles

1. Byteful Travel Blog Carnival #10 – 2012 Jan
2. Byteful Travel Blog Carnival #4 – 2010 Dec 14
3. Byteful Travel Blog Carnival #7 – 2011 July 26

I had to confront this possibility when I attended Steve Pavlina’s Conscious Success Workshop in January, and I came away with a surprising shift in my perspective.

At the workshop, we did plenty of eye-opening exercises, but one stood out in particular: The Ultimate Self Exercise. In it, we were to imagine the best version of ourselves, our superhero selves. Steve even gave us crayons of various colors so that we could draw out what our superhero would look like, and on the back of our drawing we were to write down our superhero’s powers and virtues. Once we finished, we were to go around the room and introduce ourselves as if we were our superhero, tell the other person about our powers, learn about their abilities, and then give them a high five.

The Birth of The Trailblazer

Needless to say, I was really excited. But I was also pretty nervous since I had no idea what my superhero would be.

I stared at a blank piece of paper and waited for something to come to mind. Well, my superhero would undoubtedly be a Master of Travel. He’d be completely fearless, completely adaptable, and would effortlessly inspire people around the world. He’d also be able to fly, but he wouldn’t have a cape because capes get caught in jet turbines and are generally a bad idea.

I began drawing this idealized version of myself, and soon The Trailblazer was born.

And while the drawing to the right may have the artistic skill of a 4th grader, I think it gets the point across. It’s me, blonde hair and all, encompassing the world, carrying stories to inspire others along the way. (Later I felt better when I discovered that most other’s drawings were stick figures, as well.)

And I instantly loved the name The Trailblazer. It felt right.

Meeting some Great Supers

After about 5 minutes, Steve announced that time was up. Now was the moment of truth: it was time to share our superheroes with each other. I quickly wrote down my superhero powers and virtues. (This was actually easier than the drawing part. And although I only put 3, you can put as many as you want.)

Superpowers:

1. Courageously explore the mysteries of any place I visit and any person who opens up to me
2. Inspire people to embrace more freedom in their own lives
3. Live/Adapt to anywhere. And can fly. (No capes.)

So naturally, my virtues were freedom, exploration, and wisdom, and I was excited to share The Trailblazer with the 50-60 other people in the room. In the process of sharing, I met many awesome superheroes that afternoon. Superheroes that had big hearts. Superheroes that were very creative and made beautiful works. And even some bizarre superheroes that had powers I can’t even remember. Best of all, almost all of them had the ability to give super hugs.

What are Superheroes, really?

The Superheroes of CSW

You can be, too. After all, people do amazing things all of the time. Some pluck people out of the fire or the sea. And some share ideas that powerfully affect the world. People save each other in various ways around the world every day. Superheroes exist, but we often don’t consider them superheroes.

At the end of Day 1, I took some time to sit alone and reflect on the drawing I’d created. If I continue down the path I’m on, how “super” could I become? How much more could I contribute and in what better ways? When I think about it, there are even some travel writers that I’d consider superheroes. Gary Arndt comes to mind. He’s been on the road for years exploring exotic places, adapting to different languages, arranging lodging and transportation, and still manages to write what seems like 97 articles per month.

Superheroes are people who seriously have it together, know what they want to create on a deep level, and continuously improve at their craft. And that’s the same path that I’m committed to. I know it takes years to become a well-rounded superhero, but I also know that I’ll get there because of how much I love what I do. All it takes is continuing down the path, and when I see how far I’ve come in the last few years, the progress that I see is really encouraging. My progress reminds me that Mastery is measured in hours and eventually comes as long as you stay on the path.

What about you? What does your ideal self look like? What’s your superhero name? What powers and virtues would the best version of you have? Try the exercise for yourself. I think you’ll find it enlightening. And then take some time every day to move a little bit closer to that person. After all, one tiny step a day multiplied by years turns into what seems to be one giant leap. And the time is going to pass, anyway, so why not focus on getting closer and closer to that person?

What’s the name of the superhero hiding inside of you?
C’mon, show us what you’ve got!

No posts relate.

In fact, over the course of the last few years, I’ve realized that I tend to share the same few shows and movies repeatedly to new people I meet on my travels. To my continual surprise, many people haven’t seen any of the 5 gems below, so today (with the help of some video clips) I’d like to change that.

And in case you were wondering, Netflix did not pay me to write this. I’ve never written a sponsored post for Byteful Travel, and I don’t ever plan to. I simply write about what I love, and I love the Netflix instant streaming service, especially the gems I’ve listed below. So just search for anything in this list to stream it (at least at of the time of this writing). And if you don’t have Netflix, you can probably find them through less convenient means. (However, if you’re outside of the US, Netflix will probably block you. There are ways to bypass this if you Google around.)

