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BY  Sibashree Oct 28, 2024

With mountains, faults, monoliths, deserts, and unique geological formations, Joshua Tree National Park has emerged as an important ecological hub of California. Further, as the name goes, the park has the most amazing Joshua Tree, a Yucca palm species that became famous with the Joshua Tree album by U2.  Spanning 800,000 acres and situated at 5000 feet above sea level, this national park is like a natural tapestry. Further, 85% of this national park is still pristine wilderness. So, there is no wonder that a place like this harbors the best secrets and fun facts that are yet to be explored.  Here, I will share some amazing info about the park’s history, fossils, cryptobiotic crusts, and more. Joshua Tree National Park is about to complete 30 years of its designation as a national park on 31st October 2024. President Franklin Delano Roosevelt designated it as a national monument in 1936. Things No One Talks About Joshua Tree National Park  The basics are boring! There is no fun in visiting a place that does not have stories to tell. However, this national park, designated in 1994, has mountains and ecological units that echo the tales of history, changes, and humanity.  Let’s get into the stories, but before that, let me give you a brief account about when and how to visit the park. September to November is the best time to explore the park due to pleasant weather conditions.  Further, the Annual Night Sky Festival occurs in the park in October. It’s a delightful experience for people of all age groups. Thomas Crochetiere writes many fascinating stories about Joshua Tree National Park in his “The History of Joshua Tree National Park: A historical, informational, and educational timeline of Joshua Tree National Park.” If you are interested in the park’s history, you can grab a Kindle edition of the book.  1. Fascinating Historical Tales About Joshua Tree National Park  Human history in Joshua Tree National Park is as old as 15000 years. Two archaeologists, William Campbell and Elizabeth Campbell, further discovered the existence of Pinto culture in this park. Pinto Culture In The Park  People belonging to this Pinto Culture used to stay in cool grassland environments here, and they were primarily hunters. Pinto culture in the national park was discovered by archaeologists thanks to the triangular-shaped spears, scraping and cutting tools, and seed-processing tools.  All the implements that established a Pinto connection to the place indicate that the Pinto people led a bohemian lifestyle. Along with hunting, they also practiced seasonal harvesting.  Native Americans Occupying Joshua Tree National Park  Europeans came to Joshua Tree National Park in the late 18th century. However, the park had three groups of Native Americans. They followed the Pinto culture, thriving locally in the park. These three tribes were: Cahuilla Serrano Chemehuevi The Chemehuevi tribe was the latest to occupy the national park, and they came to this park from the Great Basin of Nevada in 1500.  All these tribes adopted the tools of the Pinto people, and they improved and diversified them.  Cattlemen First Occupied The Joshua Tree National Park  Joshua Tree National Park has every element of a Western movie. The western side of the park had higher elevations during the 1870s. These areas also received a higher rainfall and had different species of native grasses.  As a result, many cattle owners used to flock to these parts of the park for cattle grazing.  William “Bill” McHaney was the earliest cattleman in this park. He was a legendary figure, and he took his Texas Longhorns to these higher valleys. He will be known for living in the national park and exploring the area for around 60 years. Further, his brother, Jim, built a gang to steal cattle from Mexico and Arizona.  Discovery Of Gold In Joshua Tree National Park  The 19th century was the biggest highlight in the Joshua Tree National Park. Miners flocked to this park in great numbers for the discovery of gold. Twentynine Palms was the first area to have mining expeditions in the park in the late 1860s.  The presence of water in the Oasis of Mara was the main reason behind extensive mining expeditions at Twentynine Palms. Gold was collected from dirt using dry washing. The process was fun, and it involved throwing dirt mixed with dust into the air. The dirt was caught as it came down in the air, and this process continued until the mix only had gold dust.  Desert Queen Mine was a more successful gold mining venture in the park. It was Frank L. James, an employee of the Lost Horse Mine, who discovered the vein of gold in the Northern Queen Valley. Unfortunately, he had to lose his life at the hands of  Charles Martin. Martin was a part of the notorious cattle-rustler gang of Jim McHaney. Jim McHaney was the brother of William “Bill” McHaney, a legendary figure in the park.  