9+ Cheapest Places To Travel Now In USA: USA Travel Guide On A Shoestring

BY  Sibashree Oct 28, 2024

Yosemite National Park comes with great news for the explorers. The park has ended its reservation season early in 2024. So, for the rest of the year, you can enjoy a drive through the park without reservation.  In a social media post, Yosemite National Park authority has mentioned “ending the 2024 reservation season after this weekend (October 13)."  With no stress about getting a reservation, Yosemite National Park will surely be the destination for trekkers and wildlife lovers. However, before you plan a trip to the park, you must have a detailed idea of what to do there.  Best Things To Do At Yosemite National Park Yosemite National Park allows you to explore many activities, from camping to hiking. Therefore, setting the itinerary right can be a little taxing, with many options available.  So, here, I will discuss the outdoor pursuits in the park, with special emphasis on hiking, wildlife exploration, and stargazing.  Yosemite National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, inscribed in 1984.  Hiking In Yosemite National Park This park has more than 750 miles of hiking trails. Further, if you want to explore the park’s ecology, wildlife, and geological formations closely, hiking is the best way out.  So, you can try these most popular hiking trails in Yosemite National Park.  Upper Yosemite Falls Trail Trekking Length: More than 10 Kms Difficulty Level: Hard Pet Friendly: No Time Of Trekking: Around 6 Hours  How about exploring a hiking trail that takes you to the top of the tallest waterfall in America?  You will also love the best views from Columbia Rock as you advance in your expedition.   Mirror Lake Loop Trekking Length: 8 Km Difficulty Level: Easy Pet Friendly: Yes  Time Of Trekking: 2 Hours The beautiful trekking route takes you to Mirror Lake and Tenaya Creek. Further, the calm water of the lake shows the most beautiful reflections of the surrounding cliffs.  However, often, the lake does not have adequate water, and then it looks like a meadow with sandy areas and grasses. So, it is also known as Mirror Meadow.  Nevada Fall Via The Mist Trail Trekking Length: Around 10 Km Difficulty Level: Hard Pet Friendly: No Time Of Trekking: 4 Hours   Nevada Fall Via The Mist Trail is a signature hike, allowing you to explore many spectacular views scattered around it.  Located on the Merced River, the water in the fall has a misty appearance. Further, falling from a height, the water of the cascade looks like an avalanche.  Lower Yosemite Falls Trail  Trekking Length: 2 Km Difficulty Level: Easy Pet Friendly: Yes Time Of Trekking: 30 Minutes   A deafening sound of water will fill your ears as you complete the Lower Yosemite Falls Trail trek and stand on the footbridge. This hiking trail is the best for enjoying beautiful views of Yosemite Falls and creeks. Further, throughout the trek, you will learn about the park’s culture and history.  Exploring Wildlife At Yosemite National Park “Approximately 95% of the park is designated wilderness. The entire park is surrounded by four national forests, several adjacent portions of which are designated wilderness areas, thereby providing connectivity with the larger landscape.” - UNESCO World Heritage Convention. Surrounded by forests and extensive wilderness, Yosemite National Park is home to around 90 mammal species. Further, this park has many amphibians, reptiles, birds, insects, and fish. I will talk about the birds and fish in detail shortly. So, here is a brief overview of the mammals, amphibians, reptiles, and insects found here.  Mammals Black BearsBighorn SheepPacific FisherRed FoxBatsMountain LionsDeerGrizzly BearAmphibians Sierra NewtPacific TreefrogCalifornia Red-Legged FrogYosemite ToadsReptilesSierra Fence LizardSierra Alligator LizardsWestern Pond TurtleSierra GartersnakeSierra Mountain KingsnakeNorthern Pacific Rattlesnake (It is the only venomous snake out of the 13 species of snakes found here.)InsectsElderberry Longhorn BeetleCaddisfliesGrasshoppersBristletails Among the species found here, grizzly bears, foothill yellow-legged frogs, and California red-legged frogs are the ones on the verge of extinction. Fragmentation of habitat, air pollution, and the invasion of non-native species are the primary reasons behind this process of eradication.  Stargazing In Yosemite National Park  The minimal light pollution and extensive wilderness make Yosemite National Park a great space for stargazing. Further, from July to October, this park is a great space to observe the Milky Way.  