So, if it’s not already abundantly clear, the titles in the list below are close to my heart, and I’m excited to share them and hopefully expose you to some gems on Netflix that you’ll come to love. So let’s begin with my comedic bread ‘n butter:

1. The IT Crowd [2006-2012]

To be brutally honest, this show has become such a part of my Netflix experience that I can’t even remember how I originally found out about it, which is why I call it my comedic bread ‘n butter. My best guess is that someone I met while travelling introduced me to it. What’s important is, I became hooked. Quickly.

Fans of The Big Bang Theory will feel right at home with The IT Crowd. Premiering a year before Big Bang Theory began, I can’t help but wonder if they drew some inspiration from IT Crowd. Indeed, the show is unique among most comedies in that every single episode is written and directed by its creator, Graham Linehan. You may also recognize a few faces, such as Chris O’Dowd of Bridesmaids fame.

And don’t let the 8-bit music intro fool you, you don’t need to be a geek to enjoy this show. I recommend that you watch the very first episode to get introduced, and give it at least 2 episodes before you decide if you like it. And while I could continue to try to explain the magic of this Emmy award-winning show, I’d rather show you:

2. Office Space [1999]

Probably the most realistic comedy I’ve ever seen. On the surface, you could say Office Space is about the absurdity of the corporate world. You could even say it’s about loathing your work environment. But having seen this film many times, I’ve come to realize that even beyond the excellent script and flawed-yet-lovable characters, this movie is really about our ideas around happiness and how that fits in with the modern world.

It’s also about Milton, the minor character that you see hiding behind the yellow man in the picture. Yeah, that’s Milton. They take his red stapler away, and then they move his office to the basement.

But don’t worry, Milton gets his revenge. A very satisfying revenge. The clip below should give you an idea of the plot:

3. Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Final Sacrifice [1998]

If you’re not already familiar with the comedic genius that is Mystery Science Theater 3000 (aka. MST3K), these guys basically take old films and make them hilarious again, and The Final Sacrifice is no exception. In fact, if you’ve never seen an MST3K episode before, this is a great introduction to their hilariosity.

And let’s not forget the protagonist, Troy.

After finding a map that belonged to his murdered father, Troy searches for the truth beyond the crime and soon runs into Zap Rowsdower (played by Bruce J. Mitchell), a wonderfully grumpy Canadian man who continually helps Troy escape an ancient cult which may be connected with his father’s death. MST3K’s Mike Nelson and his robots add a spice to the film that is truly unforgettable.

I even found this video containing some classic moments from the episode:

4. Labyrinth [1986]

While not strictly a comedy, there’s just something about this movie that makes me laugh every time I put it on. Perhaps it’s the innocence, the quirkiness of David Bowie’s persona, or the sheer amount of hair that this movie has.

Whatever it is, if you’re a fan of Jim Henson at all (and who isn’t?), this movie is basically required viewing. I was originally introduced to Labyrinth while in Portland on my West Coast journey. My couchsurfing host was stunned that I’d never seen it, and once I had a chance to sit down and watch it, I was forever grateful to him.

The movie features David Bowie as a treacherous Goblin King who has the baby brother of young Sarah (played by Jennifer Connelly) trapped in a castle surrounded by a giant labyrinth. Pressed against time (by a 13-hour clock no less!), Sarah must embark on a wild journey, gain new courage, and conquer the labyrinthian maze before thirteen hours are up. It’s wonderfully imaginative and satisfying; and the soundtrack is an instant classic. Definitely worth checking out.

As difficult as it is to capture the epicness of this movie in a single clip, this should give you a taste:

5. The Big Lebowski [1998]

If you’ve only seen this movie once, you haven’t really seen it. This comedy cult-classic belongs to that rare breed of films in which the second viewing surpasses the first. Even rarer, the 5th viewing surpasses the 4th.

Like many Coen Brother films, the plot is deceptively complex yet masterfully executed. In it, “The Dude” (played by Jeff Bridges) gets entangled in a web of mystery when he’s mistaken for another man named Lebowski whose wife has been kidnapped and being held for ransom. Add his friends Walter (a Vietnam vet whose PTSD is somehow portrayed wonderfully) and Donnie (whose wandering mind always seems to ask the most obvious questions), plus a slew of dynamic secondary characters, and you have a cocktail of personalities that you truly come to love by the end.

Still funny after the 12th and 13th viewings, The Big Lebowski is one of the only great comedy films with a heart. And since there’s and no video clip that can do it justice, I recommend you start from the beginning and watch it as soon as possible.

And then watch it again.
…am I wrong?

No posts relate.