Joshua Tree National Park Had An Important Role To Play During World War I  The dry, desert climate of Joshua Tree National Park was beneficial for the war veterans suffering from the effects of the mustard gas. This gas was so lethal that it had to be banned after World War I. Did You Know?The Geneva Gas Protocol Treaty, signed in 1925 by most countries, banned the use of biological and chemical weapons in war.  Germans introduced mustard gas in 1917, and any contact with the gas used to cause skin burns, blisters, and respiratory problems. Patients hit by this gas needed to get hospitalized for the treatment of chemical burns and respiratory issues.  Moreover, the survivors of the mustard gas attacks had greater risks of developing cancer.  2. Fossils Of Joshua Tree National Park  https://www.instagram.com/p/ClHXsRDS2Xq/?img_index=1 The fossils in the Joshua Tree National Park tell us about the geological evolutions, extreme natural events, and biodiversity. So, what were the animals that roamed here when the earth was a cooler and greener space? Let’s have a look at the list below.  Columbian mammoths Dire wolves Camels Horses Llamas Giant ground sloths Saber-toothed cats  Bison American Pronghorn Did Dinosaurs Live At Joshua Tree National Park? Scientists believe that Joshua Tree National Park had dinosaurs. Some of the oldest rocks in the park are from the dinosaur era. However, being metamorphic and igneous, these rocks could not preserve the skeleton of the dinosaurs. So, there is no “black and white” evidence regarding the existence of dinosaurs in the park yet.  The oldest fossil found in the park is the tooth of a pocket gopher. It was found in a 7.8 million years old sediment. The park has many other microfossils that are even older.  Moreover, the midden of the pack rats has been a gold mine for finding plant and insect species. At least 12 species of plants were found in the midden, and the oldest was around 30,000 years old. In addition, the darkling beetle fossils in the midden come from various ages. The oldest dates back to  34,000 years ago, and the latest is as old as 1000 years old.  Above all, the human artifacts and bones collected in this midden speak of human history and the evolution of their lifestyle.  3. Cryptobiotic Crusts Of Joshua Tree National Park  What are cryptobiotic crusts? They are hidden biotic organisms present on the surface of the park soil. Blue-green algae or cyanobacteria are the leading cryptobiotic crusts at Joshua Tree National Park. The other forms of cryptobiotic crusts present in the park soil are: Mosses Lichens Microfungi Bacteria Green algae Now, these cryptobiotic crusts are important to bind the sand and soil particles of the park together. In other words, they prevent soil erosion caused by wind and water.    4. Spiritual Stories And Symbolism Around Joshua Tree National Park “The Joshua Tree” album by Irish band U2 brought the spiritual connection or symbolism around the Joshua trees in the park under the spotlight. The album explores the gap between the promised land and the real land of America. The desert also stood for the desolation of the soul, while the Joshua trees, surviving in extreme weather conditions, became the symbol of hope and prayer. However, you must go back around 180 years to trace how Joshua trees have always been associated with symbolism and Biblical stories. In the 1850s, the Mormon pioneers crossed the Mojave Desert and saw these trees.  The upraised branches of the trees reminded them of Joshua, who stretched his arms to the sky for prayer and led the “Israelites into the Promised Land.” So, this is how these Yucca Palm trees got their new name.  5. Joshua Tree National Park Is The Best For Stargazing  As International Dark Night Sky, Joshua Tree National Park is one of the best places in California for stargazing. The following parking lot areas are best for Joshua Tree National Park stargazing. Hidden Valley Ryan Mountain Quail Springs Cap Rock Along with these places, you can also choose Pinto Basin for an amazing stargazing experience.  How To Reach Joshua Tree National Park? Joshua Tree National Park has three entrances. The table below details these entrances and will help you pick the right one based on the location you are traveling from. Park Entrance GateLocation Ideal For Tourists FromWest EntranceAt Park Blvd Off Highway 62Los AngelesPalm SpringsSan DiegoNorth Entrance29 Palms, Off Highway 62Las VegasSouth EntranceCottonwood Spring, Off Highway 10Salton Sea area The West Entrance is the main entrance to Joshua Tree National Park. You must drive through California Highway 62 or Interstate 10 road to reach here.  Further, if you are traveling by air, you must reach Palm Springs Airport, and from there, you can rent a car. The Los Angeles International Airport is also 150 miles away from this park.   Also read Why Include Whale Watching In Your LA Itinerary. Traveling On A Budget: Tips For Affordable Adventures. From Cocktails To Kickflips: Must-Try Activities In San Diego.