In addition, there are multiple hotspots in the park for stargazing. So, check out the table below to know where to enjoy the starry affair the most. Stargazing Location In The ParkBest Spots Yosemite ValleyEl Capitan MeadowCook's MeadowSwinging BridgeTunnel ViewGlacier PointGlacier Point OverlookWashburn PointTioga RoadTenaya LakeOlmsted Point Wawona is another popular stargazing location in the park, and it offers a peaceful experience.  Stargazing Experiences You Cannot Miss As you set out to stargaze in Yosemite National Park, you will encounter many unique sights. However, watching the moonbows or climber’s headlamps are the two most common stargazing experiences in the park.  Climber’s Headlamps During spring and fall, many climbers spend their nights on the cliffs of Yosemite Park. As they notice the first star coming out, they turn on their headlamps.  Moonbows April to June is the waterfall season in the park. On full moon nights in that season, the moonlight creates a rainbow in the mist of Yosemite Falls.  Even if your eyes cannot catch the colors, your camera surely will.  Birdwatching In Yosemite National Park  This national park is a favorite of birders, considering the presence of 262 species. Among them, 165 are habitat and migratory species, while the remaining one are transient species.  Further, the elevation of the park ranges between 2000 to 13000 feet. So, you will notice massive changes in the behaviors and features of the birds found here.  Yosemite Conservancy birdwatching outing and Christmas Bird Count are some of the programs that you can join if you want to locate the local, migratory, and transient ones.  Some common species of birds found here are the Great gray owl, American dipper, spotted owl, and Western tanagers.  A park-wide census of willow flycatchers has been conducted in the park. The report shows that these species do not breed in the park anymore.  Rock Climbing In Yosemite National Park  Yosemite National Park is a hub of rock climbers. Rock climbing here is beyond big wall climbs or conquering the cliffs. Further, almost every big wall in the park has a distinct ecosystem for you to explore.  Some popular rock climbing spots in the park are Merced River Canyon and Tuolumne Meadows. However, climbing the El Capitan is the most adventurous outdoor pursuit you can try in the park. The Oscar-winning movie Free Solo has further put this rock-climbing destination under the spotlight.  Water Activities At Yosemite National Park  Swimming, boating, rafting, and fishing are the best water activities in Yosemite National Park.  Swimming You can swim in almost any water body in the park. However, swimming is prohibited in the following water bodies. Dana Fork of the Tuolumne River Lake Eleanor Reservoir Wawona Domestic Water Intake Hetch Hetchy Reservoir Emerald Pool  Silver Apron Further, for the best cooling-off experience, you can try swimming in the Merced River.  Boating And Rafting  The best locations for boating and rafting in Yosemite National Park are Merced River, South Fork Merced River, and Tenaya Lake.  Rafting in the Merced River is a popular summer activity in the park. So, you can rent a raft or try kayaking here.  Further, you must wear a personal floatation device for kayaking and rafting in the South Fork Merced River or Tenaya Lake.  Fishing In Yosemite National Park  Are you over 16? Then, you will need a California fishing license to fish in the park. Further, you must abide by the California and Yosemite Park regulations about fishing.  Nevertheless, the best places for fishing in the park are: Merced River South Fork Merced River  Frog Creek Adair Lake Hanging Basket Lake Sacramento pikeminnow, California roach, and riffle sculpin are some native fish species in the national park. Furthermore, trout is the most common non-native species in the region.  Yosemite National Park At A Glance Location: California, United States Highest Point: Mount Lyell (3,997 Meters) Area: Around 1,200 Square Miles Operating Hours: 24*7 Origin of Name: Uzumate, meaning Grizzly Bear Visitor Centers: Yosemite Valley Welcome Center, Yosemite Exploration Center, Valley Wilderness Center, etc. How To Reach: Visit the park from the west through Highways 41, 140, and 120. However, to reach the park easily, you will have to take Highway 120. Further, please note that the Tioga Pass Entrance remains closed from November to May or June.  Best Time to Visit: May to June Also read Why Include Whale Watching In Your LA Itinerary. Travelling On A Budget: Tips For Affordable Adventures. From Cocktails To Kickflips: Must-Try Activities In San Diego.