Lately, I’ve been doing a 30 day trial of running a couple miles every morning, 7 days a week. The effect of this has been nothing short of transformational. Not only have my stress levels reduced, but I’ve gotten a lot more done in a shorter period of time, too. I’ve exercised daily in the past, but never so consistently. Never 10+ days in a row without fail, that’s for sure. As a result, I’ve had a greater sense of clarity of mind, the like of which I haven’t felt in a long time.

Now let’s consider the act of travel. Not only does it push you out of your comfort zone (thus stimulating the creation of new connections in your brain), but it also provides a multitude of opportunities for you to shift your perspective. Powerfully.

Jump while It’s Hot

For instance, when I was in California I was very motivated to explore as much as possible within a few weeks because I was waiting for a carpool opportunity to manifest via craigslist. And I had to admit that I didn’t know how long it would take to find a ride onward to my next destination. I had to be ready to leave on any day.

Yet because of this uncertainty, I noticed I was more likely to jump on good opportunities to explore instead of overanalyzing them. And in the process, I saw the Googleplex, Apple Campus, Intel’s Museum, and the Computer History Museum all in the same day. And the very next day I explored San Francisco on foot, seeing Coit Tower, Lombard Street, and Fort Point, taking a multitude of photos in the process which have now found their way into many articles.

The point being, these experiences came in waves, and I rode each wave to its fullest potential. I realized that, when I fully embraced the flow of travel, I was able to tune into my own motivation much more easily than when I was staying still. It was as if the constantly changing environment spurred me on to get clearer about how I wanted to spend my limited time in California, and on a more profound level, my finite time on this Earth.

Riding the Waves of Opportunity

The upshot of this was that, during my grand West Coast journey, I packed a lot into the month of September. I was incredibly productive because I was riding the waves of opportunity, I felt amazing, and I was absolutely loving what I was doing. My needs were being met. I was getting plenty of exercise, my mind was engaged, and my spirit was enthralled. Now, perhaps you’re thinking: “It’s easy to be productive when you love what you’re doing right? But in other areas of life, what if you can’t do what you love?”

The answer is that the question is flawed. You can always do what you love. As Merlin Mann so eloquently says again and again, it’s a matter of care and sacrifice. If you care enough about the thing you love to let other things fade away, then you will be able to spend time on whatever you love. But until you make that choice you have not told the world, or the universe, what you really want. You haven’t committed to it…

But when you do, truly magical things can happen.

After all, your time is going to pass anyway. Nothing stops the hours, so why not do everything you can with that limited time to go after your life’s dream? Don’t fool yourself. There is never going to be a perfect day to take a risk, but isn’t it time you started living like the courageous being that you truly are? Travel asks us this question within each adventure, and our ability to say Yes is directly related to how each adventure turns out. Travel is always giving us opportunities to reignite our spirit and become more congruent on our path.

Rediscover the Melody of You

Travel can help you rediscover who you are. It can cause you to completely reassess your self-image for the better, especially if you go far out of your comfort zone. It may seem uncomfortable at first, but that feeling will transform itself into exhilaration.

The question you have to ask yourself is, how much longer are you going to wait before you start moving toward what you want? Are you living your life merely trying to live up to other’s expectations? Is that how a truly intelligent, loving, and powerful person would behave? Unless you want a pile of regrets and “what ifs” to examine as you lie on your deathbed, take your life for all its worth. While you may even feel you have plenty of time, this is an illusion. None of us know how much time we have left, so don’t waste any more time. Play the melody of you.

After all, this is your universe, too.

No posts relate.

And although I didn’t know it at the time, I too would soon be harnessing that power as I rode a cable car westward toward Golden Gate Park. I also didn’t know about the hilarious bright-red guy… but we’ll get to that.

First, let’s explore the origin of this power: the Cable Car Museum, for within the museum is the mythical powerhouse that drives the cable car lines. And as you’ll soon realize, the Cable Car Museum is a must see. It’s free, it’s educational, and it’s a blast. Even the welcome sign has something to teach us.

A Friendly Welcome & The Sheave Room

I decided to wait until the end to checkout the Sheave Room downstairs. First, I would investigate the rumbling sound coming from deeper inside. And since the sign had introduced me to a new word, I also needed to find out what a “sheave” was. As I proceeded inward, I soon realized the source of the sound I’d been hearing.

There was a powerhouse just below me.

The Source of the Sound

Of course! The source of the sound I’d been hearing was the very source of motion for the cable cars: the winding machinery, which consists of the electric motors, the cables, and the sheaves.

I should probably clarify here. A “sheave” is a wheel with a groove for a rope to run on. When connected to an electric motor, as in the case above, a series of them can be used to power cable cars around the city. And these sheaves are constantly spinning at a leisurely 9.5 mph.