BY  Abdul Aziz Apr 11, 2022

Marketers today rely on videos to showcase their products or service to the audience. More than 80% of the internet audience is now spending billions of hours watching videos. And, eyeing this trend, search engine giant Google has modified its algorithm to prioritize the video content. According to a study, videos come in 52% of Google keyword searches, and more than 80% of these search results are derived from YouTube. Therefore, video marketing is not visually appealing, but they are perfect from the SEO point of view. Therefore, videos have become the main aspect of marketing, replacing the conventional marketing tricks. According to marketers, videos are much more effective than texts and images. They simply provide a sense of practicality to the viewer, and it will be easy to convince them after watching an introductory video of any product or service. That's the abject for selecting video as the prominent marketing tool for the travel business Marketers find many reasons to trust videos to promote their travel business. A few of the important reasons are mentioned below. Prime Reasons for Using Videos in Travel Business 1. Videos offer effortless engagement Using video content for marketing allows businesses to tap into a huge audience. Videos eliminate reading requirements, and travelers find it easy to view a video rather than spend hours reading texts. Since videos are replacing the conventional marketing techniques, that doesn't mean the value of the texts and images has decreased. Still, they are valuable to describe any specific location or its outstanding features. Videos arrest the viewers' attention, and that is the best part of promoting the travel business. 2. Helps to increase the visibility of the brand A video can be heavily edited and customizable. They can be made to intensify the viewer's emotion and yield the best result for the travel industry. Engaging video contents are effective in influencing the decision-making process. Plus, when you publish a catchy and informative video on your timeline, not only will it grab appreciation from your followers, but they never hesitate to share that with their circle. Due to this feature, marketers never hesitate to invest thousands of dollars in making commercial videos. 3. Better click-through-rates Call-to-Action or CTA is one of the finest features that drive viewers to land on your travel website directly. It provides a passage to view and features of the travel agency. The website and the While creating the video, ensure to include CTA in the video so that you can allow the travelers to go to the next point once the video is over. CTA is the key to video promotion, and it enhances engagement with your audience and improves click-through rates. 4. Videos are suitable for all the occasions If you want to introduce any new tour, then creating a video on that specific topic is the best way to let your audience know about that. You can insert new information providing fresh highlights or the current one. It is also possible to introduce the travel team or an interview with a client who has already availed of your package. This kind of inclusion will make the video a real one. 5. Higher email click-through-rates Videos are attractive, and inserting the word video means it will attract the viewer's attention. The same thing applies to email marketing. When you insert a video in the email, chances are the audience will open the email and read what you have put there. That means inserting video will drive more traffic to the website, and once the traffic flow grows, the chance of conversion also grows simultaneously. How to Use Video to Drive More Conversions in the Travel Business? Here is how to use video to convert viewers to potential customers for your travel business. 1. Create Engaging video content Creating videos is the finest way to engage the audience. You can try to create amazing videos using an online video maker tool. Making use of these tools can be quite beneficial for marketers as these tools are very versatile and customizable due to their easy-to-use features. Their uses and benefits are endless for a brand. Once the audience starts to believe in the brand through these original videos, the business is bound to grow. You can post this video on social media channels to draw maximum attention. If you have any website, then upload these types of videos on them, and in this way, the viewers will get an overall idea regarding the brand and the proprietor. 2. Virtual meeting with clients  Virtual meetings are a fun way to improve the engagement with the clients, especially for the people who are planning a group tour. Keep the meetings as simple as possible so that the clients will feel easy to interact with you openly. If the client is not planning anything to travel anywhere, ask about the future planning. This is the right way to concrete the relationship that ultimately delivers the best result to the travel business. 3. Share HD quality destination videos If you are planning to launch any travel package based on any specific location, then before that, share a few quality videos regarding that destination. These videos can also be added to proposals you create for the clients. This is a fun and interactive way to showcase the beauty of the destination they probably want to travel to in the future. 