BY  sagnika Sep 20, 2023

Did you know that the United States took Alaska away from Russia? Do you know how far is Russia from Alaska? The two Diomedes Islands, belonging to the USA and Russia, have a mysterious relationship due to their standard time and geographical features. Read the article to uncover the truth behind the mysterious relationship! The two largest countries worldwide, the United States and Russia are 21 hours apart. Alaska is situated nearest to Russia, being a state of the U.S. The Bering Strait is the geographic point between the borders of Russia and the United States! Want to learn more about this point? Keep reading. Isn't it weird that Little Diomede residents depended on helicopters for food? Marine beings play an important role; hence, I will highlight the significance of aquatic animals in the mystery. Bridging Continents: Unveiling The Mystique Of Russia And Alaska's Proximity! How far is Alaska from Russia? You have to read the article to learn about how the two nations, the United States and Russia, are claiming their rights on the two Diomedes Islands. Guess the interesting aspects of the Island and why it is all mysterious. The time and the geographical differences between the two points of the Islands make you question the International Date Line and the American-Russian maritime border. Being a day ahead by a day of the Big Diomedes as compared to Little Diomedes makes you question the time zone concerns! It is quite curious to know how the islands have been named and their significance concerning the history of Alaska and Russia. There are Alaskan natives to be considered among all these political, geographical, and time zone aspects. Want to know the distance between Alaska and Russia? Separated By Geography And United By Mystery! Want to know how far is Russia from Alaska? The closest geographical connection between Russia and Alaska is the Diomede Islands, which are 2.4 miles apart. Water is separating the two Islands, in another way, separating the two countries. The two islands are the extremes of the two countries, thus claiming the big and the little Diomedes Islands as the symbolic sentinels. The two countries have a history of heroic explorers who have sledded, kayaked, and swum across the distance. A 2.4-mile distance between the two Islands is connected with the water body, the Pacific Ocean. With a very rocky history, the Islands share an indigenous group of people; however, it needs to be considered more important by the nations. The Bering Strait The narrowest point between the Seward Peninsula (U.S.) and the Kamchatka Peninsula (Russia) is 55 miles, separating Alaska from Russia. This waterway was discovered by a second European, a Danish explorer, Vitrus Bering, who inspired the Berling Strait. The first explorer of this frigid waterway was the Russian explorer Semyon Dezhnev! Vitrus Bering named the place Greek Christian Saint Diomede because he discovered the Islands on 16 August 1728. This day coincides with the feast day. Hence, the Island was named the Big Diomede Island and the Little Diomede Island. The Bering Strait is significant because it is the only marine gateway that allows mass migration of gray whales, bowhead, and beluga. It is known as an important ecological zone for marine animals. Seals, walruses, fish, and other marine animals can access nutrient-rich Arctic Ocean environments through this zone. The Big Diomede Island The Ratmonov island is towards Russia and is also claimed as Russian Island, which is the nation's easternmost point. It was in 1867 that the Alaskan Territory was sold on a $7 million sale. During the Cold War and World War II, the Island was a perfect location for the outposts of the Soviet military. The rocky Island is flat and houses up to 11 species of birds with rough weather with clouds and storms. The Little Diomede Island Little Diomede Island is the smallest of the two Islands, with a population of 80 to 100 citizens! You can only access the Island by waterways or through one heliport in town. They receive their supplies from mainland Alaska as these are the only two ways! During the harsh winters, the Island is covered with thick ice sheets, so the locals must carve the ice sheets to create landing zones. It is situated in the eastern area. The Time Difference Between The Two Islands! So, if you are wondering, how far away is Alaska from Russia? The International Date Line (IDL) separates the two Islands, Big Diomedes Island and Little Diomedes Island, which makes the time difference so apparent! The Big Diomedes Island is known as Tomorrow Isle as it is 21 hours ahead of time. So, wanna know how far from Russia to Alaska? The Little Diomedes Island is known as the Yesterday Isle because it was further back then. Overall, the two islands are separated by 23 hours. The 9 hours have been adjusted concerning daylight saving time! Apart from that, 12 hours have been established for managing the timezone of the Island along with the nations! So now you have got the answer to your question, how far is Russia from Alaska! Alaska Was Taken Away From Russia! It was in 1867 that Alaska was purchased from Russia by the United States, thus becoming a political separation. During this time, a new border was drawn across the two islands. During the Cold War, the section of the Bering Strait was nicknamed the "Ice Curtain" between the two Islands. The islands are situated south of the Arctic Circle, about 52 miles apart. Read More: Six Important Factors To Consider Before Planning Alaska Fishing Trip The Politics Of Diomede Islands! The Indigenous Inupiat people claim the two Diomedes Islands as theirs; however, both the nations, the USA and Russia, have disrespected these claims. The two countries have made national declarations regarding the Diomedes Islands as their extreme points. The Bering Strait can become a bottleneck for ship traffic that will pollute the ecosystem. The narrow area acts as a pathway with a fragile ecosystem with oil spills and engine noise. Finishing Off… So, to answer, how far is Russia from Alaska? For the answer, read the article! When learning about the political history of Alaska related to Russia and the USA, there is the question: How far is Russia from Alaska? It was important to understand how close the countries are, and yet there is a time gap between them. The interesting thing was naming the Islands and how it impacted people's perceptions. Apart from the mystery, the concern is how nobody is giving importance to the indigenous people of Alaska! The governments of both Russia and the United States are not concerned about the people. Comment to let us know your perspective on the time difference between the Big and Little Diomedes islands! Read Also: These Are The Closest Beaches To Ohio That You Need To Go For A Dreamy Vacation! Paradise Found: Exploring Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica’s Tropical Gem! Check Out These Beaches That Are Closest To Tennessee’s Knoxville!