In fact, four separate cables were being routed through the cable car powerhouse below me, and a sign nearby explained that each were supported by large sheaves and hundreds of small pulleys as they moved in channels under the San Francisco streets. To move, each cable car had a grip mechanism that, when used by the gripman, would grab onto a cable running just below the street to pull the car along.

The system, while designed over 100 years ago, was nonetheless amazing.

A Tale of 22 Lines

Soon, I came across this 6 ton giant. Grip car #46 (pictured above) was part of the Sutter Street Railway in the 1870s. Apparently, during the heyday of cable cars from 1880 to 1906, nine different railroad companies operated twenty-two cable car lines throughout the city. Competition was rife, and to prevent other operators from using their tracks, each company used different track widths.

Of course, the heyday didn’t last forever, and by 1956 the tracks for the three remaining lines were absorbed into San Francisco MUNI and standardized to work together.

Whatever company grip car #46 had belonged to, it was well-preserved; and I tried to imagine this car going down the streets of a much younger San Francisco without all of its modern skyscrapers and tech company giants. Obviously, it was quite a different world back then.

A Friendly Warning from the Vigilance Committee

We need look no further than a nearby sign threatening the hanging of thieves (pictured above) as an excellent example of how society has changed. I’m not sure where this was posted originally, but I doubt it was created for the museum since it was founded in 1974.

And yet, it’s very likely that this building has contained the winding machinery powerhouse for longer than that, so perhaps it was posted in the powerhouse to prevent any lawlessness. As you know I’m not a lawyer, so if anyone could leave a comment to illuminate me as to whether or not there actually were hangings in San Francisco in the 1800s, I would appreciate your insight.

At last, the Sheave Room

Eventually, I made my way down to the sheave room which routed the cables under the street. It was quite a feat of engineering, and I found myself staring at half a dozen or so wheels as they spun with an almost hypnotizing rhythm.

What would it feel like to harness that power? I decided to head back up the stairs to street level and find out.

Hanging Out & The Friendly Gripman

After waiting a few minutes, a cable car approached, and I jumped at the opportunity. It was already pretty full, but I’d never done this before and knew this was something I had to do while the opportunity was fresh.

Somehow I found a comfortable seat on the side. Ahead, I saw the gripman use the huge grip lever to clamp onto an unseen cable below the car, and soon we were roaming up one of San Francisco’s hills with ease. As we sped along at a smooth 9.5 mph, I held onto a grip and hung out from the cable car a few feet, resembling a rhesus monkey as I snapped some photos. Below, I noticed that another cable car track ran parallel very near to the track we were on.

Soon, I realized the interesting ramification of this as another cable car passed very close by us. So close, in fact, that I had to put my backpack on over my stomach so we could pass by without bumping elbows with anyone in the other car. I’m not sure if this is a common problem, and if our car hadn’t been so packed, it wouldn’t have been such a squeeze.

Welcome to Wonderland

Seeing the city by cable car is a unique and unforgettable experience. As we headed west toward Golden Gate Park, we passed construction projects, city monuments, famous hotels, and this hilarious man in a red suit (pictured above).

Now, at the time I didn’t know anything about the Sir Francis Drake Hotel, but later I learned that they require all of their doormen to wear these hilarious “beefeater” uniforms. Apparently, they’re going for a Medieval theme… or Alice in Wonderland. Either would work. Anyway, this guy fit into his surroundings about as well as a Bengal Tiger would have.

It was magnificent.

Soon, we were near the Haight-Ashbury intersection, just a few short blocks from Golden Gate Park. I jumped off the cable car and asked the gripman what I owed him. He waved his hand and told me it was free. Perhaps he could tell I wasn’t from the city, or perhaps he’d gone over capacity and already filled some kind of quota. In either case, I was grateful for his generosity; and as I walked west along Haight Street, exotic sounds of a street performer playing a sitar floated through the air.

The wonders of the Japanese Tea Garden were just ahead.

— Bonus —

It will not surprise long time readers to hear that Marco the Spacefarer continued to follow me on that day and therefore appears in all 15 photos in the accompanying photo gallery. If you’re new to the “Where’s Marco” game, it’s similar to “Where’s Waldo” or “I Spy”, and it’s totally fun!

Learn how to play —>
Then find him in the photos! —>

Continue the journey

As I alluded to above, next we explore the beauty of the Japanese Tea Garden nestled within San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park and the disguised sea monster inside:

See what happened next —>

— — —
All accompanying photos are in the Cable Car Museum photo gallery. With so much free, high-quality content, why not tell a friend and share this article?

Or select a city to explore its attractions:

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