4. Insert videos in the client's proposal To gain the customer’s trust, it is the best way to embed videos in the proposals. The videos can be based on the destination, hotel, and tour. This is why many marketers today use videos while preparing clients' proposals. 5. Happy hour with clients If you have something special to share with your clients, arrange a happy hour. Fix a time where everyone can join and discuss the special feature or plan with your loyal clients. In this session, you can also take a couple of questions from the clients and answer them directly during the session. Virtual meetings are cool since you can meet with your loyal clients anywhere without barriers. 6. Creating a travel vlog Travel business can be thriving when more and more people travel to their favorite destination. If they don't know the destination and the details available there, they won't step out of their comfort zone. To inspire them to travel, you should create travel vlogs. These videos don't need any fancy film production techniques, but they must be simple and interactive. Make travel vlogs on these topics: Walkthrough tour Hotel room tour Vlogs are based on the delicacies and foods in the restaurants. Videos that record the part of the tour Assembling multiple clips to prepare a complete video highlighting the best features of the destination 7. Share travel tips through the videos Few people want to travel, but they have a lack knowledge of how to prepare for it. If you are leading a travel business, then create informative videos regarding how to prepare yourself for travel. Giving the ideology in the form of travel tips it's going to lead to a positive impact on clients or visitors. Making videos on packing tips, food, and beverage selection, clothes to carry, and accessories that help during the travel is a fantastic idea to improve engagement with the audience. These videos also draw a positive impression from the audience that directly impacts brand value. 8. Drive more sales by video greetings Video greetings are innovative ways to drive more sales towards your travel business. You can record a quick 1-2 minutes greeting video for your client and send it to him. Thank him for accepting the proposal and wishing for a better travel experience in the video. These are the ways that draw more attraction and brand loyalty from the customers. Preparing these videos is also simple, and there is no need to invest heavily while creating them. 9. Make question-answer videos Question-answer sessions are best to improve the engagement with the clients. Brand loyalty is the best thing that delivers long-term results from the clients, and this is why you should spare some time to make a Q&A video. Take questions from the comments and answer them by naming the person. In this way, that person will feel privileged and loyal forever. 10. Create "how-to" or demo videos Share videos with your followers describing any unique recipe they can cook in the home. Describe the steps of the recipe and make it visually appealing. Once you create and upload it to your social media accounts, it will attract maximum attention from the audience. Conclusion Video is the most powerful marketing tool now. Using the right video marketing technique in the travel business will surely drive more leads to the brand. Read Also: How To Fund The Cost Of Travelling Top 5 Travel Tips For Your Next Trip To China 5 Fascinating And Fun Travel Destination Ideas In Africa For Vacation Top 10 Scenic Snowflake Cities In The U.S. To Travel To This Winter

BY  Abdul Aziz Sep 20, 2021

Stunning West Wendover holds the most magnificent view of the clear salt lakes. The place’s unique military history delivers the presence of the rich history. And this naturally beautiful place has become the most attractive tourist destination in West Wendover. Wendover hotels are not only gorgeous, but the modern luxurious amenities are also too attractive. The casino culture of the place attracts more travelers and tourists.  Wendover is full of different sizes of casinos, and casinos mean the more lucrative features of the hotels. You are getting all the modern attractions with the natural view. The clear blue lake and the miles-long salt flats are making these places a more desirable destination for adventure lovers and photographers. The small mountains and various safe hiking places are making this the most seductive stop in the USA. Are you looking for a tourist place which is full of modern equipment and luxury? Then the Wendover hotels are the best example of meeting your expectations and surrounding yourself with natural beauty. Top 6 Most Popular Wendover Hotels In West Wendover The popular hotels of Wendover hotels all have the facility of the Casino. West Wendover is a small city in Elko country. Indeed this is a small town, the versatility of the area makes the area special.  This small area is popular for its natural beauty and friendly local people. The luxurious hotels with casinos and bars are everywhere in the town. Here is a list of the six most popular hotels in West Wendover. 