BY  sagnika Sep 12, 2023

Skipping breakfast is never an option for me, and neither should you skip breakfast! How about you learn Panera breakfast hours and decide what you want to eat? Read this article to learn more about the breakfast hours and food items available during breakfast! If you want to experience some of the best bread, opt for Panera! Other breakfast options are also available. Hence, you can choose based on your preferences. The restaurant is known for its fresh food and the quality of the dishes. There are free membership programs, discounts and offers available at the restaurant chain and websites which you can avail. The restaurant chain's website claims to have high-quality food and focus on 100% cleanliness! Panera Breakfast Hours: When Do They Start Serving Breakfast? There are days when you wake up and crave a delicious, high-quality breakfast but don't want to make it! This happens most of the day for working individuals, but it is only possible sometimes. Instead, at times, opting for Panera breakfast is a perfect way to satisfy the craving. Panera Bread is quite transparent with regard to calories and added sugar in its food items and beverage options. Sources of the restaurant chain claim that the food offered is completely sustainable, as are the practices. The restaurant has dining and pickup options. An efficient way to the pickup option is to opt for a rapid or curbside pickup! On its website, Panera Bread has listed all information concerning ingredients, nutrition and allergen elements. About Panera Breakfast! Panera Bread Company is an American chain store, a bakery cafe with fast food casual restaurants. The restaurant chain was first established in 1987 by Linda and Ken Rosenthal in Kirkwood, Missouri. Initially, the bakery-cafe chain Saint Louis Bread Company was launched in 1993. The company was then purchased by a public company called Au Bon Pain Co. The purchaser changed the name to Panera Bread Company later. The company offers a variety of pastries and baked goods, such as cookies, bagels, croissants, brownies, baguettes, muffins and scones. Cold sandwiches are also available in this restaurant, so the restaurant is quite satisfactory on the breakfast scale. Apart from these items, there are items on the regular menu for dine-in and takeout. You will get flatbreads, Panera Kids, Salads, pasta, Panini and side choices. You will also have tea, lemonade, iced drinks and frozen drinks! What Are Panera Breakfast Hours? So, Does Panera serve breakfast all day? There is a rumor that Panera Breads serve breakfast 24 hours a day, but there is no truth to it! The Panera Breakfast Hours starts from Monday to Saturday at 6:00 a.m.; on Sunday, it is a bit late as it begins at 7:00 a.m. The Panera breakfast hours on weekdays end at 10:30 a.m. So, dearies, it would help if you woke up early to catch up to the breakfast menu. Want to know, when does Panera stop serving breakfast? However, the time extends a little more on Saturday, which means the breakfast hour ends at 11 a.m. The Panera breakfast hours weekend, including Saturday and Sunday, ends at 11 a.m.! At times, if you don't feel like getting up early or you cannot make it in time, order a delicious Panera breakfast on any food-delivery app like Uber Eats, GrubHub or DoorDash. However, maintain the timeline of 10:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. to order! What Does Panera Serve For Breakfast? Oh, the yumiliciousness that is Panera Breakfast! There is a wide variety of breakfast items; some of my favorite ones are bagels, cakes, and muffins! They have some of the best breakfast sandwiches, including the classic combination of cheese, egg, and bacon on brioche! It's a classic combination! Do not worry; there is something for vegetarians, such as cheese and egg sandwiches. Further, egg lovers can order scrambled eggs, cheese, and sausage on ciabatta. Not all restaurants offer this, but Panera Bread allows customers to modify their choices of eggs and bread. Another favorite item of mine is Panera baked egg souffle, absolute heaven. If you have yet to try souffles, try their four cheese souffle, spinach and bacon souffle, spinach, and artichoke souffle! Other classic items on this menu are mixed berry parfait, a summer fruit cup, steel-cut oatmeal with pecans and strawberries, and Greek yogurt! Did you know about the secret menu of Panera? The menu includes the power breakfast egg white bowl accompanying roasted turkey and the egg bowl with steak. Want to know the Panera breakfast menu? You can visit their website. You cannot see the secret items on the menu but can order in the associate stores. Even if they do not know, tell them the ingredients you want, and they will make it up. Further, remember the different styles of bagels, such as blueberry, plain, sesame, cinnamon swirl, chocolate chip, Asiago, cinnamon