1. Rainbow Casino & Hotel Rainbow casino and hotel is the most popular hotel among all Wendover hotels. This is the perfect place where you can lay down in bed calmly. This place is the perfect place to take a rest and rejuvenate your mind. The beauty of salt lake city is lying under the natural beauty and playing casino games. All the modern luxury items are available in your rooms. LCD television, minibar, small countertop refrigerator, air conditioner, and iron board everything is available in your hotel rooms. The internet wifi access and indoor pool facility are the most attractive features of the hotel and the casino bar. When you want to play and enjoy your days while accessing all luxury of the hotel rooms, this is the fittest place where you get all the luxury items under a single roof. 2. Wendover Nugget Hotel & Casino Large casinos and beautiful small hills are the main attraction of the place. Stay and play and pamper yourself with all the modern luxury items. The luxury items are all the best almost 500 deluxe rooms are available, along with the whirlpool bath services. The big entrance is colorful and luxurious to look at. The front entrance is inviting the guest with their widely stretched hands. All the suites are luxurious. The hotel’s unique pool and spa help keep your mind cool during the time of the game. Besides the casino bar, cigar bar, and Starbucks area, it adds more points to the nugget hotel and casino. If you do not want to play the Casino, you can simply relax in your room and take a calming hot tub bath. 3. Montego Bay Casino Resort Montego Bay Casino Resort is one of the best travelers preferred among all the Wendover hotels. The environment is very calming and when you are simply traveling in the town. When you want to take a simple break, this Montego Bay Casino resort is the best suitable stop. Over 500 rooms are available for guest reservations. As the casino is the most popular place to play the coins, the night view of the resort is so attractive; indeed, you see the beautiful small hills in the background, and the big gate is in front of you, along with the big parking lot. In the middle of the building, a large size swimming pool is available to relax your mind. You can simply enjoy the swimming pool view from your rooms. All rooms have a modern spa-like facility along with the Jacuzzi and facility of hot bathtubs. 4. Peppermill Wendover Hotel Casino Peppermill Wendover hotel-casino is the best place to get all the facilities like other casino hotels in West Wendover. The free big parking is available in front of the West Wendover hotel. Each of the hotel rooms has all the modern amenities along with a nice relaxing ambiance. The LCD monitor and the other facilities like minibar, air conditioners, and varieties of gaming slots, and varieties of poker games are available.  This Wendover hotel-casino is very popular among all travelers because of its good quality foods. The indoor and outdoor pool facilities are helping you spend more relaxing time with your particular person. Peppermill Wendover Hotel Casino is scoring ten out of ten because of its beautiful and romantic ambiance. Also Read: Top 10 Affordable Hostels In Los Angeles – California 5. Red Garter Hotel & Casino Are you looking for a small stopover while traveling in the West Wendover? This hotel is relatively new, and they offer a good room quality within your budget. All the rooms of the hotel are scoring ten out of ten in the quality aspect. The rooms are all cozy, and the environment is calm and friendly. When you feel exhausted while playing the casino game, the swimming pool helps you to freshen up your mind. This casino hotel is perfect for a small stopover while you are traveling on the road. Many moving travelers are visiting this casino hotel as the perfect stopover. The most attractive features of the place are their dining menu. The versatile food and menus are making this hotel the most preferred place for all moving travelers. Also Read: Top 10 Hotels In India 6. Quality Inn Stateline Quality Inn Stateline is proving very comfortable suits at an affordable price. This inn is just situated in the middle of the town, and many popular casinos are just throwing away the distance from the place. This popular cozy Inn Just 10 minutes drive from the Bonneville Salt flats. When are we talking about Wendover hotels? What comes first into your mind is a large crowded casino hotel or a cozy room. This is the best place which brings you a lot of mental peace. This less crowded place is popular and a small distance from the popular casinos. The salt lakes are most attractive for the adventure traveler, and if you are one of them, then a smart and comfortable inn is the best suitable place for you. As the comfortable room amenities and the delicious dining meal items are making your mind fresh. Frequently Asked Questions How much do hotels in Wendover cost? Based on Trip.com, the average cost per night for hotels in Wendover is USD 121. Hotel prices can vary from time to time. This price is only for reference. What hotels in Wendover are suitable for couples? Whether you are on a honeymoon or vacation with your loved one, Supreme 8 by Wyndham, Best western plus Wendover, and Motel 6 Wendover are the ones chosen by the couples. Wrapping Up  Wendover is popular among adventure-loving traveler, photographers, and many gamblers. Undoubtedly the salt lakes of the Wendover are the most popular places to explore, but the casino popularity is making this place the most desired traveling destination. If you are planning to travel to West Wendover, then do not forget to share your travel story with us. You May Also Like:  Alabama Travel Guide Top 10 Most Popular Paraguay Food That You Must Try Best Time To Visit New York – Know All About New York Weather