crunch and french toast. If you are diet-conscious, you can order just plain sprouted grain bagels. Lunch And Dinner Hours! Lunch can be ordered after breakfast, especially when the soup preparation starts! The best part is the lunch options in Panera are available the whole day! At least most of the options for the food are available. If you feel like having mac and cheese or salad at 6 a.m. on Friday morning, your cravings will be satisfied at Panera. You can access the lunch menu after 11 a.m., while most of the items in the dinner menu are also accessible. For people who want to have something healthy, they have a diverse collection of food dishes, inclusive of spinach breakfast sandwiches with egg white and avocado, quinoa, oatmeal with almonds, black bean salad, and others. You can modify the food items based on your preferences or requirements if you are health-conscious! For example, you can ask the staff to decrease or lighten up the dressing in Caesar's salad, ask for multigrain bread instead of a Ciabatta roll, etc. Competitors Of Panera Breakfast! Panera Breakfast is an established name in the food industry but for a company to flourish effectively, competitors are an important part. Let us get into details regarding four competitions of the Panera breakfast and how they bring the best to the customers. The market offers diverse food options along with their popularity to the people who visit these restaurants. Let us talk about 4 competitors of Panera Breakfast who have worked hard to create products which become quite popular for the people who visit. McDonald’s The company McDonald’s was founded in 1940 by Richard and Maurice McDonalds! Primarily the focus was to sell hamburgers, chicken products such as cheese burgers, soft drinks, breakfast items, desserts and milkshakes.  After some years back, other items that have been added to their menu are fish wraps, salads, fruits and smoothies. There are three levels of mode of operation such as corporation, affiliate and franchise through which McDonald’s functions. Starbucks Starbucks has become a brand which was first founded in 1971! An American multinational chain of coffeehouses along with roastery reserves with their headquarters in Seattle in Washington. It is a global and the largest coffeehouse chain! The company Starbucks is a coffee shop chain which is a global organization as you can find it in different parts of the world. You will be shocked to know that there are 24500 outlets in different countries such as Canada, China, USA, South Korea and Japan. Domino’s The company Domino’s Pizza was founded in 1960 and is now a popular restaurant chain with its headquarters situated in Michigan, USA. Over 80 countries have outlets of this restaurant company serving their food worldwide.  One of the largest pizza chains in the world, Domino’s sells more than 1.5 million pizzas everyday! The restaurant is owned by master franchisor Domino’s Pizza, Inc. while it is led by CEO Russell Weiner. The headquarter of the brand is at Ann Arbor Township, near Ann Arbor Michigan! KFC An American fast food chain, KFC is the full form of Kentucky Fried Chicken and it was established in Colonel Harland Sanders. The beginning of the restaurant is quite humble as it was during the great depression. It was just a roadside stall when it started out. But now it has become one of the largest fast food chains alongside Burger King and McDonald’s! Reviews Of Panera Breakfast! On Tripadvisor, Panera Bread has been rated as 4 out of 5 based on 63 reviews. Most reviews are tagged as excellent, and people appreciate the restaurant's quality of fresh food. One of the reviews by johnb403 states that the half soup and sandwich combo was delicious. The broccoli cheese soup and turkey breast are something to be tried by you. The review also informed that the restaurant's salads are also very good. Another review, rated 5 out of 5 by Klittle59, tells about the good meals always available at Panera Bread. Menu choices are delicious and varied, they change from season to season. The have added fancy teas and lemonades. Pastries are awesome. Soups and sandwiches are always delicious and filling. Finishing Up… Now that you know about Panera breakfast hours, you must visit it once and try it! The restaurant chain is a well-known American-based bakery cafe unit, and you must take advantage of the delicious food items available there! Various non-veg food items, health-conscious items, veg options, etc., are available. The breakfast hours end at a good time because you can also have brunch if you are late for breakfast in Panera! Leave a comment for us about your favorite item at Panera Bread! Read Also: Hardee’s Breakfast Hours: When Do They Serve Breakfast? Wendy's Breakfast Hours: When To Visit Wendy's For Breakfast? Brekkie At Golden Corral: When Does Golden Corral Start Serving Breakfast?